Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Balancing Act

As we mature in this industry we begin to see things for what they REALLY are yet we still try to do the impossible. We try to be all things to all people. We know what we want but somewhere along the way we have always allowed the needs and wants of others to sidetrack our visions. We do this in an attempt to be unselfish or sometimes out of some weird guilt. Yes guilt. Let me explain. For a musician to be good at his/her craft, it takes long hours of personal dedication. All these ours of being alone and focusing only on what WE want is what has helped us become who we are but there are consequences. All of those hours of practice and dedication to self left some of us a bit socially challenged. (LOL) I mean we find it hard to maintain relationships with people that either don't do what we do or don't serve us any purpose in terms of reaching our goals. So once we realize this we swing to the other end of the pendulum by giving too much of ourselves to others and denying our heart. We become co dependent feeling like we are responsible for saving the world whether it's trying to save some personal relationship or trying convince other musicians how great they are. What I've learned is that we ALL need balance. There is nothing at all wrong with being focused on our goals but it is also OK to relax and have relationships that don't necessarily have anything to do with our career. You would be surprised at how much you learn from people that don't have anything to loose or gain from just being your friend. Balance is also important in helping us keep perspective. We can all sometimes be to close to something to really see the truth. You know, can't see the forest for the trees. Balance helps us breathe and give ourselves a break from self induced stress. It also let's us know that we have no need to feel guilty for our dedication. We just have to make time for other people and things in our lives and demand that those people also value and respect our time and visions. This my friends is the balancing act. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Hurt Feelings

I've often heard people say, "It's just business." Most of the times they say this to justify some insensitive or immoral behavior. We are all told that to be successful you have to be unemotional and cold hearted. There can be no hurt feelings. Well this is a crock. As creative people we are wired to be sensitive, thoughtful and caring. That's why it's hard for most artists to become wealthy because most decisions about money have nothing to do with art or some one's feelings. This doesn't just occur at the million dollar level. I've seen people lie and betray others over a few hundred dollars and when called on it they just say that it's business. Now it's true that every situation, gig, contract or event is a negotiation and like it or not the other party is only concerned about their interest. They are not REALLY concerned about treating you fairly. They will know that you are worth $10,000 but if they can convince you to take less, even if it means playing on your artistic emotions, they will. When you find out that you were underpaid they say yet again don't take it personal, it's just business. I believe that you can be shrewd, honest and caring. I also believe that it is OK to be honest about having hurt feelings. Yes we have to be tough but true toughness comes from being able to do good honest business and have people walk away from the table feeling like they were treated fairly and with respect. We can ALL have what we want but no one can have it ALL so don't ever think that being insensitive or betraying your nature will benefit you financially. We just have to always be upfront about what we want and don't want. No need to listen to a bunch of sob stories about this or that. We have a service to offer and we will deliver on our end so there is no need not to demand the same from the other party involved. Having hurt feeling doesn't make you week. It just makes you human but don't let being hurt make you hurt others. Just know that you can be a compassionate artist and a good business man/woman with heart. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Breathe In & Breathe Out

As another year comes to an end and we make our assessments, it's important not to put too much stress on ourselves. Take a look at what you've achieved this year. Don't weigh everything by it's monetary value but take into consideration the lessons learned. It's also important to remember that we don't exist in a vacuum. What I mean is that as much as we love our art and craft we are influenced by ALL of our relationships, especially our significant others. We can say that it doesn't matter and we only live for our music but when you decide to love someone you no longer live for just your music. This is hard because as artists we can sometimes be selfish and we are not always the best verbal communicators. We are temperamental, moody, jealous, territorial and we wear our emotions on our sleeves. For those that love us it can be hard to understand that as creative people we are affected by EVERYTHING. As we move forward, it is important that we learn the secret to success. . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . the secret is to simply breathe in and breathe out. Just keep living but do so only expecting great things from our art and our relationships. And yes we need both. We all need to know that their is someone in our corner that is exclusive to us and we can't be afraid to say that to the people we need. Pursuing your personal legend is a hard way to go and when you choose to let someone in to share the journey with you, they have to be the right one and you have to be unafraid to share and allow them to help you as you help them. I know some may say that one has nothing to do with the other but trust me. No matter how strong we are, we all need support and someone to trust and love. We are a gifted people blessed with the ability to create beauty that can change the very world we live in. If we are going to inspire beauty, we must live and experience it in our on lives, professional and personal. So as you assess this past year and make plans to move forward, don't do so in a vacuum. Take ALL of your relationships into consideration. No stress allowed, just breathe in; breathe out and keep moving towards your success. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Monday, December 26, 2011

Don't Ever Give Up

The one thing it takes to be successful in any career is pure unadulterated commitment. There is no such thing as an easy road. This is especially true in the music industry. It's all about trial and error but each step brings us closer to our goal. Now I admit that along the we sometimes create our own obstacles. Once you have a family and you create responsibilities it can seem next to impossible to achieve your goals. A lot of us will use this as an excuse for quitting. Well I say, don't ever give up. We can choose to do something just because it pays the bills but in the end it really won't serve you or your family well. Don't get me wrong, this is not something that's for everyone but if you have the gift, passion and commitment, then you can have what you want if you just stay on task. It takes a strong resolve to pursue a vision that no one seems to see but you. This is especially hard for artists because everyone sees our talent but they don't necessarily value it. They figure it's just a hobby, you know not a REAL job, so they just don't place any real value on what we do. We are further disrespected by people thinking that our job is so easy that anyone can do it so you even have laymen always trying to tell us how to do what we do. It seems that no one really gets it. In the face of this kind of disrespect and mis education I understand why some may just want to give up but I challenge you not too. Use all the lessons you've learned, take all of those feelings of neglect and being devalued and under payed and channel them into something beautiful. We develop so many skill sets by doing what we do that we don't even realize our own value most of the time. Take some time to re prioritize your goals by trimming the fat. Anything that doesn't truly serve your vision, let it go. It is only slowing you down. Anyone that doesn't truly support you, not only in word but in action, let them go. You have to decide how much you really want this. Remember it's always darkest just before the dawn. Just don't ever give up and you will see the light. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Let It Grow!

OK, I'm so tired of people stunting the growth of music by trying place creativity in a box. In particular I'm speaking about the blues. I've had the privilege over my career to play with some of the greatest names in blues. I've even played with some unsung greats that are better than any of the cats you ever heard. I love ALL music and I continue to learn from every experience. The concern I have is that the blues, in particular, is in danger. Not because of the music or even the buying public. It is being endangered by all of these so called know it alls that seem to think that the blues can only contain the same three chords and can only have a particular beat or groove. The blues is a living music a we must LET IT GROW. The music that was created by Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and many like them is great and we all love it. They made their contribution by just playing the music they felt. They didn't follow this rule of that rule. The on thing they had to do was be good at being themselves. In order for this music to grow, artists in this generation must be allowed the same creative freedom to explore and expand the form. Of course today's blues is going to be different than the blues of our ancestors. We live in a completely different time. This is the digital age of instant gratification and our very lifestyles create another chapter that has to be written in the history of the blues. The reason I say the blues is in danger is that most of the articles I've read all end up saying the same things. This is great but nothing we haven't heard before. I go to festivals and it's the same thing. Great musicians playing the same thing you've heard a million times before. This may be fine for those that like the tradition but it doesn't help bring any new fans to the music and without new blood the blues can't breathe. The blues is not just about the music, it's a life experience and we all get the blues. The blues is about not only mourning but celebrating and it is unfair for anyone to place limits or try to tell someone else how to live, feel or play the blues. It is important for those of us making records to continue to trust our hearts and make the music we feel. Never let ANYONE tell you that it is not blues or not this or that. The blues is the very foundation on which ALL forms of American popular music is built so we are really listening to the blues everywhere, everyday but we have to express this to the current generation so that they can understand it and nurture it. Again I ask a you blues purists, please just let it grow. The blues has grown from seeds of beauty that were planted many year ago by some of the greatest minds of our time. Let's continue to cultivate this music. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Real Deal

This industry can be full of phony people and con artists. It can be very hard to weed them out until it's too late but most of the time it's easier for us to be taken advantage of because we are really coning ourselves. What I mean is that we all know real from fake but a lot of times it's easier to believe the hype. You have to always be able to recognize the real deal. The thing about being real is that you don't have to hype it. It just is what it is. Whenever someone starts making you a bunch of promises about what they can deliver be very careful. The first thing you want to do is see who else they have done anything for. Have they had any legitimate success in any other situation? This goes for any association because our time is our most valuable asset and we can't afford to have it wasted. It is vital for us to stay focused and always have a plan for our own vision. Don't ever allow yourself to get caught up in the hype. Stay calm and patient. Never put all of your eggs in one basket and never get emotional about your business decisions. When you know the real deal you can't accept BS from ANYONE. Now this doesn't mean that we become jaded and bitter. It just means that we don't waste any time even listening to some one trying to con us and trust me, you will know in the first few words if you are dealing with a con artist. Most of these people don't consider themselves as con artists. They just figure they can fake what they don't know but they don't realize that by wasting our time they do a disservice to themselves as well. It's just best to be honest about what you don't know. You can express an interest to learn and get experience but don't try to sell me the world and you don't even own a block. So as you move forward, don't be guided by your emotions. Stay focused on making great art and work daily toward achieving your goals because inevitably it's all about you looking out for yourself. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

It's All About The Feel

I've had countless discussions with fellow musicians about how to make great music. I was a music major in college so I kind of have the best of two worlds. One being natural instinct and the other being music academia but what I've found is that it doesn't matter how many chords you know or how well you can read music. It's all about the feel. Now I'm not saying that you shouldn't learn to read music. I believe that every musician should develop some level of basic reading proficiency but it seems that a lot of so called educated musicians can be to uptight and stuffy. I can say that because, as I said before, I belong to both worlds. I teach drum lessons and I'm always telling my students to focus more on developing a feel and sound. Yes scales and rudiments are important but when you we create music we have to do so from the heart and we can sometimes let all this so called knowledge get in the way of our heart. I work on a lot of records yearly. I guess you could say that the studio is truly my second home. I don't stress over gear or spend to much time philosophizing about set ups or trying to reinvent the wheel. I just go in and surrender to whatever the vibe dictates. Whether it's blues, jazz, funk, r&b, country . . .etc. I just go for what the song needs. It never requires a lot of discussion. Once you start to play you know immediately what works or what doesn't. When I was in school I would have guys that would spend hours talking over this concept of that. The shuffle should be played here or there and the swing should feel like blah, blah, blah. Yes I know and understand all the text book concepts but when I'm playing and creating music, I'm only playing what feels right to me and sometimes that may involve something from the text book but most of the time involves me breaking the so called rules. I've found that the people that live and die by the rules and spend time talking instead of creating are simply doing so because they lack the true instinct and heart to just allow music to happen. It will always happen if you let it. The truth is some people have it and some don't. I've known guys that could technically do things that I could never do but they could not play a groove that would make people want to dance or cry. Music is ALL about expression. It's not about intellectual jousting. Miles Davis put it perfectly, he said,"Learn everything you can then forget it." I agree! It's a must to know fundamentals but you must always leave room for the universe to speak and breathe life into your art. Remember it's not what you know but how you make it feel. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Monday, December 19, 2011

Just See The Truth

One of the hardest things for us to do is to see the truth about ourselves and our goals. Instead of facing sometimes harsh realities, we just ignore the facts and try to force what we want but to no avail. It is important to realize that the truth is not your enemy. Truth and faith go hand in hand. We get so attached to what WE think should happen or how WE see our vision coming to fruition that we sabotage our own progress. We keep going through the motions year after year trying to fit a round peg into a square hole just wearing our self and our spirit down. Take time to step back and see what things you've done that work and what things don't. Don't try to explain or judge just take in the facts and see the truth. If success is what you are really after then following your truth will get you there. Life is all about change and adjustments. I mean how can we learn and earn more without changing? We can't! So it is important for us to not be so attached to what we think and leave space for the truth to speak to us. This doesn't mean that you won't achieve your goals, it just means that your path to achieving them may end up being one you never considered but when the true path is revealed to you, you must be able to accept, adjust and keep moving forward. It's also about making smarter decisions. I've been writing and producing for years. I've done some major and independent label stuff. I took stock of all I've done and found that even though I had done all these great projects, I had attached myself to situations that limited my exposure to the world. So instead of thinking that I was going to create this super artist or group myself, I had to become open to sharing my music and songs with people that were already in a position to help me move forward. Instead of me continuing to be a part of situations that would never really go any further than where they had been created. I had to accept that I needed to travel and expose the execs and higher ups to who I am and what I'm capable of. This is where I am now and it is still a learning process everyday but one that I am better for. So my advice to you is to make your plan for 2012 based on the truth and not just YOUR version of it. Have faith and step out of your box. Success awaits you. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Just Be Honest

The music business is full of contradictions. I mean the very name music business is an oxymoron. As artists we are suppose to create art that comes from our heart but the truth is most of us are people pleasers and we want to be liked and accepted so at some point in our lives we begin to compromise our creative integrity. This happens so subtly that years can pass before we realize that we have lost sight of who we are as artists and sometimes even as people. We are different by design and that is a good thing but we allow people to make us think that there is something wrong with the way we think, look, act or dress just because we don't fall into what they see as normal. My advice is just be honest. Be honest with yourself about who you really are and don't sacrifice or compromise your art or integrity for the business or for any other person. We are beautiful just as we are and if we have to change to be accepted then maybe we need to re-examine the relationships we have chosen. The music business has turned in on itself. It has become more business than art. People are no longer concerned about being great artists, they just want to be rich. As artists we have to regain control of this industry but we must first regain control of our own creative space. We need no longer lie to ourselves or the people around us just to make them happy or to be accepted. If they don't like us or our art then let them move on but we can no longer quench our creative spirit. True artistic expression is rooted in honesty to one's self and that honesty opens to door to clarity and that door grants us inner piece . . . artistic fulfilment, if you will. I'm not saying that we shouldn't want to be successful or wealthy. I'm just saying that we need only be honest about our art and our very being too achieve what ever level of success we are pursuing. Don't be a yes man/woman all the time. If you don't like it or if your art is a little left of center, then so be it. Just be your best you. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Be Patient, Not Passive

Success is a life long pursuit and it requires discipline and discernment. Most people fall short of the mark in this industry because of two things. Either they are rushing to get to something or just dragging their feet. Neither one of these ever reaps lasting results. The people that are always in a hurry often don't take time to truly learn their craft. They hustle their way through but end up getting exposed in the end. The people that drag their feet are often very qualified but they lack the courage and self motivation to move on anything. My advice is to find a happy medium. We should learn to be patient but not passive. The slow road is always the best road because you will have longevity and walking this road requires discipline and patience. Being patient doesn't mean sitting by waiting on some one to give you something. It simply means that you are working everyday by consistently chipping away at the tasks at hand. A lot of musicians get it confused. They think that being patient means waiting on the right manager or that big break. They become passive and just let their life and career pass them by. It is vitally important to have a plan and work that plan daily. Success is achieved by doing a lot of small things that end up becoming big accomplishments. For example: if you are going to be in the record business, then you have to first make a record. Talking about it won't get it done. Once you start you will see that the process doesn't end there. You basically have to make a record every year to have new product to present to the market place and concert and festival buyers. Instead of complaining or dreaming, just go to work doing what you can. If you don't have the money right now to complete the CD, at least go ahead and right the songs. This is that patience piece. Opportunity always comes. It's just a matter of whether or not we are prepared to seize it and the best way to be prepared is to work patiently and purposefully on a daily basis. Just do SOMETHING all the time. Never let a day go by that you don't contribute some amount of time towards advancing your plan. Stay on top of it and never get discouraged. Remember, slow and steady ALWAYS wins the race. So just be patient but not passive. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Learn From Your Past

Everyday I end my posts with, "Enjoy the journey." A part of enjoying this journey is being able to acquire wisdom along the way. The music industry can be a vicious cycle and if you are not a quick study, in can devour you. The definition of insanity is doing the same things but expecting different results. To be a success in this business and in life in general, you have to learn from your past. I have made a lot of mistakes and given up a lot of things in pursuit of my goals and yes it can sometimes be hard to not have regret or wish you could do something over. What I've come to understand is that the pain caused by our mistakes is a good thing. It enables us to have a certain clarity that only experience can provide, especially when the pain is self induced. We are all a sum total of our choices and decisions. We have all made some good and bad choices and decisions but it is up to us to learn from those experiences in order to improve our future. It is important to be able to make an honest assessment of who we are. Change can be the most difficult thing in life because we are creatures of habit and we like to be content but learning is synonymous with changing. When we know better, we are suppose to do better. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you have been wrong about something or a few things but this is how we learn from our past. Once we know what we did wrong or what habits or practices have not served us well, then we know what to change and how to change them. We have the answers to the test. It's never easy but well worth the effort. As the new year approaches and you begin to take stock of this past year's accomplishments, also take time to to look at the mistakes or missteps. Analyze them and their causes, then simply make a different plan to move forward in 2012. We will always make mistakes. It's a part of learning and being human but let's make some NEW mistakes and not keep reliving the same ones. This my friends is truly insanity. The road to success and inner peace is one that we travel daily. Let's continue to pave new routes for our journey and not keep going down the same dead end roads. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Monday, December 12, 2011

It's Just Business

The dynamic between agents and musicians is always interesting to me. It seems that as artists and musicians we are held to a higher standard than the agents we sometimes work with. I know that there are some musicians out there that can give an agent fits but for the most part there is always a weird tug of war going on when it comes to money. The agent wants to keep as much money in their pocket as possible and of course the artist wants to do the same. This is fine for either party as long as there is an honest relationship. I've dealt with some really great agents and a lot of not so great ones. The thing to keep in mind in any situation is that it's just business. When dealing with any agent, always be upfront and honest about what YOU want to be paid and any other particulars dealing with your show. Communication is key to any successful relationship. Never participate in anything that is unethical with ANY agent because it always comes back to bite you later. A lot of agents will tell you that you are only worth so much money because you are new or no one really knows who you are yet. Now this can be true but it's all about the quality of the show you are putting on stage. Known or not, if you are putting on a $10,000 show and only charging $1,500 then you are selling yourself short. You just need to know the market in terms of what the going rate is for clubs, festivals, corporate and tour dates. Be sure to have a killer video as a part of your package so that the agent can show people how HOT you are. Don't ever be afraid to say no. If you have a minimum price and you don't see a reason to go below it, then don't. Never allow an agent to guilt you into in job you know you don't want to take. We all work hard at what we do and it's important that the agent values us as well. Always handle business by being on time, being classy and putting on a great show and the agent should always handle their business by keeping you booked with quality well paying work with no under the table deals or under selling of the gig to you to help boost their commission. What I mean by that is, it's unfair for the agent to sell a gig to you saying it only pays $3,000 when he knows he can get $5,000. If you accept it for $3,000, he gets a commission off of that and pockets $2,000. These are the kinds of underhanded practices I've seen. It's hard to stop this once you've given him a price that you will work for. Just be careful and never sign an exclusive with anyone unless they are guaranteeing you X amount of dates and money a year in writing. Other than that, remain non-exclusive and never take anything personal. When someone shows you who they are, just believe them the first time and keep it moving. It's just business. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Price Of Genius

The music business is full of contradictions. In most professions there are certain rules that apply that are usually spot on all the time. I mean if you are a talented doctor or attorney your worth is appreciated, respected and financially rewarded but that is not the case in our business. I recently played a show with a legendary entertainer, who shall remain nameless. When I arrived to the club, people were there telling me how they couldn't wait to hear him and how great he was. After playing with him, I too concurred that he is incredible, simply a genius but the club didn't charge a cover and the money he was making was really an insult to his talent. I've had the pleasure of playing with and learning from quite a few genius musicians in my career but it seems that society does not reward genius. We seem to be more comfortable with mediocrity. We recognize genius but we don't seem to respect it. This is why the music industry and arts in general are in a state of flux. Everyone loves music of some kind but place no real value on those that create it. It seems that people think that musicians and artists are just around to please them but shouldn't be paid well. But they will shell out thousands of dollars on media made music. This is music that has no real substance or staying power. It's music created in a box for the lowest common denominator. It isn't intellectually challenging nor does it inspire you to think. Now I know that music is not always suppose to be serious, especially popular music but even when you are singing about love, there is a way to do it that can inspire people to want to experience love and not just sex. We fear what we don't understand and this is the price of genius. As I stated earlier, people can recognize genius but it frightens them because it challenges them to think and move to a different space. This is why most great musicians are never fully rewarded while they are alive but after their death people look back at their work and then embrace their genius. I challenge you as a music buying and concert going public to respect, appreciate and financially reward the artists you like. Not just the media made artists but the geniuses you see in your local pubs or regional concert venues. Money and media can not make genius. Only God makes these people and as you share in their gifts please understand that genius is worthy of not only recognition but compensation as well. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Nerve

It is so amusing to me how we as artists are underestimated and disrespected by the very people that call themselves our representation. Whether it's those in management, legal or publicity, they seem to always think that the artist is ignorant. The nerve of these people! This is not an indictment of all people in management, legal or publicity but if the show fits . . . well you know. It's time that we stop allowing this to occur. I can't tell you how many times I've sat in meetings with people that want to represent me but they really didn't know anything about me. They may have seen me put on a cool show and even though I would make strides to give them BIG picture of my goals, they begin to talk to me as if I'm some new cat with no experience. I guess as I get older my patience for this has just run thin. Most of these people don't even have the experience I have but they want me to spend money with them yet they have not really proven themselves. Yet they expect us as artists to jump through hoops. I understand that nothing in this business really gets done without money to make it flow but I've gotten to the place where I'm done having my intellect insulted by these kinds of people. Respect is paramount. If you truly want us to spend money with you, then show us the respect we deserve by doing the research and understanding who we are. I mean I've spent literally half my life in the recording studio and I'm still in the lab daily so I don't need to sit in front of a management type and have them try to explain pro tools or music quality to me. This to me simply says that they don't respect my experience or they are just ignorant. This is why it is vitally important for us as artists to educate ourselves on ALL facets of the business that have ANYTHING to do with our advancement so that these people can't pull the wool over our eyes and steal our money with promises of this and that and not deliver. When you know the game, you can spot a phony a mile away. And don't get me wrong, there are some really successful phonies out there because they have just been getting over on uneducated naive artists. Let's choose to educate ourselves and make these people rise to the occasion. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Validation

The most important thing we all have in this business is our belief in ourselves. As artists it is not always easy to maintain this belief because we are always searching for approval or validation from others. The thing we have to do is not be so concerned about what any one thinks about us or our art. Of course we want people to like what we do but we can't be so influenced by others that we begin to make art for the sole purpose of someone Else's approval. It's also hard to know who is telling you the truth. No one can REALLY judge art. It is so subjective. We have to be strong enough to stand by our creative inspirations and if people like it cool and if they don't that's cool too but either way all you can do is create from an honest place. Looking for outside validation can also be dangerous because people will use that against us. They may see that you have something unique but they won't help you unless they can reap the larger benefit. Creating art and having faith go hand in hand. We need not search for another man's approval. Just create the art that is in YOUR heart and I promise you it will be accepted. Once people realize that their opinion doesn't drive your process one way or the other then they will just lay back and accept who YOU are. It can also save your feelings. I mean how many times have you created something great only to have someone close to you give you a luke warm reception of it. Now does their opinion mean that your creation wasn't great or does it mean that they just didn't get it. Not everyone exists on the same creative level. Take Thelonius Monk for example. He made music that changed the way we look at melody and harmony but when he created his art, not many people understood it. They were not on his level so they were not equipped to judge or validate his art. It was only later that his genius was appreciated. Imagine if he had listened to those people, we would never have experienced the beauty of his art. So take people's opinions of your work with a grain of salt. Trust YOUR heart and vision. True genius is never really understood right away so don't allow people with a limited creative IQ to try and judge your art. The only validation you need is self validation. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Monday, December 5, 2011

16!?

OK enough is enough. I would like to address children and show business. I have a very talented thirteen year old son. He began showing interest in music form age three but I didn't force it on him. I simply allowed him to be exposed to music and performance. He then began to express a keen interest in wanting to pursue a career and he does have a gift. Now I know every parent thinks their child can be a star but I'm serious, this child is someone special. As he has gotten older, I've focused on nurturing his talent so that he can be fundamentally sound on all fronts and not just another cute child that will lose his charm once he's an adult. I also have experience working with other talented children and I want to discuss one of the most ignorant things I was told by a group of parents. These people told me that if my child and their children did not make it in the business by the time they were sixteen that they would be washed up and have no career. Now keep in mind that I have been traveling the world as a professional musician since I was nineteen years old. I've appeared on the Tonite Show, American Music Awards, David Letterman, etc . . . as well as having produced quite a few records for major and independent label artists. So I think I'm more than qualified when it comes to knowing how THIS business works. These people spend thousands of dollars sending their children to cattle call auditions only to return with a trophy or certificate that says that their child has potential so they keep going around ruining the child's true view of this business because the child begins to buy into the lie of only having a few years to make it. This is not only sad but it is abuse. For those of you that REALLY have a talented child you should keep in mind that if anyone asks you for money in advance to do anything for your child then are not legitimate. A real agent will only make money when they make YOU money. They work on a percentage basis. The problem we have is that people have been so brain washed by these T.V. talent shows that everyone thinks their child can be famous and they are willing to do and spend anything to get there. Just imagine if they spent that same time, money and energy on fully developing the child's gifts by putting them in the best dance, acting, singing and instrumental classes as well as making sure that the child has a strong understanding of how the music business works and is aware of ALL of the career opportunities in this industry such as entertainment law, publishing, songwriting, producing, etc. . . I FULLY support the artistic development of any child but I think the time as come for parents to stop seeing talented children as mill tickets. If you are truly interested in getting your child into this business just call a REAL child agency in any of the major markets and let them tell you what you should do. Disney, Nickelodeon and the like are always having auditions. Look them up and get the schedules. The Internet has also made it so that you can promote any one's talent just by uploading a great video. This doesn't involve you spending a lot of money or taking the child all over the place on wild goose chases. YouTube videos can also serve as resume pieces to show an agent who you are, your look, talent and personality. So for those people telling children that they only have until 16 to be successful, PLEASE STOP IT AND EDUCATE YOURSELF!!!! Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Thursday, December 1, 2011

How Do You Define Making It?

The American music industry is youth driven. Most people are simply discarded after age twenty five. The sad thing about this concept is that we buy into it. I talk to musicians all the time that say they are too old or missed their shot. There are no missed shots. This is a life long pursuit. Everyone wants to make it but how do you define making it? The fact of the matter is very few people are sincerely concerned about pursuing their passion and growing in their craft. The main focus is on money and fame. If they don't sell a million records or make millions of dollars then they consider themselves unsuccessful. I have been mentored by some of the greatest musicians and artists of our time and it inspires me to see them at age fifty and up still pursuing their goals and breaking NEW ground. This only let's me know that there is no time limit on pursing your passion and you can't allow yourself to become a slave to things and fame. They are both fleeting but truly making it means that you have been able to live a good life and provide for your loved ones while continuing to grow and pursue your passion. It is not defined solely by money. I believe that when you focus only on money and/or fame you miss the big picture. Maybe this is why music and art, for the most part have become plastic with no soul. Artists are more concerned with their brand and merchandising than they are about making great music and art. They make money but I fear we are going to be left with an artistically lost generation. Music and art are like breathing. If you don't breathe, you will die. No one has to pay you to breathe. You do so for survival. Let's place the focus back on the music and the craft. If we make great art, then the money and everything else will come but it will ALL be based on the quality of our music and not how well we market our brand. That is how I define making it. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth
All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011