The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna – HuffPost 5.27.11

Mike Ragogna: Jeff, do you have any advice for new artists?

Jeff Hanna: Stay true to yourself, you know? The great thing about the music business right now is that there is no music business. The old model is fading and morphing, so much that anybody can make a record. You got a garage band? You can make a record, and that’s a good thing. You can just put yourself up on the Internet and start building your fan base from there. I do think that now, more than ever, it matters that you’re able to go out and play well live. I think that that is essential. Just, you know, do it because you love it and not because you want to be rich and famous. If that’s meant to happen, it’ll happen, but if that’s the goal it’s not gonna happen. (laughs) That’s my little philosophical overview. Most of the people that I know that have had really successful careers got into this because they love singing and writing songs.

MR: Right. Making music does not equal making money.

JH: That’s right, and I gotta say that I am very grateful to have been able to play music for a living most of my adult life. But it’s hard work, too. I think the main thing is if you love doing, find a bunch of people who also love doing it and start a band or if you just want to go out there and bang on your guitar, go out there and do it. I think the door is wide open right now.