As I am writing this article, it is that time of year once again. As you are reading this article, that time of year is already on the wane. But despite my inability to plan ahead so that you might be able to read a timely piece of poignant journalism, let me be one of the last to say "Happy New Year."
It's 2010, and although I am already used to writing 2010 in my checkbook and other various documents that require the date, I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that it has been nine years since 9-11-01, when the World Trade Towers were brought down and the world as we knew it changed forever.
A New Millennium
Momentous things have happened in the last 10 years, and the new millennium began like it was shot from a cannon. Dubious elections, America under siege, bad intelligence, suspicious wars, escaped masterminds, executed dictators, terrorism, terrorism and more terrorism. Hurricanes, tsunamis, incompetence and neglect, displaced communities, partially rebuilt communities, shock and awe, corrupt contractors, financial failure, overwhelming greed, hubris and malfeasance, malevolence and self-indulgence, all leading up to an historic election, after which life goes on pretty much unchanged.
The seven deadly sins of pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth remain an integral part of our daily existence as a deep freeze settles over even the southernmost parts of the country due to global warming. The rich get richer while the not so rich get poorer. Prices rise while services decline. Oil, oil, oil, real estate, steal estate, insurance, assurance, fail outs and bailouts, errors in terror and we still have two years to go before 12-21-12, or the winter solstice of 2012, when, if the Mayan predictions are correct, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. The outcome of this cosmic configuration is somewhat unclear, but everything from Armageddon to a major shift of universal consciousness is predicted, so if you have nothing better to do during these opening months of 2010, you might want to don a white robe and start walking the streets with a sign that states that "THE END IS NEAR."
Doom and Gloom
Whether 2012 is the year of reckoning or not is a moot point, and since the outcome will not be known for another two years, it certainly gives us plenty of time to worry and be afraid, so even if nothing happens, the stress and fear alone will kill us. The advanced doom and gloom publicity also allows plenty of time for Hollywood and The History Channel to corroborate with CNN and The Weather Channel so as to scare the bejesus out of us all. With all the promotion for 2012, the predictions of Nostradamus and the comparisons between the news of the day and the Book of Revelations, it's a wonder that any of us get out of bed in the morning.
Of course, these doldrums might just be the by-product of that time of year between January and March when our industry comes to a standstill before slowly building up again to full touring force. Coupled with the economic woes of last year, this year's winter slowdown seems all the more like the end of days, but fear not as this too shall pass. Not that this will help, but as most of us know, our industry, for the most part, goes dark during these months as we await the spring promotion and summer touring season.
Taking Stock
So if closing up shop and running away to a nice warm island isn't on your agenda, and you do manage to survive the season without throwing yourself off a boat with an amp rack tied to each leg, this might be a great opportunity to take stock of your business – literally and figuratively.
Take inventory and find out what's missing. If it's missing, ask yourself, "Do I really need it?" If not, move on and get something else. Check your inventory and see if you have the equipment you'll need for the next couple of years – since there are only two years left before 2012, we might as well make the most of them.
Check all the incoming riders and see what gear is beginning to make some noise (no pun intended) and buy it immediately. Hopefully, you'll make your money back before 12-21-12. Do not invest in pricey items such as digital consoles or line arrays that are peaking in popularity, however, since it usually takes at least two to three years just to break even on them.
As you are taking stock of your equipment, it might also be time to step back and take a good look at your life. If you have a family, it might be time to ask yourself how much time you might want to spend apart from their warm embrace. Remember, two years and pffft, that's it.
Recently I ran into audio engineer extraordinaire Robert Scovill, who is now senior market specialist for Avid. I asked what inspired him to give up touring with such great acts as Tom Petty, Rush and Def Leppard, to name a few, and he said that in his child's school, a teacher was asking the class what their fathers did for a living, and his child responded, "My dad works at the airport."
It certainly makes sense that if you keep telling your kid you have to go to the airport for work that they would come to the conclusion that you work at the airport. Kids can be so literal. By the way, if you don't have children, or if you have young children, be aware that as they get older they will not think of what you do as "cool," since they won't even know most of the bands with whom you have enjoyed working. Either that, or the same bands will just be a vague memory playing on YouTube. So for the most part, in regard to your kids, you may as well work at the airport.
Having Fun Yet?
Anyway, the downtime during these winter months is a good occasion to reassess your business as well as your personal life, and while traveling from gig to gig is fun and exciting, it sure isn't what it used to be, especially if you happen to be flying. With the clock counting down to cosmic convergence, how much time can one afford to spend sitting on a tarmac, being X-rayed and strip searched, or waiting for lost luggage? Hell, I remember when we were still able to complain about airplane food. Remember the "Mile high club?" Flying to gigs used to be a positive adventure, but no more. Just try bringing a dB meter in your carry-on luggage.
On the positive side, since we have such a short time before the big change rearranges our lives, we should make the best of it. Spend as much time as possible with your loved ones and enjoy your life.
Of course, now that I think of it, maybe you should throw all caution to the wind and go out and buy all the great toys and gear that your little heart desires. Buy tons of gear, a new truck and a new storage space. Take out huge loans to finance the deals and work as much as you are able to work, because if it all ends in 2012, who's going to be there to collect on the loans? You know, on second thought, you might want to hedge your bets and take out huge insurance policies, since it seems as though the only ones who are able to survive these cataclysmic events are the banks and insurance companies.
