I just got back from the NAMM show out in California.
It was a fun time. I got to meet some great folks and hang out with new and old friends.
I attended a talk by big-time drummer Kenny Aronoff. He’s quite a character, super entertaining. He was talking about some of the keys to his loooong successful career in the business.
One thing he said was:
0 + 0 = 0
A few times at NAMM I heard successful folks acknowledge that luck was a part of their success, but they were quick to say that the luck was in the opportunity that presented itself to them. What set them apart was that they were prepared for that moment when it arrived.
So when Kenny said, “0 + 0 = 0,” he meant that very few things in life simply happen to us. If you don’t take action and make efforts towards whatever goals or dreams you have, you won’t get there. If you do nothing, nothing is likely what you’ll get.
So many people see successful people like Kenny and think to themselves, “Golly, what a lucky guy.” And there’s certainly some truth to that. Kenny couldn’t control what opportunities came his way, but he COULD control how prepared he was for them, and it paid off handsomely for him.
Work ethic, luck, talent, networking… they all play a role in whether we get to do something we really want to do or not. Some of them we have control over, some of them we don’t, but one thing is for sure: if you do nothing, that’s what you’ll get.
So, what are you going to DO this year? Hmm? Seriously. I’d like to know.
For me, I want to meet more people and make more music.
In January I met a bunch of new people at NAMM. In February, I’m going to record and release a new EP.
Yup. I’m gonna release a new EP in February, and then again in May, August, and November. It’s a bunch of “EP Challenges,” where I will give myself the major restriction of getting everything done in one single month.
I don’t know about you, but that fires me up.
Do you want to join me? Pick something you want to do in February, whether it’s record and release a single, mix ONE song, or produce a whole album… you pick.
So if you want to see the behind-the-scenes process as I make this EP AND join others in athe challenge, consider joining my VIP membership.
My VIPers are doing these challenges and getting shocking results. They’re DOING. They’re making things happen. And they’re not doing it alone. While they’ve got a community of folks around them, and I’m right in there with ‘em, working hard to make good music.
What do you say? Wanna join us?
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Joe Gilder is a Nashville based engineer, musician, and producer who also provides training and advice at the Home Studio Corner.
