If you're any type of artist, you've more than likely heard this question a million times - with good reason, of course. It's very difficult for an artistic person to pursue a career in their field and make a full-time run of it. This small series in multiple parts is intended to provide some encouragement to those trying to pursue their art as a means of generating an income as well.

Two Sides - As a quick disclaimer; I would never discount the purists who have other jobs or sources of income (legal ones, that is) in order to allow them the freedom to do whatever type of art they desire, without thought of financial strain or repercussions. Some might argue this is a truer form of art, because the pressure of building an audience for the art form is alleviated, and the art can just be a product of raw emotion. Kudos to you all, please continue to do so. This posting will not be about that path, however.

Part I - Success Stories

It's awesome to have a post where you don't just trumpet your own successes, but can cite other examples of artists that are making a full-time go of their work. Obviously, since I'm in the music field, I know many more musicians than any other type of artist that is doing this...here's a brief list:

Landon Smith - a long time friend of mine, and a great songwriter, Landon moved to Denver from Texas in the last year and has been doing music full-time now for at least 3 years. Check out his music here: www.myspace.com/landonsmithmusic

Daniel Park - I've known Dan since 2004, and he has been building his way up to a full-time music career in Las Cruces for a number of years, and about 2 years ago (I think that's the right time frame!) was able to quit his engineering job and play, record, and write music full time. He's got an excellent live show with looping, violins, and guitars. Check out his music here: http://www.danielparkmusic.com/

Shane Wallin - Only in the previous two mentions have I met an artist who is booking shows as aggressively as Shane is. Shane is constantly recording new material, and bouncing all over the state of New Mexico playing shows and getting the word out about his music. Check out his music here: http://www.myspace.com/shanewallinmusic

Angie Stevens - I met Angie through a press contact of hers when I played a barely-attended coffeehouse show in Boudler, CO in 2005. The first time I played a REAL concert in Denver, Angie invited me to open for her band, and she graciously provided a crowd of at least 200 people for me to play in front of. She's an awesome musician and friend. Check out her music here: http://www.angiestevens.com/

Guy Forsyth - I was fortunate enough to open for Guy in Houston back in January - he said during his show that he's been doing music full-time for 20 years. He's got an incredibly powerful voice, and his capacity for storytelling in song and in between songs is unparalleled. Check out his music here: http://www.guyforsyth.com/

I wanted to give you guys examples of people that I've met in my travels that you may not have heard of, but are making a full-time go of their music.  None of them are signed to major labels, none of them have been featured in tabloids (as far as I know), and for the most part, they are happily living their lives doing what they love. 

You've got the examples today, I'll do another posting with ideas for revenue in the next few days. Enjoy reading about these artists and hearing their music!

-TRMJ  

Gu

Hey guys - I know this seems like it would be a post updating you on fashion sense and how to host a dinner party (you might be looking for Gentlemen's Quarterly), but I wanted to give a quick update to those of you who were wondering one of two things:

1. How is music treating you? (number 1 question I hear)

2. What are you up to besides music? (number 17 question I hear, but I have some fun stuff coming up)

How is Music Treating You?

I'll try to give you all some quick bullet points, this year has been incredible so far...

- See You at the Movies: I have been fortunate enough this year to have placements (that means a musical composition was "placed" in a film or TV Show) in 3 different films and to have been the composer for another.  Check out the IMDB.com page here:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3901065/ 

There will be much more going on when these are released, so I'll keep everyone in the know on that!

- Gambling and Clothes for Teenagers: Back in April, I released a song on Itunes called "You Don't Lie When You're Lonely" and a month later, my roommate called me from Vegas at 12:30am and said, "Hey dude - your song is playing on the radio here in Caesar's Palace." 

Around the same time, we found out that "You Don't Lie When You're Lonely" was also going to be featured on Hollister Clothing Company's summer playlist alongside songs like "Billionaire," so that was some exciting news as well. Check out my original blog post about the song here:

http://www.therealmattjones.com/news/2010/3/31/top-10-reasons-to-download-you-dont-lie-when-youre-lonely.html 

- A Really Big Shoe: Wow - I'm not sure how many of you ever watched the Ed Sullivan show...anyway, it's not important.  The band and I have had some killer shows this year, we've been privileged to open for Austin-based entertainer supreme, Guy Forsyth, and just recently opened for former Men at Work frontman, Colin Hay.  We're heading out to Dallas, TX next to play the Hard Rock Cafe for the first time, and heading back to Chicago and Seattle later this fall to play other standard venues like The Elbow Room and The Showbox.  Check out the show schedule here:

http://www.therealmattjones.com/shows/

- The Beat Goes On: The new record, History, now has 11 songs on it, and will probably end at 12. So, that means, if I can get one more great tune written and we have time to mix, master, and get artwork on the record finished, I'll have a new record out!  It will be the first original record since Passerby was released in 2008.  

Also, I've been working on a number of songs for other projects, and am considering releasing these tunes as part of a collection that has a different vibe. It's and ambient/acoustic type thing, and could be really cool as an EP.

What are you up to outside of music?

Fantasy football: It's that time of year again; I have the draft for my first 12-person fantasy football league this coming Sunday...we'll see how I can fare! I need to get some research in this week so I can figure out who my top 5 picks are at least.  Should I go quarterback or running back first?! 

Fantasy Fiction: Some of you know, I have been reading (when I have time on flights and odds and ends here and there) the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.  I am now on book number seven, A Crown of Swords, and can't wait to keep moving the story along.  Nerd points for reading this series? 432, approximately...

Running: I'm trying to like doing it. Ugh.

Jammin' in the Name of the Lord: This is technically still music-related, but I have been playing a lot more electric guitar at the church where I regularly attend, Desert Springs Church. I'm surrounded by some other awesome musicians there and by some people there that would just as soon help you through a life-crisis, as they would go grab a beer with you.  Check out the church here:

http://www.desertspringschurch.org/

That's what's shaking for now, thanks for sticking it out with me, there's more exciting stuff to come! Hope this finds you all well, I'm out for now...

-TRMJ