I am a musician.
I have been a musician since I was a very little girl. Piano lessons, singing lessons, theory lessons, even some guitar lessons. I began to perform in musicals at age 8, I started teaching piano, theory, and singing lessons at age 16, and started singing for weddings and funerals at age 10.
Technically, I have been a professional musician - being paid to sing or play for events - since age 12.
I have had the privilege of singing for numerous fundraising events (such as the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of Canada, The Power of Movement Fundraiser for Arthritis Research, Fundraiser for Suicide Prevention, the Cafe Cuernevaca Fundraiser, etc...).
When I was much younger I performed in Kiwanis Festival competitions, both local and provincial, and in other various singing and writing competitions.
I was honored to sing the Canadian and American National Anthems for Chamber of Commerce banquets, for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, and for hockey games for the Lethbridge Hurricanes. I also performed the anthems for several kickboxing competitions that featured international competitors, some weight pulling competitions, and several other random and exciting events.
My combined degree is in Music and Psychology - the Music portion being in Voice specifically - and trained in classical music and opera.
I have performed lead vocals solo, in several duos (either being accompanied or both parties playing an instrument and singing) in a three-piece band, in a five-piece heavy rock band, shortly in a five-piece country-rock band, backup vocals and piano briefly in a heavy metal band, and occasional backup vocals and piano in a four-piece country band.
(Go figure, from Opera to Country to Heavy Metal, to ROCK!!)
I have a youtube channel that contains over 150 songs - some live performances, some short live clips, some original tunes, and lots of cover songs - requested by friends, family, strangers, and fans. (Www.youtube.com/karissadianetunes ).
I am a musician.
With that said - to make it in the music industry, you need a few very specific things. Along with talent/skill, you need dedication, a desire to continue improving, time, money, and whole hell of a lot of luck. If you are not one of the small percentage of people who somehow get that RIGHT song seen and heard by the RIGHT people at the RIGHT time, then chances are - you're going to have to work your butt off for a LONG time before ever making a big impression.
Most musicians that I know who are trying to 'make it' are doing everything that they can to get out there. This means coming up with new music on a consistent basis, attending as many different open mics and open jams as humanly possible, coordinating with as many other musicians as possible in the same region, possibly spending time down in Nashville or out in Vancouver or even overseas, and many have had to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on creating music albums and getting their music on the local radio stations (which can be extremely difficult).
So how does someone like me 'make it'???
I am physically incapable of traveling to work on my music for weeks or months at a time in a different city or region or country. I CANNOT go to open mics or open jams all the time. I barely have the energy and physical ability to leave the house once a day. I cannot keep a schedule and teach because I never know if I am going to be vomiting, or sleeping, or in doctor's appointments, or in surgery, or in the emergency room for some random episode... Everything that I do, everything that I book, every single activity or gig or opportunity HAS to be tentative.
If my body doesn't cooperate, then it's not like I can just push through and do it anyways. I mean, there are times when yes, pushing through is possible (especially if I am simply dealing with pain), but not something like traveling or staying out until 1am performing in every bar or coffee shop in town every single day of the week.
Trust me - even a few years ago, when my health status was a little more stable/predictable, I was emailing every bar/coffee shop that offered live music. I 'hit the pavement' and spoke with several managers and owners and other musicians, I performed anywhere that I could, and I lugged my keyboard with me.
Right now, and for the foreseeable future, the above is impossible.
What COULD be possible is being hired as a studio musician to sing harmonies for various artists. That has always been a dream of mine. I don't NEED to be in the limelight. I just want to sing - and make good money at it - and be noticed a little bit. In fact, large fame and fortune would probably cause some pretty serious trauma to my body anyways.
So... How do I get my music out there when I physically can't be 'out there'?
I have worked my butt off getting videos online, doing cover songs, practicing, trying to book fundraisers and entering online competitions, writing music and managing to get two albums out on itunes, plus being out there on social media.. But it's not enough.
I WANT to just pick up and go down to Nashville for a month, sing in every open mic in every possible bar down there, make new contacts, meet new people, meet new musicians, collaborate, pay for some studio time, sing backups... But that is not my reality.
I WANT to be able to write in and audition for reality tv singing competitions.
I WANT to join three or four other bands in all genres of music to perform and learn and just be OUT, singing every single day.
That is not my reality.
My reality is doctor's appointments, surgical procedures, emergency room visits, over 15 specialists, bloodwork, ct scans, MRIs, weekly injections, monthly injections, constant medical care, a cane, sometimes a walker, and living day by day. Approaching each day differently. Expecting each day to be completely different. Adapting to change. Staying neutral and not allowing myself to get stressed or excited or angry or nervous or frustrated or thrilled....
My reality is - Hereditary Angioedema, Arthritis in my spine, hips, and shoulder blades. My reality is Crohn's Disease and two abdominal surgeries before I turned 18 - including an ileostomy bag for 7 months during my senior year. My reality is Early Onset Macular Degeneration, scheduling a hysterectomy at age 28, Chronic Migraines and Chronic Fatigue and over 20 pills a day, Raynaud's and Sjögren's and Ovarian Cysts, Psoriasis and severe allergies to medications, Recurrent Pancreatitis and Tachycardia, .... never knowing when I'll have to use my cane or my walker or if I can wear heels. My reality is NEVER knowing what might come next...
Let me be clear here - my reality is also being surrounded by amazing and genuine people, having a puppy that adores everyone in his life, singing whenever I can, making sure that I LIVE every day and CHERISH every day and appreciate every good day!
Living day by day has its perks. Everything that I go through has its perks.
But it isn't conducive to trying to 'make it' in the music industry.
That doesn't mean that I'll give up! It just means that my way will be much slower! I may have to get over a thousand youtube videos online before I am ever noticed. Maybe I will have to rely on a little bit (or an avalanche-full) of luck. Maybe I will have to be in the right place at the right time performing the right song to the right people. Maybe I'll have to do more online competitions. Perhaps I'll be able to audition for one competition per year where I have to perform on stage and be very well medicated during that audition/competition.
And maybe I will have to settle for singing in my house to my puppy, singing for fundraisers that mean a great deal to my friends, my parents, and me. Maybe seeing the doting look on my boyfriend's face when I sing for him will be my only success. And in the grand scheme of things, that's a pretty damn good feeling.
Doesn't mean I won't keep trying 😉.
I am a musician.
I am also a patient... And I cannot sacrifice the latter to be the former. My health has to take precedence.