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Stoneman
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3/16/2016 11:00:56 PM
Persistence, Perseverance and Faith
Persistence, Perseverance, Hope And Faith
Part #1
The bible says that faith is the evidence of things hoped for. Meaning, if you believe you can, you can and possibly will. Even if they are not religious, this concept works for a lot of people. As music artists, we tend to have high hopes and dreams. But the evidence of our abilities to achieve those things is the fact that we are trying to get there. We are making a daily effort to achieve. Or, at least we should be. I have seen so many artists that were so much more talented than me give up on having a music career. Most of them got beat down so badly by the industry that they just gave up. Others had priorities (family/bills) that would not allow them the time and sacrifice needed to pursue a music career. Then, there were those who allowed the naysayers to negatively influence them. I watched them lose faith and then a desire to continue in music. Some became satisfied with having a day job and an occasional music gig. The thrill of the dream was no longer a thrill. It became a farfetched fairy tale that they grew up and stopped believing. Now days that feeling is amplified by the music industry doomsayers who have latched on to the negative notion that the music industry will die a slow and painful death. Of course their evidence is locked into declining sales and interest from the music listening public. What they fail to acknowledge is that there are still a lot of people making a whole lot of money in the music industry. It may be in decline but certain death may be quite an over reach. “I walk by faith and not by sight”. Sure, I see the tattered condition of the music industry. But I will never allow what I see to influence what I do or believe.
However, I definitely have had my moments of tattered faith in the music industry. Bands breaking up, deals falling through and critics bashing my worth all have given me moments of pause. For several years I worked 2 jobs and still found time to pursue my music goals. As I got older my goals were adjusted accordingly. I know that at this age it is unlikely that I will ever be a household name. Yet, I continue down the road towards success as if I can beat all the odds. I also know that there are other goals that are attainable for me. Songwriting and production would fall into that category. My strategy towards reaching those goals has been to focus on anything related to those things i.e. technical ability and song crafting. When I retired from my day jobs I went back to college to concentrate on those things because I had faith that more knowledge would be an asset towards reaching my goals. There is also the knowledge that I gained from the many years of touring and performing. They say experience is the best teacher. But when I went back to school I updated myself to today’s processes and gained an increased technical acumen. That was an invaluable decision!
Then, I stumbled upon my niche by accident. A friend challenged me to compete with him in my first songwriting contest (Unisong Int’l Songwriting Contest) which is now defunct. When I won he was shocked that out of all those thousands of entries mine had won. It was a little ditty called “Findlove.com”. The thrill and the spoils (money & music gear) caused me to compete again and again and oddly enough, I kept winning for several years. Then, other contests started springing up and I couldn’t help but compete in them. A lot of my musician friends told me I was wasting my money by entering them. But as the loot and gear continued to multiply from my wins, their voices became more and more silent and some of them even started to compete. The list of my wins got bigger and bigger while my confidence soared and my songwriting improved. However I have learned that more is never enough when it comes to the things I am passionate about. Music is one of those things. After 42 music industry awards one would think I would be satisfied. But satisfaction is always temporary for people like me. More is never enough. I need more. I need more talent, to learn to play more instruments, more knowledge. I NEED MORE!
In this case my more was the 3 biggest contests. The USA Songwriting Contest, The John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the International Songwriting Contest. Those are the three I had never won. Man, I wrote song after song and sent it in but I didn’t even get close to winning those dang competitions. From 2004 on, every year I tried but it was just not happening. However, it continued to happen in other areas for me. Got lots of songs signed, released several CD’s on independent labels and made some cheddar. Also, I continued to win other contests like the Great American songwriting Contest (3 wins). All was good except for the fact that the three competitions I wanted to win or place in were elusive dreams. For a couple years I just stopped competing there.
Then, last year I sent in my song Danger and when the results came out last month I was stunned to find that I had been awarded as a “Finalist” in the World category of the USA Songwriting Contest . Ironically, an earlier version of that same song had also been a winner in a different contest. A couple of weeks ago I received the award plaque in the mail. It felt good to hold it in my hands and mount it on the wall of my studio with all the others. Then, last week I was informed that my song “Hunger” had won as a Finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Once again I was stunned but overjoyed with the results of all the hard work. There is nothing more satisfying than gaining the fruits of your labor. We all are going to fail at a myriad of things. It just happens! But if we want to eventually succeed we must first stay in the game and secondly keep doing what it takes to get better and closer to our goals.
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Stoneman
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3/16/2016 11:01:56 PM
Part #2
My little sister (Vecepia Towery-Robinson) once told me that she was going to win a million dollars on the TV show Survivor. I encouraged her to go for it! I remember the day she brought over her audition tape for me to look at. I was so impressed with all the detailed work she had done on it. Next thing I knew, she had been added to the cast of competitors and was off to a far off island called Marquesas where she competed with others to be named the Sole Survivor. To make a long story shorter, she eventually won the title and the million dollars. To think, out of all those thousands of people who sent in their audition tapes, hers was selected. But it all started with her believing she could win a spot on the cast and ultimately the title. As we like to say in my family: “Conceive it, believe it and then achieve it”. The road to success starts with you believing enough to get on the damn road and walk, run, drive or whatever, towards your goals.
My point is simply this. In order to achieve your goals you must first have some. Then, you must believe within yourself that your goals are attainable. That is your proof that you can reach them. Next, you must educate yourself in and out in the work that it takes to get there. Goals + knowledge + work = success. There is also this thing I call self investment. Put your money where your mouth is. I took a bet with a friend (my initial investment) and won. Then I kept investing by entering competitions (entry fees). I am fortunate that my winnings have far exceeded my investment into myself. I also invested in my own recording gear and facility. Acquiring all the tools that you need to accomplish your goals is extremely important. I mean, suppose a plumber showed up to fix your plumbing without any tools? Many years ago a locally well known band leader asked me to come perform when his lead singer got sick. He told me it was a tuxedo affair so I went and rented one. When I got to the gig I discovered that the pants were ripped in the back. He laid into me about it and when I told him it was a rented tuxedo he said. Never rent, get your own and maintain it. He said Tuxedos never go out of style. I told him I could not afford to buy one. That is when he lit into me again by saying “If you don’t believe in yourself enough to invest in yourself, why should someone else in the music industry invest in you?” The next week I went and bought a brand new tuxedo with my credit card. What he said to me made a lot of sense. He was right! After all these years I still have that tuxedo and although it has been altered many times to fit, it still looks as good on me now as it did back then. Tuxedo’s really don’t go out of style or change much. I have played a many gig in that Tuxedo. It paid for itself 30 years ago.
So, what’s next? The only one left for me to win is the International Songwriting Contest. So, I will concentrate my efforts on winning that one now. I Believe I can! But my main goal is to get a hit record. I’m not talking about a regional hit. I am talking about an international hit. I know, sounds crazy huh? Well, believing that you can compete and win against hundreds of thousands of songwriters from all over the world is kind of crazy. That is the point. You need to be crazy about what you do and crazy enough to believe that you can achieve what so many others have never achieved. Anything is truly possible if you believe. That is the greatest gift that was ever given to me. The gift of faith! Faith! Not only in God, but in myself.
So, I say to you. Do not allow yourself to be negatively manipulated by all the music industry doomsayers who say no one can make it in this industry. Just because they gave up doesn’t mean that you should. Whenever I see that shit I laugh to myself. I think, what a foolish thing to believe. You see faith works both ways. If you believe that you cannot make it, you probably won’t. If you believe you cannot win, you probably won’t. I stay away from negative people with negative beliefs. I don’t need that shit to get in the way of my upward mobility. I am the ant pushing the rubber tree plant up the hill, the little engine that could, the slaves in the underground railroad on their way to freedom, the marchers in Selma and the Meghan Trainer who a few years back won the USA Songwriting Contest and later wound up having multiple top ten hits on Billboard. I am my sister Vecepia who believed she could win it all. She lost about 50 pounds and looked like she was on a poster for starving Africans when she came home. But she won a million dollars. I am my brother Glenn who had to take the college he wanted to attend to court and force them to admit him. They put him on academic probation but when he graduated, he was the valedictorian. This is who I am and always will be. This is what we should be teaching our children and grandchildren. The power of faith! The power of positive thought! The power of hard work, education and discipline! It is what I teach all of the teens that I mentor. As one of my favorite Funk masters (Sly Stone) once said: You can make it if you try! Or, as the lotto officials like to say: You can’t win it if you are not in it! All wise words indeed. So, bless yourself, get busy and make it happen. I know you can, I know you can I know you can!
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3/16/2016 11:37:12 PM
Amen!!
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Psyche's Muse
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3/17/2016 3:07:04 AM
Wow, Stoneman... such an excellent testimonial... and that it also PROVES there is "REAL" hope within your message of encouragement... Kudos! -M-
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Two Silo Complex
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3/17/2016 8:23:07 AM
Stoeman I don't know what prompted you to write this right now at this moment but I believe that some things are meant to happen. I think there that there is someone reading these words right now that is wondering if the effort and sacrifice is worth it.
I not only agree with everything you said I applaud it and encourage that person to do as you and ALJ have said before say to yourself I can, I will, I can, I will. Stop doubting yourself be free of that burden and express yourself in the way that your heart yearns for and amazing things will happen.
Your success is truly in your hands so believe and achieve.
TSC,
Ken
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Larree
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3/17/2016 8:45:06 AM
Now that was damned motivational of you, Stoneman!
Thank you for the excellent words.
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Shoe City Sound
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3/17/2016 9:02:29 AM
---- Updated 3/17/2016 9:03:43 AM
You're a beautiful human being Stoneman as well as a beautiful musician. I was having a similar thought about the discouraging nature of things. It occurred to me that we sometimes let the doubts about writing when maybe we're not feeling the love from listeners (professional or otherwise) hide a reality. The reality is, what the hell would I ever do if the songs stopped coming to me?! Of course it's hard work to bring them to light, and frustrating to not feel appreciated at times, but the original song is just a pure gift. We are so lucky as musicians to have that happen to us. I can't imagine how hard life would be without.
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Two Silo Complex
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3/17/2016 11:11:06 AM
Shoe city,
You have some wise words as here as well. I guess I never thought about not being able to do what we do as artists. Sometimes its damn inconvenient when the door for lyrics opens in my mind at 3am which it likes to do. Many of those have been lost as I rolled over and went back to sleep. The thought of not creating or the door going away is a sober one a reminder that we should not take things for granted but be thankful for what we have.
The real key here which was one of the Bob Dylan quotes:
"When you feel in your gut what you are and then dynamically pursue it - don't back down and don't give up - then you're going to mystify a lot of folks."
– Bob Dylan
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Stoneman
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3/18/2016 10:24:02 PM
Thanks to everyone for the kind words and for taking the time to read all of that. I know it was kind of long but I felt compelled to write it for some reason. I truly hope it helps someone to continue towards their own specific goals.
Ken,
I have several of those small hand held recorders that I put in strategic places in case I get an idea. You know? One in the living room, one by my night stand, one in the car etc. The digital ones are best because they don't need any tapes and at Target or Kmart they are real cheap. I just roll over and hum or speak the idea into the recorder and then go back to sleep. Kept some really cool ideas that way.
Much Respect,
Stoneman
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Noah Spaceship
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3/19/2016 12:24:38 AM
---- Updated 3/19/2016 1:11:10 AM
Belief Systems (BS) can be dangerous. Believing in yourself can be dangerous. Knowing yourself, knowing your heart, and knowing your path takes no faith, it takes action.
I have always known I have a purpose in life.
On my journey, I have discovered new things about myself through experiences. I learned how to love the journey. I learned that when I put my mind and body into doing things, I discover greater depths to my abilities and results.
Once I learned to love myself 100%, I discovered the depth to which I can love others and their uniqueness and how special each and everyone of us are. I learned there is no good or bad, no black or white but a very broad spectrum of varying colors and contrasts that make up the beauty of life.
It is not the awards or the money or the plaques that make us complete, it is the view we have of ourselves and the people we touch that bring the greatest satisfaction in life.
My point is this - Stoneman, you are a rare and special person. I know this. If you weren't making music, you would be hanging plaques on your wall for something else because you know your purpose in life and that is to be the very best version of yourself you can be.
My congratulations to you are not for winning those contests, but for being a pillar of positivity and sharing with the world your message of love.
Much love to you, Stoneman, you are a beautiful human being, my brother and the world is a better place for you sharing yourself with us. Peace.
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Two Silo Complex
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3/19/2016 3:43:50 PM
Stoneman the little digital recorder is a great idea. I have thought of it but did not know they made little cheap ones. I only knew about the ones in music stores which are expensive. Ill check out the mini recorders that would be fantastic for capturing ideas. I've lost so many over the years.
Ken
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The Rhythm Kings
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3/19/2016 5:16:14 PM
Thank You Stonemason... This is exactly what I needed. I quit for 30 years, More like gave up. Burnt out. Just got writing again. Your story is a testament to never stop. If the Music is in you, it just is...
Thanks Man!
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Two Silo Complex
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3/19/2016 5:18:46 PM
Hey rhythm kings your not alone after a band break up years ago I sold almost everything and quit for like 10-12 years but I've been back at it awhile and slowly building my equipment again.
TSC
Ken
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Duane Flock
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3/19/2016 8:58:47 PM
Thanks Stoneman,
You are a Rare breed and breath of fresh air indeed!
I myself have never given up my music although I've had many an occasion and roadblock to stop me. A true believer in himself has to strive for the best to quench the thirst in his heart regardless of what anyone else says or does. In my mind there is always a way to achieve a goal, and if it seems otherwise, you create your own path to get there.
" Fate takes a winding road everyday, you make your own Luck, Hey hey!"
(I wrote those words for a reason)
Peace,
D.
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Stoneman
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3/19/2016 9:47:46 PM
Noah, Rhythm Kings & Duane,
Amen, Amen and Amen Bro!
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3/20/2016 7:20:48 AM
This may be a little wacky, but there's something about Stoneman's picture that's been on the front page that makes me feel good. I'm thinking about keeping it a permanent fixture on the front page (will probably move it to the bottom). Our Stoneman is a symbol of what we stand for here, I hope he doesn't mind. :)
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Stoneman
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3/20/2016 11:10:59 AM
Wow! I am deeply moved and humbled by this. Actually, I am speechless. No, I don't mind at all Scott. I consider that to be a great honor! Thank You!
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Two Silo Complex
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3/20/2016 11:34:30 AM
I think if I could get up enough mustard in the rest of my days to be half the man you are it would be a major accomplishment Stoneman you are an icon.
TSC,
Ken
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