THE REAL GIG: Focus on what you’re good at and stop forcing what you’re not – listen to the Primal Ear
Here’s a Catch-22. Old people love to give advice. I am not sure why. For the most part, young people do not dig receiving it. This is unfortunate from both sides. Grandpa likes to believe he has figured everything out after all those trips around the sun. In other words, he is set in his […]
THE REAL GIG: Numbers aren’t always fun, but they can be essential to creativity
Last week, I was talking about personal philosophies and dreams. This week, I want to flip that coin. Today, we talk about numbers. Numbers are not all that fun to hang out with. In fact, they can be pretty damn boring and a royal pain in the ass. If you are going out for a […]
THE REAL GIG: How I went from an angry young man to a thankful, hopeful adult
I’m going out on a limb today. This column is going to sound like I’m a self-help coach or motivational speaker. I’ve started to write this story a few times in the past and realized I was rolling my eyes at myself, so I stopped. But it keeps coming to mind, so I’m going to […]
THE REAL GIG: Learn from Prince and don’t belabor creativity – work fast and often
Usually I have an idea in mind when I sit down to write this column but, yesterday, I got thrown off my game. Prince was found dead at Paisley Park. I think there are enough tributes floating around right now. I really don’t want to get into recalling when I first heard his music or […]
THE REAL GIG: Somewhere, someone knows the answer to that – finding a mentor
I am sure some of you have been watching the show “Vinyl” on HBO. I have been checking it out quite a bit. Some of the characters I am not sure about but, predictably, one of them I love. It’s the R&B singer turned band manager Lester Grimes. Here is a sample of Lester’s vibe. […]
THE REAL GIG: The best musicians have mastered the ancient art of not giving a shit
Last week, I wrote some liner notes about a record I just finished. In those notes, I talked about the finer points of not giving a shit. So, for today’s column, I’m going to head further down that road. There is a difference between not giving a shit and not caring. People who don’t care […]
THE REAL GIG: A great songwriter knows the storyteller is the story
Everyone has heard the saying “Don’t shoot the messenger.” In other words, “Don’t get pissed at me for delivering bad news; I’m just telling the story.” Today, I want to talk about stories. As simple as it is to see, I don’t think most people appreciate the awesome power of a compelling story. Everything has […]
THE REAL GIG: Space and limitations – knowing when to play and when to just listen
Here’s something I have noticed – age is more about throwing things away than acquiring more. As you get older, you start getting rid of stuff. I have been doing it more these days. And music is no exception. As you get older, you worry less about playing a dozen guitars and you look for […]
THE REAL GIG: Everybody has a soundtrack. How did you discover yours?
Last weekend, my good pal Tom Flannery sent me a photograph of Keith Richards and a small child (pictured above). I sent him a text to tell him how much I loved that picture. Tom and I are finishing up his latest record as we speak, so we talk back and forth often these days. […]
THE REAL GIG: Giving away your music may not be bad business – learn from the potlatch
In many Native American cultures, there was a custom called a “potlatch” ceremony. A potlatch was an event where a chief would give away all his possessions and wealth to members of the tribe. Sometimes, certain valuable items were even destroyed. The purpose of this was twofold. One, by accepting the gifts, the members of […]
