Have any of you guys "made it"?

[gregorybj]

Just curious. I have heard alot about what it takes to make it in the music biz and alot of good bands do not. There is this one local band that has about 500,000 profile views on myspace, their own merchandise and even they are signed. What does it take and have any of you "made it" in your book? I congratulate you and your sucess! I know that each one of you has a different definition of making it in music and in life in general. I look forward to hearing your story and getting some inspiration.


Thanks!

[benjammin420]

only in my mind...

[candh]

With who???:p

[toneispower]

Depends on what your definition of "making it" is. Playing in an original band booked up to where it's a full-time job? I think I'm almost there. Now... millions of dollars like "Nickelback" or some sell out "****ry" artist have? Nah...mabey in the future. I'm just thankful I found the right combination of guys to make what I've done so far happen. :munch

[mj07]

I went to the potty today-all by myself! That count?

[fender753]

There are some big name famous musicians, producers, studio workers, and etc on this page. So maybe some of them while chime in. I think peoples deffinition of making it will very greatly on this page, many musicians here play full time and can make a respectable living off of their music, and in my opinion they have made it. In other peoples mind selling millions of albums and winning Grammys is "making it" by ethier deffinition there are people on this board who have made it (John Mayer for example) but I equally respect the people who can manage to make it in the club circuts and manage to live off thier music. They are living, what to me, would be just a dream.
-Steve

[Jazzydave]

I wake up every morning with the woman I love in my arms and I play my music where and when I want to. So, to me, yes - I've made it!

When I was younger, I would have never appreciated that type of freedom and was wrapped up in the record deals thrown at me, endorsements, etc. In the end, I'd rather be successful as someone who maintained his integrity than one who defied all he believed in to sell records to an audience who were only surfing on the wave of the empty social pop culture.

Two years practically living in my truck like a donkey with a carrot dangling in front of me made me re-prioritize my life. I met plenty of people out there who had "made it" per the usual romanticized definition that hadn't "made" anything worth living within - most of them just trying to rehash the past and hanging on by a thin thread.

On this day, I knew I had "made it"...

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5421/img4509q.jpg

[ImmortalSix]

My predictions, three:

Anybody who's really made it isn't going to chime in on this thread and say "Me! It's me! I made it!"

You're going to hear "500,000 MySpace views does not equate to 'making it.' I have friends who play music as their sole source of income, and none of them would say they've 'made it.'"

The "I have air to breathe and 3 beautiful children, I've made it!" will be strong in this thread.

[Passenger84]

It sounds to me as if the op's definition of 'making it', is just to be able to do music full time as your sole source of income.

At least, that's where I'd like to be, and no, I'm not there.

[Jazzydave]

It sounds to me as if the op's definition of 'making it', is just to be able to do music full time as your sole source of income.

At least, that's where I'd like to be, and no, I'm not there.

If that's the case then yes, I've made it and will be making it again here soon.

:phones

[Nergalled]

Music is my primary source of income. I have not sold millions of records, nor am I rich. I do get to play the music I love, and get to meet and play with semi-famous people on a regular basis. I get to play rockstar, then go home and live a regular life. Works for me.

[buddaman71]

I wake up every morning with the woman I love in my arms and I play my music where and when I want to. So, to me, yes - I've made it!

When I was younger, I would have never appreciated that type of freedom and was wrapped up in the record deals thrown at me, endorsements, etc. In the end, I'd rather be successful as someone who maintained his integrity than one who defied all he believed in to sell records to an audience who were only surfing on the wave of the empty social pop culture.

Two years practically living in my truck like a donkey with a carrot dangling in front of me made me re-prioritize my life. I met plenty of people out there who had "made it" per the usual romanticized definition that hadn't "made" anything worth living within - most of them just trying to rehash the past and hanging on by a thin thread.

On this day, I knew I had "made it"...

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5421/img4509q.jpg


VERY NICE and post of the Month for me.

We ALL need to reassess our lives at some point and focus on our successes and not our perceived failures. I am almost 38 and the happiest I have ever been in my life and about to marry my soulmate of 5 years.

I have 2 gorgeous, healthy teenage daughters and a stable job. I also gig 3-5 times a week in a fun band and make great extra money from that.

I would LOVE to just play guitar and golf for a living, but the insurance/stability/$80k a year from my job makes it worthwhile to me to stay in the job, at least until my kids are on their own.

Great, positive, uplifting post in a negative world.

Be well.

Jason

[cugel]

i am tyring to "make it" in my profession of training: science. but for me saying "if i were at place x in my life then i will have made it" is a recipe for disaster. i still do it daily. i HAVE to stay in the here and now, which, correct me if i am wrong, is all that exists. a koan that sums it up for me: If not now when?

[tremayne007]

Reminds me of a Jim Hall quote, where he said something like "when I was a kid and it was my turn to take a solo, I had a chance to make it.... then when my turn came around again, I was given another chance to make it in music."

such a class act...

[Frankee]

I was with a group who had some hit albums in Espanol speaking countries around the world in the early 90's......it was fleeting. Very fleeting.

I made a few bucks, got a bit of a cushion, but I had to go back to school and get a degree and a job.

[Bobby D]

"made it"???


i haven't even gotten the INGREDIENTS TOGETHER yet :phones

[Bryan T]

Nope.

[Mayor McCheese]

I have not "made it", in the sense of being signed to a label, touring, etc.

But, I have written and recorded music that I am happy with and means something to me, put it out myself, and had other people buy it and enjoy it, so I feel like I can say I've succeeded at doing what I set out to do at age 25. I've learned how to do a lot of things myself as a result of not "making it" in the traditional sense, such as album artwork, mastering, getting CD's made, digital distribution, recording, other instruments, etc. I've played some cool shows, made lifelong friends with other musicians, and have a lot of cool stories to tell my grandkids. So from that standpoint, I feel like I've done OK for myself. If you were to look at the finances, it's a black hole. I've managed to make back most of what I put in and not lose too much money, but it's been tough at times to just break even so I can afford to keep doing it.

But I didn't set out to get rich at it anyway, so it's not really about the money, for me. I enjoy the freedom of being able to create whatever I can think of and getting it out there. I shoot to break even.

[Baloney]

Ive been a sound guy for a couple major label artists in club gigs but I woudlnt call that making it. Making it to me would be doing arenas and other huge events.

A childhood friend just recently put together a band and they signed on to play rocklahoma. He was able to quit his sucky job and make a living playing music and a drummer.. Thats making it to me. DOing what ya love to do.

[bsuite]

Yes, when I was about 14.
ah good times.
She was.... oh sorry.

[shredtrash]

If "making it" is playing music as a sole source of income then, yes, I made it. That was a while back and I had a blast. But, like most, I went back to school, got a degree, and got a career job (teaching). However, I still write and gig my own music, and I play in a killer cover band as well. If that's what music ends up being for me, I'm good with that. I've always felt very fortunate that I could make a bit of cash doing what I love!

[prsflame]

Nope,

I was signed to Sony, and my band at the time toured behind a few well known national acts, but we were dropped before the album was even released. Still further than most. Thankfully I have a great day job to fall back on. :)

[Ed DeGenaro]

Nope,

I was signed to Sony, and my band at the time toured behind a few well known national acts, but we were dropped before the album was even released. Still further than most. Thankfully I have a great day job to fall back on. :)
I think there might be a few of us road kill stories...I got shelved on 3 different majors with 2 different bands...good times. :-)

[jimfog]

My "day job" is getting to entertain people and help them enjoy life just a wee bit more.

My "hobby" is getting to play music I love, with the people I want to play with.

I get to wake up @ noon, or whenever the hell I want, most days......and not have to be anywhere for hours.

Yeah.........I guess I'm "making it".............on a good day, at least.

[Luke]

Generally speaking you haven't made it until your 4th or 5th album, the one do after your initial contract is over and you were able to negotiate better terms for yourself. Problem is most artists never fulfill their initial contract, so all of their songs that got them off the ground are owned by someone else and they are obligated to produce more releases that the label refuses to put out.

The odds are very slim.

I've seen many a band sleeping 6 people in a Motel 6 room and sharing a pizza for dinner and they are signed to a label, that is not making it, that's being a slave.

[Jan Folkson]

Anybody who's able to make music their full time job has made it, in my book.

[chemical69]

I wake up every morning with the woman I love in my arms and I play my music where and when I want to. So, to me, yes - I've made it!

When I was younger, I would have never appreciated that type of freedom and was wrapped up in the record deals thrown at me, endorsements, etc. In the end, I'd rather be successful as someone who maintained his integrity than one who defied all he believed in to sell records to an audience who were only surfing on the wave of the empty social pop culture.

Two years practically living in my truck like a donkey with a carrot dangling in front of me made me re-prioritize my life. I met plenty of people out there who had "made it" per the usual romanticized definition that hadn't "made" anything worth living within - most of them just trying to rehash the past and hanging on by a thin thread.

On this day, I knew I had "made it"...

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5421/img4509q.jpg

cheesy of me, but I like this post too :aok

[franksguitar]

Some of us have made a living out of playing or teaching. The money used to be decent when a dollar was worth a dollar. I was in a band in the early 70's in my early 20's then on a known label and tour bus but most of the money came from performing and was able to buy a new ES335 and a twin reverb when things were cheaper to buy but certainly nobody made much money or got rich. I remember making about $750 a week in 1972.

[Dickie Fredericks]

If the definition of making it is making your living off music then Ive made it more than a few times.

I think its better to work towards doing what you like to do and call it good.

BTW, I pedict JazzyDave doesnt deserve that girl LOL j/k buddy.

[gregorybj]

There are some big name famous musicians, producers, studio workers, and etc on this page. So maybe some of them while chime in. I think peoples deffinition of making it will very greatly on this page, many musicians here play full time and can make a respectable living off of their music, and in my opinion they have made it. In other peoples mind selling millions of albums and winning Grammys is "making it" by ethier deffinition there are people on this board who have made it (John Mayer for example) but I equally respect the people who can manage to make it in the club circuts and manage to live off thier music. They are living, what to me, would be just a dream.
-Steve

thats why I posted this. I want to see if everyone is living their dream and "making it" in their own way. thanks for contributing!

[gregorybj]

I wake up every morning with the woman I love in my arms and I play my music where and when I want to. So, to me, yes - I've made it!

When I was younger, I would have never appreciated that type of freedom and was wrapped up in the record deals thrown at me, endorsements, etc. In the end, I'd rather be successful as someone who maintained his integrity than one who defied all he believed in to sell records to an audience who were only surfing on the wave of the empty social pop culture.

Two years practically living in my truck like a donkey with a carrot dangling in front of me made me re-prioritize my life. I met plenty of people out there who had "made it" per the usual romanticized definition that hadn't "made" anything worth living within - most of them just trying to rehash the past and hanging on by a thin thread.

On this day, I knew I had "made it"...

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5421/img4509q.jpg

that's great man! Like always, nice to hear from you again Dave!

[gregorybj]

My predictions, three:

Anybody who's really made it isn't going to chime in on this thread and say "Me! It's me! I made it!"

You're going to hear "500,000 MySpace views does not equate to 'making it.' I have friends who play music as their sole source of income, and none of them would say they've 'made it.'"

The "I have air to breathe and 3 beautiful children, I've made it!" will be strong in this thread.


That counts and am glad to hear it!

[gregorybj]

I am on the same boat with alot of you guys. I record and perform, and atleast some people enjoy my entertainment. I am pretty thankful for that.

Thanks for all of the post!

[jimfog]

I wake up every morning with the woman I love in my arms.........

How do you pull that off without your wife knowing? :nono :dude

:roll:roll:roll

[6ringing]

I've made it!!:dude

I went off to Berklee to get a degree in performance...then quickly found out I'm not suited for that life at all. Got a degree in music therapy and have been doing that since college. I get to play guitar for work, order guitar equipment for work, take guitar purchases off my taxes for work...and I have a house, a wonderful wife and an 8 month old daughter who makes me happier than that I could imagine.

This is the perfect life for me, so...I've made it,... with the grace of God.
I'm in my mid 30s now. 10 years ago, 'making it' would have been travelling and playing music. That sounds like hell to me now actually.

This thread is cool, it made me realize I have made it.

[Bryan T]

Got a degree in music therapy and have been doing that since college.

I'd like to hear more about what you do. Do you work with children? Adults? Seniors?

[6ringing]

I'd like to hear more about what you do. Do you work with children? Adults? Seniors?

I work with Veteran's at a Home. Everyone from WWII up to Iraq. Very cool and rewarding work. Music is just so cool and therapeutic. At the very least it gets people in a better frame of mind for a while and at the best, well you can give someone a new interest, or rehab their elbow by having them play guitar, etc.

[Bryan T]

I work with Veteran's at a Home. Everyone from WWII up to Iraq. Very cool and rewarding work. Music is just so cool and therapeutic. At the very least it gets people in a better frame of mind for a while and at the best, well you can give someone a new interest, or rehab their elbow by having them play guitar, etc.

Sounds like a rewarding job (helping vets), plus you get to share something that you love (making music). :aok

[gregorybj]

I've made it!!:dude

I went off to Berklee to get a degree in performance...then quickly found out I'm not suited for that life at all. Got a degree in music therapy and have been doing that since college. I get to play guitar for work, order guitar equipment for work, take guitar purchases off my taxes for work...and I have a house, a wonderful wife and an 8 month old daughter who makes me happier than that I could imagine.

This is the perfect life for me, so...I've made it,... with the grace of God.
I'm in my mid 30s now. 10 years ago, 'making it' would have been travelling and playing music. That sounds like hell to me now actually.

This thread is cool, it made me realize I have made it.


That's awesome! Glad that I started it then

[PosterBoy]

If you can get hold of a copy of Dreaming in America by Lucero, it shows a year in their lives, touring and recording with Jim Dickinson. I'd still love to do what they do, but I'm not sure I could

http://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-America-Lucero/dp/B000BBOFFY

[brilliantmissta]

The odds are very slim.

I've seen many a band sleeping 6 people in a Motel 6 room and sharing a pizza for dinner and they are signed to a label, that is not making it, that's being a slave.

i'm that guy. i wouldn't say we've made it for sure, but i wouldn't call myself a slave either. i feel much more of a slave when i'm home from tour making money at my regular job. i may have to sleep in our van bunks, or 6 guys deep in a motel 6 but i wake up everyday and play music in a different place traveling around the country. i wouldn't trade it for the world. i make just enough to eat everyday and obviously the goal is to take it further than that but for now, i'll keep at it with no complaints. and i'm 27 now..

[Bob Maximus]

i'm that guy. i wouldn't say we've made it for sure, but i wouldn't call myself a slave either. i feel much more of a slave when i'm home from tour making money at my regular job. i may have to sleep in our van bunks, or 6 guys deep in a motel 6 but i wake up everyday and play music in a different place traveling around the country. i wouldn't trade it for the world. i make just enough to eat everyday and obviously the goal is to take it further than that but for now, i'll keep at it with no complaints. and i'm 27 now..


+1 'cept I'm older than you. :)

I'm writing from my casino hotel room. We all have our own rooms this week so it's OK. It gets pretty boring when we're not playing, so spending time on the boards is a good passtime. The last place we played I lost money on the slots, so I'm staying away this week.

making it in the music biz is a term that is pretty hard to narrow down. Our tour ends July 18th. I've been pretty steady on the road since NYE this year and I'm not going back out the next run. I need a break. I have friends that play in Charlie Daniel's, Doug Stone, Billy Currington, and on & on. They are doing the same thing I'm doing. We are making it in music now, but chances are when the tour ends we will have to do something else until the next ride happens. I wouldn't mind landing some session work when I get back.

I would definitely recommend that everyone who has the opportunity to do this. The reality is an eye opening experience.

[weezy]

I feel like I made it. It's all about goals, expectations and where you wanted the music to take you..

My original project that I started in 2002 grew way beyond all expectations - we accomplished our goals (opening for certain bands we admired, play certain clubs) very early on and then ended up heading into uncharted territory without a plan... None of us thought a fully instrumental project could get big... even medium... who knew? It just recently wrapped-up officially as our drummer has joined a signed, touring, extremely popular band and the rest of us have moved on to different projects.

Looking back, I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished! I now play in a cover/tribute band for fun which is something I thought I'd never do, but it's all about the challenge and love of the music. ....and now this band is headlining a festival this summer, so I still get to live the dream.

aaand I have a beautiful wife, beautiful 2 year old daughter and another on the way! - I just got married in March and bought a new house last month. Yeah, I've definitely made it!

[todd richman]

jazzydave-your post is very inspiring. I found that woman too and although things have gone awry for now, I hope and pray to God everyday that she and I will be forever because she is my everything. Without her, all the music and all the gear toys in the world mean nothing. Really beautiful post and a great wedding day memory photo.

[Jazzydave]

jazzydave-your post is very inspiring. I found that woman too and although things have gone awry for now, I hope and pray to God everyday that she and I will be forever because she is my everything. Without her, all the music and all the gear toys in the world mean nothing. Really beautiful post and a great wedding day memory photo.

How do you pull that off without your wife knowing? :nono :dude

:roll:roll:roll

that's great man! Like always, nice to hear from you again Dave!

cheesy of me, but I like this post too :aok

If the definition of making it is making your living off music then Ive made it more than a few times.

I think its better to work towards doing what you like to do and call it good.

BTW, I pedict JazzyDave doesnt deserve that girl LOL j/k buddy.

VERY NICE and post of the Month for me.

We ALL need to reassess our lives at some point and focus on our successes and not our perceived failures. I am almost 38 and the happiest I have ever been in my life and about to marry my soulmate of 5 years.

I have 2 gorgeous, healthy teenage daughters and a stable job. I also gig 3-5 times a week in a fun band and make great extra money from that.

I would LOVE to just play guitar and golf for a living, but the insurance/stability/$80k a year from my job makes it worthwhile to me to stay in the job, at least until my kids are on their own.

Great, positive, uplifting post in a negative world.

Be well.

Jason

Thanks guys! I'm so glad that I can share...

Dickie - you're right, I don't deserve her! That's why every single morning when I open my eyes I thank God for one more day with her. Its truly the deepest inspiration I've ever known and felt. The music is COMPLETELY different with her around.

Jason - what do you do for a day job brother?!

Again, thanks for all the positive comments. I am truly a blessed man!

:phones

[Flyin' Brian]

I was unexpectedly laid off from my job in November but due to some planning and scrambling I'm retired at 62
I spent my entire adult life making a living either playing music or flying airplanes, sometimes a combination of both
I have 3 accomplished sons, all of whom have and are making their mark in professions that they love
I have 4 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, and a wonderful step daughter, all healthy and happy
I have family and friends all around the world
I have my health
I have a wife who I adore, respect and learn from and with every day of my life
I have a home on a lake in the woods in Canada and a home on a lake near Chicago
I have gone through heartaches and great times, more than survived all of them and plan to do so for a long time

Yes I've made it.

[Glide]

Well, that's good and all, but I thought he said in the music business. I don't think he was particularly looking for a dissertation of general accomplishments that we've all pretty much done.

:)

[Flyin' Brian]

Well, that's good and all, but I thought he said in the music business. I don't think he was particularly looking for a dissertation of general accomplishments that we've all pretty much done.

:)

I was following the lead of a few other people...otherwise I'd have stayed out.
As far as "we've all pretty much done"...some of the horror stories here would refute that, and anyway it's NOT about what I've done, it's about my good fortune and what I consider having "made it".
If you really have had the great kind of life that I've had I'm happy for you.

[gregorybj]

I feel like I made it. It's all about goals, expectations and where you wanted the music to take you..

My original project that I started in 2002 grew way beyond all expectations - we accomplished our goals (opening for certain bands we admired, play certain clubs) very early on and then ended up heading into uncharted territory without a plan... None of us thought a fully instrumental project could get big... even medium... who knew? It just recently wrapped-up officially as our drummer has joined a signed, touring, extremely popular band and the rest of us have moved on to different projects.

Looking back, I couldn't be more proud of what we accomplished! I now play in a cover/tribute band for fun which is something I thought I'd never do, but it's all about the challenge and love of the music. ....and now this band is headlining a festival this summer, so I still get to live the dream.

aaand I have a beautiful wife, beautiful 2 year old daughter and another on the way! - I just got married in March and bought a new house last month. Yeah, I've definitely made it!

cool. What festival are you heading?

[gregorybj]

Well, that's good and all, but I thought he said in the music business. I don't think he was particularly looking for a dissertation of general accomplishments that we've all pretty much done.

:)

actually, either way is fine with me. I am getting plenty of both.

[tejastubes]

I went to the potty today-all by myself! That count?

LOL :roll:roll:roll

[Big White Tele]

I could have made it, but my tone sucked..