TERRYBOZZIO.COM FAQ's....................

A-1.
There is no "one way" to make it in the music biz. If you ask 20 successful musicians, you'll get 20 different answers! And there are no guarantees that if you do anything and everything you can, that you will get the result that you want! So check your motives and be careful what you wish and work for-because you might just get it!

The way I look at it is this: you have to enjoy the process of what you are doing-because that might be all you get. I've been somewhat rich and famous with Missing Persons and was never more miserable. So ask yourself, "Why do I want to play music?" If the answer is anything but "for the sheer enjoyment of it-and to share it with those willing to listen to it," you may be in for a disappointment.

Having said that, there are a few philosophical things that might help: First, be absolutely clear about your goals. Do you want to be a studio musician, rock, jazz, or country musician? Do you want a sideman gig, do you want to play original music in a band, do you want a job in a symphony???

Second, simplify and focus on what you can do now, just for today to work toward your goal - little things - and do one little thing at a time.

Now, from a practical stand point, consider the following: Be pro-active, take control of what you can.

1) Practice. There is very little resistance to anyone who really plays great. Consider studying privately, at a university or a music school. Read books and magazines about your musical interests. Listen to everything, but listen consciously and critically.

2) Network. Get out there and play, jam, or sit in with others as much as you can. Word of mouth spreads fast and one thing leads to another. Join the Musicians Union, Musicians contact services, go to clubs, rehearsal complexes, music stores, watch for ads and auditions in local papers.

3) Bands or individuals should write, rehearse and record their own CDs Take advantage of cheap, high quality technology that was unheard of 5-10 years ago that make it possible to do a great sounding recording at home. Then pursue local college radio and record stores to play it and sell it on consignment.

4) If you work a "day job" realize the musical freedom you have, compared to a professional musician who might have to play some horrible gig he or she does not want to play, just to make money! Sometimes an attitude change like this can make a big difference in your creativity. You probably have your basic financial needs covered, and have evenings and weekends free to do anything musically you want, without commercial restrictions.

5) Try as best you can to be original. We all get sucked in by the latest fads & trends, or a favorite band's latest recording. If you get too influenced by these things its obvious to the listeners and management/record/radio people you are trying to get interested in you that you are just trying to do the last thing that was popular.

6) Try to get along with others that you work with. Nobody likes to work with people who are undependable, insensitive, negative, control freaks, incompetent, egotistic, selfish, neurotic, lacking a sense of humor, disrespectful, dishonest, talk too much, or smell bad! If you are already working with someone who fits any of the above, you may want to ask yourself if it's worth it musically, financially, prestigiously or otherwise.

7)Don't burn bridges. Try to secure your next career or employment move before canceling your current one, and when you move on, try to do it honestly and remain on good terms. You never know when you might need a former colleague's help.

8) Ride the "roller coaster". That's what my mom told me the life of a musician is like - and I think she's right! Exhilarating highs, exciting twists & turns, devastating lows, and those long slow climbs back up. No one can be working, creative, successful, admired and in demand all the time. We all have periods of transition, depression, insecurity, frustration, etc. where nothing seems to be happening. Don't think that you are the only one that goes through this. I myself, and every other human being in every walk of life, no matter how successful they appear to be, has to go through this too. The times where nothing seems to be happening are actually periods of subconscious activity and growth, or a sort of cosmic alignment where things you are going to be doing or people you are going to be working with are all coming around to the time and place that it's going to happen. So don't force it. Sometimes it's best to take advantage of these times for friends, family, hobbies, and other enjoyable activities.

A-2:
There are only two ways I know of to get an endorsement.
1) Be a really good drummer, and
2) Be a really famous drummer! (the two are not always interchangeable!)
You see, it's not about how you can get free gear or an ad to promote you in a magazine. It's about how you can help a manufacturer sell it's products! To do that you have to be a drummer that has credibility by being an accomplished artist/craftsman in his or her field or by being a current popular success so that you or your band has the name recognition that would be an asset to a company by affiliation with it's product. That way hopefully all the young drummers or want-to-be drummers who like your band will buy the same kind of stuff you use! (Just like I did when I was a kid - my 1st kit was a Ludwig because that's what Ringo played!)

Now, there are levels of endorsements from a discount or a one time "gift" of some product, to a mention in an ad with up and coming drummers, to a full blown endorsement, but the criteria for getting any of the above remains the same! Be good or be famous! You can be a good drummer playing in a top 40 gig or local band that is not well known and if a rep. from a company sees you, and knows you can play and you are someone to keep an eye on, you'll get some kind of endorsement! On the other hand, you can be a very weak drummer and not be able to put a backbeat in the same place twice in a row, but if you are on TV or the radio and in a band selling records, I guarantee you'll get an endorsement!!!

It's the same for teachers or educators as well - good or famous! A lousy teacher with a large clientele of students can get an endorsement because of the exposure to young potential buyers. A good teacher with less of a roster can too, because of his credibility.

So, I feel that it is best to be asked-I don't want to be discouraging, but the companies I work with get thousands of tapes from drummers who want "free gear" and most of them don't have much to offer in return. Ask yourself, "What can I do to be of service to this company - to help them sell their products?" If you are good or have a level of notoriety, believe me, they will find you!!!

A-3:
I do a series of yoga postures and stretching first and If I have very little time to warm up that's all I do. Stretching not only loosens ,tones and warms the muscles but releases Nor-Adrenaline into your system. This is not the "fight or flight" type of adrenaline, but a type which promotes alertness.

Then if I have time, I do different hand and foot exercises to warm up the "playing muscles". I try to always practice something I don't know how to do-to work on a weak spot in my technique or coordination. These areas you will have to discover for yourself, but by challenging your mind with a new and difficult sticking pattern or hand-foot combination you will warm up the most important "playing muscle"!!!-And added benefits are learning something new, and focusing so hard on it that you virtually lessen "pre-show anxiety".