It's one thing to be in a band, but it's another thing entirely to make money doing it. You have to be focused and know what you want first. Not only that, you need to have at least some idea of what works and what doesn't.

A while back, I attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Ca. One of the many things they told us there was that there was no excuse for not making money. If making money is your aim, you need to be prepared to do things that maybe you don't want to do.

The instructors at M.I. would tell us stories about past and present students who would complain that their "original" bands were not being hired to play in clubs. They were unwilling to do "copy" music even though that's what the average club goer wants to hear. They stuck by their so-called principles. The point that the instructors wanted to make was simple: Play copy music and make money (which is certainly better than waiting tables), or starve on your principles.This was rule number 1.

This does not mean that you shouldn't write or even play any of your original songs, but it means make money first -- then figure out ways to get your original stuff heard or recorded.

Rule number 2 goes hand in hand with rule number 1 -- Keep your head glued on straight -- especially when dealing with success.

Success is a good thing, but in the entertainment industry it is all too often abused. Yes, you want to enjoy it while it lasts, but do you want it to last for a short time, or a long time? Don't get caught up in the trappings of your success, stay professional. This is your career. Understand the difference between your stage persona (if one exists) and your personal life. The successful bands, the ones that have stayed around the longest understand this clearly for the most part.

I was honored to meet many backup musicians that played for famous people while I was in L.A. What I learned was that you could pass these people on the street and not know who they were (unless they wanted you to). These people who were famous for doing what they did, did not get caught up in what they did. They acted just like "normal" people. They may have a stage personality, but once they left the stage, they were more concerned about their stock quotes, and sharing family photos than with getting drunk or doing drugs.

In this business, you can die financially, as well as physically from your lack of ability to cope with success. That's why it's important to stay level-headed. What you do on stage is your act. It's your business. What you do off stage is your life. Know the difference.