Recently I was telling a friend about a bass player in Nashville I think is absolutely fantastic. I said “He enjoys being a great musician so much that I know he’ll be successful…he’ll be the guy everyone wants”.
My friend asked me to expound on that…and I’d like to pass my over-explanation along to you. Here goes…
He desires to do a very good job…and acts on that desire via doing his homework (practicing) whether it’s for a big arena gig or a tiny club gig.
I catch him in the act of dedication rather than merely talking as if he is dedicated. He doesn’t talk a big game and then barely back it up. He talks a normal game and then you discover there’s a lot more. He exceeds expectations…not by false humility, but by delivering more than what you pay him for.
He doesn’t veer from the path of being a great bass player. I know him well enough to know he’s good at a great many things…but the story he tells the music community always boils down to “If you need a great bass player, I am your guy”. It’s not “I’m a great bass player, but I also have a clothing boutique you need to check out, and I’m making a rap record, and I design websites”. He’s clear about why you need to call him.
He’s a joy to be around. Him and I are both from Minnesota, so perhaps we have a special connection. But he’s not some super weird musician that you have to put up with because he’s so talented but a total drag to be around the other 23hrs of the day.
He plays at an elite level. The moment he actually starts playing the instrument you breathe a sigh of relief because you know you have the right guy.
Lastly…he’s willing to stay the course. He’s understands it takes time. He understands talent alone isn’t enough and it takes time for word to get around.
For your next ten shows I hereby revoke your right to use the following two tools…
1. Saying thank you…(i.e. you may not say thank you)
2. Specifically stating, eluding to, or even mentioning how many songs are remaining in your set.
These tools may possibly be returned to you after ten shows…but I think you will find that in their absence you will have sharpened other tools that are much more exciting, personal and entertaining and will not need these two much anymore.
And by reading this far in the email you are, here by, bound to this contract.
It very well might be the case that while you say…
‘I’m doing this because I love it and for the growth and satisfaction I personally get out of it’
What you really mean is…
‘I’m doing this because I love it and for the growth and satisfaction I personally get out of it FOR NOW…but if I don’t see some money and attention and pats on the back after a certain amount of time then I don’t really want to do it anymore’
Both are ok. But it’s really important that you’re honest with yourself about which one it is, and pursue accordingly.
