Having The Ace

The thing about having the ace (the one more thing, the unexpected excellence at the end) is that it changes everything that comes before it too.

When you know you have the ace, you yourself become better and therefore your fives and nines and jacks and queens magically become better too.

Aces are few and far between, but if you play long enough you’re sure to get one.

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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

Sayings At The End Of The Meeting

“I’ll do everything I can” or “I’ll do everything in my power” or “Let me know what I can do”

are really great things to say at the end of the meeting in order to look good in the moment and make it seem like there’s something generous on offer.


Similar phrases that are great to say at the end of the meeting (or the beginning, or anywhere in between) that can’t help but actually be helpful…

“Here’s what I will do for you…” or “How can I best help” or “Send me an email to remind me to do that for you”


I want to come back to one out of that first group…

“Let me know what I can do”

You can find out real quick if they’re serious (or not) by letting them know what they can do. And sometimes people really do mean 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: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Hot Fudge Sundae

The best part of the hot fudge sundae is when you get just the right amount of ice cream mixed with just the right amount of hot fudge all in the same bite.

That’s the whole reason of ordering the hot fudge sundae. That bite.

Then self-serve fro-yo places got popular where you could have all your favorite ice cream flavors and all your favorite toppings all in one bowl.

So that’s exactly what I would do. I would pick all the individual elements I loved. All the highlights all in one place.

But it turns out in a bowl full of lots of highlights nothing really sticks out. There’s no emphasis. No direction.

If you want to highlight hot fudge the best thing to do is put it with vanilla ice cream…and leave out the brownie bites, cookie dough, strawberries and peanut butter cups.

The point is not necessarily to have all the best individual ingredients (although it’s always tempting). The point is to have the best sundae. To setup and emphasize the purpose. To have distinct, specific direction.

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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

Reporting From The Rain

No need to stand in the rain storm to report that there’s a rain storm.

But it makes for better TV.

So when they are standing in the rain storm reporting on the rain storm, now we know why. Standing in the rain helps win the game of TV.

If you’re in the TV game, you should always stand in the rain storm.

If you’re in the game of weather, it pays to stay inside and use your tools.

But more than anything, know what game you’re playing.

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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

The Albums’ New Place

The album is finally finding its rightful new place.

Which is to say…you don’t have to make one.

When no one is keeping track you can make whatever you want, we just want it to be good.

Put out a single, a bunch of singles, an EP, an album, a double album. We’re simply waiting for a project you’ve poured thought and care and excellence into.

Any pressure you feel to put out an album is self induced.

It’s a new normal.

***The idea of the album is still being used in label deals and publishing deals. But it’ll get phased out. An album will be a release option if you have a group of songs that ought to be released all together, but it won’t be written into the deals.

Once the album gets omitted from the contracts, it’ll truly be a new frontier for the way songs are released.

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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

Thinking And Telling pt. 2

I don’t think The Eagles or Carole King (etc, etc, etc) are worried about putting out a song or video or putting on a show where people are inspired to tell other people about how good it was.

They don’t need that anymore. They used to but now they don’t need to.

The people simply thinking ‘that was good’ (without ever telling other people ‘that was good’) is enough.  A certain critical mass of people listen to the music, watch the videos, come to the shows and sustain the artists’ career.

That’s enough. They don’t need anymore new fans.

What this really means is…they did the hard part a long time ago. They built that critical mass via being an artist that you had to tell people about.

Don’t miss a post. Sign up for free.

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