A PROFESSION-NOT A HOBBY

I have 2 admit, things n my life have picked up so much that I don`t have as much time 2 do the blog thing anymore. Actually com`n 2 this page is compariable 2 go`n 2 c a grandmother or aunt, that u haven`t seen n a few years. U know that as soon as u arrive, past feel`n and memories start 2 resurface and the agony of guilt sets n and u start 2 think, why don`t I come and visit more often? I should really visit more often. . . . .lol. . ..That`s kind of how I feel now.

None the less, I`ve managed 2 sneak away from the stress, of the day 2 day worldly pace and bring u a bit of head scratch`n thought. . .Compliments of Musicians Institute [M.I.] students n Japan.

A few weeks ago, my manager and I had the privilege of stand`n b 4 a large audience of M.I. students @ various M.I. schools n Japan. As with many forum type of seminars, the presenter talks about his/her subject and somewhere within the seminar, a question and answer section is thrown n.
The unique consistency about this part of the seminar is that, no matter which location that we went, most of the questions where the same. Some phrased a little more sophisticated than others but all n all, the questions remained consistant. That is, until we reached the Shibuya location of M.I.

After about 5 minutes of answer`n question, a small framed, blond hair, Japanese young man stood up. As the roomed silenced, I could tell that he was respected among his peers. He stood semi-erect and with his bowed slightly down but eyes gaz`n n an upward direction- this is part of Japanese culture; it is 1 of many forms 2 show respect- then, lightly he spoke.

He asked, "what should I do 2 get better @ sing`n ? When I go 2 karaoke, my friends tell me that I`m good and should pursue a singer career. I want 2 get better so I can become a great singer." And just like that, just as quietly and seriously as he had stood up; n the same manner he sat back down. I didn`t want 2 tackle this question, so I looked @ my manager, who quickly tossed the question back n my hat. . . . . . .

2 days topic. . . . .This is A PROFESSION-NOT A HOBBY.

I don`t doubt that this young man was not a good vocalist but n answer`n his question, I had 2 find out if he was a serious vocalist. How long or @ what age did he start sing`n? What type of music did he listen 2? How and what type of music has he studied? All relevant questions and things that a serious vocalist needs 2 do n order 2 set themselves apart.

Many of the questions that I asked, he wasn`t able fully answer nor could he answer with certainty. He was basically of victim of late development. A classic case of a person with a talent that went undeveloped for long and @ best would be limited 2 a certain level of professionalism.

Ladies and gentlemen, let`s b real. Look @ the Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Scott, Robbie Danzie (my manager who sang with a group called Krystol), Michael Jackson, Beatles. . ..etc. . . .These vocalist were sing`n @ church and in the public eye`s since they were 3,4,5 years of age. How is someone @ the age of 19 supposed 2 compete with the likes of someone with this type of expericence?

I`m sure by now, many of u have either heard or seen the Cassie performance on 106 & Park. . . . .Well, if u haven`t u should get it from a friend who taped the show. It has been completely removed from YouTube by the powers that be. Due 2 the amount of negative comments that were posted on the web regard`n how terrible the performance was. It was so bad that Diddy, himself, even admitted that the performance was, "wack". (http://www3.youtube.com/watch?v=lZsPSQOqZoE)

The public spoke out against her and that show. I, unfortunately, wasn`t able 2 c the show. Japan doesn`t allow BET 2 be aired here; some issue with censorship. But if anyone has a copy please feel free 2 hit me with it. Anyway, Cassie is a prime example of what late or no train`n will do 4 someone who is told that they can sing and thinks that they have what it takes 2 be a professional.

Back n the day, Motown didn`t let u touch a mic until they thought u were ready or until u had proved that u were ready. We wonder what has happened 2 the "real music". We, as listeners, have lowered the expectation of what we want and as a result, we r now @ the point that the standard of music is @ a low. I`m not say`n this about all music but generally speak`n, artist don`t care if they`re music stands the test of time b/c it`s all about mak`n records and not mak`n music.

How can u call u`r self a professional but u`r admitt`n 2 the public that u`r still not fully ready because u have 2 work out u`r stage fright, lack of experience or any other excuse. What if u paid money 2 have a "professional ater" arrange u`r wed`n party. But when u and u`r guest arrive, n the place of a wed`n cake is a cupcake. N the place of a well planned out dinner, is service trays for the local county jail with slices of pizza from Chuckie Cheese with the initials of u and u`r spouse engraved on each slice with anchovies. When u addressed regard`n the lack of professionalism, the cater would simply say, "I`m sorry, this is my first party and I was us`n u as a test 2 get better for the next clients. I`m sorry that this isn`t what u want but 4 u`r next wed`n I`ll do better"? I`m sure I can say, there would b some words, fist, and chairs thrown. . .

My point is, nobody wants 2 hear apologies on something that should have been worked out b 4 u deemed u`r self a professional. I pay, u pay, the public pays 2 c results. BET should reimburse everybody who pays 4 BET as part of their cable package, @ least 1 day of money back due 2 that horrific performance on 106 & Park. Hey people, let`s raise our level of standards 4 music and musicians. Let`s continue 2 speak out when multi-millionare, the business market, the government or just plan ol crocks try 2 run game or try 2 pass us on a $4 dollar bill. Continue 2 show or voice u`r disguist for anything less than "professional"!!!!! We deserve better.

Regard`n the young Japanese man, I simply told him that he had waited 2 late 2 try and start a professional career as a singer. I explained that he was already 10 years behind someone who is the same age as him, who is also try`n 2 become a professional singer. What he`s do`n is a hobby and what I`m teach`n u is a profession. Don`t get the 2 confused. However, when the translator begin 2 speak, most of what I said was washed down and basically completely misinterpreted.

I speak a little japanese and understood what the translator was say`n. Later I confronted the translator and ask him why he didn`t accurately translate what I had said. He explained that even though he agreed with what I was say`n, he didn`t want 2 discourage the student from try`n!!!!!!!!!!! My reply was, "So when do u ever expect him 2 learn"?

Brosiacs, if our children, nieces, nephews, god-children or whomever, r ever gonna learn, we must always tell the truth. N my opinion, if that japanese man had started perform`n @ age 5 and later @ the age of 18 began ask`n me those types of questions, I would encourage him. What have u been do`n til this point? Don`t u have strong areas, other than sing`n, that u`ve been work`n on til now?

But now he`s 18 and is try`n 2 get his start n the professional world, it`s time 4 him 2 learn; u r now @ the age that what u becomes labeled, A PROFESSION-NOT A HOBBY.

K.D. BROSIA (Music 4 Yo Soul)
(Brosiac Mania)
www.kds02.com
www.myspace.com/kdbrosia02
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