Atticus Ray, Entertainer and creator of "Rhythm With Views"

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My guest is Atticus Ray. Atticus, welcome to the show.

Hello, how you doing?

I'm good. Atticus your show, has been billed as big construction meets dance production. I love the description of Bob Vila meets Fred Astaire, but there's a combination of HGTV and this idea of dance and tapping and it's called rhythm with views. Tell us about this fascinating combination and your journey getting to this idea.

Yes, I'd love [: 00:01:00

I got started. Actually I had asthma really severely as a young child and Really couldn't do any kind of sports. And so I basically ended up doing some of these dancing, it came natural to me and just one thing led to another. And then the next thing, I found myself just getting I didn't really intend to get as good as I did.

I just got immersed in it. And and I did that all through school and having a little bit different name. Sometimes got teased and bullied a little bit, but that kind of toughens you up, either that stuff, breaks you or makes you better, so I went through this period of time where finding myself and being the odd ball, so to speak.

nt of me and I kept throwing [: 00:02:00

And I think, you're rewarded when you, you're just chasing that passion. And at that time I wasn't necessarily it wasn't all about the money, but I did have some college bills. It was nice that I could, do what I loved and pay my way through school.

And that, that really set me on a path to being more of a creator and during that time, I thought What happens if my legs give out? And so I decided maybe I should have a little backup and that's how my real estate kicked in. And then the site, like a lot

of creators, we're in many hats.

You go a lot of different directions. You cover the bases where you need to cover them. That's for sure. I don't know a lot of people who I've talked to that have overlapped dance and real estate development and construction. These are some diverse. experiences. But how does all that influence your creative approach?

gs, and I said, there's, I'm [: 00:03:00

I've done maybe over 2000 live shows. So I've met a lot of very interesting people and that, that rubs off on you. And one thing that stuck out is a older gentleman said, I'm going to give you a word that'll change your life. And that word is called also. And he said, you also can be this and you also can be that.

And, really once that clicked in my mind, I didn't have to identify myself as just one thing. And then I started to learn how I could, stack things on top of each other, line things up. But he also said, sometimes success will force you to put your ideas on the shelf. And I've had to learn how to then reel it back in and go, okay, success in these areas.

helf. I just don't have time [: 00:04:00

Knowing when to put certain things on the shelf for later, or a day down the road, or a rainy day when you've got nothing to do, which you probably never will have, but you just have to learn how to sort them out. And that was really some advice that really helped me begin to embrace that I can be more than one thing.

Well,

it is an interesting combination. And so when I first saw the trailer for Rhythm With Views, I said, I was sorted out. Of course, I had a preconceived notion who doesn't, but I really got into this this trailer. And I said, this is a lot of fun. And obviously you had a lot of fun doing it. Tell us about this rhythm with views, this combination

That came out of just such, it is so hard in today's world to find something truly unique.

And the director [: 00:05:00

So we did our first episode during the COVID period. So we just did one episode. To act as our pilot just, it was uncertain times. Everybody didn't know what was going on. So we got that done and now we're going to, we're out promoting here with you and in other places, letting people know about this isn't really a, how to build a house, but more like a chance where you can peek into the life of somebody who does this, learn a few things, see what it's about get some realness about it too.

hours, it's not fabricated [: 00:06:00

You're taking a concept. From paper, putting your talent together to assemble the product. And both products are, basically thin air when you start and it turns into a real product at the end. And ironically, they're very similar that way. And so now we're. When we through our discovery, figured that out, the production and the construction really go together nicely, actually, and we'll be showing both sides of those worlds.

fe as a real product to take [: 00:07:00

Get made on television. So I think it's an interesting concept that we're excited to bring to life. So yeah, it's a

nice overlap. And I couldn't help but wonder, on the one hand, you say, boy, they don't have a lot in common at all. But the more you just started listing there, it's wow, that Venn diagram got closer and more overlap.

And I guess if you add to it, your experience on the road and producing shows and life, performances what sort of Learnings from all of those interests. Because I do think about all the creatives that it might be listening. We have a lot of hyphens and slashes and we're exploring a lot of things out there, right?

each one of these sleeves of [: 00:08:00

That's a great question because when you're younger and you're creative, you're just this wild stallion and nobody's going to stop you no matter what.

And the real estate and the construction really brought things, zeroed things in for me into more of a real life scenario and it helped me balance, the aspect of being the creative artist. But also, in the construction it's real product, you're working with real materials and you're getting things done.

And so it's a lot more raw in the construction world dealing with the contractors and different people it's a very right now. I need to know the answer now, not later. I don't really care about your ideas. I want to know about what is going to happen, and so that really slapped me into shape and taught me that.

hat all my effort went into. [: 00:09:00

And I think that's what the real estate brought that reality to me. So that I wasn't just floating off in the sky or having pipe dreams, or just, being all about my creativity and not about results. And I learned that balance. It really brought me right to the middle. And and I also learned in real estate that I don't get paid a lot more money to be creative.

I get paid money to get the job done. So it taught me that not everywhere do you get paid money. Or do even people appreciate your creativity? So it was a really great dynamic to bounce back and forth between those two and get a grip on really assessing what the project is, what situation you're in, what people you're dealing with, all of that matters.

at hat you're wearing at the [: 00:10:00

And I'm always interested in reading sort of the finer points of people's backgrounds like yours that are so diverse. But I think about the teachers and the collaborators and the mentors you've had, and I spot on here that you've played with legends like Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, and you worked with Pizza mogul, Tom Monahan.

There's a broad range of mentorship right

there. Yes. And it's how you end up in these places and meeting these people and working with them. And it's just, it is just so bizarre how. It's like a string of pearls. It just one thing leading to another, if I went and tried to knock on that guy's door, he'd probably have security and throw me off his property, but it's so weird how you can get brought into situations doing what you love to do and following that golden thread or that string of pearls to the next thing.

ause I, one of the aspects I [: 00:11:00

And so as I begin to do that with my dancing, I. And going out and doing assemblies and so forth. It was through that process that he had heard what I was doing. It was doing a charity auction. And so right at his house. And so it was a really intimate setting. And he's asked if we could come in and perform and he gives a lot of charity to the nuns and different Catholic organizations.

And so there was just all kinds of people there that you would just, you would never have a chance to run into. And I was a lot younger then. And and so here I am at, his mansion at his house, talking to the guy, so that it just takes you to a new level and a new reality, when you're literally boots on the ground or your feet are there.

r, for instance and open for [: 00:12:00

And I was very young at that age. And that was very impressionable to me that that was probably my greatest regret right away is nobody said I couldn't sign the wall, but nobody said I could sign the wall and I was just a kid. And I didn't sign the wall and I could have put my name by any name on that wall.

You name an artist, I could have found it and put my name by them. And but that whole moment, I'll never forget just. moments like that, that basically let you know that, the possibilities are there, I guess

that relates also. We talked about you're located there at near Nashville, a real creative center, a capital of creativity.

let's be honest competition. [: 00:13:00

I'm probably my biggest, I'm my own biggest competitor. I'm constantly not meeting the standard that I set for myself.

And so I, I just don't have a whole lot of time, to look. at what others are doing. Because I, and that's probably not healthy to be too much like that. But but I do set high expectations. I just try to go after them. And and I'm a big believer just because I've seen it happen so many times where you cannot prejudge the outcome.

So I've been to so many tiny little events that led to those big ones we were just talking about, where Thank you. Where someone goes, Oh, I know a guy, and, but they remember you from the small event and, but they're telling the guy or the gal that can get you to the big event. And so I've just learned not to prejudge any outcome.

rue. Does everything have an [: 00:14:00

No, but no, but,

but I do know if you come in there with the arms crossed and your heels dug in and thinking. It's probably not going to happen, then you're going to miss it. For sure, and

picking up on your dance work.

You've got this great mantra on your website. Tap your potential. And I think about how many people do have untapped potential and how encouraging that could be. Talk to us about those moments where you've got to get unstuck where you've got to get moving and get up and get the work done.

This is for everybody a little bit different, but I definitely have overcome a lot of things in life.

ut as you do that experience [: 00:15:00

And I usually find that. For me, I was looking outward for my potential all the time when I was younger, looking for other things, other places, other programs, whatever. But then through, just to keep it more plain for everybody, but just through spirituality and my own faith, I began to realize my potential was already in me.

And that it needed to be developed, not found. And that's really what changed everything for me was just realizing that I didn't have to go seek it, find a special place, meet a special person, read a special book. My, my potential was already in me and I needed to develop it. And I really feel like that's.

Everyone's [: 00:16:00

set on the crown, put, it, it's a process, right? So

such a great picture. I, it's such a great way to visualize it.

Yeah. And that's, and I've learned, like I said, I learned through a lot of those, forging new paths. I was the guy with a different name. I was really skinny.

who you are, what makes you [: 00:17:00

What are you here to do? And I think everyone will agree if they get to that point. The money is the result. We always hear that the money follows, but you don't get your happiness from that money. That's just the scoreboard and the reward, but that potential inside is where I think we'll all find our happiness.

And no pun intended but some pun intended that I went from a person who had a 40% restriction in my lungs with asthma and I had leg braces and I wasn't able to walk. And I just was your unlikely candidate to be one of the world's best percussive dancers. And everybody can overcome and everybody can tap your potential.

So I think it's from actual experience and not. Not just a catchy phrase,

so encouraging. That's what we need

to hear for sure. Thank you. That's what I want to share. Yeah,

show Rhythm with Views is on [: 00:18:00

We want to be sure that we get the full Atticus. Experience.

Yes. It's funny you say that because I do so many things and we're really trying to flush that out on social media right now. I have this really interesting career where being a mover, being a shaker, always out doing stuff. I'd never actually spent a lot of time on social media and the world has shifted into nothing but social media and COVID, COVID kind of kicked that into overdrive.

So right now I'm spending time building my social media and. Encouraging everybody to go to my Facebook page, Atticus Ray. So if you can go there and you're going to find a more that full picture, you're going to find the construction projects, the show projects, we're going to begin releasing some of the the new tribute show I was mentioning to you earlier off air there, but we're going to be releasing some new programs.

And then. From there you can [: 00:19:00

phone number for over 20 years now. So you want to call me? I'm easy to get ahold of.

We're going to put all those social links and websites and so forth in the show notes. So listeners, you can go to our episode notes and find all those connections. Atticus, what a great conversation.

I've really enjoyed exploring creativity.

I loved it. You've been a great host and thanks for having me on. And I hope I've been a blessing to you or anybody today listening.

We can't wait to follow all these projects and see how they come out and all the best to you on those and stay in touch with us and let us know how things are unfolding.

I will thank you. I'd love to come back sometime. Thank you. We thank Atticus

e, or you're sitting at your [: 00:20:00

We need your creativity out in the world. And that's really what this podcast is about. We want to talk about the principles of creativity and all the possibilities, but when it comes down to it, we want to push the send button. We want to push the go to. Print button on our work and get it out into the world.

And that's what it's all about. So until next time, I'm Mark Stinson, and we'll keep unlocking your world of creativity. We'll see you next time.