Why I FAILED

About

If you continue to be frustrated in your attempts to live your dream, if you’re confused about the Music Industry, and if you’re ready to give up and get a job in the “Real World.”

Don’t just yet!

I know what you’re feeling because I’ve already been there. I’ve already failed, and that’s what this site is about. I want to share with you the lessons I’ve learned the hard way so you can reach your dreams and goals in the music business.

Take a look around, enjoy and feel free to contact me at any time.

Good luck,

About Me

My name is Steve Grossman and I failed as a professional musician.

Maybe failed is a strong word because for quite a while I did actually make my living playing drums. In the end however, my ultimate dreams never came true and I changed careers and got out of the Music Business.

For some of you that may sound awful, but now that the transition is behind me, I’m actually thrilled because of what I now know and what it can mean to you. See, I know why I failed in the music business and why you’re likely to fail too because I know you’re probably like I was: musically talented, and ignorant about business.

Music and Beyond
After growing up on Long Island, NY, I attended The University of North Texas to get a music degree. I had always known I wanted to be a musician and this was the sensible thing to do. During and after College I played in Top 40, Pop and Rock bands until an opportunity to play with a Nashville artist came along.

Once we moved to Nashville, I spent the next 7 or 8 years touring, playing locally and recording jingles and custom albums. This eventually led to the drum gig with the Epic Record’s band called The Gibson/Miller Band. That band was ALMOST famous. We never made it big, but we had numerous top 20 songs and videos, toured like crazy, won the Academy of Country Music’s New Group of The Year Award and even made a little money!

Then one day it was over and I was back to trying to make a living in Nashville. As you might guess, that didn’t go too well and over time I started thinking about what I might do next. Problem was, I had no IDEA what I could possibly do to support my family. Fortunately, I met up with some successful business people and asked for their advice. I went to business seminars and read all sorts of books on business, success, communication, people skills, finances and dozens of other topics that I had never thought about during my time in the music industry. Over time I actually started to have hope that I could actually do something else for a living besides hit drums. Scary but true!

But something else happened too.

Why I Failed
The more I learned, the more my music career, recording industry and my failures made sense. I realized that everything I was learning could have been applied to my career if I’d only known about them then. I realized that there was tons of information that was NEVER taught or shared with people in “The Arts”. After all, music is about talent! Why learn about people, communication, money or marketing?

I’m now convinced that these skills are essential to succeed in any field. The same principles and truths that dominate the “Real World dominate “The Arts” just as strongly. If you want to know these truths, and how to relate them to the pursuit of YOUR dreams, this is your site. It’s my hope to teach you a few things, open your eyes to some new ideas, link you with some people and information, and build a bridge between the people in “The Arts” and the knowledge found only in the “Real World”.

Enjoy your stay here and write me with questions, concerns or suggestions any time,

Best of luck with your dreams, and God Bless,

Steve

Recordings:
Out of the Grey - Out of the Grey
Gibson/Miller Band - Where There’s Smoke
Gibson/Miller Band - Red, White and Blue Collar
Kick In The Asphalt Band - No Bull
Blue Miller - Blue
John Cox - Sunny Day
Eli - And Now The News
India Arie - Acoustic Soul
India Arie - Voyage to India

Awards:
1993 Academy Of Country Music New
Group Of The Year — Gibson/Miller Band
2001 - 7 Grammy Award Nominations for
India Arie’s Acoustic Soul
2002 Grammy Award Winner - Best
Urban Contemporary Album for India
Arie’s Voyage to India

Touring:
Russ Taff
Kim Boyce
Paul Smith
Cody
Sweethearts of the Rodeo
Gibson/Miller Band
Kick In The Asphalt Band
Trisha Yearwood (for about 5 minutes…)
Sisters Wade
Charlie McClain
Shelby Lynne