Little steps. Tiny bits of progress. It’s weird how music seems like someone might come out of nowhere and is suddenly popular. What people don’t tend to see is all the hard work that goes in behind it.
There’s a conversation I recall having with someone in my past who said: “I can get someone on the billboard charts. What I can’t do is keep them there.”
What they meant is that it can be easy to manipulate the chart to get people aware of an artist. But once that’s done it’s the talent and work ethic of the artist that would keep them there. It’s a tough business and one most shouldn’t jump into lightly.
Along those lines I recently had a conversation with someone and they were asking about some my journey thru this business. After telling some stories of things I’ve had happen, and people I’ve met, I mentioned that I have been writing a book about it all.
The title is based on an album title I have called Practical Insanity. Which is the crux of this industry. At times it’s practical, and at other times it’s pure insanity. There’s no if’s and’s or but’s about that.
The book isn’t a tell-all. It’s a journey. Maybe a bit of a cautionary tale. In that, sometimes it doesn’t matter what connections or how much talent an artist has, sometimes shit will go wrong. If there is anyone that knows that – it’s me.
Same can be said for sports. I have friends who played sports professionally. Some in the majors, some also in the minors, some in both. In multiple sports. Much like music, playing sports at a level like that can be practical insanity.
During this recent conversation I was asked if I had played basketball in high school or college. The answer is no. Despite my height, I did not find basketball as something I wanted to pursue. Not in the least, which might seem weird based on my athleticism.
When I got into music as a full-time profession, I certainly didn’t initially think to write sports music either. It’s one of those twists and turns in my practically insane career that happened. Based on a connection made and also on me attending a particular sporting event some time after.
Today marks the day where I’m releasing yet another version of Do You Want to Play for a basketball team. This time it’s a minor league (or rather a G League) team known as the Grand Rapids Gold. A city I have not yet had the pleasure to experience.
Mind you, I do not dislike basketball as a sport. One of my favorite movies to watch is Glory Road. It’s an amazing story of triumph in the face of great odds, on multiple fronts. A lot like the music business.
Watching basketball live is a lot more fun for me than playing it. I especially like watching those who make to those upper echelons of the sport. They make it look so much easier than it truly is; something I’ve been accused of when it comes to music and playing guitar.
If you’re a fan of the Grand Rapids Gold, I applaud you for stopping by and reading up on my musings. And for listening to the music, which I’m going to assume you’ve done.
As for the little steps of progress…
I’m still in the midst of another journey with Kubernetes and will have more to share about it before long.
