Don Felder: Advice From An Eagle

On Friday, December 3, Don Felder, guitarist for the Eagles, spoke at Full Sail Live. Felder was born in Gainesville, Florida. At age 10 he got his first guitar by trading a handful of cherry bombs to the neighbor across the street. While in school he started the band The Continentals with Steven Stills (of Crosby, Stills, and Nash). He also attended school with Bernie Leadon, who later became a part of the Eagles. Other events of importance during this time in Felder’s life were that he taught himself guitar by listening to songs over and over again. His father had bought an old reel-to-reel recorder that he taught Felder how to record with. This spurred his early interest in producing. Felder also gave Tom Petty guitar lessons, while Felder received lessons on how to play slide guitar from Duane Allman (Allman Brothers).

Felder moved and began working in a recording studio in Boston. He got the position because he said he knew he wanted to work there and would not give up. In 1974, Felder added slide guitar onto the song “Good Day In Hell” by the Eagles. The next day he was asked to join the band. Previously Felder had been touring with Crosby & Nash, but decided to take a chance on The Eagles. While with them he helped write hits like “Hotel California,” which he recalls writing the intro to when he was inspired, watching his family playing on the beach.

It was interesting hearing about Felder’s background and what lead him to join The Eagles who were a huge success. One of the most important messages Felder told the audience was never to give up, to learn what you want to do and do it well, and keeping pushing forward. I agree that these are important because I believe that the more effort you put into your dreams, something good will eventually come out of it.

Felder wrapped up his lecture by playing four well know Eagles songs, starting with “Hotel California.” He then did a Q&A session with the audience.

Review of AP Tour: Networking

Getting into the industry can be a hard battle to win, but networking can make all of the difference. I have been building my connections for a number of years now. Yes, it is a process, and you may get impatient, but it does pay off in the long run. One instance where this has worked is when I traveled to Hard Rock Live Orlando to see the AP Tour featuring Bring Me The Horizon, August Burns Red, Emarosa, Polar Bear Club, and This Is Hell.

A huge help in networking at this concert was interning with CI Records over the summer and keeping close contact with my boss, Jeremy Weiss. When I got to the venue, I decided to squeeze into the front row to enjoy the bands. I knew that a priority was to talk to the band August Burns Red, because we had a similar connection, Jeremy at CI. CI was ABR’s first label before signing with Solid State, and Jeremy is still close with the group today.

I began networking during the concert after ABR’s set, because I had not listened to Bring Me The Horizon, so I was not going to fight the true fans for my spot up front. Also, timing was right. Another tip for networking, just open your mouth and talk. Do not be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and meet new people. I went to ABR’s merchandise table because Jake, the lead vocalist, was doing a meet and greet with fans. I held back and let the fans have their time because I was there to talk, rather than get an autograph.

As I was hanging around the table, I began a conversation with a man standing at the This Is Hell merch table. I found out that he was a Full Sail University alumnus. Through that meeting, we kept in touch through Facebook. After talking with him, I moved on to the next table, Polar Bear Club. There I spoke with the lead vocalist, Jimmy. When initiating conversation, I told him how much I enjoyed his set (awesome band, please check them out!), and gave him my ‘Elevator’ or ’30-second’ speech. I told him about going to Full Sail and that I am an aspiring Tour Manager. I then found that we had a similar connection; his band played a show with my friend in The Wonder Years. He then was able to get me connected with his friend, a female tour manager, to ask her questions about the tour managing and the industry. Finally I made it to ABR’s table. Jake was ready to leave, he had been signing for what seemed like hours. Before he walked out I introduced myself and told him about my internship with CI. Before I left I made one more connection that night, I talked to a woman at the AP information table that was the Assistant Tour Manager for the whole tour.

By building all of these connections, I have begun relationships with these individuals. Building relationships builds your team. You never know when you will run into somebody you have met, and by networking, they have a better chance at remembering you. This team can then be called upon for advice, to ask questions to, or even suggestions on where to apply while job searching. Since I am an aspiring tour manager, I can ask what bands are searching for a merch worker or even a tour manager when job hunting. Keep in contact with the people you meet so they can get to know you. I believe in the idea that it never hurts to just talk, you never now who you will meet where and when.