Although I long ago lost any illusions I had about this business of music, there's always a glimmer of hope that something will leap forward and "change the world."

Although I'm the age of many of the long timer musicians, I didn't come to songwriting lyrics and being a musician until late in life, like age 61. I played piano for many years, not well, and was a product of the 60s of which the practical side of me went to college and became a public certified accountant who could earn money and have a successful career. I always liked music but was never serious about it until recently. Sometimes I feel like a failure because I do not have all those years of playing in a band or being a semi professional musician mastering an instrument. I spent those years in college, getting a degree and becoming a successful business owner and a certified public accountant. Am I now to feel any less successful because I'm not a top notch musician? Many of us, including old timers have given up on the music industry. In reality, it's not us, but a world of corporate insiders who only promote their own or young talent that they can maximize their profits. They wouldn't take a chance on negotiating with mature musicians who know to hire attorneys and make sure they're being treated fairly. What's in it for us, only the personal satisfaction of a job well done. Sort of an Emily Dickinson catalog of songs to leave for the world, as if anyone would really care.
My husband told me today that the Beatles didn't write a lot of their songs, many other people did. Not surprised since they were touring and songwriting takes a lot of time. The Beatles were a studio band put together by global investors. Much like Taylor Swift, her father purchased a publishing company with investors and promoted her and hired professional songwriters. This is the formula for most of the corporate music industry today. There was a time in the 60s when so much fresh talent was coming out, almost too much to be recognized. A time when the global corporate music industry had not taken over and a lot of small labels and more radio airplay, it was great. But that time has come and gone and who knows when or
what the next big wave will be.

Belladonna,

There's nothing wrong with being a late bloomer!

The most important thing in music is not to measure yourself by any standard other than enjoying what you do. If you answer 'Yes' to questions such as: Do you enjoy it? Do you feel satisfied doing it? Was it fun? etc... then you're a success.

In relation to The Beatles, I respectfully disagree with your husband. While The Beatles did occasionally sing songs written by others, their success came from songs that were written by members of the group. The main songwriter in the group were Paul McCartney and John Lennon. They also didn't write that many songs. I recall reading some time back that they wrote a little over 200 songs. The thing is, nearly all of their songs were really successful because they managed to tap into something in the human psyche that appealed to a huge number of people.

All the best with music! It's never too late to enjoy being involved with it.

Regards,
Noel

Hmmm, your husband doesn't know much about the Beatles apparently!

It is true that very early on in their career they did a few covers, but most of their songs were written by John, Paul, and George. Also they stopped touring quite early on in their career and concentrated instead on writing music and producing albums.

Also, they were not a "studio band put together by global investors"!! They were a gigging band long before they were signed to a contact (with the exception of Ringo).

Man, it's not as if their story has not been very well documented over the years!!

(I wonder if he got them confused with the Monkees??)

If you love doing something, you're never too late to take up a new hobby or passion in my opinion We are ever-changing, and constantly finding new things we're good at and that bring us happiness.

As for the mark regarding The Beatles - others have said it already, but calling them a manufactured pop group definitely doesn't do them justice.

You might have confused the Beatles with the Beach Boys - those records were mostly recorded by studio musicians.

However, it's well documented about the Beatles and their songwriting chops; the fact that they were NOT a studio band, but rather a very tight unit that put their time in playing in a basement bar in Germany day after day after day after day after day.

Yep... I was also going to say, your husband is wrong about the Beatles. They were some hard working lads before they ever got a record deal. A brilliant produce, amazing songwriting team of Lennon and McCartney, and being in the right place at the right time....

I'm sure there's a lot of corporate acts.... say what you will about how Taylor Swift made it... but there's one thing for sure... she can write a pop song. I'm not her fan, but you have to give credit where it's due. The truth is, most of what is claimed is also not true. The Swift family was well off, but not rich. Her dad didn't buy a publishing company to get her started. In fact, she bought her parents a home AFTER she was making millions from here albums, concerts, and merchandising. He dad apparently now owns a 3% share of Big Machine. This is info garnered from online.

Some realities for musicians: Unless you have good looks, talent, connections and are young, the record companies are not interested in you. So for the older folks .... generally 25 years and older.... you can either gig locally, get a good following of fans, sell you merch and CD's in the clubs and make a decent living.... or you can write for end users.... be they artists, film, TV, commercials, jingles. No one cares how old you are or what you look like if you can write a good commercial melody. It's not easy, because there are so many folks who are doing that now.... but it is a viable option. A number of musicians I know, including myself have had some success in placing music with the people who can and have gotten the music into TV shows and film. No one asked for a Bio with pics.... they simply used my song and sent me the royalties. And that's cool.

All that to say... the music business might be tilted to favor the young and beautiful, but don't give up on it because there's more than one way to get into it and make money from it.

Thanks everyone for all the encouraging words and options that others have tried. It's good to know that it's not all rigged against those who try. I wish everyone on the site a very successful 2018.

Belladonna,

Another one. I have another take on this whole success thing that is very similar to Noel's. And what he is saying is absolutely critical for happiness, productivity, creativity and well-being.

But first: I think your husband might have been referring to the Monkees. Not sure but that is my guess.

On the "success" thing, like Noel, I think it is really really dangerous to measure yourself against ANYONE or ANYTHING under ANY circumstances. It is the instant shortcut to buzzkill.

Better to just feel blessed!!!!!!!!! It is a safer route.

And a lot more fun.

I am having an absolute and total blast with the independent music scene. I know I will never be a "star" but it blows my mind just knowing I can create music collabs online right now with jazz musicians in Europe and hip hop artists in Africa. Right here on this forum I have done collabs with people on other continents. Wow.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think when I was younger that I would be able to record what I can record now on my computer.

I saw the guy who recorded some of Taylor Swift's latest (Jack Antonoff) showing off his home studio and his keyboards and hardware on you tube recently. I thought, gee, I have the same set up almost. Except mine is 90% digital. And he was talking about "I can make any sound in the world I wanna make, right here." I was like "Heck yeah! I hear ya man!" And it's true. I can make whatever sounds I want to make right here.

I am as happy as a pig in a truffle scented mudbath and having the time of my life writing music these days.

I suppose being crazy helps out a little as well.

Keep going!!!!!

David,

I am as happy as a pig in a truffle scented mudbath and having the time of my life writing music these days.

Ha! Ha! Love this. Yes, I'm really appreciative of BIAB and all the members here. Yes, maybe my husband did mean the Monkees as we were talking about both groups, haven't had a chance to ask him again.

I guess sometimes I really feel so on my own as I haven't made the connections you have on other continents.

Hi Belladonna
ive been singing and touring for over 20 years now and its only since I discovered Biab that I class my self as a success.
You see for me success has been realising that the music in my head ,has now been giving a lease of life.people are hearing my thoughts and stories all ovcer the world ,thanks to biab.
success for me now is finishing a song weather it be good or bad ,its my song my idea my dream.
I wish you all the happiness in your adventure and believe me success is what you want it to be
john

Thank you John for sharing your story. I totally agree that BIAB has made a huge difference in my life. I am soo thankful that I have learned the basics of using the program, although I know I have a long way to go and am not a real tecky person. I have never been in a band, have never toured and have not even performed at many open mic nights. As an older person I have no desire to tour or deal with the mechanics of being in a band. There is so much music out there that probably many people will not ever hear the songs I write or even like them. But there is a personal satisfaction I feel about the songs I write. Finally getting them to the BIAB level feels like I have brought them to a professional level. My next goal is to do an album when I get enough songs that I really really like to put on one. It has been nice to also meet some of the great musicians on this site.

I'm also a late bloomer in this area. I picked up a guitar at 17, but never played with others until many decades later. I started playing guitar with a buddy and then when I moved out of state, I started writing songs and we created a whole rock opera. I did the songwriting, played bass, half the guitar and some keyboards. I also did all the production work, drum tracks etc. I pulled in some more talented people for most of the vocals and more complex guitar solos. I'm not looking to make a second career out of it, so it's all free. But it was an awful lot of fun.
You can download it at www.rock-opera.com or https://soundcloud.com/zurlocker/sets/underground-radio