This column is simply some general words of advice for aspiring musicians. These comments reflect only my personal experience and observation and you will find people who will disagree with me. With that caveat, take it for what it is worth. The first thing all musicians must do is act professional.
Music is their full-time business and their livelihood.
They expect to be treated with respect. By acting professional, you immediately rise to another level in their eyes. When a musician calls me on the phone, I can tell in a relatively short period of time whether they are someone I should take seriously, i.e. professional. This sentiment is mirrored by countless other music industry insiders I have spoken with. Professionalism will take a band a long way.