“The problem with “now what?” is that it turns every destination into a layover.” That’s a hell of a sentence right there. My thought that I’ve said to myself (and others on occasion) is, “Nothing leads to anything.” While my sentence certainly sounds more cynical/bitter it really isn’t… and sometimes when it’s not correct it’s a nice surprise.
The attachment of the ego looking to identify as something. Very perceptive. There is a lot on this, several Eckhart Tolle videos on YouTube touch on this. Definitely recommend.
Winning a Grammy is very different from getting a five-star review on the Downbeat. The doors that were previously shut might open if you knock this time around. An Oscar is the same. It may not automatically elevate your career, but some will return your emails now.
You shouldn't chase successes for dopamine hits because it is a well-understood problem. It will never be enough, and you will want more.
A wall of fame is not a bad idea if you have a big house, as you do. But it is not that much better because you will stop noticing after two weeks. Have you ever considered "celebrating" the moments by doing something special with your family? I think you might get a different kind of dopamine from celebrating wins with family members who truly want to celebrate.
I appreciate your perspective. You make a lot of great points. And I'll check with my family members if I receive another industry accolade to see if they want to celebrate.\
Excellent points that are related to another issue. Now I just say "thank you" when I get praise. In my old self-absorbed days, when I would get a complement after a gig, I would find fault with my playing in a way that was critical of the judgement of the person who said they liked it -- you liked that? what is wrong with you? I would not say it but I might think it. If the praise is on a bigger stage like a review, I still say "thank you". Sonny Rollins thought "live at the village vanguard" was not good enough to be released and had to be talked into it.
Great points as well. Guilty as charged. I was horrible at receiving compliments during m youth. I’m not sure when the shfit happened, but I’m so grateful nowadays if someone reaches out to me with kind words about my work. And I did not know about the “Live at the Village Vanguard” album situation. I guess you never know.
If I am not mistaken then Jaco received a 2 1/2 star for Word of Mouth in Downbeat. That puts reviews in perspective, and these days they have much less value (reviews) than back then in 1981. But still - the accolades are good, they do add value, but the only real thing that changes the trajectory is fan engagement. A Grammy without it is forgotten quickly in industry terms. And if you aren’t getting the TV exposure as part of it then it’s practically forgotten 2 days later. Which underscores the fan engagement point. So what to hold on to? The music. The reward is the music. If limos and biz class flights all over the world comes with it, great. Nothing wrong with that. But that’s not what’s gonna keep it going. Just the music itself. I never saw any of the greats I was around who ever forgot that.
I really agree with you. I can't count the number of times a really good review has led me to imagine what might follow, but really, so much of what happens is serendipity. For some, touring relentlessly with a big name musician leads to a door opening, but sometimes that is ephemeral. I think it is always one step forward and try to enjoy the moment knowing that the next moment is but another moment. I often don't understand why x musician gains such momentum while y does not, even if I'm far more excited by y than x. As Bill Kirchner wrote, your perspective impresses me as very mature and something to strive for. Yet it is often emotionally challenging to reach for since the great review can seem so pregnant with possibilities and we live in an attention and production factory economy. The next book, the next album, and now the next substack essay!
I definitely agree with you. There have been times I’ve showed up at a jam session and got a record date out of it. Other times I’ve toured for weeks with a name artist, and no new opportunities lined up to take it’s place. I feel opportunities follow their own logic.
Thank you, Sam, for a mature way of looking at these career milestones. At best, these things document one's Pilgrim's Progress as an artist. However, if you're looking for ego stroking, or catapults to the next levels of commercial success, you're being unrealistic and dooming yourself to disappointment. All of the great reviews and awards in the world don't get you gigs and advance you to the next levels of career success. Rather, it's the proven ability to put tushies in seats, and that generally requires an advocate. As a famous (if controversial)
writer put it, it takes two people to have a great career: one of them needs to be great, and the other needs to recognize that greatness and do something about it.
Great insight! I'm always guilty of this. Now whenever I have a great opportunity, I tell myself "nothing will come of this." It sounds pessimistic, but it really gets me to appreciate the opportunity for what it is, rather than for how I could leverage it for the future.
Yes!!
Brings to mind the Zen saying "Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water."
Great advice!
“The problem with “now what?” is that it turns every destination into a layover.” That’s a hell of a sentence right there. My thought that I’ve said to myself (and others on occasion) is, “Nothing leads to anything.” While my sentence certainly sounds more cynical/bitter it really isn’t… and sometimes when it’s not correct it’s a nice surprise.
Also very true, and profound.
The attachment of the ego looking to identify as something. Very perceptive. There is a lot on this, several Eckhart Tolle videos on YouTube touch on this. Definitely recommend.
I'll check them out. Appreciate it!
Winning a Grammy is very different from getting a five-star review on the Downbeat. The doors that were previously shut might open if you knock this time around. An Oscar is the same. It may not automatically elevate your career, but some will return your emails now.
You shouldn't chase successes for dopamine hits because it is a well-understood problem. It will never be enough, and you will want more.
A wall of fame is not a bad idea if you have a big house, as you do. But it is not that much better because you will stop noticing after two weeks. Have you ever considered "celebrating" the moments by doing something special with your family? I think you might get a different kind of dopamine from celebrating wins with family members who truly want to celebrate.
I appreciate your perspective. You make a lot of great points. And I'll check with my family members if I receive another industry accolade to see if they want to celebrate.\
Who is they?
Now What? Dissatisfaction (samsaric approach)
I’m good! satisfaction (nirvana approach)
Always learning with your writing
Thnx Sam🙏🏽
Excellent points that are related to another issue. Now I just say "thank you" when I get praise. In my old self-absorbed days, when I would get a complement after a gig, I would find fault with my playing in a way that was critical of the judgement of the person who said they liked it -- you liked that? what is wrong with you? I would not say it but I might think it. If the praise is on a bigger stage like a review, I still say "thank you". Sonny Rollins thought "live at the village vanguard" was not good enough to be released and had to be talked into it.
Great points as well. Guilty as charged. I was horrible at receiving compliments during m youth. I’m not sure when the shfit happened, but I’m so grateful nowadays if someone reaches out to me with kind words about my work. And I did not know about the “Live at the Village Vanguard” album situation. I guess you never know.
If I am not mistaken then Jaco received a 2 1/2 star for Word of Mouth in Downbeat. That puts reviews in perspective, and these days they have much less value (reviews) than back then in 1981. But still - the accolades are good, they do add value, but the only real thing that changes the trajectory is fan engagement. A Grammy without it is forgotten quickly in industry terms. And if you aren’t getting the TV exposure as part of it then it’s practically forgotten 2 days later. Which underscores the fan engagement point. So what to hold on to? The music. The reward is the music. If limos and biz class flights all over the world comes with it, great. Nothing wrong with that. But that’s not what’s gonna keep it going. Just the music itself. I never saw any of the greats I was around who ever forgot that.
I really agree with you. I can't count the number of times a really good review has led me to imagine what might follow, but really, so much of what happens is serendipity. For some, touring relentlessly with a big name musician leads to a door opening, but sometimes that is ephemeral. I think it is always one step forward and try to enjoy the moment knowing that the next moment is but another moment. I often don't understand why x musician gains such momentum while y does not, even if I'm far more excited by y than x. As Bill Kirchner wrote, your perspective impresses me as very mature and something to strive for. Yet it is often emotionally challenging to reach for since the great review can seem so pregnant with possibilities and we live in an attention and production factory economy. The next book, the next album, and now the next substack essay!
I definitely agree with you. There have been times I’ve showed up at a jam session and got a record date out of it. Other times I’ve toured for weeks with a name artist, and no new opportunities lined up to take it’s place. I feel opportunities follow their own logic.
Alas a logic that can seem to make sense only with 20/20 hindsight.
Thank you, Sam, for a mature way of looking at these career milestones. At best, these things document one's Pilgrim's Progress as an artist. However, if you're looking for ego stroking, or catapults to the next levels of commercial success, you're being unrealistic and dooming yourself to disappointment. All of the great reviews and awards in the world don't get you gigs and advance you to the next levels of career success. Rather, it's the proven ability to put tushies in seats, and that generally requires an advocate. As a famous (if controversial)
writer put it, it takes two people to have a great career: one of them needs to be great, and the other needs to recognize that greatness and do something about it.
Thanks for this. I love the last line!
Great insight! I'm always guilty of this. Now whenever I have a great opportunity, I tell myself "nothing will come of this." It sounds pessimistic, but it really gets me to appreciate the opportunity for what it is, rather than for how I could leverage it for the future.
I totally get it. I often say something similar, which is "it is what it is." Then I just move on.
This definitely resonates: “making the thing, or doing the thing, IS THE THING.”