Does Talent Come Before Success?

Have success and there will be fools who say you have talent. - Edouard Pailleron

Does talent come before success.... I think not. Even those who show an aptitude toward something are only considered talented once they are successful at showing that aptitude.

Wow... who would have believed after hearing those first few notes that Andrew played off that trumpet years ago that they would be saying he is talented today? Lol - not me! (and I bet the neighbors would agree, too)

But talent is something that is built of joy, sweat and tears! It is the passion for the idea that success is yours! Andrew somehow kept his passion alive through plenty of obstacles.

First there was no money for trumpets in those early days... but the school happened to have a loaner till we found a way to rent one for him. Then there was me... I supported but did not push... so he had to practice on his terms... if he wanted to and to me it seemed he rather hangout with his neighborhood friends than practice a trumpet.

I believe if you really want to do something you will do it without being prodded and this was something he either wanted to do or it wasn't going to be funded.

I guess he practiced enough because later he was recommended for private tutor and perfecting his skill which he decided was something he wanted... so we found a way to pay that - Andrew even got to chip in by helping his tutor on occasion!

I recall a trip he made to go to a competition between music students statewide. He called me frantic because he had misplaced the music for the piece he was playing (Ode To Joy). Though on a college campus he was unable to locate the music in time for his performance. He had to play by memory/ear. The judges awarded him an "excellent". One judge pulled him aside to let him know that his performance showed true "talent". This judge recognized him even though he had not reached the pinnacle of success.

Andrew left upset because he did not have a superior. (Young as he was he only saw that he lost what he should have had) I reminded him later that it did not matter what others saw by only seeing a score. What mattered was that he learned he was able to perform in a way not many could have dreamed of doing. What mattered is that a group of accomplished musicians (his judges) recognized his talent and gave him an excellent even though he was not prepared.

Then there would be lots of waiting tables to have time to have a musicians schedule. To begin traveling and spreading music around the US with marching bands and then with a small group of musicians (for free - I thought this was not very smart but he called it paying his dues)

Then for a few years he had a dream of going to LA where everyone has a better chance of "making it" but was caught up in various everyday living problems that seemed to doom him a waiter forever paying bills slower than they were coming in.

Other family issues threatened to make it impossible too. But a couple years ago I said that's it go don't let me be the one who keeps you from realizing your full potential.

Well after close to 20 years of playing the trumpet - Andrew and his trumpet became public on a large scale - featured on the second track of a latin-hip/hop record with a group he has been playing with for about a year.

All those years of band-parenting, fundraising, and chaperoning trips were fun but now they seem truly worth it. It really feels great to see a child fulfilling their dreams.

I may sound proud because I'm the mom, but trying to look objectively, how many of us would have found reasons to quit years ago and find "a regular paying career"

Dedication to purpose is something we can all learn from. Knowing who you are and the legacy you want to leave behind is something we should all think about write down and make sure is part of our living, breathing selfs.

I believe that is the only way Andrew got to where he is today. And I am sure it was not easy. I would have loved to see his face when he saw his name through the back of that shiny new acrylic CD cover. I know I sure felt good... must have been GREAT for him after all the joy, sweat and tears...

Update: I wrote this a few years ago. Andrew is still working on his music but a little sidetracked since has become a father (and I a grandmother *smile*). This is no less exciting!