| Everyone wants to be famous: live in a | | | | stupid, but you'd be surprised how many |
| mansion, drive a sports car, tour the world | | | | talented people have fallen by the wayside |
| in your private plane, date a model, float | | | | because they were unable to simply show up. |
| around in the pool while collecting royalties | | | | Cancelled gigs, forgotten meetings, and |
| for CD sales, and drink beer right out of | | | | missed auditions say to the Musical Powers |
| your private tap. But not everyone is aware | | | | That Be, "I'm a huge flake who doesn't think |
| that, with any career that has the potential | | | | your opportunity is worth a half-hour of my |
| to end in a bounty of riches and beautiful | | | | precious time." This is a really bad thing. |
| babes, climbing your way to rock stardom is | | | | Entertainment is a small town with a huge |
| very hard work. | | | | memory. Don't give people any reason to |
| | | | think that you're not the person they want to |
| So, how does your average musical genius go | | | | work with, give the job to, book for the gig, |
| from penniless Pop Tart-eater to Lifestyles | | | | sign to their label, write about, talk about, |
| of the Rich and Famous? How do you move on | | | | and help any way they can. Remember there |
| up from mom's garage to a deluxe apartment in | | | | are tens of thousands of musicians waiting to |
| the sky? What's your first baby step on the | | | | take your place, so step up to the plate and |
| Yellow Brick Road to fame and fortune? | | | | seize each chance with optimism and |
| That's simple…be committed! | | | | enthusiasm. |
| | | | |
| It sounds silly, but many a musical boat has | | | | 3.) Take Initiative---Don't wait for |
| sailed with a crestfallen unsigned artist | | | | opportunities to come to you. The world is a |
| standing confused on the dock, for lack of | | | | virtual cornucopia of information, so reach |
| nothing else but follow-through. Commitment | | | | out and nab yourself some chances at stardom. |
| to your deeds and plans is the single most | | | | Comb the internet, join music communities, |
| essential skill towards achieving your goal | | | | visit open mic nights, take classes and |
| of Ultimate Superstardom. Entertainment is a | | | | workshops…put yourself out there where |
| fickle business and chances don't come along | | | | there are cool musical happenings and let |
| every day. One missed opportunity now could | | | | others know that you can be relied upon and |
| have spiraled into dozens even hundreds of | | | | want to be involved. By going out and |
| opportunities down the line. | | | | seizing your own opportunities, you may |
| | | | double, triple, etc. your resources and |
| It may be true that talent is a gift you | | | | chances, and expedite your journey to |
| carry with you from birth, but commitment is | | | | success. |
| a learned skill that you need to hone every | | | | |
| day. So, how can you make sure that you've | | | | 4.) Do The Best Job You Can---As important as |
| got what it takes to gather up your supreme | | | | it is to show up, it is also essential that |
| musicality and conquer the universe with it | | | | you come off efficient, talented, and |
| continuously? | | | | professional when faced with a new |
| | | | opportunity. Being there is half the battle |
| The following are a few tips that may help | | | | but the other half is being the best that you |
| you to make sure that you're truly committing | | | | can be and impressing industry, press, clubs |
| yourself to your musical career on a daily | | | | and your fellow musicians enough to make them |
| basis: | | | | want you to be involved in anything and |
| | | | everything they do. Make a commitment to put |
| 1.) Follow Up On All Leads---No matter how | | | | on the best live show possible, to have a |
| insignificant they may seem at the time, it's | | | | terrific CD, to make a professional presskit, |
| important to follow up on every musical lead | | | | and to spread the word about your music. Be |
| that's thrown your way. Letters, calls and | | | | punctual, be courteous, be positive and be |
| emails should be answered politely and in a | | | | fun. Don't give anyone any reason not to |
| timely fashion. New contacts should be | | | | work with you again and you'll see that it |
| logged in your address book for future | | | | becomes easier and easier to get what you |
| correspondence. Opportunities should be | | | | want for your artistic career. |
| taken, invites accepted, and chances to | | | | |
| network relished. By starting out with just | | | | It really is as easy as simply showing up, |
| these simple rules you'll watch your | | | | following up and giving it your all. Making |
| resources and mailing list grow. Suddenly | | | | it in music is not impossible; it's just a |
| you'll have music community friends with | | | | lot of elbow grease, a little organization, a |
| which to share your leads and ideas, ask | | | | bit of strategy, and the simple sculpting of |
| advice, trade experiences, and combine talent | | | | your talent into a marketable commodity. |
| and energies. Through these friends, you'll | | | | There are thousands of chances offered every |
| meet new friends and fans and from them even | | | | day to musicians...reach out and grab them by |
| more new connections. Soon, you'll have so | | | | the handful, make every opportunity your own, |
| many opportunities that your concern will | | | | get everything you want from this business |
| change from lack of opportunity to lack of | | | | and when you're richer than Oprah and more |
| time in the day to pursue each new chance. | | | | famous than Madonna, remember that it was you |
| | | | who made it happen. You were a pro. You |
| 2.) Just Show Up---Sounds so simple it's | | | | showed up. You committed. |