[Harp-L] Re: I want to be famous

[rbeetsme@xxxxxxxxxxx]

This is an interesting discussion, phoney or not.  In terms of worldwide fame and fortune, even the best players, the legendary players didn't or haven't yet achieved that kind of celebrity status.  I guess the blues genre never will compete with pop culture.  BB King is probably the closest blues performer to approach superstardom in our time.  John Lee Hooker was around for decades before "the Blues Brothers" turned him into a household name, but what about Little Walter, Big Walter, Lightning Hopkins, Sonny Terry, DeFord Bailey, Howlin' Wolf and  dozens of other blues greats who are not widely known outside of the blues culture.  So, is there a step by step approach to stardom?  Can you even make a living playing the harp?  I asked that same question of  Buddy Greene about 6 years ago, his response was, "I think I do a little more than that."  Buddy is a songwriter and also plays guitar, and if you check out his stuff, a really steller harp player.  So work hard and practice a l
ot, listen to everone, get help from anyone better than yourself, but don't expect the world to fall at your feet.  This has all been stated elsewhere.  But look at the guys who have achieved some success, Rod Piazza, Jason Ricci, James Cotton, Lee Oskar, Darrell Mansfield, Howard Levy,Kim Wilson,Charlie McCoy, for example, none of these guys sound alike.  They have all found their unique voice.  I don't know how you do that, play what is in you I guess and don't try to cover everyone else. If you are looking to the fast track to success, use the media to your advantage.  Remember Taylor Hicks?  Well known harp player, but he achieved his success by winning a singing competition.  A number of people have used www.youtube.com as a means to gain exposure, some folks there have millions of hits on their videos.  Of course, it doesn't hurt if you happen to know some famous people too, a tv commercial could point the way to stardom.  Look at John popper, he plays in an alternative/rock 
band, didn't make it on his own, but used that success to show his stuff.  So good luck, wish there was a simple path but it might just come down to dumb luck!  BTW:  Chris Isaak decided one day that he wanted to be in a band, so he went down to his local music store and asked the sales people if they knew any band he could join.  They laughed and told him to post a card on the bulletin board.  Well, he found a band, somebody somewhere liked his sound and now he is living his dream, so don't give up!