Why I Failed in the Music Business...and how NOT to follow in my footsteps
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4.0 • 11 Ratings
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
Business is business and the more you know about it, the more you’ll succeed.
You are pursuing a career in an industry just like Henry Ford did when he made the first Model T a century ago.
-Steve Grossman
Musicians have a problem. They believe in differences between the Creatives and the Suits, the Right Brains and the Left Brains, the artists and the businesspersons; differences that keep them focused on their music and ignorant of what it takes to succeed in the music business.
Steve Grossman should know. He failed in the music business. And while failure may be a harsh way to describe a 20 year drumming career with multiple hits, tours, endorsements and a Grammy, it’s the truth. He failed to build a long-term, music career and left music in 2001 for a job in the “Real World.”
That's when he learned that there is really very little difference between The Arts and the Real World. You can make a living in either world...you just have to know the rules. By NOT following in Steve's footsteps you'll discover:
•Why your talent is your biggest problem.
•The importance of planning and how to do it well.
•How and why you must think like a business owner.
•Why people are key to your success and how to succeed with them.
•Why “succeeding in the music business” is a terrible goal.
"When it comes to the music business, Steve Grossman owns the Been There, Done That t-shirt. With a healthy dose of humor and clear-eyed look at his own failures he answers all the questions working musicians are afraid to ask. You can learn to succeed in the "Real World" of the "The Arts" by learning how NOT to follow in his footsteps."
- Mike Parker, managing editor - BuddyHollywood
Customer Reviews
Informative And Entertaining
As a struggling musician, I saw this title and thought it might be entertaining. The first 2/3 of the book was full of tips, trick and ideas... You, Inc. - Very good! The last third of the book totally switched gears, a different kind of mindset and writing. Very disappointing to not finish the author's 20 year journey to the end. I highlighted many parts and plan to refer back often.
Best book I've read on establishing a career as a musician.
Steve Grossman covers everything you need to know about starting a career as a musician, and keeping it going strong for lifetime. He talks with clarity and humor about finances, setting goals, seeking out the right musicians, and most importantly, serving others with the career you create.
Steve's style is breezy and laid-back, a blend between business authors like Malcolm Gladwell and Seth Godin, but with the conversational authority you'd expect of a seasoned music professional. I found his writing easy to understand, and in touch with the changes currently going on in the music industry.
While many of the ideas in the book are common sense (dress in the style of the genre you want to be in, don't blow your money on gear you don't need), he brings up crucial ideas that are rarely talked about among musicians- when is practicing not enough, and what can I do about it? How can I "break in" to the music scene? If I'm a working full-time as a musician, isn't that enough?
My one objection to this book is the price- $6.99 is far to little for this much information, and by charging so little I think many potential buyers may skip over it, thinking it's more of a booklet. Don't make the same mistake- there's a tremendous amount of knowledge hidden beneath that $6.99 price tag.
Overall, I couldn't recommend this book more. It should be a must-buy book for any musician, whether they're thinking of ending their music career, or just starting it.