Alright, let’s get real here. If you’re a young blues artist, lt’s talk about criticism—the kind that makes you question if you’re even cut out for this. First thing you gotta know is that criticism? It’s just noise. It’s one person’s opinion, and it means exactly jack sht* if you let it. Everyone’s got a mouth, and everyone’s got an opinion, but none of that defines you.
Look, as a musician, you’re gonna get your share of praise and crap thrown your way—it’s part of the ride. We all love a good shoutout, right? But if you think everyone’s gonna line up to kiss your ass just because you picked up a guitar, you’re fooling yourself. The issue ain’t with the people talking smack. The real trouble comes when you start believing it, or worse, when you start tearing yourself down by comparing yourself to others.
I used to do that. I'd look around and think, “Damn, I’m not hitting like that artist is.” For years, I let that eat at me until one day, a producer slapped some sense into me. He looked me in the eye and said, “Man, no one does what you do. They might be different, but they ain’t better, just like you’re not better than them.” That hit home. Every blues artist, hell, every musician, has their own thing. No one can touch that unless you hand it over by doubting yourself.
So here’s what I’m telling you: f*ck comparisons. The minute you start looking at someone else’s path, you’re straying from yours. No one can play like you, feel like you, or hit the notes like you. You are the only you out here, and that’s the power you bring to the blues. Let the critics talk. The more you rise, the louder they get, but the same goes for the love and the recognition.
So when you see trash talk piling up in your comments or some fool telling you to hang it up, know that you’re reaching people. Know that your music is cutting through the noise, even if not everyone can handle it. And that’s alright. Just stay true to your sound, your soul, and let the rest go. We’re here to play, not please.
Now go play your damn music.