By Kiera McCord
Intern at OCEAN Networking Group
It starts with a conversation that is not always planned or polished, but meaningful. That’s how networking often works. This is especially true in creative industries like music, where relationships can shape everything from the first gig to a lifelong career. John Parenti knows this better than most. His journey began as a teenage touring drummer. It evolved into decades of experience as a producer, mentor, and collaborator. Along the way, he’s written jingles and developed artists. He’s navigated the industry’s shifting landscape, always grounded in trust, curiosity, and connection.
I’m an intern with OCEAN, a networking group centered on creating meaningful relationships. As part of that role, I spoke with John about how connections form and evolve in the music world. I’m also someone interested in entering the music world myself. I wanted to learn how those behind-the-scenes relationships form and, more importantly, how they last. What followed was a conversation about music, mentorship, and the quiet power of staying open to what might come next.
To better understand that dynamic, I interviewed John Parenti, a seasoned music professional whose career spans decades of work in performance, production, and mentorship.
From Touring Drummer to Music Producer
John started out behind the drum kit and began touring while still a teenager. His early experience as a performer eventually led him to promote Christian music concerts in Las Vegas, a role he held for ten years. During that time, he immersed himself in the behind-the-scenes side of the business. He learned about promotion, contracts, negotiations, and the logistics that drive live events. One of his proudest milestones was earning a number one hit on the Christian music charts. The song stayed there for 13 weeks.
But John’s ambitions didn’t stop there. He had a vision of one day becoming a record producer. He wanted to hand-pick artists and help them grow from the ground up. That dream brought him to California, but the road to production wasn’t immediate. To support his creative goals, John began writing jingles and radio commercials. His work ranged from grocery store ads to theme music for IHOP. He even wrote new tracks for the LA Clippers, a project he worked on for 13 years. Over time, he created more than 50 jingles, often in multiple languages, using the income to fund artist recordings and studio work.
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Relationships Are Everything
If you have a good idea, you should be able to put it down on a piece of paper,” he said — a mindset that helped him pitch projects, write quickly, and turn creativity into something tangible and profitable.Throughout his journey, John emphasized that relationships are everything. Many of his most rewarding opportunities came from people he had built trust with over the years, musicians he could call to play on a session, artists he mentored, or collaborators who opened new doors through mutual connections. He described his network as something he built intentionally over time, a honeycomb of creative partnerships that fed into each other.
“Nothing good happens without collaboration,” he said. When it comes to working with others, John has a clear formula. Make the session fun, create space for ideas to flow, make the artist sound great, and make sure everyone gets paid fairly.
Passing It Forward: Mentorship in Music
Today, John works closely with a small group of emerging artists. They’re people he personally chooses to develop. His focus is less about mass-producing music and more about quality, mentorship, and longevity. He’s passionate about teaching young creatives how to make great records. He’s just as focused on helping them navigate the industry with clarity and purpose.
“Music can outlive you, and go to places you can’t even go,” he said. He was reflecting on the power of songs to carry stories long after the artist is gone.
What left the biggest impression on me was how much John values openness, not just to people, but to possibilities. “Things have a way of finding you when you’re open,” he said. So many doors seem hard to crack open. But that mindset, combined with generosity, humility, and persistence, might just be the most valuable thing a young creative can carry.
Recognized for Genuine Networking
That kind of openness is exactly what we try to recognize every year at OCEAN. Check out the standout members and businesses from our 2024 Best of OCEAN Awards. Still working on breaking the ice with new people the way John does so naturally? Here are 5 icebreakers that actually work at casual events.
John’s approach to genuine, generous networking is a good reminder. How you connect matters as much as whether you show up. Want to make sure you’re building relationships the right way? Take a look at these common networking mistakes to avoid.
Want to strike up conversations as naturally as John does? A few practical guides can help: mastering the art of conversation starters, mastering the art of making small talk, and tips on how to make a good first impression when networking.
Advice for Fellow Networkers
John’s story is a good reminder: networkers come in all styles. Curious where you fit? Take a look at the different types of networkers, or find out what kind of networker you are.
