Losing The NBA Finals

The reason losing the NBA Finals sucks is because a lot of people see you not get something you really wanted. 

A definition of success (winning the championship) is so clearly understood by everyone watching…so much so that when that version of success doesn’t happen, you get stamped with the opposite.

Maybe not a stamp as  extreme as failure, but certainly everyone is aware you didn’t succeed.

So when you’re walking around the days, weeks, years after the fact…the people are very aware of your non-success.

When your desires are known by so many (millions of) people, you have to dig, search, plan, re-work, practice, lay it on the line in front of them.

And if it doesn’t work out, it hurts.  Not only because unfulfilled desires sting, but also because lots of people know you’ve been stung.

Making your desires known is vulnerable.

It’s also a great way to get a lot done. It’s a great way to put yourself on the hook.  It’s a great way to look fear in the eyes and see what you’ve got in the tank.  It’s a great way to build leadership, intentionality, assertiveness and power.

Or you can keep your desires to yourself.  You and everyone else will continually let you off the hook, you’ll get a few things done from time to time, fear will often turn into laziness, and you will not build anything substantial.

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

Rigged

The music business isn’t rigged against you…it just doesn’t need that many bands and artists to keep itself going.

It’s not that there’s only room for so many superstars, it’s that it only requires so many.  As long as there’s a good girl, a bad girl, an angry guy, a pretty guy, one rock band, a plump-is-ok artist and a few others (what are you?), things just keep tick tocking along.

But while you’re not needed, there is absolutely room for you.

It’s not rigged.

No one’s rigging against you. No one is willing to take their own precious time to use it against you.  Everyone’s simply rigging for themselves.  So in a zero sum game, looking out for oneself is the the equivalent of being against another.

But it’s not zero sum.

You are welcome to blow up at any time.  No one and nothing is stopping you.

Write the great songs, hire the great team, make the great plan, sell out Wembley stadium. 

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

Sunday CMA’s

A friend of mine had an extra ticket to CMA Fest this past Sunday night, so I went.  

I watched Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett and Brett Eldridge.

All three big acts with number 1’s and tons of songs on the charts.

And all three acts played hits.  All three acts have wildly successful careers in music.  Lots of people love each of the three acts.

Little Big Town was first of the three….and I’ll just skip to the end of the story…

Little Big Town understand something that Thomas Rhett and Brett Eldridge do not (yet).

There is a comfortability, confidence, and relaxed intentionality they had in their blood that Thomas and Brett very clearly didn’t possess.

And I don’t mean to poo-poo on Thomas and Brett.

I do mean to say Little Big Town highlighted the fact that there are levels of the THING. 

Just because you’re on the same stage doesn’t mean you’re on the same level. 

But just because your at your level doesn’t mean you have to stay there. 

p.s. What’s it going to take to move up?  I have some ideas. Lets get together.



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

Things You Can Learn In A Band

An optimistic outlook fools the devil into leaving you alone.

Helping someone you’re angry at makes you less angry at them.

Eyes are the window to the soul…sunglasses make you look cool, but go ahead and take them off.

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

Messy Bands And Forgiveness

Bands are just messy. 

Bands are the worst. And the best.

If you’re going to be in a band you’re going to have to learn to forgive.

And forgiveness isn’t about clearing up the differences, it’s about keeping going despite them. 

It’s not about making things right, but keeping going despite justice not being served this time. 

(Hopefully you can clear up differences and make things right more often than not…after all, you’re in a band.  But…)

Being in a band is great place to learn forgiveness, because you’ll get a lot of practice if you’re willing to practice.

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

The World Around You

When you are playing in Minneapolis, you’re not concerned with the people in Chicago…yet. You’ll concern yourself with the people in Chicago the following night when you play in Chicago.

While in Minneapolis you focus on Minneapolis because that is where you are. Those are the people you are with, the interactions you are having.  You are fully immersed in the world around you, and you happen to be in Minneapolis.

And that’s the trick.

Fully immersing yourself in the world around you.  

Be it on the road or off of it.  Be it in the studio or in the meeting.  Rehearsal or writing.  Doing the photo shoot or giving the interview.  Going to the grocery store or at the park.  Helping a buddy move or at a baseball game.

The world around you is the world you’ve been given for the moment.

Wherever that is, embrace it, pay attention to it, serve it, learn from it, have fun with it.

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