JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Success Stories Forum What Is Success?

A few years ago I was screening some songs from an English Publisher, he did not know anything about me.

He was small time but that's not a problem for me he was and is into Jazz and I enjoy a certain amount of Modern and Chicago Blues.

Anyhow in an exchange of e mails I said that all the songs he had were generally has been’s trying to write a new song to make some money.
He had one by Ringo Starr one by Big Jim Sullivan a great guitarist but no song writer. and I said we could not use them at E.M.I.

He came back at me telling me that his artist Big Jim had had more success than I could ever dream of, I had to laugh, because I had worked with Jim unknown to the Prat Publisher and we had got on great, However I had had several co writes in the U.K. charts at that time, I did not even consider that I had done something that lots would consider a success.

Success to me is being married to the same beautiful woman
for forty years having three sons and a daughter who all do their own thing, living in a lovely country house I paid cash for twenty years ago. And after all this time in the last two years I have realised the best ways of writing commercial songs, songs that I am in no hurry to record , for selling purposes, just to be able to cycle around the country side,
and gig with my son, that's a success to me.

I think certain peoples views of success holds them back from ever getting anywhere, just look at these people who are rejected on American Idol, it's like some of them have no reason to go on living. what is this obsession, that people seem to have for some sort of celebrity status?

Cool, that's keeping it in perspective...I do this because I love the creative process, that I can create something pleasing to the ears in just a little bit, well it's something I enjoy very much...and having the time to do it is a certain level of success to me, I'm doing what I want to be doing...being in pursuit of the highest level of expertise is something my father engrained in me early on, if I ever achieve commercial success with my writing I will surely have to give him some credit, for now, I am enjoying being a good writer that someday hopes to be great because I will have reached that higher level and with it will come the freedom to have even more time to spend with my family and in the creative process I love...Thanks for the post...Moker

Hey Split,

All good points.

I think you can only really achieve success when you're not chasing it. I gave music away for 8 yrs after my kids were born, simply because a lot of money vanished out of the industry, and I felt a family deserved better than a struggling artist to support them. Funnily enough, my wife entered it as I was leaving, and has done well, so we have always been in touch with what is going on locally. I've only returned to it in the last 2 yrs.

I really like my current position, as I can write and produce on my own time, collab with others around the globe, and slowly build up the catalogue without worring about where the money's coming from to pay the daily living expenses.

Recognition and the perks that accompany it might happen one day, it might not, but it sure won't happen if I go chasing it. They've always said "Money and fame run faster than you do" and I must aggree. I also like the saying "It's not who you know, but who knows you" So, we'll see, and it won't be through lack of trying. Good post.

cheers, niteshift

Success is being able to lay your head down at night and being able to go to sleep!

And don't forget waking up!

Choosing the right opportunities instead of falling into them.
I have known of musicians that have all these musical aspirations and settle in order to get a spot somewhere.
I sure don't envy them.
It must be like selling their soul.

So success for me is'nt financial, but the fact that I will be no worse off doing things my own way and appreciate the listenership that got something out of what I did.

I don't generalize what I play.
I'm mainly pop/rock with alternative and avant influences.
But I do not label what I do so I can tell where my target potential listenership lies.

People that like the styles I play have pointed them out each time.
Even more abstract influences like Velvet Underground.
So I can tell finally that something musical has translated to the listener.
Pop and rock in itself is fusion, so it is a little trickier finding an audience than the stricter confines of blues or c&w, as an example.
I am out to better refine those influences.

I'm not trying to be liked by everyone as much and go with how I feel and back to my original purpose.
What is art other than thoughts?
You can try to get people to better understand the bumble, but it would be pretentious for a traditional c&w player to try and be Johnny Rotten.

Ya+I agree+

I stay at home with my three kids during the day to make sure they get all they need to be successful in their life. My wife has had a successful career and works incredibly hard to be able to give us this type of life. In the evenings, about 6-10 times a month, I play LIVE music! My wife supports this and this has made me incredibly successful in the Seacoast music scene of New Hampshire. Success is kind of like a glass of water, some people struggle to have one glass a day while others make sure they have 8 glasses a day.

Dan

Split,

I suppose we could break this topic into two parts. What constitutes a sense of personal satisfaction (life success) and what is our definition of career success.

I'm sure there are many out there who consider themselves successful in their job and yet dread going to work. But the fact that they provide well for their family counteracts the drudgery with a sense of personal satisfaction by being good providers. That person would then, it seems to me, to be successful with a sense of frustration that they aren't doing what they do with a passion for the work.

Like one poster said, they are a success because they can sleep at night with some satisfaction.

Career success on the other hand seems to be judged in terms of dollar signs or pecking order, and in this case the most successful CEO can be an abject failure in the game of life. I believe it was J. Paul Getty who once said he would trade all of his millions for one happy marriage.

For me, success MUST be coupled with happiness. I will always work hard at my craft, but not harder than I do on my personal or spiritual life. My wife and kids will always be more important that my songs and my songs are VERY important to me.

At the moment I'm nearly broke, but I wouldn't trade places with anyone.

Wayne

I guess a greater success would be watching the news of the hardships and be glad I am not them.

Success seems really vulturistic in a certain way.
Someone else had it a lot harder and does'nt have those things that others take for granted.
I never felt really good for more than 5 minutes.
But there can still be solace and also that I have a warm place to sleep.

Success for me is turning 65 years old today!

I appreciate having been able to play music full-time for over 40 years. Come to think of it, that's what I set out to do so many years ago. I guess that can be defined as success. I also appreciate all those musicians and entertainers who took me under their wing over the years and taught me the business. Put a price on that!

Wayne
www.waynelongtin.com

Hey Wayne,
Happy B-day Bro! And you are totally talking success there. I just drove past Betsy's Cafe today and thought about your "Cruising Van". Boy, when I retire...... Take care and I hope you have a good one

Well done guys,

It's nice to hear from level headed guys, as well.
And well done Steeve nice thing to do.
As that lady says being able to sleep at night, and it's so much nicer when you own the bed and those walls around it.

I know of many many unhappy alcoholic drug taking so called Stars, I would not swap life styles with any one, sorry I've never worried about money and it always seems to be there when i need it.

HI Again, Split!

I think "Success" is when we no longer NEED to try very Hard at Something We Love. (With any Luck, that "Success" provides us with enough Loot to at least Survive On.) (Or, in the Case of Love, enough Love to no longer keep looking for it.)

I don't (Personally) think "Success" gives any of us the Right to "Coast"..(Unless we end up Disgustingly-Wealthy, I guess..heh!)

I, for one, Love a Good Challenge. ALL my Hobbies, save Songwriting, ended up as Businesses. Cartooning..then Clockmaking..then Early Electric Fan Collecting/Restoring. Songwriting's the only Hobby that's yet to be a Business...

But..I'm fairly Aware Now that I'll have to Learn an Instrument to be More-Credible at this Profession. Lyrics are no longer A Challenge..after 25 years at it/Co-Writes continuing all over the Planet. But "Success" in the Music Field IS measured by Cuts..by NAME Acts...so...I'll continue Getting My Act Together/Penning The Unusal...The Controversial..The Different.

I've already learned Patience...(Clockmaking)..& Humor..(The Cartooning Years)...so Success in the Music Field isn't probably Too Many Years away. I'm rather Thankful it's Taken THIS LONG already...'cuz I've always Loved a Good Challenge..&..I've met a Lot of Real Interesting Folks..Like Yourself..on the way up!

Thanks for Sharing Some Know-How, Amigo...& yep, Success IS Owning that Bed ya Sleep In..With the Same Wife IN It, Year after Challenging Year!

Best Wishes & a Big Guy-Hug,
Stan

I see success as finishing something and having it turn out the way I wanted or better.

It also depends on expectations. if nothing but being the next American idol will do - chances are good that you wont be successful.
setting possibly attainable goals and enjoying the ride works for me.

based on the above, I have been somewhat successful in music, but not so much in marriage.
ah, well, perhaps an adjustment in expectations...

great topic!

I deem success for me is providing for my family, but not doing anything that keeps me from being able to shave in the morning. (we have to be clean shaven every day, and being able to look at yourself in the mirror is important part of shaving.)

as far as music goes... if fame is any thing like what happened when hadji girl hit the internet... i don't want it.

-cheers
steve