Working Attraction

Good work has a magnetic pull.

I want to believe you’re DOING things.  If I believe you’re doing things (i.e. working) I think you’re getting closer to whatever it is you’re wanting to achieve.

And if I believe you’re getting closer to what you’re wanting to achieve (i.e. you’re achieving)…I WANT TO BE AROUND THAT and be a part of it. And so do other people. 

We’re drawn to it.

So what does it take to draw people to you?

It takes doing good work over a long period of time.  Longer than you probably think.

It’s very simple and very difficult, and worth it.

It comes down to the simple question:

Are you going to do it?

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

Plans And Expectations

Plans promote work

Expectations promote waiting (for the call, email, opportunity)

Plans promote action

Expectations promote the wish to control others

If you have a plan, get to work (and expectations are not a plan)

If you need a plan, get to work on it

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

Story Of Success and Story Of Purpose

There aren’t as many gates and gatekeepers as there once was, but they’re still there.

And too often those gatekeepers are looking for a story of (past) success in order to let you rather than a story of purpose.

So artists focus on their success story.

But what about when there aren’t any more gates to get through? What about when you have the audience?

What story will you tell then?

The reality is artists and their teams probably need to have the past/recent success story primed and ready because it helps the gatekeepers get over their own lack of discernment, confidence and willingness to believe in something independent of reassurance. 

But all the while the artists especially need to be developing their story of purpose.  Because that’s the story that can be told regardless the size of the audience, regardless of the wattage of the radio station, or readership of the blog.


***One of the most common questions I get about this blog (mostly from musicians) is “how many subscribers do you have”?

My answer is always the same: How many do you need me to have in order to feel good about my answer?

No one ever has an answer for that.  

My answer hedges their desire for a story of success and ushers in a story of purpose for the blog.

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

Touring Is A Lot More Fun When...

It’s a lot more fun to be a touring artist if people like it when you’re on stage.

The thing that makes it tough is, if people don’t like it when you get on stage, they’ll probably still put up with you for the night.

The difference is: I tell people about artists that I like when they walk on stage…the other acts: I put up with them and tell no one.

If people experience an internal (or verbal) “ahhhhhhh, FINALLY”, word will spread.  And by the word spreading you’ll know that people are going ahhhhhh.

p.s. I’m going to Bruno Mars in the fall, and I’m already saying ahhhhh.  Even among his peers (during awards shows, etc), you can see and feel the room being glad he’s on stage.  He’s not the best dancer (he’s really good), he’s not the best singer (he’s really good)…but people just love when he’s up there.  The feel, the presence, confidence, power and leadership.


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

Hold Me Closer, Tony Danza

When I went to college I found out I wasn’t the only one who had thought that was the lyric during my childhood.

Poor Elton John, he didn’t want me to think it was Tony Danza, but my brain heard Tony Danza so that’s what I carried with me.


It turns out that what people think you’re saying is sometimes all that really matters…regardless of what you’re actually saying or meaning to say.

So what are you saying?

And what do your fans believe you’re saying?

*And I’m not talking about song lyrics at this point. I’m talking about you as an artist, as a whole.

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

If You Need This Song To Work

If you need this song to work, to be the one, to be the rocket ship…it probably won’t be.

There’s too much pressure.  Because everyone on the team knows ‘this needs to be the one’ so all of a sudden everyone not only has an opinion, but a strong one.

Too many cooks in the kitchen and the soup sucks. Everyone is so worried, and someone is always pointing out why it won’t work and it needs to be a little less this and a little more that.

The truth is, if anyone is saying or adopting ‘this needs to be the one’…you need a new team and/or a new attitude…or you’re getting ready to hang it up all together.

The odds are already stacked against your next song being the one and the only thing that makes it worse is if it NEEDS to be the one.

Hopefully you and your team are aware and operating out of the good news: it doesn’t.

And when you have a hit people will forgive and forget your misses.

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