Why Compete?

Something I've learned from being in the music business since 1998, it's all a competition. Well let me rephrase that, music scene in all of Oklahoma is a competition. I was born and raised in good ole Oklahoma, started playing music when I was 13, writing crappy songs in my dads garage. Just like any young kid with a guitar and amp, I was going to be a rockstar! I was fortunate to be a part of what I feel was the best era of Christian bands in Oklahoma music scene. Back when the Outer Cafe was around and great bands came through to play and would hang with you and really talk shop with you. When the local bands could pack out the outer cafe or one way cafe in norman. When the bands were family and cared for each other... Fosters Thinking, Gears of Redemption, SubSeven, Prophecy, Starous, Washermans Field, Slys Alter Ego, Eleven Hours Down, Awake, Eternal Decision.

 Back when a time when national touring bands were humble, there was camaraderie. I specifically remember a story that sticks with me today, of when I called Sam Barnhart from Bleach when I was out on the road headed to Nashville. My marshall plexi amp head had blown out, I called Sam to ask if he knew of a great place to take her when I got to Nashville. He was in the middle of dinner, got up and ran out to his car and got the guys name and number for me. I told him he could just call me back but he said no worries and did it. That was at least 2004 or 2005 and I remember it like it was yesterday. You do that now with even most local bands they'd probably make a snide remark and stick their nose up at you.(or ask what you were going to do for them afterwards) Thats the problem with bands today, I'll even lump all artists into this, they have a sense of entitlement for no reason. Did a lot of bands from the era I was growing up feel like my band got signed out of nowhere, yeah probably, but we worked hard, toured and played crappy venues for no money for no one for a few years before getting a deal. Did we get a look because of someone we knew in the business, yeah, but thats the same today... its not what you know, its who you know. So wouldn't that make you want to network as much as you can, to make those connections instead of treating everyone like they are below you?

 As time went on and my band stopped touring as much and wasn't putting out radio singles, I feel like bands in Oklahoma pushed us to the "out crowd". We weren't doing anything anymore so no one wanted anything to do with us. A new era of bands started and they all were in competition with each other and most of them would only record at a certain studio in a certain college town. If you didn't record there or know those guys then you weren't hip enough to play shows together. The music scene had changed...for the worse... It even spilled over to church musicians, the last place you'd think there might be egos, competition or snobbiness. If you didn't play at three certain churches in Oklahoma City Metro area then you were on the outside looking in. Everything became "what can you do for me" relationships and it got ugly fast.

 Now that I have moved away and I can see it all the more clear. Now its flowing into a different side of the music scene there... I won't say much about that side... only... I guess imitation is the best form of flattery? I have lost a lot of respect for certain musicians in Oklahoma who are in "worship bands" because of their attitudes and how they act. Never forget where you came from and most certainly never forget why/who you are suppose to be serving.

Why compete? In this day in age, where social networking is out of control, why would you want to compete with other bands or artists? Why not join together, work together, create together? You will accomplish way more by coming together as a family of creatives verses thinking you are the best there is and turning people off.

 Ecclesiastes 4:9
"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed."

Ecclesiastes 4:12
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."