Make Your Own MusicWriten by Scott Ginsberg
I gave a speech last night at a club called Love. Coolest place I've ever seen in my life.
The bartender, Preston, told me that on Friday of this week, Ludacris will be performing on the same stage I took last night.
Wow! I can see it now: halfway through his show, Ludacris will say, Yo, I just wanna thank Club Love for allowing me to perform on the same stage as my hommie Scotty G. Big ups to the Nametag Guy.
Hey, no problem Ludacris. Whatever I can do dog.
Anyway, that got me thinking about college. During my stint at Miami, I spent a number of nights playing music in coffee shops. Nothing too elaborate, just me, my guitar and a microphone. Sharing songs Id written about stuff that was going on in my life.
It was a singer/songwriters dream: unplugged, intimate and authentic. Like an episode of VH1 Storytellers. The perfect venue to share my art with the world.
The only problem was, people didnt want art. They wanted to hear songs they knew:
Play some Dave Matthews!
Freebird!
American Pie!
Right. Im going to stand up here all night and play covers like some typical, unoriginal, crowd-pleasing, sell out copycat so you and your friends can get drunk and sing along to jams youve heard a thousand times before. If you want that, stay home and listen to your stereo!
Unfortunately, some of them actually did. (Or they went to another bar. One of the two.)
However, despite smaller crowds, I stayed committed to playing my own stuff. Not because I was the next campus rock star. Not because I was the next Dylan. But because its just not in my nature to do other peoples material.
Thats just not how I roll. Not in art, not in business and not in life.
I make my own music. Period.
Interestingly enough, after a few years of playing shows, audiences started to listen between the notes. People finally embraced the originality of the music. Songs touched them in a new way, even if they didnt know all the words. And ultimately, the music was that much more beautiful. It was sustained by its creativity and uniqueness.
But we're not talking about music here.
The point is: you can always play someone elses material, but that wont sustain you. It wont challenge you. It wont expand you. And it certainly wont guarantee you success. After all, how many tribute bands have ever been inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame?
Thats right. Zip-o.
Look. I know sometimes its just easier to play other peoples stuff: its quick, its safe and its guaranteed to get you some applause.
But you know what? Receiving a nice round of inner applause feels a hell of a lot better.
If you truly want to make a name for yourself, make your own music.
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
In what way do you make your own music?
2006 All Rights Reserved.
Scott Ginsberg, aka The Nametag Guy, is the author of three books and a professional speaker who helps people maximize approachability, become unforgettable and make a name for themselves. To book Scott for your next association meeting, conference or corporate event, contact Front Porch Productions at 314/256-1800 or email scott@hellomynameisscott.com
See Online Music Lessons at > http://www.entertainbox.com/