paying the dues

when an artist is building his career and trying to make it he has to go thru some hard times. in nashville there is a saying for those times when you get the short end of the stick. its called, "paying your dues". i have been paying dues for a long time now. yes , its true that i dont have to go thru some of the same things that i once did but i am still paying dues. when i hear people say, "ive paid my dues" i think wow, that must be nice to have it all going perfectly now. but the truth is you never quit paying dues. i see young artists sometimes have big expectations of being a rock star and making it big. they think that when they get a record deal they are gonna have it made. i always try to get them to understand that it is gonna be a long road. most people are very disappointed when they get to their show and they dont have it like they wanted it to be. it can feel like a slap in the face. sometimes on a big tour you will show up ready to perform and realize you are going to be starting on the stage first before anyone even gets seated. or you go to the green room and you get subway sandwhiches while the big stars get caviar. i have seen artists get run over by everyone around because they are a nobody. they think they are a somebody because they have a new record coming out and they have a few fans and a supportive momma back home telling them they are special. but the truth is you gotta start at the bottom. its called paying your dues. i read a quote the other day that i remembered, although i forgot who said it, "success has alot to do with whoever holds on the longest". weather you are an artist touring with third day or the new guy at the office, you have to pay your dues. those who truly lead with humility never stop paying those dues. it is a reality check for us when we think we deserve something or expect better but get treated like a nobody. pride comes before the fall. maybe we should all keep paying the dues.