By Ron FlatowAll of us at some point in time have encountered people that have either rolled their eyes or made critical comments when it came to other people chasing after their dreams of stardom, success and glamour. And while it is a small portion of people that do achieve that type of icon status, being able to recognize weather you’re stroking your own ego or that you truly have talents that can be fine tuned really means being honest with yourself. I didn’t want to go through life wondering “What if”. So I followed my dreams and met, rubbed elbows with and shared small chatter with some of my idol’s along the way, and while I didn’t attain that icon status or stardom. I did however receive something much better. Experience, knowledge and support! Part of achieving your dreams is believing in yourself and having a positive support system around you, being persistent in your chosen craft, networking and above all things staying focused are very important.
When I was in my late teens and early twenties my heart and mind were filled with the desire to be involved in some capacity of the entertainment field. So I began my search to learn where I fit in, and for me that meant some form of music and writing. I was intrigued by artists and performers so I attended audio recording school and received a certificate on the basic levels. And while I found it very interesting I also found it to be too technical especially the engineering part, though the idea of being an engineer and music producer in a recording studio could have been very intriguing and I definitely felt my own creative abilities being stimulated however even with my networking ability it was due to my lack of experience that the door just never truly opened and intuitively I knew it wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing.
I then chose broadcasting school as the next possibility and received a diploma, but this too didn’t click. The thought of sitting there as either a broadcast announcer or DJ for hours on end came across as boring. So I decided to try my hand at a different type of DJ work. I went out and bought two SL1200 turn tables and a mixing board and began practicing how to blend or segway from one record to another. I collected all types of dance records and familiarized myself with the BPM on songs. Ironically I connected with a DJ as a crew hand that did all kinds of parties for wealthy clients and it was during one event in the DC area that I got to meet and get photographs with celebrity figures by just walking up to them and asking directly. It was kind of a rush for me at the time and it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Unfortunately the DJ gig didn’t last too long and it was at this point in time that I took a hiatus from trying to be involved in the entertainment field and started to re-evaluate the direction of my life by writing out my thoughts and began pouring my heart out onto paper. It was also around the same time that I got back into doing martial arts or more specifically Taekwondo which I found to be a great outlet for stress.
By 1989 I had compiled enough poetry and lyrics to complete two books along with jotting ideas down for short stories and decided to do a complete reversal from what I had been doing and become more involved with the creative process rather than the technical one. And pondered the idea of being a songwriter, there was only one problem, I was not a musician. So while I have had no formal training as a musician in order to compensate I would search out groups and performers to collaborate in partnership with in similarity to Elton John and Bernie Taupin arrangement. I went to clubs and pubs through-out Long Island carrying my book of lyrics and handing out business cards which proudly displayed me as a Lyricist. I also started attending music networking conferences which also gave me the opportunity as an independent free agent for musicians whom really didn’t know anything about networking or how to get their song material to A & R Executives.
In 1990 I met one performer at what was known as the OBI in Oak Beach his name was Steve Fredericks. He had a style that reminded me of James Taylor very easy listening. I developed a friendship with him and we collaborated on one song which he really brought to life. The song title “A New Day is Here”. Unfortunately as time went on Steve’s style changed to a more progressive rock while mine has always been southern country and british rock and rock ballads along with easy listening sounds.
Another group I was interested in was Monarch which reminded me of Zebra. Monarch broke up after about six months. And while the manager of the group was interested in collaborating it just never came to fruition.
Then there was The Michael Schultz band. A friend told me about this group and their style was definitely along the southern rock sound of what I was looking for. Unfortunately some members didn’t get along and eventually they too broke up. However Michael and I did collaborate and complete a love song out of my collection titled “Santina”.
It was at this point in 1991 that I realized if I was going to have any chance at being a professional songwriter or for that matter being recognized as someone whom has strong writing possibilities I was going to have to invest my own money and create songs in the studio. It also meant I was going to have to start networking in New York City and not Long Island. So I became a member of the Songs writers Guild and The Songwriters Hall of Fame in NYC. I attended weekly meetings and went to workshops and became a networking hound.
I attended The Songwriters Guild Pro-Shop which was always an inspiration for many up and coming talented artists. Ms. Ruckert the Pro-Shop facilitator always provided networking opportunities on a constant basis by hosting events at her studio and other locations. She would constantly be bringing in well known artists as guests for her students. On one occasion Diane Schur the Jazz Singer came to her studio and played the piano, sang and answered questions for us. She had just completed a collaborated album with BB King and shared one of the master tracks with us; this material hadn’t even made the radio play list yet.
During another networking party I got the chance to meet and talk with many music executives and performers. One person owned Platinum Music Network which afforded me further opportunities to really connect with many well known celebrities, music executives and talent agents. I cherished every encounter and drank these meetings up like an elixir and didn’t get caught up in the excitement, and received many business cards and direct phone numbers as a result from talent scouts. The only thing I needed now was completed song material and it was during this time that I became involved with two other music projects. There is an old saying that nothing happens by accident. Like being in the right place at the right time with right situation and knowing the right people.
In the later part of 1992 I was still doing martial arts when an opportunity was presented to me from the school’s owner. They wanted a competition song for a world taekwondo championship in 1993. I was then introduced to a fellow student by the name of Frank who was also a musician. The Irony of this situation became more and more intriguing because everything that followed became synchronized. Frank and I went out to a number of clubs where he introduced me to musicians he personally knew. One in particular was Joe Cruz who after a small conversation put me in touch with his brother Luis an engineer producer. Luis and I clicked immediately and after Frank and I completed the specialty song we brought it to Luis for touch ups.
At the same time that this taekwondo song was being created I attended another music conference\and connected with A/R executive who had a surprising connection that I would learn about later after the conference.
It was a few days after the event that I met with Luis regarding the taekwondo song. Upon our meeting I conveyed my excitement about who I met at the conference Luis then told me that the executive I met was his agent of fifteen years and made a quick phone call for me. At that moment the only thing that went through my mind was total gratitude, the synchronicities that kept occurring were amazing, and Luis understood this too. Again being in the right place at the right time with right situation and knowing the right people. While I did receive a co-publishing agreement and the song did debut at the Garden in NYC It did not however make it to mass media. Was I disappointed, a little bit. But there was a flip side to this too. I had opened doors that were once closed. I now had access to music executives that would answer my phone calls and listen to my music projects, and that was ok.
Frank then introduced me to “Big White Noise” a two man band with guitarists Dave Noyes and Jimmy Sarle. Sarle was also the guitarist for Johnny Maestro. Their material was hot. And while I didn’t collaborate with them I was however able act as an agent and present their demo to a number of A/R conferences which did get the attention from many other A & R resources. Unfortunately “Big White Noise” had not created more than a three song demo. And their schedule to create more just could not come together.
Then in 1994 I was working on a demo that was being considered for a movie plug and while the writer of the movie was impressed the producer and actor chose to use his own people.
It was definitely an interesting time as well as a learning experience. Realistically the only constant set back is not being a musician. This is an old saying use the resources that you have rather than the ones you don’t. And I have utilized every opportunity and meeting granted to me. Although at present it has been a very long time since being involved in any form of the music other than pleasure. However I have not given up hope simply because opportunities always happen when you least expect them. If you give up on your dreams then you give up on yourself. Our dreams are what define us. The essence of innocence and creativity that connects us to our inner child, at least that’s how I view it. For now I have a regular job like everyone else. Interestingly the internet has opened opportunities for me to present those old music projects as well as my old and new writing ideas. I hold no grudges to anyone because each project was a great learning experience for me. Some projects get used and some don’t and they end up in storage until they can be used in some other fashion.
It was definitely an interesting time as well as a learning experience. Realistically the only constant set back is not being a musician. This is an old saying use the resources that you have rather than the ones you don’t. And I have utilized every opportunity and meeting granted to me. Although at present it has been a very long time since being involved in any form of the music other than pleasure. However I have not given up hope simply because opportunities always happen when you least expect them. If you give up on your dreams then you give up on yourself. Our dreams are what define us. The essence of innocence and creativity that connects us to our inner child, at least that’s how I view it. For now I have a regular job like everyone else. Interestingly the internet has opened opportunities for me to present those old music projects as well as my old and new writing ideas. I hold no grudges to anyone because each project was a great learning experience for me. Some projects get used and some don’t and they end up in storage until they can be used in some other fashion.
Ironically I went back into storage for my demo’s and created them into mp3 format so I could use on the internet, what was old is new again. Like I said earlier opportunities come in many forms. I will truly never have to say “What if”.
At present I am putting a Christmas song together with a friend associated with a course in miracles.
At present I am putting a Christmas song together with a friend associated with a course in miracles.
Fast Forward – Various Artists
