Nametags

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the idea that on any given day I walk past dozens-hundreds of people that I will never know. Not knowing them is not usually the issue. The issue is if I'm honest with myself, I don't care.

That sounds harsh; but do you stand in line at the grocery store or in the airport and more than acknowledge the existence of those around you? Each one of those people is the center of their own universe they have a lifetime of experiences, triumphs, failures, heart aches that I'll never know about. I don't know their names they wont remember my face, you get my point.

To put my conscience at ease I asked the cabinet lady at home depot a few leading questions...I figured the box store hadn't been there forever she must have had a life before that orange smock. Right? She used to live in VA, owned her own arts and crafts store, put two kids through college. This woman even helped her girls start successful businesses of their own.Oh and she was modest about it but I feel like she was a pretty good artist.

I tried this again on a recent flight from Atlanta to Nashville. The young woman next to me was a Sr. at a Kentucky University who was on her way back from L.A.. "Summer Vacation?", I asked. She then informed me she just buried her boyfriend who drowned the week before in a swimming accident. He passed while she was trying to save him. And the kicker was that she seemed okay. She was full of hope and she had plans on how to honor his life.

As artists we have the privilege of telling people our stories...but maybe we also have the responsibility of telling theirs.

j.

Lights Out on Broadway

Those who live in Nashville rarely venture downtown on Broadway. That's where the tourist hang out and of course the contrition of any local to be mistaken for a tourist. Last night however, I did make the journey towards the glowing lights. I noticed on the way a few establishments whose lights were out. Not completely out just parts of a word or letter. S__OKEY's _AR n' GR_LL

Here's my issue with lights out. I know they can be expensive and that something is better than nothing, but didn't you spend a lot of time picking just the right name for your establishment...don't you want people to get it right. If you can't even keep the lights running I really supposed to believe you're doing a great job keeping the kitchen clean or the toilette paper stocked? It's your first impression, maybe the only one you get, though it may have worked for 20 years if it's not working now and I've never seen it work then, my memory will always be only of what I experienced.

This can be said of business models, older touring acts, and metal approaches to different things. Here's two things the fast food chains do well. There lights are always working correctly (save the rare personally owned franchise, and they always add update their menu, while remaining true to their specialty. I don't eat out much but I love to try whatever is the new big poster item...I know I can always come back to a big mac or a tray of tacos if it doesn't work out.

This is why you should let people hear your music for free at least early on, maybe when you reach whopper status and become a staple of their musical diet you can charge. But you got to be like that corner crack dealer giving the first hit for free. Just make sure it's a hit.

Right now the music industry is like food court at the mall their are a bunch of samples out there to try. Help me decide between the peanut chicken and the Sabarros by being so good, I have no choice but to become a consumer.

So keep your first impression strong, I know you've been doing this for years but don't let the light get dim keep shining keep your brand strong. And be so undeniably good that with just a taste I am wanting more, lots more. Have the goods ready to follow up the initial demand when the time comes.

j.