Is 26 too old in this industry????

[squids]

Dec 28, 2008, 6:29pm, girasoledonna wrote:As far as "success" goes, I never really cared about being a world-known name like Norah Jones or Fionna Apple - what mattered to me was being able to sell out venues I play, sell my music and have a loyal fan base. I actually am thinking more and more that being at the level where you are followed by paparatzi and have no private life wouldn't be as grand as people think. But even getting signed to an indie label that has a lot of power behind it is hard. Since my music isn't teen market stuff, I think I am still OK at 26, but just wasn't sure. I also think there is a stereo-type that women need to be younger then the men. Lots of men seem to break well into their 30's - but women, not so much. Though its more about appearances than anything. As far back as i could remember, I've wanted to do this and have felt I was "meant" to. But at the same time, as i said, that was easier to swallow at 19 or 20 than 26. It's harder when your adult life is being compromised living at home, and it also keeps you from "growing up" and actually entering the next phase of life - I haven't even dreamed of marriage or kids, because I haven't even had a place of my own yet - or a "job". I am taking the teaching job, but actually its a pretty easy job! I'll only teach 4 classes a day, and they will all be the same! That means I'll have 4 periods off! So that's good news. I think what scares me ( though I try not to think about it ) is that time seems to just push on so slyly. I get a little older each time but the progress comes so slow. I worry some nights, am I doing everything I can do? Will I have regrets? but I know the best thing to do is to just push on and not look back or wonder. It's really a waste of time. - AnjSorry about the KT confusion. I was speaking of KT Oslin and yes, she's still going, for heaven's sake!! I don't think I'm gonna open a huge can of worms by sayin that women are stereotyped in this business as needing to 'look' younger in visual media like TV. That said, they'll still crawl all over beautiful older 'institutions' of music if they can find a slant that's interesting to them. Look at Madonna. That said, we've ruled out you wanting to be a paparazzi target so you're good. I jes like the idea that, even in a terribly small way, women can be actually seen in the media at age 50. I think the levels Madonna goes to (the endless working out.....ugh, can't women jes be real?) are ridiculous but she's breaking down age barriers, at least. I think the teaching job will be a lovely security blanket and might lead to new directions in your music, new inspirations. I don't think it'll make you drift away from your music at all and it certainly doesn't affect your level of success. You'll have fewer hours to do things in but that's okay.....I've found that doing something not involved in music has helped me focus a lot better on it when I can get to it. I organize my time much better because I miss it so. You'll be working IN music so that'll help you a lot.And don't worry about what the stupid media tells us about women.....after all, it's still mainly decided by middle-aged white men whose idea of feminine beauty is Barbie while their idea of perfection in men is aging gracefully, apparently. Good news?? The internet isn't as interested in looks, thankfully. You'll do great, you'll see.

[girasoledonna]

I just ran the treadmill and read a whole bunch of Taxi articles i'd saved over the years but hadn't read. Sometimes, it does feel like a mountain to climb to get anywhere in this business, but I think once you REALLY accept the long haul, and stop postponing JOY, you can take on the climb that much easier!

[stephen]

I don' think age matters because there are many positions in the business. Teachers, composer, arrangers, lawyers, publicists, producers, ex-producers, singers, dancers, audio-engineers and on and on. As far as I'm concerned you can be any age to fill these positions just be the BEST at it. My question is How do you know if teaching is for you. It's crossed my mind but I honestly don't feel that I cut out to teach especially with the reports I hear from my teachers who are still teaching about the children of today.

[girasoledonna]

Well, honestly - I taught last year - it was very hard, because I taught in an urban, title-1 school, but there is a great reward in it. This job will be much easier - for last year I taught 8 subjects. Also, I've taught music privately for 11 years. Since I was just 14 years old!! So i have some experience outside the classroom, and just spent 2 years getting my cert to teach - I'm ready

[simonparker]

Is 26 too old for the industry? No. I think Clive Davis is 76.Is 26 too old to release a big record? No. AC DC just sold 2 million of their latest release weeks ago. Angus Young is in his 50's.Is 26 too old to start? No. Liz Phair had her breakthrough commercially at 38. Sheryl Crow was mentioned by others here - she was well in her 30s.But 26 is already too old to get record labels (majors, that is) excited or committed to doing a full-blown marketing campaign for you. Usually, you have to start in your teens or early 20s (see Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton, Michelle Branch, Britney Spears, etc.) But regardless of whether you're not going to get the sign on from the majors, as evidenced by Miss Crow and other rockers, you don't need to be 17 to start selling and making a buzz.

[girasoledonna]

I think that's a good way to think of it. I'm certainly not turning back now!

[ernstinen]

Dec 28, 2008, 6:43pm, girasoledonna wrote:maybe I should work on getting known in the tri-state area first. Anj,I like your attitude from reading your posts! Go get 'em!And you are correct --- From what I've read about this biz, you are right on about how artists are "discovered" these days. Getting a fan base in your city, your county, your state, in the tri-state area etc. If you can do that, you'll get noticed for your drawing power and perseverance.It's pretty much always been that way, except for the "star-making machinery behind the popular song" type of teen stars.For instance, one of my favorite classic rock bands is Cheap Trick. They were from Rockford, IL. They became local stars because they KNEW they were stars, and acted like it. Fancy clothes, rented limos, the whole works. They were in incredible debt, but had the songs, a rockin' band, a great lead singer, and eventually worked their way out of Rockford, to Chicago, and the powers-that-be took notice. And to go further back, look at The Beatles, from a grimy little port town of Liverpool. 'Nuff said! Ern

[ernstinen]

Dec 28, 2008, 11:25pm, wta wrote:If you can make other people money with your music, you're never too old or too young.Yup. When I moved to L.A., one of the first tips I got from an industry insider was:"It's not what 'I' can do for you --- it's what 'you' can do for me."That seemed extremely cynical to me at the time, but it's pretty close to the truth, looking back upon it. I eventually wrote a song for my band entitled "Always Been That Way," and it spoke about how certain things in politics will never change, although not specifically about the music biz. The last verse still freaks me out, because I wrote the song almost 20 years ago:Some people stand for freedom, but paralyze the skiesSome people stand for Allah, and aren't afraid to dieSome people won't make changes, they live like yesterdayBut it's always been that way ---A combination of the politics of the past and a prophecy of the politics of the future? Ern

[toddt]

Quote: ...from a grimy little port town of Liverpool.errr excuse me mate I've got some very good friends from Liverpool and they would resent your "grimy little port" comment. It is definitely not little! tt

[michael11]

Dec 29, 2008, 2:36pm, toddt wrote:Quote: ...from a grimy little port town of Liverpool.errr excuse me mate I've got some very good friends from Liverpool and they would resent your "grimy little port" comment. It is definitely not little! tt Agreed!!!Liverpool was buzzing in the sixties and what they lacked in money they made up for with a fantastic community spirit and humour that still exists today.A small example of their kindness....My wife, my son and I recently went to the Beatles exhibition by Liverpool dock which had a mock up of the Cavern and lots of other interesting stuff.After the exhibition we went to a little cafe close by and I happened to mention to the waitress it was my wifes birthday.Five minutes later the waitress brought a small cake with a lit candle on it and sang happy birthday.It was a lovely moment and typical of the Liverpool temperament.Just in case people might think this was a one off I have played The Liverpool Irish Centre(which unfortunately no longer exists) dozens of times and the people have always be fab!!