Reed Deming
We’re stoked to have our friend Reed Deming with us for this week’s Dreamos Round Table! Reed’s a music artist, songwriter, and producer pursuing his dreams from San Antonio, TX.
Reed’s journey is one full of faith, passion, and a drive to live out all he believes in. When a big dream meets a big opportunity, a big decision needs to be made - And, Reed made it. He stepped outside the norm, dropped out of 9th grade, and began his full-time career in the music industry.
After several years in the spotlight, Reed stepped away from the touring scene. It was during that time where Reed met Jesus, and everything changed. Through his latest self-produced album, “Slow Down,” he reflects on his story, his love for God, and his passion for others.
What dream are you currently turning into reality?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by music and dreamed of sharing my own with others. I’ve been pursuing that dream for over half my life.
When did you first realize you discovered your dream?
I can’t really pinpoint an exact moment. I discovered music through a CD player my mom gave me as a present for my fifth birthday. It was my fascination and love for music that fueled me. So, the desire to write, produce, and perform music just came naturally from there.
How does your faith go hand in hand with pursuing your dream?
I have this C.S. Lewis quote at my bedside that says - “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” God is the center of everything that I do creatively. Even if what I’m working on isn’t directly about Him, He's integral to every creative venture. It’s also changed the way I see success. Instead of the end goal being self-indulgence or personal success, why not make it about sharing Jesus with others?
What’s one or two practical steps you take to keep moving forward?
Deadlines are huge for me. I’ll go off on creative tangents if I’m not careful, and giving myself an outline to follow (i.e. “I need x number of tracks for x project done by the end of the month”) helps me stay focused and centered.
What encouragement would you share with someone who’s going after their dream?
I’ve been pursuing a career in music for 12 years, and it’s without question one of the hardest industries to “make it” in. A lot of the time you’ll see people give it a go for a year or two, and then suddenly give up when it’s not moving as fast as they want it to. The reason I haven’t thrown in the towel is because music is more than just a “moneymaker” for me - It’s a way of life. It’s the medium through which I express all that I’m thinking and feeling. If you’re doing it for the clout or the money, you’ll inevitably burn out. If you want a lifelong career in music, you must do it for the love of music itself. Nothing else will be enough.