--- title: "Summer music series: Do what you love" image: https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601240159-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e2014e8a535157970d-400wi.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2011/08/summer-music-series-do-what-you-love.html#maincontent) [![Logo-Color](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hubfs/_Assets/Logo/Logo-Color.svg) ![Logo-White](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hubfs/_Assets/Logo/Logo-White.svg) ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/) [ About ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/about-david) [ Books ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/books) [ Speaker ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/marketing-speaker) [ Advisor ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/coaching) [ Fandom Marketing ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/fandom-marketing) [ Insights ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/insights) Open Search [ Get In Touch ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/contact) Search for topics or resources Enter your search below and hit enter or click the search icon. Search for topics or resources Close Search [ About ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/about-david) [ Books ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/books) [ Speaker ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/marketing-speaker) [ Advisor ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/coaching) [ Fandom Marketing ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/fandom-marketing) [ Insights ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/insights) [ Get In Touch ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/contact) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # Summer music series: Do what you love August 2nd, 2011 2 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) ![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601240159-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e2014e8a535157970d-400wi.jpg?width=400&height=297&name=6a00d83451f23a69e2014e8a535157970d-400wi.jpg) [![Dusty](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601240159-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e2014e8a535157970d-400wi.jpg "Dusty")](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e2014e8a535157970d-popup) In the second installment of my Summer Music Series, (which will run each day this week), I'd like to explore the concept of work. I'm fortunate that for the past nine years I have run my own business – helping people by speaking around the world and writing about new marketing strategies. I feel so fortunate that I’ve fell into this bed of roses! It's so amazing to me that I can earn my income by doing what I love. I learned about this by watching musicians on stage as they "work." I’m often struck by how many are so darned happy! The pure joy on their faces is infectious, making its way into the crowd so that the entire audience is smiling with them. For a long time, I assumed I couldn't have that joy in my work life because for 10 years I was stuck in large corporations and for me it was not fulfilling. So as a direct result of being sacked, I made a change. For an example from the music world, consider [Mickey Hart](http://mickeyhart.net/home/index.html) of the Grateful Dead. I had an opportunity to sit down with Mickey at the [Gathering of the Vibes](http://www.gatheringofthevibes.com/Home) music festival last week to talk about his love for making music, his upcoming solo tour, and passing his music on to the younger generation. Direct link to [Interview with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead at Gathering of the Vibes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiUMLeVt3S4) **You can love what you do too! ** *We are taught as children that work and play are opposing forces in nature. This teaching is incorrect - it is possible that your work can be like play! In fact, if you do what you love, you’ll never "work" a day in your life.* You don't have to play in a famous band like the Grateful Dead. Consider [Heth and Jed](http://www.hethandjed.com/fr_home.cfm). For the past six years, the brothers have been on a worldwide, never-ending tour as a rock-duo. They’ve met millions of people, played well over 1,000 shows, and sold over 45,000 CDs. And they’ve done it all without ever leaving New York City. After many years of fruitlessly chasing a record deal with the established music industry gatekeepers, Heth and Jed cast off the safety of their sound proof, forty dollar an hour rehearsal room to take a chance on playing the concrete canyons of Manhattan. The music was embraced by millions of stressed out commuters and the duo inadvertently found the career we had been searching for all along. Heth and Jed do what they love. [Watch one of their videos](http://www.youtube.com/hethandjed) and you'll see for yourself. They even recently released a memoir called: [Buskers, The-On-the-Trains, In-the-Streets, Off-the-Grid-Memoir of Two New York City Street Musicians](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/159376412X/freshspotpubl-20) **What are you waiting for?** People often end up in "jobs" they're not passionate about because they’re living someone else’s dream — their mother-in-law's, their competitive sister's, their classmate's. It is much easier to succeed at your passion than it is to fulfill others' dreams. You're much more likely to do great work if you're doing what you love. Not only does doing what you love increase your odds of success, it dramatically increases your happiness too. You spend more than 50 percent of your waking adult life working, so you might as well do what you love! **How about you?** **Summer Music Series** - **Monday:** [What YOU can learn from the music business](https://www.webinknow.com/2011/08/summer-music-series-what-you-can-learn-from-the-music-business.html). People are passionate about music. How can you tap into that passion? - **Tuesday:** [Do what you love](https://www.webinknow.com/2011/08/summer-music-series-do-what-you-love.html). I interview Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart to learn what has kept him pushing his work forward for more than 50 years. - **Wednesday:** [How music fans support nonprofits and causes](https://www.webinknow.com/2011/08/summer-music-series-how-music-fans-support-nonprofits-and-causes.html). Draws on an interview with Andy Bernstein, executive director of HeadCount. - **Thursday:** [Always move forward](https://www.webinknow.com/2011/08/summer-music-series-always-move-forward.html). I write about the Gathering of the Vibes music festival and how it moves music forward. Includes an article I wrote for Huffington Post and a video with quotes from Perry Farrel, Elvis Costello, Wavy Gravy, and Ken Hays. - **Friday:** [How brands engage with live music fans](https://www.webinknow.com/2011/08/how_brands_engage_with_live_music_fans.html). I interview rock photographer Jay Blakesberg and we explore how to tap into music fans and the bands themselves to promote your work. *Photo shot July 24, 2011 during Toots & the Maytals set at Gathering of the Vibes. Copyright David Meerman Scott* [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ Personal branding ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/personal-branding) [ Music ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/music) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/beret%20Daniel.jpg?width=1500&height=1036&name=beret%20Daniel.jpg) ### The Blue Beret: How Daniel Creates Fandom Through Personal Branding July 22nd, 2026|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-blue-beret-how-daniel-creates-fandom-through-personal-branding) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/L1330663-2.jpg?width=1500&height=967&name=L1330663-2.jpg) ### I’m a Senior Citizen Now—Try Catching Me March 25th, 2026|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/im-a-senior-citizen-now-try-catching-me) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMS%20casual.jpg?width=3000&height=2001&name=DMS%20casual.jpg) ### My New Website, New Focus, and New Photos January 20th, 2026|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/my-new-website-new-focus-and-new-photos) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kenyon%20students.jpg?width=2086&height=1394&name=Kenyon%20students.jpg) ### The Future-Proof Value of a Liberal Arts Education in the Age of AI August 19th, 2025|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-future-proof-value-of-a-liberal-arts-education-in-the-age-of-ai) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flax%20Dental.jpg?width=1540&height=1058&name=Flax%20Dental.jpg) ### The Simple Professional Services Website Makeover That Creates Fans August 11th, 2025|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-professional-services-website-makeover-that-creates-fans) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Creating%20a%20Personal%20Website%20for%20Success.jpg?width=1536&height=1024&name=Creating%20a%20Personal%20Website%20for%20Success.jpg) ### Your Future: AI Models Will Find You Via Your Personal Website July 18th, 2025|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/your-future-ai-models-will-find-you-via-your-personal-website) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMS%20Banner%20Option%202%20-%20LinkedIn%20_%20Facebook%20Sizing.png?width=1200&height=627&name=DMS%20Banner%20Option%202%20-%20LinkedIn%20_%20Facebook%20Sizing.png) ### How to Write and Publish a Book that Supercharges Your Personal Brand July 2nd, 2025|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/how-to-write-and-publish-a-book-that-supercharges-your-personal-brand) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg?width=1500&height=1084&name=Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg) ### The Ham Whisperer of Rome: How Stefano’s Honest Videos Won the World’s Heart June 24th, 2025|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-ham-whisperer-of-rome-how-stefanos-honest-videos-won-the-worlds-heart) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tufts%20Entrepreneurial%20Marketing.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=Tufts%20Entrepreneurial%20Marketing.jpg) ### My Best Advice for New University Graduates: Do These Two Things April 7th, 2025|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/my-best-advice-for-new-university-graduates-do-these-two-things) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Television.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=Television.jpg) ### Your Daily Schedule Determines What You Will Accomplish February 19th, 2025|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/your-daily-schedule-determines-what-you-will-accomplish) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMS%20at%20HBS.jpg?width=1239&height=843&name=DMS%20at%20HBS.jpg) ### Sneaking In Via Life’s Side Doors January 14th, 2025|2 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/sneaking-in-via-lifes-side-doors) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vermont%20wilderness%20pond.jpg?width=1500&height=1125&name=Vermont%20wilderness%20pond.jpg) ### Artistic Craft or AI Dreck in 2025? 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