Hi there,
I'm curious about the qualities that make a successful musician so  
I've sent this email to everyone I know who plays music,  
professionals and not. I want to know what 5 personal qualities a  
musician needs to foster in order to achieve "success" in music. I  
would also like to know how YOU define success in music for yourself.  
So, if you would, email me your top-five list and how you define  
musical success. Be as long or short as you want.

I hope to get enough responses so I can sate my curiosity. If you  
take the time to respond to this, I will share with you the results  
of this non-scientific survey. Maybe we can all learn something.

Thanks for your indulgence. I appreciate your thoughts on this.

Cheers,
Tom Michero
tom@lotusmusic.com

Dear Tom,
You caught me on a day that I am digitizing tapes, which involves a lot of waiting around, so I guess I can answer your question or at least attempt to.
First of all, as for the meaning of "success," there is a lot to think about. Being able to support yourself and pay the rent is certainly a measure of personal success. "Success" in Music may or may not be reflected by that standard. That may be easy for me to say since I have not achieved great financial success in music. I have managed to secure about half the money I make from Music, but that's still not very much.
To me, my great "success" in Music comes from:
1) having written songs that other people like to play and that they remember. The other day I ran into someone in a bar in NYC and asked her if I'd met her before and she said, "oh yes, I know your song..." and then quoted to me from a song she'd heard a year and a half earlier and couldn't forget.
2) people knowing that I am a good musician. I get called to play music of many styles and in many situations.
3) hearing music in the world all the time. Enjoying the sounds of the world and hearing the many instruments/sounds all around me.

The five things a musician needs to succeed:
1) the ability to listen and be quiet
2) courage
3) persistence
4) the knowledge that they have something to say
5) an appreciation of sound

Best wishes for a new year... Ky