Here's $100,000

Everyone wants more cash. Artists think if they just had some money, then they could really make it happen. If they could get a song in a big movie or play a handful of high paying corporate gigs, then they would have the money to become Jay-Z.

So often artists get a windfall of money, everyone gets new amps, buy a new van and trailer because you’re big time now, make a music video, buy cool jackets to wear in the video, buy a deluxe paintball set…and oh yeah, you’ve got to pay your manager and business manager, first (which, if you hired them properly, you should pay them happily)…so now the money is gone.

The money is gone. You roll up to the venue in nicer wheels, clothes and gear with a music video that looks really cool.

This is not a plan with money, this is a reaction to money.

Really think about it. Would you even know how to spend $100,000? Effectively? Who would you hire? Do you currently know these people? What expectations does your money buy from them? What’s the plan? What’s the goal? What’s the point? Who do you not need to hire? (because once people find out you have money, they’ll tell you you need them)

How do you best spend that money in order to make the deepest long-term impact?

You can substitute any number, a hundred dollars or a million dollars into this scenario, but the basic principle I’m pointing to is still true.

It’s great to have money, but even more valuable to know how to spend it.

Start learning and paying attention now. Become someone (and surround yourself with people) who is really really great at spending money effectively.

Energy vs. Intentional

Bands and artists talk a lot about wanting to have energy on stage.  Let’s get out there and have high energy, let’s keep the energy up….in hopes that having energy on stage will make the show go well, will make them feel good about life and will convert audience members into life long fans.

I’ve seen this a lot over the years.  A band comes on stage, tons of physical energy, they’re doing what they set out to do.  A few songs into the set, one of two things happen…

1. They get tired and the energy goes way down, and the rest of the show is half-hearted and boring

2. They don’t get tired, but I get bored because the show feels static. It might be high energy, but the high energy just becomes normal and once it’s normal it’s not as much fun anymore.

I want to rob you of the word energy and replace it with intentionality.  

So the pre-show pep talk goes something like this…

“Let’s go out there and be intentional about every moment of the set. Whether standing still or stomping our feet, let’s do it with purpose, with the desired impact in mind”

That’s a much more magnetic show to watch and participate in. It’s much more interesting from start to finish. For everyone.

There’s a lot of words I’d love to take the time to dissect in that pre-show pep talk, but let’s leave it there for now.

What would it look like for your show to be intentional instead of high energy?

Why The SuperBowl Works

The reason why the SuperBowl works in America is because a lot of people care a little bit.  

But a little bit goes a long way.  Caring a little bit makes you a part of the group, you’re in the club…and all it costs is showing up, eating some snacks and cheering when the person next to you cheers. 

Because of this, more people watch the game, ad revenue goes up, the NFL makes more money and next year gets more people to care a little bit.

You don’t have to know the names of the players, or even the names of the teams playing.  You don’t need to know the history of the coaches, the defensive and offensive schemes, or the million meaningless headlines that lead up to the game. You watch a couple minutes and then check your phone, get some more cheezy puffs, talk to a friend, use the bathroom and then start the cycle all over again.

You show up and care a little bit because it’s fun at the time.

And this large group, the majority, are a vital part of making the SuperBowl a big event.

Then there are two cities in America each year that care a LOT.  Where if you only care a little bit, you are not part of the group.

Their team is on the big stage and it matters. They have an opinion. The night is ruined if their team loses.  They know the players, coaches, history, heartbreaks, victories and everything in between.

All of that adds up to one of the biggest American celebrations of the year. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. The NFL accepts it as is. And then most of the nation forgets about the whole thing till next year.

Except for the people in those two cities.  They’ll remember forever.

It’s the same thing with any arena act. A few die-hards and a lot of hanger-ons.  A few singing every word and a lot getting cheezy puffs or checking Instagram.  

If you want to be a rich and famous artist, you’re going to have fans in each camp.

Focus on the people who love you, but embrace the people who like you.  Successful artists recognize the benefits of both.

My Friend On The Super Bowl

Well, he’s more like a mild acquaintance.  Hung out a bunch of times in groups, small talk at coffee shops and the occasional text.

But when Nate is playing guitar for Katy Perry tomorrow during the half time show at the Super Bowl, he will become my best friend. The people I’m watching with will be in reverential awe of my nonchalant yet totally overstated connection with Nate (or does he like to be called Nathan, can’t remember).

I will throw out a short story about our adventures, maybe some insight on where he got his tattoos. I will impress. Nate, me. Nate, me. Nate, me.

What I’m trying to get fellow onlookers to understand is that because Nate and I are now best friends, that means I am at least very good friends with Katy Perry. 

Ahhhhh, me, Nate, Katy. Best friends from childhood.

I will pre-apologize to the host of the party I’m at for the possibility of paparazzi lurking around the house trying to snap a pic of me watching N and K.

All of this will qualify me to demand someone else go get me some more cheese dip from the kitchen, because my closest and dearest friends on TV would be sooooo upset if I missed the moment they’re going to wink into the camera at me. 

The half time will end and I will be melancholy because even though I did a great job performing…I mean even though Nate-mon and Kazzy did a great job performing, I know in their hearts (as they’ve shared theirs with me, often), they always want to stay on stage “just a couple more minutes”.

Ok, here’s the deal. When you succeed, everyone you’ve ever known succeeds with you. Everyone feels lifted and inspired, like more is possible. Everyone is proud.

Any little, tiny inkling of association a person has to someone they view as successful is a bright spot in their life and is grounds for building hope.  

So thanks, Nate.

From, Nashville.

SuperBowl Halftime Shows

Since 1990 here’s a list of Super Bowl halftime show performers that didn’t have any guest features during the performance…

Michael Jackson- 1993

Diana Ross-1996

U2- 2001

Paul McCartney- 2005

The Rolling Stones- 2006

Prince- 2007

Tom Petty- 2008

Bruce Springsteen- 2009

The Who- 2010

I’m not saying that all these halftime shows were great.

But….

These acts have the hits and/or charisma and have earned the leverage to do things their way.

I’m willing to bet each of these artists had to sit through a pitch from some halftime show producer about the value of having guests come out and sing a song with them.  Cause if I’m doing the math right, the other 16 SuperBowl halftime shows since 1990 have had guest appearances, and usually more than one guest.

Obviously all the acts listed above have the audacity, ego and vision to know that they want to trade on what they do, that’s it. No games and gimmicks.  For all the things this list of artists say yes to (and seem weird and questionable), it’s nice to know that they’re still willing to say no to something.

When you’re young you think you need to say yes to everything, to appease everyone.  But saying no and saying yes are both muscles. Two different muscles. Start using both now so they’re both strong later.

The 1%

“I believe in making jokes 1% better.”- Brian Regan

It’s so refreshing listening to podcasts about comedians because they are incredibly clear about what their mission is. They only have one goal. Be funny.

Musicians are so confused about their mission. If they have one at all, it seems to change from song to song, album to album, month to month, show to show. But comedians, they have one purpose and they dissect it until they perfect it.

You should hear guys like Brian Regan or Jerry Seinfeld, or other really truly funny guys talk about the smallest, tiniest little subtleties that make will make a joke more funny. They understand that literally every single aspect makes a difference when you’re trying to make someone laugh.

Comedians are the most aware people in the entertainment business.

They have to be. They can’t get away with anything. There’s no smoke. There can’t be. Either they’re funny or they’re not.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it is the worst rule to live by.

You’ll never pay attention enough to make it better unless you break it. And constantly view it as a little bit broken.

So Brian Regan has a joke he knows is going to get the crowd rolling, tried and true, one of his hits. But he’ll flip words around, use a different street name, walk down stage as he tells it, crinkle his nose on a certain word, survey where he’s standing vs the stage lights, which hand is holding the mic…trying to make it 1% better.

And he’s not just doing these things for the sake of doing them. He’s not absent-mindedly doing things different or switching it up.  He’s paying attention. What makes a difference? What am I doing? What’s the best way to sell and deliver this moment?

Be bold enough to improve upon something that already works.