10 Reasons You Won't Become a Famous Rock Star

From Michael Brandvold's newsletter:

1. Because wishing for fame and riches proves you don’t understand the reality of today’s music business.
2. Your fan base right now is made up of only family members.
3. Because you probably don’t have the tenacity, persistence, perseverance and determination to slog it out below the poverty level for another 10 years it’s going to take you.
4. You have only played 3 shows so far.
5. Because you’re still trying to “make it” the old way by waiting for a big record label to discover you and treat you like a god.

Read the rest here plus access the podcast.

Comments

[Jason Sangwin]

I dig most of the list, having been there and having made friends that have actually been hard working enough to have made a career out of it.

The book that has sat by my bedside table since 1997 is called "Get In The Van" by Henry Rollins.

That made me realise that I liked music for the pleasure of making it and occasionally playing it (say about 20-30 shows each year generally at the same clubs with the same crowd). Being iconic in music was something I realised you really have to work hard at, nobody just comes in and sweeps you away on a fairytale adventure full of riches.

An idea I gave a friend of mine for a documentary was to follow a band that didn't make it, showing the local circuits the band plays and how a 'scene' develops with bands supporting each other by getting the marketing out there, hitting the pavement with posters, electronic media - schmoozing with friends in the busy record stores to swindle fans.

Then watching how the band delivers when they actually get the crowd out gigs.

I create music and play for me now because I know I will not do it as a career choice - it is a tough gig and certainly does not just come to you.

[Brian Thompson]

Hey thanks for sharing this Top 10 list that Michael and I whipped up for The Music Biz Weekly podcast Alan... cheers!

Brian