DO YOU HAVE REGRETS? | Rob Rodell | No Regret | Official Music Video

REMIXES MONTH | Rob Rodell feat. phatkid_muzik | Spin the Bottle Remix |...

Rob Rodell | Spin the Bottle | Official Music Video

we have met the enemy, and he is us

Why I will never give up:

Thanks to Pogo Possum and Walt Kelly for this wise parody of words in the subject line - and to Wikipedia for teaching us where it comes from!

This post is all over the place, with totally disjointed thoughts. I am puking it out anyway... Better off my chest than in my heart causing damage, because this way I get to better see the magnificence of the blessing in the perceived crisis.

You know, it never ceases to amaze me how something that was initially ignored becomes self-evident later - how it's so obvious that people always expected it to be so. I once read a quote by a famous American radio announcer who said that people won't give you the time of day when it comes to something - but then when you make it, they act as if they always knew you would.

This also relates to Malcolm Gladwell's tipping point - achievement in any area of endeavour seems like an uphill struggle, but when you break through, then it just seems easier (although it's not). This is also relevant to branding - the whole notion of creating a strong brand is built on the premise that once that brand is strong and well-known, then it's easier to get it out there...

I refer specifically to a music awards ceremony. I enter it every year, but every year, I get nowhere. I see people that I know who enter it, and they have won - and now whenever they enter, they always seem to either win or be nominated. It's because their personal brands have been given that initial boost.

To tell you the truth, I don't think my music is good enough yet - on paper, yes, but in reality, no. And it's not because all those people are more talented than me. I know that I have worked really hard on my talent for music, and that it does not come easy. I have beaten those same people in competitions before, so I know I have what they do. But they have had success that I have not had (yet), so they seem to be breaking through more often. It's Jon Shaw's theory of double jeopardy in music branding. Good thing I am doing my doctorate on personal music brands, so this info will help me with my studies - and ultimately to build my own personal music brand.

So I am not surprised that I did not get nominated for an award - again. I just don't think I am there yet with the professional side of things - mostly because I cannot afford it yet (though that is going to change). But I know I have the talent and the vision, the mission and the purpose, the values to lead me there. It's just gonna take a bit more time. Music X-Ray sent us an email today, about the rejection letter of Bono back in 1978. Their advice? You keep trying until someone says yes. I also like John Demartini's advice: just outlive all the other fuckers, and when they die, you'll be the only one left standing.

Yes, this time I am discouraged that my music career is going nowhere. Yes, I feel confused, disheartened, discouraged, down. Is this because music truly is NOT my highest value - or because I am not doing well enough? According to whom? Well, if music is not my highest value, then I pray God will change that - make the void so great that the value becomes enormous - and may I search all my life for a thirst that will never be quenched.

I sometimes feel that the problem is me - it's not all the others who say no. It's me. It's not the other people who told me I couldn't - yeah, there have been some of those. It's me who keeps silently telling myself that I can't, shouldn't, mustn't, haven't yet so why bother, etc., etc., etc.

Well I am very sorry Rob Rodell. I don't give a shit what you say to me - I want this. It may be a small ember that is burning and is about to die, but I pray that it will never go out. I pray that my life's work truly is music, and that the greatest contribution that I will make to this world is a musical one.

I am so far from that it is scary. But I don't care. May the ember never die. May I truly follow the calling of my soul.

I ask myself right now: strip away all the bullshit. What do I really want? The inner turmoil that I feel clouds my vision. But as I sit here, what will I write? I declare that my telos is music, and I pray that it will be so for all eternity.

So TAKE THAT, Rob Rodell! Go fuck yourself. I will NEVER give up on music. I don't care if I am 95 years old with my oxygen tank when they call me up on stage to win my only Grammy.

I will follow my dream, no matter how dead or dying it is. I will follow my dream. I will follow my dream. It is a music dream. I drink deep of the fountain of music. May my soul never be quenched.

House Broken Album Launch

My God, I have almost forgotten what a blog is! In the time since I last wrote a woman could have had a baby already - it's been nine months!

I am so pleased that I am launching my tenth album next week Saturday. It comes on the back of three years of consistent work with several different producers and artists. And while it is not perfect, it is ready, and it is coming out.

A friend of mine asked me yesterday if I should first get the album perfect before I release it. I said no, based on years of experience and the precedent set by others in the music industry. Because it is my assertion that, unless you are just very lucky, it takes a whole lot of crappy albums to create a great one.

That is something I will spend the rest of my life trying to do: create amazing music that connects with and inspires people, and becomes timeless.

Music, grata Deo.

On going gold & releasing my 8th album...

I wrote this on my Facebook page yesterday: "Hey Dad! Happy 68th birthday for yesterday. Miss you, but know you are still with me in spirit. How's Rod? Just wanted you to know that I have just released my 8th album, which is dedicated to you. Hope you love it! It's called 'A Cappella Christmas Vol. 2.' Enjoy. Much love, Rob. Xxxx" I couldn't help but cry, and I am glad they weren't tears of sorrow but of joy, like the ones I experienced in studio the other day - for the first time in my life!

What a year 2012 has been! It's been brilliant and it's been challenging, like every year before and every year that is yet to come in my life. And that's okay, because I know that we, the entire universe, are surrounded and enveloped in an amazing love that is eternal and omnipresent.

Last year perhaps my single biggest musical achievement was my South African Music Award (SAMA) nomination, but this year there have been quite a few:

• It's official: the "Could This Be Love" house single with Cuebur and Shimza went gold in SA, which is just amazing! I set myself a goal back in 2006 to achieve gold status by June 2007 and platinum by December the same year. Little did I know how much work would be involved! But I am soooo happy that I achieved the first part of that goal, five-and-a-half years later... That's okay too - better late than never, and now at least I am on my way...
• We finally did a video for CTBL as part of the 48 Hour Music Video Project, which Johannesburg had the awesome privilege of being involved in - one of only 14 cities in the world.
• The song was nominated as the second-best song at the prize giving for the MVP, and a well-know local group, The Muffinz, said they absolutely loved it, and fought hard for it, so it became a two-hour fight between my song and the winner. I could never have done it without Cuebur, an amazing and humble producer and DJ that is just such a pleasure to work with.
• A Cappella Christmas Vol. 2 was released this year, and became my 8th album release in 4 years, since my 1st release back in 2008. Shameful that it took me more than 10 years to release my 1st album, but I was waiting for a major label to pick me up. Eventually I woke up and started using my brain, and since then the albums have been coming thick & fast. I like being in control of my career!
• I may even get a 9th album out this year still, if I can get my awesome graphic designer to finish the cover before the 31st!

I am deeply, richly blessed, I have had an amazing life, and I am incredibly grateful for my family and my life. Just all that good stuff, you know? Every human being has tasted it, no matter how tough they have it/have had it/will have it. There is always something to smile about, even on days when you're totally pissed off.

Musica, grata Deo.

It's easy to criticise when you're standing on the sidelines...

My blog post earlier today refers. What a day!

So I was busy singing at Hyde Park, when a tenant asked me to turn down the "noise." I politely declined, saying that I would do so when instructed by Tumi from centre management. Tumi then opted to move me to the other end of the lower level mall. Whilst I was busy re-setting up, which was of course a huge waste of time, I get called over to the table of what appeared to be a sweet elderly couple who asked if the music was going to be good, and also implored that it not be too loud.

Considering their needs, I turned the sound way down. To no avail! I sang two original songs and then launched into Elton John and Diana Ross, after which I went and asked the sweet old dears if the music was okay. BAD IDEA! The granny bitched and moaned about how her husband didn't enjoy his cappuccino and how she couldn't enjoy her ice cream because the music was so loud. A real pair of old farts! Anyway, she bitched in my ear, so I called Tumi. Granny then told Tumi that they had come all the way from Pretoria to eat a nice meal, which had been ruined by loud, "ugly" music. Well, I lost it! I told Granny dearest that the music was hardly ugly (I didn't spend 10 years training my voice because it was fun - it was damn hard work), and that I took offence at her rudeness. Well, she laid back into me and told me that I was ugly. Of course that just got my back up even more, so I got stuck into her again and asked her who died and made her the Queen of England, and that there was no need for her to be such a nasty piece of work.

Eventually Grandpa and Tumi calmed us both down. Gramps took her away, and Tumi suggested that I stand down for the day and pick it up again tomorrow. I said, "Sorry Tumi, but I won't stand for that crap. She needed to be put in her place." She said not to worry, apologised profusely, and asked if I was okay, which I don't think I was. Now I know, based on my blog earlier today that this is part of the game, but I was totally unprepared for Granny's little temper tantrum. As I took my equipment to pack it away, Jurg asked me how it went. I told him the story. This was his response. "They booed Pavarotti off the stage. Don't doubt yourself." Wow, what awesome advice was that!

I also spoke to Kim, one of the tenants. She also gave me some great advice, which I really needed to hear: "If they don't like it, it's their problem, not yours. You are doing the very best that you can, and you love it, so just keep on doing it. I don't see her getting up to sing." Yeah, Kim reminded me of a friend of mine, Roger Dickinson, who said that people used to stand on the side of the soccer field, all liquored up, and tell him he was useless at soccer. It's easy to stand on the sidelines and criticise.

But I am not gonna give up. I may be bloodied, but I am unbowed. And I really need to grow a bigger set of balls. So tomorrow, unless Tumi comes and tells me to shut up, or by an act of God I am struck down, or a tenant takes an AK47 and shoots me, I am just gonna sing. But some won't like it. This is when I become crass and say, tough shit. That's part of the game. Did I learn nothing from the blog post I wrote this morning?

And so now allow me to become even more crass for just a moment: FUCK YOU, UNIVERSE! If you think I'm gonna quit because some old bitch is a miserable pickled old prune and does not appreciate my art, then you have got another thing coming. Arrogant? Maybe. But I think at least the universe appreciates the honesty. Hey, let me remind myself: as John Demartini says, if you're not being crucified, then you're not living on purpose. I can deal with that. Music is my telos, I don't fucking care how hard it is. This is what I was born to make my greatest contribution to the world in.

Time to get back out there, and live to fight another day.