Leave Your Comfort Zone

A lot of us have the wrong idea about how to achieve success in this business. You can't make it by JUST focusing on money or a rich lifestyle. As a matter of fact seeking these comforts are the enemy of success. The bottom line is that the only way to achieve ANYTHING is by hard, smart work. You can't be afraid to get into the trenches. Most of us say that we want a certain thing but we are not willing to make the sacrifice of working relentlessly to get it. As I've said before, the only way you lose the race is if you stop running. Most of us become to comfortable and are no longer willing to make those sacrifices. We make every decision based on what it pays instead of looking at the bigger picture. In order keep growing and achieving, we have to be willing to leave our comfort zone. You can't make money or find success by focusing on it. True success is about access. Take any really successful artist. The reason they made it was because they were willing to sacrifice all to achieve there goal and just because they make it to one level doesn't mean they stop. Remember, success is about the journey and we have to be willing to keep pushing ourselves to higher levels. I've experienced this time and time again. I will set out to do something, achieve it and all the trappings that come with it only to soon have my inner voice say, "Now it's time to move ahead. You can do more." I become discontent with standing still so I have to continue to move. Trust me, it kind of sucks most of the time because, in most cases, in order to move to something bigger, you have to give up something you already have. This is the biggest reason most of us won't ever go past where we are. Life is all about growth, give and take. You can never hold on to EVERYTHING. We have certain experiences that are only there to prepare us for what's to come but as we get older this process becomes harder to believe in. We seem to get more fearful and more willing to settle. We begin to focus on money and having things instead of continuing to grow our passion. Don't get me wrong, I know it takes money to live and support yourself, but if you are true to your passion and work hard, the money and continued opportunity WILL come. Take a look at where you are. Are you standing still? Can you do more? Are you afraid to give up something to gain a greater reward? These are just some of the questions that we as motivated and driven creative people have to answer daily. Don't be afraid to be uncomfortable. It's ALL about growth. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

The Dilemma

We are living in interesting times in the music business. The industry is in flux and is really no longer about creating music. Even though the business side of this industry has always been a bit seedy, there has always been a certain standard of quality at all levels. Well that has changed. It used to be that some of the smartest and brightest creative people could always find opportunity in the music industry, but no more. In the last ten years or so, the smartest people are going into tech and banking careers. It seems that our industry is no longer as profitable. Here in lies the dilemma for those of us still in this game. We now have to face the fact that the days of becoming a millionaire rock star are pretty much over. This is not pessimism, it is fact. Let me explain. Back when people where actually buying Cd's, there was a lot of money to be generated because there was an almost five hundred percent mark up, if not more, on Cd's. So as long as people where buying millions of Cd's, there was the potential to make billions on sales of, not only Cd's, but concert tickets and merchandise as well. MTV, BET and VH1 used to be music video channels that helped market and keep certain music and artists in our faces 24/7. Now that we have itunes and so many other download sites, Cd's have gone the way on the vinyl record and people no longer buy full length records. It's more about the single download so the industry can't really mark up the price the way they used to so the entire profit structure has changed from the top to the bottom. I'm not saying that we should give up. I'm just saying that as we move forward, we need to do so being well informed about where we and this industry stand. We have to think like business people. We have to find inventive ways to get our music and performances in front of people. This is even harder now because with the Internet people's attention spans are even shorter and they are just bombarded every second with CRAP. The first step is quality. Be sure to create quality art and it may take time but when people find quality, they share it. The public can no longer be bought. They have too many choices. My advice is that we rethink the way we approach doing business in this game. The old models are no longer applicable. It's a new landscape with no creative limits. There is still art to be shared and money to be made. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

The Journey Is More Important

Life can be an interesting mystery. We are basically taught from an early age to pursue are goals and dreams as if achieving them will make us happy and end the journey. We are taught to focus so hard on reaching something that we forget to truly live and enjoy life. The journey is truly what life and success are all about. The journey is far more important than the destination. It is the journey that molds and teaches us who we are and what we REALLY want. How many times have you worked so hard to achieve something only to feel a little empty when you do? That empty feeling is the "What Now?" feeling. Once you reach the goal, you realize that you have to continue moving to be happy. You see, we are taught to see life in a very superficial way. It's all about what you have and achieve and not what you experience but it is the living that fulfills us and gives us wisdom. I think no one understands this better than the artist because we all realize at some point that it is our living that drives our creativity and not the other way around. It is paramount that we learn to enjoy the journey by finding beauty and success in the simplest things. It's very ironic because it takes the same sensibility to truly be a great artist. I mean putting on a great performance or writing a great song is ALL about interpreting life in a moment and that can only happen through a simplistic attention to your surroundings. Simply put, we must live our lives out loud every moment. Our goals are only markers along the way of a much larger journey that only ends when we stop breathing so stay motivated and enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

Find YOUR Thing

The coolest thing about being an artist is that there is only one you. There really are no rules. Yes we have to practice and continue to strive to get better technically and intellectually, but your heart, soul and passion for what you do and how you do it are all unique to YOU. Everyone of us has the chance to write our own story. Just because someone else did it one way doesn't mean that we have to do it the same way. Truth be told, it wouldn't work for us anyway because, as I say at the end of every post, it's all about the journey and none of us share the same ride. The goal is to find YOUR thing. Each of us has something that makes us special. Most of us spend so much time trying to be like someone else that we never find out who WE are. This is largely the reason that a lot of us become jaded and give up. Instead of believing enough in who we are and what we have to offer, we use others as a measuring stick and figure we will never be like them so what's the use. Well that is right . . . we won't be like them, we will be something better . . . OURSELF! Take a look at history. People don't really remember the cat that could play the fastest or could sing the most notes. They remember unique artists that were not afraid to be themselves. Let me give you a bit of psychology. Everyone admires us for having the courage to get in front of people and do what we do and they REALLY admire it when we are just honest and show that we may not be perfect but we still put it all on the line. People identify with this because it gives them the courage to be who they are as well. They see that it is OK to be beautifully flawed and free. And yes, finding your thing means that you will have to endure a lot of criticism but don't fret. It is true that people fear what they don't understand and that is why they won't to put things down. But when we keep moving in spite of the criticism, they soon see that their opinion of us doesn't define us. It's cool to admire and even borrow from others but the main key to success and peace in life is finding YOUR thing. Remember you are the only you ever made so just be YOU! Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

Progress?

To be in this industry requires a very thick skin, a lot of patience and discernment. The latter being the most important in today's game. The music industry, like other fields, exists at many different levels simultaneously. I mean you can be a gigging musician playing hundred dollar gigs, a touring musician making a thousand dollars a show, a producer, writer or arranger making tens of thousands of dollars and the list goes on and on, but we are all in the same industry. One would think that for as long as the industry has been around that there would be progress at ALL levels. PROGRESS!? The hard thing to stomach is that the gigging musician is basically at the bottom of this food chain and progress is not a part of this level. Musicians in 2012 are still making the same money, and in some cases less, as we were in 1970. The value of music as a commodity has progressed but not the value of the musicians that make it. It's been this system that for years has forced the greatest musicians to seek jobs in other fields. The more I do it I'm only inspired to use my skills of discernment to develop other ways of progressing my career in this industry. The reality is right in front of us and we can see it and make plans to change it or keep doing the same thing and expecting different results and you know that is the very definition of insanity. We have to be very shrewd about our decisions. We HAVE progressed in terms of knowledge so we must use this information to help guide our decisions. We can't take every hundred dollar gig that comes down the pipe. If we do, we leave no time to progress because all of our time is consumed with making these gigs. Don't get me wrong, playing clubs is cool and I understand that club owners pay this way most times as a result of just trying to stay in business. I'm just saying that we have to be able to spread our talents around this industry by wearing a few more hats and being able to separate business decisions from emotional ones. So we have made progress, you just have to have the proper perspective. Knowledge is key. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

There Is Room For Us All

I've been in this industry for over twenty years and I've seen and learned so much. I have a rather unique perspective being that I've spent time working as a musician, administrator and producer in hip/hop, pop, r&b, funk, gospel, country, rock and blues. Yes I've done a bit of almost everything. I've even done jingles and the one thing that is the same no matter what is that most people are always thinking that some one is out to get them or take something from them. We often set out to try and have it all but what I've learned is that there is room for us all. Monopoly in any business is never good because it stifles the industry and it cheats the public. There is always room for great ideas. The problem we have is that when it comes to radio, booking, promotions . . .etc, there are a hand full of people that control what the masses get to see and unfortunately these people are mostly insecure and only let a certain type of talent through. Mostly the ones that will never become larger than the system. This is why the quality of acts at concerts and festivals worldwide has been in decline in recent years. Don't get me wrong, there are some great acts out here but for the most part mediocrity rules the day. What has to happen is a change in mindset. No one man/woman can make ALL of the money or have ALL of the power. There is enough to go around and now that the industry is moving largely to being controlled by independents, it's time that we learn to work together and share the work and opportunities. This will only make things better for ALL of us. The audience will get a better more diverse product and more of us will get a chance to participate and reap the benefits of success. I know some may say that this is naive thinking but now is the time for change in this industry and that change has to start with US as artists, musicians and business people because we all have the power to do what we want IF we can work together toward a common goal. The goal is simply inclusion and a balanced playing field. It's really all about karma. Be the change you want to see and it will happen. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

WE Have To Let Them Know

In learning to master this new landscape, a lot of working musicians get left by the wayside. We spend all of our time writing, producing and creating thinking that our credits will be known and help us get more work. Well . . . guess what? It seems that people don't read credits anymore since they really don't buy Cd's. When you download a song, that's all you get . . . the song. There is rarely any info on the writer, producer and definitely not the musicians. I continue to work with some of the greatest musicians around but no one seems to be aware of who they are or at least how diverse their histories are. We have to take matters into our own hands and instead of waiting for people to find us, WE have to let them know. It's up to us to use this new landscape to keep the public, agents and promoters aware of who we are and what we've done and are doing. This information can directly impact our financial bottom line. It's not like it used to be when a promoter would do research on the musicians and be in the loop of who the REAL guys were. It's now all about who is selling themselves the most and this is time consuming but if we don't invest the time in having an updated website with our credits, a presence on YouTube and other social media outlets, we are just wasting time. The business will never go back to what it was and for the most part that's not all a bad thing. We just have to be very aware of the business involved in building and promoting our image and music. Remember it's ALL up to US to let them know who we are and what we've done. We can no longer allow others to define us and set our value as a result of their limited definition and knowledge. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

Don't Forsake Your Elders

I've been blessed to have great teachers and mentors all of my life. Starting with my mother and continuing until now, I just always seem to be around the greatest people who are willing to share their knowledge. A lot of my friends say that they haven't quite had the same experience but my mother taught me early on not to forsake my elders. Our elders have a wealth of knowledge to share with us if we are willing to listen, but in order to be taught you have to be teachable and the older we get we end up playing both teacher and student. We have to remain humble enough to do both. Let me explain . . . We often place value on people based on what they appear to have by way of money, things or perceived success but the best mentors are those people that have lived, had some success but also made mistakes and are willing to share ALL of their knowledge. It can be hard to continue to learn once you've had a level of experience yourself because you feel as if you have knowledge to share as well. The best thing to do is to always be looking to listen and learn instead of talking and trying to teach, especially when it come to our elders. You also have to be a savvy, observant learner. I've been around some guys that taught me what NOT to do even if they didn't know they were teaching me. What I mean is that I've observed talented guys with bad habits and I've seen what those habits can do to limit your quality of life and success so lesson learned. The cool thing about being a musician is that there is ALWAYS an elder willing to teach us something if we are willing to learn. Oh yeah . . . WE MUST HAVE A THICK SKIN because the older guys don't hold any punches. They give it like they got it, HARD. Most of them had to work really hard to get anywhere and they know how strong we have to be to make so they will not make life easy for us, this is what builds character. No matter where we are in our growth, we should never forsake the knowledge of our elders. We should seek and embrace it. Each one teach one and success is yours. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

Don't Wait!

The biggest enemy of success is procrastination. We all have great ideas and inspiration but we think that we will always have time to get to them so we just keep putting them off and we never develop the ideas. My advice is don't wait. The moment you have an idea the next thought should be putting it in motion. The music industry, like most others, in always going through changes and the only way to win is by staying ahead of the curve. The only way to do so is by having fresh ideas but having an idea is not good enough. YOU MUST ACT ON IT! The universe is a strange place. It seems that once the idea is born, it must be completed and if you don't move on it you will see it again from someone else. How many times have you had an idea and dragged your feet only to find out that someone else had the same idea but they actually followed through on it. This is the universe in action. I speak to a lot of students about planning their future and the thing I tell them is once they know what they want to do, make a list of things to do that will lead them to their goal and start working that moment to make it happen. Success is about action and you don't have to be any certain age. You are never too young or old. Once you have an idea or you know what you want then THAT is the time to make a plan and IMMEDIATELY put it into action. Talk is cheap because it doesn't contribute to success, only action does. Even if you are deciding what the next step is in your career or journey, once you have the vision, move on it right away. You will find that a body in motion tends to stay in motion. Once you start, it's just easier to think clearer and you are creating positive energy and motivation because you can see results, no matter how big or small. So take time today and right down your ideas, formulate a plan and PUT THEM INTO ACTION! Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

Taking Risks

I'm often asked about my approach to stage performance and where it comes from and I'm still not sure myself because it's all about the moment for me. Music is about the passionate pursuit of happiness. Every time we take the stage is another chance to explore and learn something new. It's all about taking risks, not only on stage but off stage as well. The music industry is a very difficult business to succeed in, at least financially, but the only way you win is by being daring and pushing the envelope. When creating and performing we have to not be afraid to test our creative limits EVERY time. When people experience this, you have a fan and a FRIEND for life. This business is about building and maintaining a fan base and the only way to do it is to give people something they can only get from you. Now this is hard because, truthfully, not all of us are truly free or courageous enough to do something new. What we have to understand is that most audiences are jaded and they come to a show thinking they've seen EVERYTHING and for the most part they are right but when we are able to truly give them a NEW experience, they so appreciate it. All of us can do it! It just takes letting go of the isms and taking every performance one at a time. I mean you may have a well rehearsed show but leave room in your show for spontaneity. Leave room for the universe to participate. We must understand that the goal is to become one with the art so that we observe and feel everything that is occurring in a space around us so that we are able to make those elements a part of the experience. And since every venue and audience is different, every show will be it's own unique trip. This also applies to everything in our lives. We must learn to live out loud by taking risks. We have to continue to grow and challenge ourselves in every aspect of our lives. Just remember . . . there can be no success without risk. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012

The Basics

Life seems like a complete mystery sometimes but it's not. The music industry too seems difficult but it's so simple that it's hard. Let me explain. We all want to be successful and we think the way to win is to focus on the success or winning but that's not it. It's ALL about the basics. As children, most of us learn right from wrong and the basic principles of life. We are taught to be kind, humble, focused, compassionate, competent and professional. As we get older and start to pursue our careers, we often forget the basics. The fundamentals to having a successful life and career are the same no matter who you are or what you do. You can only fake it for so long. You must be focused on being the best person you can be and being the most competent at what you do. You must develop good life skills and business habits such as honesty and promptness. Understand that the goal is never attached to money or outside validation. It's all just realizing that everyday is a gift and another chance to be better at whatever you do and you need not stress yourself and shorten your life by putting ridiculous demands on yourself. The main goal in life is to be happy and at peace. Children have this figured out. Remember when you were a child and you could be happy just doing nothing or you could find happiness in the simplest things. Well the key to true success and happiness is to be able to reconnect with that basic principle. Nothing is REALLY hard, we just make it seem that way. No matter what you do just understand that if you work hard and smart, apply yourself and stay true to your heart and passion, nothing is beyond your grasp. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2012