Justin's Mastery Journal

I’m super excited and honored for the opportunity to open the night, and help my brother @killasandman83 as him and this amazing lineup of talented artists tear up the stage tonight! I’ll be playing a brand new song. Come through! #justkeepplaying #onedayatatime #letsplay (at Blue Lamp Sacramento) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxnqxoQHT0w/?igshid=1nc8e1n1nigsc

I’ve really been loving @roytoshmusic and @vrosemusic new song, Like You Do! I’ve probably had on repeat like a hundred times already. So I had to add it to my practice rotation of songs! Awesome song guys 😎#justkeepplaying #onedayatatime #likeyoudo (at Lincoln, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw3GiQRHVSI/?igshid=1ogxadir97wfk

This is awesome! My song, One Shot, has become my most listened to song yet, and is almost at 1000 streams on @spotify which would make it my first song to hit that landmark! Would you all help me get, One Shot, to 1000 streams?! That would make for a really awesome Christmas gift 🎁 I truly appreciate everyone that has taken the time to listen to this song throughout the year. That really means a lot to me. And I appreciate you for helping me get, One Shot, to 1000 streams and beyond! Listen to it, share it, and add it to your playlists! Thank you 😊 #roadto1000 #onedayatatime #moretocome (at Century Roseville 14) https://www.instagram.com/p/BroVBXSHfXW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mxznayv5d90h

My sax 🎷 is sick and it needs a doctor right now!!! 😢😭💔 (at Lincoln, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bps50KTHwY_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kj4ni453p9c4

“Who is that man I see, staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show who I am inside?” Man, 2018 hasn’t exactly been the year I thought it would be, but it’s been a good one for the most part. It’s really been a year of investment. Investing in my health, investing in my relationships, and investing in my music career. I may not be where I want to be in any of them yet, but I believe the planting years are just as important as the harvest ones. I started this year off hovering around 250+ lbs. Now I’m at 207lbs, and the sub 200’s are in sight for the first time in, probably, over a decade. I’ve made a lot of positive inroads with my music this year getting things in place, gaining knowledge, and growing with a community of musicians around me that constantly inspire me. I’m excited to be able to share what I’ve been working on! It may take a little bit of time for me to get everywhere I’d like to be in all aspects of my life, but until then I’m going to keep planting, keep growing, and, hopefully, soon start reaping. #onedayatatime #moretocome #justplayitonthesax #reflections (at Lincoln, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpTJdl9AyUy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=oksteudx8bgp

It’s always a pleasure and honor to have my bro, @izrealgraham, in the studio and on a song. He somehow always manages to capture the exact story and direction that I’m feeling through the song and put words to it. I really love and appreciate that his verses are his story, but he also makes it relatable to everyone. Thanks man🙏🏽 #onedayatatime #moretocome #letsplay #justplayitonthesax (at River City Recording) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnkSbWOnmZV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1o2q3r28ngzqs

My reaction when I find out that @eminem dropped a surprise album while I was sleeping!!! 😱🤯😎 #kamikaze (at Lincoln, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnJbJvPBiJG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mvasdt4b5j1p

Well, it’s back to the work grind. It’s always interesting going from being surrounded by the world you want to be your everyday to going back to your normal everyday routine. This year’s @cdbabymusic #DIYMusician conference was great. It’s always awesome to be surrounded by a community of friends, like minded artists, and people who genuinely want to help and see us succeed in our careers. Since last years conference I’ve invested a lot into myself and career with a few courses and mentors. I’ve made a bunch of friends who just so happen to be amazingly talented artists, and we all genuinely support each other and want to see everyone succeed. And I’ve also been working on new music that I’m extremely proud of, and excited to share soon. This year I leave with stronger relationships and community, an increased commitment to put in the work, and the revelation that being a musician/artist is about serving, giving, taking your mind off of self and thinking of others! #letsgo #onedayatatime #moretocome #letsplay #justplayitonthesax (at Nashville, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnEOOdBhT1s/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qrxk2kne08oe

There’s some amazing music and artists out there. One of my personal favorites is my big bro, @izrealgraham! He’s been putting out 🔥 music for years now! Sometimes he calls himself the best you never heard. But I feel like the world should have been “heard” 😜 his music. He just released a new album/collab with the one and only @djkoolkuts, also one of my personal favorites. This is the lead single from that project, Move My Body. You can find the link to the album and the song in his bio. #justplayitonthesax #moretocome #onedayatatime #whatimlisteningto (at Lincoln, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnCuQjahqCE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1acv9be7zc64u

Oh Nashville! What a town. In one weekend you hosted Jay-Z & Beyoncé, Kenny Chesney, Def Leopard & Journey, NEEDTOBREATHE, some new up and comer Taylor Swift, maybe you’ve heard of her, and of course yours truly! Nashville, you’re welcome 😜In all seriousness it really was a great and reinvigorating weekend at the @cdbabymusic #diymusician conference! Shout out to all the great friends and artists that I got to spend time with! You all are amazing, and I know you’re going to kill it over this next year. See you in Austin! #onedayatatime #justplayitonthesax #moretocome #letsplay (at Nashville, Tennessee)

I already know I’m going to be eating like crap for the rest of the week while I’m out here in Nashville. I mean I gots to enjoy a town with some good eats. So I decided to take in the scenery and go for a little run. Who even am I right now?! Lol #onedayatatime #weightlossjourney #optavia #justplayitonthesax (at Nashville, Tennessee)

My home girl and trainer @jgl.fitness says I need a new pair of workout shoes. I say they hug my feet just right!!! What do you say?! 😂😜😎💪🏾 #onedayatatime #optavia #weightlossjourney #justplayitonthesax (at Lincoln, California)

It took awhile, but over the years I learned to appreciate hearing myself on the sax. Sometimes as musicians and artists, we can be our toughest critic. So it was hard to listen, and not pick everything apart. But now getting used to hearing my voice is *ahem* a whole new world! We were working out some parts and seeing what worked best, to have it there as a reference for when we bring in another singer, but now we may end up leaving my vocals in there too. Warning ⚠️Some candid footage coming your way. 😂 😬😎🎤🎷 #onedayatatime #justplayitonthesax #moretocome #letsplay (at River City Recording)

I’ve hold onto this picture for a few weeks now. Quite frankly I was embarrassed as to how far gone I’d let myself get. It’s crazy to me that these pictures were taken in the same year. The one on the left is from March, and the one on the left is from July. It’s funny cause that version of me on the left feels like it was from a lifetime ago. That a version of me was unhealthy, in pain, and constantly fighting off feeling depressed. But now...well...as someone once so famously put it, “I guess I got my swagger back” 🤦🏽‍♂️ lol. #onedayatatime #optavia #optavia30 #weightlossjourney #justplayitonthesax (at Lincoln, California)

This really spoke to me today, and I hope it encourages you too. They may be specifically talking about making games, but what they’re saying applies to any goal or dream that you’re working towards. #onedayatatime #moretocome #justplayitonthesax #letsgo (at Lincoln, California)

Sometimes the music just takes over and you can’t help yourself 😜😎#moretocome #onedayatatime #justplayitonthesax #comingsoon (at River City Recording)

“Don’t come back here next year, in the same place you were this year. Otherwise what was the point of you being here?” Those words have stuck with me, and have maybe even haunted me, lol, ever since I heard them last year at @cdbabymusic’s DIY Musician Conference. I don’t remember who said it. It might’ve been @rickbarkermusic . But whoever said it, those words have been rattling around in my brain for a year. Because of those words I find myself questioning, what’s different about where I am this year vs last year? Have a grown in my music career? Has there been any forward momentum? Have I grown? Was I a doer or just a hearer? Things may not be perfect, and I may not be exactly where I want to be in this business of music, but over this past year I’ve invested more in myself and my music, done my best to step out of my comfort zone, and have created some new songs that I am truly proud of. I’m excited to share this new music with you all soon, and I truly believe that the best is yet to come! #onedayatatime #moretocome #justplayitonthesax (at River City Recording)