THE GRITTY MUSICIAN | A Podcast for Musicians in Progress

THE GRITTY MUSICIAN | A Podcast for Musicians in Progress

My name is Bruce, and I am a university music educator. My journey towards a full-time career in music took many twists and turns – some so jarring that I wondered if I had what it took to survive the trip! What came out of these struggles was my grit. Why grit? Grit combines passion, ambition, toughness and strength of character. If you want a career in the arts, grit will be what separates you from the pack. Are you scared about where your career in the arts is headed? Do you wonder if you have what it takes to endure the journey? The Gritty Musician Podcast is here to help you!

Episodes

July 10, 2021 7 mins

Just a short update for any listeners out there, to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you, and have some thoughts about how to make this a more sustainable project moving forward. 

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Take 10 minutes and escape from everything going on around you. You may not be able to afford a vacation at the moment, but this can help you get away and find your center. This is bonus content for those of you who are on the podcast feed - I want you to have access to this first, before I post it on social media for everyone else.

Big thanks to Kevin MacLeod for the background music: 

Garden Music by Kevin MacLeod
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October 11, 2020 3 mins

What a crazy time! I haven't posted anything here in a long, long time, and this short reminder serves two purposes - to give a gentle reminder to all of us and to see if anyone is listening out there. Wanna help me out? Send me a quick note to grittymusician@gmail.com and let me know you're still listening.

More content to come, starting real soon!

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October 9, 2019 29 mins

Well, you asked for it, and here it is! Thanks so much for the support of the short little "podlet" I uploaded this past weekend. I spent most of the ride home from Texarkana deep in thought, and the results are this episode today.

As always, thanks for your support and interest. If you know someone who needs to hear this, please share!

-Bruce

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October 4, 2019 1 min

I'm curious...do you miss me?  I have been doing other kinds of media as of late, like YouTube and Facebook Live streaming, but I miss podcasting!  I'm willing to bring back the show if you'd like me to!  Please let me know if you'd like more episodes!

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July 22, 2018 18 mins

Welcome back! It's the first episode of 2018, and the first episode in about 10 months. Once again, real life has gotten in the way of my best intentions. 

A career in music isn't always clean, neat, and direct. You will have to do without some things in order for other things to happen, but that doesn't mean you have to be miserable. If your heart is in your work, and you are convinced you should do this, the things you will sacr...

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September 25, 2017 15 mins

This week's episode is pretty straightforward and to the point. I am about to enter my busiest season of professional work thus far this school year, and I have a few points of perspective to help handle the potential overwhelm and some rituals and lifelines that get me through each day. 

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September 18, 2017 10 mins

Well, what can I say? It seems like a summer can't go by without a significant podcast hiatus. I had a lot of real life happen since my last episode, and it's given me enough distance and perspective to make this the show you deserve. If you take the 10 minutes to listen, I think you'll appreciate what I have to say today.

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June 18, 2017 7 mins

In today's episode, "A Profile in Grit," I want to tell you about someone who has taught me more about grit than anyone I’ve ever known. I hope you enjoy this week's episode, which was recorded only on my digital recorder - I apologize for the occasional pop or bump - I've tried to edit them out as best I can!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. You all have my admiration and respect!

---
 
On ...
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Hey Gritty Musicians! This week’s episode was inspired by another person’s podcast episode. Check out the show here:
 
 
Aaron is rapidly becoming one of my heroes. Here is the top line of his bio: 
 
"I want to help you restore balance and discover your path to a well-lived life. I write and speak on ho...
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I’m in a nostalgic mood today, friends. Today’s episode was recorded on the 20th anniversary of my high school graduation, and I have several thoughts knocking around in my head about the past 20 years.
 
This episode is centered around three lists: the goal sheet that I completed around graduation; the reality of what these past 20 years looks like, and how my current life, though very different from my ...

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"Cold brew, a new start, and a story." It seems like a pretty clear title for the first episode of Bruce's relaunched podcast, The Gritty Musician! Today's episode starts with super-concentrated coffee drinks, an explanation for the change in show branding, and a story to help college students trying to explain to mom and dad why their grades weren't as good this spring as they were back in the fall!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ...

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Sometimes in life, it is important to stop and take stock of what really matters. Right now, my wife really matters. My family, career, and faith matter. This podcast matters, but right now, I need to take some time to figure out how to deliver great content worthy of your time and attention. 

I only ask one thing of you - please stay subscribed - it takes very little space on your device, and when I DO come back with new content,...

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Our mind is our most powerful tool, but one that we have to handle responsibly! Make sure that the same creative forces that push you to regularly improve and evolve as a musician don’t turn into the dark creative enemy that starts writing chapters of your story to discourage you!                                     

Get Some Grit! is available in on iTunes, Google Play Po...

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April 11, 2017 7 mins

Hey everybody! Today’s episode is a short one, but I think the message is still solid. When was the last time you took a break? Working hard is super important, but when you start to see diminishing returns, it’s important to take a break, if only for a few minutes. We’ll be back next week with a much longer episode, I promise!

___                                             

Get Some Grit! is available in on iTunes, Google P...

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I love technology!  I am surrounded by iDevices and can't imagine my life without their benefit - but sometimes, it's nice to have alternatives. This week, I take a few minutes to talk about the benefit of keeping an actual paper notebook and pen in addition to my technology - and five reasons why I believe it can be of benefit to you, too.

1. It makes me slow down!

2. Hundreds of color options.

3. It can be more convenient when us...

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This episode's topic outlines my return to reading after years of not being much of a reader, how reading has really helped me with some struggles that I thought I might never overcome, and how I believe reading is the best thing you can do right now to "break the logjam" in the creative part of your mind.
 
My list of ten books that have really made a difference include:
 
"The War ...
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February 13, 2017 14 mins
This week’s topic is near and dear to me, and I hope that if this episode speaks to you, that you’ll keep this in mind as you go through the week. You probably know the word margin as a part of your word processing software.  If you look on a page in a book, the margins are the blank spaces around the text.  The narrower the margin, the more words you can fit on the page.
 
Margins exist in many facets of...
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Folks, there is A LOT of anxiety in the world right now. Whether it is justified or not justified is up to your politics and personal opinions, but I think we can agree that 2017 is starting to feel more like an extension of 2016 than a separate, bright and shiny new year. In this episode (the first episode of 2017, I know, I know...) I take a few minutes to talk about the sadness, frustration and general anxiety I feel from so man...

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December 30, 2016 24 mins
Get Some Grit Podcast Episode #31 - 2016 Reflections
 
Welcome back to Get Some Grit, the show where we learn the many ways that grit can serve artists as they press towards their goals. You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio! No matter what you’re going through, GRIT is the armor that will protect you from the barrage of attacks that can stifle creativity and outp...
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