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July 28, 2000 Young Artists Advice:
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Christina and Ron Fair |
Dreaming of a music career is only a first step. That dream and a nickel alone will get you five cents for a trip back home. You have to have the desire and the drive as well as the talent.
Almost every artist in the world dreams of being a pop star at one time or another. They watch MTV and VH1 and wish they could live just one week as Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez or even Kid Rock. If they're starting a band, their dream idols could be anyone from Korn to Garbage to No Doubt.
In either case, these thoughts usually start early in life and are the primary motivations for pursuing such a career. Many of us have even had music lessons crammed down our throats when we were young, but that doesn't exactly endear us to the learning process or make us want to continue in the music field. No, it's something else that causes a person to become musically proficient and want a career in the music business. It's called 'desire.'
According to Ron Fair, Senior VP of A&R at RCA Records, and the man who signed Christina Aguilera and rock act Lit, 'You can't expect it to come to you simply because you want it.' Throughout his 20 years in A&R, Fair has seen what it takes to make it in this business. And, once in a blue moon, an artist like Aguilera comes along, wins a Grammy and reinforces his beliefs. 'Christina is remarkable,' he says, 'but it didn't happen overnight for her and it wouldn't have happened at all if she didn't work at it. I don't know of anyone who's successful in this business who didn't work very hard at it. Those stars usually start long before they make it big.'
In fact, for all you young budding artists, Fair insists that the path forged by Aguilera is the perfect road to follow: 'Do everything you can, sing everywhere you can,' Fair says. 'Like Christina, when she was twelve, she was singing the National Anthem for all her hometown games. She was singing at every block party. She was going on every possible audition she could find out about. Her mom was cooperating. She was really dedicated to this ever since she was eight years old.'
The industry talent scout continues, 'So, if it's your dream, you also have to have the discipline to support that dream. That means when the other kids are going shopping, going to the mall, going to the movies, you're working on your dream. You're practicing your vocals, you're staring in a mirror with a hair brush, you're learning all the songs, all the words. Reading Billboard magazine, buying the records, listening to the records in a listening booth if you can't afford to buy them. Just living the dream and pointing yourself in that direction.'
- Bernard Baur