The above statement may seem to state the obvious and be unnecessary, particularly for a site dedicated to promoting  my music. However, through the course of my life there have been many times when I had to remind myself  of this  simple fact.  You see, I used to think that I had to be someone other than who I am to gain the respect of my peers and make a living for myself.  Even though I grew up in a family full of extremely talented musicians, I somehow  managed to grow up with the idea that I needed a “real” job.

As a child I passed up several opportunities that would have no doubt been very beneficial to my musical development, to pursue other more “stable” or lucrative goals.  Ironically, music was not my first choice as a major in college. I very seldom considered a day spent practicing and cultivating my musical talents as a productive day.Yet somehow, the deep rooted passion for music that was placed in me long before I ever had a concern for money or stability began to override the rational. Year after year, I found myself abandoning all other pursuits and giving in to my heart’s desire. Usually accompanied by disapproving friends and family members, and a ton of guilt, my inspiration led me forward with reckless abandon. Till one day I realized that I was not the rebel everyone thought I was. I was not simply refusing to be “normal”. Nor was I avoiding the usual mundane pursuits simply because I was bored with life.  I was not fighting against the “cubicle” so to speak; I was reaching for something higher; my destiny, my passion, my life’s calling.

It was then that I slowly began to realize that just about every person on this planet who is considered enormously successful is doing what they love, and did not choose their career based upon their potential salary. Don’t get me wrong, money is great. Trying to live without money is like trying to fly without a plane. But I personally believe that if you work in an area that you love AND have skill, you will always produce an excellent product/service, and excellence brings you into tremendous opportunity. Now I am not recommending that every aspiring musician run off and leave their day jobs and their families to start a band.  PLEASE be more sensible than that.  But the next time someone asks you what it is that you do, before you tell them about your day job, you might want to consider raising your head and proudly proclaiming, “I am a musician!”  Much Love  ~ Donnie