GUITAR
WHAT I WISH I KNEW. PART 1 | James Duke
I'm not twenty anymore. I’m not. Sometimes because I didn’t spend the time before hand, every city, finding healthy food options… the list
I wish I was still twenty, or in my twenties. preparing myself for that moment.” Aspiring goes on. Probably the hardest part is if you are
Younger, quicker, naive, six pack abs, no kids, professional musicians, practice like it’s your stuck on a bus for weeks with someone that
never worried about money… you know, the job. Learn as much as you possibly can, so is hard to be around. People will trade skill for
good life. Then I remember what I was actually when the call comes, you are ready. camaraderie. If you are the best guitar player
like during that decade. I was self-conscious,
on the planet, but you are inconsiderate, the
self-centered, sarcastic, shy, insecure, and HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS fifteenth best guitar player on the planet that is
inexperienced in practically everything. A.K.A. THE MONEY CONVERSATION. considerate and fun to be around will get the
This isn’t meant to bash my twenty-something Most people hate talking about money, road with a group of guys, in close quarters
friends reading this right now. I’m talking about especially in the music industry. I spent years twenty hours out of the day, nobody cares
me, not you. Don’t be so insecure (see what taking gigs and having no idea what I was how well you perform during that one hour on
I did there?). You aren’t supposed to have it going to be paid. Maybe I knew what I was stage if you are horrible to be around the other
all figured out yet. Your brain isn’t even fully going to be paid, and that I was going to lose twenty-three hours. We want people that are
developed until you are, like, twenty-five! money because I had to drive 6 hours to get to fun to be around. People that are considerate,
the gig, but didn’t say anything because I didn’t respectful, and mindful of other people’s
To be honest, those feelings of inner-disgust want to “rock the boat”. Being afraid of losing feelings. That’s “the hang”.
aside, I had a pretty good time in my twenties. a gig, that you can’t afford to do anyway, is the I travelled the world playing music, recorded worst. Why are we afraid to talk about money? I’ve been both of those people. Years ago, on
on countless records, got married, bought a Everybody needs money! Telling someone what one of my first times on the road, I (the new
house, became a father, and made life-long you need (and when you need it), financially, is guy to the group), was so rude to the drummer
friendships. It wasn’t so bad. normal. It’s important. It’s being a responsible that he retreated to his bunk and never came
person. In most cases, the person calling you is back out. The worst part about it was I was
There are, however, a lot of things, career wise, actually expecting to talk about it. When you get totally oblivious to it. I just thought I was having
that I wish I would have known or done a better a call about a new gig, talk about the pay. Ask fun. In reality, I was being sarcastic to someone
job of handling. I thought I’d share a few of about per diem. Are you driving out of town? that hated sarcasm and I offended him. When
them. Ask if they pay mileage or travel days. It’s ok! I found out about it, months later, I felt horrible
Don’t get nervous! It’s also important to know and apologized. We are friends now. I’m
when you are getting paid. A straightforward, grateful I learned that lesson, though. You need
gig when you get fired. When you are on the
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR TIME.
respectful conversation about this will help you to be a good musician, but you have to be able
That sounds very obvious, and it is. But it’s feel taken care of and, in turn, make you enjoy to hang.
true. I wasted a lot of time doing nothing when the gig way more. You have to handle your I could have been doing something… anything! business.
Practice, handle your business, and respect
I could have practiced way more. I could have
learned more instruments. I could have gotten
“the hang”. That’s my advice. I’m forty now, by
THE HANG.
the way.
way better at recording.
If you’ve been a traveling musician for more than
I remember having lunch with a friend, whilst in a week, you’ve heard about “the hang”. To the
my twenties, and he said something regarding rest of you, let me explain. Touring is fun, but
this subject that I still think of often. He said, It’s not easy. There’s a bunch of reasons why it’s
“The real tragedy would be finally getting the not easy. Being away from family, lack of sleep,
opportunity I've been waiting for and losing it business demands, friends asking for tickets in
100
May 2019
James Duke
James is a musician, songwriter, and producer from
Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Most known for playing
guitar alongside artists like John Mark McMillan, Matt
Redman, Johnnyswim, and Steven Curtis Chapman,
James also records his own music under the name
All The Bright Lights. He currently lives in Nashville,
Tennessee with his wife and 3 kids..
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