No Matter Where You Go, There YOU Are

The one thing most of learn is that success is mostly about change. We start out with a particular idea of what WE think success is but by the time we achieve it, IF we achieve it, we realize that it involved changing ourselves. We sometimes stumble through our lives and careers running from place to place complaining about how people just don't understand us without realizing that it may very well not be everyone else that has the issues but US. Let me explain, one of the most beautiful and yet most destructive things about being an artist is our level of sensitivity. We simply want to be loved and accepted but instead of taking a chance on just being ourselves we get used to trying to be all things to all people. The thing is that this can only last for so long until we get fed up and we usually move on but we don't change our behavior and we then wonder why we keep getting the same results from each situation. Well no matter where you go, there you are. The problem is not everybody else . . . IT'S US! LOL Don't feel too bad though because, trust me, we all have to learn this lesson. The key to being a true success is learning to accept yourself for who you are and don't always try so hard to please everybody. Leave some room for people to please you. I've learned this myself. I've often found that I'm a people pleaser and I've tried to make others happy before myself but when my efforts didn't achieve the intended results I would get frustrated. I've learned that we have to be fully aware of who WE are, good and bad, and make changes to improve ourselves FIRST and not always try to please others first. The key is self analysis. We have to face the truth about our short comings and do what we can to modify them but not just for someone else but for ourselves so that this change is from within and will stay with us no matter where we are. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

Study The Masters

Most of us don't really know where greatness starts. Yes you have to be born with a lot of it but exposure has quite a bit to do with it as well. Exposure to the music and art that came before us. The key to being GREAT in ANY industry is having knowledge of what you do and knowing where it came from. It is so important to study the masters. I listen to so many new artists and musicians that are super talented but they have limited exposure. I recently spoke to a young drummer who had never heard of Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Pappa Joe Jones or Art Blakey. Now I know a lot of you will say that it's because they where primarily Jazz musicians and most young cats are not into Jazz. The reason I think EVERY drummer should know these people and the many others like them is that the drum set, as we know it, was invented in America and Jazz was the music that really developed the instrument so if you are going to really understand the instrument you have to know the history of it's creation and be WELL aware of the musicians that pioneered it's development. Listening to all kinds of music is the greatest way to expose yourself and learn. When I was in college my music history professor encouraged us all to have have a portable music player and headphones with us at all times so that we could fill ALL of our spare moments with music. This is such a great way to better your skills and intellect as a musician. Having the talent is not enough. Talent, intellect and exposure are the cornerstones of greatness. I've listened to and continue to listen to as much music as I can, old and new. This practice continues to teach me and it also helps me get hired, create and define my own voice because I may not have played a song before but if I've heard it or been exposed to the style, I can play it. This is why listening and studying the masters, in all genres, is so important, and it is so beautiful because this is a life long journey, it it will never be over. So please listen, study and enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

Self Management Is Key

I've been in this industry a long time and I've seen a lot of things change. Well, let me say that I've seen everything change except the artists' point of view. Most artists/musicians still think that they need a manager, agent or promoter to be a success. That is no longer true and let me explain why. There was a time when managers, agents and promoters really believed and INVESTED in the talent they represented, but no more. As artists, we are looking for guidance and basically some financial help or investment in our careers. There is no need to waste our time any longer. The industry has changed so that managers and the like are only concerned with making themselves money. They are not interested in helping us build our career. They only want to benefit once we are already there. Self management is key because we have to shoulder the responsibility of building and guiding our own careers. I've worked for a lot of agents that have a roster full of artists but they only book each artist a few times a year. This doesn't really help the artist but the agent makes a commission on everyone so he is not really motivated to keep and one artist working too much because he is afraid of the artist becoming bigger than him. Yet the artists will sit by and complain but still hold their hands out waiting on this guy to give them something. Forget that! We have to be self promoting, self booking, self managing . . .etc . . . Build your career until it gets too big for you to handle and even then you can groom someone to handle the co-management duties. We don't have to play these games. The industry has become so reversed. I mean festivals, clubs, labels and the like all think they are more important than the artist and that the artist should bow down to them and for the most part we fall right in line and then complain about being disrespected and underpaid. Time out for that game. Let's ALL commit to stepping up to the plate to handle our own business and don't be afraid, if you don't know something, then just ask or do the research because it's free, it just takes a little time. NO MORE MUSIC INDUSTRY SLAVE MENTALITY. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012