Earning The Right To Be Heard

January 8th, 2009 § 1

Not so long ago I was asked to share what wisdom I had for new or independent artists. I honestly didn’t feel like I had a ton to offer besides some of the harder lessons I had learned up to that point. So, this is what came out of that effort on my part. In the spirit of Young Life, I called the project Earning The Right To Be Heard…

It’s what you do in silence and alone,
that earns you the right to share with the crowds.

It is what you do when you aren’t being paid
that earns you the right to be paid.

It is what you do with a room full of children or the elderly
that earns you the right to share with your “target audience.”

It is what you do when there are 5 people listening
that earns you the right to share with the masses.

It is what you do in response to the hecklers
that earns you the right to share with an attentive audience.

It’s what you do when the event is put together poorly
that earns you the right to be set up well.

It’s what you do to set someone else up well
that earns you the right to be set up well.

It’s what you do when the equipment isn’t up to snuff
that earns you the right to play on quality gear.

It’s how you treat the sound tech
that earns you the right to have someone run sound for you at all.

It’s what you do when you would rather be anywhere else
that earns you the right to be where you are at your best.

It’s what you do when you are sick or worn out
that makes working from your strength mean something.

It’s what you do when you are afraid you make no difference
that actually makes the difference.

It’s that you showed up on time and prepared
that earns you the right to ask others for their best.

It’s how you treat the young lady at the car rental counter who just botched your rental
that earns you the right to be served at your gig

It’s how well you tip your waitress
It’s how well you treat the tech
It’s whether or not you sincerely give your all when you play
It’s that you are exactly where you are when you are there rather than wishing you were home.
It’s that you believe that the opportunity you have is something you have to earn over and over until you are called to something else.

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One Response to “Earning The Right To Be Heard”

Sarah Walker says:

March 2, 2009 at 12:06 am

Justin,

Thanks for directing me to your blog from twitter. I am very refreshed by your quest in doing the work of the kingdom by living fully and restoring justice. I had the pleasure of meeting you back in August at Mt. Hermon’s Christian songwriters conference. Thank you for your hard-earned words of wisdom.

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