Welcome to Music Business Survival, a series of regular columns by Sean O'Bryan Smith. Here you'll learn the skills necessary to succeed as a working bassist. So, "who is this bald guy?" you ask. Well, allow us to tell you:

Sean O'Bryan Smith Sean has packed a lot into his two decades of bass playing. Working out of Nashville since 1999, he's played with a phone book worth of stars in Jazz, Country, Rock and more. He is now one of the most sought-after bassists in town. This year (2007) will see the release of Sean's solo CD Tapestry on Black Rose Records, as well as a corresponding tour. The CD is a highly ambitious offering of instrumental music featuring some of the top sidemen and players in the industry including legendary guitar player Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel, Sarah McLachlan), Ken Rarick (Cher, Madonna), Rich Eckhardt (Toby Keith), Mel Watts (Wilson Pickett, Garth Brooks), Johnny Barranco (Barry Manilow), Monty Powell (Keith Urban, Rascall Flatts) and Teddy Andreadis (Alice Cooper, Guns 'n Roses). Sean will be filling all of the bass roles playing fretted, fretless, muti-string, electric upright, and tenor basses as well as rhythm guitar and some keyboards.

Each month, we'll offer more of Sean's wisdom. Click on the links below to read the articles.

Sean's Bio | Sean's MySpace | Sean Discusses His Rig Here.

Sean's latest article: Groove of Faith

Previous articles from most recent:

  1. Groove of Faith
  2. The Chameleon Effect
  3. The Root of the Groove
  4. Roll With It
  5. Carpe This!
  6. Groove Impulse
  7. Groove Etiquette
  8. Return of the Groove Alliance (Feelings)
  9. Keeping Tradition Alive
  10. Is There a Groove in the House?
  11. Protect and Serve
  12. To Groove or Not to Groove
  13. When do We Play?
  14. Set the Stage
  15. Follow That Vocalist!
  16. All or Nothing
  17. "The Groove Alliance" (part 2)
  18. "The Groove Alliance" (part 1)
  19. Bass Yoga (Harmonious Bassdom for All)
  20. Big Ears
  21. Be "One" with the Root / Five