Pecking Order

Last year The Rolling Stones were the highest grossing band. The top prize.

To be a part of that organization you are at the top of the pecking order.

But if you’re somehow lucky enough to be a part, you quickly realize that within the organization there is a pecking order. And you’re not at the top.

And then there’s probably another one within that one too…which you’re also not at the top of.


The music business is famous for flexing what you have and being terrified and painfully insecure about what you don’t. Of knowing and paying way too much attention to the pecking orders you deem important and where you perceive yourself on that scale.

Pick your pecking order. What does it cost to be at the top of it? Is it worth it once you get there if you know there will be another pecking order waiting for you?

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Drop me an email: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Here To Entertain You

During the first few years I lived in Nashville there was a guy named Dean who would just show up at club shows here in Nashville and MC the entire evening.

He had an Australian accent so immediately everyone loved him and were perfectly ok with him getting on stage and talking after each act and then introducing the next one.

He set them up each artist really well, in a way to try and get the audience to give them the benefit of the doubt.

He was great at it. I loved it. It helped the night feel cohesive and he always introduce the bands in a very positive way.

But my question is this: how would you prepare and perform differently if the voice announcing you said…

“And now, here to entertain you, ladies and gentlemen please welcome…”

This is the music business. This is the entertainment business. It’s showbiz baby. Never forget that.

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Drop me an email: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com

Desire As A Distraction

I have desire to get good at pingpong.

I have desire to snowboard a lot more often.

I have desire to help make Nashville’s public education system better.

I have desire to to dunk a basketball.

I have desire to play Whembly Stadium.

Mere desire is not enough. So when the question pops up ‘What do you really want’ it’s fun to give credence to the dreamy, desire filled answer.

Yeah desire is a key ingredient but in and of itself it’s pretty flimsy.

If you’re not going to bring action to desire, then dwelling on desire may be a distraction and leading you astray.

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Nightcap 25

It wouldn’t be a construction site without a guy knowing all the words and missing all the pitches to the classic rock station.

It’s funny how something called trivial pursuit gained such a sophisticated reputation.

I’ve never thought: that’s a really cool leg tattoo.

I’ve forgotten my to-go box on the table more than I’ve remembered it.

Saying something is remarkable makes it true.

It will all work out as unplanned.

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How Does Success Happen?

Preparation aligned with opportunity

Willingness aligned with circumstance

Expertise aligned with timing

Desire aligned with luck

Focus aligned with culture

All that to say…Any way you slice it success comes from a mixture of internal and external.

We have some say with the external variables.

But we have a lot of say over the internal. Which, in the long term have a huge effect on the externals.

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Focus

Minimize the circumstances that can break your focus.

Your focus causes discipline.

Discipline leads to credibility.

Credibility to trust.

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Drop me an email: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com