Just a Small Town Doc

 Just a Small Town Doc

I never met my father-in-law. My future wife and I had been dating only a few months when he died of pancreatic cancer. So the first time I met my in-laws was at his funeral in a small mid-western town. It was the town where he set up his first medical practice. He chose that town because it was small and it didn't have a doctor. He recognized that small ponds have the same needs as the bigger ponds -- and perhaps an even greater need -- and this was where he felt he could do the most good.

The big fish ensconced in a small pond is usually thought to be undesirable. We'd much rather be a big fish in a more impressive pond. I didn’t grow up in a small town, but it was small enough that if you did anything note-worthy, a lot of people would find out about it. So you had a good chance of becoming 'the one to watch', i.e. a big fish. And everything is pretty cool, until you decide you want to take it further.

So you pack your bags, load up the drums and head for the big city -- just as countless other aspiring players have done. And you’re immediately faced with the more established players, the ones who really are the big fish in this bigger pond. It can be a shock to anyone who has come up in a relatively small scene. And here’s another problem: There usually are more fish in big ponds, and the competition for a place in the queue can be fierce. It's you against some of the best in the business. Thankfully there are many reasons to choose the smaller pond, and they have advantages that are not found elsewhere.

First of all, the smaller ponds might really need someone like you. Just as that small town needed a full-time doctor, there may be a real need for a versatile, competent drummer/musician/entrepreneur. It's possible to make a big impact in an under-served region. A small town music store, for example, may be the only hangout available to local players. And if you’re the one behind the counter, you can become an important hub and a mentor to an entire community.

The smaller pond may have fewer playing opportunities, but there are towns and cities nearby that might have opportunities. Or  you could start your own music scene: open a music school, start a rehearsal band, play at local venues for a share of the gate (great marketing), teach online lessons, offer instrument repair, guest teach at local schools. 

A big pond also means a big city, and maybe you’re not interested in the big pond lifestyle. There are lots of small and medium ponds, and they all need people like you and me.

For additional ideas, see: How to Diversify & Conquer

Photo Credit:  117365656 © Iurii Kuzo | Dreamstime.com