Posted on 09/01/2004 10:48:43 AM PDT by Indie
Don't let a few rejections make you quit! LISTEN TO THE RADIO. (I'm sorry. I meant this figuratively. Please don't turn it on!) How much of it is tripe? If THOSE folks can get a deal, so can you. (Yeah right. Can you say "professional incest?") This last statement is not directed at the REAL songwriters (you know who you are) whose beautiful songs have gotten cuts, and whose other beautiful songs have been overlooked by the "BIZiness" folk and artists who only had a one-octave range.
Do what you love because you HAVE to do it...because you love it! (I DON'T have to do it. Why do you think I have a day job? I'm just into S&M.) Be true to yourself. If someone hears your music and you get a break, you're in good shape 'cause you're still you. (I tried being Garth but I never could get the hat to stay on when I hit the high notes.) Worry about life and living. Luck is nothin' more than when opportunity meets preparation..."H" that is.
Record companies are comprised of real people. So what if they're all ex-insurance agents, used-car dealers and...(parental warning)...lawyers. Who said you had to BE a musician to be in the music BUSINESS?
Remember radio only has a limited amount of time and even major labels have to fight for the airplay their artists receive. (Oh, they also hire ex-wrestlers) Some major artists don't even get played anymore. I mean, not everybody can afford to keep paying their record companies forever.
Radio DJ's (who have no power anymore) are caught somewhat in the middle and many of these folks may end up being your friends on Thanksgiving at the Salvation Army. After all, you both are in the same tax bracket.
So what if one of my songs received airplay after John Denver's death: "Fly-A Tribute To John Denver" (BMI). So what if it was on a major Dallas AC station and some others. Yeah I even got some BMI royalty checks. Now I can eat out at Taco Bell for supper tonight. But I'm no bigshot. I was just lucky.
That flash in the pan is over for now and thank goodness I never got too caught up emotionally in the situation. (Officer don't you know who I AM?) The CD is still getting some spins. I saw one on a major TV station last night being used in a dog food commercial as the labrador pup caught it in mid-air! I'm cool. When the time is right, I may accede to sharing my talent and experience with other musicians as a consultant, but for now, I'm enjoying fighting off the babes. I never knew that many people actually WATCHED dog food commercials.
Now I'll pray for the writers whose creations have never been heard, or that have been heard by the "industry" and almost quit because somebody said "no." I pray that they quit now before lasting psychological damage is done. I shall give thanks for what I DO have...my music, my beautiful sons, my labrador, my life...my day job...and I won't worry about tomorrow. (Could I have a little more cheese on this taco?) It's comin'...thank goodness.---------AMEN. ===============================================
For those in Palm Beach county FL who can't read a ballot, the above is called satire. No reference is made to any individual living or deceased and amazingly accurate coincidences are just that: coincidences.
Ok, now for the reality of the business. The above is all satire. If you want to know the how's and why's behind many of the roadblocks in Nashville, I have seen it described no better anywhere else than by the NSAI's own Phil Goldberg, an amazing songwriter and creative spirit. And I wish all of you the very best. Persevere, do it because you LOVE it and not to make money or get a cut, and you will always be happy. And I must say, Nashville, if you've never been there, is really one of the NICEST and laid back towns I have ever been to and so are the music professionals that live and work there.
I hope it makes you smile a little :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.