1<\/p>\n
The funny thing about the people who tell me to be nice is they’re motherf*ckers behind your back. They’re all friendly, kissing your butt in person, but when you’re not looking, they stick the knife in your back.<\/p>\n
If I’m going to stick a knife in you, I’m going to do it in broad daylight, to your face.<\/p>\n
I guess I learned that from my father, who was never a member of the group, but made a living telling the truth, which everybody knows but nobody wants to say.<\/p>\n
I’m constantly analyzing people’s success, and one key element is their ability to get along. Hang with others. Make friends. Network. It’s a constant game, and if you lose your job you’re out of the loop, because ultimately you’re just a pawn.<\/p>\n
Hell, people don’t even like me writing that. Because they don’t want to look at themselves. But if you really want to be a big swinging dick (a term denoting success introduced by Michael Lewis in “Liar’s Poker), you not only have to know how to play the game, but be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n
Anybody can be successful. Assuming they do enough work on themselves and study the game. But too many are convinced they weren’t born with the right stuff, this is utterly wrong.<\/p>\n
But that does not make them artists.<\/p>\n
An artist exists outside the game, and reflects upon it. Which is why if you’ve met your favorite stars…in most cases you can’t relate to them. They’re oftentimes loners who trust few and might be able to exchange a few pleasantries, but they’re not living in your world.<\/p>\n
But they’re able to tell the truth about it.<\/p>\n
But somewhere along the line it became conventional wisdom that everybody could be an artist, if they just tried hard enough.<\/p>\n
This is patently untrue.<\/p>\n
Artistry is a calling. A walk into the wilderness. And it’s the intangibles that put you over the top. Knowing the basics, being able to play your instrument, draw, that’s just a starting point. You might be able to become a journeyman, a backup musician, an artist at Disney, but you’re not going to become a household name. Because to do that you’ve got to be alienated and different, outside. Sure, there are exceptions, but very few.<\/p>\n
And then there’s the concept that if you work hard enough you’re entitled to the reward.<\/p>\n
Did you read that piece in the “New York Times”?<\/p>\n
“No, You Don’t Get an A for Effort”<\/p>\n
Free link: https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/12\/26\/opinion\/school-grades-a-quantity-quality.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uk4.iiG3.jUYdAjCT-4sa&smid=url-share<\/p>\n
I hear it all the time. Someone put a lot of work into their music, you can’t criticize it. That’s patently wrong.<\/p>\n
And then there’s everybody boasting about their 10,000 hours. It’s 10,00 hours of HARD PRACTICE! The example I always use is if you spend 10,000 hours on the bunny slope, you will not be a world class skier.<\/p>\n
And that’s what 10,000 hours delivers, world class performance.<\/p>\n
But that still does not make you number one. Look at the skiing World Cup… To get to that circuit… There are so many subsidiary leagues, like the Europa Cup and the NorAm series… 60-70 people start every World Cup ski race, most you’ve never heard of and never will. They’ve dedicated their lives to the sport, they’re world class, but they’re not winners, not at the elite level.<\/p>\n
And sure, the families of the also-rans are supportive, but the public is only interested in the winners, or those who have the ability to truly become victorious.<\/p>\n
And that’s very few.<\/p>\n
And it’s the same in music.<\/p>\n
2<\/p>\n
So what I’m trying to say here is my inbox is full of people who call me a miserable hater, unsubscribing because I just won’t like the generic, what they do.<\/p>\n
But I’m searching for magic.<\/p>\n
And you know it when you hear it.<\/p>\n
And I heard it earlier today in a video of Lee Thomas Miller on TikTok.<\/p>\n
Yes, TikTok has been deleted from the app store. But you can still view clips in your browser. And this one is at:<\/p>\n
\n@nashville_stacy<\/a> <\/p>\n Lee Thomas Miller is a national treasure! #nashvillesongwriter<\/a> #grammys<\/a> #grammys2025<\/a> #beyonce<\/a> #leethomasmiller<\/a> #bluebirdcafe<\/a> <\/p>\n
? original sound – Nashville Stacy<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n