“In times of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future.” - Eric Hoffer

If you are anything like me, you spend a good amount of your time thinking how you can do MORE of the things you LIKE to do, and LESS of what you don’t.

How do you get there?

How do you get to that future that you want. That you’ve always wanted?

Well, I’ll tell you how I got here and everyone who I know is there, got there. (AND, how I plan to get to the next place!)

I took advantage of changing times, and made a name for myself. I read, studied, and practiced waiting for an opportunity to arise, then when it did, I SEIZED it!

Folks we live in a crazy time. If you are musician or artist of any kind, then this really is a freaking renaissance.

If you have designs on doing something at any level, there has NEVER been a better time to get going.

But you have to work and prepare for it. It won’t happen magically, even though God can line things up so it seems that way. But He is content to wait until WE are ready. And sometimes we don’t say YES right away.

Sometimes it takes being in the belly of the whale to make us say YES.

You have to say yes, make up your mind, and then get to work.

And yes, I mean now! What are you waiting for???

Why wait and drudge through muck hoping that once you retire, get out of debt, finish raising your kids, whatever - THEN you can do something creative with your life. THEN you can achieve your dreams?

That’s Crazy Talk.

In the meantime, you’re missing fantastic opportunities that are cropping up more and more as the world changes.

Yes, the music business is a mess, there are no clear roads to “the top”, and yes there are a holy ton of artists doing exactly what you want to do.

But there is still a wide open audience that is growing every day for your unique niche art, and a clear purpose for your talents that God had for you before you were even made.

I’ve mentioned before how important it is to read, study, network, and learn. If you are in your waiting period, meaning you know what you want to do, but haven’t done it yet, then at least be studying your craft.

Know EVERYTHING about everything.

Long before I moved my business to Nashville, I was (and still am) a voracious reader of music trades, music magazines, examining and reading all the music books that come out. Coming to Nashville and meeting folks for coffee that I wanted to glean info from. Going to conferences, classes, and seminars about production, equipment, songwriting, publishing, and more.

I was hungry, and could not get full. I still am.

THAT’S what I’m talking about.

And because of that, when the music industry changed in the late 90s and early 2000s where independent artists were able to begin using the services and talents of former label-only people, then I knew just how to take advantage of that.

I actually formed a business to help artists find and use those resources.

Like you, I am an artist and songwriter. I’m also looking toward the future as to how I can get my music out to my niche audience.

It’s exciting, but also a bit daunting. Where to start? What to do first? I’m sure you have the same questions and apprehensions.

That’s why we keep learning and studying and practicing and writing, and when the time comes, God finds a use for it all.

As a busy producer, I’ve found homes for dozens of songs that I wrote in the past 20 years. Songs I wondered if anyone would hear back then when I was mainly a songwriter. But they found a home in my future life as a producer here.

Now I’m working on new jazz CDs of my own, wondering when they will be used. Maybe in my next future life???

So, keep working, studying, attending conferences, and emailing folks for answers.

The future is opening wide, and God has a plan. Be ready!

Have a great week!

EC
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Eric Copeland is a very studious guy who on top of producing and consulting for his Nashville-based company Creative Soul, he is going back to school studying music history and composition...why? Who knows what’s next? For your studying and reading pleasure, visit [link removed]