Where the Music Lives: Bandmates, Cities and the home within w/Corey Congilio
In this episode, I reconnect with guitarist, educator, and fellow Effortless Mastery retreat graduate Corey Congilio—a musician whose presence in the Nashville scene is more than skill; it’s a standard.
Corey’s work as a pioneering educator has shaped players across generations, with a roster of students that include the likes of artists like Seal and countless guitarists who’ve come to rely on his clarity, precision, and grounded musical wisdom.
But beneath the technique and the résumé lies the real connective tissue of our friendship: a shared devotion to the inner world of the artist. Our common love and passion beyond the obvious is a vision of a music industry where musicians are more conscious of one of the most underaddressed skillsets of a professional artist in the current era: personal development.
Corey is a self-proclaimed 'therapy junkie,' while I took things to a whole different level by getting certified as a therapist myself and eventually making coaching an integral extension of my artistic practice.
A significant part of this conversation dives into the soul-level decisions behind where we choose to live and create. Corey breaks down why Nashville became his creative ecosystem—not for the clichés, but because the city demanded, shaped, and refined him. I share my own unconventional pull toward Berlin: both choices rooted less in career strategy and more in inner alignment, curiosity, and the need for a different kind of creative oxygen.
From there, we shift into the heart of Corey’s newest chapter: the release of his debut solo EP—a reclamation of artistic identity after years of amplifying other people’s visions in one of the world’s most competitive music environments. We explore:
- the psychological shift from sideman to solo artist.
- the intricacies of collaboration and the invisible emotional contracts musicians enter.
- why hiring the right bandmates is an energetic choice as much as a musical/logistical one.
- the realities of touring: mental endurance, boundaries, and humanity.
- the subtle anatomy of a classic Nashville Live-band studio workflow.
- how location, community, and self-awareness shape the art we make.
(This is the official edited release of our exchange. The uncut version lives inside the community.)
Join the waiting list for my Artist Mastermind and get your first month free.
https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/group-coaching
Courses:
https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/courses
1:1 Mentoring:
https://holisticmusicianacademy.com/page/1-on-1-mentorship
Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com
Episode Notes / Text : www.tlwrites.com
Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com
Episode Notes / Text : www.tlwrites.com
Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com
Episode Notes / Text : www.tlwrites.com
Corey Congilio
Musician
For over 25 years, Corey Congilio has immersed himself in rich and diverse musical career. His experience as a touring guitarist, session musician, educator and presenter has proven to be invaluable in connecting with audiences around the world.
As a guitarist versed in all contemporary styles, Corey has supported artists of all genres from Blues, Rock, Country, RnB and Jazz. He’s performed with Joss Stone, David Lee Murphy, Lucie Silvas, Radney Foster, Cassadee Pope, Derek St. Holmes, Danielle Bradberry, Laura Bell Bundy, Barbara Blue and others.
In addition to his work as a session musician, Corey writes and performs his own music and in 2016 released his first EP “Well Suited”
Since 2010 Corey has authored over 30 instructional guitar courses. His teaching platform WorkingClassGuitar.com and YouTube channel host weekly lessons, performances and gear reviews.
At the heart of Corey’s work is the blues. Having been a lifelong sideman and hired gun, Corey has recently begun his journey as a solo artist. He is currently writing and recording new music that is rooted in the blues while retaining his original voice.
Corey currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee where he works as a guitarist and educator.
T.L. Mazumdar
Musician/Educator, Founder: Holistic Musician Academy
Indian-German Producer/Singer-Songwriter T.L. Mazumdar grew up on 3 continents and 4 countries.
Mentored by a series of iconic musicians like Kenny Werner, Kai Eckhardt, Dr John Matthias, and the late Gary Barone, his artistic journey has aptly been described by Rolling Stone magazine as one that ‘...personifies multiculturalism’.
Time Out Mumbai has referred to him as ‘’...amongst a handful of Indian (origin) musicians who don't have to play sitars or tablas''
He has been nominated for German Music awards
Bremer Jazzpreis and Future Sounds Jazz Award, and been called ''...a major talent'' by Jack Douglas (Producer: John Lennon, Miles Davis, etc.). .
