Choose your parents wisely. Being a nepo baby is the surest way to become a star.

I made the mistake of being sired by hard-working but heavies in the music industry parents. The result is, I'm a career musician, happy with it, but will never make Taylor Swift or Bruce Springsteen money.

OK - seriously.

You can make a living as a career musician. But, 99% of us will never become rich and famous. That doesn't me we can't live a happy life doing what we want to do though.

Hone your craft until you are better than most of your competitors, become a chameleon and learn to express yourself authentically in many different genres, learn marketing skills, research your local market and choose where to focus your main efforts and more.

I know a girl who sings to karaoke tracks. She is a good singer, has a nice PA set for small rooms, and gigs quite a lot. She targeted the country market and plays small venues and does pretty well. I know a guy in a wedding band who makes a good living putting up with bridezillas. I know another who refuses to play anything but "art music" and has a day job and gigs occasionally.

I'm a career musician who almost made the big time. Opened concerts for the stars of the day, and was courted by a record company who wanted to exploit us. When that failed, I went back to nightclubs, private parties, restaurants, retirement developments, hotels, or whoever needed a band. I am not living a life of luxury, but I'm making a living doing what I would do for free, the mortgage is paid off, and I'm not in debt. To me, a modest living doing what I love is better than a wage-slave job with a retirement package. But that's me, I'm in the minority.

There is more than one right way to do this, you need to find out what is right for you - what suits your talents - how hard you want to work at it - what to focus on - what your competition is - and so on.

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

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