We’ve Shared The Stage With...

The names of the bands you fill that list with is feels like it’s EVERYTHING.

Especially starting out, you’ll do anything to add cool bands to your list.  Some of those bands you actually opened up for and then sometimes…

You’ll include bands you were on a festival with, or bands that you played on the same night in the same city…in a venue kinda sorta in proximity to the cool venue with the cool band.

And I get it. That bullet point list is important.  To be able to rattle off a list of bigger bands you’ve opened up for CAN open up the next door.

But the list is just a list.  It’s static.  It says you pulled some favors, woo’d an agent.

Much much much more importantly, once you got the opportunity to open up that show or tour: what did you do with it?

Was GETTING the gig (being able to add it to your list) more important than anything you did AT the gig?

When you can tell someone you got to open up for Maroon 5, that’s impressive.  

When you can tell a story about something you DID while opening for Maroon 5, that’s building more than just a “we’ve shared the stage with” list. 

 Pass it on. Discuss.

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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

Better Than Advertised

Switch to DirecTV and get $100 gift card.

50% off select new items at TopMan.

The special pre-sale code for the fan club tickets is: frontrow.


The offer is always great…the reality is so often less than great.  You have to sign a two year agreement to get the deal, the items on sale are not the cool items, tickets close to the stage are available but not front row.

The fine print is a let down.  The fine print takes the specialness away.  Turns excitement into ho-hum.  The details tell us the offer wasn’t really for us, it was for the person/artist/company making the offer.  

What if instead of the fine print taking away from the consumer, the fine print added?

What if when people bought your VIP ticket, they got MORE access than expected, and there were LESS rules?

What if when people bought your deluxe package, they got a handwritten thank you card that wasn’t advertised as part of the package?

When they bought a pre-sale ticket they were sent two?

When consumers experience the details of what you’re offering, what do they find?  More access, joy and fulfillment…or a list of limitations?

Is your follow through better than the advertisement?

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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

Nightcap 5

Why isn’t there a buffet for the Publix bakery? 

You don’t move to Oklahoma to become a mountain climber. 

Is an open letter simply a blog post?  

How did road side service work before cell phones?  

Protocol is the worst.  

Finding studio space last minute is cheap, though not necessarily easy.  

I don’t think the bathroom attendant, himself, even wants to be there.

You get good at SXSW by learning to talk better, not by learning to play better.

If a snake starts eating its tail and just keeps eating, will it eventually dissapear?

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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

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.

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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.

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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.

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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