-fuser+

Albert Einstein said,

“Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.”

It is said that in order to be a master at something you must first put in 10,000/hrs of work into it. Not sure if I am anywhere near that  number yet, but I sure hope I am becoming a master at something, or somewhat good at my passion.

What I have done is pay some dues in the process though. I’ve traveled 100′s of miles across the country to put on a show and get a slice of pizza for my efforts. I’ve played in bars for a crowd of 5 people, 3 of which were my friends, and 2 were just random attendees and they were too drunk to pay attention. I’ve rehearsed a set list of 15+ songs, 4 days straight to get a muffin and a coke as payment for my work.  I’ve recorded multiple songs and projects  in bad ass studios and have also spent days in studios where the vocal booth was in the bathroom. One of the coolest things I have ever done was recording a full record and giving 100% of the proceeds for a humanitarian effort in Cambodia. That changed my life!

Paying dues is inevitable. It never stops. For every level of success there are dues to pay to keep climbing the ladder.  It’s part of the process of growing as an artist and a professional. Being in a new city comes with newer dues to pay too. It can be frustrating and discouraging  at first, because everyone thinks you started playing music yesterday, when in fact you’ve been on a journey for quite some time with a track record of dues already paid. It comes with the territory my friends. But if you focus and keep doing what you’re doing consistently with integrity and tons of patience, it will happen. Alot of the back story goes unnoticed, but it eventually rises to the top and takes you with. I remember the good ol days of a secure  big job w/benefits, money in the bank to play with, a nice big house, and tons of toys… Now we’re kinda broke, in a small Nashville apartment, with outdated toys…but we’re getting closer to our dreams and we’re excited in the process.  I wouldn’t change a thing!!!  If you’re in similar shoes, keep  your chin up  and keep on! Every Due you’re paying is accounted for upstairs and it will pay off in the long run.

Have you put in 10,000 hrs yet? Tell me about it!

-fuser+

Focus! Focus on the lyric with most potential. Focus on the melody that keeps looping in your head. Focus on the chorus that makes your life feel like a movie soundtrack. Focus on your strength. Too many times we walk away from our strongest efforts to save those not ready for the public eye or ear. But if you focus on your strengths, it is inevitable… In due time, your weakest ideas will gain momentum and rise to the top. Often times your strength is someone else’ weakness and vice versa.  That is where collaboration is a beautiful thing! Focus on what you know, rather then beating yourself up for what you don’t.

It’s not about knowing everything, it’s about doing something with what you know. Fuerza!

-fuser+

Barrio:

1: a ward, quarter, or district of a city or town in a Spanish-speaking country


2: a Spanish-speaking quarter or neighborhood in a city or town in the United States especially in the Southwest

In the Barrio everyone has a responsiblity.

In the Barrio everyone knows what goes on.

In the Barrio everyone is accounted for.

In the Barrio there are no secrets.

In the Barrio we protect our own, but welcome all.

In the Barrio we celebrate life and mourn  the loss of innocence.

In the Barrio working is a priority.

In the Barrio music and dance is a gift.

In the Barrio wisdom was found in Abuelo and Abuela.

In the Barrio we are all God’s children.

In the Barrio it is always about community.

In the Barrio coffee and street parties are sacred.

In the Barrio though we  appeared to be different,  in the street we were all the same.

In the Barrio__________________?

What was your Barrio like growing up?

-fuser+

Give PROPS to those who have been out there writing and performing. PROPS to those who are grinding it out for the sake of passion. PROPS to those who have paved the way for new artists like yourself. Giving PROPS always returns to you 10-fold. Soon enough you’ll be put on a bill in your city to share what you have to say. My gut feeling says you’d love to sing and perform to a full  room full of people supporting your musical journey, rather then a crowd of strong opinionated voices wondering why you are on stage and not them. Right?

Stay true to what you do. Your art will find it’s home.

-fuser+

Sometimes I sit back and over analyze things.  Sometimes I wonder if there is other Raza in East Nashville? Sometimes I look around the room at 3Crow and wonder what life is like for the strangers all around me. Are they singers, writers, actors?  I always hear of all these picture perfect family trees. Father was a touring musician and now you happen to be a touring musician. Parents were both Doctors and now you are on your way of becoming a Doctor. Father was a Pastor and a preacher and now you inherited the pulpit. Or maybe you were given an inheritance worth 2 life times. My parents came to Chicago with the clothes on their back, worked in factories and city jobs just to make ends meet. They never really said I could be anything I put my mind to. They never really told me to dream. They never really knew I loved music till I was about 18.  They did teach me one thing. It takes hard work and dedication to be successful at anything you put your mind to. Even tougher when you are a latino.  Tough love was the only love I knew…

When I came to Nashville I was warned of the overwhelming amount of singers and songwriters that are here. I was told one of 2 things would happen, I will either work my tail off and become the best songwriter/artist I can be or I will quit. I knew I needed to be in a city where art and music flourishes and dreamers dream the impossible.  I would be lying if i said I don’t get intimated by the amazing talent here in Nashville, but as a song writer myself, I believe I have something worth sharing thru my music. Something happens in a town like this though… You can easily be swallowed in the status quo culture that exists amongst a few. In Chi town that gets old, I am sure it does here to… You’re cool by who you know and not so much by what you can offer.  I realize that sometimes you need to know the right people to enter the music ent/social pipeline but I truly believe the best ground work for a successful artistic career is staying true to YOU.  Don’t buy into the hype nor lose yourself to it. Be who you are and create what is in your mind, heart and soul.  I enjoy being inspired by those who have worked hard and have overcome the challenges of being a new artist. I always reach out to those that are influencing our culture today in hopes that I can learn… Some will reach back out, frankly others don’t give a crap…

I don’t have a glamorous background nor a wealthy family tree but I do have  simple dream. A dream I’ve carried inside  since I can remember. Growing  up in the Pilsen  was pretty tough on the soul. It was hard to dream, but I knew inside there is always something more then the hood.  I’ve been blessed with some amazingly talented and genuine individuals that have encouraged  me & my crew on this new journey in Nashville. With just a year into Nashville, I was ready to bail on why we came here in the first place. But I am forever grateful for the friendships that continue to pour life into who we are as creatives here in Nashville. I’m also grateful for those who haven’t given me the time of day! You are the fuel that keeps me going.  I wouldn’t have it any other way…

For all the young artists out there in pursuit of a dream like myself, don’t be discouraged nor afraid. Do what you do best! You may feel lost in the city where you dream, but it’s meant to be that way for a season. You can’t find something that isn’t lost. I’ve been knocking on the wrong doors and hitting up the wrong crowd… As long as you do the work of creating, sometimes you just gotta let God orchestrate your steps and the people that are meant to be part of your journey.  It really works out better that way. I am learning that as I go. I am so glad to be lost in the city of Nashville! I love this town.

Hasta la Victoria Siempre…

-fuser+

-fuser+

What is something you will always have at your place?

As I wrestled with the idea of leaving my hometowm Chicago in 2007, my Dad’s words were the deciding factor. He said, “just close your eyes and go”. The only way I was going to find out if there was more to my life and my family was by taking a chance, and I did.

Yesterday when I picked up my boys from school Zion met me at the door of his classroom and showed me the amazing work of art he made. In “that moment” It felt as if Zion’s simple art piece spoke into my soul.  There is always more! There is always something new to be made! There is always a brand new day!

I am learning to stop measuring my future by my past. I am learning to stop comparing myself to who I was 5 yrs ago, to who I am today.  I am learning to think with a fresh approach, work with a blank canvas, and work my a$$ off for the life of my dreams, the life God designed for me and my crew to live. We can talk all day long about how screwed our past is, and why we don’t deserve _______________,  and for what!?  But we can talk about, where do we go from here?

So today I remind YOU! Your routine is temporary, but you gotta work for your dreams! Your past is done and over with.  You were created for more than that. So because of that I give you the Bird! It is a new day.

Has anyone given you the bird lately? Tell me about it!

-fuser+

What is your favorite detail in Reina’s Design Model?

-fuser+