Persistence--The Magic to "Making It"

Many musicians are convinced that there is a trick, or method or person to meet or place to go that will ensure their success—nothing could be farther from the truth. If you look at the biographies of any successful songwriter they all do have one thing in common, though—they kept trying to be successful, long after fellow writers had quit, and even long after they attained “success.” Here are a few tips to keep you moving, even when you are sure it’s time to “call it a day.”

ACHY BREAKY HEART

This song, its writer was sure, should be a hit. He made the rounds of all the companies, and tried many singers, but no one wanted it. A lesser artist finally picked it up after the songwriter was ready to stop trying, and we know the rest of the story. Do you have a song that you’ve made the rounds with that excites people who hear it, but you just don’t get a contract offer? Perhaps you’re just trying in the wrong place. Many new artists are always looking for a breakthrough hit, and are more willing to try new material than a more seasoned singer is—lower your sights and give that a try—it may make your and that new person’s career. Besides, good songs are often recorded by more than one artist—if you get a first artist to pick it up, others may follow once they see the success your first had with it. Starting out small and building your way up through the ranks is often, too, a much easier road than scaling the mountain of getting an album cut with a platinum-selling artist. Build up a track record, and people will start coming to you.

LED ZEPPELIN

The Yardbirds were gone, except for the new guitarist, who had started out as the bass player. Finding new musicians to work with wasn’t enough, and the guitarist found he was being ridiculed by some of the best musicians in the land for his hopes of this band doing anything worthwhile. In response, he named the band after a term used one of the worst criticisms they received. They toured heavily, and kept improving their sound and songwriting skills, forcing themselves to try new material whenever possible. They lost many fans along the way, which wanted them to sound the same way they did in their early days when they were primarily a blues-revival cover band. In spite of this, as well as heavy criticism by the press, they remain second only to the Beatles as the highest album sales band of all time. Good thing that guitarist refused to not listen to what “other people thought” and chose, instead, to keep doing what he felt best. “The Industry” doesn’t always know best—if your stuff sells, the proof is in the numbers, not the reviews. Just proves that you should follow your heart, not the advice of critics, fans, experts or even your fellow musicians. As one motivational writer puts it—do what you love, and the money will come to you.

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