“You keep on playin…and watch you money…you’ll land on your feet.”- Del Paxton, That Thing You Do
I saw this movie in 6th grade and have watched it a million times since.
Watch it for the entertainment, watch it again for the truths.
I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com
When you first meet someone, be nice first…if, in return, they’re nice, now you have a happy working relationship. However if in return they’re jerk to you…well that’s a different discussion.
But so many people in the entertainment business (sound guys, booking agents, lookin at you especially) adopted this construct where even upon the first handshake or phone call, they treat people with disrespect. They’re annoyed from the word “hello”.
HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?? Where I’ve never even met you before, I could be prepared to give you a million dollars and yet you treat me like a total jerk from right at the outset.
Somewhere along the way lots of people in this business decided to treat everyone like their worst possible customer/client. And in return they have lots of bad relational experiences. Hmm, I wonder why?
Be nice first.
I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com
Your fans fell in love with you because you met and exceeded their expectations and have continued to do so in some fashion.
Doing a back flip on stage is awesome and will blow them away, once or twice. Then it becomes expected so you have to push.
Climbing the rafters is a fantastic idea…when it isn’t already in your audiences mind that you’re definitely going to climb the rafters.
Recording a song with a reeeeeeeally high note at the end is an amazing gift to your fans, but if you do the next five the same way, it’s boring.
As you keep raising the bar on your band and business, expectations will rise and you’ll feel pressure to exceed expectations because that’s what made people fall in love with you to begin with. And you should definitely keep creating, pushing and risking.
But
The one element that never gets old or boring or run of the mill is caring, warm human interaction.
That will always be worth talking about, worth cherishing and coming back for.
Humans will never ever get enough of it.
I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com
Waiting for the right mood to write
Waiting for the right mood to want to play live
Waiting for the right mood to give the audience a great show
Waiting for the right mood to plan for the future
Waiting for the right mood to confront the guitar player about his lousy playing
Waiting for the right mood to give a compliment
Waiting for the right mood to say thank you
Waiting for the right mood to initiate contact
The moods probably aren’t coming. And if they are, it’s definitely not often enough for you to be considered a professional much less become successful.
The mood isn’t necessary, desire is. Figuring out which things are important and doing them regardless of mood.
I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com
If you want to have a meeting unlike any you’ve had before with a potential partnering company, or even a team member(s) you’re currently working with, here’s some questions you can ask that the other person is definitely not tired of answering (because they probably never get asked them).
What is the biggest problem you’re facing right now?
What do you need?
What are your goals?
How do you define success for yourself?
If you could script the next five years, what would it look like?
How can we help you achieve your dreams?
The hard part isn’t even asking the questions though. The hard part is growing into a person who genuinely cares about the other person and takes to heart what they need and why they expressing it.
We’ve all done the typical run around. Two hour meetings where nothing really gets said.
You don’t have time for that anymore. Get to a meaningful, worthwhile conversation.
Be interested in the other person, learn how you can help them achieve their dreams by doing what you’re good at.
I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com
As an artist who is leading your band and team, it’s vital that you learn how to express what it is you need.
You finally get that meeting with the label, manager, agent you love…so what do you do? You talk on and on about how great you are and how well things are going and growing. So why do you need the label?
You express your leadership, confidence and strong culture by effectively expressing what you need and what you can offer…not by touting all your fantastic statistics.
“If someone is boasting, they’re usually losing”- Bob Lefsetz
It takes guts, insight, strategy, generosity and courage to express needs in a way that inspires others to meet them by taking action.
But you first need to be incredibly clear with yourself and your team about what you need and how fulfilling that need benefits the other person.
Growing this skill (skills) will grow your success.
I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com