$10,000 Is A Lot Of Money

$10,000 is a lot of money. Send anyone, even a millionaire, a $10,000 check and they’ll cash it.

If you’re an artist with $10,000 and it’s looking like you’re next big idea is going to cost $10,000, you need to make the right choice.  You can’t afford to make a $10,000 mistake, because that mistake will burry you.

You need to do the research, talk with people, ask questions, find people who have been in your same situation and ask them their experience.

You need to make a great decision.

Making a bad decision in this case means the money is gone, there’s anger and resentment at people because it didn’t go well, you’re feeling dumb for making a poor choice, and an overall sense of “what do we do now!??”.

Here’s the real trick.  If all you have is $10,000, avoid ever making a $10,000 decision.  It’s too risky.  Nothing is a lock in this business.  If that money goes bye bye, chances are you go bye bye.  If you have $10,000, only make $1000 decisions or maybe $5000 decisions.

That way if it goes badly you have the recourses to bounce back, both monetarily and emotionally. 

Never put yourself in a position where if the project/decision/campaign falls apart, the whole thing crumbles.


p.s. True, $10,000 is indeed a lot of money…However, if you have a million dollars, you can afford to make a $10,000 mistake.  Not that you still shouldn’t vet things out and be smart about your project (your record, PR campaign, radio campaign, merchandising, etc)…but the truth is you could light $10,000 on fire for the grand finale of your next show and not really feel a financial pinch. 

It’s all about percentages and ratios. Be smart.



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

Looking Forward To The End

Everyone knows where the most suspenseful part of the game is going to be…the end of it.

The final touchdown, the last second shot, the walk off home run…the last frame of the bowling tournament.

People show up, or watch hoping for the suspense at the end.  The possibility of that moment is what sports entertainment hinges on.

People know exactly where the suspense is, and still love it.  They know what they expect and hope for and yet when it happens, it always goes beyond expectations and the hope over floweth.

People expect the end of your show to be climactic…thats how sports go, movies go, theater goes, books go, articles go…that’s how it goes.

A big ending makes sense to people…

What are you going to do with that?

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

Looking For Opening Slots

I hear a lot of artists scheming, asking around, dwelling on, pining for how to get better opening slots…

…but I don’t hear many artists talking about how to be a better headliner. 

Sure, you might need to open for a while, but the goal should always be headlining.  That’s the focus.  Don’t get stuck opening.

The opener makes $400 when the headliner makes $20,000.

The more time, effort and energy you put into becoming a you-gotta-see-them headliner the quicker you’ll headline.

Stop running around looking for opening slots and start developing a show that makes us need to come see you.

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

Will You Change My Mind

Don’t try to change peoples’ minds.

Do try to connect with peoples’ minds.

If you want to turn no’s into yes’s, it’s all about connection.

Because no one is looking to get their mind changed.  No one wants to admit they had the wrong idea.  No one is looking to you to right their course of action.

If you want to change people, stop trying to change them.

If someone isn’t listening to you, get to know them better.

(Also this)

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

You Make My Dreams Come True


What is your booking agents dream? 

What is your managers dream? 

What your PR agent’s dream?

What are the dreams of the individuals at the label?


Or maybe a better reminder…

Your agents, managers, label people, road crew all have dreams.

I repeat…THEY have personal and professional dreams.

They have hopes and an ideal scenario for how they see things playing out for themselves.

And within the music business, you as the artist have the power to play a vital role in making their hopes and dreams come true .

You being great gets them closer to their prize.

Your team is helping your dreams come true.  You are helping their dreams come true.

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