Carol Kaye

I am a bassist. This is of course, one of my chosen professions. The other being a business owner.  Now that I am retired from the Chicago Police Department, a great part of my day, any day, is spent either practicing new music, in rehearsals or racing  with equipment in tow to get to my next gig.

No matter what a musician will tell you, the fun and delight of music is not in the lugging of amplifiers, instruments and suitcases. But, all is forgiven when on stage tuned up and ready to rock. And oh, by the way, I have yet to get a good grasp on the jitters that accompany each performance. Some how it just comes with the territory.

Once you get on stage though, the whole thing just seems to come together. Playing with competent musicians helps. Embracing that energy that comes when you are playing the music that you love, with the musicians you admire, and watching the reaction of the faces and bodies of those you have come to entertain is definitely what its all about.

And since I am a bassist, I decided to blog on one of artists that I consider a mentor in my line of work. I am choosing to blog about an artist who could be considered the “First Lady of Bass,”  Ms. Carol Kaye.

Ms. Kaye, according to her biography was born March 24,1935 in  Everett, Washington. Her parents were professional musicians. Carol, herself has played and taught guitar professionally since 1949. She is considered a both a session musician and teacher. Her students include some of today’s bass legends.

She has worked with the likes of  Michel LeGrand, Quincy Jones, Elmer Bernstein, Lalo Schifrin, David Rose, David Grusin, Ernie Freeman, Hugo Montenegro, Leonard Rosenman, John Williams, Alfred & Lionel Newman, as well as The Beach Boys, Phil Spector, The Doors,  the late Richie Valens, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Leon Russell, Sonny and Cher, Barbara Streisand, Frank Zappa, Tina Turner, Johnny Mathis and the list is endless.
 The story goes that In 1963 when a Fender bassist didn't show up for a record date at Capitol Records, she picked up the Fender bass and grew quickly to be the no. 1 call with record companies, movie & TV film people, commercials (ads), and industrial films.

 According to her biography, beginning in 1969, she wrote her first of many bass tutoring books, "How To Play The Electric Bass" effectively changing the name of Fender Bass to Electric Bass.

Carol has given many seminars all over the USA. She has won numerous awards.  She is also a leader in Electric Bass education.

Several years ago, I had the near privilege of meeting Ms. Kaye in person at  NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. Every year NAMM is the place to be if you are in the music industry. Held in California, you can catch some of the best new equipment and instruments; and run into some of the largest names in the industry. 

I was scheduled to attend the event with a friend of mine, who is also in the business and Carol Kaye was going to be featured.  I missed my flight and missed a tremendous opportunity to see one of my idols in person. 

If it is the last thing I do, I am going to try to meet  and interview the legendary bassist, Carol Kaye. 

References

https://www.carolkaye.com/www/biography/index.htm

Nash_Sandy_Business Storytelling Tues 11 Mar 14

I was impressed by entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk’s Ted.com  Best of the Web speech entitled, Do What You Love, No Excuses!   With  Gary’s topic  I am reminded of how I was certainly  inspired by the late Randy Pausch’s plea before an audience at Carnegie Mellon  before his own death from cancer several years ago. Pausch’s heartfelt diatribe still resonates in my soul.

Randy also has a video on Ted.com. I was privy however, to have been directed to his full-length speech on YouTube.  His life’s story and discovery still leaves me in tears.

You see, I like motivational speeches, positive spiels that get me thinking and moving.  I seek out motivational speeches that help rid me of self-doubt and negativity. Motivational speeches that direct me to fulfill my life’s passion are always for me just what the doctor ordered. 

For me, these “pep talks” re-energize and reinvigorate my spirit and psyche.  So each time I have encountered Randy Pausch’s message, I just want to thank him for not only having the courage to follow his dreams but to also firmly encouraged the rest of us to return to that child-like sense of wonder so buried underneath the “adult life” each of us has felt compelled to live instead.

But sadly, Randy is no longer with us. This still  makes me  a little unhinged. I loved his message though. I just don’t love the fact that he succumbs to that dreaded disease , cancer.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel in this blog entry, however. Upon reviewing the Best of Ted, I came across another speaker who speaks with Pausch’s message to us with energy, theatrics, humor and a slight bit of vulgarity just to spice everything up.

That person of course is no other than Gary Vaynerchuk.  Gary is a real character. He  is co-founder and CEO of a social media brand consulting agency, video blogger, co-owner and director of operations of a wine retail store. Gary is also an author and public speaker.  Gary says in his own words that  he is “just a guy that loves the hustle, people, wine and the NY Jets.”  His delivery becomes especially kinetic when he talks about the passion he has for his wine. I find his energy when he is talking about this subject, if you will excuse the obvious pun, “intoxicating.”

His enthusiastic motivational spiel of, Do What You Love, No Excuses! on Ted.com returns my spirit to why today I am  taking  risks and pursuing my passions (music, the arts, and multimedia).  And unlike Randy, unfortunately,  Gary is very much alive. But just like Randy Pausch’s message, Gary intuitively knows we have just this one life and we need to stop giving it away doing things we hate just to appear grown up and to return to creating happier lives for ourselves by doing what we love.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Vaynerchuk

http://garyvaynerchuk.com/vip/

http://www.ted.com/talks/gary_vaynerchuk_do_what_you_love_no_excuses

Nash_Sandy_Industry Blog Post

I am an artist manager

 

 I negotiate while my artist creates. 

I am an artist manager.

I get up early, I stay late, that is if I go to bed at all.   You, my artist are my top priority, my primary concern. Where to stay, where to perform? Do not worry you just create.

I am an artist manager.

You say you like some perks added to your room?  Just rest your vocal cords. Take a hot bath. I have got that covered soon.

I am an artist manager.

For you my client, I keep up with the latest technology, the new competition and the most recent trends.  It is my job to let the industry know how great you are and just how great you’ve been.

I am an artist manager.

I am never condescending. I am always your friend. I share your creative vision. I will market it until the end.

 I am an artist manager.

I will listen when you say you’re lonely. I will cry when you’re in misery. I will strive to keep you happy. I will help to keep the demons away.  I just want you to create.

I am an artist manager.

I will cheer you on like a brand new fan. I will offer you a critique or two whenever I can.

I am an artist manager.

And about the money, I have that covered too. I negotiate and negotiate to bring the right amount to you.

I am an artist manager


 Cause I know if you’re not  performing, happy and staid, neither of us get paid.  

 I am an artist manager.

I will be that sounding board that you need or your home away from home. I am like a great marriage partner without the marriage license.  I just want you to perform.  

 I am an artist manager.

I will be the best I can be, because I represent the best that there is.


I am an artist manager.

More About Me

I am in the business of providing music and multimedia entertainment across the globe and well into infinity.  Most ambitious people say, “The sky’s the limit,” I say,  “I have NO limits.”  I strive to be an industry force.

My ultimate goal is to leave a lasting, positive footprint and legacy on the entertainment world; be it as a performer, artist manager, business owner or humanitarian.

I want my name and my company’s name to be synonymous with efficiency, excellence, integrity, humanity, elegance and innovation.

Moreover, I feel it important to give back to my community and my world. I have always contributed to the success of art, music and theater enabling those less fortunate to delight in the experiences that I was privileged to have in my own life.

"My faith suggests that, I cannot be totally happy if unhappiness exists anywhere in the world. Anywhere evil exists, beauty must prevail.” (This quote was composed by me, Friday 06 Dec 13).

About Me

Performing bassist/percussionist. Artist Manager/Promoter.  Entrepreneur. Business owner. Labor Negotiator. Philanthropist. Swimmer. Retired Chicago Police Officer (25years). World Traveler. Computer literate. Social Media Savvy. Nichiren Buddhist. Avid Reader. Horseback rider.  Animal lover. Sports Enthusiast. Lover and financial supporter of Live Theater.  Financial supporter, attendee and performer at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Lover of music, fine dining and art. Creative. Tenacious. Charismatic. Possess Integrity. Inquisitive. Self Motivated. Generous.  Kind. I work well with others. A leader.  Great Communication skills.  Visionary. Connoisseur. Creative Genius. World Traveled. Multitasker. Perfectionist. Multifaceted. Multidimensional. Humanistic. Purveyor of all things masterful and beautiful. Brilliant. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement Management. I have completed Master’s Courses in Criminal Justice. Member of Alpha Phi Sigma.  I am pursing a Master of Science Degree in Entertainment Business Management. Member Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7. Member of the Retired Police Association.  Member of NAPW.  I am Nichiren Buddhist. I am truly a Renaissance person!

I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunities and experiences I have. I mean this from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to the future. I am positive, upbeat, grateful and humbled by all of the beauty life possesses.