If someone asks you who was the famous Jersey boy band who sang “Sherry” you would say “The Four Seasons.”
I had the privilege of attending Jersey Boy at Bank of America Theatre in Chicago. I had no idea of the work and commitment that went in before they charted their first 1st number one song 1962.
Did you know that before they were the Four Seasons, they were the Four Lovers? In fact, they had over 18 stage names before bombing an addition at a bowling alley in New Jersey early in 1961. And you can guess what that name of that bowling alley was.
Any idea how long they were a group before they became the Four Seasons? If I did my math right, 8 years. Some of the musicians came and went, but Frankie Valley (yes, it started out with a “y”) and the Variatones started playing in performing in clubs and lounges in 1954.
After the success of “Sherry”, they went on to produce and record several million-selling hits, including “Big Girls Don’t Cry” (their second #1 hit), “Walk Like a Man” (their third #1), “Candy Girl”, “Ain’t That a Shame”, and several others and the rest, as they say, is history!
But what if they had quit the music business? Before all their years of hard work had a chance to pay off?
I find myself drawn to inspirational stories and this is just another great example of believing in a dream and never giving up.
4 guys under a New Jersey street lamp, finding their sound.
8 years. Of clubs and bars and bowling allies.
And then – pay dirt!
So what about your dreams, goals, aspirations? Do a few no’s or naysayers stop you from fulfilling your dream?
Is focus lost on the long term goals when obstacles get in the way?
Do you stop because it’s harder than you thought? Or your efforts and hard work bring you to yet another no?
For me, each setback provides a chance to reevaluate and redirect energy, to make changes and to continue moving forward.
I’ve learned lemonade become much easier to make with practice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(band)
