The Bones of Giants - A Field Guid For Musicians

Adrienne Osborn is an incredible resource and a formidable force in musician entrepreneurialism. She has solid state energy and strikes me as someone with powerful decision making abilities. She moves through her career change with clarity and intention  even when it got (or gets) tough. Listen and get inspired, as do I, when Adrienne breaks it down to the raw components of just doing it!

- Adrienne’s voice and music school Performance High - https://performancehigh.net 

- Adrienne’s online video/audio voice education resource Nial Every Note. (I’m a member and it’s SO worth it) https://naileverynote.com 

THE BONES OF GIANTS

Contact Chris for voice lessons: https://denvermusicinstitute.com/voice-lessons/

TAKEAWAYS ~ As you age it means more, exponentially, that you stayed with music. Your goals will become more specific, maybe smaller as you age and they’ll mean more. Resilience is key and for that, you’ll need emotional intelligence.

Chris Mercer is a long time friend (over 30 years) and those are rare. I only know Chris because of music and it was his and my common devotion to music that has bound us across the decades. I’m older, but he’s always been a mentor to me. Especially in terms of emotional intelligence and being grounded. His story isn’t so unusual, it’s just good. You’ll feel a sense of calm and “right” about yourself if you spend time with Chris, even it is’t just listening to a 30 minute podcast.

A lifetime connection to music will be an ongoing topic. If you have a story (pro or amateur status) please contact me. For more infomation about becoming an entrepreneurial musician and creating a sustainable career in music join our Facebook group or go to our website!

Contact Chris for voice lessons: https://denvermusicinstitute.com/voice-lessons/

We were sitting down for my guitar lesson when Teague starts dropping wisdom! I had to put on the mics and record! I couldn’t edit a minute out of this spontaneous conversation… even the parts where Odie took charge of my guest ;) That also includes the last two minutes where I forgot to turn off the mic and caught some pretty revealing plans and social clumsiness 😆!!

“I think there’s an opportunity to return back to making and playing a song [with a] process that feels very very straight forward. That bypasses nerves. That becomes meditative and life giving again rather than some kind of mental puzzle which tends to separate you from the music.” — Teague Starbuck 

LAUNCH A TEACHING BUSINESS TO ACCOMPANY YOUR PERFORMANCE INCOME 

If you are going to launch a business in an industry as competitive as music, you’d best bring something new to the plate! Here’s an approach to teaching/learning that’s a welcome tonic in a sometimes dry field. The academia of guitar joins with the magic we all want from music when Teague talks about his curriculum and vision for his new school, Lotus Guitar. WE ALSO spend the first few minutes talking about Seth Godin and touching on Imposter Syndrome… an ongoing conversation here at The Bones. For more infomation about becoming an entrepreneurial musician and creating a sustainable career in music join our Facebook group or go to our website! 

Teague is a guitar teacher at DMI 

TAKEAWAYS ~ A REFRESHINGLY FRANK CONVERSATION ABOUT THE STRUGGLE  

Paul's a lifetime amateur musician who has struggled with breaking into the “business” and he was very forthcoming about what he went through including the role imposter syndrome may have played in it. On this call I also discuss my past and current frustrations with the syndrome. 

I’m so grateful to Paul Shotwell for opening up as we both talk about our encounters with imposter syndrome. This kind of sharing is invaluable to The Bones of Giants conversation. I think imposter syndrome is something every musician struggles with at one time or another. In fact, some may never get out from under it. But we can! I’m certain of it. 

I intend to make this an ongoing topic. If you struggle with Imposter Syndrome (pro or amateur status) please contact me. For more infomation about becoming an entrepreneurial musician and creating a sustainable career in music join our Facebook group or go to our website! 

"I can’t imagine a day when I’m not playing, making music and teaching. The world needs music more now than ever and if I can make someone’s day better by playing music, that is nothing short of amazing and what it’s all about for me."

So many nuggets of knowledge and keys to doors can be found when you listen to someone’s story, this interview is like that! Some tricks of the trade seem like secrets until you meet someone who’s done it, then they seem more do-able. This 3+ decade career drummer has so much experience that a sort of calm knowledge drips from the conversation like a steady rain.

Darren Ross is what I call a “lifer”. That’s a musician who not only does music their entire life, but one who has no choice but to do exactly that! He just can’t see life any other way than from within music. If I have a “type” of musician I’m drawn to, it’s lifers! I relate:)

He possesses something I wish I had in my 20’s and 30’s and that’s an intrinsic knowledge of his value and purpose. It’s inspirational to know that we are only a choice away from the kind of dedication to his trade Darren has. It doesn’t come so clearly or easily to many of us. This grounded and simple explanation of what it’s like is awesome.

It’s nice to know that not everyone who wants a career in music has to be insatiably driven by the flames of insanity! Some artist just confidently stroll into their careers with the confidence of a killer’s stride, rather than ripping onto the scene like a puppy at dinner time. Ride the waves of a 3+ decade career that’s not just alive, but thriving! Part of that comes from the fact that he never stopped learning and evolving as a musician. Studying and still taking lessons well into his career kept him vibrant and relevant to the industry! It’s cool how easy he makes it sound while still somehow conveying the reality of how hard it can be.

For more infomation about becoming an entrepreneurial musician and creating a sustainable career in music join our Facebook group or go to our website!

TAKEAWAYS ~ YOU’LL BE GLAD TO KNOW YOU’RE NOT BROKEN!!

We all have similar mental battles like stage fright, practice and performance glitches and so on. Listen as we talk about neuroscience and explore how to outsmart our musician mind!!

Stephen has a unique perspective of musicianship. He’s both a teacher and a pro performer, like many others, but where Stephen is unique is in the fact that his Masters paper was around the neuroscience of being a musician! How does the musician mind work and why is it tough to wrangle for so many! It turns out that there are some general rules you can follow that will solve many of the day to day wrinkles in musicianship.

 Stephen hales from University of Colorado Boulder and is a teacher at Fusion Academy and the Parlando School of Music and Arts as well as being a drummer for the Dollhouse Thieves and with Mannequin Productions bands.

For more infomation about becoming an entrepreneurial musician and creating a sustainable career in music join our Facebook group or go to our website!

TAKEAWAYS ~ TIPS AND TOOLS FOR WORKING WITH AN MD

Bullet: The MD perspective will give any musician the edge when building a career in music! Ryan is the Music Director for Mannequin Productions, LLC and currently oversees all of our bands as well as performing in Mannequin. Learn from Ryan what it means to him to be an MD. Also, more importantly, learn what some MD’s look for in musicians.  

Top three takeaways to boost your career focus on preparedness, punctuality and attitude.

Ryan is a blast to work with and it turns out that he is as good at riffing in an interview as he is at riffing on keys. This was a fun Bullet to the Bone.

Blog: https://thebonesofgiants.com/ep-10-ryan-skiles-music-director-notes-that-could-boost-your-career/

For more infomation about becoming an entrepreneurial musician and creating a sustainable career in music join our Facebook group or go to our website!

TAKEAWAYS ~ YOU’LL LEARN HER STORY AND BE MOTIVATED TO KEEP WRITING YOUR OWN

Brittany’s spirit leaves an indelible mark wherever it goes. She’s bright, positive, motivating, inspirational and just all round good people. I’m blessed to know people like Brittany and consider myself even more lucky to learn from them! Quite spontaneously, Brittany and I sat down in the Mannequin Productions rehearsal space (at Denver Music Institute, our school where she teaches) and did a quick interview. I needed to test out my new lapel interview mics and she always has something interesting to say!  

The premise was simple: Where did you come from, where are you and where would you like to go… in music! And as always, what were the struggles you had to overcome and how’d you do it!

Blog: https://thebonesofgiants.com/ep-9-brittany-noel-wright-building-a-career-as-a-voice-teacher-performer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittabuggaboo

Insta: @brittnoelwright

Works for Denver Music Institute and Mannequin Productions

For more infomation about becoming an entrepreneurial musician and creating a sustainable career in music join our Facebook group or go to our website!

TAKEAWAYS ~ THE BUSINESS SIDE OF YOUR MUSIC CAREER WILL SEEM LESS CONFOUNDING

Part of our How To Get Gigs Series. Mia Stone is a multi-disciplined designer and creative in Denver, CO. She has several years of experience across multiple creative disciplines, including graphic design, web design, music, dance, live events, and interior styling and organization. Mia believes that art and creativity are essential to life, and is passionate about inspiring others to build space for creativity in their lives.

When you listen to this episode you’re going to hear me practically gush about the qualities of Mia as a business associate and totally boss operations manager. I don’t want you to think for a moment that it’s hyperbole. She’s that good!

At my age, I’ve battled so many inadequacies and shortcomings that I can recognize a well put together human from a mile away. It’s probably because of my being on the spectrum, but I do not understand much about how to operate in society, so I’ve spent my life closely examining those around me and then learning to mimic them enough to thrive in different situations. It took me into my 40s to really discover who I was and how I could be myself and survive in this world. Thus… I consider myself a student of human behavior. And everything I know about people tells me that Mia is grounded, thoughtful and genuine. Exactly the medicine this musician’s world needs.

Blog: https://thebonesofgiants.com/what-clients-fans-care-about/

Design Website: http://miastonedesigns.com

Design Instagram: @miastonedesigns

Personal Instagram: @mrsmiastone

For more infomation about becoming an entrepreneurial musician and creating a sustainable career in music join our Facebook group or go to our website!

TAKEAWAYS ~ HOW TO GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR. THEN HOW TO BLOW THE DOOR OFF IT’S HINGES:)

Part of our How To Get Gigs Series, this episode is packed with quality conversation about marketing and turning small opportunities into ongoing incomes. You don’t have to love marketing to rock it, and Marty knows just how to explain that! Heads up ~Marty and I cannot have a short conversation. We will drift all over no matter what topic you’ll give us! This episode is no different. Marty brings many many things to the table when we talk about The Bones Of Giants or anything related to being the best musician you can be!

You’ll be inspired, you’ll have fun and you’ll probably learn something from Marty, I know I do, every time I hang with this cat. In general, we hover around this topic: How do you turn an opportunity into an income?   

Blog: https://thebonesofgiants.com/turn-one-gig-into-many/