Meet Dana Beigay | Dana Beigay Music

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dana Beigay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dana, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had been working for several years for a company in Savannah Georgia that allowed me to bring my job with me when I moved to back home to Greenville SC in 2018. In October of 2019 I was let go from that job unexpectedly because new ownership of the company didn’t allow its employees to work from home. I was momentarily devastated. My work from home job had allowed me the freedom I needed to be with my young daughters and help care for my grandmother who had dementia . I was allowed the opportunity to go on unemployment and just before it ran out, a pandemic hit the world that became the end to some and a new beginning to others. For me the pandemic created a new beginning. It caused unemployment benefits to be extended and with the whole world being forced to take a time out I decided to teach myself how to play guitar.

I had been a musician for many years and had been playing professionally since about 2010. As much as I loved singing, I didn’t enjoy the confinement of the bands Id been a part of. Set lists, repetitive venues, drama. I wasn’t interested in pursuing that side of music anymore, at least not for the moment and so through covid lockdown I was given the opportunity to join Facebook open mic groups and YouTube communities that gave me the courage and positive support to sing and play as a solo act. It also gave me the practice I needed to perform the shows that I perform today. I started my YouTube channel the day after losing my job with my focus being faith, hope, love and perseverance and spreading love and light ultimately became my brand.

So, having already run a successful art business in Atlanta and with over 20 years experience as a Mary Kay business owner the only thing that made sense to me with music was to begin with the purpose of running it as a business. I opened my LLC in 2020 and in 2021 I started playing my very first solo shows.

After the lockdown people were both excited and scared to get out and enjoy the world again and because of the unpredictability of what a business could expect their crowds to be like during what would normally be a busy weekend, solo performers were the hot ticket. The other hot ticket was me being a female because in 2021 around the upstate there weren’t many girls with guitars getting gigs.

Part of running a business is creating a marketing plan, a mission statement and vision. With the help of my husband Dana Beigay Music began to take shape and my mission became that of starting a Love Revolution. In fact my vision statement is
“To spread love and light through song, to build a movement so strong it sparks a Love Revolution”

Daily I get messages from women through Facebook, Instagram and YouTube telling me that my journey has inspired theirs. My songs have changed their lives. My music means something. And though hearing my songs, being a part of my positive social media community and coming to my shows some have even thanked me for giving them the inspiration to not let fear stop them from making their dreams become a reality. .

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a female solo singer songwriter entertainer and recording artist. What sets me apart from the crowd is my ability to not just sing and play guitar as a female but to entertain my audience. People always leave my shows in a state of unexpected amazement because of my ability to take almost any song request in any genre from Frank Sinatra to Motley Crue and from Willy Nelson to Etta James and do it having not heard the song sometimes for many years. Music is my passion. Making people happy through music is my “why”. It’s the reason I chose being a musician over doing any other career. And it’s why, at the age of 48 I am a full time traditional college student at Anderson University. Im a sophomore on the deans list getting a bachelor’s degree in commercial music.

What I’ve learned about life didn’t just come through music. Life, like music has a certain rhythm of highs and lows. Those lows create the color of your story . How you choose to continue, or persevere is what defines the high notes. All of this creates your song, it creates who you are. Nothing worth having comes easy. At the darkest point in my life I found faith, I had hope and through perseverance I learned to trust in God and never give up on myself or my dreams.
My vision statement “I hope to spread love and light through song to build a movement so strong it sparks a Love Revolution. “

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
To me, home, my farm is the greatest place on earth. My kitchen is the best place to grab a meal, my fire pit is the best place to enjoy good times with friends and family and music. If we must leave, then to go for a hike in the Pisgah Mtns. Or kayak on Lake Hartwell would be my suggestion. To enjoy a dinner out I would recommend McGees Irish Pub in Anderson s downtown area or The Whistle Stop at the American Cafe in Travelers Rest. A good time out with friends over music and a glass of wine I would recommend The Kitchen Emporium in Anderson or at Greenwood’s Southbend Winery.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Greenville Shrine Club and The Whistle Stop in Travelers Rest gave me my first chance to play music. I thank both of them for the chance to begin what is now growing into the music business I was told would never be more than a pipe dream.

Other: https://allmylinks.com/danabeigaybookings Connects you to all social media and YouTube

Image Credits
Dana Beigay David Williams ( my husband)