By: Nic Abelian
Red River Nomad, a unique brand and record label that integrates music, retail, and travel, is carving out a distinctive niche in the industry. Co-founded by Diana Darr and John Eason, the brand is dedicated to promoting the nomad lifestyle and supporting independent musicians, solo travelers, and free spirits. By connecting creatives to broader audiences through music reviews, live shows, and collaborations, Red River Nomad is making a significant impact.
Diana Darr, co-founder of Red River Nomad, has a rich background that has shaped her journey in the music and creative industries. Born and raised in Texas, Diana has always had a passion for music and helping others. She worked with Champions Kids Camp in Houston, a non-profit organization providing a week-long summer camp for kids who have survived trauma. This unique experience inspired her to open her own boutique publicity firm, Diana Darr Media, in 2016.
In October 2020, Diana met John Eason through a music business social media group. Initially, she began working as a digital marketer for John, later becoming his publicist. Their shared passion for music and travel led to the creation of Red River Nomad in early 2023. The brand’s name reflects their roots, with the Red River running through both Texas and Louisiana, where Diana and John are from, respectively. Their love for being on the road inspired the “nomad” aspect of their brand.
Red River Nomad goes beyond being just a record label. The company offers a range of services, including weekly music reviews in partnership with Keystar Music songwriter Steven Charles, songwriter’s nights, and live show bookings for their roster of artists. Their retail side features a line of BBQ sauce and handcrafted jewelry made by John Eason.
John Eason, an Air Force veteran who served five overseas tours in Iraq, finds solace in creating and making music to combat the effects of service-related PTSD. Diana, a music publicist-turned-digital marketer and artist manager, brings her expertise and passion to the table. Together, they have built a brand that truly cares about the artists and creatives they work with.
“We care. We have seen too many indie labels and poorly managed independent artists and creatives that wind up with nothing to show after working with the wrong agencies for too long. We’re very much for sharing opportunities with those around us as we create them or they are offered to us/our inner circle,” Diana explains. “We consider the whole artist and songwriter. What are their passions, dreams, and ideas? How can we help elevate them? Even if their goals are similar, the approach we need to take to help further their careers needs to be individualized.”
Diana’s dedication to her work is evident in her busy schedule. As a mom of two, she balances homeschooling her daughter in the early mornings, running both businesses and the non-profit during the day, and spending as much time as possible with her whole family in the evenings. Despite the challenges, Diana loves the flexibility of her remote job and the ability to travel while working. “There are so many things I love about working a remote job and homeschooling my daughter. My favorite thing is that we can travel most of the year and it’s still considered ‘work.’ I don’t do well staying in the same place for too long, so it’s great. It hasn’t affected networking or building meaningful personal or business relationships, so that’s always a plus.”
Red River Nomad’s booking roster includes talented artists such as Audra McLaughlin, John Eason, Steph MaGuire, Lauren Freebird, and Kyle Trujillo. The company collaborates with producers and songwriters like Joel Jorgensen, Hal ODell, and Zach Henard, who have contributed significantly to the success of their artists.
Additionally, they run a non-profit organization, Songs For Heroes, which pairs songwriters with veterans and first responders to provide music therapy.
“Songs For Heroes is such a labor of love. The hours are long and there’s so much that goes into planning the main event, much less the monthly and quarterly smaller ones, but I don’t think anyone on our team would have it any other way. We’ve had Veterans tell us they don’t have to hate themselves anymore after telling us their stories, and that’s worth all of the long days right there. I initially signed on as a way to honor my grandpa and my uncle Joe, but it’s become such a huge part of me over the last year that I feel like this will be a life-long commitment and I’m okay with that,” Diana shares.
The future looks bright for Red River Nomad as they continue to support independent musicians, creatives, and the nomad lifestyle. With their unique approach and genuine care for their artists, Diana and John are building a brand that stands out in the industry.
For more information, visit Red River Nomad, Red River Nomad on Facebook, Red River Nomad on Instagram, Diana Marie Darr on Instagram, and Songs For Heroes.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
