Is 26 too old in this industry????

[girasoledonna]

Holy Moses!! Is that pic for real?You are right - I know that Sheryl Crow, Fiest, Ingrid Michaelson, and Sarah Mclachlin were all 30 before they broke, but I don't know how far they already were along in their careers before that happened. You are absolutely right, that teaching is valuable, and that as a professional musician who makes money playing in the casinos, teaching, and now composing, I should definitley start looking on the positive and seeing myself as already sucessful. I've always believed that the key to happiness is a blend of keeping both gratitutude and want in your heart at all times- gratitude for what you have, and then acknowledgment of what you still want!!Nevertheless, I have had a burning desire in my heart to share my music with the world, and to travel and see it, so I am still hoping that is a possibility. I agree that with just a little baby hit, enough to get heard, you can use that to propel your career and garnish enough fans to keep moving. My goal is to do it the Ingrid way, through TV and FILM, since gigging as a solo act is very very very hard lifestyle wise.

[anne]

Sheryl Crow was a studio back up singer and played by herself, mostly acoustic, or with a small combo well into her 30s. Don't know about the others. I don't think it matters at all because its related to your crowd more than anything. Steve Earl is a good example... Have a hit, go to jail, come out, look like your homeless, look 20 years older, and have a great career in a niche that couldn't care less about the age or looks...John Hiatt, Tina Turner (2nd incarnation)...I'm 43 and will be gigging a lot this year, in several different cities, and I haven't done that for over 20 years as a performer. So, its only your perspective and priority. We have a house and a "real" life. I just have to build the gigging in to it. You will too.

[linziellen]

Hi there Anj,First of all I think you're very brave to have created this thread, it's a subject I have tried to avoid for almost a year now! So secondly, thank you for broaching it and allowing me to read all these honest and positive replies.The other day I read somewhere that KT Tunstall was already 30 when her career finally took flight. I think you are doing so well with everything you HAVE achieved so far. Stuff what you haven't! It's probably waiting for you around the corner anyway! Just keep pushing on I turned 27 in November and have two precious tots, like you I have a burning desire to create and sing but as for performing, I'm not so sure anymore. I don't want anything to come between me and my little family, but that doesn't take the feelings away! They will always be there. At the end of the day, there's no point in fretting about what hasn't happened! So I'll take my own advice and keep pushing on.All the best Anj,Linzi

[Mark Kaufman]

The answer is no.Of course, no career in music is ever the way you first imagine it. And getting rich and famous has little to do with age, more to do with dedication and maybe a magic lamp.I say forget about that numbers game...we all lose it. Music is a lifelong endeavor.

[girasoledonna]

Linzi,I hear ya and I feel exactly what you are saying. The difference between us is that I'm not married and I don't have kids - if I did I think i'd feel the way you do - they are the most important thing in your life as they should be. I've purposely held off from those things, wanting music to be at the forefront, but at the same time, I dont want to never be able to have them either. I do think the genre of music i do is less age centric, and with the world and industry changing so vastly, i think its mattering less all the time. Thanks for all the kudos on my accomplishments, I am proud but always unsatisified (unforutnately) because i am a perfectionist and want to really be the best at everything I do. But you are right, its time to stop and smell the roses - they are all around us!! xoxoAnj

[matto]

The way I see it, I think 26 is too old to expect a push. What I mean by this is, big time record labels and their allies usually don't take 26 year olds and make them into stars. They do this with younger people, because the chances for them to make a signifgicant profit are much better there.So if you are waiting for somebody to come along and give you that career push, sell your music for you, plan and finance the world tour for you, I think you are waiting in vain.At your age, it is up to YOU to take your music out into the world. Most of the "late blooming artists" have done exactly that. They have taken matters into their own hands. Forged their own career paths without waiting for someone to give them a push. Found ways to sell and market their music. Found ways to generate income and build their network of connections at the same time.Those who become successful enough doing this, will often show up on the record labels' radar, and labels will often be interested in jumping on that already moving career bandwagon.All the things a record label could do for you, you can do yourself, especially in this day and age. All that's required is focus, hard work, and the willigness to make sacrifices.The vast majority of artists (and creative people in general) either lack focus, or the willingness to work hard, or the willingness to make the sacrifices necessary, or in most cases a combination of the above. That's the main reason so few succeed.So, figure out exactly what it is you truly want. Figure out exactly what it will take to achieve what you want. Then decide if you are willing to put in the work and make the sacrifices necessary to get there. If you are, then age is certainly not going to stop you.

[ernstinen]

I think it really depends on if you want to be a recording artist and what genre of music you're doing. Matto is correct in relation to the teen/pop market. But in genres like blues, jazz, and classical etc. there is no age limit.I was in my 30's when my rock band almost got signed to Epic Records, and then a couple indie labels. But the A&R people eventually decided were WERE too old for the rock market.So I was at an impass --- focus on blues guitar or start writing orchestral music. I chose the latter, and I'm glad I did!I'm kicking around the idea of doing a blues/rock trio as well, because I still play guitar as well as when I was 25 (actually, better! ). It would be for fun, and without any illusions that some record executive would leap out of the audience with a recording contract! HTH,Ern

[nomiyah]

Dec 28, 2008, 1:55pm, anne wrote:Sheryl Crow was a studio back up singer and played by herself, mostly acoustic, or with a small combo well into her 30s. Don't know about the others. She toured on Michael Jackson's Bad album in her twenties. If she didn't have exceptional connections we may not have ever known her name.

[squids]

And I believe KT broke in her early 40s possibly late 30s. I think if you can continue to produce very good quality music like you've been, consistently, apply yourself to gettin it out online, etc and jes hang on, you'll find yourself doin well enough. Well enough for you? Hard ta say. If you're as much a perfectionist as you're saying (which could also be jes applied to music alone), then you might not ever be satisfied. But that might be good too...sometimes satisfaction can lead to arrogance and finally incompetence. Personally, I don't want a label interested in me. Having someone else control my schedule would annoy the holy crap outta me. But if it's something you enjoy, start your own label! shop yourself!! Hire on a few really good other musicians and put them in the stable too, what the heck.

[diogenes]

Well, I'm 29 and have convinced myself that it ain't over yet. In fact, I think I'm just now starting to get decent. I certainly hope 29 or 26 for that matter isn't too old. It's seems like lately there have been a lot of late bloomers coming to the fore. Especially in country (some of the new ones look older at least on CMT anyway). I will always believe the song is king and that if you happen to wright the next "Rocket Man" or "Dancing in the Dark" or whatever, that you can make it happen. and not to get to whimsical, but in this life, I believe ANYTHING is possible no matter who says otherwise.