Just joined @gigmaven and ready to book gigs online! Check out my new profile at http://lnk.ms/JNkz7

i miss your face.

likes A Friend In Jesus by Rebekah Pulley on Ping http://t.co/NCWGxQk #iTunes

checkout the new alexnelsonmusic.com! http://fb.me/wP1VuYGX

likes The Fuse by Jackson Browne on Ping http://t.co/jimwrvl #iTunes

New last minute show tonight at pineapple groove in Delray Beach, FL (the old City Limits)

Can musicians learn anything from politicians?

I was on the road a lot this year during the midterm elections.  Every once in a while during a drive I would switch the radio over to a news channel where I would be bombarded with coverage of the elections.   Usually when I hear news stories about strategies or business my mind begins to wander, as it usually does,  and I start to think about how these stories might relate to music, what I do, how I do things, etc.

Initially, I was just finding common parallels.  Both politicians and musicians have to come up from obscurity and make themselves known to a large audience.  Where politicians have their political ideals and agendas, musicians have their music.  We both travel tirelessly attempting to get in front of as many people as we can to spread our word in the hopes that someone in the audience is listening and better yet, become a supporter.  One difference I see is that in some cases certain politicians have to come up from obscurity much more quickly; during a short campaign cycle leading up to the election, where musicians can make a slow climb.

As I was listening more to the politicians and analyst discuss campaign strategies and predict results, one particular story kept surfacing until it was mostly the only thing being discussed; the enormous amounts of money that was being spent on the campaigns.  I’m not talking about contributions from corporations and other outside groups.  Though this was high, what I related to more, were the politicians who were spending their own money.   In the lead was Meg Whitman with $142 million of her own money. $142 Million!

This got me thinking.  A lot of musicians I talk to say that a large influx of cash would really help to push them to the next level.  But could it?  Meg Whitman didn’t even win the election. And neither did other’s who forked out a ridiculous amount of their own money.  What could a boat load of cash really do for a musician?  Make it easier to travel?  Make it easier to record?  When I think about the analogy I made above, I’m not so sure it could do much in terms of sustainability. Which, in my opinion, is high level of importance if you are looking at this as a ‘career’.   It’s only a temporary solution.

I was thinking a politicians run up to the election day can be compared to the publicity push for an album.  Each night a new place. A new audience.  Next day, in the van. New city. Another night. Play. Repeat.  Each night you could be pushing your merch, making money for the next day’s trip.  Hoping that you’re building a steady following.  Make the round trip, do it again.  Did you make enough money or fans to warrant doing it again? (Oh, and politicians know which states to hit harder.  Do you know where your audience is?)

If a politicians first album (i.e.-time in office) wasn’t something people ended up liking, they don’t get re-elected.  Of course, if they want to continue, they are going to promote the next album (uh.. run for re-election).  But if the people aren’t buying it (and I don’t mean that in the financial meaning) then they lose their job.  Which is pretty much the same that could happen to a musician.

Do I think more money could help?  Uhh…  (A gray) Yes.  But not in the terms of marketing.  No amount of money could change peoples perceptions on how music makes them feel.   In terms of helping with paying expenses while on the road and getting you through the bad nights, yes, it can help. But if your first ‘go around’ wasn’t memorable enough to have momentum for the second ‘go around’ then are you just spinning your wheels.  But, then again, this all depends on your goals.  If you’re doing it for the love it, as a secondary thing, then ok.  It’s up to you.

So can more money push you to the next level?  I doubt it. In the end it’s down to writing better songs each time out.  And giving everything at every performance.  And breaking down walls and hoping that those people that walk through to you, stick with you. And help you. And push you forward. With you being the lead pusher (cause let’s face it, at times you are your own enemy). Keep pushing and when you least expect it, something will happen.

What do you think?

Black Finger is the new awesome for me right now http://twitpic.com/jftue

there are no words to describe my frustration with myspace right now.

See how uncomfortable @trisloth is in this video and see why he should be making music. Then support: http://ping.fm/cHrQ1