How often do we see stories about musicians struggling to make it in music industry. Many are working hard in jobs and professions just to make ends meet, spinning their wheels and all to often giving up before making it. If that isn't enough of a challenge, they are bombarded daily by negativity and people putting them down with notions they are never going to make it in the music industry. Yet, with all that they continue to produce amazingly beautiful music. It's in their genes, their DNA, that makes them special... but aren't we all special? I often marvel at one artist just outside Atlanta, Ga., Sharetta Nicole, who has an amazing voice, spirit and writing talent. Her music is uplifting, inspirational and reminds me the importance in never giving up. She is determined to get her shot!Another person who's story is inspirational is that of Jason MCElwain. Below is the video of this amazing boy who doesn't believe in giving up... but that was never in his DNA. Born with Autism, Jason McElwain, nicknamed J-Mac, refused to ever let his condition pull him down. As a result, at the last game of the season in 2006, Coach Jim Johnson of the Greece Athena High School basketball team gave J-Mac a shot of a lifetime. You have to watch the video to get the full impact of this incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity many wish they could have in life. Why bring up this incredible story? All too often in life people are told what they cannot do even when they have no disability to start with. And for musicians, they seem to get it even more given the state of the industry.
When negatives are injected into our lives, paralysis, negativity, and doubt takes hold – disabling us from ever taking that shot in life, or from becoming a functional member of society. Look around and see how many people are telling others they are insignificant, victims, have no chance in life, or that they can never make it for one reason or another – why is that? Is it so people will become dependent on those spewing forth such deceitful falsehoods and fabrications?
But this is not the intent or focus of this article, rather it is just the opposite because as Jason proved to the world, we all want a shot in life and can have it, but we have to work at it before it can become a reality. There “must” be a desire, a passion – our reason why must be strong. Jason’s passion was in basketball, and nothing was going to take his focus off of what he loved. But there was also another ingredient to J-Mac’s successful story, one that was never mentioned and is probably even more important. Jason never expected he would ever get a shot on the court, but he did because he made himself “invaluable” to the team, his coach, his school. The key word here is “invaluable”! As I look back over my 40+ years in the work force, I often think about how fortunate I was in never having to actually search for a job. My mother-in-law would always comment on how “lucky” I was. As I discovered later in life, luck would have never been there had I not always strived to be the best at whatever I did. Someone once told me to ensure I made myself “invaluable”, for whomever I worked for or whatever I did. That valuable piece of wisdom never left me and became my focus with every assignment, mission, and job tasked, group or company I worked with or for. The other key ingredient for my success was I always kept my eyes and ears opened. I was always keen on finding solutions to challenges whether it be for companies or individuals. People sought me out because I constantly sought solutions for problems, an extremely invaluable asset to have around.
So what’s the point? Actually there are two…
Having Passion and Being Invaluable are Two Key Ingredients for Success!
Let’s look at the definition of Invaluable:
- Valuable beyond estimation as in Priceless (providing invaluable assistance)
- Having Value too great to measure.
Musicians bring music to our ears… and depending on the beat, and/or song’s message, it can be uplifting, soothing, depressing, stimulating, joyful, and so on. Until the advent of the internet and digital downloads, musicians never had to really think about or focus on their music career so long as they had a good label supporting them. Their music was enjoyed by fans everywhere. Back then labels were everywhere. The artist was able to concentrate on their music letting their manager, publicists, label and other service providers do all the work because there was plenty of money to go around from the sale and distribution of “physical” records, albums, and in later years CD’s. These “resources” were invaluable to the musician and their fans – how else would the world have known about the Beatles, the Rolling Stone, the Beach Boys, etc. But things changed with the advent of the internet, social media outlets, and digital downloads. All of a sudden, these resources were no longer invaluable to the artist, rather they became a liability. Their value was lost because the artist now had to pay “out of pocket” for the same services but without “physical” sales. Musicians were having to go out and find other means in generating income to pay for these once "invaluable" services and resources, and in recent years it seems musicians began believing their chances for that shot in life had vanished. But has it?
Keeping an open mind and looking for solutions to challenges should be a natural practice each of us strive for. Human beings have, over all other species of life, the ability of thinking and acting to overcome challenges with solutions. Having the ability to seek out answers and solutions when faced with challenges adversity is what propels people to success. Contrary to popular belief, there has never been a more exciting time in history not only for musicians, but everyone associated within the music industry including fans. Where one door closes others open. Yes, we may have seen the end of an era of records and tape recordings, but there is a beautiful new era of unparalleled opportunities available at every artist’s finger tips… INVALUABLE opportunities. When it comes to identifying solutions, it is important in identifying the right solution for the right problem. Albert Einstein once said
“If I were given one hour to save the planet, I would spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute resolving it,”Musicians can probably be placed into two categories, Hobbyist or Pro… so which are you? This actually brings up a great article I read by Kevin Breuner in Music Marketing and Online Promotion. He quoted Katie Taylor
"The core challenge we are facing right now (as artists) is the need to get people to see art as WORK that should be compensated."It is after all OK to make money as a musician, even if you are a hobbyist - but for a Pro it is absolutely imperative. Probably the first challenge an artist has to deal with therefore is with their own identity – do they see themselves as only part-time musicians, working at their craft only when it’s convenient, or as pros putting in the effort necessary to become a success? What is their level of commitment – do they have the real passion it takes to hurdle over all the obstacles that can come between success and failure? Do they keep their eyes and ears open for solutions, and what about that oh so important invaluable asset? If the artist is able to identify the problem, which is in making money, then what is the solution? We’re getting closer!
The right solution has become clearer as a result of understanding, appreciating, and leveraging technology. Consumers want what they want and they want it when they want it which is often now. It’s called instant gratification. It is the consumer and commerce that has moved forward in leveraging technology, so why not musicians and the entertainment industry? Advantages by consumers and commerce on the internet can be equally applied by musicians and the music industry.
Why not learn from fans? Brilliant! And that is exactly what is happening. Consumers who are also music fans, are “leading” the way for musicians and the industry in learning how to take control of their musical career. Recently, one company picked up on this brilliant concept and is turning the entire industry around. It does take time, but doing anything the right way cannot happen overnight.
Conquer Entertainment became the very first organization providing a conduit stretching across all platforms and mediums, leveling the playing field when it comes to providing resources, support, and assets necessary for success within the music industry, whether for the musician or anyone involved in the world of entertainment. And although it could be said that Conquer is the “invaluable” asset, their main goal is in “empowering” each person so they become the invaluable asset, independent and in total control. Conquer has given back to musicians the ability for ongoing residual income even bigger and more profitable than royalty income once possible so many years ago. Yes, earning substantial royalties is still possible, but at what expense? And for everyone else providing support for musicians, they have an exceptional opportunity in providing resources without over burdening artists.The most important takeaway about Conquer Entertainment is how each person participating in the UnLabel Owner program, be it a musician, producer, manager publicist, label or anyone involved in the world of music, by default becomes indispensable. When passion collides with unequaled support, resources and solutions, having a shot in life has become a real possibility.
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