People Have The Right To Fly

If there's anything I could share with the world it's one simply philosophy:

'Do what you love and makes you happy. Don't let anyone hold you back.'

I'm one of the few people in the world who knew from a very young age exactly what they wanted to do and exactly where their passion lied. All my childhood home videos are of me doing 'concerts' with my friends from the age of 3 at friend's houses, my first christmas video is of me being given a Michael Jackson calendar for a present, my earliest memories are all of my dad taking me to Les Miserables, Phantom Of The Opera and Michael Jackson shows. Not to mention, the only things I enjoyed at school were art classes and recorder lessons.

I was the kind of kid, who didn't really have friends at school. I was the kid who sat quietly in the front of the classroom, got labelled the teacher's pet and spent most weekends and afternoons studying and doing assignments. I wasn't at parties, I wasn't out drinking or spending time with boys. I was however, spending every cent I earnt on gigs, festivals and musicals and out as late as need be whenever an event was on (school night or weekend). I met my friends through those circles and I built my networks and mingled online. I was a MySpace early adapter, joining the site in 2004.

Of course, I had the issue everyone would have. My parents didn't exactly approve, in their eyes, it wasn't going to get me anywhere or lead to anything of any importance but it was the only outlet I had of making myself really happy and it was the only thing I enjoyed. When my final year of school came up, I stopped the study routine and did nothing but drum up ideas and concepts for work, do work for free and offer assistance to bands/artists/managers in any way I could.

Since then, I've worked for an artist manager for 4 years, I worked for a large Sydney based management company with some of Australia's biggest acts for 2 and a half years,  I also worked with one of Australia's biggest pop/rock bands for 3 years and now I"m launching into events, clubs and touring. When I'm not working, I'm at a gig, when I'm not at a gig I"m at a club and when I'm not doing that I'm at home listening to music or researching new stuff.

I constantly meet up with friends who have studied subjects because their parents and teachers said to, have gone into jobs where they hate the work, they hate their jobs and everyday are miserable when they get home. They talk to me about their hobbies and about what they really love but the vast majority are too scared to persue it. 

Take it from someone on the other side of the fence, don't be scared. If the passion and the enthusiasm are there. It makes it all easier, because you want to do it and you enjoy it your more determined to launch into it. Everything will come to you easily and the opportunities that'll present themselves will blow your mind. You'll never regret it. I promise you.

I do what I do for the love of making people happy. Music makes me happy, I can't play it to save my life but.. if I can help other people who's stuff is great, who have the passion, who's stuff makes people happy, I'm there to spread it. There's nothing in the world better than that and that's a promise.

So get off your arse and do it.

Oh and for all you bloggers out there.. take note.. Pana is awesome. http://johnpana.blogspot.com