Lessons from the Road

Todd Pasternack spent 10 years as a full-time touring musician. He spent endless days riding in vans, playing one-night stands, and dealing with many creative and logistical problems that he had to handle on the spot. From these experiences, he learned to trust his judgment, to recognize and go with the flow, and, quite usefully, to code. He has since built a thriving business in digital marketing and advertising. In folksy, conversational prose, Pasternack shares how bands and businesses – especially start-ups – face parallel or comparable circumstances. He offers lessons he learned in the world of music to help business leaders become more flexible, cooperative and creative. Pasternack interviews 10 former professional musicians who have all become successful businesspeople – most famous among them, Jimmy Chamberlain of the multiplatinum group Smashing Pumpkins – and adds their hard-earned wisdom and helpful tips to his own. Though you might find too many tidbits of Pasternack’s advice in other business books, his musician’s perspective is fresh and illuminating. getAbstract recommends his guidance to entrepreneurs, managers and anyone looking for a fresh take on day-to-day solutions.