We’re looking forward to introducing you to Daniel Childs. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Daniel, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I think when any business or artistic venture is being built, no one on the outside could ever have any idea just what all went into building it. And when you’re a sole proprietor, you’re continually building your business – it’s a somewhat endless process. While “proud” isn’t a word I would use for myself, it is really something to look up today and see how far I’ve come in the past five and a half years of playing music full time. I started with an acoustic guitar, an amp and no contacts. I hit the street. And fast forward to today, I’m playing roughly 260 shows per year, not just solo but also with a band. Not only that, but I’ve put out an album and several singles in that time. We’ve played some big festivals, and even got to open a show in Nashville. It’s mind-blowing just how far it’s come.
What no one sees, though, is the hard stuff. The afternoons spent trying to drum up business, the continual work to organize the calendar, and the mystery of how to fill the empty dates. The sweat and physical toll of working so many hours in a subtropical climate. The nights when no one’s listening, and you’re trying not to be hurt by it. The tight seasons. It’s not always rainbows and unicorns, that’s for sure. But the wonderful things we experience make the hard work worthwhile.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Daniel Childs and I’m a full-time recording artist / entertainer based in the Tampa Bay Area. I perform roughly 260 shows per year, both solo and with a band. And we have a lot of fun along the way!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My dad! My dad is a professional entertainer and always has been. I spent most of my childhood traveling with him on tours, or following him to nearby shows. As a kid I watched him do the things I’m doing now. Who needs school when you have that? But yes, I did graduate high school.
One night dad would be opening a concert in an arena with just a guitar. The next night, he’d be setting up his own sound system to do a festival show with his band. I will never forget how hard he worked – harder than anyone could ever know. I’ve seen it. And I’ll also never forget how he always worked with integrity, doing right by people and making friends everywhere he went. So in all these things, I try to follow his example in my work.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I think when you’re an artistic person, the “in crowd” is not going to understand you. That was my case for the majority of my life. And if you look at great recording artists like Elvis Presley, Ed Sheeran, Justin Timberlake and many others – they weren’t exactly popular in school growing up. But those guys put their energy into their music, and became household names. I took the same road – I wrote songs and worked on my music. I’m not currently a household name, but today the “in crowd” usually likes me, and this past year I’ve played on a number of stages that I didn’t think I’d ever get to play on.
Popularity is something you can easily get swept up in (when you’ve never experienced it before). But it’s so important to stay grounded, take time for your family and yourself, and know when to call it a night. Don’t get distracted from your mission and the things that are important. You’ll stay on track.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. When I interact with people at shows, I try to be the real me; get to know them, find things in common and be an encouragement if I can. And when you hear me sing my own songs, or perform for a quiet audience who’s really listening – you can hear the real me there. But at the same time, when you’re on stage, you play a character to a certain extent. There are nights when I’m tired or not feeling social, yet have to buck up and entertain a crowd. But once I finish a song and get positive energy back from the crowd, I wake up and come back into my element.
But I think the realest version of me isn’t much of a partier, but more chill and laid back. You can’t always be that guy on stage, so to a degree, you play a role.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
No one ever told me what to do. And when they did, I usually did the opposite. I always felt like my journey was one that other people couldn’t chart out for me. I’m glad about that, though, because some of the best decisions I’ve made in my life weren’t popular decisions. There were those who didn’t agree. But to me, integrity means not selling out to the popular opinion.
Was I born to do what I’m doing? I have no idea. Only God can answer that one. But I truly hope that I’m honoring God on this journey, and that I’m on the path that He has for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielchilds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florida_musician_guy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielchildsmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danielchildsrecordingartist
