I’ve written a ton of articles about how to do things in the music business, but have very rarely written about why we do what we do. I’ve taken the time recently to ponder why I’ve chosen this profession and its high time that you do the same. Here are three of the main reasons that I’ve come up with. There may be similarities or differences here, that will help you understand more about your own justifications.
#1 Reason to Sell Your Soul - [Money]
I would gamble to say that the majority of people in the music business think that becoming a star (or working for one) will lead to a magical pot of money that will erase all of their problems. We dream of fancy cars, big houses and closets full of clothes, thinking that those things will make life better. If money was your motivator, why not become a doctor or a lawyer? It’s far easier to make money with a law degree than it is to solve the ever changing mathematical equation of success in the music business. In fact, there is no secret formula. The industry is broken because of that simple fact. If you’re in it for the money, you may never make it.
# 2 Reason to Sell Your Soul – [Attention]
Being an artist in the spotlight isn’t all its cracked up to be. The fun, glamor and excitement of the red carpet only comes around a few times per year. Even then, award shows, in all of their HD glory, is not as appealing as you think. If you want someone to worship you, maybe you should consider becoming a benevolent dictator of a third world country. Attention is not the solution. Look what it did to Michael Jackson.
# 3 Reason to Sell Your Soul – [Laziness]
If you see a career in the music business as a short cut to fame a fortune, you’re sadly mistaken. In fact, the laziest thing you can do with your life is to graduate from an average college, get an average desk job and live out the rest of your life like an average American. Plenty of people say they want to succeed in the music business. Far fewer understand that you’ll have to work ten times harder than anyone else (except maybe comedians) to get ahead. However, as you grow, you’ll see that the road ahead holds some of the most beautiful views in the world.
Hi. Liked what was said up there. There’s a reason for everything including our gifts of musical talent and money was certainly not the main intention of The Giver. Some of us realised in time but could only watch it fade away as age would allow. Some of us never do and kept on using it for a different purpose till the end and some us are lucky enough to realise and managed to use it as intended.
Why does a flower bloom? … Because that’s what it does! The blessings of the Creator flow through us.
@ Sha’aban Yahya – That’s exactly right. What he have been given a gift. Its finding the our true purpose that matters the most.
@Kilissa Cissoko – Great analogy. We make music simply because that what we were put here to do. Now would you sell it for 99 cents or give it away for free?
Good post as usual!
I agree that money, fame, and motivation are comon reasons. Even necessary reasons to some degree.
But what about “bliss”. The idea of working in the medium you enjoy. Many people enter the music business because music is what makes them happy and that is where they want to try and find work. For any professional in the business worth their salt, this is the underlying reason for all other reasons to be in the music business.
[...] Kevin English a trouvé 3 raisons de vendre son âme pour 0.99 cents lorsque l’on travaille dans le music business (argent, popularité, fainéantise). Et il explique très bien à quel point c’est une erreur et cela pollue la musique. Sans démagogie. [...]