A Music Podcast

My name is Jason Hollis and I am a music and entertainment industry veteran, having served in various capacities over the last 30 years; playing with recording artists and bands in many different genres as a singer-songwriter, touring, and session musician from the 1980’s to the present.  As a musician, I play bass guitar, electric/acoustic guitars, keyboards, trumpet, and I am a classically trained vocalist.
On the entertainment/music business side of things, I have worked in film, video production, television, radio broadcasting, record labels, radio promotions,
marketing, booking, as well as working with national print media magazines such
as Billboard Directories and Musician Magazine.  In addition, I have worked for
several years in music distribution Sales/A&R at EMICMG, Diamante Media Group, Servant Music Distribution, Butterfly Distribution, to Crossroads Music
Distribution.  In 2004, I helped create and launch Infinity Music Distribution a division of Central South Distribution the #1 Independent Distributor for over four decades. Over the last 15 years I have been doing A&R work; marketing records
from start to finish as well as signing distribution deals for artists and labels
working with everyone from Reach Records, Facedown Records, CAJO Records, and many more. I have had many opportunities to work with artists like Prince, Charlie Daniels, King’s X, Lecrae, Stryper, Tamela Mann, Skillet, Tonex, P.O.D., MXPX, just to name a few. Which all leds me to my own business called, Life-Line Worldwide which began on February 1st  2008 helping in Music, Marketing, &
Management. Since the inception of Life-Line Worldwide my desire has been to help teach artists and labels how to do business the right way no matter how long
it takes; do it right. After 13 years, Life-Line Worldwide has worked with artists in Hip Hop, R&B, Gospel, Country, Rock, Metal, and Praise & Worship it has been very rewarding to watch artists grow and walk into their calling making their dreams come true. Recently, I closed the doors of my operations at the end of
2020.
I have been a guest speaker at various conferences, churches, and events throughout the nation in cities like Memphis, Atlanta, New York, St. Louis, Orlando, just to name a few. In 2012, I started an eight-hour course teaching the
basics of the music business to independent artists and labels called, I.C.E.

Workshop; we have had the opportunity to share in several different cities including: Nashville, TN, Chattanooga, TN, Atlanta, GA, and Orlando, FL.
Finally, eleven years ago I did something that I had written off years ago, doing missions. I went on my first trip to Africa in 2011.  Now, I have been there six times and I have got to tell you my life has never been the same.  Eight years ago, I formed a coffee company with a collective group of owners called, District
Roasters Coffee after being in a small country in Africa called, Burundi. The things I saw with my eyes could not go unnoticed; and so, the mission began to help with the needs in the community there. Since 2014, we have been instrumental in building a medical clinic which is up and running serving thousands of people as well as a group of young men called, “The Scouts” who are training to be the future farmers of tomorrow. We now work with several countries around the world, importing in the world’s best, freshest, organic coffee to change the world. I recently got back from a trip to South Africa doing a writer’s retreat and I was able to speak at a few churches outside of Johannesburg; as always, I learned a lot about
myself and the culture around me. The impact that God has deep-rooted in my heart to touch different people
groups, He also put another thing for me to grasp onto; writing books covering such subjects as marriage, hearing God’s voice, writing thought-provoking quotes, and recently began a series about my father’s police work. It just never ceases to amaze me all, of the talents that I’ve been given to work in so many different capacities and I’m truly humbled by them all.
One last job recently opened up for me at the world-famous, Dark Horse Institute in Franklin, TN. I am the Student Career Services Advisor which is a long title meaning, I take care of our students to guide them in their careers as they realize their full potential. I help walk them into a job within the music industry when they graduate. It’s seriously a dream come true because I get to give back to the next generations coming after me. As they say, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
I trust that if you’re still reading this, you’re in full understanding that I’m not just in the music business because it’s “cool” or I’m not just a musician to “be seen” not at all; I’m in this because God is doing something far greater through me that I don’t even have the answers to yet. I don’t ever want to be just another “industry
guy” who is fake or plastic.  I want to impact the world and make it a much better place than when I came here and then hopefully someone after me will replicate it.  My heart is to seriously take the knowledge of everything that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of in my life and give it away to others.  I’m not a finished product and don’t think I’ll ever be until I meet Jesus face to face but, I hope you hear the beating of my heart in these words, “Work hard to make an impact, take care of yourself, make good choices, speak positive words & encourage others to live a life of purpose.”
Jason “J” Hollis