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.
