again if you have to. Yesterday, for instance, I
did a demo session at 10
a.m. We did
five songs in three hours and then I went over
to another studio where we're record-
ing a Del Beatles album. I went in and did
vocals and then some tambourine work. I
had a bite to eat and then I went back to the
studio where I played on the demos and
sang background vocals on the five tunes. I
left my house around 9 in the morning
and got home around 10 that
night."
POINTERS FOR THE JOB SEARCH
"I think you are called to be a musician; it's
not something you just decide to do.
There is a burning desire that's down inside
and you have to feed it. If you have that,
then surround yourself with the best musicians
and learn as much as you can."--HS
HARRY STINSON, MUSICIAN, SINGER, MUSICAL
DIRECTOR,
CO-OWNER, DEAD RECKONING RECORDS
"I wanted to be a drummer from the time I was
in fourth grade," says Harry
Stinson. "My parents started me on piano, but
drums were my passion." Growing up
in Music City, he played in bands during
grammar school and continued through
high school, eventually ending up in a band
with the eldest son of country singer
Dottie West. Since none of the other members
could sing, he was chosen by default.
"It was the best training I ever got because
being a singing drummer has been my
greatest asset. It's the core of my success
over the years."
CASE STUDY:
THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS
JOB:
"When you're the session leader you have the
responsibility of making
sure that everybody is there and everything is
lined up. That wears me
out because I have to be on the phone so
much."--HS
THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS JOB:
"I love the creative process. That is what
keeps me going. The money is
great, but I love making
music."--HS
"Seeing a song take shape, then it's preserved
on record or CD, and
knowing that I was a part of it; that I put my
stamp on it and helped
be a part of what the person wanted. I'm proud
when I get hired to do
something and they hire me over someone else
because they want what
I have. That is the thing that attracts me to
recording."--Billy Thomas
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