Social Media Success Sends CJaye LeRose To Nashville

CJaye LeRose

“Social networking” has become one of those overused marketing phrases—discussed continuously, but rarely implemented. That makes it all the more contagious when an indie artist without the benefit of any marketing machine to do the heavy lifting, attracts attention in the form of fans, followers and views and ends up with more links than a chain fence.

In 2009 CJaye LeRose somewhat innocently created a YouTube channel to raise awareness about animal adoption. But she soon realized that reaction to her message spiked when she posted videos of her songs. Soon she wrote a song encouraging people to adopt pets and events escalated. Today, her YouTube channel has over 2 million views and 32,000 subscribers.

“My channel grew like it did not only because of my love for music, but also because of my love for people,” says LeRose. “I would spend all day just writing people back and answering as many comments as possible. I’ve gotten to be friends with so many of my subscribers.”

LeRose is also active on Twitter where she has 18,000 followers and Facebook with 12,000 fans. Feeling encouraged from all her online success, the 25-year-old finally decided it was time to move to Nashville from hometown Houston.

The social media butterfly is starting to get noticed. Last week LeRose hosted an online Teen Hoot that originated from Nashville’s Westwood Studios, owned by producer David Malloy. Twelve artists performed including Nickelodeon star Devon Werkheiser, Lilly Winwood, the youngest daughter of Steve Winwood and Julienne Irwin, a finalist on America’s Got Talent. Over 1400 viewed the event stream online.

According to Malloy, “I have had over 150 artists perform since we started  the Hoot. The goal is to help the many talented artists trying to break through the system. The Hoots are successful because each act only performs two songs. We think this is the way music should be discovered. We stay in constant contact with our online audience through Live Chat, gauging their reactions and giving them more of what they want.”

CJaye LeRose’s self released CD is due later this year and her official website www.cjayelerose.com launched this week. You can get a free download of her song “The Porch” here. View her YouTube channel here and to check out the Teen Hoot click here.