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I've been producing a music-interview show for almost two years, and repeatedly, the successful musicians (the ones who've been making a living at it for 40+ years) have said that you have to LOVE YOUR MUSIC and believe in it; even when it seems that no one else does. Keep working at it, keep writing, keep doing gigs, and keep putting yourself out there...100%.
Don't forsake your day job, your health, your rest, etc., for your music...but do keep at it.
Most of you may not know of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, but they were part of the 60's scene on Sunset Boulevard. They're string of songs that got airplay, appear to be eclectic in relation to eachother..."Buy For Me The Rain" was their first song to get airplay, and is nothing like "Mr. Bojangles" which made them famous. Over the past twenty years, they have found their place in the Country genre, but still perform their old songs.
Yet, the review of their first gig said,
"Not likely to be seen again." Forty two years later, they're still a band, and still doing a number of gigs a year.
Early on, their career spiked and dropped like the recent activity on Wall Street; but they did their music BECAUSE they loved doing music. Not because they thought they'd "get the girl", "be famous", or "make a lot of money." (Yes, like every band, they hoped for those things, but the bottom line is that they loved creating & performing the music.)
I've had similar experiences in producing my show.
I've had obstacles (my computer crashed 3 times during the first six months of production.)
Most recently, I applied for a press pass to cover the Q & A with Peter Tork and Davy Jones, during the 40th Anniversary screening of the Monkees film "Head." By Tuesday night (the night before the screening), I still hadn't received a "yes" or a "no." My camera man called, and said that he'd been offered another job for that night. I made an executive decision to release him, because I DIDN'T KNOW if I would have a job for him that night. At 1:30pm on Wednesday, hours before the screening, I got approved; and subsequently called EVERY camera man that I know in Los Angeles...and no one was available. I was VERY frustrated, but knew there was nothing I could do about it; so I resigned myself to simply go as a devoted fan, and enjoy the experience.
The next day, I received an e-mail from the theatre, asking if I got all of the footage that I'd wanted. Taking responsibility for my decision, I let them know that I'd released my camera man because I didn't know by Tuesday night,
and that I didn't want to be responsible for one of my crew "not earning" when they had the opportunity. The theatre has arranged for me to receive footage shot by Davy Jones videographer that night, because I held up my part of the deal and did some serious pre-promotion of the screening, and because I wasn't a jerk about not being able to tape the event. And, if faced with the same scenario again, I would make the same decision...except maybe check to see if there WAS another camera man available, first.
Do things always work out the way "I" want them to?
No, but if "I" get out of the way, it frequently works out better than "I" could have planned, as in this situation. And even if it doesn't work out for what seems to be for "my best," if I look back at each situation as a learning experience, and ask myself what I could do better or different "the next time" to prevent or minimize the failures, it ALWAYS works to my benefit.
I hope this helps!
Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
BackStage:Los Angeles
"L.A.'s REAL Music-Interview T.V. & Radio Shows!"
http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
Don't forsake your day job, your health, your rest, etc., for your music...but do keep at it.
Most of you may not know of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, but they were part of the 60's scene on Sunset Boulevard. They're string of songs that got airplay, appear to be eclectic in relation to eachother..."Buy For Me The Rain" was their first song to get airplay, and is nothing like "Mr. Bojangles" which made them famous. Over the past twenty years, they have found their place in the Country genre, but still perform their old songs.
Yet, the review of their first gig said,
"Not likely to be seen again." Forty two years later, they're still a band, and still doing a number of gigs a year.
Early on, their career spiked and dropped like the recent activity on Wall Street; but they did their music BECAUSE they loved doing music. Not because they thought they'd "get the girl", "be famous", or "make a lot of money." (Yes, like every band, they hoped for those things, but the bottom line is that they loved creating & performing the music.)
I've had similar experiences in producing my show.
I've had obstacles (my computer crashed 3 times during the first six months of production.)
Most recently, I applied for a press pass to cover the Q & A with Peter Tork and Davy Jones, during the 40th Anniversary screening of the Monkees film "Head." By Tuesday night (the night before the screening), I still hadn't received a "yes" or a "no." My camera man called, and said that he'd been offered another job for that night. I made an executive decision to release him, because I DIDN'T KNOW if I would have a job for him that night. At 1:30pm on Wednesday, hours before the screening, I got approved; and subsequently called EVERY camera man that I know in Los Angeles...and no one was available. I was VERY frustrated, but knew there was nothing I could do about it; so I resigned myself to simply go as a devoted fan, and enjoy the experience.
The next day, I received an e-mail from the theatre, asking if I got all of the footage that I'd wanted. Taking responsibility for my decision, I let them know that I'd released my camera man because I didn't know by Tuesday night,
and that I didn't want to be responsible for one of my crew "not earning" when they had the opportunity. The theatre has arranged for me to receive footage shot by Davy Jones videographer that night, because I held up my part of the deal and did some serious pre-promotion of the screening, and because I wasn't a jerk about not being able to tape the event. And, if faced with the same scenario again, I would make the same decision...except maybe check to see if there WAS another camera man available, first.
Do things always work out the way "I" want them to?
No, but if "I" get out of the way, it frequently works out better than "I" could have planned, as in this situation. And even if it doesn't work out for what seems to be for "my best," if I look back at each situation as a learning experience, and ask myself what I could do better or different "the next time" to prevent or minimize the failures, it ALWAYS works to my benefit.
I hope this helps!
Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
BackStage:Los Angeles
"L.A.'s REAL Music-Interview T.V. & Radio Shows!"
http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
May 11th, 2008 marked the 1-year Anniversary of the posting of The Monkees Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Petition. Our goal is 100,000 signatures, because when their five albums were released for the first time on CD in 1986, they ALL went PLATINUM THAT DAY.
If you've already signed the petition, THANK YOU!
If you haven't signed, please take a moment now, to do so on the link below.
Also, please ask "one more" friend to sign and/or post the link on a blog or website as follows:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Kretch07/petition.html
To sign, click on the link below or the link on the homepage of our website listed at the bottom of this blog:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Kretch07/petition.html
STATS: TOTAL COMBINED SIGNATURES HITS 25,223 !
We the fans, are leading the largest and oldest "Oldies" radio station in Southern California with our grass-roots effort by 7,507 signatures! As of this morning, through the world-wide effort of the fans, we have collected 16,228 online signatures + 137 from Peter Tork & Shoe Suede Blues concerts/events = 16,365 signatures. The largest & oldest "oldies" radio station in Southern California, has collected 8,858 signatures, for a combined total of 25,223.
Sincerely,
Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
BackStage:Los Angeles
"L.A.'s REAL Music-Interview T.V. & Radio Shows!"
http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
If you've already signed the petition, THANK YOU!
If you haven't signed, please take a moment now, to do so on the link below.
Also, please ask "one more" friend to sign and/or post the link on a blog or website as follows:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Kretch07/petition.html
To sign, click on the link below or the link on the homepage of our website listed at the bottom of this blog:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Kretch07/petition.html
STATS: TOTAL COMBINED SIGNATURES HITS 25,223 !
We the fans, are leading the largest and oldest "Oldies" radio station in Southern California with our grass-roots effort by 7,507 signatures! As of this morning, through the world-wide effort of the fans, we have collected 16,228 online signatures + 137 from Peter Tork & Shoe Suede Blues concerts/events = 16,365 signatures. The largest & oldest "oldies" radio station in Southern California, has collected 8,858 signatures, for a combined total of 25,223.
Sincerely,
Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
BackStage:Los Angeles
"L.A.'s REAL Music-Interview T.V. & Radio Shows!"
http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
NACHOS...
at the famous Hollywood landmark "The Pig & Whistle" next door to the newly renovated Historical landmark, Egyptian Theatre, on Hollywood Blvd. Enjoy some nachos...
or one of the other epicurian delights,
and then wander over to the theatre for...
HEAD...
The 40th Anniversary Screening of The Monkees
Pop-Cult classic film "Head" which which was produced by Jack Nicholson...with cameos by Annette Funicello, Terri Garr, and others...and premiered 40 years ago tonight, directly across the street from The Egyptian.
Special Anniversary screening tonight,
with guest appearances by Davy Jones, Peter Tork, and Bobby Hart (Boyce & Hart penned "Last Train to Clarksville" and a few other Monkees hits.)
Parking Hint: Hollywood & Highland, the theatre validates your parking ticket to $2 for 4 hours of parking.
We had a nice long chat with Peter Tork last night,
at a little Los Angeles bistro.
We'll have a recap of tonight's event,
sometime tomorrow...
in the meantime, check out our promo piece on the link on the home page of our website listed below.
Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
BackStage:Los Angeles
L.A.'s REAL Music-Interview T.V. & Radio Shows!"
http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
at the famous Hollywood landmark "The Pig & Whistle" next door to the newly renovated Historical landmark, Egyptian Theatre, on Hollywood Blvd. Enjoy some nachos...
or one of the other epicurian delights,
and then wander over to the theatre for...
HEAD...
The 40th Anniversary Screening of The Monkees
Pop-Cult classic film "Head" which which was produced by Jack Nicholson...with cameos by Annette Funicello, Terri Garr, and others...and premiered 40 years ago tonight, directly across the street from The Egyptian.
Special Anniversary screening tonight,
with guest appearances by Davy Jones, Peter Tork, and Bobby Hart (Boyce & Hart penned "Last Train to Clarksville" and a few other Monkees hits.)
Parking Hint: Hollywood & Highland, the theatre validates your parking ticket to $2 for 4 hours of parking.
We had a nice long chat with Peter Tork last night,
at a little Los Angeles bistro.
We'll have a recap of tonight's event,
sometime tomorrow...
in the meantime, check out our promo piece on the link on the home page of our website listed below.
Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
BackStage:Los Angeles
L.A.'s REAL Music-Interview T.V. & Radio Shows!"
http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
This Wednesday night celebrates the 40th Anniversary Screening of The Monkees' film "Head"
At The Egyptian Theatre, in Hollywood at 7:30 PM
(directly across the street from where the film premiered).
For tickets, click on the link on our website at http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
At The Egyptian Theatre, in Hollywood at 7:30 PM
(directly across the street from where the film premiered).
For tickets, click on the link on our website at http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
May 11th, 2008 marked the 1-year Anniversary of the posting of The Monkees Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Petition. Our goal is 100,000 signatures, because when their five albums were released for the first time on CD in 1986, they ALL went PLATINUM THAT DAY.
If you've already signed the petition, THANK YOU!
If you haven't signed, please take a moment now, to do so on the link below.
Also, please ask "one more" friend to sign and/or post the link on a blog or website as follows:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Kretch07/petition.html
To sign, click on the link below:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Kretch07/petition.html or click on the link on our show's website homepage listed below.
STATS: TOTAL COMBINED SIGNATURES HITS 25,030 !
We the fans, are leading the largest and oldest “Oldies” radio station in Southern California with our grass-roots effort by 7,356 signatures! As of this morning, through the world-wide effort of the fans, we have collected 16,056 online signatures + 137 from Peter Tork & Shoe Suede Blues concerts/events = 16,193 signatures. The largest & oldest "oldies" radio station in Southern California, has collected 8,837 signatures, for a combined total of 25,030.
Sincerely,
Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
BackStage:Los Angeles
"L.A.'s REAL Music-Interview Show!"
http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/
If you've already signed the petition, THANK YOU!
If you haven't signed, please take a moment now, to do so on the link below.
Also, please ask "one more" friend to sign and/or post the link on a blog or website as follows:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Kretch07/petition.html
To sign, click on the link below:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Kretch07/petition.html or click on the link on our show's website homepage listed below.
STATS: TOTAL COMBINED SIGNATURES HITS 25,030 !
We the fans, are leading the largest and oldest “Oldies” radio station in Southern California with our grass-roots effort by 7,356 signatures! As of this morning, through the world-wide effort of the fans, we have collected 16,056 online signatures + 137 from Peter Tork & Shoe Suede Blues concerts/events = 16,193 signatures. The largest & oldest "oldies" radio station in Southern California, has collected 8,837 signatures, for a combined total of 25,030.
Sincerely,
Sandy Jacobson, Creator & Producer
BackStage:Los Angeles
"L.A.'s REAL Music-Interview Show!"
http://www.backstagelosangeles.net/