At a recent showcase someone was heard making a comment about “amateurs”, so I checked her site to see how “professional” she was.

Hmmm…grammy nomination. Some air play, some name dropping. References to some people & friends I know in the industry who haven’t been doing much for the last couple of decades.

In other words, pretty much at the same level as most of the artists sharing the bill. In fact, maybe even a little less cred than the international touring artists, heads of respected industry organizations & mulitiple gold record artists sharing the stage the same night.

What constitutes a PROFESSIONAL?

Dictionary sez:

1. of profession: relating to or belonging to a profession

2. following occupation as paid job: engaged in an occupation as a paid job rather than as a hobby

3. businesslike: conforming to the standards of skill, competence, or character normally expected of a properly qualified and experienced person in a work environment

4. very competent: showing a high degree of skill or competence

5. doing something habitually: habitually, and usually annoyingly, indulging in a particular activity

Okay. So everyone there relates to being musicians

A couple of ‘em make a living doing music

Most were highly competent, though a couple were habitually annoying, but, back to (1) still relate to being musicians.

Which leaves #3

Skill? Okay.

Competence? Okay.

CHARACTER?

Most “professionals” do not go around sharing snap judgments of people without at least a little research. One of the first fine custom guitars our shop built was for a guy who came in smelling bad & looking homeless. We almost showed him the door, but he was courteous, knowledgeable, focused & knew exactly what he wanted, so I took time to listen, got his (sizeable) down payment in cash, & his referrals gave us some of the best studio connections in the industry once the guitar was finished.

He could have name dropped, heck if he had introduced himself properly, he would have been treated like royalty, ‘cuz one of his songs was still on the charts.

Other than excessive cologne, he had a truly professional attitude. He did not come in with the attitude of  “WORSHIP ME I’M A ROCKSTAR” He had my respect by being concise, courteous, & prepared with his down payment. And I appreciate that I was also respected by him for what I do.

There are times I hear things like “Oh, he’s just a …” .

I’d sure like to see some of those uppity types actually DO the things they look down upon.
“JUST” a busboy? Yeah, try carrying plates & utensils for a party of twelve in one hand while wiping the table to spotless perfection with the other.

“Just” a grocery cashier? Like YOU could keep track of the code numbers for 63 varieties of produce, verify items & prices in your head as they scan by, & still remember the name of the customer you only see once a month, & their kid’s names?

We all have something that makes us unique & special. Sometimes the smallest, simplest part is the most critical for a machine to function.

The bible says we’re all made according to God’s purpose

Who are we to tell GOD he’s made a mistake?

No amateurs here.

We are all related to the job of living a life, & as professional beings, we all should have some respect, and return it as well.

So it seems that this person, by presenting herself as a “professional,” was probably the least professional of all.

Sitting in a room with 1000 other songwriters is a breathtaking experience.

Neophytes looking at the competition. Veterans looking at the wannabees.

As always, there was much to learn, & lots of excellent music all around.

Changes in copyright forms, internet business models, distribution, use & application in alternative media, & much more were all discussed. Jam sessions around every corner, & late at night in some of the rooms.

And, demos.

A few years ago, I wound up with about 50 demos from other artists, some were finished CDs. I realized it at that time I would have no time to listen to everyone, so I started only accepting CDs from people who really wanted to get some feedback, not just anyone tossing one my way. I figured this way I’d get a better percentage of really good stuff that I would enjoy listening to from people really working at what they do..

I was very wrong.

This year, I got some beautifully produced work that was “almost” there, and one standout I really enjoyed, nice picture on the disc, titles of songs, and the artists’ name.

But NO CONTACT INFORMATION.

DOH!

So Connie, if you’re reading this, yeah, you got a shot.
:)

Busy busy busy.

Sometimes it’s difficult to write a blog, like when I’m driving.

Seems these days constant multitasking is essential to getting everything done.

Ironically, it seems that I thought when I got older, I’d long for simpler times & days gone by.

But either I’m not there yet, or my generation is different. I’m looking ahead towards new technologies, where thoughts & ideas can be shared and absorbed instantly, where medical breakthroughs can be figured out, mapped out & processed quicker so a lifesaving or healing procedure can be approved before anyone has to die waiting.

A time when thoughts & ideas can be shared easily to provide an emotional bridge or fill a psychological gap so people can understand each other on a deeper level, before throwing verbal & physical assaults at each other. I want more, faster, better.

Perhaps in some sense it does mean simpler, where little thought is given to injury because you know a sensor will activate a healing process based on your pain. A bout of depression can be alleviated by a musical interlude, a comment, a picture or taste. Bad stuff happens, poof, it’s all better without having to deal with it.

Which frees some people to be more creative, & other to enjoy those new things that happen because of this creativity.

Ultimately, understanding how & why God created mankind, & while not being God-like, finally communing with Him at the level we were originally designed for.

Ultimate, unrestricted, pure love.

Cool.

These past few months have been a ..LOT.. busier than I would ever have imagined,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWS7VeG8z6g

Gives you a lil’ idea of what I’ve been up to.

I missed the VMAs last nite, but after watching the reruns of Kanye’s nonsense, I hope he crawls back into his closet & never comes out.

Angel wings? Diva attitudes? fighting & whining over trivia & minutae?

His apology is like saying: “Oops. Sorry I killed yo’ mamma…peace out baby” Even Michael Jackson eventually found forgiveness in his passing. Kanye may find it too, but sadly, I think he’s gone beyond & needs to step into has-been land & shut up before he does more damage.

His next hit will probably be to his head, with a bat. A very large one.

Thank You Kanye, for a life that has served as a warning to other artists.

Yeah, you can follow me & I can follow you. Kinda.

I am not gonna put that on my phone. As it is, when I go to my page it rolls like a slot machine. Too many tweets from too many friends.
Staying connected is so overwhelming, sometimes I wanna just run to a cave someplace & hide. There are some people that seem to LIVE on Twitter & other social networking sites. While I do agree it’s important to stay connected, and, for a performing artist it’s ESSENTIAL to be there for your friends & fans, there are only 24 hours in a day.

Ya gotta eat. Ya gotta …do yer bizness. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve heard that unmistakable swoosh click of a sidekick, echoing over stall doors. Talking to my kids over dinner, they were carrying on a conversation with me while texting their friends.

How can a brain work like hat?

Once, I attempted to learn drums. I was amazed at how great drummers could keep one beat with their foot, while playing something entirely different with their hands, in fact, playing up to four different rhythms at once. So I tried Piano. Right. Left hand running bass lines in ¾ while the right hand is playing chords & melodies in 5/8.

I suppose multitasking in realtime keeps your brain active & may help prevent loss of coherency or acuity. But it’s just making me a little crazy & manic.

Although it seems archaic & maybe even inefficient, I prefer sitting down with my friends, just discussing life over a cuppajoe.
Without the Bluetooth on one ear, ipod in the other, in my car headed someplace with the news & traffic on the radio…

Some of you know the lil’ project I’m doing with Pauline (www.youtube.com/pspauline)

Apparently people enjoy parodies. Because now those lil’ youtube videos are getting reposted in ther places like YahooGLUE  http://glue.yahoo.com/page/watchtower+magazine

And Youtube Japan  http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=JP&hl=ja&v=Ezd5GY66AWI

Even Spain! http://www.videoblogs.com/visor_youtube.php?web=youtube&id=opKaeOTILTE&clave=como%20la%20folr&pagina=1

Andy Warhol was a pre-internet celebrity. He was known for “pop” art, & probably made more money on his painting of a Campbell’s soup can than the original designer did.

He had a cadre of artists & musicians, some of whom because enduring legends, other who had their “15 minutes of fame” & were gone. A lot of people can’t remember the name of the band who did the Macarena, or even “Octomom”’s real name. Now with twitter, anyone can be famous for 15 seconds, because they can be part of a celebrity tweet to that celebrity’s entire fanbase, where tens of thousands of people will see their name. Pauline & I will have more stuff up soon, and will be posting audio versions as well, so hopefully our fifteen minutes will last a lot longer, & the grins & smiles this stuff is generating can continue to help people feel better, & make the world a better place.
For at least 15 minutes.