Photos and story by Robert Sanchez
GROSSMONT COLLEGE– Everyday a new musician is born. From Country, Rock, and hip-hop an artist emerges. But where do these people start, what drives them to make the sacrifices they make, and push to get into the music industry?
Recently I sat down with musician Ian Owen to talk about his path in Music. Owen is a local San Diego musician, who has played in a fair amount of bands, and keeps pushing to get his music out there. Attending Grossmont College, he credits talented professors with helping him to acquire a trained ear for finding the right notes in his creative process of songwriting.
Owen says his school experience has been important for a variety of reasons. He has met other talented peers, some of whom have joined him in creating music. He said he also has benefitted from connections forged with the help of such professors as Fred Benedetti and Derek Cannon.
“School is a very important time and experience for every musician, it allows you to step out of yourself, analyze, and even critique yourself in a more disciplined environment,” Owen says .
Having met Owen through private lessons for guitar, I can say first-hand that he is an excellent teacher, and loves what he does. He teaches guitar lessons out of a local music shop, Moze Guitars, located on La Mesa Boulevard. It took him years to get this job but after constantly going in and asking about teaching there, he finally succeeded.
A musician’s reputation and work ethic are important career builders, Owen asserts.
“Your name is everything. If you want to be known as a lazy musician, or some one who doesn’t get the job done, then that is what will follow your name,” he explains.
As a musician, he added, you need to be self-motivated, and work hard — especially in such a highly competitive industry as music. So working as a teacher, performing in bands, and producing numerous recordings, Owen is a role model for any Grossmont student who dreams of making it after his or her schooling, or even while still going through school.
*
Sanchez is a student in Media Comm 132
