Destined for Greatness
244 pages, 6 x 9
8 black and white photos
Paperback
Release Date:16 Apr 2018
ISBN:9780813588117
Hardcover
Release Date:16 Apr 2018
ISBN:9780813588124
Destined for Greatness
Passions, Dreams, and Aspirations in a College Music Town
Rutgers University Press
Pursuing the dream of a musical vocation—particularly in rock music—is typically regarded as an adolescent pipedream. Music is marked as an appropriate leisure activity, but one that should be discarded upon entering adulthood. How then do many men and women aspire to forge careers in music upon entering adulthood?
In Destined for Greatness, sociologist Michael Ramirez examines the lives of forty-eight independent rock musicians who seek out such non-normative choices in a college town renowned for its music scene. He explores the rich life course trajectories of women and men to explore the extent to which pathways are structured to allow some, but not all, individuals to fashion careers in music worlds. Ramirez suggests a more nuanced understanding of factors that enable the pursuit of musical livelihoods well into adulthood.
In Destined for Greatness, sociologist Michael Ramirez examines the lives of forty-eight independent rock musicians who seek out such non-normative choices in a college town renowned for its music scene. He explores the rich life course trajectories of women and men to explore the extent to which pathways are structured to allow some, but not all, individuals to fashion careers in music worlds. Ramirez suggests a more nuanced understanding of factors that enable the pursuit of musical livelihoods well into adulthood.
A fascinating reminder of music's profound impact across the life course, Destined for Greatness offers a backstage look at how musicians pursue, abandon, or creatively accommodate their rock and roll dreams with the realities of growing up.
Michael Ramirez tells a fascinating story of emerging adulthood, developing an identity as a professional musician, and confronting the challenges of sustaining a career in the indie college music scene.
?Weekly Book List, April 20, 2018' by Nina Ayoub
The Page 99 Test: Michael Ramirez's Destined for Greatness
My Book, The Movie' blog post about Destined for Greatness
Campaign for the American Reader' blog post on Destined for Greatness
New Books Network - New Books in Sociology interview with Michael Ramirez
This is an excellent addition to an evolving area of scholarship.
Book Explores Athens Music,' in Georgia Magazine
?Rock stars are made, not born,' essay by Michael Ramirez
Through his meticulous study of 48 indie-rock musicians aspiring musical success, Ramirez sketches a captivating picture of the motivations, considerations, and concerns of these musicians and their endeavors to make music their vocation.
A very timely and important book. It should appeal to a wide variety of sociologists with divergent research interests.
A fascinating reminder of music's profound impact across the life course, Destined for Greatness offers a backstage look at how musicians pursue, abandon, or creatively accommodate their rock and roll dreams with the realities of growing up.
Michael Ramirez tells a fascinating story of emerging adulthood, developing an identity as a professional musician, and confronting the challenges of sustaining a career in the indie college music scene.
Weekly Book List, April 20, 2018' by Nina Ayoub
The Page 99 Test: Michael Ramirez's Destined for Greatness
My Book, The Movie' blog post about Destined for Greatness
Campaign for the American Reader' blog post on Destined for Greatness
New Books Network - New Books in Sociology interview with Michael Ramirez
This is an excellent addition to an evolving area of scholarship.
Book Explores Athens Music,' in Georgia Magazine
Rock stars are made, not born,' essay by Michael Ramirez
Through his meticulous study of 48 indie-rock musicians aspiring musical success, Ramirez sketches a captivating picture of the motivations, considerations, and concerns of these musicians and their endeavors to make music their vocation.
A very timely and important book. It should appeal to a wide variety of sociologists with divergent research interests.
MICHAEL RAMIREZ is an associate professor of sociology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Introduction 1
1 First Hearing the Sounds: Coming of Age and the Discovery of Music 23
2 First Making the Sounds: Negotiating Adulthood in a Musical World 50
3 I Feel It In My Bones: The Development of Musician Identities 77
4 Men and Masculinities in a Musical World 104
5 Women and the Challenges of Musical Life Course Trajectories 131
6 The Great Beyond: Commitment to Music and Looking Toward the Future 159
7 Conclusion 185
Acknowledgments 203
Notes 207
References 213
Index 227
1 First Hearing the Sounds: Coming of Age and the Discovery of Music 23
2 First Making the Sounds: Negotiating Adulthood in a Musical World 50
3 I Feel It In My Bones: The Development of Musician Identities 77
4 Men and Masculinities in a Musical World 104
5 Women and the Challenges of Musical Life Course Trajectories 131
6 The Great Beyond: Commitment to Music and Looking Toward the Future 159
7 Conclusion 185
Acknowledgments 203
Notes 207
References 213
Index 227
