Most musicians I know hold a dream to someday ‘make it’ in the music business. To play in front of huge crowds and live a lifestyle that they can only imagine. Many of us believe that we’ll someday get there. Unfortunately most of us find ourselves growing older with an ever increasing fear that we’re missing the boat.
We’re conditioned to believe that if we’re going to make it then we have to do it at a young age. I had already started to have this feeling when I was in my early 20′s. I felt like I was slacking because I hadn’t ‘made it’ yet.
So how old is too old? Well, I think what we need to look at is the fundamental equation the whole business boils down to. It’s a value exchange between the audience and the artist. The audience pays money for the value they get from the artist. So ask yourself: how old would a performer have to be before you stopped receiving value from them? Would you not pay for a great artist who was 65 years old? I would. One of the best performances I’ve ever seen was a rock and roll band of men who were all in their 80′s!
So if people are willing to pay for good music then what’s standing in your way?
I saw an artist last night who didn’t mention her name once. There were no visual cues to let me know who she was. She never mentioned anything about CDs or merch for sale. No website. No mailing list. Nothing. When the show was over, she walked off the stage and into the dressing room.
It’s easy to look at her and see what she did wrong. What’s more difficult to see is that to one degree or another, most of us are making similar mistakes. A lot of musicians fall into the trap of thinking that either they’re going to be ‘discovered’ or nothing is going to happen at all, so there’s no real need or urgency to actually do the right things to grow an audience and a career.
So I urge you, instead of having your head in the imaginary future all the time, to take an honest look at where you are now. You have positive things going for you right now. It’s time you capitalize on those things and make the most of what you’ve got in front of you. Success is created in the present, not the future. You may never get to play Wembley Stadium or sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, but you can absolutely have more and more fans coming to your shows. You can have a room full of people screaming your name. It may not be a 60,000 seat venue, but believe me, it will feel good.
What you need to do is let go of the belief that someday someone is going to make it easy for you and instead take 100% responsibility for your career. Have CDs and merch for sale and take responsibility for learning how to sell them. Have a mailing list and learn how to get people on it and how to use it. Take responsibility for letting people know who you are and how they can stay connected to you. Good things will happen in the real world when you step up to the plate, and believe me it will feel even better than when they happen in your imagination, no matter how old you are.
Article by Scott James of The Independent Rockstar Blog.
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I completely agree, if your heart is in it then nothing can stop accept your mortality
nicely written, Scott. (once again!)
I wouldn’t stop seeing / paying to see an artist unless they fell off performance-wise in their later years… But outside of that reason, there’s really no ‘age’ to music itself. Who cares how wrinkly the guy/gal playing the music is? Doesn’t matter a bit. Only the music does.
Your never to old to play music for fans and friends. Yes. It is good to understand the dream of future. We all love that. We don’t all do that, mostly we are busy working and paying bills. However, we all love Music. That is the main reason to do the work. The rewards are pleasant. But do we have a crystal ball? Can we really tell if folks love us or hate us before were big time? Bottom line is we are here to make music and have fun, so our listeners and fans have fun too.
Just as there was only one Marilyn Monroe there is only one Amy Winehouse or Madonna or YOU, or whoever you wish to name that is a fave Star. That means fans can’t get what you have anywhere else. Nothing beats the real deal. And it’s worth paying for. Know why? Because that decade will never be again…the styles, clothes, hair makeup, and music can’t be repeated the same. Clone bands do their best attempt but it pales when compared to the real band. The farther away from the 1980′s or 90′s you get, the harder it is to bring it back, even on Film. So what do we conclude here? : This time, right now will never be again, when it’s gone it’s gone.. So ya gotta get out there and have fun on the Strip or the Festival show! Jump right in!
Damn right, no matter how old the artist, if the show rocks or takes you where you want to go then people will continue to attend. Saw Lionel hampton in his 80,s and the show was still representing his talent. The real shame are the acts who haven’t grown in many years and still think they deserve to be rewarded on last decades efforts. We all appreciate hard work in entertainment or food service or whatever and those who rest on laurels will get what they are due. Too many mcdonalds’ too many convenience stores, too many artists all fighting for the same dollar, so lets reward those whose produce a product that satisfies our need for new experiences.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this re-inspiring article… Many years ago, (before another band stole the moniker). I belonged to a band called Blacklist Union. We were a hard-rock/heavy metal band from Rhode Island. We had a tremendous guitarist, bassist and drummer. We were the future… Then as all things happen, there was a breakup and we were no more. It had gotten me to thinking. Maybe this isn’t it for me… Now. Almost a decade later I have realized that if you really want something bad enough, you have to earn it. Just like any great athlete. It is not just being in the right place in the right time, or knowing the right people. It really comes down to having the talent and knowing how to make it seen, heard, and most of all… PROFITABLE. Let’s face it, no one ever picked up a guitar, a bass, drumsticks, or a mic without ever once dreaming of being “IT”… Once again Scott. I thank you for the incite as well as the faith to keep on pushing…. Everyone needs to really listen to you and learn. By the way, have you ever heard of “Blacklist Union”? I think you will find the guitarist to be absolutely amazing, as I do….
I always knew it all along. Because it doesn’t compute, the age thing and the musicality. I’ve been all over the world trying 2 make it. Hey, but the truth of the matter is the process and the urge to create and produce what I consider quality music, despite the hindrances from lack of technological affordability. I now play bass with my left hand, keys with my right hand while singing supported by my DR – 880 alone and whip it like a solid 4-piece band funky band. Not a lot are convinced as yet. So,I must resort to making videos up for Youtube. It’s music that matters
The problem is one of ‘Perception’. And that is the hardest 2 change on people’s mnds.
Age is mind over matter –
That said, if you are an ‘older’ artist, chances are you will fair better aiming at the ‘older’ audience. To try to break into the Hip Hop craze at 40 plus, unless you could pass for 19, is not your best option.
That said, it is true that in todays market you must work harder, regardless of your age. You must reach out to your fans, and work hard to gain new ones.
If you are not a fan of you, why should I be a fan?
Love the positive outlook, great post!
Thanks for the comments everyone. Nick – yeah I think I know that guy!
That was good stuff. I miss those days. When is the Blacklist re-Union tour?
I totally agree! Part of the problem is that you’re not really trying to convince all the 80 year olds reading this blog they can still live their rock star dreams, haha, but the way things are those of us mid 20s and beyond are made to feel we missed the boat!
And like the poster mentioned above with hip hop (did you see the episode of Marriage Ref with the white stock broker middle aged dad who lived a double life as an aspiring rapper? haha!), I’ll never, for example, be the next Teen craze… nor do I want to be. But as you said so well, by taking responsibility for the career I do want, that fits what I do… I can make it happen, one way or another!!
I also think that as the big label machine continues to fail, even if it reinvents itself, it will be something very different from what it was… anyway, I think people see through all the cookie cutter ‘made’ type artists and hype, people are developing a taste for the real thing it seems… which is good for us who may not fit what the old industry machine would have seen as a marketable package age/image wise. Image is important sure, but you know what I mean right?! Great music is great music, even if you’re -omg- 35 years old or something. (for the record I’m 29! haha)
Scott, wow, man, thanks for the butt-kickin’! I really needed that today. I’m 44 and finally did invest in myself after waiting for others to do it for so long. I borrowed the money and made a live CD in front of about 250 friends and family. It’s on sale, actually, on CDBaby, iTunes and the others. But now I’m running out of friends and family who’ll buy it. I wondered if this was the end. You kicked me out of THAT hole. I appreciate everything you guys write by way of instruction. You are the man. Blessings to you today.