The Homey Hook-up and Your Local Music Store
When you’re down on cash and you want to eat out, you try to pick the restaurants where your friends work knowing that when you go to the cash register, there is a strong sense that things are going to be alright because your friend, is going to cut you a price break and see to it that you get a good meal for a discount.
This is known as the “homey hookup”.
There are a lot of local stores that have supported musicians that didn’t have the cash to buy instruments. They still have good lay a way programs, loan instruments, have good prices on P.A. systems and consult with you about the latest software that will assist you in production for free. This is much better than any corporate store that you may be tempted to browse in.
When you get famous, don’t forget these people.
Many of these local stores are famous for giving musicians the “homey hookup” as far as pricing, advice and just being good people. In some local stores, it is known that when one is short on cash, they will get the “brother-in-law” deals. The loyalty to this local music store builds because of these types of deals for important gear.
The most honorable thing to do would be to keep working with them. I don’t care how big you get; always treat these guys like family. Some of these guys barely get pay to service you but they love helping local musicians. Give them props in your liner notes, web-sites or during interviews. Let the peeps know who is behind your sound.
Even if you crash and burn, your local music dealer is going to hang tough with you.
They support you, so in turn, support them.
Great advice, and something many people accidentally forget when they become successful. It’s easy to forget where you came from, and look down on people who are in the same position now as you once were.
The people who were your friends back then will always be your friends - remember fame and success attracts a different kind of person.
This is a sweet article and touches the right chords.Most of the people are not so thankless but if your generosity is not given proper regard than nothing hurts more.Yes true friends are true friends for ever,.You can have business partners when you are successful,but they will never be your friends.