Playing in a Band is More Work Than Play

In my youth, too many years ago, I traveled with a rock band as their road(ie) manager for three years. We opened for name bands in clubs that held anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand stoned fans. This was before arena rock, when even the famous bands played clubs.

In the last few weeks, I have been looking at getting back into the business, using my marketing,  branding, and writing skills, along with my knowledge of the industry to promote bands. This didn't just happen.

My life has been full of serendipity. Last year, a band asked me to manage them. I chose not to but my interest began to rumble up from within. In the past few weeks, two blogger friends have discussed bands they work with or are friends with and have solicited my ideas about helping these bands. The most recent request came just this morning via e-mail from a foreign country. (To be fair, I am maintaining strictest confidentiality.)

The band that I traveled with was extremely talented and was signed to a one-record deal. Unfortunately, they were more interested in consuming drugs and women than in working hard to achieve success, where they were the featured headliner and other bands were warming up for them. But during that time, I learned the business. It is tough, nasty and dirty. It isn't a place for the faint-of-heart.

To be successful, bands have to realize that it takes hard work, incredibly long hours, and dealing with people who sometimes suck the blood right out of your veins. However, the rewards are great, if musicians can handle long hours, being on the road for months at a time, writing discipline to create new original music, and sacrificing control of their lives.

In reality, musicians are entrepreneurs on wheels, with no office and no home. It is a grueling business that requires discipline, hard work, great skill, and the knowhow to market and sell their products and services, from their music to souvenirs. Entrepreneurship requires guts, faith, endless hope and a positive attitude, whether you're an artist or a traditional business.