I had a bit of a revelation recently. I've been decrying the music industry's lack of interest for aspiring artists over 40 when something hit me between the eyes which said, "DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!" One thing that plagues aspiring artists of any age is a lack of resources. I was always waiting for someone to whisk me away to "Music Industry Land" when it is I who hold the key to that destiny. As you have read in other blog entries, I see the state of the music indsutry as one of the most exciting times of change for a musician today. We can be on the ground floor of what is amounting to a musical revolution. Instead of seeing this as something bad, I see it as something inherently good.

 

So if you are an aspiring Boomer artist, this may be your time. Nine times out of ten, you have worked a regular job or you have a career in another field that sustains you when times are lean musically. Maybe you are a weekend musician who dreams of doing this full time. Maybe you are a songwriter who aspires to be published. What I am trying to communcicate to you is the fact that you can do this! You can do this!

 

As you may know by now, I am a huge fan of "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch" on CNBC. One show I watched recently was about people who started multimillion dollar companies with $500 or less. That literally blew me away. The common denominator was their desire to succeed, and their faith in themselves. Many musicians give up on their dreams because it feels like they will never happen. My question is, how can you give up on something that is a part of you?  The only logical answer I can come up with is that it wasn't really a part of you and that you were doing what someone else "thought" you should be doing. But many times, discouragement causes us to throw our dreams away. We feel that time has passed us by and that it is too late.

 

What is like Kismet for me is the fact that a few weeks ago, I watched a preacher on television speak about this very subject encouraging his listeners that it indeed, was not too late...that our latter days would be more blessed than our former days. That is how I feel about the Boomer aspiring artist. Age is relative, time is relative.

 

So now to the business of actually making it happen. It takes money to record a CD and put it out. It takes money to form your own label and publishing company. It takes money to market your product (which by the way, is you and your music).  Don't wait for some venture capitalist to swoop down and hand you $100,000 or more to get your product off the ground...do it yourself. Sometimes the answer is so simple that it's difficult. Take your fist out of the wall and start recording that CD one block of time at a time. It may take a little longer than you originally planned but remember that you are putting out a creation for all time when you record a CD. Make sure it is your absolute best work and somthing you will always be proud of. If it takes you two years to get it done, let it. You are an artist creating a work of art. Works of art capture time and space. With them, you leave your signature on this life. It is an honor. Do what you have to to do to make that happen.

 

If you have a second career, put money aside for your recording. Put together a business plan for promoting your product. Just because you have a second career doesn't mean you have to give up on your dreams. That's an illusion many of us Boomers have. Someone down the road has told you to "grow up and put your childish dreams behind". But you see, music is a gift. It is something you were given that can't be taken away. If you try to bury it, it will only haunt you because it is part of you. Realizing that is the first step to accomplishing your dream. Don't be afraid. Life only comes around once and unfortunately, too many are afraid to live it to the fullest. Too many are afraid to do what's really in our hearts.

 

Where there is will, there is a way and it can start with your own paycheck. Build your credit up and create your own destiny. If enough of us aspiring Boomer artists stand up and take life by the horns, we can make a difference!