Listening to songs I recorded 10 and 20 years ago and how they still strike the same chords in me (so to speak). It’s so frustrating to think that we’re in this endless, unsustainable cycle. Been thinking about re-releasing the songs with updated videos. Added to the growing pile of ideas begging for my attention.
I was never out to make money by making music. But we still live in a world that requires moving numbers from my account to someone else’s. So I’ve been focused mostly on a few things: coaching The Six Week Challenge (because your health is your most critical asset), conserving Nashville’s Highland Rim Forest, and building a studio in Nashville. Maybe for recording. Maybe for renting. Maybe both. We’ll see.
Stopping by to say hello into the void. I’ve been thinking about writing music lately, but haven’t really created the time to make any.
I learned to play music mostly as a way of expressing emotions in a house that was very unsafe for me to express anything, really. Piano was emotional processor.
I had an epiphany in 2004 that opened up my heart, mind and spirit to creating music. “Unamerican” was my first release that year, and was the most widely received piece of work. I got a lot of really positive feedback from the world that year. But I never figured out how to harness that attention into something resembling a music career.
And to be fair, I was older and not quite as willing to spend weeks in a van driving around playing to empty bars. It’s not that I felt I had somehow already paid my dues, I think I just wasn’t willing to bet my future on starting a music career at almost 40 years old.
Recording “Take That Step” was a peak life experience. I’m indebted to James Waddell and Tommy Sims for bringing my sketches to life.
For a long time (still) it felt (feels) like no one really cares or cared about my music or message. For a minute I thought I was going to try to make a career out of music but literally 99% of every music industry veteran I’ve met along the way has told me to run. Very few are making a living at it, and those that do are immensely, like mind-blowingly talented.
If you’re reading this and would like some of my music, drop me a line. I might even write a song for you.
I stopped doing any promotion of my music a few years ago. I did some math and realized that music was not going to provide me with the lifestyle I’d grown accustomed to: eating, having electricity, a car to get me places… I came to a crossroads of sorts – I felt I needed to focus on generating a sustainable income. And music has been neither income nor sustainable for too many artists.
So I’ve been focused on other things, but my heart keeps coming back to music. So I’m going to start watering that garden again by rehearsing and writing more. Still trying to find the balance.
And for anyone who’s reading this and is feeling confused, frustrated or angry about the state of the world. I’m with you. I feel you. Hang in there.
I’m writing, and trying to make space for music every day.
I’m also product and project managing several nonprofit technology projects as a way to generate some bill-paying stuff and difference-making.
I’m working on completing promised Kickstarter songs that are long overdue.
I’ve submitted songs to the Positive Music Awards, which will be decided in December, I think.
Marveling at the beauty and intricacy of life’s interconnections and flow. from the Ian Rhett Music Facebook page Read More…. and while you’re there, give it a “like!”
Wow. Every time I put up a new track, I lose page “likes”… I guess people are at least listening to it…? I dunno wtf to make of that. from the Ian Rhett Music Facebook page Read More…. and while you’re there, give it a “like!”
Something to practice if you’re looking for guidance or purpose… Just before you go to sleep, ask your Higher Self to answer a question. “What should I do about X?” I did this last night around my next steps and got some clear insight/motivation. I tried it a couple times last week and didn’t get anything, but today I did. So keep doing it. Maybe the Universe needs to know you’re serious about wanting an answer and you have to show up a few times with the request. This isn’t the first time I’ve done this with success/results, but for some reason I keep forgetting to do this. So consider this a friendly reminder. 🙂 from the Ian Rhett Music Facebook page Read More…. and while you’re there, give it a “like!”
My friend Joe Mangrum is an extraordinary artist doing ephemeral sand mandalas in New York. He’s doing a Kickstarter to take his art to a new level. Check him out: http://ift.tt/1ESHSty from the Ian Rhett Music Facebook page Read More…. and while you’re there, give it a “like!”
I have a request: your honest review of my music. I need quotes and reviews that tell the story of how people experience my musical expression (either live or recorded). So how did you find me, and what’s your honest take? All comments and feedback welcome and extremely appreciated! from the Ian Rhett Music Facebook page Read More…. and while you’re there, give it a “like!”
Reminder to folks in Reno and Denver – i’m comin at you! Reno on the 16th an Denver on the 18th! Spread the word! from the Ian Rhett Music Facebook page Read More…. and while you’re there, give it a “like!”