In the music industry, success can be a matter of perspective
Popology Lessons by Kris Fisher
Success.
I’ve always wanted to be a musician. I don’t, however, have the patience to learn an instrument. So, I did the next best thing. I got a job that celebrates music. I knew in high school that I wanted a job in radio. I didn’t know quite what that looked like back then. I think I thought it meant listening to music all day, making stupid jokes on the air and getting free concert tickets. Still, here I am all these years later, doing the thing I wanted to do so badly. As it turns out, my assumptions weren’t that far off.
Success!
My idea of success has evolved over the years. I once considered success to be attaining biggest goal one could possibly achieve in their respective line of work. For me, that meant hosting my own morning show in Atlanta. Anything less would have been considered a failure. Had my ideas regarding success not evolved, I might be quite disappointed with how my career has turned out.
I am not.
My adventures in radio have provided me the opportunity to cross paths with quite a few fellow travelers on their own quest for success. I often found myself wondering if musicians I’ve met share that same idea, that success is obviously history-changing global domination – the Bill & Ted Wyld Stallyns model.
The realization that I’ve been wrong this whole time came courtesy of a conversation with my friend, local musician Josh Pierce. Josh has been playing music for a very long time. He has that very distinctive gravelly voice you’d hope for from a soulful rock/ blues artist. To say I love hearing him play is an understatement.
I saw a social post from Josh one day, gushing about the music that he’d released on Spotify and other streaming platforms.
“He’s made it,” I thought.
My native convinced me convinced he had signed some sort of record deal and would be on his way to a nationwide promo tour.
Josh plays shows regularly. He’s recording music. He’s doing it all on his own accord withno label to tell him what to do. He’s free to write, perform and release the music that’s in his head and heart and therein lies his success. He told me that someone connecting with his music on a personal level, potentially helping them through whatever might be going on in their life is his multi-million dollar record contract and worldwide tour.
His music is out there for whoever wants to experience it, and his kids are there to enjoy the whole experience with him.
Success.
I had the opportunity to speak to Evan Miller of the band Funk You recently. The band has a Halloween night show at the Imperial Theater, kind of a tradition for them dating back to past Halloweens at Soul Bar, Sky City, and the Miller Theater. Funk You began its journey back in 2010 and never looked back. Well, that’s not entirely true. Funk You returns home to Augusta to play shows like the Major Rager and their Halloween show. Nationally, they’ve become known for their funky great shows: an octet filling each song with layers of pristine musicianship. If you’re into real musicians playing actual instruments like it’s the last night on Earth, this is your band.
Five albums in, Evan says they get to play the music they love alongside some pretty great bands and musicians on some really awesome stages.
Success.
One of the fun parts of my job is meeting these musicians, each with their own idea of success. My friend Jeremy Lister records songs regularly featured on TV shows and makes his living playing shows in and around Nashville. Taylor Swift has a billion-dollar tour that’s making its last lap. Both are making a living doing that thing they love- playing music.
Success.
I may not be hosting that morning show in Atlanta, but I spend my days talking to the community that I adore, listening to loud music and, occasionally, I get to write some stuff that you take time out of your day to read – and I get paid for it.
Success indeed.