by Eric Armstrong

Created on: January 31, 2007   Last Updated: October 27, 2010

You have got to have "it" if you want to succeed. What is "it" you ask? It is undefinable, only recognized. Most working bands that eventually end up signing a record contract and profiting have it. Many bands work hard and pour their blood, sweat, and tears into their music; however, only a select few ever get their music to the masses. This is because not everything is possible.

This might upset some idealogical dreamers out there, yet it remains a fact.
Honestly speaking, if every person that ever put their whole heart and soul into what they loved had success, then there would be thousands more multi-millionaire musicians. The world would be flooded by rock stars. Some may argue that this is already the case. The reality of course, is that the Elvis Presleys and the John Lennons of this world are scarce and represent an infinitesimally small percentage of the whole.

Why then have they become who they have become in our pop culture? They were excellent salesmen and had the musical chops to back up their product. They were brilliant pioneers in their respective genres. They were trend setters that had mass sex appeal. So, do all of these things somehow synergistically create "it?" No. Many musicians possess most, if not all of these assets, and yet their music is known only to a small, although devoted, fan base. How then does one acquire "it?" The answer is simple. One doesn't acquire "it." This may come as a shock or disappointment to those toiling in working bands waiting for their chance to shine. The fact is that just as certain people are born with certain character traits and attributes, so are certain people born with "it." 

Many believe that you can make it in the music business purely on hard work and endurance. This is false. A&R representatives and record company executives are skilled at what they do. It is their livelihood. They know who has "it" and who does not almost immediately.

That leaves many to wonder how to figure out if they have a chance. This is precisely why this business has such a reputation as being savage and heartless. You have got to toil and bleed and sweat just like the rest of us, and only the test of time will declare the successful. You have either got "it" or you don't. Finding out is the fun part.

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