Exceptions

Exceptions follow their gut

Exceptions know everyone wants a thrill

Exceptions have excellent relational intuition

Exceptions know where they shine

Exceptions give before receiving 

Exceptions see the need(s) they can meet

Exceptions command attention, while never begging for it

Exceptions play the hand they want, not just what they’re dealt

Exceptions are magnets

Exceptions stare into the darkness and take a step, instead of waiting for someone to turn the light on.

You can play by the rules or you can be the exception. 

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

Hang Out With Michael Jordan

If you want to be better at basketball just hang out with Michael Jordan. Even just once.

There doesn’t even need to be a basketball within 10 miles.  You’ll still walk away a better player.

In the financial world they say you’re income will be the average of the ten people you hang out with the most.  Think about it for a sec…probably true.

And I’d say in music it’s a combination…your skill level, writing level, performing level will be closest to the ten people you hang out with the most….and also given a turbo charge by the one or two or five people you hang out with INTENTIONALLY (but perhaps not that often).

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

We’re All Just A Bunch Of Middle Schoolers

We’re all just a bunch of insecure middle schoolers hoping for someone to be interested in us.

The music business is the mecca for this middle school yearning.

So continue to make the first move. I know you think you’ve made your fair share of first moves and now it’s everyone else’s turn. But keep doing it.

Say hello first.

Smile first.

Help first. 

We live in a timid industry where people are afraid but long for connection and a friendly face when on the road, in a meeting, at rehearsal, in a session. 

Maybe saying hello first comes naturally to you…awesome…people will naturally feel your warmth and inclusiveness.

Maybe saying hello first doesn’t come naturally to you…awesome…people will feel honored that you chose THEM, because you don’t give the natural vibe that this is something you do all the time.  You make them feel special.

Nice matters. It’s so simple.

Say hello.

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

How Much?

Many times an artists answer to “What do you need?” is: money, funding, backing, support, an advance, an investor.

Their answer might start a little more vague, but quickly it comes down to, “What do you need?”…”money”.

Then there’s a curve ball follow up question of “How much?”

This throws most artists for a serious loop.

Lot’s of ummm, errrrr, well…I’m not sure.

Most artists are seemingly painfully aware they need money, but have no idea how much they need.  Why?  Because it’s more socially acceptable to simply need money than to know exactly how much you need in order to do what you need to do.

I already know you could use some funds to move your project/career to the next step.

How much?

p.s. I know…the answer to “How much?” is most likely always changing.  It’s changing month to month and maybe faster.  So stay plugged in. Talk about it. Talk about what the plan is and the money necessary to carry out the plan.



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

Give The High

As it pertains to your next show…

Give the high and you’ll get one. 

Notice the order, the structure of the sentence.  It has to be in that order or else it doesn’t work (for long anyway).

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

Clearness Is Kindness

The music business is a feeling business.

Not only in the music but in the relationships.

We don’t want to make anyone feel bad.  We don’t want to make anyone feel left out (although we don’t necessarily mind people getting left out…we just don’t want them to feel that way).  We don’t want to hurt feelings or step on toes.

So what communication method is most commonly employed pertaining to difficult subject matter?

Passivity.

Passivity is not dealing with it.

It’s eluding to it but not saying it.

Hinting at it but never exposing it.

Talking around it but never going straight in after it.

But as it’s been said…to be unclear is to be unkind.

If you communicate something important in a passive way…it’s YOUR fault they didn’t get it. It’s YOUR fault the problem still exists.  You had awareness of the issue but were unwilling to approach it out loud.

Clarity doesn’t mean everyone is happy…that’s ok.

Clarity is messier than passivity, but cleans up much better.

p.s. Also, pertaining to important matters…texting is little league.

Calling and face to face are big leagues.  You want to be a pro?  Pros lay it on the line and communicate voice to voice.



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