The Non Musician – There is a Place for you in the Music Business!
Often, when you meet someone new, one of the first questions they ask is, “What do you do?” Which always means, “What do you do for a living?” I reply that I rep Stephen Arnold Music and explain that we produce original music for broadcast and cable networks, along with creating branded music packages for local television stations. With excitement and intrigue, they ask, “Oh, you’re a musician?” I anticipate the big let down when I’m forced to respond in the negative. “Well, do you play an instrument?” Again, my less than thrilling answer: “No.”
Yes, I work for a music company, but I do not have a musical bone in my body. I tried picking up the guitar, but my fingers are really not long enough or strong enough. I tried playing the piano; again, it’s helpful to have longer digits. I played the flute in elementary school, but there was just too much spitting – ewww, gross. I suppose if Stephen was in need of a tambourine player, I could keep a gypsy beat . . . or if he needed a cow-bellist, I’d be happy to volunteer.
I’ve been with Stephen Arnold Music for 10 years, and I still stand in awe of the talent and brilliance that surrounds me. Music moves us; it motivates us to do something – dance, sing, cry, or run into the room to catch a newscast – because we recognize the music. So I am proud to say, I am part of the music industry, even though I have no musical talent.
I was talking to Pat Beard from WCTI about this very subject, and he so eloquently stated, “Every great musician needs someone awesome to support them, and that person is you.” I like that!
So next time someone asks me what I do I just might say, “I am an awesome support person for some great musicians!”
Our talented SAM staff and their instruments:
Stephen: Guitar, piano, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, harp guitar
Chad: Piano, keyboards
Whitney: Guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, piano
Noelle: French horn, mellophone, trumpet
Alice: Awesome support person
Michael: Violin, guitar (novice- with 4 songs under his belt!)
Clay: Saxophone, bass guitar, piano, guitar, and vocals AND flute, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, and tuba
Tinley: Awesome support person
Jesus: Guitar, bass guitar, congas and bongos, drums, keyboard
Lyndsey: Awesome support person
Katherine: Awesome support person
Paul: Keyboards