GUITAR
LEARNING TO CHANGE | James Duke
I have been playing music professionally for I became a little more selective of which A more recent example was the change I made
about twenty years and while some things opportunities and gigs came my way. I’d ask this year, work wise. I was really burned out
come easier than they used to, like playing myself if I could really add to the music and if last year. I had been touring pretty non-stop for
guitar, navigating through airports in foreign I was going to feel like I was activated in what several years and I was really at the end of my
countries and negotiating rates for studio and I am called to do. I’d pray and ask God to put rope. I needed to take care of myself and my
touring, there is still one thing that still doesn’t me in the right places, where He wants me family. So, I fulfilled my commitments, and at
come naturally to me… change. to be. I started being more thankful for the the end of the year I prayed and told the Lord
opportunities and work that came my way. that I could be done if I needed to be. I decided
Throughout my career I’ve had decisions I
that I wasn’t going to tour this year. Which was
needed to make and, honestly, I would usually Some of you reading this might be thinking no easy decision. That’s how I’ve made my
just wait for whatever ended up happening and that’s easier said than done. Maybe you don’t living for a long time. I knew It was the right
then I’d just figure out how to make it work. have the option to turn work down and wait thing to do for me and my family. I decided that
Most of the time, the thing I was avoiding was for something else. I get it! It’s not easy for me If I traveled, it would only be for very short trips
moving on from whatever job or gig I had at the either. There’s still plenty of times I take work and only with people that I felt a connection
time. It was time to move on, and I knew it, but purely because it’s work. Music is my job. You with musically. I didn’t know what this year was
the fear of the unknown would keep me from aren’t always going to love your job. What I’m going to look like, but you know what? It’s been
stepping out into what was next for me. Would talking about isn’t about turning work down, amazing! So many new opportunities came
I be able to support my family if I quit my current it’s about changing your heart. It’s about being that I’ve always wanted to do, but never had
gig? Would new people call and want me to thankful for where you are at, but at the same the time. I’ve found a new normal, being home
work with them? Am I still going to be relevant? time, setting goals and not settling for less. and working in my own city.
those thoughts would swim around my mind My life changed when I realized I can’t expect If you are like me and change isn’t something
and I would freeze up and do nothing. somebody else to fulfill every musical aspiration that comes easily, sit down and write some
I have. It’s not their fault if I’m bored and in a rut. goals. Where do you want to be in a year?
Eventually, and unavoidably, I would become It’s mine. I am responsible to make sure I am Where would you like your career to end up
unhappy and bored with where I was and staying inspired and moving in the appropriate in five years? Get a plan for how to practically
the current state of my career. Then, I’d get directions to reach my goals. reach the goals. Making changes isn’t the
Will my Social Media follow-ing decline? All of
frustrated with whoever I was working for and
hard part, believing in yourself is. Give yourself
I’d start feeling ungrateful and entitled. No About ten years ago, I found myself feeling a chance. You might just end up where you
longer would I be excited about the gigs that unhappy, uninspired, and trapped in my current always dreamed of.
were, at that point, just a routine that I had to gigs. I was just bored in general. So instead get through so I could go home. of sitting around feeling sorry for myself and
frustrated with everyone else but me, I started
The artist, band, or whoever I was working for, writing music and recording what would
were never the problem. The problem was me. become the first All the Bright Lights album.
I had overstayed my welcome. I knew I was That 8-month process brought so much life
supposed to move on, but I was scared. I was and inspiration to me. I felt so alive and creative.
in a rut and I knew it. It changed how I approached my gigs with
other artists, and I was inspired in a whole new
So, what did I do? I started to hold myself way. I took it upon myself to find inspiration
accountable for the decisions I had made as and musical fulfillment. It was one of the most
well as the decisions that I needed to make. rewarding experiences of my life.
November 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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