chapter4

The Music Gladitator Manual

A must read for any artist or label wanting to succeed in the music industry

4 WORK
“and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”

I have had the pleasure of listening to people with great vocal abilities and was amazed while watching and listening
to musicians stroke their instrument at a level of excellence. I have met people who have had an undefined belief
and faith in themselves. Their only desire in life was to become successful in this industry of creativity, fame and
fortune, only to grow old and gray still trying to figure out “how to grasp the gold record of yesterday, today.
But the truth of the matter is; as a person gets older and acquires additional responsibilities, especially financial
responsibilities, he or she has to maintain a job to pay their bills. Once employment is gained, the artist who wanted
to work on their dream has less time to develop their skills.

Now the artist lacks the additional knowledge which is needed to become a mighty contender in the music business.
Even “Colonel Sanders” of Kentucky Fried Chicken wasn’t working a full time job when he began his quest of asking
over a thousand people to use his secret recipe and a pressure cooker for cooking their chicken.
His story proves being older does not mean a person cannot obtain success at an older age. But it does signify you
must have the time to work hard and remain focused on whatever it is you wish to achieve.

As for the level of success you can have in the music business, it can only be defined by the outcome of your desire.

There is an abundance of part-time warriors making part-time cash from doing what they love. Full-time or part-time,
the choice is yours. And success should be defined by accomplishing goals you desire to obtain. Not what others
decide for you!

I have attended many music conferences and seminars through-out the country where hundreds and thousands of
people have gathered together at a location in hopes of learning the big secret to accomplish their music endeavors.

During these conferences and other such gatherings of creative people training camps, the music gladiators learn
the truth and given good advise nearly every time about there being no magical keys, 800 numbers or fairy dust to
prevent “Humpty Dumpty” from falling from the wall. And better yet, they learn the same holds true for becoming a
successful entrepreneur in the music industry.

However, they obtain the knowledge necessary to win a battle or two while increasing their chances of becoming
victorious in the music industry. Upon leaving these educational training camps the artists, producers, writers,
managers, small label associates and entrepreneurs have excitement and enthusiasm in their heart.
You can see it in all their reactions as they speak. They are truly grateful and happy to have received some
knowledge and tools which will be needed to increase their survival odds as a gladiator in the arena of music. The
“wanna bes” leave the conferences with a yearning desire to put all they have learned into action. The contestants
are ready to conquer the world as they compete in front of the spectators for their favor and support.
However, a month later those same people somehow lack the same motivation to continue forward with the same
commitment and effort to win. Their sense of urgency to move upwards a level or two in the music competition no
longer exist.

It’s as if their dream moved to the Rain Forest and decided to settle inside a hut until the raining season ends. And
of course when it does stop raining for a day or two, time inside the hut was spent waiting and getting ready to go
outside before it starts to rain again.
The same commitment and drive to make it happen, which the attendees’ felt upon leaving the conference, has lost
its momentum. They allow outside obstacles to bring their mental game down.
The motivation to work even harder than they have ever worked before disappears, while their love and passion for
involvement with music, never dies. (It just keeps going on and on and on like the bunny rabbit on those television
commercials.)

Understand obstacles were not created to stop you. They are formed to see how much determination you have
within yourself to realize your dream and see it materialize. After all, if being successful in the music business was
easy, everyone would be in the music business. And as for obstacles, they would not be an issue if before you step
into the music business arena you knew what you were about to face. Knowing the answers before a test always
makes an easier exam.

And most importantly, when you have your skills and knowledge intact to combat, you will more than likely overcome
any challenges which may come. And since opportunity sometimes knock more than once on your door; you should
always prepare to take advantage of it when it comes.

As for this manual, it is designed to assist and prepare you for the challenges you are about to face before stepping
into the music arena. After all, it’s always best to have the advantage of knowing what you are about to tackle.
Especially in an industry where the rewards are not to the swift and strongest, as much as it is to the person who
prepares to endure whatever it takes to win. Not every artist or entrepreneur will achieve it. But those who compete
with their eyes wide-open have a better possibility of obtaining their desire. A desire which will place them in a
position of holding a CD in their hand toward the sky shouting victory, as Wallace did with the word Freedom in the
movie Braveheart with actor Mel Gibson.

As an artist you need to realize that having talent doesn’t equal success, which is why developing yourself and
learning all which is necessary to increase your odds of becoming successful. It is important to continually develop
yourself and become more involved in the music business.
Of course, if your song sucks, don’t be so narrow minded to believe that everyone just doesn’t understand what
they are listening to.

If your song is good, you need to hit the streets with numerous hours of work, while enduring lots of challenging
obstacles to increase your chances in making your endeavor result into reality.
Contestants in a music career competition should always remain aware, because regardless how unfortunate it may
be, there are more losers than winners and there are many contestants waiting in line to sign up to be a part of this
competitive business every day.

A business where an average amount of 300 or more CDs are shipped to radio stations every week and not one
unknown artist on an independent label get chosen for airplay rotation.
The fact is simple. There are producers and writers who would put today’s “Top 40” well-known song writers and
producers to shame, but it doesn’t mean a thing.
How many of the 300 weekly new CDs do you hear on the radio stations within a year? And let’s not forget the
amount of songs you hear on the radio that are carry-over songs from the prior year, which indicate the lack of new
song played over the radio stations.

Knowing these odds, who will be the one to get their record actually played on radio? Even though radio is not as
important as it may seem in starting your career in the music business, all radio stations will not be welcoming you
with open arms. Don’t get hoodwinked with their big smiles. It’s only an upside down frown.
Nonetheless, being at the right place at the right time does helps out a lot, but it is the person who continues to work
hard and stay focused even through obstacles that has a better chance of realizing success.
As for the majority of artists who have achieved their goals in this industry. They work hard and put in many hours,
even when setbacks occur. The champions of today know how to stay focused, even when things are not
functioning the way they should. They know how to continue working hard to make it happen, even when the chips
are down. They know the interpretation of “The most committed wins”

In reality, any successful person involved in any venture will work harder at obtaining their dream, which is why they
are at the right place at the right time.
You must realize it is you who control your destiny and you and you alone are responsible for your welfare and
financial security (or lack of). In other words, you must work to make it happen. This is because you are the master
of the choices and decisions you make.

After all, it is easier to die than it is to get off ones’ rear end to work and see his or her dream become a reality.
You and no one else can make yourself comprehend the necessity of getting out of the bed to work on your career.
Therefore, if you want the knowledge to succeed in this music business, then it’s up to you to get it. And if you want
the victory of financial freedom in the music business, then you must be the one to go out and earn it. Presently you
have made an excellent start into the music business by obtaining and reading this manual for some knowledge
about the music business.

Personally, since God worked six days and rested on the seventh day, why would anyone expect to take their desire
and create it into a reality without working so hard, making it deserving for a day of rest as well?
This is why I am advising you before starting your quest into the arena of the music business competition, to re-
evaluate yourself. Make sure you are ready to make your quest a reality regardless of the amount of work required.
You must have the focus, motivation, determination, drive for hard work, added with a strong belief in oneself to see
success at the end of your competitive journey in this music business as a gladiator would have before fighting in an
arena? Are you willing to make it happen?

Even though success can be part-time or full time, performing in a lounge or arena, or selling CDs in a local or
regional area, you will need those key qualities to succeed.
Whatever your decision may be, the choice is yours and no one else’s. As I stated once before, if you are a part-
time warrior, then the most you can expect from your efforts is being a successful part-time hero.
If your battles are only in local arenas located in a small city, realize you will only obtain recognition to your cause in
the arena’s location where you have battled. “a.k.a. performed.” Therefore don’t expect to be a worldwide celebrity if
your strategy limits your time and efforts!

The good news is, if success to you is based on starting on a local or regional level, it can be accomplished. After
all, the level of success you desire to achieve should only be predetermined by you.
But either way, (local, regional, nation or worldwide) you will have to compete for it. Champions are not born. They
work hard and train hard to achieve their results!

As an artist you need to realize that having talent doesn’t equal success, which
is why developing yourself and learning all which is necessary to increase your odds of becoming successful. It is
important to continually develop yourself and become more involved in the music business.
Of course, if your song sucks, don’t be so narrow minded to believe that everyone just doesn’t understand what
they are listening to.

If your song is good, you need to hit the streets with numerous hours of work, while enduring lots of challenging
obstacles to increase your chances in making your endeavor result into reality.
Contestants in a music career competition should always remain aware, because regardless how unfortunate it may
be, there are more losers than winners and there are many contestants waiting in line to sign up to be a part of this
competitive business every day.

A business where an average amount of 300 or more CDs are shipped to radio stations every week and not one
unknown artist on an independent label get chosen for airplay rotation.
The fact is simple. There are producers and writers who would put today’s “Top 40” well-known song writers and
producers to shame, but it doesn’t mean a thing.
How many of the 300 weekly new CDs do you hear on the radio stations within a year? And let’s not forget the
amount of songs you hear on the radio that are carry-over songs from the prior year, which indicate the lack of new
song played over the radio stations.

Knowing these odds, who will be the one to get their record actually played on radio? Even though radio is not as
important as it may seem in starting your career in the music business, all radio stations will not be welcoming you
with open arms. Don’t get hoodwinked with their big smiles. It’s only an upside down frown.
Nonetheless, being at the right place at the right time does helps out a lot, but it is the person who continues to work
hard and stay focused even through obstacles that has a better chance of realizing success.
As for the majority of artists who have achieved their goals in this industry. They work hard and put in many hours,
even when setbacks occur. The champions of today know how to stay focused, even when things are not
functioning the way they should. They know how to continue working hard to make it happen, even when the chips
are down. They know the interpretation of “The most committed wins”

In reality, any successful person involved in any venture will work harder at obtaining their dream, which is why they
are at the right place at the right time.

You must realize it is you who control your destiny and you and you alone are responsible for your welfare and
financial security (or lack of). In other words, you must work to make it happen. This is because you are the master
of the choices and decisions you make.

After all, it is easier to die than it is to get off ones’ rear end to work and see his or her dream become a reality.
You and no one else can make yourself comprehend the necessity of getting out of the bed to work on your career.
Therefore, if you want the knowledge to succeed in this music business, then it’s up to you to get it. And if you want
the victory of financial freedom in the music business, then you must be the one to go out and earn it. Presently you
have made an excellent start into the music business by obtaining and reading this manual for some knowledge
about the music business.

Personally, since God worked six days and rested on the seventh day, why would anyone expect to take their desire
and create it into a reality without working so hard, making it deserving for a day of rest as well?
This is why I am advising you before starting your quest into the arena of the music business competition, to re-
evaluate yourself. Make sure you are ready to make your quest a reality regardless of the amount of work required.
You must have the focus, motivation, determination, drive for hard work, added with a strong belief in oneself to see
success at the end of your competitive journey in this music business as a gladiator would have before fighting in an
arena? Are you willing to make it happen?

Even though success can be part-time or full time, performing in a lounge or arena, or selling CDs in a local or
regional area, you will need those key qualities to succeed.
Whatever your decision may be, the choice is yours and no one else’s. As I stated once before, if you are a part-
time warrior, then the most you can expect from your efforts is being a successful part-time hero.
If your battles are only in local arenas located in a small city, realize you will only obtain recognition to your cause in
the arena’s location where you have battled. “a.k.a. performed.” Therefore don’t expect to be a worldwide celebrity if
your strategy limits your time and efforts!

The good news is, if success to you is based on starting on a local or regional level, it can be accomplished. After
all, the level of success you desire to achieve should only be predetermined by you.
But either way, (local, regional, nation or worldwide) you will have to compete for it. Champions are not born. They
work hard and train hard to achieve their results!

Complements of JaHMa.net Written by; Kenneth Bosket

M.B.A.

Opportunity does
not come once in
a lifetime.

People chose not
accept various
oportunities
because of their
fear, combined
with the lack of
committment and
competitiveness,
which is needed to
be successful.