Jenny Morales(III)
- Music Department
The woman who proves that when the going gets tough, the though get going
by Sarah Cannata Mar 6, 2017
The woman who proves that when the going gets tough, the tough get going As most of us know, life doesn't always go to plan. Often, it's these challenges that make us what we are and guide us towards a life that we love. The very brave Jenny Morales shares her journey with us that begins with the loss of her husband.
what lessons have you learned along the way
I've learned that what you had planned in your head and for your life doesn't always go as planned and that sometimes, it takes big twists and turns that you did not expect or want, to change your life. As they say, life goes on and you have to keep up with it. I've learned that you may not like changes or have planned for them but that you have to move forward regardless of them because time and life don't stand still for anyone.
Your husband died while you were only 30, how did you get through that extremely difficult period?
Wow, that is a great question! If it had been just me left behind, I probably would have taken more time to grieve and even done things differently. My decisions, such as moving to Texas and working in daycare, may have never been because my children's father wanted us to eventually move back to Puerto Rico to raise our two kids. You see, I thought I now have two kids counting on me to lead the way without a dad in the picture. I wanted my 4-year-old girl to be by my side to watch her closely. I needed to be able to work my own hours so that I could guide my 11-year-old son so I chose to work and get paid less to be able to be more available for them both. This was why I chose not to continue going to college at night but to work in an environment where I could have my kids at work until I knew they were feeling stable about the passing of their dad. I thought that afterwards, I could then do what I wanted and not what was needed. Each time I wanted to breakdown, my strength from within said they need you so this is no time to feel pity or sadness. I cried when I could and worked to provide regardless of the pain and loneliness I was feeling.
How did you find yourself supporting indie artists?
This is really crazy and funny because life does take you on many twists and turns and sometimes, in a full circle back to the future once again that you dreamed about as a child. As a child, I was always writing poems about love and surviving through life crisis. Today, these poems have been converted into songs. Since I don't sing, I needed voices to give these songs the life they needed - artists such as my daughter, Jelixa. These talented artists sing the songs and I promote them which in turn, helps my songs to get out there and to be promoted. Along the way, I saw many great indie artists not knowing how and where to start their music career and that's why I decided that I can help them to promote themselves, even if they don't sing my songs. I get paid what they can afford without going broke. I of all people know what it's like to be unable to pay the bills and to stick to a strict budget. Some artists pay just by singing my songs, others pay a monthly fee but we all get what we need without going broke.
What is it about Indie music/artists that you like?
That their stories are a lot like mine - they have limited funds like I once did as a single mom and they know what they want but need guidance like my kids did when they were without a dad, similar to the other children I helped to raise in the daycare I worked for over the years. They looked to me to lead by example. In helping others to get their music out there, I learned a trick or two about marketing via social media. The kind of lessons that money cannot buy and the benefit of being socially built. By that, I mean that you stay connected to people at all times and learn from them each day as you use social media such as Linkedin, Google, Twitter Facebook etc. Also, I feel the name 'indie' suits them as independent artists so that they can make mistakes and fix them. Whenever artists are involved in major deals, they don't get to make most of the decisions and have the opportunity to fix problems and learn from their mistakes - ultimately, this gives these artists independence. I feel like the indies need me as much as I need them. The circle of life I guess.
What projects do you enjoy working on most?
I love creating the music for artists, connecting the words that have value that then become messages through songs that the world gets to hear and rate. Whether they love them or hate these songs, it doesn't matter because things are always changing. Just one song may connect but if you stop creating, then nothing will be heard. There's no doubt that the real money is in movies, commercials, film and so on but it's important to remember that one step leads to another. You create songs and if they love it and it has a catchy phrase, it might get picked up for a movie, commercial or jingle.
What are some the biggest challenges
The biggest challenge is this: between so many songs and artists out there, how do you let the product you have sell and the artist be noticed? There's a lot of noise out there. This is why I try to always have my eyes on the path to victory through always being nice and connected to everyone because even the janitor can work for that one mogul you need to reach out to. So when going through life, treat everyone with respect and be helpful to them when you can because you never know if you will need them or their help one day. They will always remember how you treated them.
Do you have advice for upcoming indie artists?
To put love in what you do, not to just think of what comes after your hard work. To use what God has given you because it is a gift, not a privilege. To tap into social media but to do so with caution - be careful what you do and say online because sometimes, it can hurt you more than help you. If you do not have the time to do it properly, then hire someone like me who you can trust with time and actions who won't try to steal from you but can help you to gain from your hard work and your love of music.
what would you change in your life?
If given another chance, I would have taken more time for myself and been a little more selfish. As they say, I would have stopped to smell the roses more as opposed to constantly being on the go. You see, I was so afraid to fall as a mother and father at the same time and letting my kids down that I forgot myself at times.
Do you have a favorite quote?
I had and have had many ups and downs in my life but I never stayed down!
The woman who proves that when the going gets tough, the tough get going As most of us know, life doesn't always go to plan. Often, it's these challenges that make us what we are and guide us towards a life that we love. The very brave Jenny Morales shares her journey with us that begins with the loss of her husband.
what lessons have you learned along the way
I've learned that what you had planned in your head and for your life doesn't always go as planned and that sometimes, it takes big twists and turns that you did not expect or want, to change your life. As they say, life goes on and you have to keep up with it. I've learned that you may not like changes or have planned for them but that you have to move forward regardless of them because time and life don't stand still for anyone.
Your husband died while you were only 30, how did you get through that extremely difficult period?
Wow, that is a great question! If it had been just me left behind, I probably would have taken more time to grieve and even done things differently. My decisions, such as moving to Texas and working in daycare, may have never been because my children's father wanted us to eventually move back to Puerto Rico to raise our two kids. You see, I thought I now have two kids counting on me to lead the way without a dad in the picture. I wanted my 4-year-old girl to be by my side to watch her closely. I needed to be able to work my own hours so that I could guide my 11-year-old son so I chose to work and get paid less to be able to be more available for them both. This was why I chose not to continue going to college at night but to work in an environment where I could have my kids at work until I knew they were feeling stable about the passing of their dad. I thought that afterwards, I could then do what I wanted and not what was needed. Each time I wanted to breakdown, my strength from within said they need you so this is no time to feel pity or sadness. I cried when I could and worked to provide regardless of the pain and loneliness I was feeling.
How did you find yourself supporting indie artists?
This is really crazy and funny because life does take you on many twists and turns and sometimes, in a full circle back to the future once again that you dreamed about as a child. As a child, I was always writing poems about love and surviving through life crisis. Today, these poems have been converted into songs. Since I don't sing, I needed voices to give these songs the life they needed - artists such as my daughter, Jelixa. These talented artists sing the songs and I promote them which in turn, helps my songs to get out there and to be promoted. Along the way, I saw many great indie artists not knowing how and where to start their music career and that's why I decided that I can help them to promote themselves, even if they don't sing my songs. I get paid what they can afford without going broke. I of all people know what it's like to be unable to pay the bills and to stick to a strict budget. Some artists pay just by singing my songs, others pay a monthly fee but we all get what we need without going broke.
What is it about Indie music/artists that you like?
That their stories are a lot like mine - they have limited funds like I once did as a single mom and they know what they want but need guidance like my kids did when they were without a dad, similar to the other children I helped to raise in the daycare I worked for over the years. They looked to me to lead by example. In helping others to get their music out there, I learned a trick or two about marketing via social media. The kind of lessons that money cannot buy and the benefit of being socially built. By that, I mean that you stay connected to people at all times and learn from them each day as you use social media such as Linkedin, Google, Twitter Facebook etc. Also, I feel the name 'indie' suits them as independent artists so that they can make mistakes and fix them. Whenever artists are involved in major deals, they don't get to make most of the decisions and have the opportunity to fix problems and learn from their mistakes - ultimately, this gives these artists independence. I feel like the indies need me as much as I need them. The circle of life I guess.
What projects do you enjoy working on most?
I love creating the music for artists, connecting the words that have value that then become messages through songs that the world gets to hear and rate. Whether they love them or hate these songs, it doesn't matter because things are always changing. Just one song may connect but if you stop creating, then nothing will be heard. There's no doubt that the real money is in movies, commercials, film and so on but it's important to remember that one step leads to another. You create songs and if they love it and it has a catchy phrase, it might get picked up for a movie, commercial or jingle.
What are some the biggest challenges
The biggest challenge is this: between so many songs and artists out there, how do you let the product you have sell and the artist be noticed? There's a lot of noise out there. This is why I try to always have my eyes on the path to victory through always being nice and connected to everyone because even the janitor can work for that one mogul you need to reach out to. So when going through life, treat everyone with respect and be helpful to them when you can because you never know if you will need them or their help one day. They will always remember how you treated them.
Do you have advice for upcoming indie artists?
To put love in what you do, not to just think of what comes after your hard work. To use what God has given you because it is a gift, not a privilege. To tap into social media but to do so with caution - be careful what you do and say online because sometimes, it can hurt you more than help you. If you do not have the time to do it properly, then hire someone like me who you can trust with time and actions who won't try to steal from you but can help you to gain from your hard work and your love of music.
what would you change in your life?
If given another chance, I would have taken more time for myself and been a little more selfish. As they say, I would have stopped to smell the roses more as opposed to constantly being on the go. You see, I was so afraid to fall as a mother and father at the same time and letting my kids down that I forgot myself at times.
Do you have a favorite quote?
I had and have had many ups and downs in my life but I never stayed down!