We asked the OurStage artists to share their stories on the “Best Advice Ever Given”. This is what they had to say…

I don’t know if this is considered advice but it was the most important catalyst for righting the ship in the early years of my music career. I had played guitar since I was 12, played in bands throughout high school, and started as a Freshman at Northeastern University as a student of music, ready to spend the rest of my life playing music for people. Music had always been my life. 

By my junior year, however, I was frustrated. I worked harder than most of my peers and didn’t get the results of some people who did 10% of what I tried to do. I had accomplished enough to be proud of but it wasn’t enough for me.

I went back and forth about quitting (I was only 20, so it wouldn’t have been that tough). I could break free and try something a little more defined with a more clear-cut path and not lose much time. My girlfriend asked me if I loved playing music.

‘Of course,’ I said.

‘But you are miserable doing it,’ she answered. ‘You have no fun.’

When I thought about it, I realized she was right. Music had long ago become my job and I had always identified myself as a musician rather than someone who played and loved music. I had to learn to get what I enjoyed about music in the first place. I also had to learn to take my hands off the wheel and let things happen. The greatest gains in my career and in my life occur when I allow things to be as they are and not force them. Recording my new album was the least stressful recording experience I’ve ever had because I trusted the people I worked with and knew that it would be good.

-Brian Bergeron

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