One cold morning I made a pit stop at a local cafe to grab a hot drink and rest from my 2 mile walk. I got talking to the lady owner and the conversation prompted me to ask about her love for the job. Her response forms the basis for this article. She said: "I love my job because I'm not just here to sell hot tea and food to people. To some I'm their counsellor, to others I'm their psychologist. Some see me as their adviser. This is what I have tried to communicate to those who have worked here with me but they somehow miss it"
This very statement is so typical of what a good artist/ban should be like. It is so true that once this can be cultivated, the rewards can be enormous.
In a sense an artist/band can be reckoned to be the following:
* An Entertainer: many of us are already familiar with this requirement but some are still oblivious to this fact. Many artists/bands claim they just want to do their own thing but in reality you can only do "your own thing" if that is what your audience likes!
* An Encourager: many fans come to events and may need you to encourage them out of some trouble some depression some problems they are facing. This can be easy if you communicate your love and desire to your fans out of the valley of life. In other words there ought to me something we do on stage through words and deeds that will enable people to come out of a hole!
* An Adviser: this can be communicated through the medium of writing and storytelling. In the reality programs we are all geared up to listen to those we admire! Your fans admire you so they will take your advice
* An Open Book: Your fans want to know your life story not just your music. They want to know when you go to the hairdresser, what you eat as well as where you are performing. So that is one of the reasons people are flocking to "Twitter". In a sense it is simply a way for people to get involved in your life.
The demand on the artist reminds me of something I read in the Bible that says "I have become all things to all men". To be honest just like the tea lady the artist/band are in the "People Business" and the more we can reach out and satisfy the people around us the better we will excel as the artist/band people love. So the moral of the story is 'Show love to your fans and be more than just a pretty singer'.