WARNING: This article is a perspective piece and has the capability to trigger some folks. This article shares insights from a completely different hobby/profession for evaluation and is not intended to discourage anyone from pursuing their goals or dreams, but rather to remind us why we engage in these activities in the first place.
The dream
There’s something beautifully absurd about both golf and music—two pursuits where people willingly spend thousands of dollars and countless hours chasing dreams of being famous that statistically have about the same likelihood as being struck by lightning while holding the winning lottery ticket.
The Sweet Swing of Encouragement
Meet Dave. Dave just hit a beautiful drive down the fairway of the 7th hole at his local municipal course. The ball sailed through the air with unexpected grace, landing softly and rolling to a perfect position.
“Damn, Dave! That was professional quality right there,” his buddy Mike exclaimed.
Something changed in Dave at that moment. That single compliment—probably just Mike’s way of saying “nice shot” with extra enthusiasm—planted a seed.
This scene plays out similarly in homes across America. Jessica strums the final chord of “Wonderwall” on her starter guitar, and her roommate nods appreciatively, “You should totally play open mic night!”
Investment Season
The following week, Dave walks into Academy Sports with a glint in his eye. His ancient hand-me-down clubs suddenly seemed inadequate for a man of his newly discovered talent. Two hours and $1,200 later, Dave emerges with a shiny new driver that promises an extra 15 yards and “improved forgiveness.” He adds a $40 sleeve of premium balls—because professionals use the best.
Meanwhile, Jessica is scrolling through guitar center online. Her $200 starter guitar clearly cannot capture the nuances of her developing technique. A $1,500 Taylor guitar enters her life, along with a $300 amplifier, because you never know when you might need to plug in.
Practice Makes Perfect (or at least Better)
Dave now spends every Saturday morning at the driving range. His wife notices his absences but says nothing as he drops $25 per session to hit balls. He downloads swing analysis apps ($9.99/month) and subscribes to Golf Digest ($24.99/year). He watches YouTube videos of Tiger Woods and tries to emulate that perfect swing.
Jessica finds herself declining social invitations to practice her songs. She enrolls in guitar lessons ($100/month) and buys a Ed Sheeran loop pedal ($299) because she knows she will need it. She listens to John Mayer interviews about his creative process while commuting to work because she plans to write a banger over the weekend.
The Local Circuit
Six months later, Dave enters his first local tournament. The $75 entry fee seems reasonable for the opportunity to test his skills. He doesn’t place in the top ten, but he does receive compliments on a tricky par save on the 12th hole. The smattering of applause when he sinks a 15-footer is intoxicating.
Jessica performs at her first open mic night. She doesn’t get paid, but the bar owner mentions that if she develops a following, they might discuss a future gig. Three people approach her afterward to say they enjoyed her performance. One asks if she’s on Spotify. She is clearly headed for the big time.
Doubling Down
Dave is now spending $250 monthly on his golf habit between green fees, range sessions, and the occasional lesson. He joins a golf club with a $3,000 initiation fee and $200 monthly dues because “that’s where connections happen.” His handicap is dropping, and he’s consistently the best player in his friend group.
Jessica buys a $800 microphone, a $600 interface, and $200 recording software because she can record just as good as the studios and she plans to be an independent artist. She spends hours recording covers for YouTube and Instagram, gaining 230 followers. She ends up getting a couple gigs at restaurants and gets paid $100 to entertain folks while they consume the “all you can eat wings” special, receiving applause for her rendition of cumbersome.
The Dream
Dave watches the Masters and sees himself in those pristine green fairways. People in his club say he could “go pro if he started younger.” He’s now in his mid-thirties but starts researching senior tours. At night, he calculates how much he needs to practice to reach professional status, ignoring the fact that most PGA Tour players have been playing since they could walk. Dave is obsessed with proving something, it’s no longer about fun.
Jessica streams the Grammys, imagining herself on that stage. Her coworkers tell her she’s “wasting her talent” at her day job and she is looking to quit and do this full time. She starts looking into how to get her music on streaming platforms, dreams about being discovered, and spends nights considering whether she should move to Nashville or Los Angeles. Jessica is obsessed with proving something, it is no longer about fun.
The Reality Check
Let’s look at some numbers:
There are approximately 25 million golfers in the United States. Of those, only about 125 are full-time players on the PGA Tour in any given year. That’s a success rate of 0.0005%.
Similarly, there are millions of musicians in the U.S. Of those, perhaps a few hundred achieve the “household name” status that most aspiring musicians dream about—a similar microscopic percentage. There are over 100,000 songs put on Spotify in a single day from musicians.
The average amateur golfer spends between $2,000 and $10,000 per year on their hobby. Professional-track golfers often spend upwards of $100,000 annually on coaching, travel, and tournament fees before they earn a single dollar.
Musicians face similar economics: instruments, recording equipment, merchandise production, travel expenses, and marketing often cost tens of thousands before any meaningful revenue arrives.
Despite the odds, Dave and Jessica have something to prove and take offense to reality. Admittedly, I admire people with passion that go the extra distance, as long as they are competent in the odds.
So, Why Do We Do It?
So why do millions continue these seemingly irrational pursuits?
Because that pure moment—when the club face meets the ball perfectly and you watch it soar exactly where you intended, or when your fingers find those chords and your voice hits that note and the room falls silent in appreciation—is transcendent, addictive, and ultimately… it makes us feel important and is fun.
These pursuits offer something increasingly rare: the opportunity to be completely present. When you’re lining up a putt or performing a song, nothing else matters. There’s no email to check, no social media to scroll. Just you and the moment and it is intoxicating, especially when others can be a part of it.
They also provide community. The golf foursome that meets every Saturday morning isn’t just playing a game; they’re sharing life. The musicians who gather for jam sessions or contribute to a community aren’t just people, they’re family which share common bonds.
The Take Away
What starts as “play” often transforms into “work” which changes the dynamic greatly. The joy of hitting a good shot becomes overshadowed by frustration when you can’t replicate it consistently. The thrill of creating music gets buried under the pressure to “make it.”
Dave and Jessica both started because they found something that brought them joy. But somewhere along the way, the joy became secondary to validation or to prove something.
The irony is that most professional golfers and musicians will tell you the same thing: the process has to be the reward. Tiger Woods didn’t become Tiger Woods by obsessing over being Tiger Woods. He became Tiger Woods by loving golf more than anything and putting in the work every day, regardless of outcome.
So by all means, buy the new driver if it makes you happy. Invest in that guitar if it inspires you to play more. Enter tournaments. Play open mics and spend money doing it if it makes you happy. Chase improvement.
But don’t forget to smile and enjoy the journey. Keeping it fun and remembering why you did it in the first place will often breed more success.
I’m not suggesting to ever give up on dreams, rather embrace it for what it is and don’t forget why you started the journey.
Once you figure out you don’t need to prove anything and it’s ok to actually enjoy things without being famous, you may find the pressure goes away and the future just happens without the stress you put on yourself.
I hope our community produces a household name in music or golf, but I don’t want anyone to turn what was enjoyable into something so serious that it creates stress and negative feelings about what once brought joy.
That’s why they call it “playing golf” and “playing music”. Let’s get to playing folks but most importantly, having fun.
I wrote this article because I’ve been seeing a trend. One time is an anomaly, two times is a coincidence, three times is a trend. In the last 10 bands / shows I’ve seen, more than half were displaying the trend I speak of. Many of these bands seem completely unaware it’s happening, or perhaps worse, they’ve stopped caring altogether. What am I talking about? The drive or otherwise, the flame. That essential fire that makes each gig matter – the energy that acknowledges the significance of every venue and every audience you perform for.
I’ve worked with bands across genres for over three decades, I’ve witnessed countless groups rise with passion and purpose, only to eventually find themselves going through the motions. That electric connection that once sparked between bandmates becomes routine. The stage that once felt like home becomes just another workplace. The music that once flowed from genuine creative passion becomes a product to deliver.
If this sounds like your band, you’re far from alone. That evolution from passion to profession is a path well-traveled by virtually every group that’s stayed together long enough. It’s human nature to settle into the comfortable rhythm of “good enough,” gradually forgetting the spark that once made your performances exceptional.
When I watch these bands that once commanded every stage in the region now sleepwalking through frankly forgettable performances, I find myself questioning what extinguished their fire? How did these formerly magnetic artists transform into folks merely fulfilling an obligation to get paid? At what point did they decide it was acceptable to phone in their sets or, even worse, attempt to wing songs they haven’t bothered to learn? The disconnect between what these musicians were capable of and what they now deliver isn’t just disappointing— it’s killing their opportunities and brand, if they ever had one.
The Inevitable Plateau
Most bands begin with a honeymoon phase. Everything feels new and exciting – the first rehearsals, the first gigs, the first recording sessions. You’re discovering your sound together, building something from nothing. The possibilities seem endless.
But inevitably, familiarity sets in. Songs that once brought goosebumps become muscle memory. Venues that once intimidated are now just another gig. The bandmate who once seemed like a musical genius now has predictable tendencies you could map out in your sleep. You don’t need to rehearse because you know all the songs…etc.
Although some of that sounds pretty good and feels comfortable, without conscious effort, it can morph into complacency. Signs include:
Minimal rehearsal beyond running through the set
Decreased experimentation with new material
Conversations centered on logistics rather than creative vision
Performance quality becoming “good enough” rather than exceptional
Internal eye-rolls when someone suggests trying something new
Members not replying to your group chat
The FOBO Trap:
One particularly damaging mindset that emerges during this plateau is what psychologists call FOBO – Fear of Better Options. Unlike its cousin FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), which drives impulsive decisions, FOBO paralyzes with indecision and divided attention.
In a band context, FOBO manifests when members mentally keep one foot out the door. They commit half-heartedly to the current project while constantly scanning the horizon for potentially “better” opportunities – more lucrative gigs, more prestigious bands, more compatible collaborators.
The signs of FOBO in your band might include:
Members consistently unavailable for certain opportunities but mysteriously available for others
Decreased investment in long-term planning or growth
Side projects gradually receiving more attention than the main band
Conversations about the future becoming vague and non-committal
Calling themselves a “hired gun”
What makes FOBO particularly insidious is its self-fulfilling nature. When members withhold their full creative energy and commitment due to uncertainty about the band’s future, they inadvertently create exactly the stagnant environment they fear being trapped in. The band becomes less exciting, less fulfilling, which further justifies their wandering focus – a destructive cycle.
The Comparison Trap
Another mindset which can extinguish your band’s creative fire is through unhealthy comparison with other groups. Whether that is talent, song choices, or even money made, I’ve seen talented musicians spend more time watching what other bands do than focus on their own band. What could have started as inspiration quickly becomes toxic when it transforms into a measuring stick for your own worth. I’ve seen bands ruin themselves putting a value on themselves based on what others may be making.
The fundamental truth: every band you see on stage represents a unique combination of personalities, priorities, resources, time commitments, and artistic visions. What works for them simply cannot be directly transferred to your situation and even if it could, people may not respond the same. The band playing flawless three-part harmonies might have dedicated their lives to their craft and vocals, whereas the members of your band do it for beer. The group with the massive local following might have spent years building relationships before you ever saw them.
Healthy bands generally recognize that their only meaningful competition is with their previous selves. Did tonight’s show feel more connected than the last show? Is the new material working for the audience? It’s said “Competition happens and the bottom and collaboration at the top”, I believe it. The successful bands I know are all collaborators that set goals and carve their own paths.
Breaking Through the Plateau
Revitalizing a band is doable! But, it requires honest communication, transparency, and intentional action. Here are some ideas:
Have a cookout. Sometimes the best way to reconnect musically is to temporarily step away from the music and eat like kings. A weekend away from instruments, focused on rebuilding personal connections and clarifying shared goals, can reignite the human foundation that makes music meaningful.
Revisit your past. Reminisce about what brought you together and what excited you initially. Often, the seeds of your initial connection contain the nutrients needed for renewed growth.
Directly address FOBO. Have an honest conversation about everyone’s level of commitment and expectations. Maybe you are the control freak that has higher expectations than the rest of the band which is causing folks to look for better opportunity?
Seek external perspective. Bring in a mentor or even fans to provide feedback. Outside perspectives can illuminate both strengths you’ve taken for granted and opportunities for growth you’ve overlooked.
Listen to each other. Consider playing that pop song that the bass player wants to do. You might find that it’s the song that puts your band back on the map.
Remember that passion isn’t just something you feel – it’s something you practice. The most enduring musical partnerships aren’t those that never experience plateaus, but those who recognize the plateau as part of the journey and deliberately choose to climb the next peak together.
The stage doesn’t have to be “just another gig.” Your fans deserve more than a phoned-in performance, and venues are actively seeking artists who bring genuine enthusiasm and professionalism to their spaces.
The future of music burns brightest in bands that first ignite themselves. let’s do this!
When you’re in a band, the moments on stage are electrifying. But just as essential are “The Space Between”—the times before and after the show and those valuable minutes between sets. Here’s how to make the most of them and keep the crowd engaged all night.
Pre-Show: Setting Up with Purpose
Preparation is key. Arrive early, set up quickly, and have a routine in place to keep things efficient. Beyond the technical setup, think about curating a soundtrack for the pre-show and the breaks between sets. The right music sets the mood and builds the energy in the room, guiding the crowd into the show’s vibe even before you step on stage. If you can, choose an intro track to lead right into your first song, letting the atmosphere naturally flow as you take over the night.
Between Sets: Connecting with Your Fans
During breaks, it’s all about connection. This is the perfect time to move through the crowd, spread the love, and make fans feel appreciated. Keep interactions short and meaningful so you can reach more people, even if it’s a high five—everyone wants to feel part of the experience. Your fans are the heartbeat of your shows, so let them know they’re one of the reasons you do what you do. And keep the vibe alive by letting your curated music play during these pauses, keeping the energy up and the crowd engaged.
Post-Show: Celebrating and Wrapping Up
After the final note, take a moment to bask in the energy of the performance. Enjoy the applause, share a moment with the band, and let the night sink in. But after about 20-30 minutes, it’s time to wrap up. Pack up quickly, efficiently, and with the same purpose you brought to the setup. The crowd will sense your professionalism, and it’ll add polish to the whole experience.
In the end, “The Space Between” is all about setting a mood, connecting with fans, and keeping the momentum going. Each phase of the night adds depth to your performance, making the time on stage feel like just one part of an unforgettable experience. With a little intentionality and some well-chosen tunes, every moment becomes a part of the show, creating memories that last long after the last chord fades.
Holy crap! You see the band “Cod Fish Diaries”, they are blowing up!!
Well, are they? This topic frequently generates questions from ranging from “Are those views real?” to “Are they paying to look bigger?” to “Should I buy followers for my band?”.
For those that don’t know, many bands across the globe, primarily original bands, use a strategy to pay for views, likes, followers, gigs and more. And, it’s ok. It’s a tough industry and sometimes you’ve got to spend some money to hopefully make some.
This article provides a breakdown of different growth strategies as well as the advantages and disadvantages.
Organic Growth
Organic social media growth means naturally building a following through genuine content creation, fan interaction, and word-of-mouth marketing, allowing your audience to grow authentically over time based on real interest in your music and brand.
Purchased Growth
Purchased growth involves paying services to artificially inflate your follower numbers using fake accounts, bots, or inactive profiles to create an immediate appearance of having a larger following.
It’s important to note that while many immediately discredit bands who “pay” for engagement, it’s a strategy used throughout the industry. Some may call it “cheating,” whereas others consider it a “cheat sheet.” Although compelling data and experience suggest bands should not utilize any paid model, it’s certainly present across the industry.
Here is the breakdown of each approach:
Organic Growth
Advantages
1. Authentic Engagement: Real fans interact with your content, which leads to a higher likelihood of merchandise and music purchases. This type of growth provides genuine feedback on your music and content, unlike strange comments from overseas workers. The authentic engagement also contributes to better concert attendance and word-of-mouth promotion.
2. Algorithm Benefits: Platforms favor accounts with authentic engagement and can flag accounts with sporadic increases. The benefits to the algorithm lead to better reach for future posts, higher chances of appearing in “Recommended” sections, and more accurate analytics for audience targeting.
3. Industry Credibility: Labels and promoters can spot authentic followings. It’s easy to see who is paying versus who is authentically getting engagement, which leads to better opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, stronger negotiating positions for deals, and genuine industry connections.
Disadvantages
1. Time Investment: Building a following requires consistent content creation and regular engagement with followers, and it can take months or years to build a substantial following.
2. Resource Intensive: The process demands creative energy and planning, all while maintaining gigs and creating music. It requires real skill in content creation (photos, videos, etc.) and ultimately may lead to additional advertising expenses. This is one of the reasons some bands are hiring social media managers.
Purchased Growth: The Quick Fix?
Advantages
1. Immediate Results: You get an instant boost in follower count and quick appearance of social proof. It can help overcome the “empty room” effect and potentially attract real followers through perceived popularity (lemming effect).
2. Cost Efficiency: The approach offers predictable expenses with guaranteed output. This requires virtually no need for constant content creation and involves lower initial time investment.
Disadvantages
1. Platform Risks: Account suspension, termination, and shadow banning are all risks with purchased followers. This leads to many negative side effects such as reduced organic reach, potential blacklisting from promotional features, and more.
2. Quality Issues: You’ll see low or no engagement rates with obvious fake profiles. Many of the comments appear in broken English, and bot accounts often get purged, damaging account analytics (making it easier to identify what’s real).
3. Industry Reputation: The risk of being exposed for fake followers is significant and can lead to loss of credibility with real fans. It becomes difficult to secure genuine partnerships, and you risk potential backlash.
4. Financial Impact: Growing and promoting a band is expensive. Significant money can be spent on non-converting followers, which leads to potential loss of real fan investment. These actions may lead to resentment and wasted advertising spend on fake audiences.
My opinion
Save your money and invest it in your product, it will continue to pay dividends. For most bands, organic growth is not only the best approach but also the most affordable. If you choose the paid model, doing it properly becomes expensive.
Many bands purchase engagement for one platform, like YouTube, but fail to maintain consistency across other social platforms which can quickly be questioned and lead to lack of trust from fans and industry (there is another article on here about lying to your fans BTW). For example, a video might receive 200,000 views within a week but show no corresponding followers, comments, or posts on Facebook or other platforms. If they do have comments, they are usually broken English or have no real context to the post. Within a week, the video receives no additional views, and other content shows no engagement but the band may be out thousands of dollars.
The problem I see is that all the data is available for those who know how to get it and when it comes to business, integrity is key. Investors mindsets can quickly go from wanting to invest to the thought of deception which is not good for the band or the industry. Mind you, buying market share has been around forever but I guess my point is that the data was not there to show where things were being manipulated. Fast forward to today, you can literally graph where manipulation occurs which makes the risk is much higher now in my opinion.
Here is what a paid engagement looks. This data is freely available and used within industry circles. Notice the spikes.
Here is an example of paid video views. This is where things can get expensive to maintain. If one video gets 200k views, it would be expected that subseqent videos get the same. If the video is removed, set to private..etc, those views are removed from the graph as seen in the negative spike.
Conclusion
While purchasing growth might seem tempting for quick results, the risks and long-term disadvantages typically outweigh the short-term benefits. If you have lots of money, it may be a strategy and it’s actually used by record labels as we speak to sort of jump start artists. However, building an organic following takes more time and effort but creates sustainable success and real connections with fans—the true currency of the music industry.
For bands serious about their career longevity, investing in organic growth while utilizing legitimate promotional tools offers the best path forward. Remember, social media success should ultimately translate to real-world results: streams, sales, and concert attendance. Only genuine followers can provide these outcomes.
I had started on this article a while back. It was a painful article to write to be honest. I wanted to hit delete many times as this article started outlining some real pain in the industry which would frankly not be accepted well by musicians (and I didn’t want someone shooting the messenger).
It reminded me of my own success and failure with original music but ultimately started to make me a bit depressed for the future generations looking to become successful recording artists. The information and stats kept leading to the same question, “How on earth can someone beat the odds?”
Although I’ve rewritten to include only a few sobering stats, my intent, as always, is to share some experience and hopefully provide some information to help others make smart decisions.
Please note: this article is not intended to be gloom and doom but exposing some realities for those who may be interested in pursuing this life.
Let’s talk about original bands. Some are loved, some are hated. I’ve had the great opportunity to be in original bands that toured across the southeast in the early 90’s. In my mind, I still remember them as the “good ol days” but even over 30 years ago, being in an original band was difficult and there was still a lot of love and hate. I think people loved us though.. i think?
Fast forward today, everyone is still opinionated (probably more due to social media) and we’re in a world with over 100,000 songs a day published to Spotify (Jan 2024). Even back in the day, there was a network of folks who would burn cassettes / cd’s and if you were in the know, you had opportunities to get your music heard through those underground channels or performances (when clubs used to book original bands). I always remember a guy who would load me up with tapes when we did shows in Orlando. The underground music scene was alive and well.
Ironically, now bands and artists have the unprecedented ability to put their music worldwide, yet it seems harder than ever to be found due to the sheer volume placed online.
In hopes to resolve that, bands and artists are forced to spend money to even be seen or heard through paid promotions, tour buy-ons, or other marketing strategies. Even the labels themselves have used paid promotions and fake streams to kick start an artist or band. It’s not an uncommon practice and just reenforces the challenges in the industry.
The sobering thought that you released a hit song today and so did over 99,000 other people is a hard pill to swallow, but it happens every single day and growing. Worse, when coupled with people being overwhelmed with other solicitations such as memes and videos and the average human attention span of 8.25 seconds (which is less than the attention span of a goldfish – 9 sec), it’s discouraging at best.
The ugly truth is as an original artist, you’ve selected something which is saturated, and the laws of supply and demand are in full swing. Those desires to be heard, become rich and famous, doing what you love while paying rent quickly become extremely difficult to make happen in a cut throat industry. There is a reason many top artists came from wealthy families.
To add to the sobering state of things, it was discovered that 0.2 percent of artists are “mega” stars, 0.9 percent are mainstream, 1.4 percent are mid-sized, 6.8 percent are “developing” and the whopping 90.7 percent are wholly undiscovered in a study next big sound did.
90.7% UNDISCOVERED???
Getting booked as an undiscovered artist, you don’t want to know those odds.
Geez, thanks for the buzz kill!
Don’t lose hope though. Please continue reading.
Although I don’t have a solution to all the world’s music problems, I would offer a change in mindset may be warranted.
Mindset change #1: maybe we are NOT in the music business anymore and we need to accept that music itself is just a conduit to something bigger.
The music business: the business of selling recordings.
If you’ve not looked around, folks don’t sell albums much anymore. Sales are mostly singles and those are generally streamed. RIAA equates 1500 streams of a track equals one album sale (10 songs). The math can get difficult pending where it’s streamed but it can quickly give you an idea that nobody is getting rich on streams. Spotify is paying $0.003–$0.005 per stream and apple generally does $.01 per stream (not including splits).
How can an artist’s live on that? (many don’t. many, by their own words have become t-shirt salesmen to survive)
Even the traditional record deal doesn’t exist anymore with the introduction the 360 deal in the early 2000’s due to declining revenue of album sales. The days of large advances rarely exist (unless you have millions of followers) and the 360 deal is going to take a piece of anything you put your likeness on.
Point is, selling records is hardly enough to survive on and record label recognize the need for other revenue streams from the artist. This is also an indicator why many artists from the past are now touring.
So what has the industry become?
In simple terms, THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS. That’s embodies selling an experience, media, brand, and something that gets people LOOKING at you.
I say LOOKING at you because people expect to connect with your brand visually now more than ever.
Unlike decades ago, a hit song these days must have some form of media to enhance it to get a look. It doesn’t mean you have to put big budget video on everything (although it helps) but it does mean you have greater odds of a 10 second video view than a link to SoundCloud or Spotify with your latest hit.
Mindset change #2: We must be SEEN to be heard.
I suggest bands shift their mindset on not just music but embrace and invest in their most powerful tool in their arsenal, their ability to connect with people and share their story and experiences. At the end of the day, people are not sold just on a song but the person, band, or artist singing it and their story that makes them unique. There has been many an artist developed strictly from viral videos (that had no previous musical experience). The number of followers indicated potential sales from that brand and labels jumped on it.
People love a good story. What makes you tick? What makes you interesting? Videos that share some insight and maybe a behind the scenes or day in the life will likely engage more with an audience than a simple link to a song.
What else can I do?
Be a good human and connect with people. Whether online or in person, get out to other music events, support other bands and the community. I learned early on that the music industry is smaller than you can imagine. Your reputation and ability to network while treating people well is just as important than the product you create.
What else?
Have a deep understanding of connection within performances. Even with AI at our doorstep writing decent songs in less than a minute, nothing is going to replace the power and raw energy of artists conveying their story and looking people in the eye and sharing a moment collectively. Invest in those opportunities.
The thing is, as an original band, you’ve selected one of the most fulling things in life which is creating art and sharing your gift and message through music. It’s truly amazing when you see others singing your songs. There is no better feeling when people embrace your art. It’s better than the best drug and likely why there are so many attempting it as a career.
Mindset #3: Be real with yourself
When I look at those sobering stats apply this to my own original projects through the decades, was I really ever discovered?
Statistically, NO.
Did I feel like I was doing something huge, of course. But if I were to be real to myself, I was just one of thousands of bands doing the same thing. Being more real, I didn’t hustle as much as I should of because there was this overarching thought that eventually “someone will see us”. In today’s world, you’ve got to either do something really stupid to be put on TikTok or make something so engaging that people can’t look away.
So, did I just waste a decade of my life pursuing original music?
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Those were some of the best times of my life. The memories of those times are priceless to me. My bandmates still joke about stuff that happened back in the day.
And that’s where I want to conclude this article and focus everyone’s attention.
The music business / entertainment business is hard but rewarding at times. Even when the odds are stacked against you, making music is magical. Regardless of if someone “makes it” (i.e. able to pay bills and rent) or struggling on the road to get someone to listen to their material, making original music is about the journey. Although talent, hard work, strategy, funding, hustle, and lots of luck factor into getting to the top, nothing can replace the journey and connecting with folks in the process.
Being original in life is hard when faced with what society deems popular, important, or a standard..etc. The ironic thing is many times, to get to the popularity point that folks dream about, it requires not being original, but I digress.
So, what actually matters? After writing the article, I am reminded this stuff isn’t a race and none of us are curing cancer, although some of us take things WAY to seriously. It’s music, it’s fun, it’s a journey. Remember why you write songs and play in a band in the first place. It’s the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Although the odds are stacked against everyone in this industry, be smart, know the landscape, know yourself, and let your story be heard.
If you are doing the original thing, I salute you for your dedication and wish you all the success you are looking for. Rock on.
There I am, 18 years old, criticizing band after band. “Angus young sucks because he can’t play arpeggios”, “Yngwie has no feel”, “Poison sucks because they look like girls – maybe that’s still true LOL”. Point is, I’m reminded of that guy often and how much I want to invent a time machine simply to go back and punch that guy in the face. It’s amazing that the older we get, the more we realize how ignorant we really are.
Looking back, that kid was filled with pride and envy. He didn’t want others to succeed or somehow needed to comment on everything to try and gain some form of authority as if he was anywhere near the level of those touring artists. What a jerk and idiot. However, that level of thinking is still around and prevalent. Why? because it’s a human instinct and it impacts the music industry more than ever locally, regionally, and internationally due to social media.
In my research on this phenomenon (because I’m not a psychologist, I’m a dumb musician and businessman), a study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and said: Envy occurs when someone lacks another’s superior quality, achievement, or possession, and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it. This complex emotion can be particularly acute in competitive environments like the music industry, where success is often subjective and elusive.
This article is about that human instinct and often unspoken phenomenon that can hinder personal growth and community cohesion. It’s going to try and tackle the complex reason why the more someone else gets success, the more folks tend to want them not to succeed, and usually it’s the closest people you know.
Let’s first discuss the roots of envy. Here are some of the more common things musicians face:
Comparative Mindset: Musicians may constantly compare themselves to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy or resentment when they perceive others as more successful.
Scarcity Mentality: In a field where opportunities and recognition can be limited, musicians may fear that someone else’s success diminishes their own chances of achieving similar recognition.
Insecurity: Feelings of self-doubt or imposter syndrome can exacerbate envy, as individuals may struggle to validate their own worth in the face of others’ achievements.
Perceived Unfairness: When musicians believe that others have achieved success through luck or nepotism rather than talent and hard work, envy can arise as a response to perceived injustice.
So, who cares? We all should.
The consequences of envy within the music community can be detrimental both personally and professionally. Here are some key examples and things I’ve seen just in our area:
A Negative Self-Perception: Constant comparison to others can erode musicians’ self-esteem and confidence in their abilities. I’ve seen players who were truly amazing discredit themselves to the point they believed themselves and no longer performed at the same levels before.
Strained Relationships: Envy may create tension and resentment between musicians, undermining collaboration, and camaraderie within the community and bands. I’ve seen where musicians have put strain on band leaders trying to get them to adopt what other bands are doing because of perceived success, ultimately creating more stress, expense, and time for the band leader.
Stagnation: Focusing on others’ success instead of personal growth can hinder musicians’ creative development and career advancement. I’ve seen where band members were so worried about what others were doing, they failed to put the effort in their own band to be successful.
Here’s the good news. While envy is a natural emotion, we can take some proactive steps to mitigate its impact, which should enhance your mental well-being and professional success. Easier said than done but consider these simple mindset changes.
Practice Gratitude: Cultivating a mindset of gratitude can help musicians appreciate their own achievements and blessings, reducing the inclination to compare themselves to others. Setting small goals and achieving them is an amazing booster for me personally. Seeing bands support one another and coming out to the venue is a big booster for me.
Focus on Personal Growth: Instead of fixating on others’ successes, musicians can channel their energy into improving their skills, expanding their repertoire, and setting and achieving their own goals. Personally, I’ll use others’ successes as a possible roadmap. There is a reason they are successful, instead of trying to fight them, learn from them.
Celebrate Others’ Successes: Rather than viewing others’ achievements as threats, musicians can choose to celebrate their peers’ successes and use them as sources of inspiration and motivation. I can testify that bands who support other bands ultimately do better than those who do not.
Provided from Psychology Today
Anyway, this was a weird article to write but I felt led to write it because it exists in our community. I’m no expert on psychology but I don’t mind sharing the things I’ve seen, felt, and experienced in this regard.
I’ve learned that things like envy can prevent us from growing and experiencing happiness, the same as resentment, jealousy…etc (there are previous articles on that as well). Ultimately, I hope this article can bring some thought and possibly a positive change to our community. Rock On!
As our local music scene welcomes new bands, I’ve always been eager to facilitate connections among musicians, hoping they’ll create something fresh and impactful in our community. Yet, the journey of forming and sustaining a band is undeniably challenging. Keeping a band together, even more so.
Through my experiences in both Original and Cover Bands, I’ve come to recognize certain warning signs that, if ignored, can lead to a band’s downfall. In sharing these insights, my intention is to offer assistance to fellow musicians, drawing from both the highs and lows of my own musical journey.
Below are some key indicators to watch out for. The good news is, if you’re starting or currently in a band and notice these signs, you can address them early to prevent resentment, conflicts, and other negative outcomes.
1. Lack of Enjoyment
The camaraderie offstage lays the foundation for on-stage chemistry. If spending time together outside rehearsals feels strained or uneasy, it can translate into uninspired performances and a general apathy towards the band. Address any disagreements respectfully, aiming to strengthen understanding among members. I recall a band I was part of where one member’s constant negativity made being around them draining. Choose your bandmates wisely, prioritizing enjoyment as a fundamental value.
2. Poor Marketing
Talent alone isn’t sufficient to propel a band to success. Effective marketing is equally essential. Merely relying on social media may not suffice; a comprehensive marketing strategy tailored to your goals is crucial. In my experience, a well-executed marketing approach can yield significantly greater opportunities and revenue for a band whereas a lack of marketing and drive to get gigs can leave members looking elsewhere.
3. Poor Attendance
Declining audience turnout indicates a band’s diminishing relevance. Whether due to performance quality, promotional efforts, internal conflicts, or stagnation in repertoire, consistently low attendance signals trouble for the band’s longevity. While occasional fluctuations are normal, attendance should be monitored as a key performance indicator, particularly regarding attracting new fans. If you are not growing, you are dying.
4. Different Goals
A band’s strength lies in its shared vision. Divergent aspirations among members can lead to confusion and discord. It’s crucial to align on goals and commitments, ensuring everyone is working towards a common purpose. Mismatched goals, whether regarding repertoire or aspirations, can hinder progress and foster resentment among bandmates.
5. Lack of Enthusiasm / Victim Mindset
When passion wanes, so does the band’s energy. If rehearsals become burdensome, gigs feel like chores, and meetings lack enthusiasm, it’s a sign of trouble. Additionally, adopting a victim mindset, blaming external factors for lack of success, can stifle growth. Cultivating enthusiasm and maintaining a positive mindset are essential for a band’s resilience and success.
6. Good enough attitudes
Maintaining a “good enough” attitude within your band can be detrimental to its success. When some members settle for mediocrity while others strive for excellence, it can lead to resentment and discord among the group. To truly make an impact in the music scene, it’s essential to set high standards collectively and hold each other accountable to meet them. By fostering a culture of excellence and mutual accountability, your band can achieve its full potential and leave a lasting impression on both audiences and the industry.
7. Unchecked Egos
The delicate balance between confidence and humility is crucial for a band’s longevity. While it’s important to celebrate achievements and maintain morale, adopting a superiority mindset can lead to discord and the band’s demise. Entitlement breeds resentment among peers and fans, resulting in fewer opportunities and a downward spiral of morale and prospects. Internal tensions can escalate as conflicting egos clash, eroding trust and camaraderie until the band fractures irreparably. Therefore, maintaining humility and respect is vital for fostering a healthy environment that sustains unity and longevity.
In wrapping up, managing and sustaining a band can be quite the challenge. We’re a collection of artistic souls with our own emotions, egos, and aspirations. However, by recognizing these factors and addressing challenges head-on, bands can continue doing what they do best: creating music and enjoying the journey. Keep rocking on!
Many musicians may not realize it, but every time they perform live, the venue hosting the event is required to pay fees for any cover music played. These fees are mandated by Performance Royalty Organizations (PROs) such as the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), and SESAC. While these organizations aim to ensure fair compensation for music creators, there are growing concerns about their impact on small businesses that sporadically host live entertainment.
The Purpose of PROs
PROs were established to safeguard the intellectual property rights of music creators, ensuring they receive compensation whenever their music is publicly performed. These organizations collect licensing fees from businesses and organizations that use music in their establishments, such as restaurants, bars, clubs, and live music venues. These fees are then distributed to the songwriters, composers, and publishers based on various factors like the frequency of performances and the size of the audience. They represent millions of musical works and serve as intermediaries between music creators and businesses that use music in their operations. Their role is not only to collect and distribute royalties but also to monitor public performances, enforce licensing agreements, and advocate for the rights of their members.
And for the record, I like that idea. I love the idea that hardworking songwriters are reimbursed for their talents. However, in my experience, none of the great songwriters I know have made a dime unless they manually enter in a performance. Let’s be real, there are no PROs in the crowd writing on a notepad the songs that are being performed, and therefore there is no accountability towards who should get paid. There is nobody checking… period. I’m not all that smart, but if there is nobody checking, how does the money get distributed properly? It doesn’t. BMI has recently provided an online option for performers to account for performances of their material, which seems like a start in the right direction. However, I’ve personally already seen this abused by an individual in the community that didn’t even have a song and said they performed at one of our locations. BMI paid them because there is no accountability. This means that now there is another level of fraud on the horizon taking away from songwriters. It’s just bad.
Hurting Small Businesses? And More Importantly, Musicians?
While the mission of PROs is to ensure fair compensation for music creators, the fees and licensing requirements they impose can present challenges for small businesses, particularly those with limited resources that host live entertainment only occasionally. Rather than options to pay the statutory rates per song performed by the artists, a yearly fee is created based on factors of the size of the business, if people dance, how many TVs, do they have karaoke?, how about a jukebox?, dance floor?, total capacity… etc. Each one of those factors will determine the amount the venue will need to pay. Mind you, not just one, but several PROs. Sure, it’s the cost of doing business, however, when you are dealing with spending thousands so you can have a guy or gal play an acoustic on a Thursday night, small businesses start to wonder if live music is worth the expense. There are actually venues which now stipulate if you report to the PROs, you are not invited to play (just heard that last night… CRAZY!)
Furthermore, understanding and complying with the licensing requirements set forth by PROs can be complex and time-consuming for small business owners. The process often involves navigating through a maze of legal jargon and paperwork, which can be overwhelming for those without legal expertise or dedicated administrative staff. Failure to obtain the necessary licenses or comply with PRO regulations can expose small businesses to legal risks, including lawsuits and financial penalties. PROs are like a mafia and aggressively pursue businesses that use music without proper authorization, regardless of whether the infringement was intentional or inadvertent. This in itself is enough to scare venues into not doing live music. It’s no joke, check out the articles below.
So here is my concern. If the amount of money being paid to PROs is not reimbursed somehow through the live music being performed, venues will stop doing live music. If the PRO’s continue to use threat tactics to venues, this encourages the decline of live music. All in all, these things impacts the musician’s ability to have a job as well as the songwriter’s ability to make money when live music is no longer affordable. Everyone loses.
I suppose that’s the cost of doing business with live music and if it were not already bad enough for bands and musicians, expect a “fee” to be taken from the band in the future. I could easily see a venue trying to offset the payment of the band with some sort of fee.. which doesn’t sound good to me as a musician, or maybe the venue just can’t afford to pay as much because of the fees.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m not a fan of the money grab with zero accountability and the money not going to the right people. Not a fan of fees based on the full potential capacity…etc. I think Congress should look into this a bit deeper and maybe rewrite some of the rules regarding the abstract fees.
The other frustrating thing is most venues don’t pay it; they just ignore it and hope to not get sued. I can’t in good faith do that, but likely the venue you are supporting with live music does not pay any licensing. If you are a songwriter and want to be on the side of the PROs, you probably shouldn’t be playing those places, but who am I kidding, this stuff only matters when money comes out of your pocket. LOL.
Harmony is a vital part of what makes a band sound great. The ability to harmonize throughout a melody immediately causes listeners to take note. However, many leaders fail to recognize that the most important harmony in a band is not audible. It’s the harmony that’s a physical bond and trust among band members and a leader’s ability to guide a band towards collective success.
I’m going to share a perspective which has ultimately led me to managing and building successful bands. If you’ve read any of my previous articles, you will see them talking about components of a successful bands such as same commitment, work ethic, and values, however, this one is directed at leadership.
Let’s first get this out of the way. Do you have to be born a leader to manage and lead a band? No. Matter of fact, industry has begun to acknowledge that people become leaders as a result of experiences (experiences = surviving mistake). I’ve often talked about going back in a time machine to punch myself in the face and this is no different. My actions as a young leader were terrible at best. Fortunately, I’m a quick learn and my survival of mistake (experience) has lead to some positive results decades later.
In this article, we’re going to talk leadership in a method of revolution versus evolution. With many years in management roles, leading teams, bands, companies, and even sports teams for my kids, I’ve been fortunate to learn some really valuable lessons and I can certainly testify that Theodore Roosevelt knew what he was talking about when he said “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”.
It’s my hope that some young person who is starting a band will read this and consider that leadership is not about a title of being a boss and barking orders, rather, a skill that is about building teams and helping others.
Revolution vs. Evolution:
John Maxwell once said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” This quote encapsulates the essence of leadership as a guiding force that navigates the path towards a common goal. However, the way leaders choose to tread this path and the outcomes can vary significantly.
Revolutionary Approach
A revolutionary approach to leadership in managing a band may entail swift decisions, imposing authority, and prioritizing results above all else. Although that may sound like a quick way to success, and generally used in the industry through “hired guns” (fired guns / commodities), it’s my opinion that it doesn’t truly build a band.
As an extreme example, if someone put a gun to your head and told you to do something, chances are you comply quickly. At no point in time would you respect the person who is forcing the action, nor trust them.
Assuming your band leader does not pull a gun on you, what about a band leader yelling about someone’s ability to not play something? Maybe threatening that they will be fired from the band? Docking pay…etc?
While an approach with threatening words can yield immediate outcomes to many band members, it often fails to cultivate genuine respect and loyalty among band members. Instead of fostering collaboration and empowerment, the band members will ultimately have resentment and discord, ultimately undermining the cohesion and morale of the group and causing breakups or a rotating door of musicians in the band.
This type of leadership style often comes from growing up in an environment where authority is based on punishment and not reward. Generally, a hierarchical mindset or power which is completely opposite of what a band is, an ensemble of peers going for the same goal with mutual respect.
Is there a place for this style? sure.. the music industry has it now with hired guns. It is the easiest model to hire and fire musicians as commodities. Musicians are simply employees.
However, in the context of building bands, this method rarely works in my experience. I’ve witnessed band leaders to this day in our area whose reputation has been completely ruined and regardless of the great people in the band, the leader will likely never get support from the community because of the way they treated and led their band.
Evolutionary Approach
Contrastingly, an evolutionary approach to leadership prioritizes relationship-building, mentorship, and personal growth over immediate results. As John Maxwell aptly stated, “Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” In the context of managing a band, this means investing time and effort into understanding each member’s strengths, aspirations, and challenges, and providing the necessary support and guidance to help them thrive.
In the most successful bands I’ve led. I’ve made it a point to build on strengths, not weakness. Understanding members strengths and weaknesses allows a leader to grab on to the greatness of the player and showcase it.
A leader who adopts an evolutionary approach prioritizes open dialogue, active listening, and collaborative decision-making. By encouraging input from all members and fostering a culture of mutual respect, the band can harness the collective creativity and synergy of its members. A leader still must make the tough decisions, but the transparent dialog continues to foster trust and respect of the final decisions.
As an evolutionary leader, it’s not expected you are the one who does the greatest work, rather about you being a cheerleader to get the greatest work from your bandmates. This translates to providing mentorship, constructive feedback, and opportunities for growth to each member. By nurturing their talents and fostering a sense of ownership and accountability, the leader empowers band members to unleash their full potential.
Last, every great band is driven by a compelling vision and a shared sense of purpose. An evolutionary leader inspires and motivates band members by articulating a clear vision, aligning individual goals with collective objectives, and leading by example. By instilling a sense of purpose and passion in their work, the leader galvanizes the band towards greatness.
Conclusion
You have a choice as a leader. You can be a Boss, make the rules, and drive members to comply or you can embrace an evolutionary approach to leadership, rooted in relationship-building, empowerment, and vision that cultivates a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation. One may work in the short term but the other will continue to rock for decades. Rock on!
This short article was inspired by our own local legend Val Smith, from the band Midlife Crisis. If you are on the Facebook, inevitably you will see posts and shares from Val in regards to just about any live music event and band. What’s most impressive is that he even shares others band events that would technically compete with his band on the same nights. Val, like many in our area, represent what is good in our community. Steve Hutson, you are another one with your events listings (thank you).
So, without further ado and a little sarcasm. Welcome to Pro Tip #44
So, you’re in a band, huh? Living the dream, killing it in the wiregrass, and making all that money at your local watering hole. You are the best and can play three steps like nobody’s business. But hey, have you ever stopped to think about the other bands out there trying to make it? No? Well, you should, because if you’re not supporting your fellow musicians, you’re basically sucking at life. Let me tell you why.
It’s Called Solidarity
Duh! Imagine a world where every band was just out for themselves, only caring about their own gigs and their own success. Yeah, sounds pretty lame, right? Supporting each other creates a sense of unity in the music scene. So, if you’re not sharing your fellow band’s posts or showing up to their shows, you’re basically telling the world, “I’m too cool to care about anyone else.” Congrats, you suck.
Karma’s a Bitch
You know that feeling when you’re desperately trying to get people to come to your gig, but it feels like pulling teeth? Well, guess what? If you’ve been a selfish jerk and haven’t supported other bands, don’t expect them to come flocking to your shows. Karma’s got a funny way of biting you in butt.
Networking, Baby!
Here’s a little secret: the music industry is kinda all about who you know. By supporting other bands, you’re not just being a good person, you’re also expanding your network. Who knows, that band you helped out might just return the favor one day and introduce you to someone who could change your life. But hey, who needs connections when you’ve got your own ego to stroke, right?
The Power of Social Media
Ah, social media, the holy grail of self-promotion. Sharing posts and events from other bands not only helps them out but also shows your followers that you’re not a self-centered narcissist. Win-win, my friend.
Because, Seriously, Who Wants to Be Known as That Band?
You know the one I’m talking about. The band that everyone rolls their eyes at because they’re too busy patting themselves on the back to lend a hand to anyone else. Don’t be that band. It’s important to market yourself well but be the one that’s known for lifting others up and making the music scene a better place for everyone as well.
Last thoughts
On a less sarcastic note, folks like Val and Steve are great humans. They do this for the love of the community and expect nothing in return. As humans, I think it’s easy to do things like this and then ultimately start to feel resentment when others don’t do the same or even support with a like or comment. I encourage us all to start sharing, at a minimum, when your band is not playing a date. Being part of a community and showing support certainly pays dividends. I’ve seen this time and time again with bands that perform at Live at Harlow’s. It has nothing to do with me but there is an bond of sorts that comes from performing on that stage. I’m always extremely proud to see bands that have played at the venue share gigs, share experiences, and make lasting friendships. Our community has an opportunity to make our area a live music hotspot, but we’ve got to work together. All ships rise at high tide!
