Don't Despise Small Beginnings
Good morning happy people! It's Labour Day here in North America which means long weekend!! This weekend however for us Canadians is also the weekend before back to school on Tuesday. So for most of it's just making sure you're ready and the kids are ready for the new semester.
Labour Day is all about honouring the hard working people, and true there are plenty of strenuous jobs out there, but being in the entertainment or fashion industry is no walk in the park either (contrary to what some may think). I'm "just" a blogger, but I've had times when sitting in the couch to watch a movie sounds way more appealing than jumping on the computer to research or write.
Now imagine all the background work that takes place for an artist to be seen or a musician to be heard? The creative aspect is the fun part, but now you've actually got to promote yourself and find ways to get paid!
There's a list of how established musicians get paid, which involves, CD sales, publishing royalties, and sponsorships, amongst many things. However if you're just venturing out into a new singing career, and you're thinking to yourself, I just want sing, but I need to pay my bills too. There's another more creative list that might help you get some ideas of where to start. Here's what's included:
- Playing in multiple bands so that you gig as much as five times a week.
- Playing at weddings and other gigs that come with a guaranteed $1000 – $3000 per gig.
- Teaching music, as much as 20-40 kids a week.
- Church music director.
- Being in a cover band.
- Playing on cruises or in dinner theatres.
- Playing in a house band or being the solo piano player at a bar.
The blog post for this list discusses whether or not the above is a "respectable" manner of making an income as a "true" musician. But I want to encourage you by sharing (or reminding) you of Kelly Price's career.
Kelly Price, who is largely known for having been discovered by Mariah Carey, sang as part of a backup choir for a George Michael performance. The same choir was booked to sing backup for Mariah Carey and during a break Kelly decided to stick around the piano to sing to herself and lo and behold, Mariah listens in (unbeknownst to Kelly), and the rest as they say, is history. Full details can be read here.
This is exactly why I stated yesterday that you never know what door God will open for you unless you pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get to hustling. What God did for Kelly he can do for you. The bible says, He is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34, Rom 2:11). There is no favouritism. If that has been your experience or how you feel, begin to stand on this verse and claim it over your life. God is not man that He should lie (Numb 23:19), so "remind" Him of His promises.
Last verse for today says "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin." (Zech 4:10) I mean what more encouragement do you need? He rejoices to see the work begin. We all want to please God, right? So go on out there and be great, just like He intended.
Love y'all! Be blessed!