New Years Perspectives

[clonsberry]

So.. the new year is just around the corner. And it's a natural place to stop and look back at what you've been doing for the last year, as well as whether you've actually DONE anything. Pretty much everyone does it. We see it in a flurry of resolutions.I wanted to share the last year briefly and maybe it'll encourage someone else. It all starts with Dr. Phil, actually. I was listening to one of his books and he talked doing what you want to do in life. And about the difference between a dream and a plan. I thought long and hard about what would make me happy if I did it for the rest of my life. Lord knows, it's not computers. I may be good at them but they don't make me happy. I didn't think about this 15 years ago. It was definitely music. But I don't want to be an artist. The pinnacle of success for an artist means lots of touring. That's great for some. Not what I want to do. Songwriting? Hmmm... that would be perfect. So let's make a goal.. nothing too lofty. I don't need a red carpet. Maybe just a living. So now the plan.. well, let's put a five year deadline on it and set up "success" markers and figure out how to get from here to there. Real steps.For me.. for the past 6 months.. my steps have been education. Learning about how songs work, about the business and finding opportunities. Some of the hardest parts of the last half year have been learning how to focus my efforts. I wanted to submit to every Taxi listing that came along. It was grueling to learn to narrow that to what I'm almost skilled at. I've learned a lot about production. What I'm putting out now sounds nothing like what I thought was pretty good six months ago. I've spent a lot of time reading (and doing more of that as soon as I post this).Luckily, I also found the people here on the forums who, while most of them would argue that they no more successful than I, have already been down these roads and learned what I'm learning and what I'll be learning next year. I value that experience. From where I stand, that makes you experts. (But you need to keep advancing because I'm doing what I can to catch up ) To all of you, I can't tell you how grateful I am for you help, your patience and.. though I wasn't thinking so at the time.. the occasional kick in the pants. And Taxi.. sometimes I still don't get it. But I've been married for 17 years and sometimes I still don't get her either. (And the feeling's mutual for her, I'm sure). Doesn't make either one of you wrong. When it's all said and done, you've challenged me and guided me... and changed how I approach writing songs. That's growth.I hear people talk about how they want to be rich and famous (apparently cause it's worked out so well for the rehab kiddies). You see it on TV. Nickleback recognized it. Everyone wants to be a rockstar. But I have a philosophy. If you love something.. if it fulfills you. Do it. If you're exceptional at it, you stand a chance at being rich and famous. But if you never become rich and famous at doing something you love, you've still spent time doing something you love and THAT's a success that no one can deprive you of.As I look back on the last half year, I've been unbelievably successful. The phone isn't ringing and my royalty checks haven't increased. But I'm miles from where I was when I made the decision to pursue this as a career only six months ago. And I've spent a solid six months pursuing something I love to do. Although it didn't feel like it all the time, it may have been the best 6 months of my life. It's been a good year.I hope you all have a wonderful and safe New Years.[2008?.. I'm setting my sights on indie and local films. Got another instrumental CD to put out. I might actually get done rewriting and re-recording the CD I was working on for last year. And the big, tough goal is to get a lyrical song in some sort of deal. More learning. More production. Ooohh.. and if I REALLY want to challenge myself.. a country forward. Oh, I'll be around. ]

[geo]

Hey Chris, congrats on your success and best of luck in the New Year.I am in a similar situation to you, embracing my art after a 10 year hiatus and climbing the learning curve. Getting my head around what direction I should be pursuing has been my first challenge and the screeners as well as the helpful comments of the forum members have helped me greatly. I've settled on raising my production to TV/Film level which is my main goal for the New Year, to achieve forwards based on stuff I'm producing now, not previous studio tracks.I've also decided to increase my networking on a local level and explore doing projects over the INTERNET with contacts that I make.I do want to be involved in another band but maybe I'll explore offering songs to local bands to perform and record and maybe develop it into management. I just need to expose myself to more opportunities, become immersed in the business more on a visceral level, not just over the net.So, that's my New Years Perspectives, wishing everyone good luck in their endeavors..... GeoP.S. Hey Chris, how about some "side action"? I got one or two songs... no one song that I'm gonna work on this year for a "Country Crossover" listing, how about beverage of your choice (@ the next Rally maybe?) to the first one with a Nashville forward? Peace out.

[clonsberry]

I had a good friend when I was in the Army, who I met when his CB radio in the car was clobbering my CB in the barracks. (dating myself?). We spent several years together in lots of little unofficial competitions. He got a little computer. I got a bigger computer. He got a BIGGER computer. I got.... you get the idea. Somehow it never turned into a nasty competition but it DID turn into a 15 year career, which I believe started then. A little friendly competition can be good for you as long as it's friendly. Look at the space race. Okay.. maybe a bad example.I will take your bet for that Nashville forward. Assuming that the beverage of your choice is less then $50 (can't step up and say you really want some $1800 bottle of rare French vintage ). And, whether or not it's at the Rally (or sent via postal mail or FedEx) is at the discretion of the winner. Whoever gets the first Nashville forward (are we saying country forward or anything in Nashville?), wins. (Man.. that almost sounds like a contract. Should this be reviewed by an entertainment lawyer? )

[geo]

I go for a shot of tequila and a beer chaser. Though I love the taste of a good bottle of red, I can never justify the price to myself.I can live with Nashville forward, they have that more "in-depth" critique form, or say "Nashville producer is looking for", so it can be say Contemporary Christian or something. I need options as country is not really my thing but this year is about challenging myself, less projects but better results.I go for in person, like to talk over my libation, hate drinking alone. Then again there is always double or nothing, I bartended for 15 years so I can run you a tab !!I joke of course, I think you have a leg up on me, I have genre issues and don't listen to "ala's" ! I'm banking on one song but it needs work but the original way we played it had enough of a country feel to make it a crossover possibility. Here is a rehearsal version done 10 years ago, the song is "Bird of the Night", booze, broken hearts and drugs, it's the modern country trifecta ! If you have a listen could you give me a country "ala" that fits the song style to help me out, like I said I unfamiliar with the various styles of country. http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... m=trueAlso I heard, actually, read about a drum library you just got and liked, could you pass along the name, I'm looking to upgrade.Thanks man and good luck.... GeoP.S. Very brave of you to include your "Dr. Phil" epiphany, Dude's whacked, like in the head!!!

[clonsberry]

Quote:I go for a shot of tequila and a beer chaser. Though I love the taste of a good bottle of red, I can never justify the price to myself.You're on.Quote:I need options as country is not really my thing but this year is about challenging myself, less projects but better results.It's not really my primary thing either (by any stretch) but it seems to be one of the high water marks for writing so I'm challenging myself as well. Most of my forwards are instrumental but that's not really what I'm here for.Quote:I go for in person, like to talk over my libation, hate drinking alone. Then again there is always double or nothing, I bartended for 15 years so I can run you a tab !!Well, yeah. The rally would be the right place. I'm just thinking that, if for some reason, one of us doesn't make it, the bet's still good.Quote:I joke of course, I think you have a leg up on me, I have genre issues and don't listen to "ala's" ! I'm banking on one song but it needs work but the original way we played it had enough of a country feel to make it a crossover possibility.I don't listen to a lot of country either. It goes in spurts. And when I do, it's Hank Jr., Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. About as "modern" as I get is Toby Keith and Tim McGraw. I was thinking the other day that I might start making a habit of going out every two weeks or so and grabbing the top 3 songs on the country chart and pulling them apart. I know it's a good idea. It just takes discipline.Quote:Here is a rehearsal version done 10 years ago, the song is "Bird of the Night", booze, broken hearts and drugs, it's the modern country trifecta ! If you have a listen could you give me a country "ala" that fits the song style to help me out, like I said I unfamiliar with the various styles of country.Yeah, I too am 'ala' challenged. So this may be a pretty equal competition.Quote:Also I heard, actually, read about a drum library you just got and liked, could you pass along the name, I'm looking to upgrade.Addictive Drums. You can get them a little cheaper at House of SamplesI really have no idea if they're the best. or even adequate for high end placements. But I know they're MILES ahead of anything else I had, they sound good to me and they have a working (but limited to a partial drumset) demo. I am very happy with them. They just came out with a retro add-on. But I think I'm going to hold off on that. The '70s set is fine for anything I'd need right now. You can hear it on If You're Gonna Believe. Actually, I wish they had added some other incidental percussion like handclaps and such. I know there are requests in so maybe someday.Quote:P.S. Very brave of you to include your "Dr. Phil" epiphany, Dude's whacked, like in the head!!! He seems to be one of those people you love or hate. He makes sense to me most of the time so, I'm a fan. I mean.. I don't have a shrine or anything. But I'll send him something nice when I quit my day job to do music full time.

[geo]

If it works, it works, just teasing on Dr. Phil, thanks for the link, the drums sound good I'll check them out.So, Crossover Country songs at 10 paces, en guarde!!I guess I'll get to work, good luck... Geo