Strong Songs: Finding Purpose Beyond Profit in Music

The Unexpected Birth of a Record Label

Last month, I launched Strong Songs, my own record label—nine months after releasing my first song, "Blue and Gold." The journey began in the most unlikely of places: a corporate learning and development meeting. As I sat through yet another frustrating session watching consultants charge thousands to create lackluster training materials, a thought crystallized: I could do better than this.

That moment of clarity sparked something I'd buried for decades. Growing up on a farm, I learned early that only work producing tangible revenue had value. Creative pursuits like music were dismissed as worthless distractions. When I tried writing a song at nine years old, the response was discouraging enough that I kept my musical ideas locked away for years, humming melodies privately but never sharing them with anyone. But sitting in that meeting, decades later, I decided to finally try again.

The Formula for Meaningful Music

My first song, "Blue and Gold," was published on Facebook to a modest audience of a few hundred friends and family. Within hours—not even a full day—it had been streamed over 1,000 times. I was stunned. I'd created something I was passionate about, and people responded.

Then came the crucial test: could I do it again? When a coworker announced their departure, I wrote a second song. This time, I held it back for their farewell, and the response was equally powerful. Encouraged, I rushed through a third song but it fell flat.

That failure taught me everything. I discovered there was a formula—not a mechanical one, but a principle:

Great songs come from passion, purpose, and personalization

The first two songs succeeded because they were deeply personal, carefully crafted, and meant something specific to someone. The third failed because I'd just "thrown something together," treating songwriting like a checkbox rather than an art form. This is why so many AI-generated songs feel empty—they lack the human connection that comes from genuine care and customization.

Above is from my channel on Spotify which you can listen for free

I returned to my original approach: writing only about things that mattered to me, creating customized pieces for specific people or purposes. A song for my aunt, meant only for family, took off with over 1,000 streams. A song for my company resonated deeply with colleagues. When I finally shared the coworker's farewell song, they fought to hold back tears of joy.

The Power of Creative Freedom

As my catalog has grown, I've received well-meaning advice from others suggesting I should stick to one genre—maybe country, rock or Christian music. "You're all over the place," they say, recommending I narrow my focus to be more successful.

But here's the truth: I'm not in it for the money. I'm in it for the creativity.

My catalog includes Christian songs, comedy pieces, pop rock, country, folk, narrative storytelling, and even songs about artificial intelligence. I've written jingles for businesses, humorous takes on biblical characters, reflective pieces like "The Greatest Spectacle in Leadership," homecoming songs for my alma mater, and country tunes about agriculture. I've crafted funny songs about Siri and prophetic words. Each song is born from a unique idea, and I follow wherever inspiration leads.

Above is from Apple Music - iTunes

Because I'm not beholden to a label or a commercial formula, I have the freedom to explore any creative direction that calls to me. That's the power of creativity—being able to express without restriction. Success, for me, isn't defined by charts or sales. It's defined by authenticity, exploration, and the joy of creating something new.

The Truth About Making Money in Music

After launching Strong Songs Record Label last month—now streaming on 23 music platforms including Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, iHeartRadio, and more.

I've also established my own YouTube music channel, Scott Strong Songs https://www.youtube.com/@sstrong2000, where people can listen to all my music for free, and my website at www.drscottstrong.com where you can learn more about the journey. Still —two questions kept coming up:

1. How many people have listened to your songs?

2. How much money are you making?

Let me be transparent about the second question: I'm not making money. In fact, I haven't even broken even on my costs yet.

Here's what most people don't realize: even top artists today aren't getting rich from song sales or streaming. They make their money through touring, merchandise, and auxiliary ventures. When a stream might pay as little as one-tenth of a cent, and songs sell for $0.99, the math simply doesn't add up to profitability for most musicians.

I knew this going into it. My goal was simply to cover costs—the subscriptions, distribution fees, and production expenses. I have a full-time job that pays my bills, which gives me the freedom to pursue this differently.

The Real Reward: Impact Over Income

What I've discovered is something far more valuable than money: the profound joy of making a meaningful impact on people's lives.

I've received messages from people telling me how a song touched them, uplifted them, or encouraged them during difficult times. I've seen tears of joy. I've heard stories of how these songs created moments of connection and meaning. This feedback has given me an inner satisfaction I couldn't have imagined as a younger person. Back then,

I would have scoffed at the idea that impact could matter more than income. But having lived life, I now understand: leaving the world a little better than I found it is an incredible legacy.

That's why I've committed to donating any profits to charitable causes if they ever materialize. The real profit is already here—in the relationships strengthened, the emotions expressed, and the lives touched.

An Unexpected Lesson About Human Nature

Something curious happened along this journey that revealed an uncomfortable truth about human nature: people's reactions to your success often reveal more about them than about you.

I've noticed genuine relief on some faces when they learn I'm not becoming an overnight millionaire. But I've also sensed jealousy and envy when they discover the admiration and recognition I've received. Some people I once thought were supporters have revealed themselves through their discomfort with my success—even modest success in a creative hobby.

This wasn't my intention, and I take no pleasure in anyone's discomfort. But it's been instructive to see how others' fears and insecurities can manifest as resentment toward someone else's achievements. It's taught me that success, even small-scale success, can function as an unintentional mirror, reflecting back what people believe about themselves and their own potential.

Lessons Worth Sharing

If there's wisdom to extract from this experience, it's this:

• Create from passion, not for profit. The most meaningful work comes from genuine care and personal investment, not from chasing trends or quick wins.

• Embrace creative freedom over commercial formulas. Not being beholden to genre restrictions or market expectations allows you to explore authentically and follow inspiration wherever it leads.

• Purpose trumps popularity. Write for specific people, specific moments, specific meanings. Customization and intentionality create connection.

• Impact is its own reward. If your work can brighten someone's day, encourage a struggling soul, or create a moment of joy, you've succeeded in ways money can't measure.

• Success reveals character—yours and others'. How you handle success and how others respond to it provides valuable insight into what truly motivates everyone involved.

• Keep your day job. Financial independence from your creative work gives you the freedom to create authentically without compromise.

• Strong Songs may never make me wealthy, but it's already made me rich in ways that matter. And in the end, isn't that the song worth singing?

Visit www.drscottstrong.com to learn more, or listen to the complete catalog of over 50 songs and growing for free on the following channels

Scott Strong Songs YouTube channel.

Strong Songs Facebook

Spotify- Scott Strong Radio

Itunes - Apple Music-Scott Strong