A short while back, I was doing sound, lights and multimedia for IBI Colorado, as I do 46 weeks out of the year. In addition to my a/v skills, I am known in the community as a musician. I was approached by a young man fresh out of high school, who is close friends with a drummer. He asked if I might have any advice for his friend, and if he could have my contact information. Little did he know, but my mind raced that night as I pondered my advice. What lessons have I learned, and what would I change if given the opportunity? Jotting my ideas down, I'm convinced they would not only assist young musicians, but anyone aspiring to live their dreams.

Beware of the J.O.B. Addiction
I am convinced that the false sense of security provided by a regularly scheduled paycheck is an addiction as powerful, and potentially destructive, as (fill in the blank). It took me roughly 18 years to “kick the habit”, and to awaken to the devastation my J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) addiction had caused. By its very nature, it competed directly with my higher purpose, sapping time and energy from that which I love. The J.O.B. provided immediate income, where the dream did not. It also provided cultural acceptance, both internally and externally, by doing what is considered right and responsible. The same cannot be said of an aspiring rock star. The alternatives to J.O.B. Addiction are many. If you must compromise to generate income, remember that its purpose is to fuel your dream, not cause you to forget about it. I would also encourage you to try to work as closely to your dream as you can, as quickly as possible. Had I only looked, there were many money making opportunities in music available to me straight out of high school, which would have positioned me within close reach of my ultimate goals. Examples include working in music stores, for local sound companies producing national events, or even compromising stylistically to join a working band.

Cooperate and Network
Competition is so ingrained, at such an early age, that I viewed other local bands, or bassists, for that matter, as direct threats to my success. Consciously or otherwise, my bandmates and I worked within the constraints of the competitive model for many years. It was not until my exposure to IBI Colorado that I re-evaluated my beliefs and recognized the value of networking and cooperating. With my eyes now open, I can see examples where bands have helped one another attain success both locally and nationally. Had I only paid attention to all those liner notes I read, I would have seen many examples of one band thanking another for giving them a shot as an opening act. I've also watched, as I've personally struggled to find work, as well networked musicians stay busy continuously, and in a couple of instances, have been one call away from landing a spot in a band with a lucrative record contract.