I Choose This - How to Nearly Make it in the Music Industry

by David Ford

There was a time when people swore I'd be the next big thing. It took ten years of hard work and dedication but I finally proved them all wrong........

"...a wonderful cautionary warning" - Word Magazine
"a tale of hard work and heartbreak, packed with piquant details" - Paul Du Noyer

Nearly making it in the music industry is not such a difficult thing. You'll need a grain of talent, a gram of intelligence and the persistence of an idiot........David Ford

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

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Reviews

[Mark my words · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ford is, in my uneducated mind, the 21st century Bob Dylan. High praise, unless you don't like Bob Dylan. Yet I can find no other singer, songwriter today that speaks so much to me. He seems to have an accessibility and a stone wall between him and his audience. I believe the stone wall is neccesary, more than ever in this over-exposed culture we live in. But he possesses a sense of humour, the like of which felons entertaining the gallows would die for. This truly is how to not get famous and enjoy it.

[Dan Qantaqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think that many people are going to find this book unless they have at least heard of David Ford before. Given that most people who find this book know at least some of the snark and the sarcasm and wit of the lyrics (if you can't finish this lyric "Cheer up, you miserable _____") then you may not be in the right place.

I have always wondered how some of my favorite singer / songwriter type people seem so destined to not make it in the music industry. I can think of at least 2 (although if I google it, the number would be in the millions. How can someone else's self help book help you. See title "SELF" but I digress) self help books but other than Douglas Adams specifically having someone write out an autobiography to use for advice on what choices not to make, there aren't a significant amount of books out there concentrating on this topic. This book could have been called "I Choose this - WTF was I thinking, did you know America has better road kill and my friend's name is Cock, no, not that type"

So, if you think I'm rambling or you think that my prose is off kilter (yes, I know, I'm no Bukowski), then this may not be for you. If you want to know more about David Ford and the completely reasonable choices that completely seemed to not work out for him, then this book will be a run adventure.

And by the way, yes, I am seriously proud that I was able to do a book review using the word "Cock" and not have it be dirty - Thanks David.

[Meg - find me on TSG · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started this my reaction was to wonder why I'd bought it--likely too much enthusiasm after finally seeing the author perform live. But he sucked me in to the point it became unputdownable. Great, funny, moving account of nearly making it with interesting/amusing anecdotes about the US seen from outside. I like him even more having read it.

[chris foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Happily) undiscovered genius!

An excellent insight to the reality of the music business from the viewpoint of a real and talented musician.
Honesty, heartfelt and funny.
Buy the book, read the book, then buy the music to keep this brilliant songsmith on the road.

[Elizabeth Coldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit I knew nothing about David Ford or his music before I read I Choose This, and probably wouldn't be a fan if did. However, I heard him being interviewed about this book on a very old episode of The Word podcast, and was intrigued - books about people who were almost successful are usually far more interesting than the ones about the people who made it. This is no exception - by turns Ford overestimates and underestimates his own ability, which makes for good reading, and catalogues the highs and lows of his career with wry detachment. If you've ever wanted to be a rock star, this probably won't put you off, and if you only ever listen to music, not make it, you'll come away with a lot more sympathy for all those musicians slogging around the country, hoping they'll be stars and never wanting to give up on that dream even if in their hearts they know they never will.

[Martin Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ford has joined a long list of artists who arouse a high degree of enthusiasm from those that appreciate his work...and apathy elsewhere. Industry insiders repeatedly anticipate him "breaking through", but it doesn't happen. David's own story provides a few clues as to how his disinclination to chase fame and commercial success is both the barrier to wider recognition, as well as the heart of his appeal. For those of us that have followed his progress, this is an enlightening and enjoyable tour of the background story to someone many of us confidently expected to draw a much wider audience. The man is a singer and songwriter of immense talent...and narrow appeal. This book reveals the reality of making a bare living as a professional musician outside the magic circle. And just to think - this is reality for a very talented performer, with the determination to grow musically and with a small but committed base of supporters from all over. Great read, doubtless destined to be widely ignored.

[Steve Wilcockson · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Ford is one of the best singer/songwriters plying his trade around the stages of the world and this book is a literary extension of his live shows.

Ford's dead pan wit comes through comfortably and his rise up and down the ranks of the music business is a dissection of fame, failure and artistic redemption makes for an entertaining narrative.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully honest and raw autobiography of a modern day troubadour trying to make a living in the modern music world. Anyone who is fortunate to have seen him play live will know that he is a gifted and talented musician but as he reveals here the first 10 years have not been easy.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humble, honest and amusing look at never quite making it in the music industry.

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

David is an amazing musician and lyricist. His style of writing in this book is no different. I find him to be true genius at whatever he sets his mind to do! Well done David !

[Adam Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, it's a great read for any fan of Mr Ford.

[Rick Burin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The muscularly mercurial Eastbourne singer-songwriter never did quite ‘make’ it in the industry sense, but he has made a succession of incomparable records and put on some of the best shows in modern memory, so it’s a fair trade. This honest, episodic 2011 memoir is essentially a series of anecdotes, with a through line about creativity v commerce, that pick up his story at 18, follow him through the Easyworld years – in which his three-piece happen upon some buzz but struggle to find a niche or an identity – and then chart his progression from Next Big Thing to Latest Has-Been, at least in financial terms.

Ford’s writing style is readable if a little one-trick (tending to open with an exciting, enigmatic one-liner which he then contextualises), blessed with a beguiling honesty for an artist who has always seemed so enigmatic. Though at times he tips over into self-conscious bromantic sentiment, or an excessive spiciness in the personal attacks (he remains, after all, most critical of himself), it’s an enjoyable read and an essential one if you’re among those for whom Ford’s music “has been allowed to come close to your ears” and so been suitably seduced: the best key we have to understanding one of the most interesting and individual performers we have.

Ford went on to write ‘Every Time’, a song that distils the theme and message of this book into five-and-a-half shout-along minutes, but the beauty is often in the detail, and while critics of stand-up shows have come to deride the “my nan’s dead” device meant to add depth and sincerity to lightweight material, here it’s all real, as Ford falls apart over his grandma’s illness, the people of Philadelphia come together to heal their hero, and the song ‘Philadelphia Boy’ suddenly makes sense to me, given layers and layers of love.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK - for the sake of clarity I am a fan of David Ford's and have been for a fair number of years now. His first album titled "I sincerely apologise for all the trouble I've caused" somehow resonated with me! He is definitely one of my favourite singer/songwriters. This is tales about a chunk of his life. It was actually published in 2011 and he is still touring - I know because I went to a gig earlier this year - so I guess it's somewhat incomplete. However what it is is a good insight into the music industry and his struggles to "break through".

It's powerful stuff in places, equally it can be very funny as he has a very dry wit as anyone who has been to his gigs will know. The ups and downs coupled with his changing views on some things at least made for good reading. I have some doubts whether people who are not fans would really be interested in this although it makes for a fascinating insight into recording and life on the road. Fans I think would probably really enjoy this - I certainly did.

[Kate Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book 13 years ago, and immediately had it signed by the man himself. During our conversation, he said something slightly self deprecating, and I inadvertently told him to F off.
With that in mind, I don’t know why I was surprised to absorb the tone of this book as Ford not being his own champion. It left me questioning why I love his music so much, when he didn’t have too much good to say about his output. But by the end it all just seemed to click. He’s still my favourite songwriter, and I only love him more having had an insight into the journey.

[Ben Pocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having listened to David Ford's music for a long time, it was fascinating to see 'behind the curtain' a little as he shares his story of his career. With straight, vulnerable authenticity, David shares some insights of the music industry from his perspective, as well as the story of many of the songs any fans of his would know. Definitely worth a read if you're a David Ford fan.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needed an editor.