REMIXES MONTH | Rob Rodell feat. Avi G | No Regret (Remix) | Official Mu...

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.