Whatever Happened to Plan A ?

I'm on a campaign to rediscover inspiration. As with any mature relationship, I have reached a point of boredom and floundering drive. How do I fix this relationship ?!

Do you remember the feelings of early childhood arousal ? Such as holding hands for the first time with someone in 6th grade ? First slow dance? Countless moments of unbearable excitement. Now fast forward to your umpteenth dinner date with your #??th girlfriend as an adult. Boring. Sure, every new situation has little surprises, but like any dope, you build up a tolerance that never starts back at zero.

Here I am now, well into a decade long career as a full time musician and producer. I've performed for audiences of 5,000 +, produced and played on countless fun records, and my own music has even been heard internationally on TV and in advertising. Now what ?

Sadly, I don't know how to listen to music anymore...much like a tired old Husband. My music wife is constantly pushing and nagging, all for the better, but I have a deafened ear that tries to finish her sentences. She goes on and on about all of our hopes and dreams, but I've been promoted, demoted, transferred, off to war, and up and down the highway so many times that I've forgotten. I'd rather watch sports with a bunch of dudes than be around her. I've completely forgotten about our first dates, going to second base, and sneaking my arm around her at the movies. I've forgotten about flyering a town for my first gig in college, and about listening to an entire record with no computer on with no cell phone in sight. It has all become demystified. My Music Wife now runs around town with no clothes on. No more mysteries, no more romance. She has become too easy, and I am the regular "lucky" man.

So how do I spark new romance in an old relationship ? Revert to plan A:

Act like a 6th grader.

In 6th grade I woke up to music, listened to music on the bus, snuck it into school, shared it during lunch, bought it, sold it, traded it, stole it, listened to it on the bus going home, after school, doing homework, and at night while I was sleeping. I was obsessed when I really think about it, like a music pervert.

Music in 6th grade, however, was a mystery with all of its clothes on. I had no idea how records were made, or how electric guitar sounds were accomplished. I had never put my tongue in its mouth.

The only answer I can come up with is that I need to drastically change my habits and push myself out of this lazy old man comfort zone with diminishing returns. I've got to think like a virgin again.

My music wife is as bored with me as I with her but we are still married. Barring a nasty and horrifying divorce, we have both made this agreement. When I finish this note, I'm gonna fire up Pandora Radio, click on the Guns & Roses station and recklessly play guitar along to whatever songs come down the line. With zero regard for what comes through my hands, I will play obnoxiously loud and try to impress her with a new lick or two. I will listen to what she has to say, nurture her undying faith in me, and try to spend more time with her tomorrow. Curiously Listening .

Listen and Deliver

An old friend asked me this question last week:   

 "How do you make money in the music biz?"

Seems like a simple question, but I didn't have an immediate answer.

I think I shrugged it off and said something like "I don't know, stop doing drugs."

(said friend was NOT a drug user, that's just all I could come up with on the spot)

I've been doing this so long, I don't really remember making the career choice. I've been getting paid to make music on some level since I was 16. Of course, the pay scale, hours and job titles have changed throughout the years but the creation and manipulation of sound waves has always been a direct source of income for me.

 

My skill set includes a recording and performing knowledge of Guitar, DoBro,  Pedal Steel, Mandolin, Keyboards, B3 Style Organ, Backing Vocals, Drum set and Bass (5 String, Fretless, and Acoustic Upright.)   

I can also Write, Produce,  and Engineer a commercially viable product from concept to completion. What knowledge I haven't been able to teach myself, I have learned from mentors and those more advanced in the trade.

I have made the conscious decision to be a valuable asset in a wide range of musical applications.

So how do you make money in the music business ?

1. Open, and Exploit Your Ears .

CASE STUDY

I met my friend Jason in Spanish class at the University of Georgia in 1997. We were all about 20 years old. He sat in front of me next to Tim.  While engaging in casual conversations throughout the semester I discovered that Jason played Bass and  Tim Played Drums.  How convenient. I needed a drummer and a bass player for my new band.

Unfortunately Jason was already fully committed to a band. While conversation could have stopped there,  further USE OF MY EARS uncovered that Jason had a really cheap practice space and was willing to share it.  Perfect... my new drummer Tim lived in the dorms.

Long story longer, since I owned a few decent recording devices I was able to con my way into recording some very basic demos for Jason's band, FAVORITE.   Not only did I get some much needed recording experience,  I also developed valuable personal relationships with the other 3 members of the band.

Through 2 contacts from that 1 Spanish class I was able to: headline the Georgia Theatre, build my recording resume,  get booked on Comcast Bands On Demand (now produced by FAVORITE guitarist Mike Bond)  and was even hired to play a few private parties along the way. 

After seeing Jason last week and LISTENING to him, I also discovered that he's currently building what seems to be a nice recording space in his house. 

 11 years later,  maybe Jason and I should get together and record a quality piece of music that could help one our many friends in the advertising industry ?  

Possibly make some money in the music business ?  

The formula is like this:

1 Spanish Class + 5 musicians X  all of their musical buddies = countless opportunities for life. 

This is not "Politics" or "Luck."

 

This is what I call COMPOUND LISTENING INTEREST...   

This has nothing to do with being in the right place at the right time, but taking advantage of wherever you are NOW.

Opportunities and small victories lurk in shadows of every turn.

Keep your ears OPEN and LISTEN.

(special thanks to Jeff Snowden and Richard Tatarski for employing me and inspiring me to write this)  

Rockvember

OK, 

So I'm hoping to discipline myself to write once a week at the very least. 

I think it would be swell to demystify the life and times of a freelance musician/producer/engineer/contractor, while sharing lessons and funny stories.

Also, it's just plain fun to share the trials and excitements of making a rather fun living.

With that said, here's what's happening NOW:

 I recently negotiated a small contract for some music in a short film.

Produced by: Tim Keefe and Directed by: Ross Sebek (prounounced Shebek)

Watercooler of the Future

I mixed the audio, wrote an original piece,  and adapted some music from Morris Pleasure and Rachel Eckroth. If everything goes as planned, this piece will air on Comedy Central as it recently won a competition!

What have I learned, you ask ??    Be clear with your contract requirements and standard practices from the beginning. In Summary, I'M DONE WORKING FOR FREE.   Tomorrow I have a meeting with my lawyer, Joe Habachy to discuss future plans and musical-legal needs.

Speaking of which, I spent the better part of an hour registering some music with BMI that will be featured in an upcoming documentary on Minor League Groundskeepers.

The Farm Team

I worked closely with Director Scott Balzer, and my friend David Labruyere to create some really cool music for this film. I believe that it is one of the more concise and entertaining films that I have worked on to date.

Please bear with me on these first few posts,  I plan to have a more focused and educational approach when I can get into a routine.  (and some pictures too ?!?)

Amazing

Amazing how far we've come.

I'd like to take a moment to thank Clay Cook  for inspiring me to get involved with the future and for reminding me that I may have something fresh to say.  His song "Loserville" is one of my favorites of the year.