ESPN Classic

When you know what the outcome is, the roller coaster of emotions seems a little silly.

ESPN Classic is one of the most relaxing channels to watch.  You get all of the greatness with none of the stress!

It’s interesting watching players and coaches in those games.  I already know who’s going to win, but they don’t.

They get fired up, tons of yelling and cussing people out, heart rates in the stratosphere, sky high positivity one moment, and the next, near debilitating negativity.

If you and your past situations were on ESPN Classic (or maybe for musicians it’d be called Band Life Classic…horrible name) and you could re-watch them knowing what the outcome was going to be, what over reactions, under reactions, decisions, headaches, sleepless nights seem a little silly?

Breathe. It’s a long game.

p.s. I’ve been in some real doozey situations in this wild music business…and I’ve done the equivalent of Bob Knight throwing the folding chair across the basketball court. (Indiana was going to lose that game, but Bob didn’t know it yet.)

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

What Bands Do

What bands do…

1. Write music

2. Play music for people

Inherently, that’s the deal.  That’s it.  Make these two things great.

In high school or college it was common to stay up all night writing a paper, finishing a project, studying for an exam.  The NEED was understood, so sacrifices were made to meet the need.  Even though we probably hated the entire situation anyway.

But when is the last time you burned all night to make the music great, or to come up with ideas to make the shows great?  The last time you stayed up to do something you actually LIKE!!??

It’s probably been a while, because you don’t feel the need.

But that doesn’t mean the need doesn’t exist.

It does exist.

I’m not saying you should stay up all night every night this year…but I hope you experience the level of “need” for great music and shows that staying up all night is associated with.

Write music. Play music for people. That’s the deal.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Where Do You Little White Lie?

So what’s been going on with the band?

A question all artists have been asked a bazillion times, and yet…

What’s the little white lie you tell most often when asked that question?

That certain aspect you pump up…or sweep under the rug.  The real answer to the question.  The confident, insecure, messy, powerful answer.

Now, I know I know. Fake it till you make it.  No one wants to hear a sob story.  It’s not the right time and place to really “get into it”.

But noticing where you place your white lies says more about YOU than whether or not you answer the question in a socially acceptable way.

p.s. If the truth to the question “So what’s going on with the band” is really as shiny as most of the artists I’ve talked to over the last ten years…I should have a lot more famous friends.

p.p.s. The answer artists give to that question while standing in a club or coffee shop is worlds apart from from the one they give when sitting in my living room.  There’s life and truth and potential in the living room answer.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

If You’re An Artist In The Music Business...

If you’re an artist in the music business…

You’re in the mystery business

You’re in the magic business

You’re in the spiritual business

You’re in the communication business

You’re in the evolution business

You’re in the inspiration business

You’re in the fashion business

You’re in the family business

You’re in the connection business

You’re in the heart business

You’re in the invisible business

You’re in the entertainment business

Whether you put time and effort toward all of these areas or not, you are a participant in each.

A lack of time and energy being put toward a certain area could end up a true “ignorance is bliss” situation, and you shine there anyway….or it could end up being the aspect you didn’t know was missing, leading to some type of demise.

Lots of time and energy put toward an area can lead to mastery of it….or it can lead to over analyzation that leaves your career paralyzed.

Welcome to the business(es).

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But Is It Great?

I’m excited for your new project.

I really am. I like you.

It’s awesome you got that PR rep you wanted and could pay for.

I know you worked really hard by writing tons of songs for this project.

You’re super talented, and have a great voice.

I love talking about music and music business with you.

You’ve got some great shows coming up.

Its a wonderful, successful step with the hip blog debuting your video.

Pumped for the first single coming out.

But is it great?

I really want it to be.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Vital Sign

A good sign that you’re on the right track is you can look around you and see that because of what you do and the unique way you do it, other people are having their needs, dreams and desires fulfilled.

The inverse is also true.  If, when doing what you do in the way you do it, you look around and the only person who’s needs, desires and dreams that are being pursued are your own…you’re not on the right track.  And it’s going to be a lonely track.

The key to your success is helping others succeed.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com