Music Industry

Artistic & Entrepreneurial Pursuits

Television chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse, an accomplished musician, turned down a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music in order to pursue his first love: cooking. However, he kept his love of melody alive, integrating it into his TV cooking shows by adding musicians on each program.

John McVeigh is known around the world as a tenor but he tired of extensive touring and left New York, settling in Maine where he took metalsmith classes and began making jewelry, for which he now has a growing reputation. Still involved in opera, but touring less, he takes his jewelry on the road. His creations are popular with musicians.

Deborah Lippman’s vocation as a manicurist blossomed while she pursued a recording career. She later started a beauty products company inspired by her clientele and love of music.
Lippman developed a line of glitter nail polish, and created colors named after popular songs.

In 1956, Johnny Mathis was a world-class athlete faced with a decision: sign with Columbia records or go to the Olympic Games. Mathis recently explained that he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be in the presence of renowned jazz greats at that time. Mathis is still with Columbia records today.

Lesson: An interest or skill in music or any other field can be pursued or expressed in any number of traditional or innovative ways.