2 Things Successful Musicians Have in Common

Marc · 04-15-2008, 07:21 AM

1. They implement.

When there is something that needs to be done, they do it. If they need to do a gig, they book it. If they need to get people out to it, they promote it. You get the idea...

Alternatively, the guys who aren't doing so well just think about booking gigs, or wait around for somebody else to book for them. They think the club owner should promote the show.

2. They take responsibility for what happens.

The guys I know who are selling a lot of music don't blame the club owner when nobody shows up for one of their gigs. If they've been on a label, they don't blame the label if they've been dropped. And they don't blame "illegal downloading" when nobody buys their records. Instead, they look at what they can do to make the situation different, and they keep working.

I encourage you to take a look at yourself as well as other artists, both successful and non-successful. And I hope you'll share your findings below...

The Wayniac · 04-15-2008, 12:15 PM

Amen.

Running a band is like owning your own business.

The Good Reverend, MATCHEW · 04-15-2008, 12:52 PM

it is a business.

ambergirl · 04-16-2008, 03:45 PM

Well then get back to work...WOOO HOOO!!!!!

ssspert · 04-16-2008, 04:22 PM

If you are relying on someone else for your success, you are a lazy loser.

clockworkengine · 04-17-2008, 02:56 PM

Business. I must disagree on certain levels. A business is something where the heart rarely influences decision making. I say a band is more like a marriage than a business, since many decisions in such an endeavor are made out of emotional sway rather than from the wallet. At least, those types of bands who play for the music before the money.

savereno · 04-17-2008, 03:44 PM

The artistic part of music is not a business, but if you want to make it in music, you have to run your band like a business. If you do not promote, beg, borrow, steal, whatever like a business would, you can count on being artistic in your garage forever. Not saying you should change anything about your style of music at all, never compromise your musical integrity, but as far as marketing your music, you better damn well be pushing it every where you can, like you are pushing cheap crack on a geeked out skank.

These tips and the 10 things... thread should not even have to be posted, I know they are posted to be helpful, but it is sad that there are some bands that do not know this, or put it into practice. Sadly, I have played shows with some of those bands...

ssspert · 04-17-2008, 06:06 PM

There are alot of bands that have the heart, and drive.
They work hard restlessly, but alas should stay in the garage, and work on the talent.

buzzincuzzin · 04-17-2008, 09:41 PM

I don't know,,,,,,,,,,, talent, ability, or even a basic working knowledge of music as art is not a prerequisite to financial success within the industry. It's marketing and merchandising in the most coldblooded cutthroat game out there. There a lot of acts I don't like and even more I have NO respect for making a shitload of money playing great gigs every week.

The Good Reverend, MATCHEW · 04-18-2008, 08:07 AM

running a band is a business.

the music is a completley different subject all together.

not all bands are like a marriage. but mine can sure feel like one at times!

04-15-2008, 07:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
Marc Administrator GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The hearts of women everywhere. Age: 28 Posts: 2,677 Rep Power: 46	2 Things Successful Musicians Have in Common 1. They implement. When there is something that needs to be done, they do it. If they need to do a gig, they book it. If they need to get people out to it, they promote it. You get the idea... Alternatively, the guys who aren't doing so well just think about booking gigs, or wait around for somebody else to book for them. They think the club owner should promote the show. 2. They take responsibility for what happens. The guys I know who are selling a lot of music don't blame the club owner when nobody shows up for one of their gigs. If they've been on a label, they don't blame the label if they've been dropped. And they don't blame "illegal downloading" when nobody buys their records. Instead, they look at what they can do to make the situation different, and they keep working. I encourage you to take a look at yourself as well as other artists, both successful and non-successful. And I hope you'll share your findings below... __________________ GCB Myspace Need Guitar Tabs? Need Song Lyrics?

04-15-2008, 12:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Wayniac Moderator Band Whore Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mobile Posts: 800 Rep Power: 40	Amen. Running a band is like owning your own business. __________________ "Just go nuts with it." ~ Les Claypool

04-15-2008, 12:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
The Good Reverend, MATCHEW Agent Jones, at your service. GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 2,283 Rep Power: 30	it is a business. __________________ www.Ko-Lija.com www.MySpace.com/KoLija www.MySpace.com/OSMUSICFEST

04-16-2008, 03:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
ambergirl Productive GCB Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Escatawpa, MS Age: 29 Posts: 1,869 Rep Power: 43	Well then get back to work...WOOO HOOO!!!!! __________________ You've Got Questions. We've Got Ambergirl. www.myspace.com/pajamasakapj

04-16-2008, 04:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
ssspert Band Member Productive GCB Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wemo Posts: 1,293 Rep Power: 9	If you are relying on someone else for your success, you are a lazy loser. __________________ Straight Shots Myspace page My Myspace Bass page email ME for Straight Shot booking information. GULF COAST MUSIC MAGAZINE If you think you band is going to get signed, you are living in a dream world. Getting signed isn't what it used to be. It takes every one of YOU, and YOUR band mates tireless hard work. It makes no difference who your buddies are. They can't help you much. You better be thick skinned, and like the enegized bunny, you keep going and going...

04-17-2008, 02:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
clockworkengine Band Member Band Whore Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Henry, CO Age: 25 Posts: 391 Rep Power: 42	Business. I must disagree on certain levels. A business is something where the heart rarely influences decision making. I say a band is more like a marriage than a business, since many decisions in such an endeavor are made out of emotional sway rather than from the wallet. At least, those types of bands who play for the music before the money. __________________ www.myspace.com/clockworkengine Don't you give me that "Don't you give me that look again" look again.

04-17-2008, 03:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
savereno Screamo for Emo Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 238 Rep Power: 12	The artistic part of music is not a business, but if you want to make it in music, you have to run your band like a business. If you do not promote, beg, borrow, steal, whatever like a business would, you can count on being artistic in your garage forever. Not saying you should change anything about your style of music at all, never compromise your musical integrity, but as far as marketing your music, you better damn well be pushing it every where you can, like you are pushing cheap crack on a geeked out skank. These tips and the 10 things... thread should not even have to be posted, I know they are posted to be helpful, but it is sad that there are some bands that do not know this, or put it into practice. Sadly, I have played shows with some of those bands...

04-17-2008, 06:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
ssspert Band Member Productive GCB Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wemo Posts: 1,293 Rep Power: 9	There are alot of bands that have the heart, and drive. They work hard restlessly, but alas should stay in the garage, and work on the talent. __________________ Straight Shots Myspace page My Myspace Bass page email ME for Straight Shot booking information. GULF COAST MUSIC MAGAZINE If you think you band is going to get signed, you are living in a dream world. Getting signed isn't what it used to be. It takes every one of YOU, and YOUR band mates tireless hard work. It makes no difference who your buddies are. They can't help you much. You better be thick skinned, and like the enegized bunny, you keep going and going...

04-17-2008, 09:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
buzzincuzzin Band Member Screamo for Emo Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 99 Posts: 183 Rep Power: 25	I don't know,,,,,,,,,,, talent, ability, or even a basic working knowledge of music as art is not a prerequisite to financial success within the industry. It's marketing and merchandising in the most coldblooded cutthroat game out there. There a lot of acts I don't like and even more I have NO respect for making a shitload of money playing great gigs every week.

04-18-2008, 08:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
The Good Reverend, MATCHEW Agent Jones, at your service. GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 2,283 Rep Power: 30	running a band is a business. the music is a completley different subject all together. not all bands are like a marriage. but mine can sure feel like one at times! __________________ www.Ko-Lija.com www.MySpace.com/KoLija www.MySpace.com/OSMUSICFEST Last edited by The Good Reverend, MATCHEW; 04-18-2008 at 08:31 AM.