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June 25, 2009

What People Really Want From a Musician - Integrity

I remember once back in the eighties, a friend of ours told me flatly, “All musicians are flakes.” She then realized to whom she was speaking, and tried to backpedal a bit (actually a lot) but it was too late. She had spoken what she truly believed.

Why did she say it? Well, obviously she had had a run-in with a musician at some point, and the musician in question had most likely displayed some very flake-like behavior.

What did this musician do? Probably showed up unforgivably late for appointment, or perhaps did not show up at all. Perhaps he agreed to perform some task, and never did. Somewhere, a word was not kept, or an agreement was ignored. Hence the universal “musician – flake” label.

I implore anyone who calls himself or herself a musician, to act with the utmost integrity. It doesn't matter whether you do music as a sideline, or as your full-time occupation. Always do what you say you are going to do. Be on time (or a little bit early) for everything. Be completely prepared for whatever you are doing, whether it be a performance, an interview, or a recording session. Pay your bills on time (especially your studio bills!). Be honest and upright in all your dealings.

People want to be able to depend on you. The mature musicians I know fully realize this, and thus give a good name to our profession.

Posted by leonolguin at June 25, 2009 05:42 PM

Comments

Hey, have you seen this news article?
New details about Michael Jackson's Death Emerge
I was wondering if you were going to blog about this...

Posted by: Michael at June 26, 2009 12:02 AM

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