The Next Horizon
Evolving at a Safe Speed
So, this is the next thing, I guess. But to clarify a bit, I had a conversation with an acquaintance the other day (meaning sometime other than today), and was asked in small talk fashion, “So, what’s on the horizon?” That would be classified as a type of “What’s New?” question, to which I stared momentarily into the stratosphere imagining a variety of potential horizon images. So many possibilities. I couldn’t get through many of those scenes before needing to mitigate a rather uncomfortable vibe that was beginning to surface due to my apparent silence.
My polite response was simply, “Well, there’s always something.” That either says nothing, or says it all. But the idea stuck with me. Because, for me, it’s true. There has always been something cooking in my brain. Sometimes it’s very clear. Other times it’s a bit murky. Still, there are times when there are too many things and prioritizing becomes difficult. For me, that’s always been the struggle.
It takes practice, sometimes years of it. But eventually, when you start to see the results, the process takes hold.
The good news is that in the last decade or so, I’ve started following the advice I’ve been giving audiences in one form or another for much of that time, which is: “Stay positive. Stay focused on the destination. But always keep all the options open on how you’re gonna get there.”
It takes practice, sometimes years of it. But eventually, when you start to see the results, the process takes hold. It’s kind of like starting up a serious workout regimen, and after a bit, when you begin to see and feel the physical change, the routine is often solidified. And you’re on your way.
With four decades involved in many aspects of the guitar universe, it was only about seven years ago that I realized there was an underserved media topic: The business side of the guitar world. And with my background, it was at that point I decided to start Guitar Business Radio, the Podcast for the Business of Guitar. And we’ve been working this angle in a number of different ways ever since.
Guitar Business World on Substack is the latest iteration in our quest to develop the ideal media platform to pursue this passion. I’ll be the first to admit that we’ve impatiently launched a variety of different efforts in this direction over the years. And we’ve learned that it’s possible to move too fast, without thinking things through, or more importantly, not paying attention to the Universal order, or simply getting in the way of it. As a result, our hopeful outcomes didn’t always materialize.
Of course, we’re not alone in the world of unfulfilled endeavors. I can say, however, that in hindsight, it’s now apparent that there was a reason and a purpose for everything that came before this. It all had meaning. Each effort was a piece of the puzzle that had to play its part. And while I don’t necessarily believe that GBW is the final piece, it is the culmination of work that in itself will play a pivotal role in the next big thing to come.
As always, I hope you will follow us along on the journey and maybe even play a role of some kind in whatever follows. Welcome aboard.