Immersion and the Fantasy Mastermind

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I’ve been banging on pots and pans since I was 11 or 12 years old. An incurably rhythmic guy.

A few years ago on my birthday, I finally admitted to myself that I was a drummer at heart. I said, “I have no idea where this is going and I’ll probably never make a dime playing drums. Well screw it, I love music and I’m just going to buy myself a drum set for my birthday.”

(Ever have trouble giving yourself permission to just have fun? Ever have to talk yourself into just doing something you enjoy?)

I took lessons, started playing with some friends, and it’s been fun. Every day I try to spend at least a few minutes on the skins. Great mental and physical workout.

I’m writing you this email from “Fantasy Drum Camp” in Cleveland Ohio. A true immersion experience. Instructors are Peter Erskine (played with Steeli Dan and just about every jazz musician in NYC), Steve Smith (Journey), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), Dave Weckl (Chick Corea) and Chris Coleman (Prince).

Mike Stern and band play, backed by 5 of the world's greatest percussionists

These cats are BAD.

If I ever forgot what it feels like for a total newbie to come to one of my own marketing seminars, I know now :^> These guys are 1,000 times better than me. I’m just another face in the crowd, another beginner trying to hone his chops.

Last night all 5 of these guys were playing drums – at the same time – backing the band in unison, it was a total extreme drummer geek experience. Every player got a chance to do a solo. Steve Smith at one point put his hi-hat at the center of the stage and did an unbelievably creative hi-hat solo.

And now for the next 4 days I’m in clinics with Steve, Gavin, Peter and Chris. On Saturday night I play in a concert with the other students and I am just having a blast.

OK so why am I telling you this crazy story?

Several reasons:

1) If you want to really get something into your soul and inside your bones, you MUST immerse yourself. I seriously doubt you can ever truly master marketing – or ANYTHING ELSE for that matter – just sitting in front of your computer. You gotta go be with other cats.

2) Lovers of any art or science need to appreciate each other, and give one another permission to do things that the rest of the world doesn’t give a rip about. The percentage of people out there who wanna hear Steve Smith do a hi-hat solo is teeny-tiny. But there’s a group of people (us) who are thrilled to see him work his magic.

(I leaned over to one guy during the concert last night and said, “I don’t think these guys are here for the money, I think they’re here because they can show off to some guys who actually care.”)

3) This is yet another example of the Power of the Mastermind. Iron sharpens iron and immersion gives you muscle memory. I couldn’t possibly be where I am today if I didn’t regularly get in the room with other street fighters and strategize. That’s what we do in Roundtable, it’s what we do in Maui, it’s what we do in 4-Man Intensives. We play the music of marketing.

And finally, you gotta get out and do stuff you love. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Last night I could feel my brain growing again and it was awesome.

Seize the Day.

Perry Marshall

August 16, 2011: P.S.: Here’s me performing “Color Funk” by Vinnie Valentino, at the student concert. Guitar – Vinnie Valentino; Bass – Baron Browne; Percussion – Chris Coleman and Dave Weckl. I’d say 2/3rds of the class members were better than me. Some students were *excellent* and there’s something real wholesome about being a beginner. You can watch me drop my stick at 1:53 and safely recover :^>

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About the Author

Perry Marshall has launched two revolutions in sales and marketing. In Pay-Per-Click advertising, he pioneered best practices and wrote the world's best selling book on Google advertising. And he's driven the 80/20 Principle deeper than any other author, creating a new movement in business.

He is referenced across the Internet and by Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, INC and Forbes Magazine.

17 Comments on “Immersion and the Fantasy Mastermind”

  1. Reply

    I’m in a mastermind group, and totally agree that it’s a must for biz owners! And I gotta say I love how this camp has the word #Fantasy in it! :) lolz, thanks Perry!

  3. Reply

    Perry,

    The face that you make behind the drums – that’s the same face that I make when I stare at my Infusionsoft application.

    Glad to know I’m not alone.

    Tim :)

  4. Reply

    Nice one Perry,
    I’ve played drums in many bands when I was a bit younger so I can appreciate what I blast you must have had at this camp.

    Nice vid – are you left-handed playing a right-handed kit? Makes me think of Carter Beauford.

    I’ve gotta get back into playing MORE DRUMS!

    1. Reply

      Yep, Left handed playing a right-handed kit. Switch the ride cymbal from left to right and away we go. Have to credit my first drum teacher for telling me to not to try learn to play a left-handed kit!

  6. Reply

    Perry, Perry, Perry!! My BFAM (Brother From Another Mother) I was drooooling reading that post mate! As you know I am also a drummer and love nothing more than spending time on my kit.

    That sounds like a brilliant collection of drummers. I have done workshops with Steve Smith & Gavin Harrison and love them both. Seeing all five of those guys playing at the same time would be great.

    I hope you have a fantastic time at Fantasy Drum Camp and post lots of pics and video. Rock on Bro!

    Cheers

    Ed

  7. Reply

    Great post! I truly love how you magically blend a story like that with the point your making to connect with everyone who reads your blog or emails!

  8. Reply

    Brother you so deserve this experience! Wish I had known you were going, I would’ve gone with you!

    I remember I learned this lesson of immersing myself when I was about 12. I used to race BMX and did a lot of x-games type freestyle tricks on my bike. Freestyle was pretty new at the time and I was already one of the best in town so i had no one better to push me.

    I convinced my parents to send me to Woodward BMX camp in the summer where I got to spend a week riding with the pros I would read about in the magazines and other great riders from across the country. That week of camp totally elevated my skills 500% and led me to want to open a bike shop and be an entrepreneur.

    I’m here today still working with and learning from the best in the world as a result of that transformative experience.

    Time to add drum camp to my quality of life chapter…And go practice that solo ;)

  9. Reply

    Once you give permission
    The creative to roam,
    Can drive any mission,
    All the way home.

    I plan to blow the trumpet when I get a few more bucks. It’s good exercise for the lungs.

    Too many of us online marketers are glued to the computer, desk, and chair, and could use a bit more exercise.

    Have you noticed that people really into something, can hardly stand or sit there for long? Heart, mind, body, soul – focused, energized … and practiced to the point it’s second nature.

    Perry, keep on drumming,
    Life and business humming,
    Music has this power,
    Every day and hour.

  10. Reply

    I have some “percussion geek” in me too.

    Even bought myself a drum set.

    Then my oldest son took it over.

    Back in his high-school don’t-want-to-study days.

    He destroyed ’em.

    Now he plays drums with a local band a couple of nights each
    week.

    And I’m still that guy who’d like to take the time to get half-way good at drums … but gotta get the marketing chops done first.

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