Great information

Feedback:
Although I guess I know, I don't know for sure what making me co-write is.

As for backroads, President Obama's mentor, Saul Alinksy, spoke to a graduating class at a seminary. They said, (in my own words) After we get out in the world, after a few years, we might be corrupted by the world. What can we do to avoid this?

Alinksy had an easy answer: Just make up your mind before you go out that door. Do you want to be a bishop or a priest?
For my part, at work, I took a pay reduction and relocation rather than feel I was betraying Viet Nam veterans by ignoring the lessons they had learned. That was me not being a bishop.

So very true Derek

I get it, but what is your suggestion?

There's always a price to pay to have your own voice, to own something entirely.

Now I see why these articles are paired up--nice combo! Thank you!

Great message as always!

Really liked the Mohawk in a suit illustration. So befitting :)

Oh yes, thank you Derek. Absolutely.
Never excuse yourself of taking full responsibility.
This is so liberating once you realize that. It makes such a huge difference thats absolutely amazing.
Thank you for sharing this essence.

Great stuff man, so true all I can do is agree😊👊

I'm totally with this thinking, Derek. Am working on a solo album this year for which I plan to retain all rights. At best I'll license some of them for a limited period—if the temp trade-off is worth it.

Derek - I'm available to boss you around - I suspect you won't take up the offer though. Great read, thank you. Corey

Derek, broadly, I'd agree. But sometimes, the choice isn't quite one... as I try to highlight in this recent rant about Amazon's "everyone is a writer" philosophy. When the behemoths skew economics in a way that makes it non-viable for indie publishers/artists, that's sad - for the individual, as well as the industry, imho.

http://www.drmani.com/reading-habit/

No one has your interests more at heart than yourself. On the other hand, collaboration can often be a win-win (sum greater than the parts). Do your research before you sign :)

Loved it!

Yes. Absolutely yes. One of my bands doesn't even perform at conventional venues anymore, with all their stupid rules and surly staff. We crowd source our own house concerts. No down side...the audience wants to be there and pays in advance, the food and drink is free (byo), and we have no bosses. We do it our way! I'll never perform at a venue on their terms again, unless those terms match ours. Thanks Derek. Always an insightful read.

Been doing that for 3 years. Not gonna say it's easy, but never gonna look back. I own all decisions I make, all consequences. And more importantly, my time is used exactly how I want to. No more expensive currency in this world than my time.

As a hobby illustrator I wonder who makes these funny scetches ? Is it you, Derek? ;)
No. I wish I could draw like that. They were made by an artist named Heather Q in Portland Oregon. — Derek

Owning up the consequences of one's choices is at once the most difficult and the most liberating choice.

The interplay between the series of life choices is an interesting one though. For instance, the choice to have kids and a family then comes with an implication of the choices one makes downstream from thereon - in career.

Boss, or no boss. Kids or no kids. All are choices. Our choices. And results are ours too. Question is how much time and energy am I spending in resistance, versus in action!

I like the idea of being independent but the flip side is that you can end up spending so much time on business that you have no time to write and no money to record. I agree with this though in cases such as boycotting Facebook in order to own my email list etc... If Facebook were to install a dislike button, it would probably crumble over night. That's how fragile it is. I don't want them in charge if my career

So right!
After releasing 5 albums, 4 with Universal
I finally get to release my new one by myself.
Can’t think of anything more exciting
Would love to hear your thoughts about ir a checklist for doing everything yourself.

Also, who’s making drawings for your book?
Check out pepijn.bake at instagram. Just an idea

having a boss is no longer the problem. having feedback is the new problem. record labels have a bad name - they earned it. but they also involved other people - engineers, producers, publicists and A&R guys who stress tested artists work and forced deadlines. so now they are gone and artists often chase their tails and never finish their work or bring it our two years later because they were obsessing about the kick drum sound in track 4 (like that really matters that much?). what about hiring a "finisher" instead of having a boss ... ?

Derek, I always enjoy your writings, which make me feel good. Reading your writings, i always talk to myself "Ah I wish I could live like him... ". yes, i know i should be a Boss for myself but it seems not easy to be like you for several reasons. like, Far East vertical culture, personal character, and particularly..AGE!

I love the back roads! Much love to you and family Derek. Peace :) Michael

Many independent artists sell out to a "Boss" because they don't have the finances to promote their music, or they do not have enough money to market and distribute it on the level of a well known label They sell their creative freedom for a possible hit and more money. This is why record labels are reluctant to sign short term contacts and invest their money in independent artists. They know we long to be free and will take the leap at any given opportunity, so they keep a leash on them which stifles their creativity.

"Give me freedom or death."It all comes down to your motives for being in the music business. I value my freedom to be "Boss" with my brand of creative expression, and maybe get discovered for what I enjoy- over having fame and fortune, but living in creative bondage.This is one of the reasons that many famous artists change recording companies or go independent with their own labels ... they want more control.

Great clear overview as always. I find it concerning that the divide between these two "possibilities" the highway and the road less traveled (one of uniqueness, exploratory journey with small supportive audience) maybe seems greater as the time of automation and internet possibilities develop. I read an article recently that analyzed the top lists of popular music chronologically and in terms of complexity, and they came to the conclusion that earlier greatly popular pieces were of much greater complexity compared to the ones in the recent years. It seems that the big organizations are following the wisdom of the crowd, and the question is where will that really lead, or will it be the stasis, the equilibrium of two forces existing in parallel?

LOVED IT!

So true, Derek.

Yes Derek
Technology has certainly helped the individual to help himself and not have to depend on the slave masters who want the most for the least they put in.

The Love Symbol

Derek, loved both your articles. I understand the motivation to do someone else's song to get things moving plus the musician may also truly love the song and the audience loves familiarity.
In my mind though, somehow the copy version of a popular tune usually ends up to be weak compared to the original but again it can get things moving and no one can argue with success if it happens.

The way I feel about it though is that we have a limited amount of chords we can use (unless your a jazz musician) but we also have a near infinite possibility of melodies we can conjure up from the abyss as it were. That is what I love to hear and partake in.

I love the idea of being my own boss. Youtube had afforded me the ability to reach a few million folks on the tube with my terribletim brothermanbill ditty. The great company that you created has yielded me a few thousand dollars. Sad that people have complained about the company as you indicated. I am sure you probably made a few bucks and you deserve every penny of it.

My weak point and this is no small matter is that I am kind of lazy and I procrastinate. I think knowing my weakness is important. Now I have to do something about it. Thank you Derek

Thank you, yes I think my love affair with Amazon/google/facebook is waning.

Designed to keep the indie down

That was an eye-opening job you had, Derek! Not all is what meets the eye. If you're someone who records the way you want and when you decide it's the best time to record, and all on your own dime, then You Are The Boss of your Business.

Still reading your articles, Derek. Always thoughtful. Always sincere. I remember when you helped me setup one of my CDs at cdbaby a long time ago. Remember meeting you at a Taxi Rally and breaking into a tune by the Sneaker Pimps lol! Take care. Enjoyed reading this one tho I think more independents nowadays would love those days back of getting paychecks if it simply meant an uncomfortable co-write. Or maybe I just speak for myself haha

Guys, keeping ALL your rights (I'm talking master & publishing) is something you should strive to do if at ALL possible! I now have our catalog of some 350 songs and growing, on all the music internet sites, making hundreds of dollars a week for 35 year old songs! All because I steadfastly hung onto our rights. It's like an annuity. Couldn't have done it without Cdbaby...

GREAT commentary!

I once was a member of TAXI and after several years of sending them music I was chosen to have my music in a library (!) for film makers etc.
They (the film music library) required me to design a "cover" (avatar?) to a fictive record (mine) but all the covers I sent them were rejected saying "No, it's not good enough. You need to let OUR graphic designer design your cover and it costs x dollars".
I was smelling a rat so I never let them do it. Why would I pay for someone to do my cover/avatar?

I understand now years later we had a trio song writing band we called it
The Changes we were young and handsome my song writing mate Kelvin wrote good songs we went into the recording studio did some 45's demos .they told us we were not good enough and gave the songs to one of their solo artists.we were playing all around the place not inexperienced. Kelvin still got the copywrite
but our band was not looked after.

good text derek!

Indeed - the choice is always yours. All it takes is courage and perseverance and belief in yourself!

It reminds of " Went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees"

I'd rather be the boss and be able to choose my own destiny then be the bitch to a system.

- authors who act like Amazon is the boss
- web designers who act like Google is the boss
- promoters who act like Facebook is the boss

I liked it!
Focus on the value of what you're doing, not on the medium by which you're distributing it.

Those that pay the piper call the tune. Money is always the boss.

Agree 99%, however:
1) Sometimes having a boss gives you "accountability". Having total creative control of your project MAY mean you are not being pushed to your max capacity. It's like the equivalent of having a trainer at the gym. I would give up when the weight got too heavy, but he'd always squeeze 2 more reps out of me I didn't know I had.
These are more indie to mid level musician issues.

2) Once you get to true rock stardom, the audience now becomes your "boss". It puts a small clamp on your creative freedom. Hypothetically, the boys from Metallica may be closet country music fans, and want to veer down that dirt road, but the audience will never let them deviate from their brand.
I agree except artists like Miles Davis, Björk, and Bob Dylan brilliantly challenged this idea of the audience as boss, choosing to keep innovating even though it upset some existing fans. — Derek

Great article, Derek. There's a ton of meaning in these lines. For too long the "music industry" has held creative people hostage, so to speak. They were held back from, in many cases, reaching their own potential. I have recognized for some time that today's opportunities via digital marketing, promotion and even production are breaths of fresh creative air to musicians and others who work in the creative arts. Thank you again for this great reminder and encouragement!

A motto to live by!

Love this, thanks, Derek.

It’s like the opening lines from Tale of Two Cities - These are the worst of times and these are the best of times - in terms of music business both statements are true - what does this mean, all thanks to the internet is now very simple to be an indie artist in complete control but that down side is that so can everyone else be an indie on complete control

The is actually now the most thing itnis the quality of the song and also the way you reach the audience as when it comes down to its all about the relationship with fans

Preach! Being an entertainer for 30 years now, you described the shift perfectly, and for me, being a current indie and putting out what I want, when I want, is definitely more personally gratifying than playing the waiting game with the majors 10 - 15 years ago. Keep the great articles coming!

Made the choice to be my own boss in music decades ago. If it means day jobs, so be it.

It's better to have an assistant than a boss. Then you have total control of your work. In the long run it's also probably cheaper. Look at how much money we pay for our government and they refuse to represent us because they get quicker money from the lobbyists for corporate interests. Record labels, publishers, large and small venues are mostly concerned with their bottom line in dollars. If you find a person in a high place in the industry that has your interests as a priority, please share that information with us.

Thank you for the reminder Derek! Hope all is well.

I was just explaining this to my sister in law who asked why on earth I dont want a record deal. 1 word: autonomy. Great thoughts Derek, thanks for sharing.

I totally agree with the sentiment here... And yet, I find myself in the opposite situation. I'm sitting on a record that is done, totally paid for, and one that I'm really proud of.

I was told by the guys on the record (who have been in the top of the industry for a long time) that I should "be an artist" -- and I heard that as letting other people help. And I realize I do need that to get to get this heard by more people than just my little family of fans.

Seeking balance now -- wondering how I ask for and receive the support I need without selling away all the rights. I feel like I am both in a position of power and a position of need. It's complex and interesting... and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Hey, thanks for your wise snippits.

e.

Great advice for life in general. You always have a choice.

Just understand the trade off.

Perfect timing as I've been thinking a lot about "social media channels" - can't help but feel they're my boss: Facebook, Twitter, Google/YouTube. They control the monetization. They control the 'distribution'.

A previous comment asked for a suggestion - here's mine:

as an indie musician, I'd recommend spending your time developing your own website, blog and email list.

It all comes down to CONTROL - you either have it, or you don't.

Thanks Derek.

Hi! I thought you were going to get into something entirely different. Probably because that’s what I’ve had in my mind since I was sick watching a Jerry Steinfield movie in comics. He said at noon construction workers take their lunch and then go back to work. They don’t water to go back to work, but they do. Jerry apparently works tirelessly at his craft and has momements where he needs to sit down and write jokes and improve his craft even though no boss is calling lunch break over. I’m an independent musician and it’s tough to press yourself (and other band members!) into working behind the scenes. We are our own bosses and sometimes practicing a new song etc doesn’t feel as pressing as let’s say constructing a house on time. I’ve realized that I need to push myself more, perhaps by imposing invisible deadlines. I’d like to make more of my self and career and this is the only way to do it. Sometimes I think that having a ‘boss’ or manager might be nice esp when dealing with the other band member. In other words it’s hard to motivate on ones on! Even knowing what to do and when is a challenge!

I wish I had the seed money to start my own worldwide distribution house for Indie Bands. great article Derek; as usual an interesting and informative article!
Here's a presentation for you and your viewers; it's a new sound I think you all will like!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmxru6it_n8

If we are trying to make money/earn a living from whatever we do. we all have a boss: the market, or specifically the customer.

Yes they do. Who pays the piper calls the tune. On the other hand I was in a studio in London recording my own song when an A-List producer suddenly with authority said my song needed a chorus. I said no it didn't, because, it's got a great bridge and great guitar work (something Bon Jovi would be proud of) He said 'am your producer and if I say it needs a chorus, then write me a chorus. He left the studio for half an hour and returned. I was seething with anger. No one had ever spoken to me like that. I was paying for the studio time and I had written the song. Today I still don't know if it was a good Idea. My song was covered by a Philadelphia soul singer and released on his "Shades "album.

You may be writing about the music industry but the comment stands for lots of things in life. There are usually many choices available and many have trade-off. Finding several options and seeing the trade-offs allows for making choices you can live with. Yes?

Cute illustration Derek! Yeahh..Freedom ..☺

Love seeing your posts again. Please continue to share!

This couldnot have come at a better time. Thanks for reminder Derek.

Great!
I choose to be the boss.
Wait, what does that mean for Bruce Springsteen? lol :-p

It's really about establishing what your ultimate goal is and understanding the price that will be required. Want to be rich and famous? Give up control. Want to be a no compromise artist interested only in the work? Stay independent and accept the likelyhood of financial reward or great exposure of the work is minimal, though not impossible.

Yes. You really have many more choices open that you think you do.

Six months ago, with my two year contract drawing to a close, I thought a little about what I wanted to do, and the easy answer was -- take some time off, do some cool stuff, get caught up. Just go with the flow.

So I did that, and even planned a trip to Western Canada to visit friends, thinking, hey, I'll start to look for work when I return. Part way through the trip, a friend called me to do some work for his company. Because I was ready to accept whatever the universe had ready for me, I went with it.

There are still things (technical, musical, artistic) that I want to do, but I'll get to those in due time. Listen to your gut -- the brain isn't always right.

I have not had a boss for 32 years, but now I do. A great one by the way. Sometimes a boss is a good thing to have to keep you focused and driven. Just make sure you have a good one.

Love the back roads - literally and figuratively!

Maybe we just need to remember that we have made a choice, and gracefully accept the consequences.

And now I have friends say to me "I can't get gigs" or "my single isn't getting played on the radio" or "my album isn't selling" and then I listen to it, and I think "Man, if only you had an A&R guy to help you chose better songs, or a hit co-writer to write better songs, or had chosen a better producer, or a better mix engineer, or got some good advice along the way."

Sure, they aren't selling out to 'the man' and are making art the way they want to, but sometimes the man had this knack of hiring the best, and they actually knew a thing or two about the music industry and making hits! Sure, they might have taken your soul in the process, but they weren't always being jerks just for the sake of it. Sometimes a boss is a boss for a reason.

I started my company just because of that. Couldn't handle being too dependent on others.

That "J" curve, of smaller starting payout versus "being able to deliver exactly what i believe is important". If one delivers over time one will be taken care of in the future. Patient is important.

These days being "an employee" seems riskier than "an entrepreneur":
- changes come so fast that as an employee one doesn't notice the change... which can lead to quiet obsolescence - and getting fired later
- with same risk of not being much independent their entire lives and in the end not being taken care off either (financially).

Enjoy the ride, patiently.

My initial reaction to this is to imagine sub types of the word "musician". Some of my musician friends are in it strictly for the money. Whether performing in a cover band, tribute band, or playing cover tunes, they aren't concerned about writing songs or the creative process. Giving their rights over to a label or promoter would be a dream come true so long as it was lucrative. A creator, on the other hand, someone who writes their own songs like I do, is what I would term an artistic musician. Giving up those rights would be like ripping out a piece of your soul. It would be better to go through the pain and struggle of learning how to promote yourself and your songs than to give up those rights. Of course there are exceptions, writing songs for other people for example. I guess a good question to ask would be: "when at the end of our life, looking back, what will feel more rewarding/fulfilling"

Yeah! Yeah Yeah Yeah!
and did I mention....
YEAH!!!!!
--Ben

I'm meaner on me than any boss would be but much more focused on the right things!I don't pay very well so we are having a crisis with the management.

I've always thought that you don't need a boss. Let the music speak for itself. Thanks.

With so many opportunities available to independent artists these
days, having a major deal is not the be all and end all as it was years
ago.

Hey, are you still planning to release The Directives book?
I liked that project, and would like to buy that book!

Food for thought.

As with so many things in life, its a trade off. But it is your choice.

Thanks Derek,

Enjoy reading your article, maybe there's a 3rd route in between the two? CD baby is not far away from that area.

All the best,
Gong Qian

I agree totally! I'm so happy I remained independent. I acrue royalties every month and have been for years. I'm just focusing on them growing so they can support me. I love the freedom being an independent label/recording artist gives me.

One of the biggest ‘bosses’ is fear. Fear of uncertainty. Fear of disapproval. Fear of.... welll you name it. To do things with courage, as the root of the word implies, takes heart.

If they want your music, go with it. The future is full of opportunities..

Great info here, Derek. Though, I think the last sentence is key - "serving no one but yourself."

This might actually be the reason so many stay on the backroads. Lamont Dozier, famed Motown writer once said he didn't start having success with his music until he started thinking of it as a service to humanity.

I think as artists we do owe it to our fellow man to do something that will benefit others, and as entrepreneurs we already know that's the key to a successful business.

That's what we do over at Songpreneurs.com - and my boss is the meanest bi!%$ in the room. Me. (haha)

Love to you! You are an inspiration in a world gone crazy.

I have no experience in the music industry so my observations are generalized. While the majority of opinions about this story are, 'boss bad' 'independence good!' I would add a couple of caveats. Not everyone wants to do everything themselves. And not all 'bosses' are bad. Some make great partners. Sometimes you can learn a lot from bosses and they can help you take whatever you are doing to the next level or beyond your wildest hopes. Bosses typically got to where they are because they have discovered, invented or financed some process that is successful, or else they would not stay in business. So I think of bosses as enablers and as long as the relationship is properly symbiotic then all is good. If the boss becomes parasitic, well you have to exercise your right to make a choice, out of courage or desperation. I have a great boss and presently I wouldn't want their headaches. I've been a boss and have enjoyed the mixed blessings of independence and the daunting task of having so much to do that I no longer had time to do what I wanted to do in the first place. There was just too much other stuff that also had to be done. So having a boss or being the boss can be a nuanced relationship.

I remind myself that Billy Joel likes to say he can do 3 jobs well. So out of all the jobs that have to do with, say a recording, pick three. But there's marketing, being everybody's best media bud, driving, calling everyone you can think of every day (talk about New York!), messing with gear, blah blah blah.

It's a service business. I remember getting a letter of interest from a label based on a demo I sent them (anybody remember that?), waited months, and the letter said they'd really like to do an album, but they really wanted the whole thing to sound like the 2nd demo cut! So I struggled with that for a week, and they went bankrupt. Wheee! 'Good thing I never signed over any rights!' said my lawyer.

So I was selling the thing like crazy in one region, but then a Major, realizing I was outselling their boy basically told the outlets to (how to put this nicely?) stop playing my stuff over store speakers, and it took a while, but things ground down to the Long Tale. Thank you, Derek. :) (Yes, I did write the Major a nice letter offering them the pleasure of my business, but no.)

And then 2 of my albums were broadcast back to back over a whole country (their version of public radio), and everybody liked it so much they recorded both. Got some really nice emails on that.

It's a business, no more, no less: Tom Robbins liked to say that a good novel is like a cherry tomato- you really don't know which way its going to squirt when you bite down on it.

There's a note to myself by my recording space (just next to the 'Hearing Protection Required' sign) that says 'Why is the American Poetry scene so good right now? Because there's no money in it!' Being an amateur in the beginning of a Digital Age of the Amateur is neat. Copyright everything, have a lawyer on retainer to protect your work if that fills a personal need and make some noise!

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.

Hey Derek,

I didn't realize you were in the business that early. I used to hear these complaints when I lived in LA. They were from the people that weren't yet rock stars but on their way. You and CD Baby are one of the reasons that so many Indie artists are surviving and doing well now. Thanks for helping us keep the dream alive

All The Best,

Nelsen

People act like someone else is the boss - so they can 1) have someone to complain about and 2) not have to own the responsibility that it's all up to them. Success or fail, good or bad, it's on them. And that can be confronting and uncomfortable.

The most successful people get comfortable with discomfort. Even embrace and seek out this kind of discomfort - because then you know you're hustling, your reaching past your box, you're going for it. Revel in the discomfort!

I guess it takes courage; a lot of people are defined by their own fears but also by past choices like having kids, or even the burden of sick family members, etc. This makes me think of the book "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance", but also of Ayn Rand's philosophies. You have to believe in yourself to the point that what the rest of the world thinks, status and prestige, don't matter. That is what true confidence and true selfishness is.

Hi Derek-
I wish I had some bosses helping me figure this thing out! I've been self promoting since 2006 (6 cds) and would LOVE for a publisher to step in and help me.
I do like being able to make my own decisions, but help with marketing, distribution and booking a tour--I'd pay them first!

Derek, was it Prince?
Nope. — Derek

I like this! So true on many levels and how I'm feeling right now with all the Facebook twitter and Instagram rules. I just want people to see my website and order items if they so choose😂😳
Thanks Derik
Diane

Yes you are right in a way. If you sign or work with a large or any company, basically, they are in charge. They pull the strings. Some people think that
using these companies it is really going to get you somewhere. A lot of people have said never give up your rights to something whatever it is. You have the control. With today,s vast social networks you can get your own product out there
and control your own destiny.

Yes, you are the artist. You find the right opportunity for you (hopefully without letting your ego get in the way). Sometimes the bosses are simply trying to put a square peg in a round hole just because they want to fulfill their needs. If so, it may be time to look for opportunities elsewhere. Or it may be time to see if you can fulfill your needs and theirs at the same time, but this compromise can lead to either burnout or the discovery of new abilities. Yes, you are the artist, and the world needs your inspiration. A good boss will listen to your needs. A good boss will help you inspire others. You might both wind up to be winners!

ONWARD TO THE DANGER ZONE!!!!!

Exactly. Well written. And to the point!

I was rehearsing with a very well known artist who was on a major label, in the middle of the session, they took a phone call. After 30 seconds they hung up visibly upset and loudly proclaimed "(major label name) is fucking wack!" And then we went back to rehearsing. I've heard this sentiment many times from artists but this was my favorite example. Derek thanks for this new influx of great writing. You're the man

Today, it's all about numbers. If you have a huge following you have the leverage to call your own shots. If you don't have big numbers, either way, seek out a lawyer you trust when you sign any contract! Pay special attention to the fine print... Ask a lot of intelligent and stupid questions because sometimes it leads to very important points. Remember you're not a lawyer you're a musician. Lawyers can only dream about what you can do. Good Luck!

Derek,

An interesting one.
1. I agree we all have a choice
2. I disagree - we all have bosses! lol

As I work to be a consultant instead of 9 - 5 and work to be a composer instead of being in a band, I still have bosses - discounting my wife of course. They will be my customers, clients - even general public who I'm trying to sell my music to. Of course, leading back to #1, I don't have to write songs to please my fans, I should be writing for me! and I can choice who my clients are and who I want to work with. At the end of the day, I think this is a tough area and leads back to understanding who you are, maturity in your life and knowing what your goals are to you. I love/hate to bring up - it's about the journey... but it is. Those of us who feel the pressure and want to sell, need to make money, take steps with their eye at the end of the road often making choices that make you feel that you have a boss you don't want and/or where you have given up control that you want to have. If you work each day, with patience and know that even step is good and enjoyable and will take you in the end where it will, I think we are more true to ourselves and make decisions about our lives that work better and hopefully never feel that we gave it up to just be a rock star!

Power of choice :)

Love this notion. It keeps us from making excuses that "The Man" made me do it. At the same time, don't we all ultimately have someone(s) to respond to--the customer. So while we may not have a boss boss, we are all under the unction to bring the best of ourselves to the market and do a dialog with our audience. Here's to freedom and responsiveness.

My first album was the only one that had a signed contract with a label. After that, I had free reign, as I think you already know.

Staying independent can be exhausting. I needed this motivation today. Thank you!

Yes! Oh how the existentialist dilemma is in the air these days lol - This reminds me of my new fave quote I read in a recent issue of one of my subscriptions, altho your version is shorter and sweeter :) The words 'no boss' means personal accountability. A pretty rough life and a bumpy road - but many say it could be worth it.

"Each change a person makes testifies that she is accountable for the life ahead,' says (Ross) Ellenhorn. ‘Accepting personal accountability for making life meaningful exposes our existential aloneness. It touches the core of our existence. But it also provides us with a strong sense of mastery, and the sense of being a master of your own life, that you can handle whatever it throws at you, is the best shot at security we ever get.” (Psychology Today, January 2018)

My other fave quote could be a curse ... yea you know it ... it is "May you live in interesting times and may you find what you are looking for."

"Yes Boss". Just kidding. You are a wealth of knowledge. Thank you

Having been a self-employed performer and writer since 1980 I can tell you from experience that like everything else, there is a trade-off. For one thing, I don’t get paid vacation time, lol. However, as Ben Franklin said, he who gives up some freedom for security, ends up with neither.

Sup! Derek I have to agree with one of the posters, I'll stay on the backroad for it all boils down to "Motive" and if it's money and fame(which is always the case) then one need a boss but if music and creative expression, along with "Process" then the promise is never ending for one discovers purpose, and the fact that there is a Boss of all boss's

Dear Derek
This was very in site full
I for one sett up my own
Sessions work out all my
Own musical parts and harmonies
To the songs I write and
Record all of this and copy
Write all work s and determine
Order of songs and art work
But feel distribution and
Marketing and publishing
And management
Can make a big difference
If done by professional s
Whom work as a team
With you
Just as I am good at creating
New songs and recording
And performing them
To be hits they need
A great team behind

Them examples
Rolling Stones Beatle s
Door s and many others
Good management good
Songs good deal
Billy bob and the bobs

Thank you for sharing your experiences! Given the choice, I might have to think twice. But that choice never came up for me. I guess I'm lucky!