*****
WTR (What’s Toby Reading)? provides unsolicited and unsponsored (I don’t get paid) opinions of books I have recently finished.
*****
I file “keys to success” books into two categories:
(a) those penned by the Uber-rich and famous aimed at slinging advice to the common person as a source of inspiration, or,
(b) pragmatic approaches to effectively managing real life written by people you could have a cup of coffee with.
Matt Wilson’s Hooks: Lessons on Performance, Business, and Life from a Working Musician would be the latter category and, coincidentally, the one I prefer most.
Wilson has been a working musician for nearly 30 years. Why might we be able to glean some real-world life lessons from a musician (they just party and have fun, right)? I asked him that during our time together and imagined that readers picking up the book might be pondering the same.
For me, Wilson’s Hooks (an intentional word-play on the musical term for the part of a song that you’d remember) is a mix tape of the diverse, real-world experiences of a person that has navigated his way in an unconventional profession. Wilson has done the big stuff that successful people do: led a business, successfully promoted his own work, and shared stages with renowned artists around the world.
But, more relatable to me, Wilson has learned from worrying about an empty gig calendar, experienced performance anxiety, wrestled with the balance of creative work and fatherhood, and grinded his way in a business that sees more talented people go than come.
Wilson’s Hooks – the 80 lessons he’s learned along the way – have buoyed his success through the ups and downs of a professional music and business career.
I appreciate that Matt Wilson has been successful and wants to share these tidbits with the world through themes like: Confidence, Performance, Skill, Identity, and Creativity (among others).
Wilson’s Hooks is a quick, page-turner that will leave you better for having read it – and wanting to catch one of his band’s shows if you are able.
Book Details:
Pages: 298
Published: 2020 by Brown Boots Press
Price: $16 (paperback)
Buy Link: here
