All of the people I look up to as mentors talked about "paying you dues".

To me, that means learning from the innovators, learning the history and background of the players and the styles AND learning your instrument.

Then, you do your best to add to the collection of knowledge...make your contribution, however small, with refinements to the general art form.

I'm like Chas. I want to work 6 nights, do studio 30 hours, travel 6 weeks a year overseas, do lots of sound scores AND
still run my research and graphics company.


There aren't enough days. As hard as it is for some of you diehards to understand, I love my day work and night work equally. There are some crossovers, of course (film scores, jingles, etc.).

Then, there's the old problem of "playing yourself out of a job"...playing at the cutting edge of the style or instrument, which means playing way over the heads of the audience.


The result:STARVATION!

Chas, we BOTH deserve to slow down. Believe me, when I hear one of your tracks/roughs, you do NOT have to feel guilty about not "Paying your dues". Feeling that you have to keep it up is admirable....ME, TOO!


Your friend,


Russ