Hi Dude,

I like what I read and it all makes sense. I am a pro. full time gigging musician. I have a 3 piece rock covers band as well as that I am in a corporate functions band and also a duo.

My big dream is to be a backing guitarist [ either lead or rhythm ] player for a famous singer.

I see a lot of other guitarist in this situation and feel I can do better as some of the riffs they play are not really doing the business. I feel I am a excellent guitar with great vocals and a nice personality.

My question is . . . How do I get to audition for these artist?   My age my be a concern for some but maybe not for others. I'm 48. But have been told I look nothing my age and everyone say I look about 35/ 6.

I have a lot of mileage when it comes to gigging and can hold my own in most situations.

Please advise to my situation.

Kind Regards

S ******

My Reply:

S ******

"Dude"???????

Strangely I have written reams on this subject recently.

<<<<<<<feel I can do better as some of the riffs they play are not really doing the business>>>>>>>>

Forgive the straight talking but your Email sounds about the same as all the other guys who do not get the important gigs!  Plenty of 'work' but not the top notch stuff.

It is 80% looks and 20% musical ability .... Then it is 95% performance and 5% musical ability ... That is what the auditioning managers/agents/promoters are looking at .... The way I best describe it is "take all your clothes off ... Look in a full length mirror and ask the question: 'would I go to bed with me?'"

How old is Julio?  And how does he look? 

Oh, by the way, how do you feel about miming?  If you do not say: "I love it, it gives me a chance to perform more", then you should have a real rethink about your aspirations in this highly competitive world. 

It is absolutely nothing to do with musical ability ... You see, we take that for granted!  We expect you to know every title in the top three this week [do you?] ... We expect you to know your way around Protools, Pro Logic 7 ..... We expect you to know that Marshall is the only equipment to use .... We expect you to have a Strat [new!  Less than 2 years old] a Les Paul similar in vintage .... We expect you to have either a Taylor, Yamaha, Gibson, Martin acoustic guitar of similar newness [or a hand built Lowden or such]

But you will realise that it is the herbal tea drinking guy who power walks every day, works out in the gym twice a week, tops up his tan and buys Armani and Versace clothes, oh, by the way, visits Toni and Guys, who will get the gig every time!

Nothing to do with the 'big licks' ... As I always say: "the music is the easy bit".  In fact "the pig easy bit"

How do you think I feel when the dep. drummer turns up without a suit and we are expected to sit at the top table with the Chairman of the company who is paying a $fortune for our appearance at The Hilton?  And don't think that has not happened ... I could tell you stories that would make you hair curl!

This business is so easy [when you know how]

The truth of the matter is that you may be approaching this matter of having a career at the 'sharp end' of music totally the wrong way.  You have the enthusiasm, but is that enough?

Let me have your postal address and we will send you our great freebie: "So You're Thinking of Getting a Record Deal"

The truth is that it is impossible to just stumble on the method for performing success or for writing and making a hit, sellable, commercial, dosh making record while strolling on the beach ... Much the same as it is impossible to simply buy a set of brain surgeon's operating instruments and then perform a brain operation.  Both involve a huge amount of learning and practice.

The only place I know where you can learn the skills and have total access to someone who has had all the world wide hits [me!] is at http://www.makehits.com where you will learn about 'How to Make A $Million From Your Music' - the award winning ten month programme designed to make YOU a success.

You can learn about the programme or simply get it immediately and start on the road to success NOW! 
https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm
 
You are now subscribed to 'One Minute With Dec' the widest read music Ezine in the world.  Keep in touch.  ~If you want to see the others who have had massive success with us simply go to http://www.makehits.com/testimonials.htm

Regards

DEC [Cluskey]
mailto:dec@makehits.com

You don't know whether you music is getting better unless you have regular demo consultations with Dec - the one the Pro's use: UK 01323.728005 [+44.1323.728005] http://www.makehits.co.uk/demo.htm

Regards

Dec 

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The gags: .....   [ Good Investment?]

On their wedding night, the young bride approached her new husband and asked for $20.00 for their first lovemaking encounter.   In his highly aroused state, her husband readily agreed.   This scenario was repeated each time they made love, for more than 30 years, with him thinking that it was a cute way for her to afford new clothes and other incidentals that she needed.

Arriving home around noon one day, she was surprised to find her husband in a very drunken state.   During the next few minutes, he explained that his employer was going through a process of corporate downsizing, and he had been let go. It was unlikely that, at the age of 59, he'd be able to find another position that paid anywhere near what he'd been earning, and they were financially ruined.

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Faced with evidence of cash and investments worth over $3 million, her husband was so astounded he could barely speak, but finally he found his voice and blurted out, "If I'd had any idea what you were doing, I would have given you all my business!"

 That's when she shot him.   You know, sometimes, men just don't know when to keep their mouths shut.