I posted the following as a response to a question asked by a local college student on success in music…here is the question followed by my response:

Question:  This is going to aid toward my attempt at an academic research paper about local music. If you have the time, could you please explain what you think needs to be done to become ’successful’? When will you feel you have succeeded as a musician? I believe the “local” possesses a credibility that mainstream can’t reach. What are your thoughts about this?

Answer:  I think it depends on how you define “success”. Some think success is an arena tour; some think it’s having a record, some think it’s being rich, some think it’s getting airplay. For me, it would to be able to live comfortably (not ecxessively) doing what I love without having to kill myself to make a music career AND pay the bills. I think that’s getting harder and harder for people to do these days. The only way to really make it to my definition of success is to push, and keep pushing. To have a good attitude and work hard. To appreciate your fans/bandmates/bookers/ and everyone else that helps us do what we do. People don’t realize how much hard work it takes to be taken seriously. And time. Amanda and I have been pushing real hard for going on two years now. Slowly and surely we see things happening. Now, we just have to keep it going. On the flip side…nothing is as satisfying as seeing that your song has really touched someone (especially when you’re in the midst of feeling completely unappreciated); seeing that they care about and have taken in the lyrics; and let the melody speak to them. My two cents.

Posted on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 2:53 pm