Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor

Last night I took my daughter Kelli to see the Jonas Brothers and Avril Levine. Kelli turns 12 next month, so it was an early birthday present.

I've been to many concerts in my life, but this was the first as an adult in the midst of so many teen, tween and pre-tween girls (along with many parents). Lots of Beatlemania-esque screaming took place, and my ears are feeling it this morning.
Not sure if you're hip to these Jonas boys, but they're a Disney/Hollywood Records act that has been stirring up a ton of attention from their young female followers, including my own kid.

It was a pretty impressive spectacle. During a summer of reported economic stagnation and slow ticket sales, these guys packed thousands of people into the outdoor Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis.

I'm sure Avril had many of her fans there too, but she was the opening act (or "co-headliner" who performed before them). This was clearly a crowd that had come to see the Jonas Brothers.

Confession: I was familiar with their music before the concert because Kelli plays it around the house. I already liked their brand of emo-pop rock. And seeing them live made me even more impressed.

They don't rely on the safe boy band sounds of the past. These guys can rock it up -- and play some catchy tunes.

But here was the big insight last night ...

As I looked over the crowd of cheering and screaming thousands, there was no denying the energy level that a large crowd of enthusiastic fans can generate.
And I remembered why so many young musicians want to shoot for the highest pinnacles of success.

In that moment, even I thought how great it would be to have the drawing power to attract a huge audience. Heck, I had the same rock star dreams in my teens and early twenties.

Big dreams are great. I never encourage anyone to play small. So by all means, picture yourself on a big stage with a huge crowd of adoring fans.

It's okay to want to be famous (as long as, in my opinion, it's tied into a bigger mission to serve others through your music).

But how do you define "famous"? For most people, it's based on the number of people who know who you are -- and like what you do.

If you're in the building stage of your music career, that number might be small. Maybe 100 people know who you are, and 12 of them are enthusiastic fans.

In that case, realize that you are famous ... to someone. Or a modest number of someones.

Congratulations! You've reached one phase of your goal!

You're famous to a small core group of fans. Now build on that. Pour your heart and passion into serving and pleasing those first 12 people.

Before you know it, you'll be famous to 23 people.

Then 47.

Then 92.

Then 183.

You'll be living your dream, and you'll be famous ... to someone!

-Bob

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