If you are an aspiring songwriter, musician or indie artist, then sooner or later you will come face to face with music critics. The question is, how will you respond to them?
Last Saturday night I watched a program about The Legends of Rockabilly Music. It was fun to look back in the history of rock and roll and see the pioneering artists who started it all. Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis were among the various stars being featured.
What struck me most about these young performers was the shear determination they had to stay the course. Regardless of what the music critics said, they believed in their music and kept right on going. It wasn't always easy for them either. But that's probably the way it is for many of the famous people we admire today. We see the end result of their effort and think- wow, what a lucky break. But we often miss the hard road they had to follow in order to get to that place of recognition and respect.
Take Elvis Presley for instance. Every one of the previously mentioned "legends of rockabilly music" credited Elvis as being the one who most influenced their own style and sound. His spark ignited a wild-fire which eventually spread out and touched the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and many others. Most people realize that this flame continues to burn white hot and it's effect is still widely heard in much of today's popular music.
But it wasn't always smooth sailing. At the beginning of his career, Elvis Presley faced some music critics of his own. Time magazine once called him the "Hi luh-huh-huh-huv-huv yew-hew" dreamboat groaner. Back then, some critiques even contained elements of racial prejudice, calling Presley's blues influenced sound "vulgar jungle music."
During those early days Elvis was once given an opportunity to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Even though the audience responded well to his music, an executive of the show told him later "You ain't going nowhere, son. You may as well stick to driving a truck." History proved that man dead wrong! In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Elvis #3 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. So, please let this be an encouragement when you face your own music critics!
Above all, don't let the threat of criticism spoil your dreams. I heard someone say the other day that "the dream of your heart might be bigger than the environment you're in." Other people might not share your vision. They may not understand you. They may not offer any support. But don't let them hold you down. You must be willing to step out of the safe zone and believe in your musical gift. Forget what the critics say. Who are "they" anyway? Just follow your dreams and sing your heart out!
Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit:http://www.abclearnguitar.com
Or sign up for the ABC Learn Guitar Newsletter at: http://www.abclearnguitar.com/newsletter.html
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