Our headaches come strictly from frustration. Frustration from the politics of the "Music Business" . Day after day, another dream is aborted due to the failed attempts to make a successful entrance into the music business. Rappers, singers, songwriters, and producers all share the same testimony of continuous rejection from those in high ranking positions in the music business. Some of us have sacrificed our time, others have sacrificed their whole lives for the sake of chasing their "dreams". Thousands of dreamers give their hard earned 40 hr. paycheck for rented studio time. Some will travel cross country in search of exposure that will most likely end up in disappointment. Every talent search across America attracts at least 1500 applicants who all hope to become the next "found talent". Record labels across the United States receive thousands of solicited demo's every year. For many talented men and women, the pain of failure is sometimes unbearable.

Contrary to popular belief, those with so called contacts in the music business do not have a road ahead of them made of sweet roses and tulips. Regardless of friends who produce the stars, cousins who manage your favorite singer, an uncle who knows the guy that wrote the last year's hit song, or just a public phone number to a major record label, the struggle of trying to gain a foot into the business is still the common denominator between all of us.

Will record labels ever devote sincere time to finding new talent ? Will no name producers ever have a fair chance at placing their creations on the next album ? Why try to make it big when no one will give the underdog a chance? There is not an honest answer to these questions. When we listen to the radio and new releases of artists, we can all agree that the "wow factor" is not there. From lyrics, to instrumentation structure, to total production, is there a producer out there that makes us say wow !!! Is there a vocalist on the scene that makes the hair stand up when she hits her climax note. If your answer is NO, then why are they out there, on your radio station, on your television? If that producer isn't making quality recordings with the artist, then why does the record label call him when it's time for a new album ?

Conclusion is this, record labels are business to do one thing - make money. We cannot be critically judgmental when we form our opinions of why they do what they do. We all have a suspicion of why certain artists and producers are making music, but we can never be 100% sure without being behind the scenes or involved in decision making. Frustration, anger, disapointment, and even deep depression is inevitable while on the hopeful road to success. We all feel the temptation of just giving up. You and I will never know how successful we would have been if we quit. You keep telling yourself that, I'll keep telling myself that, and if you see me, tell me. I probably need to be reminded of it more then anyone else. Thank you for reading my headaches/ frustrations.

---Iric Headley