Work in terms of performing has gone up, which I am so grateful for! It is a tough road out there and you really have to focus on what it is you can offer to your employer, its just not as simple as "I play music, so pay me". You have to work together to create the right atmosphere for all the events you play for, no matter if your doing a private event, corporate event, restaurant gig, winery gig, etc.  This is your professionalism taking on the challenges and working on a focused goal. 

I want to thank you for stopping by and visiting, please come by often as I will continue these blogs and adding new T.V./Film compositions. 

The new CD "U" is currently in the manufacturing stage

and is ready for its April 20th release!

I really want to thank all of you who have continued to

support the music, I am honored to present you new

music. This new CD has been life changing and I have

been humbled by this process, this is truly a window to

my soul.

If you haven't had the chance to preview, please visit

http://www.travisvega.com. Click the music page and

enjoy!!!

(Please email me any performance request)

Well I really can't express how happy I am to let you know

that in April I will be releasing my new CD "U". This project

was a joy to make and I want "U" to take a listen.....

Please visit http://www.travisvega.com/music.html 

to sample the new CD "U" before its release date.

Part 3: Work Ethic - Live Performance

As I type, I am going over the mixes to my new CD and being overly critical I am of my work, I do remember why I wrote and recording them. Because of the live performances, yep simple as that! Every song I write I take to the live stage in front of everyone and if you are not feeling it then guess what neither am I. I want to write and perform songs that the general audience can feel, you can expect to take away an emotion/feeling from ones musical inspiration and most artist try to achieve that, me being one of them. Which leads me to this installment of T.C.M. Part 3: Work Ethic - Live Performance......

It's safe to say all musicians are not the same, so don't treat us as if we are. The true professional is put to the test were all can see in a live performance situation. I am sure everyone has checked out the local weekend warriors playing at your favorite watering hole, or nowadays while sipping your favorite glass of wine at one of the many wine tasting rooms. With no intention to offend these battle worn warriors, this is not a great way for the listening audience to experience true "music/musician" professionalism, because at the end of the day its really not the goal for these brave soldiers to be making a living at music, its pretty much recapturing past glories of sorts?

The proof is in the pudding. Professionalism from the musicians perspective builds prior to any gig date, great communication skills in building your repore with local venues is key. You must, I repeat you must have your pricing, schedule and contact info ready at any whim, these simple tools will go along way to securing work, you will also build respected as someone who is reliable, which in any business is a must. Again, this is a business, your business. 

These tools extent themselves to the stage. You will start to really consider how you approach your music in a live setting, things like image, persona, gear, etc. will be affected, you will want to present your music in a professional manner suited towards your audience with a more polished sound. If you are a musician who can fit in anywhere your professional traits will help you select the appropriate music for any occasion/event. The audience will notice, even if you feel they are not listening and your right half the time they are not, but they will see a difference in how you handle yourself, then say weekend warrior guy, because your approach will become more professional. 

Work Ethic is key to success period and your efforts will pay off, as you continue to strive for professionalism you will notice that your cliental will grow and this is a testament to your business. Now you have the tools to begin a great new career path, grab on tight and enjoy every moment.

*Stay tuned for the next installment of The Career Musician.

If you have any questions about the new CD, performances or anything else, please feel free to comment on this thread and I will be more than happy to respond.

Be on the look out for the next installment of The Career Musician.

Part 2: Work Ethic

Here we are with part 2, I would have gotten to it a lot sooner if it wasn't for a busy schedule. Last time we left off, you were getting to know me a little better and through out my post you will get to know me a lot more, so lets get started with this installment of The Career Musician ( T.C.M.) as I discuss work ethic.....

Everyone has their own way, their own groove and definitely their own work ethic. Some folks like to put things off until the last minute (which I sometimes do), others have a plan and stick to it, while some are just flat out hard workers and get the job done! And then you will run into someone who can only get certain things done if they are multitasking their way through it. Either way its hard just to be one thing all the time, our work ethics change, if we are really into our task we become the "hard worker", if we don't really like the job we "put it off" and if we are just unsure of what we are doing we "multitask". 

Music is no different, there is no magical process to writing the greatest song ever, or laying down the sickest guitar lick, it all becomes what you fall into when the mood strikes you. Some of us musicians are into the groove, or the chord progression, or having the sweetest melody that ever crossed our minds and some of us just love every single moment that we stay up all night just to hear what we did over and over again. Either way you spin it we have all sorts of likes and dislikes, for instance what would happen if you take some one who had a great melody line, but couldn't find the progression or the groove was not helping the phrasing at all, that person would get frustrated and would have to walk away from it. 

I work best when I give each instrument the time it needs to develop its voice, each instrument has a purpose to the composition and truly becomes one with the creation. This also helps me free up ideas and fresh new approaches to each song I write and this method has work best for me because I see and hear growth with my music. My work ethic becomes all the ones I mentioned previous, if I "put if off" it means I haven't found the right chemistry and the more it goes on the painful it becomes.

It is safe to say that having a good balance to what you do usually brings out the best results so manage your time wisely.

..... next time on The Career Musician (T.C.M.) I will discuss work ethics on the performance side of things.

The Career Musician

Hello there, let me introduce myself. My name is Travis Vega, I am a "Career Musician" which means I play music for a living. No I am not a druggie, a drunk, a flake, a womanizer, and all the other stereotypical musician related tag themes. What I am is a musician who is professional, hard working, trustworthy, on time and always putting out a 100% to my craft. 

The term "Career Musician" means to me someone that puts value and integrity into their work, is a dedicated professional with high standards and work ethic and someone who loves what they do! You see, I didn't choose to become a full time musician, it chose me. Music transcends all cultures and backgrounds and its always honest to a fault, you can never push it, nor deny it when it comes into your life. You simply just let it be and the music will speak for itself.

Next blog I will be blogging about my work ethic, from writing, recording, to the business and performing, all the little things that get left out. 

You know that the minute Thanksgiving day ends Christmas begins and that could be very stressful for a lot of folks, but no worries if you find yourself shopping and need a break you can stop by and listen to the holiday cheer that I will be playing at the Lincoln Center in Stockton. Please visit my Current Performance page for dates and times.

For now this will be my new home, writing whatever is going on, and letting you know all that is happening.