About Outer Voice

“What is an Outer Voice? It’s the out-loud version of your inner voice — specifically your creative and artistic voice. It’s what separates you from other artists, it’s what attracts your audience to you. ”

Mission

Empowering artists and connecting audiences through conversation and discovery.

Vision

To connect every artist with every audience through a richer voice and more meaningful relationship.

Values

Dismantle the Table, Build a Sanctuary. Together.

Why invite people to a table we built? Instead, let’s take it apart and together use the parts to build a sanctuary for everyone. We care about race, gender, orientation, food/financial security, differing abilities and the attributes that make us who we are. Everyone together makes everyone better.

Fill Your Plate Last

Serve the mission first. If we’re pointing at ourselves, we’re pointing in the wrong direction.

Listen First

Our audiences and artists are the experts in the room. We listen, interpret and share.

Ask the Next Question

Sometimes the most beautiful answer is the next question.

Value the Compass Over the Map

Know where you’re going, but don’t forget the adventure is in the wandering.

About Clay Steakley

I’ve made a lot of career changes in my adult life — some intentional, some … not so much. Maybe I have a knack for getting into industries just as they’re dying.

  • Traditional music industry? Check.

  • Print journalism? Double check.

  • Experiential design during a pandemic when nobody goes anywhere or does anything? Check, check, check.

Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to do fun things. I was in some crazy movies, I played the Ryman Auditorium and on a few really cool records, I’ve written for NFL teams and I got to interview Willie Nelson on his bus.

For a long time, I thought my many careers made me look… eccentric? Unemployable?

Then I realized: All that time, I was collecting stories. And learning. Also, I know a lot of smart and talented people in a lot of different disciplines.

Why not learn from them? Why not share ideas, connect people, and give artists of all disciplines some hope in a dark era?

And so, Outer Voice was born.

Full Disclosure: In my day job, I offer brand consulting services of many different kinds. The articles I write here are informed by my experience in that world.

HOWEVER None of the interviewees or authors mentioned on Outer Voice are endorsees of my branding services unless otherwise noted.