EMBRACE YOUR INNER FOOL


No matter what you do as a day job, or even if you have a successful band that gets regular gigs or you teach music, you will run into all sorts of people who think you are an idiot for being a musician. They will try to distract you with promises of better pay or job stability, if you will just spend that money and time on more lucrative pursuits. We all know that isn't going to happen, so here are some ways in which you can pat yourself on the back and learn to ignore these obnoxious, unhappy people.

ADMIT YOU ARE AN IDIOT

One of the worst things you can do to a critic is to agree with them. Admit you are stupid for choosing this line of work, but point out how happy it makes you, especially when things go really well, an award, a good gig, a thank-you note from a charity you wrote music or played for, and so forth. Point out how selling your equipment, now that it has been depreciated a few years, would probably make you a profit, you don't want to pay the taxes on the increased income, so you are just stuck with them, now. You were so stupid to have bought them in the first place, that you might as well at least make enough money using them each year to cover the deductions, and keep the business going. This should distract these naysayers for a little, at least, until you can come back with a few more retorts.

FIND MORE WAYS TO BE AN IDIOT

Sometimes, success is the best revenge. Make your critics even more angry by finding more gigs, contests and volunteer work at least that is related to your music. Spend your time with these more supportive types rather than the mentally unstable folks that would rather spend time running you down than going out and finding their own happiness. The more time you spend with your fellow writers, too, the more exposure you get and increased chances of finding people who have the connections you will need to get further in your genre. You certainly won't find any songwriting opportunities hanging around with a bunch of haters, unless it is finding fodder for some good whiney songs or material that pokes fun at such emotionally unhealthy sorts. And yes, that is exactly what they are unhealthy.

BE A TOTAL IDIOT

Sometimes, the best way you can get your music noticed is just daring to be different, even if you risk making a total fool of yourself. I was used to being in a rock group, and I hadn't played in months in front of an audience, but agreed to play for the local Rotary club, anyway, even if I would be totally solo with just my acoustic guitar. I was scared stiff, and the audience was horrid, some pals of some of my worst enemies showed up and started loudly heckling me, even while I was playing in front of hundreds of people, hardly what one would expect from such a bunch of illustrious local business leaders. I took it all in stride, and just did my best, and was asked back for more ridicule a few weeks later. I took the gig, anyhow, even though I knew what I would be in for, just did even better, and gained a little respect by doing so. The critics are still poking fun at me, but now a bunch of folks are criticizing them back for their truly bad behavior. None of them would ever have the guts to do what I did, and a lot of them know it let your bullies stew in their own juices, and know it is THEY that are the idiots, and not you. Many of them couldn't even sing America the Beautiful in tune when I led them in that song. I KNOW they couldn't have done the 40 minute set I'd just finished each time. So be proud that you are a fool, if that is what others call you. It takes a lot less muscles to smile than frown, and I bet you look a lot younger than most of your critics, or at least feel much younger than they do. Your zeal for life and willingness to try the impossible is what sets you apart and made you try to be a songwriter in the first place. Chances are, whatever you do end up doing, just because you know how to overcome defeats and challenges by getting up and trying again, you will be a success of some sort, eventually.


Deb's Top 5 Songs Of The Day:

Journey, Seperate Ways
Neil Young, Heart Of Gold
Nine Inch Nails, Head Like A Hole
Tool, Stinkfist
Paul Simon, 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

Local Artist Of The Day:

OnceOver