# From music publicist to travel writer

> A career in country music seemed like a dream until loss forced a reckoning.
- Title: From music publicist to travel writer · Business Insider
- Summary: A career in country music seemed like a dream until loss forced a reckoning. Grief and burnout can be catalysts for reinvention, and it's never too late to…
- Keywords: career change, travel writing, country music industry, grief, hurricane sandy, disney parks, burnout, reinvention, theme parks, memoir, life after loss, business
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/dad-died-career-change-travel-writing-disney-2026-9
- Author: Carly Caramanna
- Published: 2026-09-16T19:06:01.275+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: career change, travel writing, country music industry, grief, hurricane sandy, disney parks, burnout, reinvention, theme parks, memoir, life after loss, business
## Living the music industry dream
In 2012, she was a publicist working red carpets in Las Vegas and escorting legends like Dolly Parton to interviews. The job felt thrilling, but burnout was creeping in behind the scenes.

> Every day was exciting, whether I was working a red carpet in Las Vegas or escorting music legends.
## Life split into before and after
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy destroyed her family's home on the Jersey Shore. Days later, her father died of a heart attack in the aftermath. Everything changed.

> There are moments where your life is split into the before and after, and this was that.
## Her dad's love of travel
Her father instilled in her a passion for travel, writing, food, and Disney parks. Family vacations to theme parks became some of her happiest memories, and she continues visiting them today.

> It was my dad who instilled in me a love of all things travel, writing, food, and Disney parks.
## Recognizing the music industry wasn't it
After her father's death, she realized the music industry's behind-the-scenes politics and constant struggles were burning her out. She needed a change, and the healing process gave her time to think.

> I was feeling burned out by the music industry and its constant behind-the-scenes struggles and politics.
## Combining her two greatest passions
She'd always loved writing, from childhood "Goosebumps" obsession to press releases in the music industry. She decided to pursue travel writing and theme parks, combining her passions with her father's memory.

> Maybe this was a way to cope with his death, but I sought out career opportunities that combined my two greatest passions.
## Taking the leap with full support
Journalism offered no guarantees, but she pursued it with everything she had. Her husband and family supported her completely as she left the music industry behind.

> Journalism is a tough industry with nothing promised, and I had zero clue whether this risk would work.
## Living the life her dad wanted
She's now a travel journalist with a debut book about Disney and food. She's sailed to Alaska and gone on safari in South Africa, experiences she dedicated to her father's memory.

> I'm now 40, and what this taught me is that it's never too late to reinvent yourself.
## Key takeaway

Grief and burnout can be catalysts for reinvention, and it's never too late to chase what actually makes you happy.