Bob Baker's Indie Music Promotion Blog

News, notes and ideas on music marketing, self-promotion, artist empowerment and more

January 16, 2006

Laura Cantrell on Ambition

Elvis Costello described her music this way: "If Kitty Wells made 'Rubber Soul' it would sound like Laura Cantrell." Great endorsement.

Last fall, Cantrell was interviewed in an unlikely media source: Psychology Today magazine. Here's how she answered the question "What drives you to succeed?" ...

A few years ago, I remember playing music at home by myself on the weekend and thinking, "Why not try getting on Grand Ole Opry? How hard could it really be?" Maybe that's a blend of naivete and hopefulness and some faith in yourself. I feel that I haven't had any drive beyond the "it's worth a shot" impulse, but that impulse has been very strong for me, even when success seemed pretty unlikely.

There's a lesson for us all here. Success doesn't only come to those who doggedly pursue a music career and bulldoze through every obstacle with the pit bull enthusiasm of an infomercial announcer.

Sometimes, all it takes is three simple qualities:
  1. Naivete -- not being aware of all the hardships that others so easily buy into.

  2. Hopefulness -- an optimistic attitude toward what's possible.

  3. Some faith in yourself -- knowing that success does come to certain new artists; why not you?
-Bob

posted by Bob Baker @ 4:16 PM   2 comments

2 Comments:

At Jan 18, 2006 10:02:00 AM, Anonymous Andrea said...

Thank you. I needed to hear this. I have no experiance in the music biz. My husband does. I've been told by a lot of people "that's not how it works", you "just don't understand". I was considering that an asset, but they were wearing me down. Thanks for the lift. ~ www.boporter.com ~ A

 
At Jan 27, 2006 8:44:00 AM, Anonymous Matty Z. said...

"I am surrounded by negative musicians in my life. Reading articles like this one really helps me to stay focused and have tunnel vision." Great article have a prosperous 2006!

matty z.
http://www.myspace.com/mattyz

 

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