(Sunday, Feb 23, 11AM) I’m slammed. I have to get six projects done and out the door by the end of the week LOL. Oy … shit happens, right? So, let’s get straight to it.
Building an income from self-employment is a difficult task. It’s vastly different than getting up and going to a job everyday because at least there (unless you’re on commission) you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to generate income. Someone else is responsible for making sure there’s money in the bank to pay you.
As a musician we fret about work (no pun intended LOL). We hate making cold calls to strangers asking for a gig. We hate asking for money – all too often we don’t how much is reasonable to ask for, and all too often we settle even when we think the deal is not equitable nor reasonable.
It’s the same thing that keeps most people out of sales, and being self-employed. It’s the hard part of the business that we wish we could do without. I cannot recount those who have confided in me how much they hate that part of being a musician. Twice this week a musician has said to me, “I want someone else to do that work for me. I hate it. I just want to play.” The reality on the street is that for at least 95% of us it just doesn’t work that way.
The overwhelming percentage of those whose music we experience are doing this for the joy of it … of course, wishing we could do it as full time employment …which like most things in life gets more challenging the more people there are doing the thing we also want to do and make a living at.
The aspiration drives the effort we all put out, to do this thing we cannot live without; it is such an ingrained part of who we are as personalities. Much love to those who are efforting to realize their dreams, whatever they are.
And thanks for supporting the working musicians and those who provide to them a place to play in our communities … it is truly and deeply appreciated.
VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK
I love pop. Always have. I love cotton candy and sticky sweet chewy bubble gum. I love ALT-country AND hip-hop … jam-bands and rap-bands. I dj’d professionally in clubs and at dances from 74-86 in Colorado, Connecticut, and North Dakota. I still get a big smile when remembering rockin’ the tables with some Sugarhill Gang and Curtis Blow for the first time. Diversions … H*Wood speaks to me… “This ain’t no dance song, but get your dance on. Take the time to celebrate where you came from.” Right on H*Wood. Peace.
PLAYLIST S8 EP7 FEB 2014
String Cheese Incident “One Step Closer” from One Step Closer (2005)
Acoustic Junction “Goodbye World” from Strange Days (2000)
(D) Young Ancients “Nobody Loves You” from Young Ancients (2014)
Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore “Sunday Street” from Love Runner (2014)
Mama Lenny and the Remedy “Loaded Gun” from Time (You’re Doing Fine) (2014)
My Body Sings Electric “Oceancrest” from Part 1: the Night Ends (2014)
(D) Eldren “We Just Want The World” [single] (2014) The Motet “Rich in People” from The Motet (2014)
Dubskin “Warrior Stomp” from Release from Fear (2011)
Monocle Band “Falling” from Monocle Band (2013)
The Jekylls “You’re Probably Right” from The Sweet Factory (2012)
Andy Rok & the Real Deal “Second Class Citizen” [single] (2014)
Ben Haugland “Lift” from The Point Of No Return (2012)
Jimmy Ibbotson “Saints and Sots” from More Than Mountains (2000)
C.W. McCall “Wolf Creek Pass” from Best of CW McCall (1997)
(D) Katie Herzig “Walk Through Walls” from Walk Through Walls (2014)
(N) The Fray “Hurricane” from Helios (2014)
Matt Skinner Band “Ashes to Ashes” from Native Stranger (2013)
Rob Drabkin “Little Steps” from Little Steps EP (2013)
Devotchka “Curse Your Little Heart” from Curse Your Little Heart (2006)
(N) Dianne Reeves “I Want You” from Beautiful Life (2014)
Hazel Miller “Spider Web” from Coming To You Live…From KUVO (2011)
Adam Stern “Locked Up” from High Country Gentleman (2011)
Chris K's Colorado Playlist 