by Jim Cathcart

There is a powerful rebirth going on in the Rock & Roll music community. Baby Boomers are picking up their guitars again. And I’m one of them.

Every generation is imprinted with the music of their era. Whatever you listened to most between ages 10 and 25 will forever be “your music.” As people start to change careers or entertain ‘retirement’ there is a corresponding urge to recapture the joy, optimism and hope of your youth. This often becomes “Grandpa is getting a tattoo and playing loud music”, at least metaphorically.

But it really is happening in some profound ways among the Baby Boomers. These 78 million who were born between 1946 and 1964 have always had powerful effects on society and today is no exception. I was born in 46 and graduated high school in 64. Think of those milestone years: 46 was the first year of peace after WWII and 64 was the year The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Today Cover Bands (groups pretending to be) are quite common and, in many cases, really good! There are a dozen Beatles groups touring, plus cover groups of: The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, The Monkees, The Rat Pack, and many more. This transcends genre. You’ll find Country, Folk, Rock, and Swing groups all active. Check the summer concert series at your community parks, local shopping malls, village theaters, colleges and resort venues. It’s really good entertainment and… most of the performers have grey hair, or none.

Much like the “Mid-Life Crisis” that these Boomers made famous when they were 35 to 45, this “Re-Boom” is no small deal. Ask yourself, how many people do you know whose parents are getting back into music or performance in some way? Mine sure never did, but then we Boomers did take a new path from the earlier generations.

Personally, in 1968-71 I was playing guitar and singing in night clubs and lounges in Little Rock, Arkansas and anywhere I traveled to as well. My initial dream goal was a career as a singer/guitarist. My role models were; Glenn Campbell, Elvis, John Denver and a few more. Then I discovered the field of Training & Development and spent a generation building my business there.

So today, in addition to traveling the world speaking to business audiences about Relationship Selling and Self-Leadership, I am also performing in clubs and at large events on a regular basis. In the past 24 months I’ve played and sang for 800 executives in Caracas, Venezuela; and for 200-300 in Bogota’, Colombia; Santiago, Chile; Macau, China; Vancouver, Canada; across the domestic USA and on a cruise ship in Barcelona, Spain and Juneau, Alaska.

The trips were primarily for speaking engagements but I was able to generate extra performances through a bit of advance planning. And MAN is it fun!!!! I’m having the time of my life and the audiences are singing along and sometimes even dancing in the aisles.

Meanwhile back at the ranch: I’m now the regular 1st Tuesday performer at a local night club and I often perform at local events and living room concerts for special groups. Last week I played for an event at Sherwood Country Club, one at the Westlake Village Inn, Bogie’s Lounge; and at a Music-at-the-Beach event in Ventura Harbor.

Where is your passion? What have you not practiced even though it used to give you great satisfaction? Maybe it’s time to stop procrastinating and pick it up again. Let the energy it brings serve to enrich your life. You don’t have to get as motivated as I have about it, but find some ways to devote a few hours a week to doing things you love. You’ll be more fun to be around and a lot happier inside. Call me if you want to set up a Jam Session. And please check out my music website. Jim Cathcart Sings

Yesterday I was interviewed by Phil Taylor for the Goal Achievers Network. Here’s the link,

I hope you enjoy it and get many good ideas as to how to keep yourself and others motivated.

by Motivation & Sales Expert, Jim Cathcart

Everyone needs time to reflect in order to learn what the best next steps can be.

“Without Reflection there is no true Learning.” Kevin Buck

Let’s cruise to Alaska together on May 21, 2011. I’m cruising on the world-class Crystal Symphony from San Francisco round-trip to Alaska departing May 21st and returning on June 2nd. We will be stopping in Victoria Island, BC on “Victoria Day” and then; Vancouver, Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and more. I’m not booking the cruise, I’m taking it. I will be doing some work for the cruise line while I’m on board but mostly I’ll be traveling as a passenger.

That presents an opportunity. Why don’t you join me and use this once-in-a-lifetime vacation cruise as a time to rethink your business, reflect on your life and take a deep look at the choices you could make. Like me, over 8000 baby boomers are going to turn 65 every day between now and 2029. Most of us are NOT ready to “retire” in the sense that our parents used to do that. In fact, what many of us are doing is recommitting to our careers in a whole new way!

I’m not only now speaking around the world (last year included Macau, China; Bogota’, Colombia; Santiago, Chile; Warsaw, Poland; Whistler, Canada; and Barcelona, Spain) but I’m also playing Rock & Roll guitar and singing in night clubs and at conventions. My business has reactivated in new and exciting ways. I find that my clients are doing the same. What about you?

• Isn’t it time you took a careful, objective look at how your business and your life are working, so that you can make some mid-course corrections?
• What have you been waiting to think about, that might not allow you much longer to wait before you start feeling the effects of putting it off?
• Where is your real talent? Is that what you are using most and best?
• How productive and supportive are your primary relationships? Would a better application of Relationship Intelligence® be valuable to you?
• Would you like to restart your engines and get yourself “back in the game” more effectively?
• Wouldn’t it be great to have someone who you could “think aloud” with just to be sure you’re on the right track?
• If you invested a couple of weeks renewing yourself, your relationship with your partner, and your excitement about your life path, how quickly would that pay dividends in your business?
• If not now, when? If not Alaska, where? If not with me, with whom?
• Where will you get the motivation and clarity of thinking that truly taps your latent potential?

A Powerful and Valuable Time to Think…about what matters to you the most.

I’ll be leading onboard Parlor Discussions with the fascinating people who join me. We will explore ideas that will stretch your mind and touch your heart. You’ll be able to swap ideas with some truly substantial people. For years I’ve been hosting the “Sherwood Parlor Series” in Thousand Oaks, California and we’ve had: Authors, Psychologists, Astronauts, Musicians, Actors, Executives, and Educators from around the world as my featured guests. These insights and this level of dialogue is what you will experience in the Crystal Parlor Series with me.

You will be among a very few with whom I’ll spend up close discussion time at numerous points during the cruise. My focus will be on your needs and interests, and I’ll bring you many compelling ideas and insights. Before we sail I’ll send you a questionnaire to help you identify the topics and issues you’d most like to explore.

After the cruise I will remain on your advisory team for the rest of the year. If you have a question, need an outside opinion, want some reassurance, need a shoulder to lean on, or just want someone who’s really interested in you to listen, then I’m your guy. You will also be able to attend any online events I host during the remainder of the year at no additional fee. If I book two or twenty two webinars, skype conference calls, or the like, then you are welcome to attend as my “inner circle” guest.

It is Alaska! Memories for a lifetime. Imagine walking onto your balcony and seeing this!!!

Crystal Symphony is rated the #2 luxury cruise ship in the world next to its sister ship #1 Crystal Serenity. The folks who book these cruises are people you will really enjoy rubbing shoulders with. There will be a few days at sea so that you can enjoy the ship itself and participate in my programs and the world-class entertainment and education offered by Crystal itself. And there will be days where you can go ashore and explore this exotic and awe inspiring land.

If you’d like to join me and make this a life transforming experience for yourself (and your partner) then drop me a note today. I’m still refining the agenda and making sure that it is the best, most relaxing, and inspiring experience you could ever have. I’ll assure that your cruise experience takes the primary place and the times we spend together will become enhancements to what already will be a life-changing experience.

Check out the cruise schedule and pricing on the Crystal Symphony website, and if you are ready to book a cruise then let me know and I’ll plan to add my value to what Crystal can do for you. If you’d like to join this cruise and spend some quality time with me, call the cruise line today and pack your bags. My fee for this Inner Circle experience is only $1,000 and is separate from the cruise price. Bookings for the cruise will be handled by Crystal Cruises and are not part of the relationship with me or Cathcart Institute. I hope to see you on board.

by Motivation & Sales Expert, Jim Cathcart

In the February 2011 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine Ruth Parry wrote an article called “Making A Connection: Ten tips for engaging an audience.” It is an excellent article, especially if you are a musical performer…and…

It is ALSO an excellent article if you are a public speaker or any kind of presenter/entertainer. Ruth has isolated ten excellent steps for connecting with any group. Here they are. (Go to her article for the full treatment.)

Acoustic Guitar: Make a Connection

1. Look people in the eye and smile.

2. Tell a story.

3. Be a good observer.

4. Include special announcements and thank yous.

5. Get people singing or clapping. (involve them)

6. Satisfy children’s curiosity. (or shy observers’)

7. Ask for input.

8. Throw a change-up.

9. Make ‘em laugh.

10. Play with passion.

Contact me if you need some coaching or insight into speaking with confidence. 800-222-4883  info@cathcart.com

by Motivation & Sales Expert, Jim Cathcart

The excitement at this year’s National Association of Music Merchants “NAMM show” in Anaheim was evident throughout the miles of exhibits and tens of thousands of attendees. They guesstimated over 90,000 in attendance and exhibitors told me they suspect it was even more. (Photos and videos below)

Surprises: One truly unexpected observation is that “Business is Booming!” As I roamed the thousands of exhibits and snaked my way through the overflow crowds, I heard again and again that this was the best year for business at NAMM in recent memory. So, despite a challenging economy and more regulations, laws, taxes, etc. on the horizon…people are buying! Not just shopping, but buying.

This bodes well for our economy in general because the music business is a business of “non-essentials” (but don’t tell the Music people that. For them it’s life itself.) In other words, purchases made around music aren’t life-sustaining essentials like food, water, transportation. They are discretionary expenditures for the regular consumers, the folks who aren’t “in the business” of music. Conclusion: if people are clamoring to buy non-essentials then they must feel optimistic about their near future. That leads to more opportunity in all fields. Not just the music business.

Yes, we still have many economic and political challenges, but all in all, I’d say Raise Your Sights. Set bigger goals, the opportunities are all around you.

Creativity and Innovation were also prevalent this year. Many new products e.g. a Video Screen in a Piano! (Wm. Knabe & Co.) and every kind of “effects” toy imaginable. There is even one floor pedal that will cause your amplifier to sing harmony with you in your own voice! (TC-Helicon VoiceTone Harmony G-XT) I got one of these for Christmas and have been singing along with myself almost daily. What fun!

Steve Krenz of Legacy Learning Systems has created a DVD based course called “Learn & Master Guitar”. They have partnered with Hal Leonard and Gibson Guitars for distribution and iPhone apps. This relatively simple course has generated over 2 million downloads and created a following that is filling their special events and expanding the market for guitars. A GREAT idea! Learn from their example. Apply these ideas in your field. See my Video Interview with them on the show floor.

Here are some photos I took at the event. Enjoy and learn. Ask yourself, “How could we use this same thinking?” Call me and let’s brainstorm ways to get your business booming too. Info@Cathcart.com