My Musical Comeback From Cancer
Donation protected
Two years ago, on February 4th of 2016, I released my first full length album, titled “Finally”. The response was so overwhelming that I ended up on the Billboard R&B sales charts for the next 2 days. Who knew that 4 days later I’d be in and out of Memorial Sloan Cancer Center for the next 2 years fighting for my life.
It’s already difficult as it is being an independent artist. Add to that, stress and struggle, it gets even harder. Now, I always mention BOTH Anita Baker and Luther Vandross whenever age is mentioned,
because they didn’t find fame until their mid-40’s. Quincy Jones was 50 when he produced Michael Jackson’s, “Thriller.”
Let’s factor in health which naturally comes along with aging. Here’s where my problem lies. At one point there was no stopping me. I had a
manager, label interest and was working with a top production company. There was no way I wasn’t going to be a star. I started having back problems, though. That turned out to be kidney failure and I needed to be put on dialysis immediately.
I never gave up pursuing my dream of being an R&B singer. Even though kidney failure was joining the list of hypertension and chronic asthma, 11 years of dialysis created new problems. Such as seizures, CHF (Congestive Heart Failure), 2 sets of ulcers, thyroid issues, a pulmonary embolism in my jugular vein and Cancer. I’d like to believe
I’ve been doing a pretty good job of maintaining. I’ve been blessed enough to still be here.
For at least the past 5 years, fear has been a deterrent. You never want to believe that your dream isn’t attainable. So I’m stepping out
on a limb. Even with my frequent trips back and forth to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (I spent 9 months of 2017 there), I still managed to record a song or two.
I can’t give up on music. It has kept me alive. It has been the fire that ignites my soul. In all honesty had it not been for music I’d have given up and ended it all, long ago.
At $300.00 per session (6 hours per session), it’s been difficult. You figure the average album has 10-12 songs on it. Multiply that by $300
and we’re at $3,600.
Since I’m currently on disability, I can only go to the studio once a month. That puts us a year into recording. There’s still no pictures for promotion or an album cover. To make a minimal impact to garner a little attention you need a video. Depending on the quality that can run you from $500 - $1,500 for a video and top quality promotional images can run close to the same (price). To top that all off, there’s still the daunting task of promoting the music.
With at least $6,600, I can record the entire album in two months (including mixing and mastering), shoot a video (maybe 2), take pictures for an album cover and possibly have enough to promote the
album at various establishments.
I would greatly appreciate any assistance anyone can provide. I know we have all had dreams; some of us pursued them, and some of us took
other paths. I believe in never stop dreaming, never stop wishing, and most important of all…never stop believing.
-Sean
It’s already difficult as it is being an independent artist. Add to that, stress and struggle, it gets even harder. Now, I always mention BOTH Anita Baker and Luther Vandross whenever age is mentioned,
because they didn’t find fame until their mid-40’s. Quincy Jones was 50 when he produced Michael Jackson’s, “Thriller.”
Let’s factor in health which naturally comes along with aging. Here’s where my problem lies. At one point there was no stopping me. I had a
manager, label interest and was working with a top production company. There was no way I wasn’t going to be a star. I started having back problems, though. That turned out to be kidney failure and I needed to be put on dialysis immediately.
I never gave up pursuing my dream of being an R&B singer. Even though kidney failure was joining the list of hypertension and chronic asthma, 11 years of dialysis created new problems. Such as seizures, CHF (Congestive Heart Failure), 2 sets of ulcers, thyroid issues, a pulmonary embolism in my jugular vein and Cancer. I’d like to believe
I’ve been doing a pretty good job of maintaining. I’ve been blessed enough to still be here.
For at least the past 5 years, fear has been a deterrent. You never want to believe that your dream isn’t attainable. So I’m stepping out
on a limb. Even with my frequent trips back and forth to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (I spent 9 months of 2017 there), I still managed to record a song or two.
I can’t give up on music. It has kept me alive. It has been the fire that ignites my soul. In all honesty had it not been for music I’d have given up and ended it all, long ago.
At $300.00 per session (6 hours per session), it’s been difficult. You figure the average album has 10-12 songs on it. Multiply that by $300
and we’re at $3,600.
Since I’m currently on disability, I can only go to the studio once a month. That puts us a year into recording. There’s still no pictures for promotion or an album cover. To make a minimal impact to garner a little attention you need a video. Depending on the quality that can run you from $500 - $1,500 for a video and top quality promotional images can run close to the same (price). To top that all off, there’s still the daunting task of promoting the music.
With at least $6,600, I can record the entire album in two months (including mixing and mastering), shoot a video (maybe 2), take pictures for an album cover and possibly have enough to promote the
album at various establishments.
I would greatly appreciate any assistance anyone can provide. I know we have all had dreams; some of us pursued them, and some of us took
other paths. I believe in never stop dreaming, never stop wishing, and most important of all…never stop believing.
-Sean
Organizer
Sean Robinson
Organizer
New York, NY
