Gregg Wright.com - Gregg Wright - GW's BLOG http://greggwright.com/blog.html Gregg Wright: GW's BLOG Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:12:39 -0800 DIPLOMACY THROUGH MUSIC by Gregg Wright http://greggwright.com/blog.html/diplomacy_through_music__by_gregg_wright I'm a true believer in music's power to bring people together. During my career, I've seen music overcome national, ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic barriers in ways politicians can only dream of. For me, music's true purpose is bringing people together!


Music, art and culture are important elements in the human experience. They are the means by which societies identify, express and ultimately heal themselves. In today's world, this is increasingly cross cultural.  Musicians (real ones, not "Rock Stars!") are a little like Shamans . . . part Preacher, part faith healer. We use our gift to lift the mind, body and spirits of humanity. Musicians touch lives in many profound ways. Sir Bob Geldof's Live Aid, which raised millions of dollars to fight famine in Africa, comes to mind. Same with Michael Jackson and a host of other great music artists, with "We Are The World."


Music is so much more powerful than we here in America are taught to think. For a lot of us, it's merely entertainment, which is fine I guess. In the music industry, too often it's just a commodity. A way of making some executive rich. But when people come up and say your music got them through tough times, or you totally connect with an audience that speaks a completely different language, you know there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.


When I tour former Soviet Bloc countries, I can see we've gotten a lot further along in a much shorter time, with music and communication than we did with 50 years of hostility, nuclear arsenals and mutually assured destruction. The Cold War was what happens when the world is run by profiteers and paranoid, crazy people! I guess that's why despots tend to jail musicians and artists first. Can't have people feeling good, getting along and having a good time if you're planning on world domination! Governments should consider making musicians official ambassadors of international diplomacy. We can bring a lot of people together in a short ninety minute set!  Diplomacy through music . . . a cost effective, educational and fun way to keep the peace, wouldn't you agree?  


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Gregg Wright's concert at the Blues & Soul Festival in Skopje, Macedonia was co-sponsored by the U.S. Embassy.

]]> http://greggwright.com/blog.html/diplomacy_through_music__by_gregg_wright Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:33:51 -0700 Gregg Wright.com - Gregg Wright - GW's BLOG TEN IMPORTANT TIPS FOR ASPIRING PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS! by Gregg Wright http://greggwright.com/blog.html/ten_important_tips_for_aspiring_professional_musicians__by_gregg_wright I've had the blessing of a 30 year career making a living doing what I love most . . . creating and playing music. It's carried me to every corner of the earth. I've met and worked with some of the most fascinating and amazingly talented people on this planet, too numerous to name. This is not by chance. I work very hard at being the very best "professional" musician I can be. If you want a career playing music, here are ten "must know" tips to help you acheive and maintain that goal:

1. Practice Makes Perfect: There is no substitute for hard work and getting to know your instrument inside out. Hit the "woodshed." You want to be able to play easily and smoothly, whatever an artist or producer asks of you.

2. Always Be On Time: This is one of the most important marks of a true professional. Music is a business and runs like any other business or profession. Time is money! Too many musicians think because they're talented, they can show up whenever they want. Big mistake!!! I remember when I worked with Michael Jackson. He was a real stickler for being on time. If you showed up late, you simply disappeared. Your services were no longer required. What a shame if you lost a great gig like that because you couldn't be on time!

3. Be Well Prepared: I can't tell you how many times I've seen excellent players show up to a session or rehearsal completely unprepared for the day's work. If someone gives me a tape or CD of material to learn, by God when you see me again, I will know that material better than you, inside out!

4. Have Good, Reliable Gear: Make sure you have the very best gear you can afford. A good musician can make crap gear sound great. Imagine what that same musician can do with great gear. Expensive but worth it. Nothing can replace a great sound!

5. Be Courteous; Be Nice: Why do so many people have the misguided notion that being difficult or unpleasant makes you a better artist? Being an asshole doesn't make you "edgy" . . . it just makes you an asshole! Trust me, nobody wants to work with an asshole!

6. Modern Communication: Once upon a time, musicians waited for gigs by the telephone. This is no longer the case. I'm talking especially to you older players! Today's working musician needs to have his or her communications universe in complete working order. A laptop, business cards, cell phone, web presence, etc. If you don't have these tools at your disposal, you are completely out of the loop. You literally don't exist!

7. Have Reliable Wheels: Very hard to be successful if you can't get from point A to point B on time, with all your gear, ready to rock.

8. Get A Passport: Kinda hard to do those international festivals without a passport. Proper documentation for everything is paramount. Get it done!

9. Show Up Sober:  Save the party favors for after the gig or session. Nobody wants to pay their hard earned cash to watch you stagger around the stage, hitting sour notes because you have double vision and can't see your instrument clearly!

10. Keep It Real: In many ways, this is the hardest because there can be so much B.S. in show business. My mantra for keeping it real is simple; the world was perfectly fine before I was here and will continue to be be perfectly fine after I'm here. It doesn't need me or anyone else. It's up to each of us to contribute something positive while we are here. The world owes us nothing! The true mission of the musician is to uplift the soul and spirits of people. Humble yourself, serve the music and wonderful things will happen.

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 Written By Gregg Wright
©2010 Left Hook Music 

Photo by Amedeo

www.acpictures.co.uk

 

]]> http://greggwright.com/blog.html/ten_important_tips_for_aspiring_professional_musicians__by_gregg_wright Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:00:12 -0700 Gregg Wright.com - Gregg Wright - GW's BLOG