Now That You're Here

I remember when I fist moved to Nashville it was like I had to pinch myself, I couldn't believe I was really there. It was exciting. I spent the first few days (and nights) driving around getting to know the place. I got maps of Nashville and began to learn my way around almost in a type of fog, trying to believe I was really living in Music City. I was lucky enough to have friends there who had moved there before me to help me get around. Before long I felt right at home and it was time to get busy.

The first thing I did was get out and try to meet people in town. I went to some clubs and began learning how things were done in Music City. For pickers (musicians, lol) there are plenty of chances to get up and show what you can do. There are live bands all over town and most will gladly let you sit in for a song or two. If you are really good they might not let you off the stage. Now that you are here, this is what you need to do. This is your job now even if you have to do something else to pay the bills for awhile. This music thing is all about who you know. It is as political as anything in Washington D.C. You need to get out and meet people. This is a big party and it’s by invitation only! More times than not, those who succeed do so because they have met someone along the way who opens the right door for them. If you are shy or are uncomfortable talking to others you need to find a way to overcome this or it will hold you back.

The music business is a bit like a private club. You have to earn your membership. It is truly survival of the fittest, or best to be more accurate. When you get there and start to sit in and play, you had better be ready. This is where the rubber meets the road, in these little clubs all over town. If you have put your time in on your instrument of choice and have mastered it in the different styles you will be fine and you will get work. If you haven't you might as well go home. Other musicians know within a few bars of the first song if you belong there. You can either play with the big boys or you can't. There is no middle ground. If you can't cut it, word gets around fast and you won't get called.

This the reality of the Nashville music scene. If they do like you they will eagerly get your name and number and call you when a gig comes up. You will be everyone's new best friend and you will be accepted into their fraternity. Early on it will probably be in a local band for very little pay. The average is about $25-30 a night. Sometimes you get calls for private parties that pay a little better. Many times it's on the road backing up a "used to be" or "wanna be". These are stars of yesterday or those trying to "make it". If you are lucky you may get on with an up and coming artist that actually does eventually make it. If you are really lucky and really good you may get called for auditions for artist jobs, sometimes BIG artist jobs. Once you establish yourself hopefully you will get to the point where you won't even have to audition. That's the place you aim for.

We will continue this in the next blog and talk about some more of the realities of the music business. See ya then!