Fame and recognition

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If you had a choice, what would you do:

Would you continue down the path towards recognition, knowing that your life might be permanently and irrevocably changed for good, and that if this happened you'd never be anonymous again? Would you take the risk of becoming miserable and depressed under public scrutiny and losing your freedom of movement?

I feel I am at a cross-roads in my life. I have been skirting on the fringes of these things for a while now, avoiding taking the plunge (effectively just dipping my fingers in and out). I have a friend who wants to do a professional recording of my music (in fact I have two friends who do), and believes that if we send it out there I will receive recognition. My personal belief is that this is highly highly unlikely, but I have to take into account the possibility that it might happen - especially as more than one person has told me my music should be on the radio. She thinks I need to make the decision one way or another; I have to be prepared for all eventualities.

In my mind, I love the idea of having people (mostly my friends I imagine in this setting) enjoying my music, and perhaps doing the odd concert or two, but the thought of becoming "known" to the extent of being recognized in the street scares me witless. I have had some small taste of what that could be like (due to acting, and being in a doco - imagine being followed around by a camera 24/7 for three days; filmed eating, walking, talking, napping on the bus, etc. It's fun for about an hour or so, then it's more like a living nightmare).

That being said, I often feel that I should be sharing my art (in the form of performing, music, and writing) with the world so others can get pleasure out of it too, and not just myself. I worry though that as someone with AS, the mainstream music/acting pathway would be a very bad direction for me to take. Plus, I love academia and am starting to develop a passion for neuropsychology - if I follow the performing pathway I will have to postpone these things, perhaps indefinitely.

Well, the point of this rambling post is that I was curious to find out how aspies would react to the situation. I already know what my NT friends think (and would think).

You could record whatever you want & see what happens. Maybe you could d it anonymously & as a side type of gig wile studying. Whatever you do is up to you.

I think some artists are able to keep the wolves at bay with effort. It never ceases to amaze me that the general public thinks someone well known for their talent deserve no personal privacy and even that they somehow asked for their lives to be splayed out like a body in a morgue. Some do strive for celebrity first and foremost and those are the ones that make sure that they are seen. You can always choose to conduct yourself with dignity until they get bored and go away. Some have to choose between colossal success and sanity but if I was lucky enough to have such a talent I would hope to have just enough success to be able to continue to do what I wanted to do artistically. The best, most interesting music is not on top 40 radio and it's fans may be smaller in number but are life long devotees. I'd say go for it but find a manager you trust and one that understands and respects your need for sanity outweigh your desire for money. That's just what I think.

Depending on what kind of music you make, you might want to consider writing for other artists. I had the intention of being a songwriter for other artists because I wanted to make music without being in the spotlight (I've since gone down a very different path). If you look at much of the popular music today you won't find too many songs that were written solely by the artist, if he/she was even involved in the writing process in the first place. The artists get the glory, but the writers get the royalties. This might be an avenue for you to pursue that would let you make your music and share it with others while staying out of the spotlight.

If you're intent on performing your music yourself, there are fewer options. You will likely have to perform and be in the spotlight. However, one thing to consider is that there are thousands upon thousands of independent and small-label artists who are able to make a living creating and performing the music they want without necessarily being well-known by people outside some small circles. You could be a big fish in a small pond, so to speak.

As far as which path to follow...well, that's a very tough decision. I can't tell you what you should do. Something I would consider is the fact that there are people in your life encouraging you to pursue music who think you could be successful at it. I would be tempted to at least see how far I could take it lest I end up regretting it later in life. And academia will always be there should you decide that's what you want to do.

If you do decide to follow the music path, I would highly recommend you learn as much as you can about how the business-side of the music industry operates, if you haven't already. It can prevent some very bad situations from happening, or at least swing the scales more in your favor if you do get stuck in a bad situation. And find a good lawyer with experience in the music industry.

I hope that was at least somewhat helpful.

the only way to get superstar famous is to really want it. Most all of the tabloid cover celebrities pursue stardom as much as stardom pursues them.

You can become famous and remain out of the spotlight (relatively). In fact, several celebrities have come out saying they are on the ASD and have done quite well.

I sort of do something similar, but mine is writing. I'm at the publishing point. But I can't move forward because I'm terrified of seeing my name in public and whatever awful consequences that may involve.

There is one thing I know for sure that applies to you and me: hiding light under bushel is really bad for us.

Now if only I knew what to do about it ...

Can't you hide your face or something? Like Kiss makeup? XD;; Or there's a guy in some band who wears, like, a bandage over his nose. XD
Or you could just have your hair in your face, lol.
Oooor you could be like Gorillaz! Have a fake character in your place or whatever.

There are lots of creative ways to hide your identity.

Oh, it's not so bad if it's just your name. Is it a really distinctive name? Because if it's even remotely normal, you can just tell people who notice that it's a coincidence.

There are any number of artists in existence today who haven't achieved a great deal of recognition. Geri X, for example, has a major label contract but her music is confined to a niche audience.

I'd probably take the plunge just to see where it went.

Here, here!

In fact, back when I used to listen to Rush Limbaugh's program, he commented on the dirty little secret in regards to celebrities like Britney and Christina: the reason the paparazzi know where they'll be is because their publicists tell TMZ and all those media outlets where they'll be.

the celebrities crave the attention as much as the media craves giving them attention.

I'd be honored to make my town a big tourist attraction by being a big name, here. Right now, it's the amusement park and indoor water parks that do that.

However, I also think to my business idol, Richard Branson: do you see TMZ covering him making an appearance at the local ice cream store, ordering Fudge Ripple? No you do not. Reason being: he doesn't send out a publicist to tell them he'll be there.

Granted, he also has a limo, probably a private jet, and sends out people to get stuff for him, but I want those things, too!! !! !! !! !

I don't give a damn about fame, and I'm indifferent to recognition, what I'm after is success

Yes, and that success will likely bring you fame and recognition...but you won't necessarily be featured on TMZ for it

You may become quite recognized in your own community.

take the Four Horsemen, who are major action figure sculptors in the toy community.

Tell ya what...go to any forum online, and ask people who they are; watch them laugh their @$$es off at you!! !! !! !!

I don't care to be in the spotlight for anything, but I would like to be recognized as a band photographer/digital artist.

Well, you may be in the spotlight for being the best in your field of your trade

Well, not as a celebrity. I won't be showing up at parties, smiling for the camera, and so on. I know I'd suck at interviews:

"What inspired you to create the artwork for blahblahblah?"

"Uhhh, stuff? I just do what I do."

"I see. Well, what made you want to work with blahdeblah?"

"I like their music. Can I go?"

I totally understand where you're coming from; dude, you can be famous and recognized and not do those things either.

Just ask Thomas Edison