jjappleton

I’ve recently been having conversations with all types of people, in many different facets of the music business.

A common theme is “it has shrunk, there’s just not that much money in it”. And that is hard to dispute.

Technology has shrunk, shanked and shrinked, the crap out of the music BUSiNESS- but not music itself.

What I am noticing is- what still works, and maybe is even in more demand than ever, is human connection.

The artists, composers, songwriters etc who seem to be surviving are masters (or in the process of mastering) human connection either through the communication of emotions and ideas through live performance, skillful composition, or personality.

If you want learn how to survive in the music business, but retain artistry through creativity, ideas and hard work I suggest reading Willie Dixon’s autobiography I am the Blues

Without Willie Dixon ther would have been no led zeppelin or rolling stones, or chess records or George thorogood or AC/dc. Maybe only half of Bob Dylan

He was a songwriter , singer, poet, producer, bass player, touring musician, record company owner, booking agency owner, recording engineer , father of more than 10 children and a whole lot more.

Whatever your current woes are- I’m sure at least some of them are real. But you’re not allowed to bitch about them until you’ve read this book.

Anyone who listens, pays for or pays any attention at all to your music Is a gift of the highest order. The people i see who are “successful” Do an awful lot of giving with their music. Through performance, teaching , helping others – using human connection. That coupled with social media is very powerful.