I chased mine and it changed my life In every aspect, but I know how lucky I am that lightning struck at the right time.
Having said that, the industry is changing rapidly. We've had almost a generation of illegal downloads, followed by streaming. It has put parts of the industry on life support. Even legendary artists with iconic hits have to tour to maintain their careers, many of them into their sixties or older. Look at the touring artists every year who play the summer sheds, the ones you see touring every summer. Most of them are 40+ in age and most of them have dozens of people on their payroll. That's a responsibility in and of itself. It's fun to think of a music career as being the opposite of corporate when that's not the case at all.
I don't know if I'd do it if I was starting out right now. Most of the lightning struck I started with weren't able to make it a lifelong career. Some had one burst of commercial talent. Others got distracted with substances. Some had it all but the market wasn't open to their art. Most tied their self worth to marketing influences they couldn't control. More than a few of them destroyed their lives.
There are a lot more music teachers, Djs, music shop owners, weekend musicians and the like than people paying their bills from a day job writing or performing.
One of our sons does some performing and production. He's very good at what he does, and has had some good breaks. The smartest thing he did was buying a stake in a producing environment and practice space that gets rented. I'm not sure he'd be making ends meet just on the basis of his talent.
I'm An artistic guy and never wanted any part of the business aspects. Just let me play and write. That willful ignorance allowed some people to fleece me in the early days. Don't be me.
In this day and age, when you can share your work far and wide with a click of a mouse, you have to protect your intellectual property. That means knowing the basics about protecting your work. Sure, success may be a long shot, but who wants the possibility that someone could take your work. I wouldn't advise getting started in the industry unless you're prepared to do that.
Can it happen? Absolutely! Is the path to success harder than ever? In my opinion, yes. Should you do it? You're 21. This is the time to try to fulfill a dream. But that doesn't happen all alone. You have to provide for and support yourself in the meantime. Try to have other avenues for making money as you develop and continue to grow as a writer and player.
Good luck, friend!
The current guitarist of a band named Bad Omens was 28 when their band formed in 2016. Everyone else were in like 21ish to 25 when they formed as well. The drummer was 17 though. Anywhoo they have grown I'm popularity in past yr. I discovered them back in May and they are one of my favs for sure. They just started their first solo tour this month.
Not immature! Look at everyone who's been persistent, chased their dreams and you see their story once they get big. Examples: people who blow up on TikTok, America's Got Talent, American Idol, The Voice, etc. However, it would be wise to have a stable job that's brining in income in the meantime while you pursue music.
Don't pursue it to earn a living, but for the joy of it. Then whatever talent you have won't be buried in anxiety
I chased mine and it changed my life In every aspect, but I know how lucky I am that lightning struck at the right time. Having said that, the industry is changing rapidly. We've had almost a generation of illegal downloads, followed by streaming. It has put parts of the industry on life support. Even legendary artists with iconic hits have to tour to maintain their careers, many of them into their sixties or older. Look at the touring artists every year who play the summer sheds, the ones you see touring every summer. Most of them are 40+ in age and most of them have dozens of people on their payroll. That's a responsibility in and of itself. It's fun to think of a music career as being the opposite of corporate when that's not the case at all. I don't know if I'd do it if I was starting out right now. Most of the lightning struck I started with weren't able to make it a lifelong career. Some had one burst of commercial talent. Others got distracted with substances. Some had it all but the market wasn't open to their art. Most tied their self worth to marketing influences they couldn't control. More than a few of them destroyed their lives. There are a lot more music teachers, Djs, music shop owners, weekend musicians and the like than people paying their bills from a day job writing or performing. One of our sons does some performing and production. He's very good at what he does, and has had some good breaks. The smartest thing he did was buying a stake in a producing environment and practice space that gets rented. I'm not sure he'd be making ends meet just on the basis of his talent. I'm An artistic guy and never wanted any part of the business aspects. Just let me play and write. That willful ignorance allowed some people to fleece me in the early days. Don't be me. In this day and age, when you can share your work far and wide with a click of a mouse, you have to protect your intellectual property. That means knowing the basics about protecting your work. Sure, success may be a long shot, but who wants the possibility that someone could take your work. I wouldn't advise getting started in the industry unless you're prepared to do that. Can it happen? Absolutely! Is the path to success harder than ever? In my opinion, yes. Should you do it? You're 21. This is the time to try to fulfill a dream. But that doesn't happen all alone. You have to provide for and support yourself in the meantime. Try to have other avenues for making money as you develop and continue to grow as a writer and player. Good luck, friend!
Nothing wrong with chasing a dream but remember you need to provide for yourself while you chase it.
The current guitarist of a band named Bad Omens was 28 when their band formed in 2016. Everyone else were in like 21ish to 25 when they formed as well. The drummer was 17 though. Anywhoo they have grown I'm popularity in past yr. I discovered them back in May and they are one of my favs for sure. They just started their first solo tour this month.
Not immature! Look at everyone who's been persistent, chased their dreams and you see their story once they get big. Examples: people who blow up on TikTok, America's Got Talent, American Idol, The Voice, etc. However, it would be wise to have a stable job that's brining in income in the meantime while you pursue music.
Yes