Today's post is a guest post from my producer, Gary Gray.  Gary and I have created two courses together so far, one on music production and another on mastering.  Be sure to check those out if you haven't already.

At the end of Gary's post he shares a link to a video.  I don't want to give away the video, but you really should check it out!  Don't worry he's not going to try and sell you anything, it's just a really cool video related to a project he's working on.  It features someone that I'm sure you'll all be familiar with (hint, hint).

Ok, Gary, take it away.....

Don't Stop Dreaming

I just wanted to share a short blog and video with you with a simple message.  There's no sales pitch and no technical advice here.  Just an acknowledgement from me to you, from one who deals with persevering in a crazy industry just like you do and from one who gets frustrated as hell when plans don't always go right, just like you. This is a message which Aaron Davison shared with me in one of his email blogs about two years ago and it wasn't until about a year later that I realized how powerful his message was.  When I first read it my instant reaction was, "I know that, you don't need to tell me that, give me something that's going to actually help."  His message?  "Don't give up."

What you are doing is courageous and kick-ass in the extreme. You have musical ideas you want to share with the world, and you're just one person - up against a million others trying to do the same.  I personally believe that music can and DOES change the world.  John Lennon's "Imagine" created a measurable change in the voting polls that politicians took note of.  One individual. One song.

Though you may not be the future composer of another "Imagine," what's to say that you aren't?

Gotye, a total unknown in a small town, recording in his father's barn, set the entire world on fire with "Somebody That I Used To Know."  One individual. One song.

We all go through our ups and downs. We all have to face our demons and the demons of others. We all have to pay the bills and take care of our loved ones, etc. 

I noticed something interesting, and I'm not sure if this is true or not for you, but those times when the barriers seem the worst, I somehow create some of my best music ever, and start reaching out and networking like never before. 

Don't give up the hope.

Don't stop dreaming.  If I didn't read that email blog from Aaron Davison two and a half years ago, I probably wouldn't  be able to share the following video with you.  I hope it will inspire you to reach your dreams, and beyond.

Watch and comment on the video here:

http://www.howtolicenseyourmusic.com/blog/don-t-stop-dreaming

Gary Gray

L.A., California

September, 2014