Write Bad Songs

Instead of making the decision to not write today, make a decision to write a bad song.

And next time you don’t want to write, write a bad song instead of not writing.

Then after a while on a day that you don’t want to write, you’ll write a song that isn’t terrible and the next time a little better song and then a good one and then maybe even a great one…and that was a day that you didn’t even want to write! 

So if you grow to the point where you’re writing good songs on days that you don’t even want to write…

Imagine what you’ll do on a day that you do want to write.

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

There Is Stage For A Reason

People want someone to be on it. 

For at least these two reasons…1. For the artist on stage to be relatable since commonality connects people but also  2. to be at least slightly not-relatable because the artist is the type of person who gets on the stage, not the audience. 

If they think the artist is already exactly like themselves, there’s not as much hope for the audience.  The audience needs to believe (and they usually do) that the artist is at least a little bit different than they are…which illuminates the audiences’ own longing to be something a little bit different.

The difference the artist represents, represents hope for something better or different. 

The conscious/subconscious, spoken/unspoken message from the artist to audience of “I’m just like you up here” works best when the artist understands that it’s not completely true.

(The audience cheers at this message because they want to believe it, not because they actually believe it.)

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

The Perfect Pass

The quarterback throws the ‘perfect pass’ because the receiver times it and goes exactly where the ball is thrown…it’s the quick, minor (or major) adjustment that makes it look like the perfect pass.

So what looks like perfect is actually neither perfect nor imperfect…it’s simply what happened when some people got really good at what they do and then adjust accordingly…to the benefit of the team.

Perfect.

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

The Relative Hit

There were lots of bands around Nashville when I was in college.  Lots of shows, lots of show posters, lots of nasty vans, sharing gear, sharing food, all on the journey.

None of the bands were famous, no one had hits…except that everyone had their HIT…their best song, the song that really stuck out, their relative hit…the song that everyone knew was their best song, usually played at the end of the set list.

No one had hits but everyone had their hit. We could tell, they could tell, everyone could tell.

The problem was no one knew how to build on it.  How to emphasize it. How to build the band/brand identity around the song that everyone loved most.  How to build the set list around it.  How to build and write new songs around it.

It would have been a good idea. And it still is :) Building a career around the best of what you have.

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

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?

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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

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