K.N.O.W.N. The Solution To Starving Musicians Not Being Owned By A Record Label Summer Edition 2014 | Page 3

Why I’ve Started A Record Label
Have you ever been face to face with deciding your fate based on your
personal principles? There comes a time in everyone's life when they have
to make a decision between what they want vs. their talents. Every one
of us is talented. Some acquired cooking skills, building craft, musical
pursuits, or even athleticism. Others obtain knowledge through a college
degree which they later convert to expertise or a job. Yet knowledge,
skills, etc. are not necessarily congruent with what you want. When I was
16 I placed 2nd in the country on the Still Rings for the sport of
gymnastics all while becoming a unique pianist-composer, receiving
admiration in some religious circles. By the time I was 19 - the year 1999
- I had acquired 2 technically amazing talents, that of music playing
creativity and of elite caliber athleticism. Gymnastics held no financial
promise – from the standpoint of my lack of knowledge concerning
business – and I had no monetary goals for my religious music. To see me
as someone who grew up with the aspiration to become rich and famous
for my performance is quite an error. It wasn’t until the year 2004, at the
age of 24 that I stumbled upon an epiphany that has forever altered my
life choices: I realized I wanted to become ridiculously known for my
musicianship. However, passion without a plan is meaningless. Let’s just
say that this book represents everything I want in life, what my music
reflects, and how that could affect you, if you and every musician you
know makes that your choice.
In the year 2001 I ended up working in a piano store in El Paso, TX.,
called, “Piano City”. My time spent on the border of Mexico afforded me
many opportunities to grow as a person and as a musician. Working in the
store also opened up two occasions when I was presented two
opportunities in the music industry. The first I declined at the advice of
someone I trusted (also in the industry). The 2nd was a perpetual
opportunity or carrot that led me to a dark rabbit hole. And to make
matters worse that individual didn't follow through on their promises!
However, regardless of the outcomes of both scenarios, I could have
become the typical music industry fatality:
 No legal representation
 Someone else making the majority of revenue from my originality
 Being bound to do unforeseen things I don't want to do