Never listen to the uninformed... Never base your choices, feelings, or path based on those who have not been on that path... Never ask a poor person for the steps to take to invest your money and become wealthy... Their best thinking has got them to where they are in life... that is the only place they can guide others to... do you really want to be where they are...? The uninformed have no option but to make up for their lack of understanding by using their imaginings to bridge the gaps in their knowledge, but they are blind to the awareness that their bridges are hung by the flimsiest of threads and only appear to be functional... The only people who know how to cross the wilderness are the ones who have succeeded in crossing ahead of you... they are your light in the darkness... they are the only ones you should be listening to... I've been dealing with the world of music for somewhere goin on 40 years now and I still do not cease to be amazed by people who have not experience or understanding of any aspect of what it's like to be opposing them, facing them from the stage, and involved in the side of the craft which they can never see or know profess their imaginings and illusions to be more real than a reality they know nothing of... People in the business are encouraging, helpful, supportive, and fun to be with... It's a commaraderie that those we perform for know not of... We are brothers and sisters who share the spotlight and share the stage, and we encourage each other to develop our talents, our skills, our craft, and our creativity to as high a level as it can be... We root for each other, we help each other, and we are the ones who put on the show, who create the illusion, and present the scenes that our public watches, admires, and wants more of... but they will never see how it all comes together, how the magic happens, and what we do to bring it all together between all the coaching, the practicing, the rehearsals, and what goes on back stage... You do not belong to that flock, you belong to our flock, you are one of us, and we will take care of you and keep you strong when you realize who you are, what your position is, and what group you belong to... Never take to heart what is said by those who do not know, who have not experienced, and have not tasted what it is like to be in the spotlight, to stand upon the stage, and to be admired and adulated by all of the others who are just like them... Come stand on the stage... Be here with us... let us play together... and hear them applaud for us... you are one of us... and we all pay our dues... every one of us... those dues are our badges of honor... those were times we looked forward to, and looking back, they are our fondest stories... We collect those stories, every one of use, every performance another page in our book... and the story is always being written... another song is always waiting to be born... from hurts, and pain, and hope, and love... it's our ability to convey these things make them love us, and love what it is we do... and yet, they cannot understand how the deepest pain becomes the beautiful expressions they come to love... they cannot know the process, to them it is hidden and mysterious... they only see the end results, and dont' understand that that is life being lived through us... that we cherish the situations, the opportunities to experience these feelings so we can share our happiness, our sorrows, our greates hopes, and deepest pains... we turn them into wonderful performances... but they don't know how... they only see the one side and not how for us we need it, how so much is gained... If you feel the calling, to be an artist, to play, to sing, to share the stage... then the stage is home, and we are family, they do not come so we can be entertained by their imaginings and illusions, it is we who provide those things for them, and we can because we are performers and artists, this is our craft, our life is on the stage...

I think you should never let other people dictate how you act upon your dreams. If you want it bad enough, you will get there. Alot of people are tainted by the fact that they had a similar dream but didnt have the talent or drive to make it there themselves. Keep on going, and you will get there- if thats what you turely want.

In a way i find myself in the same position as yourself(ive been playing guitar for a bit more than a year. I want to be able to play well,but,well,progress has slowed down a bit lately..) Anyway,screw the doubters,what do they know? With a bit of hard work im sure that both of us will get to where we want to be. Keep at it,and hopefully ill hear of you and your music in the future!

just look at Steve Miller. One of the greatest musicians of the 70's. He dropped out of college with 8 hours left to graduate with a masters in Lit. to realize his dream! and look at where he is now!!

As a bodybuilder who spends 4 hours in the gym 6 x a week I can tell you that you will be more successful the more you are into what yo are going for. You have a better chance of success if you really are into it. If you dont really care or just have some interest its harder to be successful. just make sure you have a backup plan in case that dream doesnt work out. Bets of luck bro

The chances are against you (and me), but that's good otherwise, if it wasn't then everybody who wanted to be famous would be and therefore they wouldn't be considered famous anymore!! Use that as a leverage to excel, do better than the guy next door: do one more show, practice one more hour, refine your songs one more time, you never know when that one more time is the bigtime! Go for it, I am. And if they tell you that again, ask them how many famous laywers or doctors they know!! (ie: every industry is competitive, and the dedicated succeed!) Good luck!

Chances are, you'll go far, If you get in with the right bunch of fellows. Take care of your business

if the chances weren't slim, then everyone would be a big celebrity. remember that. just keep at it if you truly believe this is what you're called to do, keep pressing at it. you'll get there.

Don't dream...do. Get out there. Get lessons if you need them...get experience in everyway you can. Had I done less dreaming and more actual performing when young, I could have been famous too...not that I haven't had my 15 minutes of fame. But the thing is to stop dreaming.

You can do anything you put your mind to.

That is exactly how I feel. But I just have to be really commited to practising and with even just my mom's encouragement I know that I'll get there in the end.

Never let your dreams fade. Use what the people say to give you strength to achieve them. Dreams are only achieved through hard work. Good luck.

there will always be for of the "oh no stay on the tried and tested path" kind of people around you. They don't wish you ill at all but they fail to understand the fire in you to achieve your dreams. Go for it. "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them." Henry David Thoreau

If you want to do that then go for it. I won't lie to you though, the music industry is tough to break into. It isn't so much about your talent as it is about whether someone else thinks they can market you. I would suggest going to college and possibly majoring in marketing and/or business. You'll have an insight into that part of the music industry and you'll also have a fallback if things don't work out. As for the rest, just jam and have fun.

Have you ever read The Secret or seen the DVD? It will be very helpful in achieving any goal you put out there. Buy yourself a cork board and tack things on it that you inspire to have from anything from pics of things to inspiring quotes. Hang it somewhere to you see it alot. I saw it on Opera and it really works. It makes you more focused. Maybe put pictures of the places you plan to play at and imagine yourself there. Definetly buy the book or DVD too. Good luck!!!

I too am a musician and I'd love nothing more to be playing my music in front of thousands of people. The music industry is tough these days. If music is something you really want to do - then make it happen. Sure it's a competitive industry and the odds of making it are small. Did you know that labels dont even sign 1% of the telent that is out there. I have been to people's myspace accounts and for some I am blown away by thier music. I ask myself, why dont we hear of these guys? But if music is something that is very important to you make a demo that is commercially viable and be in the right place at the right time. Also, surround yourself with people that will make you look good. Entertainment attorneys, producers, recording engineers, managers, promoters, etc. Dont let anyone ever discourage your dream. I have found that the best way to do something is by just going out there and doing it. Dont listen to people who know nothing about the music industry. I urge you to get informed and ask the right questions to the right people. Not your friends or your parents or anyone off the street. Chances are they are clueless. Im in my 40's and I still play. I record in studio and at home. I probably always will. Music is in my blood but i dont want it bad enough to the point where i want to be famous. Anyways, hope you find what you are looking for.

This isn't going to be encouraging but maybe it will be helpful. Set a realistic goal and then acheive it. Then set a more lofty goal, just a little bit, and then do what it takes to get there. Determine how you are going to get from a to b to c to d and stop dreaming about z.

The chances are slim to none. Unless you started playing at the age of about 5 and made some type of name for yourself before you are 20 the chances are close to Zero. It also helps if you are very good looking and are Bi. It's maybe a little different in Nashville but it's just as hard. There are some of the greatest roots players in the world there. As for internationally, either classical or Latino music is an option. Do you speak other languages? Can you play all types of music? And remember it's very rarely the best musicians who are the ones who get notoriety.

Sure the odds are against you, but who cares? Make your own odds. Don't waste precious time with people who drag you down - they are actively dragging you down to THEIR level ... and what a dull, boring place that is. Time spent with those who drag you down could have been spent with people who lift you up. You need to practise, you need to perform, you need to create, you need to find, you need to understand the mechanics of the world around you, you need to find how your loves fit in with the world. You haven't got time for bullshit. Maybe those people are your friends. That's okay, they can still be your friends. But you seriously need to leave them behind. Once you become famous, then you can come back and say, "Hi", but don't let them get in your way. Find some more friends who can lift you up. The most precious asset you have is time. Don't let anyone waste it. A warning: For some unknown, crazy reason I have spent WAY too much time on this website over the last year or so. I'm 38 years old and have a head full of dreams and very little to show for it. I shouldn't be here. Get out there and play! Do you have an instrument? Can you play it? How well? How many songs? Your challenge today (till whenever) is to go busking, and to play non-stop for an hour or three, never repeating a song, and with minimal breaks between songs. Remember, the audience is there to hear you play, not to hear you talk. If you want them to owe you money then you need to entertain them. Do not busk for the money. Busk for the experience. (Pay attention to the money but don't take it seriously. You're only starting out. You're still experimenting.) You get a feel for the audience. You learn to control your nerves. You find out what does and doesn't work. You get to practise ... Record yourself playing so you know what it REALLY sounds like. Criticize the f&%k out of your own work. That's how you learn to improve. There was a story going round that when Arnie (Schwarzenegger) discovered that his calf muscles were too small / weak (compared to the rest of his body), he cut the bottoms off his pants so he could see those muscles and concentrate on making them bigger. You gotta do the same thing. Find your weaknesses, and exercise them and practise until they are strong. Then find some new "weaknesses" and make them stronger. Don't waste time with time-wasters. Get out there and kick ass (or heads or whatever!) Good luck!

I spent most of my twenties and thirties chasing that dream. I believe that I could be "rich and famous" today had I been in the right place at the right time. And, OK, maybe not smoked so much dope. But I had a helluva ride chasing it. Now I am content -- no, I'm happy! -- being able to make my living playing music. That in itself is an accomplishment. What sucks is that there are many people in the business with very little talent, and many more talented people who work in factories or whatever to put food on their tables. I may have to gig until I die, but that is better by far than many people have it today. Count your blessings, practice your craft and, above all, KISS ASS! No, really.

People only know what they themselves can or can't achieve. Only you know what you can achieve, which is anything you want to. Believe in yourself; Pete http://www.introductiontoguitar.com

If you take a look at the life stories of famous musicians they all put in the long hours for a long time. Eric Clapton was in his teens when he picked up the guitar and he became famous really quickly, but exponents of more technically demanding music like the classical guitar player John Williams or the Flamenco player Paco Lucia started off when they were very young and spent their early teens putting in eight hour days with the guitar. There are no exceptions to this, there are no people destined to become famous musicians without getting to know their instrument. There are musicians who did not have a lot of skill or talent but succeeded by catching the public's attention with a gimmick. A couple of examples would be people like Andre Rieux, Manitas De Plata or Liberace. These people all deserved the money and fame they got because they gave many people a lot of pleasure, but they arrived in the limelight by using their gift for self promotion. I agree that you should always keep an optimistic attitude but a lot of people don't see success because they overestimate their musical talent instead of working on their real talent.

Go for it. All I ever wanted to be was a musician, but I was always told "don't be so f***in' stupid" so I didn't pursue it, and instead devoted my time to jobs which make me miserable. Ignore other people and at least try; you may not be a world superstar, but even if you manage to get signed and remain a small cult act, you will be doing something you love in life.

People who say that probably weren't buggered enough to go for their own dreams. I have a great passion or singing, and am currently learning guitar and piano so I can accompany myself. I also have a passion for acting, and love dance. In my life, I plan on having a career that will allow me to do these things. I don't care about fame (the thought of paparazzi and no privacy disgusts and terrifies me) but I do want to be able to earn enough money get by. You can achieve it, man. Just don't lose yourself to the fame, and it'll be a fun game :)

Of course there is always a chance that you won't achieve the success that you are loking for. That is true in most careers, but there are also a lot of people that unexpectedly became successful. There are a few things you could do to increase your chances. First, be one of the best at what you do, and make sure that your talent and skill is verifiable and not just in your head. Take whatever steps are necessary to make the preparations, practice, school, lessons or whatever it takes. Second, develop an attitude that you are there to make the other people sound good, not to show how great you are. "Team players" usually last longer in the business, and are the first to get called when there is an opening. Primadonnas are usually ignored until they go away. Third, try to pick up some studio work or get hired as a session player for traveling shows that come to your town. If the pros get to know you in this setting, they will think of you when there is an opening in a their band. Fourth, if you play a lot like one of your favorite bands, contact them and send them a demo cd and tell them you are available if they ever have to make an unexpected personnel change. Fifth, find out if there is a club or venue in your area where touring musicians might go to unwind after a show. Jam sessions are a great way to demonstrate your skills. Sit in with the band. Introduce yourself. Pass out business cards. Sixth, promote yourself in every way you can. Send out demos to everyone, pass out flyers and business cards, play at showcases, try out for bands looking for a musician (even if you don't join the band, they can refer you if they like you), etc. And lastly, becoming a famous musician is a lot of hard work. You don't just record an album and then go on tour. You will be getting up early every morning and staying up late every night doing promotional work, greeting and pleasing a lot of people, winning over fans with your charming attitude, and kissing a lot of asses. If you are not willing to do this, you will probably fade away as fast as you rose up to the top - probably faster! Good luck!

Of course there is always a chance that you won't achieve the success that you are loking for. That is true in most careers, but there are also a lot of people that unexpectedly became successful. There are a few things you could do to increase your chances. First, be one of the best at what you do, and make sure that your talent and skill is verifiable and not just in your head. Take whatever steps are necessary to make the preparations, practice, school, lessons or whatever it takes. Second, develop an attitude that you are there to make the other people sound good, not to show how great you are. "Team players" usually last longer in the business, and are the first to get called when there is an opening. Primadonnas are usually ignored until they go away. Third, try to pick up some studio work or get hired as a session player for traveling shows that come to your town. If the pros get to know you in this setting, they will think of you when there is an opening in a their band. Fourth, if you play a lot like one of your favorite bands, contact them and send them a demo cd and tell them you are available if they ever have to make an unexpected personnel change. Fifth, find out if there is a club or venue in your area where touring musicians might go to unwind after a show. Jam sessions are a great way to demonstrate your skills. Sit in with the band. Introduce yourself. Pass out business cards. Sixth, promote yourself in every way you can. Send out demos to everyone, pass out flyers and business cards, play at showcases, try out for bands looking for a musician (even if you don't join the band, they can refer you if they like you), etc. And lastly, becoming a famous musician is a lot of hard work. You don't just record an album and then go on tour. You will be getting up early every morning and staying up late every night doing promotional work, greeting and pleasing a lot of people, winning over fans with your charming attitude, and kissing a lot of asses. If you are not willing to do this, you will probably fade away as fast as you rose up to the top - probably faster! Good luck!

this is a hard one man, and i dont want to sound rude but music is a gift not everyone has, and weather your playing in a stadium with 20,000 people or around the camp fire with some friends, relish every moment and enjoy every chord, your famous to someone out there.