Decided I'm going to give my music career dreams a shot. Looking for help.

[Rockvoid]

Hello to everyone at HC! I'm going to try to be clear about what I do, what my goals are, what my current situation is, and what my expectations are, so the community here will be more equipped to answer my questions. I am 23 years old (24 next month). I'm male, I play guitar, and I'm from a small town near Nashville. The genre of music I desire to play is hard rock. I currently have very limited band experience, and limited writing experience. Albeit, I have written some parts to songs, guitar parts, and such. I feel I am very talented at my instrument, but am not under the illusion that that's enough in itself. My ultimate goal is to make it as an original artist, as part of an original band. I realize that this will require me to have put together a band, have written original material, and have some decent funds saved, none of which I currently have. But all of which I'm currently working on. I also currently live out of state from where I'm originally from, due to an opportunity that arose for me unrelated to music. But have recently done some soul-searching and decided that this is what I truly want. I'm now looking to relocate back to Nashville. I want to make informed decisions in my career, with realistic goals. I obviously hope for the best case scenario outcome, but am willing to accept that my goals may only be carried out to a certain degree of what I set out for. With that said, I'm confident that with the hard work I'm willing to put in, I'm bound to at least see some form of success, and have some sort of rewarding career from my endeavors. What I'm asking for is advice. Let's just take my scenario and put it into play- If I'm 23-24 years old, I have decided I want to pursue my music career dreams, I have a pretty high level of guitar/music-related talent, limited band/writing experience, I have not yet saved the appropriate funds, and am looking to move into the music city and begin the journey of pursuing my goals. What do I need to be doing? What is the timeline I should give myself as to when some of these goals should be accomplished? What valuable information should I arm myself with in order to make as many smart/informed moves and as few senseless/wasteful moves as possible? Thank you so much for reading my thread. I hope some of the people here have some good insight for me. If there is more information I need to provide in order for you to make a better response, please let me know. Thanks!

[daddymack]

So, fill in some blanks...have you got a degree from an accredited university? What is your day job? How much time per day do you spend practicing, writing and networking?

 

If you want to pursue this from a performance aspect, it all starts with killer material. But that is never enough. What you really need today is a solid network that may get you noticed. And looks...gotta have looks. Having a band may work against you. Write some great songs, produce a killer demo. Make a fabulous video, get it on youtube and get a million hits on your youtube channel.

 

Sorry, but so many people come here thinking we know how to do it, and frankly if I knew, after over forty years of trying and coming close, I still don't have the answers. Your admission that at 23 your playing isn't outstanding and your writing experience is limited says you are already behind the competition. Go back to 'Nashvegas', spend some time at the writer's workshops and the showcases and then figure out if you have what it takes to beat these guys at this game. Sadly, at the moment, you probably don't...and most likely, by the time you do, you will be too old to be marketable in an industry that eats youth three meals a day, and sends legacy acts to Vegas, Indian Casinos and Branson. I would like to see you prove me wrong, though.

 

So, alternatives?

Get your skills up and teach, get studio/session work, solo gigs. Write songs and find other people to record them, or write material and place it with music libraries and such. Work for a label, gear manufacturer, retailer, studio.

 

I have done almost all these...and didn't hit it big. Because there is one component, and the true key to it all: luck. Call it being in the right place at the right time with the right product and the right look. Call it knowing the right people who can open the right doors at the right moment. Call it serendipity...whatever, but I will bet that 99.99999% of people who set out to be a success in the industry don't, and that 90+% of the successes are more by dint of happenstance than pure effort...not that effort isn't important, but talent+effort+training...do not equal success in the biz.

 

You see the successes all the time and you assume you can do that...but I can honestly say I know over a thousand musicians here [Los Angeles] that are much more talented, dedicated and skilled than I am who have not succeeded even as well as I have, and they all thought they were going to be the next big thing. I also know a number who have succeeded briefly, and then for one reason or another, fallen from grace and languish in obscurity.

[Rockvoid]

I've had lots of people tell me I'm too old. It's hurts to hear people say that. I don't think I am. I think I'm at the right age to do it. I never said I was a bad player. I'm a good player. But my lack of band experience does put me at a disadvantage. I think a couple of years o hard work could possibly put me further ahead and on the brink of getting noticed. By then I'll be 26-27, still very young and marketable. Besides, a rock band doesn't have to be 15-18 years old like these little bubble gum stars. I fully understand and agree with what your saying regarding people working hard and not making it. I also agree with the looks. I'm 6'2", thin, long-blonde hair, and good-looking. I don't think I'll have a problem. Thanks for replying to my question. Good information.

[Rockvoid]

I don't have a college degree either. I probably practice average of 5 hours per day on my guitar. But some days I practice more. I try to network as much as possible, but not having a band or any material or performig experience seem to make this aspect useless ATM. Though I have met some people within the industry while doing other things. I don't currently have a job, which is a long story. But I'm currently seeking employment. I've planned out a timeline of my goals. I want to have achieved all of my main goals while stille in my 20s. I hope to be 26-29 years old when I accomplish them. Far cry I know, but I'm willing to work that hard.

[daddymack]

Remember, every fork in the road presents a tough decision. Goals are great to have, but be prepared to alter them as things progress...or don't.

A band is not necessarily what you need.

Writing songs will have to come naturally, it can't be forced; but expose yourself to other people's material whenever possible, study what you like about it, learn what to avoid from what you don't like...try collaborating with other like-minded writers.

Get out and gig as a solo...even if it just open mics, and have someone shoot video of you, preferably at an open mic where there is audience interaction, and study it...you will learn a ton about where you need to improve and where your current strengths lie.

and network, network, network...form a group/coalition of reliable musicians who can be called upon for gigs, side work, etc., and try to be the 'go to' guy for these people.

Also, get some 'inexpensive' but well designed business cards printed up, and hand them out to anyone who asks.

[Rockvoid]

Thank you for taking the time to provide good responses!

[WRGKMC]

Unless you're as lucky as the guy who wind the lottery, the chances of success in the music business, "is" going to be just as tough. There are so many good musicians out there playing for nothing just breaking into a position that pays you back for you investment of time and money is rare. I did it back during the 70's/80's and dam near killed myself just making ends meet. I was taking courses in electronics during that time and it was a good move on my part. As they say it takes money to make money and if you want to have a functional band, you have to have the gigs before you think about quitting your day job.

 

The last cover band I was in about 8 years ago made good money. We made about $2500 an night split 4 ways which was pretty good. Problem was we only gigged once a month or so, so it wasn't like you could live on that. When you figured in all the hours of rehearsal time, I doubt I came close to earning minimum wage.

 

Still if its something you love, don't let me discourage you. I'm 57 now and I still play every day and I've built myself a pretty decent studio. I have little desire to play out any more. If I do I can go see any of my buddies playing in full time working bands and they would call me up to jam with them. They owe me so many favors over the years its one way they pay me back for all the repair work and studio time I've given them. Having done what they are doing, I still have a soft heart for helping them out. I only wish I knew someone like myself when I was doing the same.

[AJ6stringsting]

I was a road dog ( touring musician for years) in my 20's, went all over Canada. the U.S. and occasionally Mexico.

Never got to be on Mtv back in the 80's, but I was in a couple of bands that open for some of the then up and coming bands.

Seen places, different people, played with great musicians had great fun too. I would never trade those experiences for nothing and I wouldn't change a thing .... maybe a couple of things ... LOL !!!!

All I'm saying is go for it !!!!