69 - Success in Music

Is your goal to be a rock star? It would be pretty safe for me to bet you. You'll lose. Does this make you a failure? Why do we define success, so often, as being able to hit the highest possible mark? It really puts a negative spin on music.

I'm thrilled to be a musician and a singer/songwriter. I have zero expectations of making it a career, and I don't want to make it a career. I love music. Have my whole life. I'm lucky to have such a thing... I know guys who jump from hobby to hobby, dumping each one when they get bored, looking for something and never finding it.

Not me. I play a gig and I get in the zone and really feel it, and someone gives me a compliment or buys a CD, and I feel awesome. I think it's great when a little kid comes up shyly and puts money into the tip jar. They're seeing live music! Maybe it'll have an influence on them. Maybe they'll want to play an instrument, if they see it enough themselves. I thought it was cooler than hell when I was a kid and we saw someone play live music.

To me, those who are have some musical talent and love playing music are very fortunate. And even though you love it, there's no reason to not make a little money doing it. We all need money. So long as the money doesn't become the major thing... unless of course you're trying for a career in music.

I just got a Telecaster and I joined a Telecaster forum. Those people are nuts. They're totally in love with the Tele. Me too. But you read some of the threads and it just jumps out at you, what these instruments mean to these people. It's awesome. No one is talking about making it. They're talking about what the best pickups are and such.

But... soooo many people are holding out for stardom. They want to become a superstar and anything else won't do. This can be dangerous and destructive, and in some cases, can end up actually killing the person's love of music. They put so much pressure on themselves and when they fail, they feel like they've failed in life. Nonsense. The Music BUSINESS is a business. A lot of things have to click to be a superstar and the odds are that it won't happen for any of us. There's nothing depressing about that. Music is supposed to be fun, to enrich your life. If you can make a living at it, in any way shape or form, and that's what you want to do, great. If it's a hobby that you love, great. Whatever the case, just enjoy it. That's my take.