Encouragement needed for LoA

[Ace22]

Hi all,

This is my first post and I've been manifesting an intention for what seem forever. I'll give you a quick background on me and the situation then post the letter that I sent to Erin. (she felt I should ask the forum for advice)

Here goes. I'm a GREAT guitarist/songwriter/composer. Since I can't seem to attract a booking agent to promote me on a world tour; I've been advised that I should try and find a famous artist to tour with. Some of the people that I've been in touch with include Art Alexakis of Everclear, David Bowie, Eddie Money and many more. I don't care who I tour with; I just need to do this to validate my purpose in life.

The Letter:



Erin,

I read your Q&A and Blog on the role of Action in the LoA and I'm with you on every point and during my life, I've seen it happen.

But what advice can you give me to gain victory over the frustration and depression of seeing nothing happen? I mean, things are sort of going the other way. My drummer from my current band just quit causing a meltdown of the others. I know that perhaps that could be the universe getting me ready to leave them for someone like Bowie or Art. I also know that most people give up just when they're about to reach success (quote from the movie "The Rookie") Just a week before Jim Morris got called up to the Major Leagues at the age of 36, he called his wife and told her he was ready to call it quits.

I've heard Warren Zevon say before he died, that times were really hard and that made him wonder how bad he really wanted it.

I want it so bad I can taste it. I've risked my marriage so many times over this. (She still doesn't know about the 65 bucks I sent to David Bowie's website)

But even my pundants say I should be making it. My ex-wife who hates me, told my sons she thought I was going to be a famous star. (as well as many industry heroes of mine)

Is it OK at this point just to sit back and wait on the universe?


Sincerely

a very agitated singer/songwriter/guitarist


Ace

[Ace22]

I'm Ace Andres

[ns123]

Ace,

Is your purpose in life to be a famous rock star? Or is your purpose in life to share what you love (your music) with the world?

You might want to sit down and think about this. What resonates with you? What is your purpose, really?

If you want to be a famous rock star, I don't have much to contribute, since I don't know much about that subject.

But if you want to share your love of music (and your particular style of music) with others, maybe your Intention is too specific? One of the mistakes I've made in the past with LoA is to make my intention be too specific. I try to follow a path that others have done, what I've seen done. But maybe the path for me is something different, something that hasn't been done before... something I never even thought was possible.

Human potential is limitless. If we limit ourselves to what we've seen done before, a particular path, we might be creating our own walls. My advice: think about what is your purpose in life, and make that your intention - not a specific path to reach that intention.

If you don't know what your purpose is, make that your intention: that you will live a prosperous purposeful life. Repeat that every day so that it is at the forefront of your mind - and you may begin to recognize signs that point you that way. Just be open and tune in with your feelings. The method to reach that goal might be something entirely different than what you originally thought.

I hope that helps in some small way.

[danas]

hi, my advice to you is dont give up and you will succeed.
I am a visual artist, and for the last 10 years Ive been planting seeds, and now Im seeing the fruit.
For years Ive been very focued on my goals. I just wanted to touch people with my art. I realised that I have to be firstly very focued on making good work instead of running after curators or gallerists.
then I realsied i needed to sign with a major gallery for my work to touch as many people as possible- since I realised this and until it manifested it took almost 3 years- but now I got what I wanted- my work is seen, sold and talked about (Only this morning I got a interviwed for a major news paper, last weekend I also got a double spread) and now I have a set new goals that Im starting to plant. But my goal was never fame or fortune (I actually dont like feeling too exposed)- my goal was to move as many people as I can with my vision
years ago my dad told me- "why dont you find another job?"
I said- dad Ive been digging down the same whole for years, Im bound to find water at some point- but if I start digging down a new hole every time Ill find myself surrounded by holes with no water.
so Ace22 stay focused on what you really want, and think about each person whose heart might open when listening to your music- rather than the big crowds.

[Mato Kinze]

I like the other replys here Ace, but here's another perspective given by way of analogy:

I live in Eastern Missouri. I've had occasion to drive from St. Louis to Denver.

With all due respect to those who live in Kansas, it has to be one of the most God-awful, boringest drives a human can make. For four hours you cruise across a pancake so flat that a mole hill can be seen for miles. You get excited when a crack in the pavement makes the car jump. Total, mind-numbing, gut-pounding boredom. Even with good tunes on the radio (this was before i-pods BTW) I just want to crawl out of my skin.

So, after about four hours of this, you finally get to the Kansas-Colorado border. The topography hasn't changed, but at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel, 'cause you KNOW Colorado has mountains.

Within about 20 or 30 minutes, said mountains pop up on the horizon- not much more than a blurry difference in color between the prairie and the sky, but still, you can see the mountains. YEAH!! The boredom has come to end at last!

An hour later the scene hasn't changed... the mountains don't appear to be any closer than they did when you first saw them.

It's not until you turn around and look behind you that you finally 'get' how far you've come.

You see, if all you do is focus on the goal, you'll never feel like you're there. It's not until you look at where you started and where you are now that you understand the progress you've made.

Dude, you're in communication with legends of the music scene. I play a little guitar and write a few songs here and there, but I could in no way walk in those circles - ever. You're light years ahead of most people in the industry.

With all due respect to LoA, you also have to live in the now. And like danas said, get real clear on what it is you actually want out of this.

Good luck whatever it is!

[Ace22]

I spent the very first 17 years of my life learning to play music. My parents were nightclub owners and actually encouraged it. But back in the early 60's, instead of gymboree or soccer; parents sent their kids to music lessons or "tap dancing" lessons. ( I was the lucky guy that got both)

My mom died when I was 11 and my father died when I was 20. After that, I was mainly concerned with starting my own family and trying to recapture what I had lost. (This is a bad Idea for any of you #4 Tragic Romantics) I spent the next 20 years as Mr.Cleaver. Raising two boys and being the little league coach etc. But I still had these incredible guitar chops.

After both kids had grown and left the house, I ran into Kenny Loggins who told me that a passionless life is not worth living. Meaning, if you have a passion (and in my case legitimate talent as well) And you don't pursue it, then what will I have taught my kids?

1. Follow your passion and let God take care of the rest.

or:

2. Have a passion that you neglect, and do something else that you dislike for financial support?

About 18 months later I recorded my first album. We did a small tour up and down the California Coast. Then I bought a house in Washington state where I could afford to set up my own recording studio. I recorded 2 more albums then returned to California.

But I realize now that what I'm doing now; I should have done 30 years ago. Because the Industry always chooses a pretty face and youth over pure talent and charisma.

But I'm not too old to tour with someone that HAS done it. I want to be David Bowie's lead guitarist. I don't want to be the next David Bowie. Or for that matter you can substitute a number of names instead of Bowie's. I'm leaving that part open to the Universe. So my goal is to do a world tour with "Somebody" as their featured guitarist. Then I can look back on my lilfe and say that I took the talent I was given by God; and I did something with it.

There are no other choices. I'm tired of being told I'm a very "very" good guitarist by "Dick Dale" and "Stevie Ray Vaughan's manager". I'm tired of having magazine's refer to me as a "Guitar God". I've got videos on Youtube.com . My MP3 downloads are at Itunes/Rhapsody/VH-1/Wal-mart etc....... You name it.

I just can't seem to get that phone call saying that there's a ticket waiting for me at SFO. Bring your guitar and your passport.

That's the exact intention I'm trying to manifest. It's specific enough; yet open enough for the universe to do it's thing. And I'm Vibrating like a Top fuel dragster doing it's burnout.

So back to the original question: Should I sit back and let it come, or do I need to keep pounding the pavement? (as older and wiser would say)

[Mato Kinze]

Originally Posted by Ace22

So back to the original question: Should I sit back and let it come, or do I need to keep pounding the pavement? (as older and wiser would say)

Well, since we're talking about LoA, the whole idea is to create the vibration and maintain it. I'd say that "pounding the pavement" is what is maintaining your vibration.

That being said, my wife and I tried for two years to have kids. We did the whole ovulation timing thing, taking temperatures - everything short of actually doing fertility treatments. We had pretty much had it and decided to take a break for a few months, then go back to the OB and start with the fertility stuff.

Less than three weeks after we stopped trying, my wife was pregnant.

Sometimes I think we try too hard and end up getting in our own way.

I don't want to tell you to stop actively pursuing your dream by doing everything in your power to get the contacts you need, but consider whether or not what you're doing is building a foundation or just being frenetic.

[Ace22]

Originally Posted by Mato Kinze

I don't want to tell you to stop actively pursuing your dream by doing everything in your power to get the contacts you need, but consider whether or not what you're doing is building a foundation or just being frenetic.

Lol.... "Frenetic" short for Frenzy? Isn't that another word for VIBRATING????

[Jonathan Browne]

well i'll tell you what. Your guitar playing is great and everything, but heres your problem. For one, your site looks like it was made 15 years ago. Make it modern. Don't make yourself look like a relic from the past. Believe me, your age doesn't matter. People will listen to great music. Your sound isn't at all edgy though. Your an accomplished guitarist, but how can you seperate yourself from the many other accomplished guitarists out there? You have to put your SOUL into your instrument. I'd say screw making track with the honestly quite boring x-15 band your playing with. Go download/purchase cubase and reason and make your own backing instrumentals and then UNLEASH your frusteration with that guitar. Start listening to new music, open yourself up to the vibration of the times. Listen to everything from Opeth to the new Nine Inch Nails Ghosts recordings. Listen to hip hop. Listen to techno.

Record something thats going to set yourself apart and feel
it, look in your heart for inspiration. The problem is your vibrating for something so specific. Do you even know what it will be like to be david bowies guitarist? Are you sure you aren't just looking for that 'big break' thats going to suddenly make your life what your dream it to be? Why not stand on your own two feet and make something for yourself. The world is looking for new music, most people honestly don't care who david bowies guitarist is, and he has so many people to choose from, as do any other artist of his calibre, that you shouldnt expect to become a famous guitarist that way.

If you get noticed for your creative ability, people will be banging down your door to try to work with you.

[Mato Kinze]

Originally Posted by Ace22

Lol.... "Frenetic" short for Frenzy? Isn't that another word for VIBRATING????

Not really. Frenetic, at least the way I use it, is frenzied action lacking in purpose, result or structure.

That's just me though.

[Ace22]

Hey,

Congratulations anyway with the pregnancy.


Ace

[Ace22]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Browne

Record something thats going to set yourself apart and feel
it, look in your heart for inspiration. The problem is your vibrating for something so specific. Do you even know what it will be like to be david bowies guitarist? Are you sure you aren't just looking for that 'big break' thats going to suddenly make your life what your dream it to be? Why not stand on your own two feet and make something for yourself. The world is looking for new music, most people honestly don't care who david bowies guitarist is, and he has so many people to choose from, as do any other artist of his calibre, that you shouldnt expect to become a famous guitarist that way.

If you get noticed for your creative ability, people will be banging down your door to try to work with you.

First, Thank you for your blunt truth. I'm working on a new album that has essences of Rage against the Machine/Pearl Jam and Pappa Roach (maybe a little "dragpipe")

And yes I'm prepared as all hell to be David's guitarist simply because he's always picked intriguing players ala SRV and didn't care if they were household names.

Again Thanks


Ace

[Ace22]

Oh, and did you listen or watch "SAVE ME"? That's edgy as hell. Extemely controversial.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Browne

well i'll tell you what. Your guitar playing is great and everything, but heres your problem. For one, your site looks like it was made 15 years ago. Make it modern. Don't make yourself look like a relic from the past. Believe me, your age doesn't matter. People will listen to great music.

I want to agree here. I'm older than dirt, and even I looked at that website and went, "Ten Years After???"

Ace, I don't know anything about how to get to that next level you want, but for the website, it would be great to quote somebody younger than you and more relevant to younger listeners now, raving about how great you are. And I bet there are plenty of them out there. I see this with guitarists I'm more familiar with all the time.

[Khristine]

Ace,
If you haven't read the book "Ask and It is Given" by Ester and Jerry Hicks I would strongly recommend it.

We can block the LOA with negative feelings like frustration, depression, etc.
This book has helped me to raise my vibration and has specific processes to help maintain a positive attitude. What we are wanting is always flowing to us until we block the way...keeping a positive attitude while focusing on our intention is the key.

[ns123]

Ace,

from the words you've chosen and what you have written so far, I sense a lot of frustration in you. A lot of the feeling of no one understanding your work, what you do, what your potential is. They may say they do, but they have not chosen to take any action from it.

You seem to be focused on wanting others to recognize you. On what others think about you - you seem to focus on things that are not in our direct line of influence - not within your control. You cannot make others recognize your music and take action from it.

If you want to share your music you can:

1. update your website so that it has a more modern look and feel
2. organize your music on your website so it's easier to find music and listen to it.
3. start selling your music on the internet.
To do this, you can purchase a book - or read online articles on site navigation, web usability, etc. This will help bring your music to the public.

Find our own unique voice and expression. You talk a lot about sounding like x,y, or z... when if they wanted music from x,y, or z, they will go there.

Try to leave your frustrations behind. To do this, you will have to look within. Feel frustrated, let it go through you, and then let it go. Then take action - not convincing others, but take action that YOU can do. Which means, first, bring your music to the public - and you can do this through the internet.

Hope that helps.

[Ace22]

Originally Posted by ns123

3. start selling your music on the internet.
To do this, you can purchase a book - or read online articles on site navigation, web usability, etc. This will help bring your music to the public.

Find our own unique voice and expression. You talk a lot about sounding like x,y, or z... when if they wanted music from x,y, or z, they will go there.

Try to leave your frustrations behind. To do this, you will have to look within. Feel frustrated, let it go through you, and then let it go. Then take action - not convincing others, but take action that YOU can do. Which means, first, bring your music to the public - and you can do this through the internet.

Hope that helps.

Thank You NS,

But I'm all over the internet. Everybody is selling my albums. (as mentioned above)

I totally agree. I'm trying my best to not feel frustrated or depressed. I keep a Happy Happy Joy Joy mantra going in the back of my mind as I'm contacting band managers etc...

And in response to sounding like XYZ....... nah ~ I was referring to their genres. Not their specific sound. I'm sorry if I mislead you.

Ya know I'm guilty of keeping my website like it is because I had a marketing person tell me she loved it because it was Interesting. She said she liked the Retro-comic book style. I said I wanted a site that looked more like a "Sony" website. She said, "ugh, those sterile heartless websites. Please don't. "

Perhaps I've been listening to the wrong people.

[ns123]

Take a look at Steve's website. You can see that you can find what's relevant with ease. It's not sterile or heartless.

What makes Sony heartless is that they don't write with voice. You really need to find a usability expert. I went to your website, it needs a fresh look. Your links don't really tell me anything. You don't have a common look and feel. It's hard to find links to your music and I get frustrated after about 30 seconds, which makes me want to leave.

Make your website be less about YOU, and more about what your listeners would want to find. Your music! Your albums. Links to sellers of your music. A common navigation bar. Your website needs better organization.

Believe me, web usability is it's own industry. There are people who do this for a living and make a LOT of money on it.

My advice on your website - it needs to be updated and you need to consult a web usability expert - or learn about it yourself. There are free articles on the internet about this.

It is possible to give your website a new look, get it better organized, but still write using your own real voice. This requires action on your part, none on anyone else's. This is just one point I am trying to make. Look for ways you can attract what you want by doing action that requires no one but yourself.

[Ace22]

Originally Posted by ns123

It is possible to give your website a new look, get it better organized, but still write using your own real voice. This requires action on your part, none on anyone else's. This is just one point I am trying to make. Look for ways you can attract what you want by doing action that requires no one but yourself.

Point well taken.


Ace

[Ace22]

I had the day off so I polished up on my html.

Check it out





Ace

[Mato Kinze]

Originally Posted by Ace22

Hey,

Congratulations anyway with the pregnancy.


Ace

Thanks. She's ten now and has a little sister that's six.

Took two years of trying for the second one too, but we were a lot less stressed about that one.

[Acting Like Godot]

Excuse me, but the way I see it, your problem is not your website.

Your intention is very clear and specific. You would like to go on a world tour. Not have a nice website, or sell music on the Internet, or become better-known via your website.

So let me say that again - your intention is to go on a world tour.

Now it seems to me that you are already known to many notable folks in the industry. And also I pres