From Contract Writer to Rural Revivalist: Gabe Schillman's Musical Journey
Gabe Schillman: The Nomadic Songwriter Using Music to Spark Rural Revival
In the latest episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, listeners were treated to an extraordinary conversation with Gabe Schillman, a professional songwriter and recording artist with a remarkable story. Unlike most musicians who claim to "live on the road," Gabe means it literally – he doesn't even own a home. This nomadic existence isn't just a temporary phase but a deliberate lifestyle choice that has allowed him to perform over 232 shows nationwide last year alone. His journey offers profound insights into the music industry, the art of songwriting, and the power of purpose-driven artistry.
Gabe's career spans an impressive timeline – 14 years as a professional songwriter and 20 years as a touring artist. What makes his story particularly fascinating is his experience as a contract writer. As he explained, music surrounds us constantly – in stores, commercials, movies, and our cars. Behind each of these musical moments stands a songwriter, often unknown to the public, crafting melodies and lyrics to specific parameters. Contract writers like Gabe receive outlines, storyboards, or concepts and must translate those visual or conceptual elements into musical form. It's a specialized skill that requires understanding how every note evokes a specific emotion and how tempo, chord progressions, and lyrics must align perfectly with the intended message.
Musical influences have shaped Gabe's distinctive sound throughout his career. He cites Christian songwriter John Cox as his earliest inspiration, whose album "Sunny Day" captured his imagination during his formative years. Other significant influences include Joe Cartoon, creator of JoeCartoon.com, whom Gabe describes as "an incredibly unique songwriter," and contemporary artist Zach Bryan, whom he praises for bringing "three chords and the truth back to songwriting." These diverse influences have contributed to Gabe's authentic voice as an artist – one that resonates with audiences across rural America. His collaborative work with industry icons is equally impressive, having worked with producers like Barry Blair (Audio Adrenaline) and Ted Perlman (Bob Dylan, Diana Ross), as well as sharing stages with artists ranging from REO Speedwagon to Wynonna Judd.
Perhaps most compelling is Gabe's current project, the Rustic Revival Roadshow. This initiative represents the evolution of his previous United States of Mind Tour but with an added dimension of purpose. Rather than simply performing concerts, the Roadshow targets rural communities, identifying local causes, charities, or needs, and then using music as a vehicle to raise awareness and funds. Recently, they successfully raised money to build a war memorial in Ridgeway, Wisconsin, and have supported organizations like TUGS.org, which addresses the alarming suicide rate among struggling family farmers. This blend of artistry and activism demonstrates how musicians can leverage their platforms for meaningful community impact.
Throughout our conversation, Gabe consistently emphasized the importance of collaboration and surrendering control. Despite the independent nature that draws many to artistic careers, he credits much of his success to finally "letting people in" and accepting help from his team. This vulnerability – allowing others to contribute their talents and resources to his vision – has transformed his career trajectory. His closing advice speaks volumes: "Trust God, take a deep breath... when you're in the driver's seat, it's a terrifying experience, but when you know a higher power has got you, you can sit back and breathe." These words reflect the wisdom of an artist who has found both professional success and personal peace through music, community, and purpose.
