BLOG

“One thing I’ve noticed, whether it be pursuing music or trying to fulfill any goal, is the importance of consistency. Living in Nashville (where 90% of the people around you are upcoming artists of some sort) you notice that even though everyone is ‘trying to make it’ around you, you tend to hear the same few names and see the same faces that are making actual progress. It’s their consistency that makes their name reputable. People are creatures of habit. On Thursday’s for example, I go to a local bar with my friends and see the same band play consistently every week.

I know, I know, you’ve heard it over and over again; “Don’t work for free!” You probably feel like you get the point, but I want to dive into the world of why doing things for free will leave both sides tainted. As an artist, as a coach dealing with artists, and someone who frequently books gigs, I am often left in amazement at how many venues/events have artists performing for free. The classic pitch to you is, “it is really good promotion.” 

Ok, I get it you want to sing in the same key as the original artist because if you do that speaks to your talent.  Some how if we can sing the same notes as they did, even if they don’t sound as good, it will mean we are at the same level as that artist.  Trust me I have been there and I completely understand!  The issue is that song was written for THAT persons voice not OUR voice.  And yes sometimes it works out that we can sing in the same key and it fits but other times it just doesn’t! 

5 Valuable Lessons For Success In The Industry!
Find your voice and what you have to say. Artists have so much power to influence those around them. Though it may not seem like it, people are watching and listening.  Find your voice and what you want to say and then say it.
Network like crazy, but be very particular about your team. Make sure that those around you adhere to the same values and goals as you. One of the biggest downfalls of an artist is getting dragged down by people who’s intentions or goals are not in alignment with your own.

Everything in life could be likened to that of a game.  It is filled with obstacles, as well as freedoms. Sometimes those barriers are physical and sometimes they are mental. I would say that the life of an artist is both!  The beautiful side of art is that you have the freedom to create at your own will. You have the freedom to channel your energy into beautiful masterpieces and use your art to heal, not only your own, but other people’s pain.

You know that old saying, “actions speak louder than words,” well I’m here to tell you that is 100% true!  I’ve come to find that in an industry that is based upon playing with words, you will run into many who can talk a beautiful game but cannot deliver.  It’s been a hard lesson to learn, but the truth of the matter is that the only testament of what someone REALLY can do is based on what they deliver.

I am sure at some point in your life you have heard the ‘big fish, small pond’ analogy, “would you rather be a big fish in a small pond, or a little fish in a big pond?”. When thinking about this we wonder what is more important to us: would you rather stand out to a small group of people, or blend in to a larger majority? Personally, I always longed for the big pond.

Those that have worked with me have most likely heard me say on more than one occasion, “do not showcase what you are working on, showcase what you have.”  It is common for a singer to get excited about a new song that they are working on and want to perform it out without really having it refined. Even though I love the enthusiasm, the problem is that you are showing the audience what you are working on, not your true potential. 

If you want to be successful as an artist, you must learn to have crazy work ethic. You have to be focused, disciplined, a hard worker, and willing to get your hands dirty! There is no quick fix to success! The ones who get to the top have a crazy work ethic. A simple google search of those people you admire at the top will show you all they had to go through to get to where they are now. I hear, all too often, from artists “they aren’t even that talented, how did they get there?”