Tag Archives: Dawoud Kringle

The Need for a Revision of the Concept of Musical Professionalism

Text by Dawoud Kringle

Bern NixSeveral weeks before this writing, guitar master Bern Nix passed away. He was an elder master with astonishing musical abilities, and an impressive resume behind him. Yet he was in poverty, living in dire straits for years. His is an old story that seems to keep repeating itself. 

This myth of the inevitability of the “starving artist” is self perpetuating. It seems that people on all sides of the equation have it so ingrained into their subconscious that it’s almost expected that musicians be impoverished, ignored, and mistreated. 

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Clive Stevens 2

Book Review: Clive Stevens’ Autobiography “This World and Other Worlds: Quest of a Light Warrior”

 

Clive StevensBook review by Dawoud Kringle

How does one go about writing an autobiography? Such a task is much easier said than done, and there are almost limitless pitfalls one must avoid in undertaking such a project. Of course the first question one must ask is this: why should I write an autobiography? What justifies committing the history of my life to the literary form?

Clive Stevens has answered that question.

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Open Letter to all Professional Musicians: Your Success Is Everybody’s Success!

Professional musicians: Music Is Not Free 1An Editorial and Commentary on Musical Professionalism By Dawoud Kringle

Look, I get it, OK? This is a hard life we chose. We are trying to cultivate our skills and build a career and a reputation for ourselves. And somehow, through it all, we have to pay the bills, keep a roof over our heads, and put food on the table.

As we all know, there is some sort of mythological historical model that musicians must pay their dues. And despite the vague details surrounding this idea, there is certainly some truth to it. A musician must prove him or herself, must cultivate his or her skills, and build one’s business from the foundation up.

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Andrew Schulman

MFM Talk Series With Medical Musician Andrew Schulman

Review by Dawoud Kringle

Andrew Schulman book cover

Date: April 26, 2017
Venue: WeWork Bryant Park (NY)

Musicians for Musician (MFM) presented the second of its Talk Series with Andrew Schulman, author of Waking the Spirit: a Musician’s Journey Healing Body. Mind, and Soul and creator of a profession he calls medical musician.

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