the AMP Issue 55

"Music is the soundtrack of your life."
— Dick Clark

the Back Issues Issue

Hey! Is the AMP a newsletter or a magazine...?

In This Issue... 21 pages [about 30ish minutes to read— yeah, it's a long one] You'll Get... BUT FIRST a...

• SPECIAL NOTICE— the AMP Archive — You’ve Got ALL the Back Issues
Once upon a time... the AMP is more than a year old. And unless you were with us from the very start, you've probably missed some things. Most of you. So there's probably a wealth of good and great stuff you haven't seen. As a Singer Songwriter AMP Subscriber, they're all yours no matter when you've joined us. Here's how to get them. All.

On your phone or lap/desktop, open any email issue of the AMP. Tap Read Online on the upper right beside the date. That will open up a browser window on the web. Across the top of that page, you'll see a navigation bar: the AMP >  Posts > and the current issue. Tap the AMP on the far left. You’ll go right to the Archive page (pictured above) which will allow you to search all 54 past Issues of the AMP or all 43 past issues of the Amp Posted. You can use keywords to search for specific articles, authors or features. Scrolling down the page will offer you boxes for each Issue with the date of publication. There are currently 6 pages of back issues in all.

That's it. That's all... All the AMPs fit to print and they're all yours. It's a 'Who loves ya Baby' thing... ❤️ And for a taste of what's there, this issue of the AMP is all from the Archives. Think of it as the AMP Greatest Hits select collection. Enjoy.

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Here’s the playlist
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• RECOMMENDS— Your Morning Coffee from Issue 09, September 20, 2023

• the BIZ— Marketing 101 for 1001 TrueFans— the Power of WOMM from Issue 12 October 11, 2023

• the GREATEST SINGER SONGWRITERS of ALL TIME— John Prine from Issue 32 March 06, 2024

• YOUR MONEY— Bookkeeping Basics: A Guide For Small Businesses from Issue 27, January 31, 2024

• BACKSTAGE PASS— 13 Principles Music Artists Can Learn From Startups by Rob Abelow from Issue 38,  April 17, 2024

• COACHING— 10,000 Hours of Deliberate Practice from Issue 25, January 17, 2024

• PS from PS— Stop! Apologizing! Damn It! [Rant Warning]  from Issue 5, August 23, 2023

• Recommends— Your Morning Coffee from Jay Gilbert

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• This recommendation first appeared in Issue 9, Jan 17, 2024, and has reappeared in partnership with... consistently ever since, because Jay Gilbert is one of the very best hearts and minds in this business.

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Your Morning Coffee... Weekly Music News For the New Music Business
Simon Owens, host of The Business of Content podcast, wrote, "Industry veteran, Jay Gilbert, writes one of my favorite newsletters, Your Morning Coffee. This highly curated newsletter offers a weekly snapshot of the New Music Business. Not only that, Jay and Mike Etchart, former host of the syndicated Sound & Vision Radio program, host a fantastic weekly podcast. In it, they break down the top stories so you can stay on top of the latest news and trends in the industry.

"Working for companies like Warner Music and Universal Music Groups, Jay got to know just about every facet of the music-making process. Then in 2015, he struck off on his own and launched a consulting business. To help raise awareness of his services, he began curating a weekly newsletter called Your Morning Coffee.

"What started as an email sent out to a few hundred friends eventually grew to over 15,000 readers and is now one of the most influential newsletters in the music industry."

Tap here to SUBSCRIBE to Your Morning Coffee

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• the Biz— Marketing 101 for 1001 TrueFans— the Power of WOMM from Issue 12 October 11, 2023. 

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• Reprinted here in its entirety.

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Word-of-mouth-marketing (W-O-M-M) has been the subject of extensive research, and numerous studies highlight its influence on consumer behavior and its effectiveness as a marketing tool. Here are some key findings New Music Lives™ obtained from various studies:

• Trustworthiness: According to Nielsen Media Research, 83% of people trust recommendations from family and friends over all other forms of advertising. This showcases the high level of trust consumers place in W-O-M-M.

• Purchasing Decisions: A study by McKinsey found that word-of-mouth is the primary factor behind 20-50% of all purchasing decisions. Its influence is most significant when consumers are buying a product for the first time (the initial trial) or when the product's price is relatively high, implying a higher risk.

• Online vs. Offline W-O-M-M: A paper in the Journal of Consumer Research found that while online W-O-M-M (e.g., reviews) reaches more people, offline W-O-M-M (face-to-face conversations) tends to be more detailed and influential in shaping opinions.

• ROI and Acquisition: According to the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (W-O-M-MA), W-O-M-M marketing results in 5x more sales than a paid media impression. Moreover, customers acquired through word-of-mouth have a 37% higher retention rate.

• W-O-M-M and Business Growth: The McKinsey study also found that brands that create more effective word-of-mouth engagement tend to grow more than twice as fast as their competitors.

• Negative W-O-M-M Impact: Negative word-of-mouth can also significantly harm a business. A study conducted by the White House Office of Consumer Affairs found that dissatisfied customers will tell between 9-15 people about their experience, and roughly 13% of dissatisfied customers tell more than 20 people.

• B2B W-O-M-M: Word-of-mouth is not just influential in B2C markets. A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that W-O-M-M referrals in B2B markets can influence up to 90% of all B2B buying decisions.

• Digital W-O-M-M: In the digital age, platforms like Yelp, Google Reviews, and TripAdvisor play pivotal roles in influencing purchase decisions. BrightLocal's survey showed that 82% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, with consumers reading an average of 10 reviews before feeling they can trust a business.

It's worth noting that many successful companies, like Dropbox and Airbnb, have heavily leveraged W-O-M-M strategies to accelerate their growth.

Overall, the wide consensus from various studies and industry insights is that word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most effective and trusted forms of advertising. 

Now, let's focus in on the music. Our team of Researchers at New Music Lives™— okay, ChatGPT— came up with this and these about Word-Of-Mouth for Singer Songwriters:

Word-of-mouth (WOM) plays a significant role in the success of music, particularly for Singer Songwriters. 

The music industry, with its myriad of artists and constant influx of new content, can be overwhelming for listeners to navigate. Word-of-mouth provides a filtering mechanism, enabling noteworthy or emotionally resonant works to stand out and gain traction. 

Here are some aspects to consider about the influence of WOM in the music industry:

• Discovery: With the multitude of platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, there's an overabundance of music available. While algorithms do help in recommending songs, personal recommendations from friends or family often carry more weight and can lead to the discovery of new artists or songs.

• Validation: When someone shares a song or an album, it often serves as a stamp of approval. This validation can encourage others to listen and share in turn, creating a viral effect.

• Live Shows and Tours: Word-of-mouth is crucial for live performances, especially for emerging Singer Songwriters. A well-received live show can lead to increased ticket sales for future performances, larger venue bookings, and more significant media attention.

• Career Milestones: For many Singer Songwriters, getting their big break often comes from a single song gaining traction due to word-of-mouth. This buzz can lead to other opportunities, such as record deals, collaborations, or appearances on popular platforms or media.

• Streaming Algorithms: On platforms like Spotify, a sudden uptick in plays, which can be spurred by WOM, influences the song's inclusion in popular playlists or recommendation algorithms, leading to even more exposure.

• Credibility and Authenticity: Singer Songwriters, in particular, often have deeply personal and authentic stories to tell. When these stories resonate with listeners, they are more likely to share them, valuing the emotional connection the music provides.

• Longevity: While marketing can spike interest initially, word-of-mouth can sustain an artist's relevance. Positive discussions about an album or song can lead to prolonged interest and streaming, even beyond the initial release window.

• Impact on Sales: Beyond streaming, positive WOM influences album sales, merchandise sales, and more. A strong recommendation from a trusted source can convert a casual listener into a TrueFan.

For Singer Songwriters, whose work is often deeply personal and narrative-driven, a heartfelt recommendation can be especially impactful. In the modern music landscape, where traditional barriers to entry have been lowered thanks to technology and social media, WOM has become even more critical. It's one of the primary ways independent and emerging artists can gain traction— exposure, attention, attraction— in an ever more crowded field.

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• the Greatest Singer Songwriters of All Time— John Prine

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• We originally featured John Prine in Issue 32, March 06, 2024, when it was "The 100 Greatest Singer Songwriters of All Time." Back then, we took our cues and most of the copy from Rolling Stones' 100 Greatest List. We've a new format now, so this piece is newly created. Hope you like it. Better. We do.

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John Prine: The Mark Twain of American Songwriting

"John Prine will be remembered as one of the most profound songwriters of his generation, a man who captured the essence of the human experience in a way that few others have." 
— Rolling Stone Magazine

John Prine is revered as one of the most influential and beloved Singer Songwriters of all time. His music, known for its wit, warmth, and keen observation of the human condition, has left an indelible mark on the landscape of American music. Prine's work has inspired countless artists across genres, cementing his place in the pantheon of great songwriters.

Music and Production
Prine's music is characterized by its simplicity and emotional depth. His songs often blend folk, country, and Americana styles, with lyrics that range from poignant to humorous. Prine's ability to tell stories through song, often focusing on the lives of ordinary people, set him apart from many of his contemporaries. His debut album, John Prine (1971), was a critical success, featuring timeless classics like Angel from Montgomery, Sam Stone, and Hello in There. The production of his music often mirrored the straightforwardness of his songwriting— minimalist arrangements that allowed his lyrics to shine.

"He's so good, we're gonna have to break his fingers."
— Kris Kristofferson

Prine continued to release albums that resonated with both critics and fans. Sweet Revenge (1973) included hits like Dear Abby and Christmas in Prison, showcasing his talent for blending humor with social commentary. Bruised Orange (1978) featured That's the Way the World Goes 'Round, a song that became one of his signature tunes. His music sales consistently reflected his status as a beloved figure in the industry, with his albums often appearing on the Billboard charts.

Biggest Hits and Popular Albums
Throughout his career, Prine produced a wealth of songs that became staples in the American music canon. Some of his biggest hits include:

Angel from Montgomery— A haunting ballad that has been covered by numerous artists, including Bonnie Raitt. Sam Stone— A powerful commentary on the struggles of Vietnam veterans. Hello in There— A poignant reflection on aging and loneliness. In Spite of Ourselves"— A humorous duet with Iris DeMent that became a fan favorite. Paradise— A nostalgic ode to his parents' Kentucky hometown, lamenting its destruction by coal mining.

Prine's albums, such as The Missing Years (1991), which won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album, and Fair & Square (2005), which won another Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album, further solidified his place as a master songwriter. His final album, The Tree of Forgiveness (2018), debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, his highest-charting album, and featured songs like Summer's End and When I Get to Heaven, reflecting his trademark wit and wisdom.

"John Prine is the Songwriter other Songwriters aspire to be."
— Bruce Springsteen

Concerts and Performances
Prine was known for his engaging live performances, where his storytelling and humor shone as brightly as his music. He often performed with a simple setup, allowing the intimacy of his songs to connect deeply with audiences. Over the years, he played at iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry and collaborated with artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, and Johnny Cash. His concerts were celebrated not just for the music but for the connection he fostered with his fans.

"John Prine is the best we've got."
— Bonnie Raitt

Awards and Recognition
John Prine's contributions to music were widely recognized throughout his career. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, a testament to his influence and legacy. He received multiple Grammy Awards and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Prine was also the recipient of the Americana Music Honors & Awards' Artist of the Year and was celebrated with the PEN New England Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award, solidifying his status as a literary giant in music.

Inspirations and Personal Life
Prine's songwriting was deeply influenced by his experiences and observations of the world around him. He drew inspiration from his upbringing in Maywood, Illinois, his time serving in the U.S. Postal Service, and his observations of everyday life. Prine was married three times, and his marriages, especially his final one to Fiona Whelan Prine, were significant sources of support and inspiration throughout his life.

Prine faced several health challenges, including a battle with squamous cell cancer in 1998, which required extensive surgery and affected his voice. Despite these struggles, he continued to write and perform, his voice taking on a new, gravelly texture that only added depth to his performances.

"Prine's stuff is pure Proustian existentialism. Midwestern mindtrips to the nth degree. And he writes beautiful songs."
— Bob Dylan

Political and Social Activism
While not overtly political, Prine's songs often touched on social issues with a subtlety and insight that resonated with listeners. Sam Stone, for instance, is a powerful anti-war song that addresses the struggles of veterans, while Paradise laments the environmental destruction of his family's Kentucky homeland. His music spoke to the common man, addressing issues of poverty, war, and the human condition with a rare empathy and understanding.

Influence on Other Artists and Legacy
John Prine's influence on other singer-songwriters is immeasurable. Artists like Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, and Bonnie Raitt have praised his work, and his songs have been covered by a wide range of musicians. Prine's ability to blend humor with heartbreak, and his gift for telling stories that resonate on a universal level, have made him a touchstone for generations of musicians.

Prine's collaborations with other artists were also significant. He worked with a diverse array of musicians, from Johnny Cash to Jason Isbell, and his willingness to mentor younger artists helped shape the next generation of singer-songwriters.

"His songs are sheer poetry, beautiful and moving. He was a unique voice, and we will miss him dearly."
— Roger Waters

John Prine's death in 2020 from complications related to COVID-19 was a significant loss to the music world. However, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to inspire and comfort listeners. Prine's songs remain a testament to the power of simple, honest storytelling, and his impact on music will be felt for generations to come.

in partnership with the Jim Parker Songwriter Series

YOUR MONEY— Your Money: Bookkeeping Basics: A Guide For Small Businesses (and a Singer-Songwriter IS a Small Business) from Issue 27, January 31, 2024, from Quickbooks, by Marshall Hargrave

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• The original article that was in the AMP is available in your Subscriber archives. It's twice the word count of the one below and contains much more specific detail.

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We know... You're an artist (you don't look back). And the last thing every Singer-Songwriter we've spoken with wants to do is manage the business-of-their-business. Inconvenient Truth: If you earn money from your career, you've got a business. And 'Treat it like a business' is required. So... Bookkeeping is essential.

What follows is a primer from the fine folks at Quickbooks. Yes, it's a sales pitch, but it’s selling through education. You need to know what's below. So... (again)

Hold your nose (if you must) and 'Just Do It!' Otherwise, you might end up doing your version of Willie Nelson's The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?— an album released in 1992 to pay off Nelson's $6,000,000 tax debt.

What is bookkeeping? 
Bookkeeping is the system of recording, organizing, and tracking financial transactions for a business.

It's fundamental to running a small business. But what might seem overwhelming isn’t so bad when broken down to the basics.

Must-know terms for bookkeeping

• Accounting equation  
• Accounting ledger  
• Accrual accounting  
• Double-entry bookkeeping  
• Inventory  
• Accounts receivable  
• Accounts payable

What you need to set up small business bookkeeping

1. Business bank account  
2. Accounting method  
3. Financial transactions  
4. Accounting software

Bookkeeping best practices for success

• Keep up-to-date records  
• Track expenses  
• Set up budgets  
• Balance your books

The 3 golden rules of bookkeeping to follow

• Debit what comes in, credit what goes out.  
• Debit the receiver, credit the giver.  
• Debit expenses and losses, credit income and gains.

And... Save time with expert help.

• More On the Must-know terms for bookkeeping

Bookkeeping is critical to managing your business's financial health. Understanding basic concepts can help you get started. Here are key terms:

• Accounting equation: The relationship between assets, liabilities, and equity. The equation is Equity = Total assets - Total liabilities.

• Accounting ledger: A book or system for recording and classifying transactions. It’s the foundation of any business's financial records.

• Accrual accounting: Records transactions when they occur rather than when cash exchanges hands.

• Double-entry bookkeeping: A system where each transaction is recorded in two accounts: a debit and a credit.

• Inventory: The stock of goods a business has on hand or in transit, waiting to be sold.

• Accounts receivable: Money owed to you by customers for products or services not yet paid for.

• Accounts payable: Money you owe to creditors for goods or services received but not yet paid for.

• What you need to set up small business bookkeeping

Setting up bookkeeping for your business is essential. It lets you track finances, monitor cash flow, and make informed decisions. Let's look at the basics:

1. Business bank account: Allows you to keep personal and business expenses separate. Checking accounts are most common.

2. Accounting method: Select between cash accounting or accrual accounting based on your business needs.

3. Financial transactions: Track sales, expenses, and payments. Accounting software can simplify this process.

4. Accounting software: Choose software like QuickBooks to handle transactions and provide analysis.

• Bookkeeping best practices for success

Accurate records are key to your business's success. Keep track of:

• Expenses  
• Invoices  
• Receipts  
• Payments

Track expenses:  
Categorize your expenses, save receipts, record everything promptly, review regularly, and automate where possible.

Set up budgets:  
A budget outlines expected income and expenses over a specific period.

Balance your books:  
Balancing your books monthly allows you to catch errors.

• So... again, the 3 golden rules of bookkeeping to follow are...

• Debit what comes in, credit what goes out.  
• Debit the receiver, credit the giver.  
• Debit expenses and losses, credit income and gains.

The golden rules assume the double-entry system.

Save time with expert help

Learning bookkeeping basics can set you up for success. QuickBooks Online offers year-round bookkeeping services to save time and provide personalized expertise.

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• BACKSTAGE PASS— 13 Principles Artists Can Learn From Startups from Rob Abelow

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• Another article reprinted here in it's entirety.

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A Singer Songwriter is much like a business start-up. Yet, we rarely explore how startup concepts can guide musical artists in their early career stages.

Rob Abelow created 13 principles, drawing from startup methodologies, now customized for your Singer Songwriters journey.

Here ya' be...

1. Do Things That Don’t Scale

Build from 1 fan up. Resist the urge to chase virality. Instead, engage directly & manually. Discover who you are as a Singer Songwriter & what resonates deeply. The strategy that lands your first 1,000 fans will differ from the one that propels you to 100,000. This non-scalable phase sets a foundation, so when your viral moments come, those fans stay for keeps.

2. Build a Brand, Not a Product

Your songs are the products. Your brand is the sound, personality & aesthetic connecting them together & setting you apart. Everything you do should be an extension of the world you’re creating.

3. Data is Everything

The most valuable thing to own is the relationship. This is how you turn 1 interaction into something bigger. Use every tactic to uncover fan data, as early as possible. 

An email is worth 1,000 streams.

4. Measure What Matters

Measuring something has an uncanny tendency to improve it. Whatever you see daily, that’s where your efforts go. In music, vanity metrics are in your face: streams, likes, monthly listeners. But are those the indicators of your goals? Do they tell you if you’re creating fans or value?

You build for what you measure. Choose your metrics wisely.

5. Understand the Lifetime Value of a Fan

Start-ups use holistic customer-centric stats like Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) as north-star metrics. Artists can use fan-centric stats like Fan Lifetime Value (FLV) to understand their audience segments. Once you understand what each fan type means to you, you can better assess costs & strategies to acquire, keep & deliver for the shape of your audience.

6. Offer Surprisingly Good Fan Engagement

Go above & beyond in engaging with your fans. Personalize interactions & make your fans feel valued, creating experiences they’ll not easily forget.

7. Better To Make a Few Fans Love You Than a Lot Just Like You

This is how you know if you have something real & sustainable. Build on love, not like. Craft a distinct brand & be boldly, authentically you. Your uniqueness is your niche in a diversified attention economy. Embrace it. You can always scale fans on top of TrueFans, but it’s hard to do it the other way around.

8. Pick a Good Team, Then Trust Them

The success of an artist is almost always a function of its team. It starts with the artist, but your team helps you reach your full potential…or holds you back. Find people you align with strategically & ethically, empower them with trust & you will force-multiply each other. Respect the shared challenge & lack of resources. Build positively together.

9. Spend Little

Most artists believe if only they had larger budgets, everything would be different. Those days are gone. Be cheap. Keep surviving. Keep iterating. Money rarely starts the fire. It puts gasoline on it. Start the fire first.

10. Aim for “Ramen Profitable”

Strive to earn enough to cover your living expenses. This changes your relationship with labels or other partners & lets you focus solely on your career without distractions.

11. Recurring Revenue is King

Embrace subscription revenue. More than just financial stability, it cultivates enduring fan relationships, turning listeners into a supportive community bonded by your art. It also makes metrics like Fan Lifetime Value easier to measure. And increases them.

12. Expect Deals to Fall Through

Not all opportunities will come to fruition. Learn to move forward without letting failed deals affect your morale or your momentum. Deals don’t define success.

13. Be Good To People

This is not typical start-up advice, but it’s one artists should bear. Be good to people along your journey. It’s a small world & you never know where you’ll meet someone again. A good reputation has compounding effects.

If You Could Only Keep One? It's this...

Build a brand, not a product. Once you know your universe, everything flows from here. Your songs, marketing, lyrics, performances, artwork— everything you do echoes your identity & acts as a magnet drawing people deeper into your world. Without a clear vision, your flywheel won’t work.

Start there.

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Rob Abelow is a visionary music producer and entrepreneur, renowned for his forward-thinking approach in shaping the future of the music industry. With a passion for innovation and a keen ear for emerging trends, Abelow has become a driving force behind the evolution of contemporary music.

Join 9,000+ artists & builders getting insights & tools to navigate music's future. Tap the link to subscribe to Rob's Where Music's Going. 

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• COACHING—  10,000 Hours of Deliberate Practice: The Path to Mastery

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• The original article that was in the AMP is available in your Subscriber archives. This one has been condensed for space, yet it keeps the key points. 

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The "10,000-hour rule," popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers, suggests that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to achieve mastery in any field. The essence is that raw talent alone isn't enough; dedicated, focused deliberate practice over time is the true key to becoming a top performer.

This concept originated from psychologist K. Anders Ericsson, who studied the practice habits of experts across various fields. Ericsson's research revealed that top performers had typically engaged in about 10,000 hours of practice before they were recognized as experts. However, he emphasized that it wasn't merely the quantity of practice that mattered but the quality and effectiveness of that practice.

The Importance of Deliberate Practice
Deliberate practice is not simply repeating a task over and over. It involves a strategic approach to improving specific skills, requiring clear goals, immediate feedback, and pushing beyond comfort zones. This kind of practice is mentally demanding and often uncomfortable, but it's precisely this discomfort that leads to growth and eventual mastery.

While the "10,000-hour rule" has become a popular benchmark, it's an over-simplification. The required hours for mastery vary depending on the field and individual differences. Some people may reach mastery in fewer hours, while others may need more. But the underlying principle remains the same: deliberate practice is the key to becoming a top performer in any domain.

Jerry Rice: A Masterclass in Deliberate Practice
To illustrate this concept— and with a smile to Taylor Swift and her football boyfriend— let’s look at NFL legend Jerry Rice, whose story epitomizes the power of deliberate practice. 

Rice is widely regarded as the greatest pass receiver in NFL history, and some argue he may have been the greatest player at any position. His dominance on the field is astonishing, especially in a league as competitive as the NFL. The records he holds for total receptions, touchdown receptions, and receiving yards exceed the second-place totals by about 50 percent— a margin that is almost unimaginable in professional sports.

What Set Jerry Rice Apart?
In Rice’s case, the answer is clear: he worked harder in practice and in the off-season than anyone else. His work ethic was legendary. During team workouts, while many receivers would trot back to the quarterback after catching a pass, Rice would sprint to the end zone after each reception. This relentless hustle was just the tip of the iceberg.

But it was his off-season workouts that truly became the stuff of legend. Six days a week, Rice pushed himself to the brink with a grueling regimen of cardiovascular work, weight training, and hill sprints. These workouts were so demanding that other players who joined him out of curiosity often ended up physically sick before the day was over.

Purposeful Practice
The lesson from Jerry Rice's story is that hard work, especially when purposeful and targeted, makes all the difference. However, hard work alone isn’t enough to explain his extraordinary success. Rice, who didn’t possess outstanding speed, succeeded because of how he practiced.

He Spent Little Time Playing Football
Surprisingly, very little of Rice's preparation involved actually playing football. Much of his time was spent on conditioning, studying game films, and practicing specific plays. The 49ers, along with the other teams Rice played for, rarely conducted full-contact scrimmages during practice to avoid injury. This means that the vast majority of Rice's football-related work did not involve playing the game itself but rather preparing for it.

If we estimate that Rice spent about 20 hours a week on football-related activities, that adds up to roughly 20,000 hours over his pro career. Yet, of the 303 career NFL games he played— the most ever by a wide receiver— he likely spent less than 1 percent of that time actually playing in games.

He Focused on Specific Needs
Rice didn’t need to do everything well; he needed to excel at specific skills that would make him a dominant receiver. His training was meticulously designed to address these exact requirements. For instance, his trail running gave him the ability to change directions suddenly, and his uphill wind sprints provided explosive acceleration. His endurance training gave him a massive advantage in the fourth quarter, when his opponents were exhausted.

Mental Toughness and Independence
Another critical aspect of Rice’s success was his mental toughness. While he had the support of coaches and trainers, much of his work was done independently, especially in the off-season. He didn’t rely on external motivation; he was driven by an internal desire to be the best.

And let’s not forget the sheer grit involved. Rice’s workouts weren’t fun; they were grueling, often painful, and required pushing through physical and mental barriers. But these were the activities that forged his greatness.

Defying the Odds
Rice also defied the conventional limits of age. The average NFL player’s career ends in their twenties, but Rice played until age forty-two, an almost unheard-of feat for a wide receiver, a position that demands speed, agility, and the ability to endure brutal hits.

Applying Deliberate Practice to Singer-Songwriting
So, that’s football. Singer-Songwriting is different, of course. But the principles of deliberate practice are universal. Whether it’s honing your songwriting skills, mastering an instrument, or refining your vocal technique, the key to success lies in how you practice.

Are you simply going through the motions, or are you pushing yourself to improve with every session? The opportunities for deliberate practice are there— it's up to you to seize them.

The path to mastery in any field is paved with deliberate, purposeful practice. Jerry Rice’s story is a powerful reminder that greatness is not just about talent but about the relentless pursuit of improvement. So, as you work towards becoming the best Singer Songwriter you can be, remember the lessons from one of the greatest athletes of all time: work hard, work smart, and never stop striving for excellence. 

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PS from PS— Stop! Apologizing! Damn It! [Rant Warning] 

My wife and I were out at a local bar the other night. A guy was playing to the full bar of people. Mostly who were ignoring him. He was singing covers. Katie and I were pretty much the only people applauding when he finished a song.

What led to my rant was that every couple of numbers, he'd apologize to the audience for inserting one of his original songs amidst the covers. 

When he took a break, he came over to us. He thanked us for our applause. We chatted a bit and he learned I was in the music business. I asked him why in hell he apologized for playing an original song. What was up with his asking the audience if that was okay?

He offered a few lame excuses— honestly, I wasn't listening— they boiled down to his thoughts the covers were way better than his stuff.

I'm a lover. Not a fighter. Which is why I didn't punch him in the mouth. Besides he had the second half of his set to perform.

Instead, I told him— softly as not to embarrass him but loud enough so he got the message— STOP! APOLOGIZING! DAMN IT! I said he should introduce singing his own songs with the backstory of why he wrote it... What it was about... And what it meant to him. I made him promise.

He went back up on stage and started playing again. After a couple of covers— one by George Strait, one from Jimmy Buffet— he looked over at me. Took a deep breath (which made me laugh). And started to tell a simple story about how he met his wife. That he was inspired to write this next song about her.... And for her.

He sang his song. Not the greatest song I've ever heard, but his heart was in it and we all heard that. At the end, many— like many— more people applauded. He smiled over at me.  

And an amazing thing happened. During his next three songs, each time he stopped singing, people were getting up and going to the front of the stage dropping bills into his tip jar. I heard a couple of them ask if the original song he sang about his wife was on one of the two CDs he had for sale by the door.

At the end of his second set, he came by our table and asked if he could by Katie and me a drink. He told me he'd sold out all 12 CDs he'd brought with him— the most he'd ever sold. On a good night, he'd usually sell two. I did the math: $15 per jewel case that's $180. I asked and he told me the bar paid him $75 plus food and a few beers for the night. I didn't ask what the tips amounted to. What do you suppose? Another $25. $50 maybe?

He told us he'll be back next week. He asked me to come out and see the whole of his show. He actually offered to buy me dinner if I did. I told him
I'd be happy to come. Not to buy me dinner. And bring more CDs. 

After Thought: We never exchanged names. And that's nuts!

After After Thought; Went back. He didn't show. Yeah, well...

Until we speak again...

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