Shoul the Boot Camp stay or go?

Mike Sweeney · From: Nashville,TN,USA

First, let me thank all of my past students that I've had the pleasure of teaching this year. I think I get as much out of this as you do.
Unfortunatly, this venture has to pay for itself to keep going and the amount of down-time far outweighs the working time. I don't want to sound like a whiner or anything like that, but, I started this venture because I was seeing alot of folks wanting something like this on this GREAT forum. It looks like I might have misinterpereted what I was reading.
I know also that the economy is not in the greatest shape right now and spending money on steel guitar instruction is not the top priority of the day. But to those who have inquired only to say my rates are too high or not even respond back at all I ask you to check some of the other instructors then tell me I'm too expensive.
My main question is this, Should I keep going with the Boot Camp or should I hang it up and start stocking shelves at Kroger?
Y'all can post here or email me your opinions.
Thanks for your time.
Mike

Ken Lang · From: Simi Valley, Ca

I guess there are too many miles between Ca. and Tn. for me to attend, but I'd still vote for not giving up. Scaling back may be needed but don't drop it altogether. Not many folks have the gumption to even begin what you have started. Success doesn't start with the work quit, and quit never finished anything.

Ken

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Mike. I have noted your Boot Camp, and honestly I could have "kidded" at least once about the idea.

Myself, being a near consumate bush league hack, with little or no regional inspiration, have found that I'd give my eye teeth to be able to "go under" for some hands on "quality time" and just "immerse" in it. I can guarantee that I'd have shown a spark like probably a few have assuring you that you've been "doing the right thing". I wouldn't care if I learned ONE new lick. It would have been worth it for me. Probably for you too, as I'm a good student. Besides being a lot of laughs.

As it is, I've been able to afford 2 PF CDs, a Lloyd CD, a Pod, two mikes, and now a speaker recone. That's IT for my non-food or tax spending this year where I've been used to making 50k. This year I won't make half that.

I'd certainly hope that you keep the concept if not the "program" alive. Especially if there's a "dwindling" in the craft. Try as people may, it's not something one can learn from "tapes and tablature". Not completely anyhow.

Now the Economy..

You mentioned Kroegers.

They're tearing down a Kroegers holding two blocks away from my house, and after being out of work for most of the last year, I went down to the site and applied for a job driving a Lowboy/End Dump for half the money I'm used to making. With a 20 year resume that would choke a horse. No hits. This facing a winter.

Hang in there.

A lot of us are just settling for that too this year..

EJL

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Mike

I applaud your initiative but, in the end, you, like all of us, are subject to the ebb and flow of the economy. You offer several hours of your time in return for a couple of hundred dollars - it's just the same as making yourself available for a gig (or two!), really.

I send out resumes to theatres all over the country when I see that they're planning to do a musical that needs a steel guitar - I may get one reply in thirty, but I can't take that personally. It's just business - if I score ONE show, that could be six to eight weeks work in my diary, and the mortgage is safe for a while. This is the reality of life as a pro player, as you well know.

You've been keeping a high-profile here on the Forum with your 'Boot Camp' since the demise of the Nashville Palace gig, and that's what you have to do - it'd be great if you could earn enough at teaching to enable you to stay at home in Nashville, but it's no guarantee of an income.

Why can't you just keep the option open? You've apparently had some satisfied pupils, you're a fine player, and the knowledge and experience you share isn't going away. You know that you're dealing with a very small market, and there are other top-line players offering one-on-one instruction. I think it's unrealistic to expect a 'full diary', but a few days teaching every once in a while would be a nice bonus, surely?

My best wishes,

RR

[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 02 December 2003 at 06:31 AM.]

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

This issue comes up often on the forum. A percentage of forumites really just like to type on there computer rather than actually do anything. Its easy to post support for an idea but that is a long way from putting your money down.

Bob

Mike Sweeney · From: Nashville,TN,USA

Thanks for the responses guys. I don't know what the future holds but I know I have to make a living and if that means taking a road gig or pumping gas I'll do it. But if I do I will not have time for teaching. Like I said I must have misinterpreted the posts about needing more teachers. I'm not saying I'm hanging it up right now but if it doesn't turn around I'll have to.
This is in no means intended to put any pressure on anyone to take lessons from me or anyone else, it's just to say, If I have to take on another means of income my boot camp is closed.

Mike

Gary Lee Gimble · From: Fredericksburg, VA.

Mike, if the business won't come to you then you go get it! Take your "Boot Camp" on the road and not just down the street. If new orders of steel guitars are keeping the handful of builders in business, then there must be some demand for other steel guitar related revenues out there? Takes money to make money. Be innovative and come up with a package that might attract enough students in Butte, Montana to Pocatello, Idaho to show you a bottom line. Have teach will travel?

Andy Greatrix · From: Edmonton Alberta

Maybe it's just me, but the expression
"Boot Camp" has a very negative connotation.

When I first read it on the forum,
I visualized a guy acting like an egotistical drill instructor yelling at would-be steel players
saying things like
"You think you know anything about music? WELL, YOU DON'T! WHEN I GET THROUGH WITH YOU, YOU'LL WISH YOU NEVER LEFT HOME! COMPARED TO ME YOU'RE NOTHING."

I'm probably wrong, but that was the impression I got.
Maybe a more friendly title would yield better results.

[This message was edited by Andy Greatrix on 02 December 2003 at 01:47 PM.]

[This message was edited by Andy Greatrix on 02 December 2003 at 01:49 PM.]

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

Mike,

Knock-on-wood... economics aren't the issue for me. Well, I say that never having priced your boot camp.

I keep thinking I'd be interested in this type of instruction at some point, but I've not been practicing enough to make it worthwhile -- for you or me. What I lack is a goal. I guess I need to get playing out in order to get motivated.

I keep having to relearn the same stuff about every two years because I just don't stick with it. I think you're camp is aimed at more serious players than I seem to have become.

------------------
HagFan

Steve Leonard · From: Bristol,VA.,U.S.A

I was Mike's first "Boot Camp" recruit and I
think it was time and money well spent. Mike
is a great teacher and really puts his all into the classes. He analyzes your playing and then gears the classes to what you need to learn. I am planning on "re-enlisting"
again in January. Mike, I hope it will pick up for you and you can keep it going. I think it is the best deal going for any player at any level.

Tony Rankin · From: Land O’ Lakes, FL

Having attended "Boot Camp" and having intentions of going back soon, I can only hope that Mike will be able to continue with it. Mike is a knowledgeable and well qualified teacher, who is willing to custom tailor a course to a players needs and abilites. He opened my eyes to a number of new and valuable ideas that I have been able to incorporate into my playing. And, I still have hours of lesson video that I can view and review.

Andy Greatrix--The notions that the term boot camp may conjure up is far from the reality. Mike is a kind and patient man and he makes you feel welcome and at ease.

Give it a try. It will be money well spent. I would highly recommend Mike as a competent, professional instructor. (He's a monster player too!) As a plus, if you like home cooking, you will love the meals that Theresa prepares.

Tony Rankin

John McGann · From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.

As far as taking it on the road goes: I wonder if the PSGA in Norwalk CT. might sponsor you- of the hundred plus folks who came to the show in Oct. there could be several who would do it, and I'd be willing to come down from Boston for it...they could get the word out through the newsletter...

Joseph V. Sapp · From: eastern shore, Md.

Mike:
I've been noted and "Quoted" so here go's again.!!!!!! I saw your prices, and beleave me, they are NOT out of line. to the point, they are far below most. for each person attending, has to be a plus in their favor. I quit the serious stuff for the same reason's. I need to supply my family with the best I can provide. Thats why I work as a high presure welder. My heart belongs to Steel Guitars, but my wallet is another story. Do what you can, then turn the rest over to the Lord. I'd hate to see the Boot Camp end. God Bless

Joe

Derby SD-10 4x5, Nashville 400, Fender Blackface twin, Lexicon MPX 100, Profex ll

Mike Sweeney · From: Nashville,TN,USA

As far as taking it on the road goes, It would be in a seminar format which is not what I'm doing here. I'm going one on one with the student giving them all of my attention. I can't do that in a seminar. Seminars are great if everyone there is on the same level and need the same things, but, if you have one third beginers and two thirds intermediate level then somebody is going to be bored at all times or in over their heads.
I feel one on one is the way to go.

Mike

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Mike, taking it on the road does not have to mean seminar format. I think it was Joe Wright who booked students for 45 minute private lessons all day long in his hotel room a few years ago. With enough advance planning, and scheduling it immediately before or after a large steel show, you could probably have a very full schedule.

Mike Sweeney · From: Nashville,TN,USA

Jim,
That would be great if I played enough steel shows. But I don't.

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Going on the road maybe a good way to access more potential students.
It also could be a one on one seminar for 4-5 players rotating over 2-3 days, so 2-3 hours for each player, and they come back a day later for some more after some time to absorb it and woodshed a bit at home.

If you posted a proposed time for an area like.

Steel Kick Start
Oregon area 2nd week of January
and So. Cal Bootcamp for 3rd week of Jan.
Arizona Boot Camp 4th week.
Location to be anounced depending on students locations.

Any takers for these time?

If I get a critical mass of 5 players for this time.
I will be there and set up the rotation by e-mail, once I know of your scheduals.
Please send a deposit of earnest money when I notify you that we have enought students to make the trip worthwhile..
etc.

Then you could do an arc over a set time and make it profitable for all involved.

Also if a regional person was your housing host for the time, they could get intense at home learning over the same time.
As well as getting you in the area for several other students. Take a 100 mile drive and do 2 students the same day and return to base etc.

I bet there are some steel clubs around that might swing something like this.

I couldn't possibly get to Nashville for the official BC, even though it would be quite usefull for me.
But you're welcome to come here for a week.

Mike Sweeney · From: Nashville,TN,USA

I'll think about this.
We'll see.

Mike

[This message was edited by Mike Sweeney on 03 December 2003 at 06:56 AM.]

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I don't think that any steel business can survive on the basis of advertising on this Forum. Like Bob Hoffnar said, a lot of Forum members will support any idea from their computer keyboard, but when it comes to plopping down cash that's a different story. A lot of us talk the talk but don't walk the walk.

As proof at that, keep in mind that the Forum itself can't support me - I still have a day job, and probably will until I retire a dozen years from now. I admire people who are making a living in a steel-related business because I was never able to do that. It's a tough business!

If you're going to succeed at all, you have to advertise everywhere. Newsletters, magazines, direct mail, your own web site, and a booth at every steel show. That's what the people who are successful are doing. Plus most of them are performing at least on weekends, if not 5 nights a week.

------------------

Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com

System Administrator

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Mike Sweeney · From: Nashville,TN,USA

b0b,
I have been there working the sit-down jobs for many years, worked the road with various recording artists, worked other venues such as television and radio and session work here in Nashville. When I left the Nashville Palace in Nov. 2002, while thinking what my next move would be, I offered a service that players on this Forum were asking for. As far as going to all the steel shows, I do advertise the Boot Camp at the shows where I perform. As it currently stands, this is the most prolific means of advertisment for steel players and their products and/or services. I appreciate the Forum and b0b for their service to our community of musicians. The point I was trying to make here is that if I take a day job or go back on the road or take another 7 night a week house band job, I won't have the time for 2-5 day students.

Mike

Gary Lee Gimble · From: Fredericksburg, VA.

For what its worth Sweeney; over a year ago I attended a steel jam at a guys home in sorta a remote spot in the Southern State of Maryland. Who thought that this guy's home would be filled with steel players! A few more than a bakers dozen, maybe over a dozen and one half, I forget. Sonny Purdum was there too. Anyway, you might discover clusters of steel pickers throughout these United States. Where there's one, others aren't far away.

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

To b0b's point, don't assume that most steel players are online. There are many who are unaware of or uninvolved with this forum.

------------------
HagFan

Mike Sweeney · From: Nashville,TN,USA

I'm gonna see how Jan. books up. Then I'll make up my mind. But I've got my answer. Thanks for everyones comments.
b0b you can shut this one down.

[This message was edited by Mike Sweeney on 03 December 2003 at 05:20 PM.]

Mike Sweeney · From: Nashville,TN,USA

You can close this b0b. I got my answer.

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