MS Changed Her Life—Music Gave It Back: Cindy Slee’s Second Verse

Cindy Slee: 15 years into my nursing career, I was diagnosed with MS. It really changed my life, so I was so glad that I had that love of music 'cause I was able to fall back on that, and do the thing that I really loved. Itwas almost a blessing in disguise that I got MS because I couldn't continue the physicality of, being a nurse. So I was real happy just to have music as my side hustle that kind of became my front hustle then.

Becky Boyland: Welcome to Second Verse, the podcast for indie artists who are rediscovering their creative calling later in life. I'm your host, Becky Boyland, singer-songwriter, StoryBrand-certified brand messaging expert, and web developer. If you've ever felt like your music dreams had to be put on hold for "real life," you're not alone.

That's what this show is about. Real stories of creative comebacks, second acts, and what it takes to return to the art you love.

If you caught Episode 5, you heard me share my own story of my music journey from early passion to decades now in ministry to new musical adventures and challenges alike. And if there's one thing I've learned through that process and through the stories of so many other artists, it's that the creative spark never really goes out. It might get buried, paused, or redirected, but it's always there waiting for the right moment. And that's what I love so much about having these inspiring conversations with Second Verse guests. It's so powerful for those still aspiring, and even for those fighting doubts in the middle of their journey, to shine a spotlight on the unexpected, non-traditional and you know, wonderfully human paths that artists walk and showing that it's never too late to return to your art. In fact, it can be the unexpected that either makes that musical path harder or the greatest refuge and second act ever.

And you'll hear that in the story of today's guest, Cindy Slee. Cindy is an award-winning singer songwriter, producer, and keynote concert speaker whose story is nothing short of inspiring. Cindy's musical roots go back to childhood. But her journey took a different path when she followed her family's urging to put music aside and become a nurse.

She built a great career in the neonatal unit until a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis changed everything. What could have ended her creative story, instead became the start of a new one. Cindy didn't just return to music. She leveled up. She learned to produce from home, got funk tracks placed with Warner Chappell music, and is now writing music for sync and sports promos.

But perhaps the most moving part of her story is what she's doing next. Using her story and songs to inspire others through keynote concerts. She's proof that the obstacles we face don't have to stop us. They can shape us into exactly who we were meant to become. Let's dive into Cindy Slee's Second Verse.

Welcome, Cindy. I'm so glad to have you on the podcast.

Cindy Slee: Thanks, Becky. It's great to be here.

Becky Boyland: You were drawn to music from a very early age, so can you talk about that?

Cindy Slee: Yeah, the earliest that I can recall, being drawn to music was when I, was in kindergarten. I had to rush home from kindergarten to, have my lunch so I could plop myself down in front of the old black and white TV back then and watch this, flamboyant, keyboard player called Liberace.

I was just fascinated by how he tickled those ivories and that just, it was surprising that, you know, later on in life I didn't, learn how to play piano. I actually learned how to play guitar. I think that was, when I was about 12, 11 or 12, when the Beatles came to town, and that just changed my whole trajectory as far as what instrument I wanted to learn.

Becky Boyland: I can imagine. I had a similar reaction to guitar when I started playing guitar. There was nothing else like it. I'd played trumpet before that, which I still love and have an affection for. But yeah, there was just nothing like guitar. I had a similar experience too in kindergarten coming home and, and singing, "The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow" from Annie, and my family just loved that until I kept going and they, they wanted me to just take a break from that song. But that. But that's, that's so exciting.

And so it sounded like your family was really into music and you got a lot of inspiration that way too.

Cindy Slee: Yeah. my mother was quite the influencer as far as, my musical taste went because, uh,whenever she was home from her job, she was always cleaning. So I, I call her my influencer. 'cause when she was cleaning, she always had music playing on the record player or the radio. And she introduced me to, the likes of let's see, Hank Williams Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Andy Williams, and some guy named Boots Randolph, that later I learned why she was in love with this guy who played saxophone because it wasn't until she was probably in her late seventies, that she told me that she played saxophone in her high school marching band and I'm like, "Mom, how come I'm just finding this out and why didn't I ever get to hear you play?" Especially when she knew how much I was, into music and she just looked at me and said, "'Cause I hated it." And I couldn't imagine that — somebody hating the instrument that they learned.

Becky Boyland: Yeah, no kidding. That's so funny. Yet, she, it sounded like she still liked to listen to it.

Cindy Slee: Oh, she loved listening to music. Yeah.

Becky Boyland: That's so funny. So even though they,exposed you to all this wonderful music and certainly were supportive, it didn't sound like that was something that they thought you should pursue as a career.

Cindy Slee: No, no, no. They thought that I should get a real job, one that would actually, you know, pay a good wage. So, they encouraged me very adamantly. Uh, so right outta high school I went to nursing school that's a long story, but eventually I did graduate and, passed my state boards and became the nurse that they always wanted me to be.

And guess what?

It did pay well, but, the thing is, I'd say about 15 years into my nursing career, I was diagnosed with MS. So, it really changed my life. So I was so glad that I had that love of music 'cause I was able to fall back on that, and really do the thing that I really loved. Itwas almost a blessing in disguise that I got MS because I couldn't continue the physicality of, being a nurse. And I worked in the neonatal unit at our, Toledo Hospital, and it was a lot, it was physical. I mean, you had to be on your feet all the time. Eventually I, I just let that career go, so I was real happy just to have music as my side hustle. That kind of became my front hustle then.

Becky Boyland: Absolutely. And that's, that's really just so profound because so many times when there's such a huge obstacle or trauma or you know, this thing that has now completely changed the trajectory of your life, and it's so difficult a lot of times to figure out, what do I do next? It's so amazing that your reaction was, "Hey, I'm going back to music."

Cindy Slee: Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Now believe me, even as I was doing my nursing career, I had a band and we would, do music on the weekends. So I was, pretty good at what my side hustle was at the time. So that was another blessing.

Becky Boyland: So you already had that draw of, "Well, I'm already doing this thing, and so maybe now this can be the focus. That's really, really awesome. So what were your first steps to make that your front hustle?

Cindy Slee: First, probably the first, eight years of MS was just horrendous. There were no meds back then for MS. And I went through a lot. And then when I finally came out on the other side, I will say, without getting into all the details, I was reminded that, I had this talent that was given to me and so I, actually went to a local contemporary Christian Church and, started playing on their music team. It was one of the mega churches here in the area, and I ended up playing there for six years, playing acoustic guitar. I didn't sing or do anything like, I just wanted to be in the background playing my guitar. And, I always feel like people have been put in my path to help me realize my potential outside of nursing.

And because I went to this church, I met a woman who we formed a gospel group outside of church. In that gospel group I met a bass player, upright bass player, who eventually became, we became a duo and we did, original music and cover tunes. like contemporary, uh, I'm trying, I can't think of the word, classic rock. Back then it wasn't classic, but it's classic now.

Becky Boyland: That's true. That is true.

Cindy Slee: Yeah.

So, that's been my progression and, eventually, you know, when Covid hit, I just really took that opportunity to, of all my free time, all the free time that we, all of us had all of a sudden to learn more about, my trade, my job now as a musician.

I learned from Kris Bradley out in LA how to "Produce Like a Boss" and, with her teachings, I was able to set up my own home studio and start recording my own compositions here instead of spending thousands of dollars somewhere else. And, at the same time, that same year, I signed up for Gabriel and Adassa's Production Music Masterclass.

And, I just recently graduated. They helped me learn how to compose music for ads and promo, and I've actually been successful at that in getting music into, Warner Chappell and Sky Urbano and their Amphibious Zoo Library.

Becky Boyland: That's awesome. I love the pathway. And I think that that's something that is so important for independent artists to recognize that as you just meet people and make connections and make relationships to follow those paths. And also just to be really cool to be around because obviously you are, and that's why you've been able to connect with these other folks and be able to play everything from Christian music and worship music and gospel music and classic rock and that's just so beautiful.

And then to take that step to reach out to really great mentors that, of course, we both know, who have been just a tremendous blessing.

Cindy Slee: Yes, absolutely.

Becky Boyland: We'll be back with more after the break.

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Cindy Slee: Really another blessing in,disguise for me was the fact that Covid locked down the whole world. If that hadn't happened, I probably never would've had these people cross my path.

Becky Boyland: Yeah. I feel that myself, and I see that so many times too, that this is just such, an interesting season where it did give an opportunity for so many artists to figure this thing out and have access to people that we would not have had any access to. It's not like we live, where most of these folks are.

And so it shut down the world, but it also opened up the world in a really amazing way. I know that there are certain weeks where I may talk to people in Europe just as much as I talk to people around me and it's, really exciting to be able to interact with people all over the world and have almost that peer connection because of all of these technologies and resources that we have.

Becky Boyland: And, you know, not to diminish how challenging that was for, for everyone, but,but yeah, it's, a life changing thing just to be connected to people and have these opportunities. So I totally hear that. That's so exciting. Talk about what you have, the kinds of music that you have going on because you're doing production music and working on songwriting as well.

What are you working on right now?

Cindy Slee: Right now I'm, collaborating with a gentleman from Baltimore, we're collaborating on a sports, promo, album of instrumentals, so you might know him. His name's Damon Foreman from the Production Music Masterclass. I just finished, and have sent off my delivery for a second. Funk album. I actually

Becky Boyland: Very fun.

Cindy Slee: had a, my first funk album was, is already on Warner Chappell.

And you know that, that, that right there is amazing to me that I was able to soak it in and actually write songs of, of funk music for ads in promo. I'm waiting to hear one of them in a, in an ad so I can be like, amazed.

Becky Boyland: Oh, for sure.

Cindy Slee: And, the other thing I'm working on, now is I, I'm still writing songs with someone I met way back when I went to nurses training.

And, she's also a nurse and, we, we started a band way back, way back then. But her name's Theresa Konwinski and we've recently written two more songs. We wanna make it a, an EP to go along with, I'm trying to get, my, speaker program going, inspirational speaker concerts.

Becky Boyland: Now were you in a band with her as well? Did you say, or you were just co-writing back when you were, nurses?

Cindy Slee: in nurses training, we met and found that we both loved music. She played keyboards and I played guitar. And, even way back then, we wrote songs together. When she graduated from nurse's training she moved outta state and we would send lyrics and cord charts through the mail. There was none of that instant gratification we have now of emails and Zooms, uh, so it was a very slow process. But yes, she's been a lifelong friend and she lives, uh, here now. she's lived here for many, many years, so we've always — she's just one of those friends that just gonna, she's my sister from another mother. And, we just both love songwriting and she's an accomplished author also.

So we're writing, writing, like I said, the six song album to go with my keynote concert.

Becky Boyland: That is so awesome. I mean, to have somebody that you've been writing with and really also there are times when it's just really, beautiful to look back at the way that things used to be, there's not just a nostalgia, but also a, beauty in that and that you've had this friendship that has lasted through so much change, so much transformation, so many other people that you've met in the industry.

And to have this not only amazing true blue friend, but true blue collaborator, and that's just so exciting.

Cindy Slee: I wanna mention, that when I was very, very, ill with MS, she wrote me a beautiful song called Don't Give Up. if your listeners are able to go to my website, they can hear that song. It's just beautiful.

Becky Boyland: Oh, that's wonderful. Yes, we should all definitely check that out.

And so these keynote concerts that you mentioned. I believe you said that's basically your next act in music and yeah, tell us about that.

Cindy Slee: Well, I think that this is gonna be my final chapter in my musical journey. I just have so much that I've went through, so much that I have persevered through, love, loss, resilience, that my next chapter is I want to go out and give inspiration to others with my stories and my music.

Part of my story is, that I really did get very, depressed at one time in my MS journey. Suicide was, attempted, but was interrupted. So I'm still here and I've got that story to tell and to inspire people, to reach out and not give up on themselves. So that's what I wanna do.

I want to go out there in my last few years that I have and, uh, spread some inspiration.

Becky Boyland: That's so beautiful and such a powerful message. And even just hearing you share that little bit about that is, both so moving and so motivating and really that I believe is the point of the keynote concert, which is so much more than just, someone coming in and giving a little corporate speak, but rather something so much deeper and so much more amazing and I think inspiring for those who wanna live their dream as they get to experience your music and that part of the story, and then be empowered and encouraged to rise above tremendous challenge. I just think that's amazing. So, had you thought about that for a long time or was that something that came up for you that you knew would be an opportunity you couldn't pass up?

Cindy Slee: Well, as you know, when we're parts of these different, groups that we're in, they present other people to us like Kris Bradley presented Gabriel at one point, and eventually I took his course. Well, it may have been Kris Bradley too that introduced me to Tiamo. And he is a keynote concert speaker and he's been doing it for about 20 years. So he has a course and over the past, probably, I don't know, four or five years, his name would come up and I would think, no, I don't think so. But then last year his name came up again and this voice in my head just said, it's time. So I, I started signing up for some of his courses and learning, just what a keynote concert was and if it was something that I thought I could do. And it turns out it's something I think I can do. I actually have my,not my first, I've done some Zoom practices with my keynote concert, but I have a big one coming up, where I will do my presentation to a live crowd and play my music. Tell my stories, play my music.

Becky Boyland: Well, that's wonderful.

Cindy Slee: I'm scared, but I'm excited.

Becky Boyland: That's, um, that's natural. I think that's pretty natural. I think that that's an important point that so many times we have to hear it over and over and see this presented before us, before we sometimes take the leap. Other times it's, yes, I'm gonna do this right now, but there's value in almost sort of just waiting for these things sequentially to happen and pop up.

Cindy Slee: Not sure I would've been, ready for this four or five years ago. Well, that was right when Covid hit, so I didn't even know how to produce my own music then.

Becky Boyland: Yeah.

Cindy Slee: So yeah, like you said, it all happens in the order it should happen.

Becky Boyland: Yes, absolutely. It's a natural progression and sometimes it's a supernatural progression.

Cindy Slee: Yeah, I agree. Totally.

Becky Boyland: So then the challenge comes, of course, as an independent artist, that, especially with the varying things that you do and offer to promote yourself, and that can definitely, look very different depending on what an artist is doing and

have you been able to find audiences online and connect with people?

Cindy Slee: well, I, I'm talking to you right now,

Becky Boyland: That is true.

Cindy Slee: I guess, yeah, with the advent of online courses and Zoom, I have just met so many wonderful people, that have inspired me, personally and encouraged me personally, and I'm just blessed

I guess probably at my age and the fact that, I don't fit the usual, thing that people are looking for to, make into a big star or whatever, I try to put my music out there, for people to hear and, you know, perhaps, somebody else would wanna record the songs.

That would be my goal at this point, I'm not really up for, you know, going out with a huge band and performing anymore. And it's just physically not what I,can or want to do anymore. I've been there, done that, so promoting as far as, my keynote concerts go, I'm learning. I have my music site and I have a fan base there. So a lot of the support that I'm getting for my very first, live keynote concert here in my hometown is going to be, people that have followed me for a long time and still come out. I do still perform at a local, restaurant, once a month.

So they've been very faithful of coming out and supporting me, that way. And now they're supporting me, in my new endeavors too, and I just love them for that.

Becky Boyland: That's so beautiful. And it's, that community those relationships. That can be a hard thing or it can feel like a difficult thing to foster online because there's just so many people out there, and there are so many people who are putting out their music every day.

But the amazing thing that as you grow this venture, which is going to be so powerful in encouraging people and building around that other opportunities and other places to speak. And then, this natural progression of a growing audience, which will just be incredible.

That sense of community and people feeling seen and finding themselves in your story is, is a really powerful way that within your website and, your various online assets that you can communicate, that you are there to guide them as they're going through their story, they're going through their journey and so they can see you guiding them and connect with you. And that's, that's a very powerful thing.

Cindy Slee: Yeah. You know the wonderful part about the keynote concert aspect is that I will apply for, seminars and associations and conferences where they will already have a built-in audience for me. So when I show up and I give my keynote concert and hopefully the conference event planner gives everyone my CD of music. that right there is a gold mine as far as increasing fan base and knowing more people and connecting that way.

Becky Boyland: Yeah, and I imagine there are a lot of artists who. have never heard of this, opportunity and some of these varying things. and even when it comes to production music and sync and some of these opportunities that may not be on the radar yet of someone who's thinking, "Oh, I love music. I wonder if this is something that I can do." Hopefully this is an encouragement to them that there are lots of different ways to be able to use your music and follow your dream and make your passion your front hustle.

Cindy Slee: Yes, absolutely. I am very passionate about, getting this, next chapter out there for people to read.

Becky Boyland: That is so exciting. I'm so excited for you. I think that's gonna be amazing.

Cindy Slee: I'll keep you posted.

Becky Boyland: Oh, definitely, definitely. Because, you know, we're just getting a little bit of your story right now, and there's just so much that I just can't wait to hear more of. So I'm just so confident that there are so many people who are gonna be really empowered and moved by what you're sharing.

And I was wondering what would be your advice for somebody who is finding themselves in a,time when they have to make a change? And they didn't plan on that, but they've always loved music.

Cindy Slee: First of all, I would say become aware of everything around you because like I said, people were put in my path all along my journey, so I could have ignored, what was happening around me, but I just decided, "Oh, well. Perhaps I'll try this." And if that didn't work out, then I would try something else.

Be aware that even though things are not going your way right now, that doesn't mean they're gonna stay that way.

Becky Boyland: Yeah.

Cindy Slee: You have to. Look for that silver lining in your dark clouds because it's there somewhere. You just have to, sometimes sit back, take a deep breath, take stock of, what your next steps could be, and then start looking for either that supernatural being or that little voice in your head, start paying attention because I could have, easily just let MS define my whole life and just say, okay, well I can't do anything now. I'm just gonna be a handicapped person. Can't work, can't play sports anymore. I could have done that. I didn't want to, I'm a stubborn redhead.

You can't tell now. But yeah, stubborn redhead and um, and like I said, people and opportunities were placed in my path. So that is my advice. Keep your eyes open.

Becky Boyland: That's huge.

Cindy Slee: Thank you.

Becky Boyland: I love that. So we did mention your websites a little bit, but let's just remind everybody where can they find out more about you, get in touch with you and invite you for a keynote?

Cindy Slee: Ah, well, my keynote, website is kind of under construction, but it's there and it, is, cynthiakeynote concerts.com, all one word. That's C-Y-N-T-H-I-A keynoteconcerts.com. On there, there's a link to take you to my music website, which is cindysleemusic.com.

Becky Boyland: And then I'll have everything in the show notes so that everybody can click through it directly and not miss a thing. And of course, they'll want to go check out your music and your keynote concerts. This has been so great and I'm so glad that you have come on the podcast.

I'm so excited to see what's gonna happen next. You gotta keep us updated.

Cindy Slee: I will do that. thank you so much. this has been a wonderful experience for me. I can't wait to keep you posted.

Becky Boyland: Thank you so much.

Cindy Slee: You're so welcome.

Becky Boyland: That conversation with Cindy Slee is one I'll carry with me for a long time. Her courage, perseverance, and deep sense of purpose are such powerful reminders that there's always a way forward, even when life takes an unexpected turn.

She didn't choose the challenge, but she chose her response. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Cindy needed to step out of her nursing career, but she could have also let music go. Instead, she leaned into her passion and added tons of new skills and musical relationships on top of her already existing experience and longstanding collaborations.

She built a new chapter from the ashes of the old, when nursing became physically impossible. She didn't see it as the end. She saw it as a beginning. She stepped in with a hunger to learn.

And she found power in her own story. Through her keynote concerts, Cindy is using music and vulnerability to help others know they're not alone in their challenges and their desire to live creative lives. Even when those seem to be at odds, it's worth investing in yourself to make your dreams happen and to encourage and empower others to do the same.

So dear listener, these are your action steps. In the StoryBrand framework, one of the guide's greatest assets is empathy, and that comes from lived experience.

Think about your own story. What part of your journey could help someone else feel seen? Is that story present in how you show up online? Is it buried under trying to look polished? Or are you letting people connect with the real you? People follow artists that they relate to, not just artists who look impressive. So whether you're building a fan base or promoting something like Cindy's keynote concerts, your real life resilience is part of what makes your brand magnetic.

If you need help uncovering and communicating that clearly, that's what I do through Attitude Creativity.

If this episode inspired you, encouraged you, or reminded you of your own strength, please take a moment to subscribe, leave a review and share Second Verse with a friend that helps the podcast grow and be found and makes more episodes like this possible.

And now I'm excited to share a song from Cindy Slee. Stick around to hear "Once in a Lifetime." And as always, keep chasing your Second Verse.