I was sitting, contemplating the other day. I was deep in thought about how am I going to do all the things that I want to in regards to music. I was wondering if I had the self-motivation to complete the tasks I've put in front of myself. Then I started to think about Self-Motivation. Is it a real state of mind or is it one of those things that you either have or don't have, or is it something you have to cultivate?
I believe it is the latter.
Motivation is something that needs a lot of cultivation. It needs sunshine and to be watered regularly just like a garden. If it doesn't get those things, it withers and dies. I know it's cliche but true none-the-less. Below is a list of aspects that keep motivation an active part of my musical goals. Even though I'm not great at being consistantly motivated:
Preparing the soil = Hone your skills (Practice, Practice, Practice) Dream a little!
Planting = Organize and get down to the nitty gritty, diversify your talents and directions so you have many possible directions. Create goals both short and long term.
Sunshine = Have JOY in the work! If you love music, it will love you.
Water = Faith in your abilities and enough confidence to get past rejection and set backs.
Clearing Weeds = Refining your work, keeping your goals/aspirations free from time and energy suckers
Over the next little while, I will go over each of these in depth and create my own motivation calender so I can chart my own progress towards a particular goal or set of goals. I'll put it out there so anyone can see my failure or success.
Authors Note:
I'm not trying to be some know it all musician. The truth is, I am not famous and not particularly successful (Atleast not in a monitary way) and I am terrible at following my own advice. I know that not many people read my blog and I don't expect anything to come of it. I am writing all of this for MY benefit. If anyone gets anything out of it, that would just be a bonus. So there! Stuff that in your pipe and smoke it!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Performer Business Licensing in Las Vegas
Recently it was brought to my attention that one of my favorite open mics here in Las Vegas has come under fire from the city reguarding Entertainer and Promoter licensing. I have always wondered about the laws here but am shocked at the reality of the situation. Here is what I have learned thus far:
The scenario: Suppose I schedule a show at a local coffee shop. No payment is offered by the establishment but I am allowed to sell my CDs and accept tips. I typically sell 3 CDs at $5 each and possibly make $10 in tips. Gross income: $25 Net: approx. $17.50 due to travel and food costs.
Licensing fees as the performer: Entertainer license-$25 Processing fee-$30 Vender license-$5 This is per show. Not to mention, the yearly business license fees just to call myself a professional musician which is an additional $25 license fee, $30 processing fee and $50 minimum income fee which will be adjusted and paid according to my income every 6 months. Also, because I function from my home there is an additional fee to do business out of my home. (I am unsure about the actual amount.) Total costs to do one show per year under the current policy: $170 plus the additional home business fee.
Costs if caught in violation: up to $1000 per day/show, and/or up to 6 months in jail.
It is hard enough to continue creating music without this kind of extortion going on. My hopes are that this is something the city has not had brought to their attention and through changes in policy can be rectified.
What can you do?
PLEASE GET INVOLVED! Tune in tomorrow, November 10th, on http://www.xradio.biz/ from 8 to 10 AM with DJ Jefferson Montoya as he calls the city offices to get to the bottom of this. You can also contact your city council to ask for changes in policy to keep original music, like mine, alive and well.
Your support would mean the world to me...Thanks.
The scenario: Suppose I schedule a show at a local coffee shop. No payment is offered by the establishment but I am allowed to sell my CDs and accept tips. I typically sell 3 CDs at $5 each and possibly make $10 in tips. Gross income: $25 Net: approx. $17.50 due to travel and food costs.
Licensing fees as the performer: Entertainer license-$25 Processing fee-$30 Vender license-$5 This is per show. Not to mention, the yearly business license fees just to call myself a professional musician which is an additional $25 license fee, $30 processing fee and $50 minimum income fee which will be adjusted and paid according to my income every 6 months. Also, because I function from my home there is an additional fee to do business out of my home. (I am unsure about the actual amount.) Total costs to do one show per year under the current policy: $170 plus the additional home business fee.
Costs if caught in violation: up to $1000 per day/show, and/or up to 6 months in jail.
It is hard enough to continue creating music without this kind of extortion going on. My hopes are that this is something the city has not had brought to their attention and through changes in policy can be rectified.
What can you do?
PLEASE GET INVOLVED! Tune in tomorrow, November 10th, on http://www.xradio.biz/ from 8 to 10 AM with DJ Jefferson Montoya as he calls the city offices to get to the bottom of this. You can also contact your city council to ask for changes in policy to keep original music, like mine, alive and well.
Your support would mean the world to me...Thanks.
Monday, November 2, 2009
One step forward...two steps back
I find myself unsure a lot of the time as to what I am doing with all that I have to offer. There are also all the set-backs and step-ups that affect my choices or lack there of. Last week I played 4 shows in Las Vegas then had a family reunion. I played all of my shows with great enthusiasm and got a great response from the listeners and other musicians. I was even asked to submit some music to a national online radio station. I felt on top of the world!
Well...
At my family reunion, my mother requested that I play a few songs for my family. I played and sang out with just as much enthusiasm as my Las Vegas shows. Lets just say...The Fam was less than enthusiastic. People were talking and laughing, leaving and really just being pretty rude while I tried my best to share my music with them. It really hurt that I got a better responce from strangers in Las Vegas than from my own family. They were more concerned about when I was going to squeeze out a baby than what I have been up to with my music. I got a lot of lines like, "Your clock is ticking. How long have you been married? Etc."
I don't want to be the woman who had a child because she was running out of time and I don't want to be the nobody musician running on fumes with nothing to show for all the hard work. I didn't plan on it being this way and I certainly didn't do it on purpose. I dread the day when I am with child and the "finally" comments and "what took so long?" comments come off their lips.
Everybody needs encouragment, not to be beaten down by their loved ones. That's how they made me feel. Like no matter how hard I try, it will never be good enough.
Well...
At my family reunion, my mother requested that I play a few songs for my family. I played and sang out with just as much enthusiasm as my Las Vegas shows. Lets just say...The Fam was less than enthusiastic. People were talking and laughing, leaving and really just being pretty rude while I tried my best to share my music with them. It really hurt that I got a better responce from strangers in Las Vegas than from my own family. They were more concerned about when I was going to squeeze out a baby than what I have been up to with my music. I got a lot of lines like, "Your clock is ticking. How long have you been married? Etc."
I don't want to be the woman who had a child because she was running out of time and I don't want to be the nobody musician running on fumes with nothing to show for all the hard work. I didn't plan on it being this way and I certainly didn't do it on purpose. I dread the day when I am with child and the "finally" comments and "what took so long?" comments come off their lips.
Everybody needs encouragment, not to be beaten down by their loved ones. That's how they made me feel. Like no matter how hard I try, it will never be good enough.
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