10 Reasons You Won’t Become a Famous Rock Star
From Michael Brandvold’s newsletter:
- Because wishing for fame and riches proves you don’t understand the reality of today’s music business.
- Your fan base right now is made up of only family members.
- Because you probably don’t have the tenacity, persistence, perseverance and determination to slog it out below the poverty level for another 10 years it’s going to take you.
- You have only played 3 shows so far.
- Because you’re still trying to “make it” the old way by waiting for a big record label to discover you and treat you like a god.
Read the rest here plus access the podcast.
I dig most of the list, having been there and having made friends that have actually been hard working enough to have made a career out of it.
The book that has sat by my bedside table since 1997 is called "Get In The Van" by Henry Rollins.
That made me realise that I liked music for the pleasure of making it and occasionally playing it (say about 20-30 shows each year generally at the same clubs with the same crowd). Being iconic in music was something I realised you really have to work hard at, nobody just comes in and sweeps you away on a fairytale adventure full of riches.
An idea I gave a friend of mine for a documentary was to follow a band that didn't make it, showing the local circuits the band plays and how a 'scene' develops with bands supporting each other by getting the marketing out there, hitting the pavement with posters, electronic media – schmoozing with friends in the busy record stores to swindle fans.
Then watching how the band delivers when they actually get the crowd out gigs.
I create music and play for me now because I know I will not do it as a career choice – it is a tough gig and certainly does not just come to you.
Hey thanks for sharing this Top 10 list that Michael and I whipped up for The Music Biz Weekly podcast Alan… cheers!
Brian