Over the years I have been blessed to be able to speak at our area Northeast Ohio High Schools, especially on Career Days to encourage Students in their endeavors and in peaking interest into the Entertainment Arena.
As you can imagine, having listened to stifled presentations from Attorneys, Funeral Home Directors(!?), Carpenters, Welders and various other business owners, when I step up and say “ Hi, I’m a Music Producer,” most of the Sleepers, well at least a few of them, rub their eyes and try to focus. When I am able to either bring in some gear to demonstrate beats or present some other multimedia explaining the technology and my role in it, then I have their attention! It's Interesting to note that the Top Two Responses I frequently receive anytime I ask about career goals is "I Wanna Be A Rapper!" or Athletics. That's Any School, Across Ethnic & Economic Demographics...God Help Us.
Early on, I quickly learned that the easiest way to put a High Schooler to sleep is to read from a script! It’s foolproof! Stand behind a lectern and begin flipping notes and the snoring becomes deafening! So on this past Friday morning, when Mrs. T invited me to present the entire day on Entrepreneurship to her class, I did what I’ve done for the past six or seven years now, Wing It!!
When I began to explain what I’d learned as I was progressing into the role of an EntreMusician, I instinctively walked to the board and prepared to write down the proverbial three when, as I continued talking, turned into six. They became so impactful, I began talking to myself, as if the students faded into my peripheral. I actually made notes between the classes to expound upon and updated them throughout day.
Tell Me If You Agree...
1. Be Intentional
*NO ONE IS GOING TO GIVE YOU ANYTHING! (I Actually Screamed This and Made Them Repeat It Thrice!) NO One Owes You ANYTHING! The Grammy Doesn't Just Fall Into Your Lap (Although it seems like it lately!) You Are Responsible for You!! Get Off Your Donkey and Do The Work!
2. “And Then Some”
*These Are Three Words which Changed My Life. First Taught to Me by Bishop David L. Thomas, he shares "It's Not Enough to Do Just the Requirements, Successful People Go Beyond!" When Rehearsal Stops, That's When Your Practice Begins! It Matters Not that You Sing In Key, Thousands of People Audition for a Spot on "The Voice" or "Idol" - So What! Even in My Much Smaller Domain, I Can Have a Singer or Musician in front of the Mic at 3PM Today! I'm NOT Looking for someone to Sing/Play the parts, I'm Looking for Someone to Kill IT! Interpret the Phrase, Step So Far Inside the Zone that I'm Embarrassed I didn't Write it that Way! So Go Far Beyond! Do What It Takes...And Then Some!
3. Put God First
*My Own Personal Statement of Faith. You May Follow Another System of Belief, or None At All. But for Me & My Household, We Serve The Lord and have found Him Most Faithful in ALL of Our Endeavors, even Teaching Us More in Our Failures, SO This is My Practice.
4. Always Be Truthful
*There Are Two People We Tend to Lie to. Ourselves and Each Other. Both Are Dangerous, But Lying to Yourself is Detrimental. Not Owning Up to Your Failures, Mistakes, Irresponsibility, Lack of Professionalism and Discipline is Guaranteeing that You'll Never Truly Succeed. And Whatever Measure of Success You May Obtain, If Any, Will Quickly and Surely Fade as You Believe the Lies of Others that You Are God's Greatest Gift to the Entertainment Industry. Another destructive element about lying to yourself is that whatever you tell yourself, your mind accepts! If You say "I'm Not That Good," "I'm a Loser," "I'll Never Amount to Anything," or the Most Famous Curse of All - "I Can't!!!" The Your Mind AGREES WITH YOU and You Rob Yourself of the Blessings Intended to flow through you and out into the world!!
Obviously, Lying to Others, Other than being Just Plain Wrong is Absolutely Unnecessary and will Bite Hard after Word Gets Around that You Are Untrustworthy and Lack Integrity. And Word Spreads Fast!
5.FORGIVE!
* Beyond Huge! Carrying a Grudge grows Heavier Every Day! Someone once said that Unforgiveness is Like Drinking Poison and Expecting the Other Person to Die! I had Incredible Unforgiveness Issues Early in Life, Especially for My Father and I Found Myself in a Spiritual Prison because I couldn't (and wouldn't) Move On. This caused me to harbor other forms of hatred against Anyone who Said or Did Things to Me - Or Even If I Perceived they Might! It's a Living Hell and if You Don't Allow God to Heal You and Release You, Forget About THIS Industry, because unfortunately Dogs, Snakes and Other Unscrupulous Scum abound - Each One Wearing Smiles! You'd better learn how to Discern their Spirits from One or Two Conversations and if, by some Chance you get Nicked or Stabbed, Seek Appropriate Counseling and Move On!
6.Know Who YOU Are
* No One Can Ever Force You To Do ANYTHING (within the context of the Entertainment Industry) that You Don't CHOOSE To Do. If You KNOW Who You Are, Maintain Integrity and a Strong Constitution, You Don't Have to - And Would Never - Sing Those Lyrics, Take Off Your Clothes, Align Yourself with That Person just because They Can Do This or That for You. Focus on Your Strengths, Your Principles & Values, Your Artistry and BE YOU! Certainly, It May Take Longer than Those Who Sell Their Souls, but what is the Price of YOURS?
So That's What I Shared. I am Certain there are Many More and I would Like to Hear Yours. What Would You Have Told Ms. T's Class if Given the Chance OR What Do You Regularly Share?
Please Feel Free to Comment!
We'll Compile ALL of Our Wisdom and Post an EntreMusician Handbook!
TODAY Marks My 50th Blog Post at TheEntreMusician.com - while I have posted far more on other sites, I am grateful for the Opportunities I have been afforded by establishing this brand. Today, March 1, 2018, we begin to expand and also celebrate our fellow EntreMusicians who participate. They are each doing incredible work and all explore exciting Artistry! If You wish to become a Member of our wonderful EntreMunity reach out to us here, so we can Engage, Encourage & Empower Each Other toward Greatness!
This Week's Spotlight EntreMusician is Ginetta's Vendetta. A Beautiful, Remarkable, Exceptional Trumpeter who leads a Funk Jazz Band through Standards and Original Compositions, Ginetta never fails to rock the house. My band SounDoctrine opened for her in Baltimore and later played behind her at the Soul Patrol Festival in Philly and no doubt will be working together again real soon! Check Her Out and Support her Artistry!
I've Included an MP3 of Her Track "The Shadow of Your Smile" for Your Enjoyment!