Bridge Underpass

It rained a lot in Nashville on my way home today.  Nashville doesn’t do well with extreme weather.  Lots of too fast drivers, lots of too slow drivers.  

As the rain was coming down in buckets and the interstate traffic was painfully slow, the bridge underpasses provided a few moments of calm and quiet…before entering back into the deluge of water.

When I was under the bridge underpasses, my windshield was so clear.  My vision was clear.  It’s not that it had stopped raining, it’s not that the windshield wasn’t about to be dumped on.  It’s not that my vision was about to get stunted again…it’s for a few moments, in the midst of the storm, there was perspective and peace.

You can see where this is going can’t you?

But isn’t it true?

Don’t we need to recognize who and where the bridge underpasses are in our lives?

The life of an artist is a rollercoaster at best.  Its tumultuous, heart wrenching, blurry, sad and tiresome.

The bridge underpasses of life give a moment of relief and rejuvenation.  A refreshed perspective.  The bridge underpasses are people and places you can go to experience this.

The storm is real.  So is the underpass.

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

A Little More George Martin

So many bands talk about wanting to be like The Beatles and yet very few talk about being students, learning…putting themselves beneath a wise authority for a season.

Like the saying goes, when the student is ready the teacher will appear.

And their teacher was George Martin.

I’m a pretty big Beatles nut, and everything I’ve seen and read about George Martin pretty much points to the fact that he was not cool or hip (even though he totally was).  He was not trying to be buddies (even though he ended up being).  And he was definitely not seeking the spotlight (even though he got it).

There was just something about this guy that prompted four young, dumb, arrogant, talented, irreverent guys to trust him, and accept his guidance. 

That’s impressive.

I love seeing the early pictures of Martin down on the tracking room floor guiding and directing the chaos.  You can sense his authority and warmth.

We’re lucky The Beatles were willing to learn and Mr. Martin was willing to teach.

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

They Just Get It

They get you.  They get the songs. They understand what you mean.  They respond to the message.  They give you the benefit of the doubt…without a doubt.

What is it about this group of people?  The people who show up early to your club gig even though it’s not sold out.  The people on the front row who know the words and not only bought a t-shirt but made their own.

I wrote a short book along these lines, which you can read for free here.

It’s worth asking yourself what it is that this group understands about you that others don’t. (And it’s not a narcissistic exercise)

You know that girl who shares all your Facebook photos?  That guy who asks you about your guitar gear after every show?  Pay attention to what’s going on there. 

Not only are these people incredibly valuable in and of themselves, they are subtly (or not so subtly) telling you where to get more of them.

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

They Just Don’t Get It

Maybe they would if you put in a little more effort.  Maybe they will if you reach your hand out and guide them.  Maybe they’ll get it if you look them in the eye.

Or maybe the won’t get it.  Maybe they’ll never get it.  

Maybe you’ve discovered a demographic, or a person, or a group that you’ll have to be ok with not getting it…and, in turn, make sure you never waste any more energy trying to get that group to get it.  

If you find yourself saying “they just don’t get it”, that’s not the point to sit down and stick out your pouty lip…it’s the pivot point into what your next mindset and action steps are.

Who else should take a second and read this?

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

Making And Changing The Plan

Sometimes you have to be skilled in making and sticking to carrying out the plan, and sometimes you need to be good at changing the plan and recommitting to the new plan just as fiercely. 

Knowing which skill to call on and when…that comes with developing your instincts, maturing, paying attention, surviving some cuts and bruises and headlocks, being quiet enough to hear your gut, being ok that people might laugh at you.

I’ve seen amazing displays of courage and wisdom by people both willing to stick to the plan, and change the plan.

And in the end, it’s the courage and wisdom that penetrate deeper than any plan.

p.s.  Notice the second skill isn’t simply “changing the plan”…its coupled with “recommitting to the new plan just as fiercely”.  It’s not enough to change the plan if you’re not going to be amped up about the new one.  What’s a better plan worth if you’re going to be Eeyore about it?

If you find yourself being Eeyore with the new plan, lean into and feed off of someone else’s energy on the team.  Chances are the change was originally their idea…you’re unhappy with but they’re excited about it. The decision is done. You can stick out your bottom lip and mope around (band guys are so good at this), or you can follow the energy.  I suggest the latter.



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

Artists Like Trump

Much like Cam Newton, Donald Trump is a person who people like talking about.  They just do. Obviously.

Here’s my offering, and it’s not a political one.

One of the main building blocks in all the endless coverage of Trump is that he’s gaining building blocks.  Gaining fans.

The story was: he’s getting popular.  Then the story is he’s getting more popular, and then staying popular, and then more fans, and then a bigger audience, and more coverage, and then drawing thousands of people to speeches, and then has a following across age groups, and then across ethnicities, and then SO MANY PEOPLE LOVE THIS GUY.

That’s the main part of the his story. 

It’s a story most artists would kill for…and the story most artists shoot for and cater to.

Flimsy.

Not irrelevant, but flimsy.  Something which is flimsy needs support, substance.

So many artists base their whole story about how big they’re getting, it’s their measuring stick.  Their popularity and their popularity’s growth ARE the story.

Popularity is a weak story.  For both artists and presidential candidates.

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