Originally Posted by BIG JIM MERRILEES


A quick story. I was in the studio today and a pal of mine came in to lay down a guitar part for an original piece I am working on. He had never heard it before and did not even ask what key it was in. While it was playing for the first time he busked along and laid down this incredible solo, also recorded lots of different takes one after the other in diff styles and with diff fx so I could choose the stuff I liked. I loved all of it and it will be hard to choose what to bin. This guy makes a good living but has never really hit the big time. It riles me when I know that very few if any of these so called "stars" who make zillions could come close to his performances or professionalism.



Hi Jim

I was recently explaining to someone who was very interested in breaking into the music industry.

In the discussion I mentioned talent, then I said you need either A Talent or B Talent or both.
They said what's the difference?

I said - "A" Talent means your flat out great, and just about nobody can deny it or question it,unless there an idiot lol..

"B" Talent - Is having the talent that the INDUSTRY and the KIDS are looking for.

Nobody in the biz except some engineers and whoever is paying for the production and time cares about your friends gift. I do of course.. but I mean the Record Labels etc..
Being a GREAT musician has very little to do with being a big music star in many many cases. The guitar player is out of the limelight these days. Been that way for a while now.

A TALENT - is important to the B Talent,weather they know it or not. Justin Timberlake (B Talent) had a phenomenal guitar player working for him a few years ago, This guy is in high regard to all (who know) in the music scene. But actually nobody could care less WHO plays the guitar for him. They are not there to see or hear him at all...
The B TALENTS need the A TALENTS they often produce there records and do all kinds of behind the scenes things.

B TALENT - The B Talent the kind that the industry pushes and sells you. He or she sings pretty good to very good, LOOKS great to most and dances well... Can't play, can't or doesn't really write, can't produce, can't do any in depth stuff. That's not there job or talent or skill.
But the A TALENT needs the B TALENT also... If that's what the industry has chosen to promote then THEY need work. Musicians get session work, and do tours etc...

Of course there are the "Artists" that have the luxury of being noted as both. John Mayer is a great example of that.
EVERYBODY who knows anything knows he''s a great guitar player and musician. Yet his HITS are always the simple basic songs with NO solo's or extensive riffs, or riffs at all. The public
picks up mostly on his voice, song and looks, the same for Brad Paisley.

Britany is a B TALENT, Paul Simon is an A TALENT,
Beyonce is a B TALENT, STEVIE is an AAAA TALENT smile

The SINGER is the most important thing to the public... Sometimes the depth of talent of that singer varies, that could play into there longevity,career and how they are perceived.

Even your friend knows he will probably NEVER be famous or rich from the music industry. He will get respect from everyone he encounters though. Maybe that will be enough for him maybe not.
But also You can't pay Con Edison or College tuition with respect...

Thanks!
Peace Mike
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