The Importance of Being Connected to a Good Crew.

I remember the first time I knew I wanted to be a Rock Star. I was 10 years old and I was watching either Midnight  Special or American Bandstand and there was a woman singing. I don't remember exactly what song she wads signing, but I do remember how she looked and how it made me feel. She had long brown, straight hair almost down to her butt. She wore a white glittery dress and heels. I was amazed by her voice; the range, the power, the feeling. Her presence dominated the stage. As I listened to her sing, I was overwhelmed with emotion and it felt like water running through my blood stream. I had never felt this feeling before and only hoped that I would feel it again. It was at the moment that I knew I wanted to have this kind of power to make others feel the way she made me feel. From that moment on I started singing and making music. My parents told me I could anything I set my mind to so when I said I wanted to play guitar and sing, my mother bought me my first guitar and a tape recorder for Christmas. I started listening and playing my guitar to records. Since I was born, I remember hearing music of all types; country music from Glen Campbell and Bobby Gentry; soul music from Little Anthony and The Imperials; girl groups like the Chiffons; songbirds Laura Nero and Labelle; rock music by The Beatles; pop music by the Jackson 5 and The Osmonds. Many years later I am still as passionate and thrilled about my music.
Unfortunately having a dream in and or itself is not enough to make it come true. I cite my evolution from amateur to professional singer the day I was first paid to sing. There would be many payments, opportunities, merch sales and tips since that day in 1987 and part of my success and continued growth has come from being part of a "good crew". A good crew is a few people who you can share your dreams and hopes with and they with you. You support and encourage each other and share resources, opportunities and information. Your crew mates are honest with you and respectful of you. You and your crew mates share a vision and mutual ambition around your goals. Good crew mates believe in you even when you have difficulty believing in yourself. Good crew members stick together in good and bad times.
In order to be connected to a good crew, one needs to be a good crew member. No one succeeds by themselves and for every success I experienced, for every lesson learned, for every fear I overcame, there was someone beside me all the way.