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Joined: Oct 2017
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Taking a page from Barry...
Is it better to be an unknown success, happy with your own music, people seem to like it, but no commercial success or, is it better to be a known failure? Like maybe somebody who had a little success early on, and people know who you are, but you could never have success again, then your albums all get bad reviews and dont sell, and eventually your career fizzles out?
Like would you rather be known as a one hit wonder, and be the brunt of jokes, or would you rather have never had any success, but can always say...what if?
Last edited by Fdemetrio; 03/12/18 09:44 AM.
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Um, Well, There has to be an answer somewhere. Uh, wait. I think I've got it. NEVER SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST. If you don't succeed, at least you tried.
Ray E. Strode
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That's interesting. But imagine being say...Greg Brady.
Would you rather be known as Greg Brady, and not have the money that goes with it, or just somebody who worked on his acting but never landed a tv show.
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A while back we opened for a very well known rock group popular in the late 60’s. As I was walking to the stage the lead singer of this group was walking off. I gushed at him and said how much I was a fan, blah, blah, blah. He just scowled and kept walking. That pi$$ed me off so I yelled to him you f…ing has been. He turned around looked at me and said “it's better to be a has been than a never was”. Touché.
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Yeah Igg, I guess being a one hit wonder is actually an unattainable dream for most people. It's just how the public views it. They don't realize or care how unlikely it was, all they care about is saying you're washed up.
What is the never was' defense though, when he gets booed? We'll I'd rather be a never was than a..... Lol
Last edited by Fdemetrio; 03/12/18 12:31 PM.
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I have a similar question I always ask friends who have THAT HUGE HIT and then nothing else, or sporadic cuts or hits on down the road. Usually it is the latter that is harder. But they can use that reputation on the one big one to continue their career. So while you may be a "one hit wonder" you still can get mileage out of that one hit for quite some time.
MAB
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I agree Marc. Its like contestants on Idol and The Voice and all these shows. People make fun of them because they "never did anything" after the show. But im guessing, that at very least you could milk being on the show to get gigs and do a hell of a lot better than if you werent. Any music venue would love to have a sign on their window...come see American idol's..so and so, live tonight, ladies drink free, and free wings from 10-11! I recently read story of Lee Dewyze, he won the damn show and most people dont know hes still alive. But im guessing he would have never got this gig, if not for his 15 minutes of fame http://variety.com/2017/music/news/...g-dead-publishing-deal-songs-1202476849/
Last edited by Fdemetrio; 03/12/18 03:12 PM.
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A while back we opened for a very well known rock group popular in the late 60’s. As I was walking to the stage the lead singer of this group was walking off. I gushed at him and said how much I was a fan, blah, blah, blah. He just scowled and kept walking. That pi$$ed me off so I yelled to him you f…ing has been. He turned around looked at me and said “it's better to be a has been than a never was”. Touché. Ozzy?
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I imagine (that's all a nobody can do) that if I had a big hit I would at least know that after all these years of really kinda tryin, I had made it to the top of the mountain that was so hard to climb. I know the time up there would be fleeting and the rocks are always looser at the top.
Last edited by RonnieDean; 03/12/18 03:41 PM.
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Well, I think that question was answered some time ago. TO BE OR NOT TO BE IS THE QUESTION. By somebody named Shakesphere, I think.
Ray E. Strode
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To be or not to be, has to do with living or dying. I think the quote you're lookin for is by Tenneyson.
It's better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all
Depends, being a one hit wonder can make you a cartoon caricature of yourself.
Where is Right Said Fred when you need him?
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I agree Marc. Its like contestants on Idol and The Voice and all these shows. People make fun of them because they "never did anything" after the show. But im guessing, that at very least you could milk being on the show to get gigs and do a hell of a lot better than if you werent. Any music venue would love to have a sign on their window...come see American idol's..so and so, live tonight, ladies drink free, and free wings from 10-11! I recently read story of Lee Dewyze, he won the damn show and most people dont know hes still alive. But im guessing he would have never got this gig, if not for his 15 minutes of fame http://variety.com/2017/music/news/...g-dead-publishing-deal-songs-1202476849/I have some personal connections to this Fdementriol. Having been involved with and winning a National contest in the 80's, we did ride publicity for a while, and did learn a lot about the real world and the nature of contests, and that knowledge has served me well over the years. And also having some personal dealings with two THE Voice participants, this past season's Adam Cunningham, and four years ago Megan Lindsey, who was first runner up on THE VOICE. They generally ride publicity for a while then settle into something else. Megan has been touring Europe and doing decently. Now it is such a "here and gone in 20 seconds" world for everybody, even some of the one hit wonders, it seems almost nobody has a lot of staying power outside their own niches and fan bases. What happens when you have millions of artists and billions of songs. MAB
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Yeah, Mabster, but ours are the best songs so all the other billions don't matter.
<Rim Shot>
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It's better to find yourself than it is to find fame and fortune.
If you want to make money in music, you can. It's not rocket science; I did it for years. You won't get rich and it's a lot harder than people think because gigging all the time is exhausting. If you are not gigging your chances of breaking out with original music is pretty much nil. This has always been the case during my lifetime, and will be for the foreseeable future. You can find exceptions but this is the rule for the 99%.
--TC
Last edited by TC Perkins; 03/14/18 09:41 PM.
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There's always a hundred dollar gig somewhere. Its just not worth the trouble. Most of the places I used to play were music venues, where the only people who show up are other musicians, or people you invite and give directions to. Those gigs didnt pay much at all.
Other places were later on, where a buddy and I went around different bars and restaruants and asked if they wanted to try something to help them recover. Occasionally the owner would say, YESSSSSS, ill try anything, my business is dying! And we'd invite people and they'd come out for first month or so but eventually the place does not get any more business.
I made 100 bucks playing in 95 and I made 100 bucks playing in 2015. Never changes.
But anybody who thought they would make money as a musician or songwriter must not have thought it through
Last edited by Fdemetrio; 03/17/18 01:12 PM.
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For me, just as it is with me now, for not having a hit record or film score, or TV commercial success, I am left with knowing I saved for sure one teenager from committing suicide, (Kate from England). Plus, knowing the business better now, I can see all the missed steps taken and steps not taken. We all can't be up high on any list, so, it seems those spots and especially the top spots are for those not just because of how people bought their product, but for how they had to be doing all the needed work/steps, redo's, learning, etc, to be able to even be considered to get in the recording studios in the first place!
I'm a educated, time tested/band tested, studio tested musician and composer. So are many who are in the same boat I am. We know we can do this and that. But, for many reasons along the path of life, we either didn't do the needed things, or were simple out of touch of the current needs of producers. I know for me, and for Buddy too until he retired over a decade ago, that we did the music that moved us. Music that was inspired by the bands and songwriters from our youth. Being more of derivatives than originals. I am happy with the results, for our songs still float our boats, as well as for our friends and family. THEY think we are award worthy! LOL. In a way, so do we. But, not in the business of music way. I am ok with that, NOW. I am 65, and can do music better than ever in all aspects. But, it will be done less often if at all on my own. (Tinnitus, and Retired from "trying" In The Business Sense way. I was never good at any business I tried. I was considered the best piano tuner in the Del Val area, (Philly and all surrounding states), BUT, I spent more time talking and playing the tuned piano for the customer, (and me). I didn't work the business. I would tune for free for families I could tell needed a real break. I would say that they were the lucky winner for the month, and to enjoy their tuned piano. it just felt right. Never had money come first in anything. BUT, with that way, I am not left with just SSI. BUT again, it was right all along my paths through life, so I am making it right now. my wife is happy with me, so that is a sign I did alright, despite anything business wise.
The Too Little Time song and my former band's name of the same says it all: "So, for NOW we'll love today, Said for NOW we'll love tonight. Together, time's flying by, bye".
It's all good. We all Live, Love, do stuff, have fun and some accomplishments at any level, even just playing or writing ANYTHING! Then, we hope we don't suffer before dying. All else is business or personal pleasures. For a lot of times, it's just Ego getting in the way, anyway.
John
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Personally, I have respect for anyone that tries. Whether they are famous, a one hit wonder, or a never was. At least they tried. I try to remember, it is a business. The people at the record, publishing, management companies have to make money. They follow the trend and give the kids what they want. If you happen to be in the right place at the right time, you might get lucky (if you are really good). Do what you like and try to have some fun.
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"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
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