Stacy Beam

Making Money With Music

// March 1st, 2010 // Uncategorized

I had a very cool opportunity to speak to some exceptional music students last Friday in Alabama at Cullman Middle School. My former college band director, Robert Bean’s wife, Linda teaches music at Cullman Middle School and invited me to share with her students.

Basically, I played and sang a bit for the kids, shared some highlights of my career as a musician, and talked to them about what has and hasn’t worked for me in my efforts to make money in the competitive field of music.

I found the kids, for the most part, to be extremely attentive and receptive to everything I had to say.

I began with basic skills: things I believe you must do in order to work as a musician.

First, you must be efficient at your instrument… not necessarily great. By efficient I mean, play/sing in tune, in time, with musicality and dynamic range.

Then, you must get the gig/job. We talked about the many different jobs available in music.

The final must: a good reputation. Basically, don’t be a flake, look like you fit the part, and be friendly.

Those are the MUSTS… then we moved on to what I called keys to big success: Building great relationships, identifying your passion, getting real, and basically becoming a well rounded person.

I really enjoyed this and feel like the students went away with some solid information about making their dreams happen. If you are interested in having me come to your school, church, or other organization, please contact me.

I am far from the most successful, or highest paid among performers, but I am excited every time I get to share my music with an audience, and I am honored to get to do it often. This truly is a gift to me; and I hope to encourage as many others as I can to share the amazing and divine gift of music.