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 There's a time for everything. A time for work and play...a time for struggle and progress. If you're in the entertainment field there is a time to practice and to perfect your craft. If you are successful in moving units and creating a strong buzz, chances are that you will enjoy your time in the mainstream lime light or have success as an independent artist.
As we consider that...when should an artist make the decision to let go of their dream of making it big in the industry and just settle for that 9 - 5 ?
When is it time to quit and move on...
Trends in the music industry are unpredictable. So even if you have a hot song, a great CD and are the hottest thing to hit the stage in your area doesn't mean you will get the chance to drive Bentleys, wear iced-out jewelry and pop bottles. Nor will it guarantee you a spot to socialize with industry moguls, models and misfits. Simply put, you might never make it into Jay Z's office or be the subject in Diddy's board room meeting. You may never get that major label deal or even come close to having a decent independent career through sales of your product and paid performances.
Do you have a chance at being signed? One thing to consider is that most artists who belong to major record labels usually get signed somewhere between the ages of 18 - 25. They usually have some time invested in their career before that through performances and possibly professional training. If you are considerably older or a late bloomer in the field of which you want to be successful, you should give serious thought to pursuing a different path.
If you've been doing your thing for a long time now (3-5 years or more) and still can't get the results you want, it may be time for you to call it quits. So how can you determine if its time to take a final definite break? Ask yourself these questions. Do you have a CD that people are willing to buy? Have you ever performed for a paying crowd? Do you have a fan base of people you don't know? If you are answering "No" to these, put some serious and objective thought into your next move.
If you cannot get people to buy tickets to a venue where you are performing, this may be a wake up call for you. If people observe you and say that you don't have a certain look for the industry, this may be a wake up call. Believe me, you do have to have the "look" first before you can sell what you do...this is very important and there are other things to consider as well.
If you are not able to get club play of your music by area DJ's (because they don't like it) or it seems that young people don't feel your brand of music...it might be a good idea to re-evaluate your next move.
Sometimes its hard to make the decision to let go of something you've wanted for a long time. But there are ways to stay involved by helping to support others who show promise. Maybe you can be of service to them by passing on knowledge and direction.
keep grindin'
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