Check this guy out 
Other Random Stuff
Eerie how much their music fits together, isn’t it?
Other Random Stuff
If something in your work or home life seems impossible, it’s probably because you are being stretched to your emotional or mental limits. Humans tend to resist change and challenge. Both of these things are hard to deal with.
Don’t let yourself get left behind by this sort of thinking. Instead of giving a litany of reasons why the project can’t happen, think about all the reasons it can. Or it should. Or it needs to. Write them down and repeat them over and over again. Sell yourself on them. Take what seems impossible and convince yourself why it is possible.
Other Random Stuff
Aspiring musicians check this out -- not 6 or 7 months ago this guy was doing solo acoustic work at a STEAK HOUSE near my place. A f***ing STEAK HOUSE. Now he’s on an international stage. Stick with it y’all. Keep practicing, wood shedding and gig, gig, gig.
I remember hearing this man and wondering “why in the hell is this guy playing a gig in a casino restaurant -- this some of the best talent I’ve ever heard.” Me and my buddies couldn’t find enough money to tip this guy. Best vocalist in Las Vegas, easy.
What a story. What a voice!!!!!
Here he is on TV:
Here he is playing a gig at Hank’s, a steakhouse at Green Valley Ranch casino. Not bad for a 30 year old kid.
Vegas is proud of you Michael -- you’re an inspiration!!!!!
Other Random Stuff
Incredible video. Wow.
Other Random Stuff
What makes a marketer/musician/businessman/individual truly “great?”
This is the ongoing debate I’ve had with a friend of mine. He believes greatness (particularly in the political arena) is defined by being “the smartest person in the room.” I disagree.
It’s not just about being the best, smartest, or fastest, or knowing the most notes, or helping others. Greatness is also defined by your limitations.
Can you look at a situation, acknowledge that you can’t pull it off alone, and bring in the pros? Can you hire for your deficiencies rather than just employ people who think like you? Do you play with musicians who are better than you or strive to be the best musician in any project?
I am TERRIBLE at arranging music. I like to write tunes and noodle around a bit with it but when it comes to arrangements I’m lost. Back in Chicago I discovered an awesome piano player and arranger. No matter how uncomfortable I felt with his suggestions, I did my best to implement them because I knew he had a skill set that I did not have.
It is hard to stifle yourself when you disagree with an idea, but sometimes that is exactly what you have to do to grow and become great.
Other Random Stuff
I’m still on the boat in Cabo so this is going to be a quick one -
I met a new buddy on the boat. His name is Dave and he’s a music teacher in Mesa, AZ. We had a great time with terrible impersonations during a karaoke contest – he was the Elton John winner, while I attempted (and later withdrew) a bid to become the boat’s official Britney Spears. (pictures forthcoming)
Although I didn’t learn a whole lot about him, I respect the heck out of anyone who can ditch the self consciousness and hop on stage for a tune or two – particularly one that they haven’t practiced.
That made me think about this week’s tip: If you’re trying to make a career out of playing, being a great musician is really important. That said, being a great performer is just as important. If you’re new to performing, you will be nervous your first time…without a doubt.
The best way to get over those nerves is to practice, right? But how do you practice being on stage without actually being onstage at a paid gig? Simple. Karaoke. This might sound kinda goofy, but it will help you:
- Be on a stage in front of people.
- Learn to be ok with making mistakes during a performance.
- Get past your nerves and relax while performing.
- Deal with pre-performance jitters.
- Depending upon the venue, adjust to lighting, hecklers, bad sound systems, etc.
This one might not apply if you’re on stage regularly but should prove to be a simple (and free) practice technique for the newbies.
Anyways, thanks to Elton John from Mesa for this week’s tip!!!!
Other Random Stuff
and the internet access sucks here.
if you are going to offer a product, don’t half ass it. offer a good product.
this applies to guitar, music, and business. if it is worth doing it is worth doing right.
Other Random Stuff
I suck at songwriting. I go through these LOOOOONG dry spells (lasting a year or more) during which everything I write is poop and I wind up dumping it. Then my brain turns on for a week or two, I toss out some mediocre stuff, and back to poo writing. I was thinking about that this week when all of the sudden I wound up having drinks with Brian Vander Ark from The Verve Pipe. We all know he’s an incredible songwriter. Turns out he’s also a great (and very patient) guy!
The background – My good friend Kevin over at Farstar, in addition to being one of the best brand advocate + consumer acquisition guys that I know, is apparently also close friends with Brian and his family. Kevin and I talk a lot about the creative process – so he knows that I think I suck at song writing. During a road trip this week, fates aligned and I went for drinks with Kevin, his project guru Brandi, my brother Mike, and Brian Vander Ark. What an eye opening experience it was.
One of my biggest problems is that 90% of the music I write is crap… at least in my opinion. I read through my lyrics and compare them to great songwriters and just can’t pull the trigger on performing them. I scrap them because they aren’t good enough for me and certainly not for potential listeners. Then I hear all the drivel on the radio and wonder if it’s ok to put out sub-par product if you think that it will sell.
So I’m torn between putting out GOOD product and MARKETABLE product, which are two totally different things.
So I asked Brian – how do you deal with it? Do you ever put songs out that you aren’t 100% happy with if you think they will sell? His short answer was “no.” Like me, he scraps 90% of his music and only allows the best stuff to get out there. If it doesn’t make him proud he doesn’t release it.
I find this absolutely amazing (and a bit dismal for the future of my song writing). Amazing = how in the heck does a songwriter continue to produce “A” material year after year after year after year while constantly beating him/herself up about work product? I am not sure i could do that. Dismal = I’m not sure I have the patience for it. Every time I write a crappy song I get disenfranchised and it makes me want to not write any more. It’s like hitting a plateau in the gym or judo where you just can’t get to the next level…except with song writing I have NO IDEA how to just “work through it.”
It’s really easy for me to be self-critical at work. I’m great at developing an idea, criticizing it and changing it or scrapping it entirely without beating myself up too much. Although I love and am really passionate about what I do, something about it isn’t nearly as personal or intimate as writing.
So what to do? I know that Brian is right but also really sucks!
P.S. Thanks Kevin for arranging that. Awesome time.
Other Random Stuff
My good buddy Steve Nixon was kind enough to publish a guest post in which I talk about why most local musicians suck at getting booked and how they can change all that. You can read it here. In addition to being a great keyboardist, teacher and arranger, Steve is an example of what goes right when you combine marketing and sales skills with raw talent.