So You Want to be a Rock and Roll Star!

I saw a band the other day at Monument Square, listened for a while and realized that three of the guys I was listening to were the same guys I played in a band over 25 years ago. And they sounded the same, after all these years and they seemed to enjoy playing.

It usually goes like this. A bunch of guys (or girls for that matter) decide to Start a band in High School. After playing one gig, there's an argument over who should be the leader of the band. A few years later some of the guys go on to college. The band breaks up. End of story.

Although some take it farther, like I did. I played for six years after that first band, playing in bars and clubs across the state and into Michigan, eventually made it to New York City with $200 and a guitar in my hand, and eventually ended up in jail in Pennsylvania after I ran out of money. The old man had to bail me out, straighten me out, and send me back to college, like everyone else.

Why is it so difficult to ma ke it in the Music field? Three things.

1. The Music industry is constantly changing. From Chuck Berry and Elvis to New Wave, Disco,Reggae, Hip Hop, Rap and whatever might be new on the scene these days, it is so easy for a band to get out dated in a year.

2. It's a business. Yes, from becoming a union member to signing up for an agent, it has to do with money. These guys aren't interested in how good you sound or how original you are, they are worried about how big your following is, how many people you will draw, and how much money it will make for them.

Even if you land a recording deal with a small labe l, you will have a hard time breaking even in the end unless you sell a million copies. Even then you'd still owe them 5 cd's in 10years, etc.

3. Your age. Even back when I was playing, being over 30 was considered old in the Music business and most of the top acts these days are Musicians in their early twenties. This gives most people about 5 years to get their act together and most Musicians end up playing for 10 or 20 years not playing much more than local gigs and regional venues.

So next time you're thinking about investing another $1000 in that black Les Paul Gibson Custom or $2000 in that Moog Synthesizer, try this. Connect that Fender Amp and PA System to an FM transmitter and listen to your band over the radio, and ask yourself this question. Where will you be 10 years from now?

Norman Dreamer has two websites:

http://www.MidnightFantacy.com
http://Wxyz.atspace.com

Author:: Norman Dreamer
Keywords:: rock and roll,Star,Music
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