Jason Myers, senior vice president of PR and social media marketing at The Content Factory, told Business Insider, “You can plan for your future and live the wild life at the same time. The two aren't mutually exclusive.” Myers, who is also a professional bass player for heavy metal band Icarus Witch, has spent decades navigating the pressures of corporate growth while touring nationally with his band. The story matters now because it highlights the evolving ways remote work and flexible schedules allow employees to pursue passion projects without sacrificing career advancement, a trend reshaping industries from marketing to entertainment.
The Real Impact
Myers’s career is a study in dual trajectories. After graduating college in 1993, he launched a side hustle in publicity for concert promoters and record labels while pursuing music. That groundwork eventually led him to join Icarus Witch, which released its first record in 2005. While the band achieved modest radio success and touring opportunities, Myers recognized the volatility of the music industry. “Even though my band was successful, it felt more like a personal victory, and I realized it was time to make some adult decisions about how I would protect myself in the future,” he told Business Insider.
In 2010, Myers joined The Content Factory, a marketing and PR startup experimenting with early remote work. His ability to work from tour buses and hotel rooms while following Icarus Witch on the road demonstrated a previously untapped model of productivity. This dual approach allowed Myers to contribute fully to the company while maintaining his presence in a niche, touring-heavy metal scene. Analysts note that as companies embrace hybrid work models, similar arrangements could become more common, particularly in creative and tech industries.
Where the Pressure Is Building
The balancing act isn’t without strain. Touring schedules are grueling: only an hour on stage during a typical 24-hour day, with the remainder spent traveling, waiting, or sleeping. “Out of a 24-hour day, the band is only on stage for maybe an hour,” Myers explained. Remote work technologies enabled Myers to fill that downtime with meaningful corporate work, but maintaining high-level responsibilities while on the road creates pressure points that could affect team performance or decision-making.
At The Content Factory, Myers is responsible for major client campaigns and social media strategy. The firm’s reliance on his expertise means that even during extended tours, he must remain reachable, a challenge compounded by inconsistent connectivity on tour buses or in rural concert towns. Experts say this scenario underscores a broader corporate trend: companies must adapt to the demands of employees who pursue passion projects alongside their professional obligations, or risk talent attrition.
What Happens Next
The evolution of remote work and flexible schedules has lasting implications for both Myers and The Content Factory. The company benefits from retaining a high-performing executive, while Myers continues to cultivate a music career that feeds his creativity and public profile. “When you're in a band on the rise, it's easy to feel invincible, like this is going to last forever. But you have to look out for yourself. No one is going to save you,” Myers said.
Looking forward, both Myers and other executives pursuing side passions must navigate organizational policies around accountability, reporting, and client engagement. His story also serves as a template for other professionals in industries with cyclical workloads or long travel schedules, demonstrating that career success and personal fulfillment need not be mutually exclusive.
The Bottom Line
Jason Myers exemplifies a growing class of professionals who leverage hybrid work, time management, and strategic planning to sustain dual careers. His experience highlights the tangible benefits of flexibility: increased employee retention, enhanced creativity, and the potential to tap into unconventional talent pools. For companies and employees alike, the lesson is clear — cultivating passion projects outside of work can strengthen professional performance rather than detract from it.
People Also Ask: Balancing Corporate Careers and Touring Life
How do executives manage work while touring with a band?
Jason Myers works remotely from tour buses and hotel rooms, using WiFi and flexible scheduling to handle PR campaigns and client communications while on the road. His approach shows that hybrid work setups can enable professionals to pursue demanding side projects without sacrificing performance.
Can touring musicians realistically maintain a corporate career?
Yes. Myers’s example demonstrates that by prioritizing time management, clear goal-setting, and leveraging remote work tools, it’s possible to advance in a corporate role while maintaining a professional music career. This requires discipline, planning, and selective tour commitments.
What are the benefits of pursuing a passion project alongside a corporate job?
Pursuing a passion project, like Myers’s music career, can enhance creativity, reduce burnout, and provide alternative income streams. It also strengthens leadership skills, as balancing multiple responsibilities cultivates adaptability and strategic decision-making.
How has remote work changed opportunities for creative professionals?
Remote work allows professionals like Myers to fill downtime during travel with meaningful corporate work. It opens doors for talent retention, flexible career paths, and hybrid models where employees can contribute at a high level while following personal passions.
Are there risks to balancing dual careers?
Yes. Executives juggling touring and corporate duties face risks like burnout, inconsistent availability, and pressure from clients or teams. Clear communication, time-blocking, and supportive organizational policies are key to mitigating these challenges.
