The music biz is GREAT!!!
It can be great - It is what you make it.
THIS IS WHAT I'M SAYING.

Trust me, it can be.

Now just ease off the protective daddy role and let some reality sink into Mr. " i want to be famous" and let's see what and where his decisions now take him. The truth has been delivered by many in this thread.

...cause sittin here talking on the forum covering the "hopeful dream" category ain't gonna cut it.

My rule of conduct is not to reply to my own topic unless someone else has brought it back up. Anything else is cheating the system. So, since you've brought me back, I'm going to say a few things.


When I create a thread, I honestly try to put some real, positive thought into my post, beforehand.

Here on these forums (which are a real blessing), I've gone on about a million things; about the Vegas software, about the forums themselves, or I've tried to be funny, or even talk politics. Whatever the topic was, my goal has always been to stir the group into doing what we do best, express ourselves. Sometimes the topics go for a real spin, and sometimes they stay right on the mark, but I feel best when someone can wrote a meaningful reply, a gem like the one by vicmilt.

I do hope that all of you know how much I appreciate the hard work of any of you lucky enough to work in the industry. It has not been my intention to disregard hard-work at the drop of desire. I don't come here to stain your community.

Let me tell you my own little story now. In the past I was actually offered a few chances to work in the industry, and I failed simply because I did not have the effort, the real ethic that will get you by. Back then, when I did not have what it took, I couldn't hang on. It was embarrassing, because I thought I had the gift. Eventually, I bit the bullet and got a job delivering pizzas. I worked hard and I forced myself (doing the most simple of tasks) to never ever give up on anything I committed myself to and knew I could complete, and to always work harder. As silly as it may sound, if I got lost delivering a pizza, I couldn't just give up and throw the box away! Yet, that was a real struggle, and so I learned. So, when someone comes on this thread and gives me a good talk'n to, describing what an ignorant, egocentric, childish, bone-head of garbage they think I am, well, I am only encouraged to re-examine myself and try harder. This thread has been all about that; taking defeat and digesting success.

So remember that if something I said has upset you, and you decide to reply, it only keeps the links up top, and gives this topic and my brain more food for feeding. Just please, try not to be so upset with me (cough, jaydeeee, cough). Just read my above apologies. I tried to offer an explanation! So thank you all again for such a fantastic thread, so far at least.

>>>Let people have fun and dream<<<

Maybe we should have the "fun and dreams" section on this board?
That way anybody ready to get serious can post in the other threads.

Oh by the way, I recorded two new songs last night too, and they're not techno.

Jon Lyons - "Till There Was You" (cover)

Jon Lyons - "Maybe" (original)

I arranged both pieces and play everything that isn't his guitar or vocals. Well, I did some vocal arrangement towards the end of "Maybe", but you'll quickly be able to tell when my influence slips in. Heck, since you seem to have brought me back, why not throw in some more fuel for the fire!!!

I find that I'm more and more accepting of people expressing bravery and less and less accepting of those expressing caution and humility to the point of not doing anything for fear that it might offend somebody.

Ready, fire, aim!

If somebody just wakes up one day feeling like he wants to do something GRRREEEAATTTT!!!!, I will support him.

I certainly won't stand in his way and offer morality lectures.

Those can come 10-20 years later if things don't work out :O)

There was a wonderful program on PBS about Broadway stars. Some of them got famous right away, others found neighbors leave bread and sausage outside their apartment door every evening for 10 years, without which they wouldn't have been able to stay alive until they became famous enough to make a living.

Different strokes for different folks!

Anything I can do for you, Jonathan, I'll be happy to help.

I love people who try.

Even if they fail. Again. And again.

Perhaps it's because that's how I had to get so many of my successes. Try, fail, try again, fail, try again, Da Capo, usually in front of a choir of naysayers who were vocal about why I couldn't possibly be able to do whatever it was I had set out to do.

Afterwards you won't even remember the hard work (or the naysayers), only the result....

>>>Let me tell you my own little story now. In the past I was actually offered a few chances to work in the industry, and I failed simply because I did not have the effort, the real ethic that will get you by.<<<<

Excellent! Let's borrow from Star Wars now..."you've just took your first step into a larger world".

Proactive: Now go find a teacher (not easy, you'll go thru many to find the right one) who will a) be honest b) really try and help your help yourself c) the biggie - is accomplished and knows how to show you the training YOU must do.

** all this only IF you have the "talent" you talk about.


>>>Just please, try not to be so upset with me<<<

Damn. A step backward.

Nope, this is the art of music, something very near and dear to my heart. It is also a business.
You want it, here it comes Jonathan. It's not for the squeemish (and you know it).

""i want to be famous" sh*t knowing what we know"

And respectfully, neither you nor I know what makes "famous" these days. That is determined by the young people today.

My 7 year old son is my measure for "famous" these days. And I better listen to him for the next 10 years.

I'll play him Eagles, Rundgren, AC/DC, Fogerty, Chopin, Alan Parsons, Beatles, Douglas Spotted Eagle, Beethoven, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

He loves Meatloaf and Madonna and bounces around to music I haven't figured out who performs it. Stuff I think is classic is junk to him. Go figure.

So who's to say that Jonathan won't fine tune his beat to grasp the attention of a couple of million kids?

For just 15 minutes*?

>>>I love people who try.

Even if they fail. Again. And again.<<<

And that's where his crossroad meets. I like your post Course, but don't ever forget - it's HIS crossroads. Not yours.

the advice given is that of dealing with his dream of fame (finding what it really is, vs. what he might THINK it is).

Curious, are you a musician as well?

>>>For just 15 minutes*?<<<

Oh i didn't know he was shooting so high as "15 minutes". (now that was sarcasm)

Is this true Jonathan? Would you put all the effort described for 15 minutes?
Would that be the famous you refer to?

Apparently they feel you are "15 minutes" material with back-handed complimentary defensive posts like this. I'm trying to at least get you in the mindset to try and even approach the "famous" you're visualizing.
Ah, but "I'm" the jerk stepping on his dreams.

Right.

"Oh i didn't know he was shooting so high as "15 minutes". (now that was sarcasm)"

Actually, I was sincere. That is a great target. I'm still shooting for that day!

Warhol's "...view of the media was that they could enable any person to become famous."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15_minutes

the advice given is that of dealing with his dream of fame (finding what it really is, vs. what he might THINK it is).

As long as he has a dream, I'm happy. Most people are too busy with the daily grind. What was it John Lennon said? "Life is what happens while you're busy doing something else," and that's just too sad.

Curious, are you a musician as well?

I'm a singer, may do a record someday but still working on developing my expression in regular performances. I don't make a living from it, but I have two sisters who are published recording artists and sing a capella in churches, now that takes courage.

For CourseDesign: what was the name of that PBS show you referenced? I'd love to take a look at that.