I guess you could say this month has been one of those times I dread the daily grunt of the business side of the music industry. It's a time of the year that makes me regret I didn't take the summer off. My kids are out in the pool, laughing and playing. All of my friends are calling from the beach or Europe. And here I am sitting with 2 cell phones, a landline and a laptop, going at it 90 miles an hour. I love what I do, and I thank God for what I do. He has blessed me more than I could ever say.
Sometimes when I am dealing with a record company or a producer etc, I think, "OK God, you put this person in my path as a trial. Do I go off on them and get my way? Or do I smile and take the blows, and rethink the situation and go at them again on a better day?" Well, sometimes there is just no way around it. You just have to listen to your client, the label, producer or whoever until they have reached the point they feel better.
One night during a week of 22 hour days, as I was opening the door to my room, the phone rang. I felt tired in my body and soul. I was so exhausted I couldn't feel my feet touching the floor. But, I had been very lucky that week. My artist sales were up 25%, we had landed 13 new songs on the numerous charts and booked 27 dates. My dog was pulling me to go ahead and close the door, and ignore the phone ringing. I should have listened. When I picked up the phone, it was an artist. Mind you this was an artist I had worked with many years ago. After much success in the business, this person had begun to reap all the bad seeds he had sown. He was angry, screaming, crying and yelling. I looked at my dog and sat her up in my chair, knowing this was going to be one of those Jerry Springer work calls. The artist was angry, promoters wouldn't book him, the label didn't want to take another shot with a new record and there wasn't a promoter who would put up with his bigger than the world attitude.
I knew from dealing with this artist in the past, I would first have to ask that he not cuss me or yell. He continued to tell me how he had been politically pushed out, barred by the other artists, banned by the industry. I stopped him and said, "So, its still everyone else's fault. Your failures are all on the industry's hands. Everything you had is now gone and you blame us?"
I was thinking, "So, it's not the numerous promoters you have cussed out, or the countless meetings where you screamed at the label because they wanted their money you refused to pay, or the groups you threatened." I told him years ago, deal with your anger and your sloppy past. Or it will repeat itself in your career.
I felt like I was going off into a dream. I felt like a little cloud was over my head, it was a vision of all the things I had already covered with this artist in the past. The things not to do. The things not to say. The things to respect and deal with. I had already been down the road with this client, and I knew the tires had blown and he didn't have a spare.
You have to be a strong individual to handle a career in the public eye, you have to have leather for skin, you have to nearly become skinless to be successful. I told the artist when we first met, "You must deal with your past. You must deal with all these issues you are carrying around from your childhood." A lot of artist succeed because someone said they couldn't. They are driven by proving and validating they are worthy.
Being a successful recording artist, doesn't validate you as a good person. It validates you as a known person (not a good one). Success doesn't validate you. Life and smart choices validate you.
I finally did change my life and work on the pieces, not cover them up. I have watched many artist at different degrees try and conquer their demons. I meet or listen to over 125 new artist every week. They all have different reasons and drives. And over the years I have watched artist that have struggled climb and get their dreams. But, these artists can become our worst nightmares. That's where the temperature of the water, the same colored M&Ms syndrome comes in.
I have had the weirdest request by the divas of the music world. One artist requested their own central air in the dressing room. Why? So, they didn't have to breath the air of the other girl singer. One singer I handled tour support for demanded her water at 44 degrees. I have watched her drop a thermometer out of her pocket and if the water wasn't 44 degrees she would throw it across the room and demand everyone out. Another country artist demanded we all wear Hanes briefs and Brut cologne. We would all laugh at the label. As the Vice president of the label would pass the bottle around to splash Brut on before we headed to the Grand OLE Opry House. On one tour in Canada the artist demanded 600 count thread sheets, a 1970s style telephone, and nothing in the room could be out of the 70's. This artist had a rough childhood and couldn't handle the stress of stardom. He had to think he was a little boy in his parents home. I have stood on the edge of a 20 story hotel with one of the worlds greatest singers, just to prove he would never fall. We had to lean over with him and trust we wouldn't fall. he had a fear of being abandoned and wanted to see if we would stay with him no matter what. Guess, what! I abandoned him. I hate heights. But, he never did fall. He remains strong today and has had 20+ number one songs.
If your planning a career in music or a high stress position. Deal with your past, your egos, your losses, your insecurities. Don't take your insecurities and pain out on your career. It's OK to channel that energy and work towards repair-but, don't take on the task to bury your past. Fix it and move on. Be a strong person that has something to offer. Be a feeder not just an eater. Give don't just get. I always tell my artist and friends. Life has rain, but who's your umbrella?
God Bless
Rick Hendrix
http://www.rickhendrix.com
Author: RickBHendrix
| Author's Website: http://www.rickhendrix.com
Written: 07/01/2006
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Category: Leave No Stone Unturned
Comments: 20
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Rick, first, I would like to say from now on, we want 1000 red M&Ms; for our bus delivered before every concert. Second, (and for real) thank you for your guidance and knowledge to help us as ministries not allow the business side to overtake what GOD has called us to do. You amaze me with your wisdom. Thank you for letting GOD use you in building the kingdom.
oh wow i wonder if i could toss in getting my grass cut LOL
Stress is growing in all of our daily functions. Good advice.
...but we still want to know how you deal with Shane :~) ......
Hesalive
Ask Johnathan Bond the story. I am not sure all of the details. But, during a heated meeting Shane poured a bowl of soup on somebody's head. He is a trip.
I bet the stress is tough within the labels and companies. I would not wanna run the message boards and careers.
I used to think that I wanted to be a part of the music industry. But after hearing all the stories about how crazy people are, even in the Christian music industry, I am exploring ways to be able to make my music available to the world some other way. I do not want it dirtied by the muck that is the music industry.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
I looked on Hendrix site today. I am trying to figure out which artist is dumb enough to hang over a building.
Keith,
Keith and Bob, There is a lot of junk that goes on in gospel music, and no one can deny that, however I will tell you that there is a lot of great things that happen in gospel music. Keith, I would encourage you not to emter the industry of gospel music, but give all that you have to the ministry of Gospel Music. Lives can be changed as you just allow GOD to use you. I am your friend and just want to encourage you (and others) to just let GOD us you whether industry people accept you or not. There is a lot that needs to be done in this world and we have to choose to give up because of junk or push through it. Let's continue pushing through. I am sure that Rick would tell you the same thing. He just wants people to know all sides.
Yes, if you read on Rick Hendrix site. His artist have seen over a million lives dedicated to the Kingdom. God has used a bunch of people to accomplish his good in spite of the storms.
Well God hasnt called a lot of the gospel artist, they have called themselves. Everyone is needing attention. Very few artist actually are in it for the right reasons.
If what I just read is typical of Christian artist and I use the term loosely, somebody had better be doing some serious checking up. Don't tease the public, tell us who you are talking about. I certainly would not support them.
If Young Harmony starts getting red M&M's at their concerts, I am going to quit. I can barely get some pastors to take up a love offering!
When you get a bunch of creative people together, you're gonna have friction -- because many creative folk have sensitive egos. That's the way it is: no matter the genre.
actualy you should get feeled with the HOLY GHOST and let him go befor you and let him guide you and IF you have Him in you who can Be against you.Shure theres times when the road gets tough and seems satan will do ALL that he can to Hinder AGOD WORSHIPING servant BUT remember when one door Closes GOD will open ABIGGER and BETTER Door When Deffeted TURN TO GOD .PUT BOTH FEET IN THE FIRE DONT STAND IN THE SMOKE .GET IN THE FLAME AND GET CONSUMED BY GOD THE ALL CONSUMMING FIRE .
That was an awesome article Rick! I can't imagine the patience you have to have in dealing with some of the people you do. I mean, it sounds like an awesome job, and I wish I was talented enough to do something like that....but wow. It does have it's downside, just like any job...and it takes a special person to be able to handle all that! You do an awesome job!
I sure would like to know who these artist are! I would never listen to them again!
These artist are really tough to deal with. When I had a radio station it got sticky several times.
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