Day 18: Saturdays & work

I'm off to go and teach vocal students now, followed by lecturing music business courses at Soul Candi, followed by more vocal students, followed by stopping by a fellow musician's gig tonight. Whew! What a day... As David Foster says, it's good to work on Saturdays - that way we get more done, and we stay on top of our game.

Sometimes it feels a bit nuts doing it, but I love music so much it barely feels like work. Well, hey, those are my two indicators that I'm living my purpose:

1. Would I do it for free? Yes, I already have, but now I'm so glad I get paid for it!

2. Does it feel like work? No - find a job you love and you won't have to work a day in your life. I think it was actually a Chinese philosopher who said that...

Days to go: 347

Day 17: What can I offer?

I was having an interesting conversation with Jayson, and he asked me a question: "Rob, why should I rush out and buy your CD?"

My answer? The truth is, I don't know. I'm still trying to figure that out, what it is that my contribution to the music world is. It's tempting to let this discourage me, but I won't allow that, because there is no point in self-pity. As Derek Sivers reminds us, no one is coming to save you in the music industry. I just have to get out there and make it happen.

Days to go: 348

Day 16: Another new song!

I suddenly remembered that I've been busy working on another new song with a producer named Vusi. Okay, so now we're making some progress.

This stuff is serious House music, so I sometimes wonder if a white boy like me would do it justice. Mashing of genres. I love it! One thing's for sure: we'll be having loads of fun...

Days to go: 349

Day 15: The GOMA Tour

After my elation with David Foster (who writes that there is no substitute for hard work in this industry), I have come up with an idea.

It's called the GOMA (as in "Get Off My Ass") Tour. I will do a mini-tour of Jo'burg and Pretoria, and there's no reason why I can't do my 100 gigs this year. No gig too small or big - see, it even rhymes!

I've also decided I want to return to LA this year for the Taxi Road Rally and I think when I'm there I should do a little mini tour of LA and New York. Also hope to get to Nashville and Cleveland for the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.

Days to go: 350

Day 14: Why I LOVE David Foster

My writing partner for The Purr Factory, Corinne, gave me a copy of David Foster's book "Hitman" today, after our meeting at UJ - a belated Christmas present. I am so excited!

I couldn't wait to start reading it, and of course the man is a genius. I mean, just look at his track record: Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Michael Jackson...

Mr David Foster: if on the off-off-off chance that you or someone you know may be reading this: I'm coming to work with you! I don't know how, when or where, but I know you wrote this in your book, p. 206: "I have helped put a number of very talented people on the map, certainly - and in the months and years ahead I hope I'll be adding plenty of names to that list." Okay, sir, here's one of those names: ROB RODELL. Please write it in your diary. I don't care how bald, fat, ugly and talentless you may think I am, or how far away (16,000 km from LA), I don't quit! That's my Winston Churchill-esque nature.

I am your next Richard Marx. Remember on p. 214 when you spoke about him wanting to release an album, and you told him he's not a singer, and you admitted, 50 million albums later, when you screw up, you screw up big? Well, I'm your next dark horse project, sir, with enough gumption and chutzpah to do it. Take a chance - I wanna be like Ryan Seacrest, the hardest working man in showbiz, according to you...

Anyway, songwriting continues, slowly... Gigs. What are those again?

Days to go: 358

Day 13: 100 gigs - what was I thinking!?!!!

Okay, so in hindsight, maybe 100 gigs was a bit much. But it's the only way to get the necessary exposure to make people aware of what your music is doing.

But boy, I am gonna have to WORK! I don't wanna get to Day 365 and make excuses for why I didn't achieve my goals for this year, for this blog.

Days to go: 352

Day 12: Musical drought...

Feels like I'm going through a bit of a musical dry patch at the moment, although who was it that said, "inspiration is 99% perspiration"?

I do have an idea for a new song, though, although it does seem a bit weird. As it popped into my head I quickly recorded it one my cell phone. Let's see how it pans out.

Days to go: 353