Career Clinic: Ready To Shine and Get Mine But…

Q.  I have been in the entertainment business since I was 24.

I always seem to miss the boat on some big opportunity at being the singing star I know I can be.  I get cut from auditions early, and I seem to miss a deadline by a day or two. 

I finally got a job as a receptionist at a major record company where I been for the last 5 years and I can not stand seeing these young heffas prance around here like they are somebody. 

They think they can sing!  Not like me.  What can I do to make the next year the best year of my singing career?  I am willing to do anything–ANYTHING to make it. 

Make it to me would mean background singer on tour or even my own album.  I would even do guest spots on albums.  I will be 39 in a few weeks and time is flying.

I’m ready to do something! Help.

Caged bird,

NY, NY

A.  Dear Caged Bird,

Let’s be real, here.  39 and you are still struggling in your singing career?

I don’t know of a woman fully engaged with who she is who’d let a deadline stop her from anything. 

Even if it’s a day or two, you should have still applied.  Sometimes, those deadlines are just mind games to weed out the less motivated, the weakened, the less ambitious.  

If you are that good, you’d either meet a deadline, or let a deadline meet you.  Deadlines get extended for that every reason.  So much good stuff coming in, they keep it going – without saying.  Remember that.

Generally, anybody can start a career at any age. But as you know probably better than anyone, that the industry is not kind to anyone over 16.

With all the technology and resources out there, why haven’t you dedicated those pipes to building your own album, a song, or dammit, hiring a manager? 

No, you didn’t do these any of these things.  There is really no excuse or reason to be mad at others getting theirs will you are on the sidelines.

I’m not an industry expert, but I advise you to speak to someone who is.  Maybe even one of those young singers you abhor so much. 

Work with them.  I’m sure you have a wealth of industry knowledge.  Give advice.  Put a song of yours on iTunes.  Read.  Pray.  Take a spiritual bath.

Anything to get you out of this rut.  The next year of your career can be magical and can give you a second wind.  It’s up to you.

Originally posted 2019-11-18 06:26:32.