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<img src="https://www.iftours.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/luck.jpg" width="421" height="512" alt="Tiger Eye - Courage Banner">
[[Click HERE|Start]] To Begin<<if $age gte 1 and $age lte 20>>Ok, $name. Imagine you are 20 years old.
<<elseif $age gte 21 and $age lte 50>>Ok, $name. Imagine you are 20 years old again.
<<else>>Ok, boomer. Dust the cobwebs off and imagine you are 20 again.
<</if>>
In this life, however, you didn't get into $activity. You are a working musician. You have dreams of succeeding in music.
Can you make it?
First things first.
What is your instrument? Be careful what you choose.
<<textbox "$instrument" "">>
[[Enter|enter1]]
<<if $instrument is "guitar">>Great choice, $name.
It's 2005 in Los Angeles. You play $instrument in a rock band. Your current gig is temporary. You are subbing for a band member who is rehabilitating after an accident.<<set $location to "Los Angeles">><<set $year to 2005>><<set $genre to "rock">>
You are broke as hell. You have a ton of debt. Playing music is too sporadic and doesn't pay enough to survive off of entirely. And who knows how long this gig will last.
When ready, [[Keep going|Get a job]].
<<elseif $instrument is "">>Just pick a goddamn instrument already!
<<textbox "$instrument" "">>
[[Go ahead|enter1]]
<<else>>Great choice, $name.
It's 1960 in Chicago. You play $instrument in a jazz band. Your current gig is temporary. You are subbing for a band member who is rehabilitating after an accident.<<set $location to "Chicago">><<set $year to 1960>><<set $genre to "jazz">>
You are broke as hell. You have a ton of debt. Playing music is too sporadic and doesn't pay enough to survive off of entirely. And who knows how long this gig will last.
To make ends meet you work 9-5 at a....where was it again?
<<textbox "$job" "">>
When ready, [[keep going]].
<</if>>
<<if $name is "">>Don't be lazy! You have a name. FILL IT IN!
[[Try again.|Start]]
<<elseif $age is "">>Don't be lazy! At least I'm not asking your SSN.
[[Try again.|Start]]
<<else>>Well, hello there, $name. It's been a while.
What are you doing these days?
<<textbox "$activity" "">>
Click [[here|here2]] to move on.
<</if>><<if $activity is "working">>Can you be a little more specific than that?
What specifically have you been doing?
<<textbox "$activity" "">>
Click [[here|moredetail]] to move on.
<<elseif $activity is "Working">>Can you be a little more specific than that?
What specifically have you been doing?
<<textbox "$activity" "">>
Click [[here|moredetail]] to move on.
<<elseif $activity is "">>You do nothing? Really?
I highly doubt that.
What specifically have you been doing?
<<textbox "$activity" "">>
Click [[here|moredetail]] to move on.
<<else>>Yeah, I remember you saying you were into $activity.
Anyway, I've got a non-$activity story for you. This should help you work on your ability to align courage and skill together with luck to reach your goal. Because, really, the most important part of $activity, or anything, is aligning courage & skill with luck.
Are you ready?
[[Yes]]
[[No|no1]]
<</if>>
Great!
[[Get on with the story|here3]]<<if $activity is "investing">>Ah, you're one of those investors. $name, you are always thinking about $activity. Nothing else. Do yourself a favor and go read a stock shart...I mean chart.
**END**
<<else>>Oh, so I need to convince you to play this game?
[[Yes|yes2]]
[[No|no3]]
<</if>>$name, haven't you read my [[writeup on balance|https://www.thewoodshedd.com/posts/2021-02-20-the-key-to-compounding-life/]]?
Of course you haven't.
If all your focus is on $activity you'll become soft, weak and ephemeral. There is a reason why pure gold (24 carats) is rarely used in jewelry: it cannot survive much wear and tear.
Don't you want to achieve exponential growth in your life? Well, then you need to be strong & durable. You have to mix things other than $activity into your life.
Ok, $name, are you ready now?
[[yes|here3]]
[[no|no4]]
$name, that's more like it.
Go [[here|here3]] to start. Read another book, will ya?
**END**What is there to lose?
The next day you walk into your supervisor's office.
"I'm done," you yell at your supervisor.
You storm out the building.
[[Walk home]]
<<set $nodonotquit to "true">>
You decide to follow everyone else. It's the safe route.
You hammer on with music outside of work.
You eventually record 2 albums. Nothing is a commercial success. Music is so unprofitable now that you give up.
And playing clubs gets too exausting with all the work you need to do to support your family.
Maybe if you had quit your job things would have been different.
[[Replay|keep going]]
**END**That's more like it. I remember you saying you were into $activity.
Anyway, I've got a non-$activity story for you. This should help you work on your ability to align courage and skill together with luck to reach your goal. Because, really, the most important part of $activity, or anything, is aligning courage & skill with luck.
Are you ready?
[[Yes]]
[[No|no1]]How are you feeling now? Scared, relieved, or what?
<<textbox "$feeling" "">>
After processing your feelings, click [[here|here4]]
<<if $feeling is "scared" and $instrument is "guitar">> $feeling? It'll get worse. Your temporary gig is finished. No one is calling you to do gigs.
You don't think you can make enough money playing your $instrument.
[[Move in with parents]]
[[Get a job]]
<<elseif $feeling is "anxious" and $instrument is "guitar">>$feeling? It'll get worse. Your temporary gig is finished. No one is calling you to do gigs.
You don't think you can make enough money playing your $instrument.
[[Get a job]]
<<else>>I know that feeling. That is a nautral reaction to the situation.
Your temporary gig finished. You aren't getting more gigs.
[[Move in with parents]]
<</if>>You move back in with your parents. They support you.
Sure it hurts your ego, but you are on a mission.
No rent & few expenses allows you more time to get your chance. And you can pay your debt!
[[Pass a few months]]
You can't handle the stress of an unsteady income stream. Especially seeing how you have racked up a ton of debt.
Currently, you have few bills. A job could allow you to save up a bunch of money and be ready for an opportunity.
You get a job waiting tables at a fancy restaurant.
[[Pass a few months|passfewmonths2]]A few months pass.
While you wait you make a few dollars working with your dad. He is a meat inspector with the government.
$name, your parents have been annoying and you really want to move out.
Your work ethic is so good you got an offer to work full time. The money is good.
[[Take the job offer]]
[[Wait it out]]
You never did hear anything from the music business. Or maybe you were just too busy to hear.
You gig less and less. Your name isn't top of mind with players, promoters and club owners. Nothing ever becomes of your music dream.
[[Replay|Pass a few months]]
**END**You receive a call.
"Hey, $name! It's Ron Court. I own the Bird House. You played here a few months back."
"Michael Fox and Pepper Adams are playing this weekend at my friend's club a 3 hour drive away," he tells you. "Do you want to play with them?"
You can't believe it. You are invited to gig with the best musicians around. Michael Fox performed with many of the greats over the years. Fox created a band with Pepper Adams a few years back.
[[Play with them]]"Of course," you exclaim. "I'll play with them."
"Ok, $name. Come to the Bird House tonight at 8pm," Ron said. "They are meeting here before leaving for the gig."
It is great that you waited it out. Your opportunity has come. Now it is time to make the best use of this.
[[Go to the club]]Waiting tables isn't fun. Nor is it easy.
But you are making money. Instead of gigging at night, which is when you usually work, you find a new outlet online. You record videos of yourself playing original songs and covers. You post the videos onto a new platform called Youtube.
[[Pass more time]]It is snowing like hell as you make your way to the Bird House.
Can you all actually make the 3 hour drive?
You walk up the stairs of the building, walk down a small corridor and see Fox & Adams hanging out with their drummer and Ron the owner.
[[Approach them]]"Hey, $name!" bellowed Michael Fox. "I heard you played here at the Bird House a while back. Our $instrument guy is sick and can't play with us this weekend. That is why we reached out to you."
[[I knew you'd reach out]]
[[Thanks for thinking of me]]
"Thanks for thinking of me!" you humbly chanted.
You are in the presence of musical royalty. Fox and Adams are big deals.
"You are welcome. Unfortunately, we don't think we'll be able to brave this snow," Pepper Adams chimed in.
"Yeah, we are going to have to stay here," added Fox. "There's no way we'll be able to get to the gig in time."
Rats! This was your chance to play with some real musicians and make some money.
What should you do?
[[Sulk]]
[[Propose a plan B]]
"I knew you'd reach out," you slyly remarked.
"Uh, yeah? What gave you that impression?" asked a now annoyed Fox.
"I'm the greatest up and coming $instrument player in town," you say.
"Unfortunately, we don't think we'll be able to brave this snow," Pepper Adams chimes.
"We will see you around," Fox says.
Ouch. You are depressed. This was your chance but it looks like the weather got in the way.
You tuck your tail between your legs and walk out of the building.
[[Go home]]"Wait, I know of a jam session happening not far from here," you hastily propose.
"That's brilliant! We want to hear you play more," Fox proclaims.
[[Go to jam session|gotoclub2]]
"Alright, keep me in mind for your next gig," you say.
"Sure, thing $name," Fox responds.
[[Go home]] You keep up a steady stream of video recordings.
A few hundred people watch your videos. Soon enough you have 1,000 people watching and commenting your videos.
It feels better. You can almost survive and get some visability. But you aren't making money from Youtube.
You still have dreams of stardom.
[[Continue with Youtube]]
[[Give up on Youtube]]You keep posting on Youtube. Subscriber growth continues to go up.
And then on day the video for your song "Say It's Possible" lands on the front page of Youtube! You go viral overnight.
Emails flood from all corners of the globe.
Should you respond to these emails? This is going to take up a lot of your time.
[[No, I have better things to do]]
[[Yes|yes5]]Well, duh. This is a pretty stupid idea. We all know that people eventually started to make mucho denero once Youtube started monetizing views with advertisements.
By giving up on Youtube when you had first mover advantage in music, you made a very poor choice.
[[Replay|Get a job]]
**END**$name, you maintained a small following online. You continued to struggle.
Such is life.
[[Replay|Continue with Youtube]]
**END**Technology allows you to personally connect with every fan. You spend 12+ hours a day responding to each email.
Fans absolutely love this. No artists do this.
Youtube pays nothing so you need to capitalize on this moment. By the way, you have been getting pummeled by record labels with very, very good deals.
Labels are the quickest way to stardom.
What should you do?
[[Record your own record]]
[[Sign a record deal|Take the best record deal]]You quickly record an acoustic record by yourself. A friend helps you get together 5,000 CDs in a month. No manager, no label, no marketing, no touring.
But record labels keep offering better and better deals.
Remember, you are in debt and need the support of a major label. Now is your chance.
[[Take the best record deal]]<<if $nodonotquit is "true">>Let me give you another crack at this.
[[Quit that job|yesquitjob]]
<<else>>Ahh, yes. You work at a $job.
There's a problem. You often finish gigs at 4am in the morning. Going to work a few hours later is a bitch. $name, you don't sleep at all and it is effecting your life.
You want to quit the job. You tell your co-workers, many musicians themselves, you want to quit.
One co-worker says, "$name, you are crazy. Do not quit! You have to be able to fund your music somehow."
Another says, "Mannnn, you're going to lose your health insurance."
You know that if you leave, you'll never get hired to work there again.
You still have a ton of debt to pay off.
Are you willing to take that chance?
[[Yes|yesquitjob]]
[[No|nodontquit]]
<</if>>$name, you go against Youtube executive's advice. They told you to hold off signing a record deal for a bit; they said they were developing ways to monetize the platform. They predicted I would eventually make even more money with Youtube, while retaining creative control you'd give up with a major record label.
You want security now.
You signed the record deal. And you knew you made a mistake when you met the label's marketing manager.
He said, "So! Tell me about this Youtube!"
The people now in charge of your career have no clue about your prized partner.
So you tried to reverse the mistake. You play in front of 80,000 in a stadium. You hoped this would show your fans that they and you had won. Instead, they saw you as a sell out.
The no-nothings at the label guided you away from Youtube. You figured you'd play by their rules for some time, and then come back to your community. The album you recorded was all for the producer, nothing for you.
Unfortunately, your fans moved on quickly. Your new album was a huge commercial flop. The exposure you built independently on Youtube was more than the record label ever did for you.
**NOTE** This is the actual story of a singer-songwriter named Terra Naomi. She was one of the first viral artists on Youtube and gave it all up for convential stardom.
[[Replay|here4]]
**END**The walk home is brutal.
Each snow flake that falls on you feels like a punch.
The snow gets heavier and heavier. The walk feels like an eternity.
You get home and tell your parents about your chance encounter.
"They'll see I'm the greatest $instrument player", you claim.
[[Wait again]]You wait and wait, but you never hear back from Michael Fox.
You eventually give up on the $instrument. You can't stand the fact that the world squandered your one opportunity.
Try it again:
[[Replay|Approach them]]
**END**The group made its way to the jam session. The snow was heavy, but you don't care.
As you walk into the club all you can think is, "$name, don't screw this up" over and over. This is an audition of sorts for Michael Fox. He is a sharply dressed, highly educated and charming guy.
And you want to impress Fox so badly that your hands are shaking.
You get up to the bandstand to play with the jam bad. You start to play. You are so nervous. Your hands can't stop shaking. You can't play anything right.
After one tune, you know you are done. You slump off of the stage and to the table with the guys.
[["I need to get outta here"]]
[["I'm sure after that, you aren't going to want me now."]]
"Well, I want to thank you for this opportunity. I'm sure after that, you aren't going to want me now. But I appreciate the fact that you gave me a chance," you say.
Michael started laughing. "Come on, $name," he says. "We are taking you to that gig tomorrow. I figured you'd be nervous."
You are relieved.
[[Go to gig]]The next day the snow stops.
You go to the gig with Michael Fox & Pepper Adams.
You play a hell of a lot better than the day before.
[[Talk with the guys after the show]]"$name, I have been talking with the band. We really like how you play. We want you to join the band," said Michael.
"But, don't you already have a $instrument player?" you asked confused.
"Not any more. We'll fire him. But you'll have to move to New York City."
What do you think?
[[Move to NYC]]
[[Stay home]]NYC is where all the real action is happening.
"I would love to," you tell Michael. "But you'll have to ask my mom."
[[Pass time|passtime3]]You decide to stay home.
Music is a risky venture. You have debt to repay. Trying to make it in a big new city with a music job...that's financial suicide.
But why turn down an offer to work with a great musician?
[[Just move the NYC|Move to NYC]]Michael Fox convinces your mom that he'll take care of you.
Finally, $name, you are free.
You hop on a plane to NYC with a few bags and $100.
[[Ride the bus into Manhattan]]The bus takes you from the airport to the Port Authority Midtown bus terminal. This is the first time you've been to NYC.
Damn, $name, those 3 overstuffed pieces of luggage you brought are heavy.
You lug them out of the bus station and to the curb. You hail a cab and ride to the Alvin Hotel at 52nd street between Broadway and 8th Ave. The place was dirt cheap and many musicians stayed there. Alvin Hotel was practically at the center of NYC's music scene.
You can't afford to stay at the Alvin forever.
[[Find an apartment]]
[[Ask Michael Fox]]
You talk with the bassist in your new band. He actually needs a place too.
The only problem is you have very limited funds.
The two of you find a teeny, tiny apartment in a sketchy part NYC's west side. It is so cheap because you had roomates....cockroaches.
[[Enjoy NYC and the music scene]]Michael Fox drives down from the Bronx to your apartment.
He pulls up in a new Jaguar. Man, you think to yourself, he's doing well.
Fox comes inside your apartment and says, "$name, I need to get you out of here. How about you come and share my apartment."
[[Sure!]]
You imagine that being in Michael Fox's band you'd be making good money in NYC. It made sense because Fox had a successful band and sold records all around the world.
On the contrary. You play fewer gigs than you thought. And you get paid less than you expected.
Life is tough. Your apartment is the cheapest one you could find, but you still could barely afford it.
Some time passes.
You now only have $0.12 in your pocket.
[[Call your parents|Go back home]]
[[Stick it out]]
You give your parents a call.
You are desperate. You need money.
"Hello?" asks your mother over the phone.
"Mom, I need money," you plead.
"$name, I knew you would have a hard time," says your mother. "How about I send you money to come back home."
You argue with your mother, but she eventually helps you see the light.
"Ok, mom. Ok," you say.
A few days later you get the money and buy a train ticket back home.
You get on the train.
The whole duration of the trip, however, you feel something is off.
You go back to the food car to have some lunch. As you sit down to order at the bar, you are lifted up and thrown across the car.
You aren't the only one to be moved violently.
The train gets into a horrible accident.
If only you hadn't taken this train back home. Maybe you would still be alive.
Thankfully in this game you have a mulligan.
[[Replay|Enjoy NYC and the music scene]]$name, you are starving. $0.12 is not enough money for food.
You can call your parents. Ask them to send you money. But you have too much pride to do that. You would rather go back home, then ask for money.
[[Call your parents|Go back home]]
[[Pan handle on the street]]
[[Figure something else out]]You can only imagine what kind of luxury that Michael Fox lives in so you eagerly take him up on his offer.
A few days pass. You pack up 3 overstuffed pieces of luggage. You make your way to Michael Fox's apartment.
You arrive. The neighborhood is pretty good. The building is okay. Fox greets you over the intercom.
"I'm on the fifth floor," Fox says. "I'll buzz you in."
Before you can speak, the buzzer goes off and you open the door.
You walk in looking for an elevator.
No elevators here.
[[Walk up the stairs]]When you get desperate, you find an empty cup, walk outside and start asking people for money.
It is humiliating at first. But you make about a $1 after an hour. This is pretty easy money. But it is still depressing. Whenever you need extra money you pan handle now.
You start to get in with the other bums on the street. You sink further and further into depression. You take up drinking in a big way.
Your drinking prevents you from showing up to gigs on time. Michael Fox has to kick you out of the band.
Does it really matter where you end up?
Try again:
[[Replay|Stick it out]]
**END**$name, that's right. You know you'd kill your dream if you went back home.
If there's a way to make it work, you'll figure it out.
You, your roommate and neighbors, a husband and wife who were also starving musicians, pool money together. $1.00 was enough to buy some Wonderbread, a soup bone, a potato and some flour.
Soup is made and you can get by another day.
[[Go to gig with Michael Fox]]You are nervous, but you get through a show at the Five Spot with Michael Fox.
After that, you get calls from other musicians. Gigs are sporadic with Michael Fox so you play with others on the off nights.
[[Ask Michael over to your apartment|Ask Michael Fox]]You trudge up 5 flights with your luggage.
This isn't the kind of luxury you were expecting.
You find Michael's apartment. Knock.
"Come on in," Michael says.
What kind of luxury awaits you?
[[Open the door]]You open the door.
Michael is sitting on a chair with a book. He quickly puts the book down on the coffee table and helps you bring your bags in.
You look around. You are surprised.
It's a one bedroom apartment. The apartment is clean, but it is a lot smaller than you expected. Michael points to the corner where a hideaway bed is stored. "That'll be your bed."
[[Does Michael actually have any money?]]
Is this guy rich or not, you ask yourself.
After chatting it up some more, turns out that the Jaguar Michael drives isn't his either. It is his girlfriend's car. He just doesn't let her drive it.
Michael then goes over his three rules for the apartment:
"$name, first, everything needs to stay really clean," Michael says. "This will help keep the cockaroach problem to a minimum."
"Second, make up your bed every morning."
"Third, if anybody rings the doorbell before 9am, wake me up first before answering the door."
You agree to the rules.
[[Pass a few days|passafewdays1]]
A few days pass. You get along with Michael. He is becoming an older brother figure to you.
Working in Michael's band is good for you. And since other musicians have been calling you to play, you are making a decent, livable income. Still, you aren't making that much money.
You are doing what you love and making money.
[[Pass a few days|Passafewdays2]] You recall to yourself rule number 3.
You sit up, do a big stretch and saunter into Michael's room.
He's out cold. A train could drive by him and he wouldn't wake up.
What are you going to use to wake Michael up?
[[Take inventory of the room]]
What the hell is going on.
You take a big, deep breath and open the door.
It's a tall male in a cloak with a hat. With a badge.
"Hello, is Michael Fox here?" asks the mysterious man.
"No," you reply.
"I'm David. I'm an investigator with the Internal Revenus Service."
Shit, Michael must be evading some taxes. But you are astonished by Michael's knowing that the agent would show up and what time.
Do you trust Michael?
<<textbox "$trust" "">>
Click [[here|here5]] to move on.One night you have a great show. You are 21 now and have a healthy appetite for drinking.
You have fun after a gig and come home. You go to sleep at 2am.
Ring, ring.
Someone is at the door.
You are so tired.
You look at the clock. It says 8:46AM.
"Who on earth..." you mutter to yourself.
[[Wake Michael up]]
[[Answer the door|Answer the door1]]
[[Go back to bed]]You are too tired to get up.
[[Get more sleep]]<<if $wakeup is "water">>You dribble some water on Michael's face.
"Whaaat," Michael says groggily.
"Someone is at the door."
"Shit."
Michael jumped out of bed, put on clothes, opened the window and hussled out to the fire escape.
"Shut the window," Michael says feverishly. "And go answer the door."
That is the fastest you've seen anyone move.
[[Answer the door|Answer the door2]]
<<elseif $wakeup is "bottle of water">>
You open the bottle of water. You splash water on Michael's face.
"God Damnit!" Michael screams.
"Someone is at the door."
"Shit."
Michael jumped out of bed, opened the window and hussled out to the fire escape.
"Shut the window," Michael says feverishly. "And go answer the door."
That is the fastest you've seen anyone move.
[[Answer the door2]]
<<elseif $wakeup is "hands">>You shake Michael with your hands.
"Whaaat," Michael says groggily.
"Someone is at the door."
"Shit."
Michael jumped out of bed, opened the window and hussled out to the fire escape.
"Shut the window," Michael says feverishly. "And go answer the door."
That is the fastest you've seen anyone move.
[[Answer the door|Answer the door2]]
<<elseif $wakeup is "trumpet">>
You pick up Michael's trumpet. You put the trumpet by Michael's ear and you blow a note.
HOOONK
"That's right!" Michael says groggily.
He won't wake up. He probably is dreaming of the trumpet anyway.
You slap Michael in the face.
"Someone is at the door."
"Shit."
Michael jumped out of bed, opened the window and hussled out to the fire escape.
"Shut the window," Michael says feverishly. "And go answer the door."
That is the fastest you've seen anyone move.
[[Answer the door|Answer the door2]]
<<else>>Just pick one of the items. One. Is it that hard?
[[Take inventory of the room]]
<</if>>You take inventory of the room.
- You see a bottle of water on his night stand.
- You look at your hands.
- You see Michael's trumpet on a chair.
Okay, let me ask it again. What are you going to use to wake Michael up?
<<textbox "$wakeup" "">>
[[Click here|wakehimup]]What the hell is going on.
You take a big, deep breath and open the door.
It's a tall male in a cloak with a hat. With a badge.
"Hello, is Michael Fox here?" asks the mysterious man.
"Yes," you reply.
"Please get him," asks the man.
"Who are you?"
"I'm David Penderhoff. I'm an investigator with the Internal Revenue Service."
Shit.
Michael gets arrested for tax evasion. Your relationship with Michael sours and your music career goes down the tubes.
$name, you should have listened to Michael's third rule - wake him up if someone is knocking on the door before 9am.
Try that again:
[[Replay|Passafewdays2]]
**END**<<if $trust is "no">>Man, this Michael character isn't trust worthy.
<<else>>You guess that Michael hasn't paid taxes in a while. He's just staying one step ahead of the IRS. That doesn't mean he's a bad person. You still trust him.
<</if>>
[[Finish up the year]]Sleep, ahh, sleep.
"OPEN THE DOOR," you hear in a loud modulated voice.
You start to open your eyes.
The knocking is getting louder.
What the hell is going on.
You take a big, deep breath and open the door.
It's a tall male in a cloak with a hat. With a badge.
"Hello, is Michael Fox here?" asks the mysterious man.
"Yes," you reply.
"Please get him," asks the man.
"Who are you?"
"I'm David Penderhoff. I'm an investigator with the Internal Revenue Service."
Shit.
Michael gets arrested for tax evasion. Your relationship with Michael sours and your music career goes down the tubes.
$name, you should have listened to Michael's third rule - wake him up if someone is knocking on the door before 9am.
[[Replay|Passafewdays2]]
**END**It is now the end of your first year in NYC. You look back on the progress. You played on two of Michael Fox's records.
You even composed a song that goes on one of the records.
Things are happening. Not only are you making money but you are thriving doing music fulltime. You are only 21!
You still could be doing more.
Can you keep up the great work?
[[Yup]]
Today, $name, you are drinking coffee with Michael Fox in your apartment.
"$name, it's time for you to make your own record," exclaims Michael.
[[I'm not ready]]"Nah, I'm not ready," you tell him.
"Yes you are," he insists, "and I'm going to tell you how to make it happen."
<<if $trust is "no">>It didn't matter how much Michael talked. You are still young and learning. You want to take it slow. And you really don't trust this guy.
[[No thanks|notrust]]
<<else>>Michael had a deal with the top $genre label. The label prided itself on recording the young lions of $genre. Hot new players who were just starting were with this label and their careers were on the upswing.
But there is one hitch. The executives only wanted to bring on new artists if they knew he could sell records. It was the old chicken and egg problem where no one would let you create a record until you've proved you can make money making a record.
It seems like Michael has a plan.
[[Listen to Michael's plan]]
<</if>>
Michael tells you his advice anyway.
"Here's what you do," he says. "Go down to the label, meet with the co-founder and tell him you've been drafted. Tell them you want to make a record before you go off to the Army."
The untrustworthy tax evader is now asking you to lie. You don't like this.
"That's the first thing. The second thing is you have to make half of the record for yourself and the other half for the label."
You don't quite understand the second piece of advice.
[[Ask Michael to explain himself]]
"Here's what you do," he says. "Go down to the label, meet with the co-founder and tell him you've been drafted. Tell them you want to make a record before you go off to the Army."
That's ingenious.
"That's the first thing. The second thing is you have to make half of the record for yourself and the other half for the label."
You don't quite understand the second piece of advice.
[[Ask Michael to explain himself]]
"This is what I mean," Michael says. "Half the songs of the record can your own compositions. But for the other half, be prepared to do covers of other songs. You have to play what people know because that is what is going to sell the record. It's a business, $name."
[[Think about Michael's advice]]Over the next few days you think about Michael's advice.
Lying isn't something you like doing. But you would love to have a record deal. Could Michael be onto something?
And Michael's advice on original songs, that is interesting. You've only created a few original compositions, one being released on Michael's record. But could you make more songs? Could you make one that would sell a record?
In the shower you think, "Who sells records well? What do their songs sound like."
One artist named Hoarce Gold came to mind. He could write songs that could sell. The funkier tunes sold the best. Could you write a funky song?
[[Copy Hoarce Gold's style]]
[[Write something authentic to you]]Over the next couple of days you pick apart Hoarce Gold's style. You listen to all of his records.
You figure out the chord progressions and common phrases he plays. Then, you create songs similar using the same ideas and rules.
You create 3 original Hoarce Gold-esque songs. Michael would be proud. And you put your flair on 3 songs from other artists.
[[Go to the record label|Gotorecordlabel1]]Where did you grow up?
<<textbox "$childcity" "">>
What is a cherished character from your childhood? Either real or imaginary.
<<textbox "$character" "">>
[[go]]
You show up to the record label.
The co-founders take you into their office.
You are nervous out of your mind. You have 3 original songs and 3 covers ready. Getting a record deal will make or break you. Don't mess it up!
[[Thanks for meeting me]]You want to write something that speaks to your own experience.
And that's when the thought of $character came to your head. During your childhood in $childcity, $character was the bees knees. All the kids knew about $character and worshipped them. So you grew up hearing the clackity-clack of people jabbering about $character. You heard it so many times, it was easy to turn it into a song pattern.
But what would the melody be? Well, you remember $character had a theme song associated with it. You reharmonized and repurposed that melody into your own.
You are happy to have created the song from a childhood memory.
[[Go to the record label]]You show up to the record label.
The co-founders take you into their office.
You are nervous out of your mind. You have 3 original songs and 3 covers ready. Getting a record deal will make or break you. Don't mess it up!
[[I have been drafted]]"Thanks for taking the time to meet me," you say to the co-founders.
"Yes, what do you want?" asks the rotund partner.
"I'd like to get a record deal," you respond nervously.
"Well, have you sold records?" asks the skinny, quiet partner.
"No, I play with Michael Fox," you say.
"We like Michael so we'll give a listen," they respond.
You play your three original tunes.
They cut you off before your last song is done.
"Pretty good. Sounds like Hoarce Gold, actually," says the rotund partner.
The founders talk amongst themselves.
"We don't think you'd be a good fit for us," says the rotund co-founder. "You have potential."
"Come back in a few years."
You are shattered. At least you gave the record deal thing a try.
[[Move on]]
You go back to the apartment. Michael is waiting eagerly for you.
"Did you get it?" asks Michael.
"No, they said to come back when I'm older," you say.
"Did you follow my advice?"
"Yes, to a T," you respond downtroddenly.
[[Pass time|passtime6]]You continue to play with Michael Fox's band, but you distrust Michael at every corner.
His advice didn't work for the label. You spiral down a pretty negative track. You move out of Michael's apartment and get close to other musicians. These musicians have an antidote, drugs.
Not just any kind of drugs. These guys are into heroin. You get into it too. And why not, the best musicians get into the hard drugs. You feel that for yourself to become the best you have to follow them too.
$name, one day you are found dead in a bathroom stall.
[[Replay|Think about Michael's advice]]
**END**You follow Michael Fox's advice.
"Hello, gentlemen. I'd like to make a record but I've been drafted," you declare.
"Oh, wow. Yes, we'll need to get you in the studio ASAP, $name," says the rotund partner behind the desk.
It worked! You have some confidence now to play your songs.
"What songs do you have prepared for us," says the skinny partner.
You play your three songs. The two gentlemen especially love the one based on your childhood.
"What's the song's name?" they ask.
<<textbox "$song" "">>
[[Click here|songtitleon]] to go on."$song"
Sure, might sound a little squirrely, but they love it.
The founders talk amongst themselves for a minute.
"Actually, $name, do you think you can write 3 more songs?" enquires the smaller founder.
Not only did you get a record deal, but you got a much better deal.
..Wait.. Michael gave you one more piece of advice.
Do you remember what it was?
[[Yes|yes6]]
[[No|no5]]Didn't Michael tell you one more thing?
He said to tell them you were drafted, tell them you would play three original songs plus three covers and to.... celebrate!
Deep inside you want to dance around like a kid.
The founders both try talking at the same time.
"$name, you'll be writing original songs so of course you'll publish your songs through our company," said the skinny founder.
"Sure!" you squeal with excitement.
[[Walk home|walkhome2]]No. That is all the advice I told you Michael gave you.
But in reality he gave you one last piece of critical advice before your meeting.
Michael said, "I'll help you set up your own publishing company because they'll tell you that you have to put your compositions into their publishing company. And you have to say NO!"
You are scared that the record label will not like that and turn you down.
And lo and behold the louder founder demands, "Of course, you'll publish your songs through our company."
This could be a make or break decision.
You are sweating bullets.
What will you do?
[[Follow Michael's advice - say no]]
[[Don't follow Michael's advice - say ok]]<<set $nopublishing to "true">>You dance your way home.
You celebrate with your friends.
A few days pass.
It's time to record your album.
[[First talk to Michael|Record the album]]"I'm sorry, I can't do that," you tell them.
Both of the founders faces turn sour.
"Why not?!?" both ask stunned and confused.
"I already put these songs into my own publishing company," you lied.
You never lie, but you did today. You start sweating more and more.
Are these guys going to crush your dreams?
"Well, I guess we can't record you then."
You feel like Mike Tyson knocked the wind out of you.
You are disappointed. Ashamed. You can't speak.
[[Walk out the door]]
Double-click this passage to edit it.You can't retrace on your words. That would not look good.
You stand and your head sinks to the floor. You walk out of the door.
"$name, wait a minute," both founders say.
You turn around startled. The two men huddle behind the desk for what seemed like an eternity.
"Okay, you can keep the publishing on your tunes."
That rush of excitement immediately comes back. You are stunned that it all worked exactly as Michael said it would.
Not only do you have a record deal, you have a record deal for all original songs and you own the publishing rights. So that means if the record sells well, you'll make aaaaa lot more money.
All that matters, really, is the record deal. The rest is icing on the cake.
[[Record the album]]
"I told you so," says Michael. "You are going to be a great player, so it would be ridiculous for them not to record you."
"Thanks, man," you say. "I owe you a lot."
Over the next few months you record your first album. People in the studio are really liking $song. You all agree that the song will likely sell the album.
[[Release the album]]The album, which you call "Taking it Off", gets released in mid 1962.
To your surprise the album jumps to #84 in the Billboard 100. This is a great achievment for a $genre album from a young new artist.
$song was the single that propelled the record. You heard it on the radio. And you number of records.
<<if $nopublishing is "true">>Unfortunately, since you didn't publish $song, you don't reap the full rewards.
<<else>>Since you successfully convinced the record label that you had publishing rights to $song, you were able to reap the full financial rewards.
<</if>>
[[Fast forward to another gig|passtime7]]
5 months pass.
You are on top of the world.
<<if $nopublishing is "true">>Thanks to "Taking it Off", you are getting even more calls from musicians to play.
<<else>>You now were making real money. And thanks to "Taking it Off", you are getting even more calls from musicians to play.
<</if>>
Today you are going to play the first out of three gigs with a Latin group. The leader is a congo player named Bongo Santamaria. His $instrument player just left the band and he asks you to fill in.
You've never played this style. But you decide to try it out. I mean more money and more experience isn't a bad thing.
[[Go to the club|go to the club2]]
The club where you are playing at is very close to your apartment with Michael.
The first two nights go well. On the third night Michael makes an appearance to see how you are doing.
That night the atmosphere in the club was dead. No one was dancing.
You make it through the first set and Michael comes to say hello during intermission. Michael and Bongo quickly get into a deep conversation about music history.
Your eyes glaze over until you hear:
"Hey, $name. Play $song for Bongo," says Michael.
That sure is a weird request seeing how the conversation was in a totally different direction.
[[You can't be bothered]]
[[Play the song]]
For some unknown, probably studpid, egotistical reason, you decide not to play $song for Bongo.
After this gig, you continue to play with other bands. You never really seem to break out above the marginal success of $song and your first album.
Maybe you are a sideman, not a leader.
[[Replay|go to the club2]]
**END**
You start playing $song.
Bongo starts moving his head to the beat and says, "Keep playing."
You continue. Bongo goes to his congas and starts playing a Latin beat.
Damn, it sounds so good.
The bass player was talking with a lady but quickly leaves towards his bass. He steals a glance at your fingers and starts playing a mean bass line.
Pretty soon everyone is jamming out to this new version of $song.
And seconds later audience members start filling up the dance floor, 2-by-2. The whole place was thumping.
"It's a hit, it's a hit," shouted an audience member.
After the gig Bongo asks, "Man, that was amazing. Can I record $song?"
<<if $nopublishing is "true">>You'll have to ask my record label.
Bongo goes ahead and asks the label. They say of course.
[[Move on|yes7]]
<<else>>You do own the rights to $song.
[[Yes|yes7]]
[[No|no6]]
<</if>><<if $nopublishing is "true">>Bongo releases his version of $song a few months later and it becomes a HUGE HIT.
The song places #11 on the Billboard chart. Everytime you walk down the street you hear $song being blasted from cars.
This is a huge deal.
Damn, if only you had the publishing rights to $song. Then you'd be making money hand over fist. Instead, your record label is.
[[Talk with Michael]]
<<else>>"Of course," you tell Bongo. "Please do."
Bongo releases his version of $song a few months later and it becomes a HUGE HIT.
The song places #11 on the Billboard chart. Everytime you walk down the street you hear $song being blasted from cars.
This is a huge deal.
Thanks to Michael all of Bongo's success was going to YOUR pocket, not your record label's.
[[Talk with Michael]]
<</if>>"I appreciate the flattery, but I think I will pass," you tell Bongo.
"That's too bad. I think that song would have done phenomenally," Bongo responds.
Who knows why you didn't say yes. Clearly, you had people in the audience saying it was a hit. They might know more than you. And you own the publishing, so if the song did well, you were going to make money.
What is the downside?
Try again
[[Replay|Play the song]]
**END**<<if $nopublishing is "true">>"You must be making a TON of money," says Michael.
"Unfortunately, no," you sulk.
"Wait, I did tell you to create a publishing company and convince the record executives that you own your work fully," Michael says annoyed.
"I guess I forgot," you say.
[[Fast forward decades]]
<<else>>"I'm really proud of you," says Michael.
"I couldn't have done it without you. The record, the song, the publishing and telling me to play $song for Bongo," you say gratefully.
"Well, another thing," Michael adds.
"What is that?"
"Have you registered with BMI as a publisher?" Asks Michael.
"No...I only registered as a writer," you say.
Publishing and writing are two separate royalty piles. Registering with BMI as a publisher allows them to track down the publishing royalties too.
"I'll refer you to a lawyer to help you get that set up," Michael reassures you.
"Thanks!"
[[Hire the laywer]]
<</if>>You hire the entertainment laywer Michael recommends. He registers you as a publisher with BMI and tells you:
"$name, you've got quite a bit of success with $song, so you can get an advance on future sales. I'll give a call and get that for you."
A day later you receive a check in the mail. In it is $3,000.
Your eyes fall to the floor.
You earned roughly $4,000 all of last year. And mind you that is the best you've ever done.
This $3,000 check was the largest check you've ever seen.
What on earth are you going to do with all of the money?
[[Buy a station wagon]]Yes, after some thought you made a decision. You would buy a station wagon.
Your train of thought is this: with the success of $song you'd need to get a band together to get out there and promote the song. A band has a lot of gear. The most sensible and efficient vehicle for doing that is a station wagon.
You tell Michael your plan.
"A station wagon?" Donald laughs. "Man are you serious?"
"I'm dead serious."
Michael puts his hand on your shoulder and looks sternly into your eyes. "$name, have you ever thought about getting a sports car?"
"Are you joking?" you ask.
Maybe Michael is egging you on to get a sports car so he can drive it. Remember he drives around not his, but his girlfriends Jaguar.
"No," you say. "I've never thought about getting a sports car. I've never even had remotely enough money for one. They're totally impractical."
"Listen, there is this new car called the AC Cobra," he says. "It is the street version of a race car that has been beating Ferraris. It's made by Ford and is the hottest thing entusiasts are talking about."
[[No way, buy the station wagon]]
[[Check out the Cobra]]Duh, it's obvious. Who in their right mind would have purchased a sports car.
The station wagon helped you promote "Taking it Off" & the $song.
Your career continued to succeed beyond your wildest imagination.
You record 39 albums and score numerous films. You win 14 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for one of your film scores.
Michael's advice seemed to be always on.
You do wonder what would have happened if did buy an AC Cobra. Maybe you'll learn who the story is based on if you go down that path.
**END**
[[Replay|Check out the Cobra]]
Michael says there is a showroom on Broadway with a Cobra.
You agree to at least check it out even though a super fast car is so outside of your needs.
The next day you take a stroll to the dealership and walk into the showroom. A few people are sitting behind a desk but none of them bother to look up when you came in. One guy in particular seemed determined not to notice you.
[[Talk to the associates]]You lean over the desk of the one guy and say, "Excuse me, I understand you have a Cobra here."
The guy, head still down, points to the car.
Sure, you probably don't look like the type to buy such an expensive car, but the nerve of this guy. You are boiling.
You walk over and look over the car. You have no idea what to look for. You aren't into cars. And you've never purchased a car before.
People are giving you weird looks. It looks like some of the salesmen are pointing and laughing at you.
How do you feel?
<<textbox "$feeling" "">>
[[Go on]]
You are so $feeling.
You walk over to the one particularly contemptuous salesman's desk and say, "I'll take it."
"Take what? A job?" mocks the salesman.
"Ha, no! I'll buy the Cobra," you declare.
The guy finally looks up confused, "Do you know how much that car costs?"
"Yup, $6,000 and I'm buying it. I'll bring you the cash tomorrow," you sigh with relief.
You'll show them.
[[Buy the car]]The next day Michael drives you to the dealership in his girlfriend's Jaguar.
Today you dress a little nicer. You have your $3,000 down payment in hand.
Everyone is looking at you much differently. They're much nicer.
One of the associates gives you a test drive and you are scared. This thing is FAST!
It didn't matter you were buying it to make a statement.
[[Sign the papers]]After signing the papers and paying the money, you throw the keys to Michael. You are too scared to drive the Cobra. Michael tosses you the keys to the Jaguar and you make it back to the apartment.
You had already purchased a spot in a garage where the car would sit.
You go daily to the car to sit inside and imagine driving it. You are too scared.
Eventually you get the courage to drive the car around. Now you feel like a REAL musician!
But was this investment wise?
[[Fast forward decades]]Your career continued to succeed beyond your wildest imagination.
You record 39 albums and score numerous films. You win 14 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for one of your film scores.
<<if $nopublishing is "true">>Unfortunately, you didn't reap all of the financial rewards of your songs.
Try it again and see what other great things come to your life.
[[Replay|Talk with Michael]]
<<set $nopublishing to "false">>
<<else>>And Michael's advice was once again on point.
The AC Cobra was not only a sound investment, it was a phenomenal one.
You find out later that the AC Cobra you purchased was the 6th production model. And the specific car you got had a 260 cubic-inch engine. There were only 75 of those made. But yours was even more rare. It is the only known Cobra ever equipped with a two-barrel carbuertor.
It was your daily driver until you figured out that information. You continue to hold that car today and it is worth well over $2 million. So that $6,000 price turned out to be a ridiculous investment.
Again, thanks to Michael....I mean Donald Byrd.
[[Learn about the true story]]
<</if>>Virtually all of this story is true and based on stories told by Herbie Hancock, jazz pianist.
Thanks to all the advice in this story from Donald Byrd (a.k.a. Michael Fox), Herbie Hancock achieved great initial success. The song Watermelon Man propelled Herbie Hancock's career. Because of Byrd's advice to publish the songs Hancock repead all of the rewards both with it's initial release and recording by Mungo Santimara.
And thanks again to Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock bought the 6th production model AC Cobra. Byrd did crash it a month or so after Hancock purchased the car, however, after getting fixed Hancock held onto the car. Today it is worth well over $2 million as it is one of the rarest 1963 AC Cobras.
What can we learn from this?
Many things.
1/Luck plays a huge role in one's life. Oftentimes, luck is purely who you know. Simple as that. If it wasn't for Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock would have had a much different experience.
But I think that regardless, Herbie Hancock would have succeeded in some way because he had the skill and, most importantly, the courage to act on advice from those wiser than himself.
2/Don't mindlessly copy. Draw from your experience. You are you because you're DNA & experiences are different from everyone else's. Use it to your advantage. This is finding one's style or path. Create your Watermelon Man tune.
Read more about Herbie Hancock's phenomenal story in his autobiography - Possibilities."I need to get outta here," you say to the group.
Before anyone says anything, you quickly run off.
You are anxious and scared. Your poor performance definitely looks bad and you just want to get away.
Something bad definitely happens, but shit, what's the point.
[[Replay|gotoclub2]]Before we proceed, I need some information.
Enter your First Name:
<<textbox "$name" "">>
Enter your Age:
<<textbox "$age" "">>
When you're ready, click [[here]].