How I Lost A Job Teaching Tom Cruise Guitar | What I Learned | Tim Pierce | Tom Rasulo | 

Big thanks to Rick Beato for Insisting I tell this story! (and for creating the thumbnail)

Alternate title: How Tom Cruise Lost A Great Guitar Teacher

"I have a tendency to overshare." "No need to tell your personal story to someone you've never met and don't know... who's trying to hire you." That right there is professional GOLD! Preach it, Tim!!!

"Oversharing" has really held me back in all aspects of my life. It's a damn curse. I just can not stop TALKING! Great story, Tim.

Solid advice :) Don't say too much!

This is a great story! Film guitar coaching is a fascinating subject - I'd love to hear the story of Arlen Roth teaching Macchio for "Crossroads", or Paul Hanson teaching Michael J Fox for "Back To The Future".

I auditioned for Rock of Ages too! There was an open casting call for real life local South Florida musicians (this is where it was filmed) to be in the 2 backing bands in the movie. I auditioned and got several callbacks, but eventually lost out to another local musician by the name of Brev Sullivan. He was Tom Cruise's rhythm guitar player in the movie. My audition tapes are still up on RU-vid today

One reason why Tim is so great, he is honest with himself. He didnt blame anybody for losing the gig, he analyzed his “output” and realized that he missed the mark. Im pretty sure thats how he approaches playing guitar.

They say you don't need to live every situation yourself to get a lesson out of it! Here is a good example....thanks Tim!

Wow that was super interesting to hear Tim. Thanks for sharing!

You tell the story well, Tim! It was Tom Cruise's loss. Love you just the way you are :)

Film sets are a pain in the ass. It sounds glamorous but there is a LOT of sitting around waiting. You did the right thing lol

All the Hollywood people ever want to hear is "Everything's great," "Whatever you need," and "I can do it." When you tell them "I can do it" it lets them off the hook if you screw up. It won't be their fault because you said you could do it!

Selling yourself HONESTLY is tough, I run into that all the time as I am in sales but always do the right thing and you did. Rock on!!!

Tim, you have done it again. Sage words of wisdom. Your passion for making music and work ethic can serve as a model for anyone in any career. Thanks for all the great YT videos.

I did get a gig working on a film teaching a famous actor to play drums in a rock band - it was huge fun and the most money I have ever earned for 3 months work - the daily rate was just crazy!

Speaks volumes about how phony "business" is. Nice guys finish last. Thanks for posting Tim, you're one of the good guys!

How could someone turn you down? You're the Bob Ross of guitar instruction.

Great story Tim.....you told the truth. you did the right thing and got rewarded in the end.......

Excellent advice and reflection.

Oversharing is often a characteristic of an honest person. That's why we like Tim so much.

It's not often you see a Bert Weedon album in the US. He was an old school British guitar player who recorded "Apache" BEFORE the Shadows

yes, maybe there is a lesson for "least words, most confident words" etc but I see it differently. You were absolutely yourself when on that call, and there is no better way to live your life being who you are. It has worked out very well for you so far

Tim, the universe works in crazy ways, this video is going to help me so much. Thanks for sharing this!!!

True about Tom being a great guy, met him and was in awe how fucking kind he was. I expected nice, I didn’t expect insanely gracious

"I have a tendency to over share"..I feel ya brother!

Just an incredible story. It´s so courageous to speak about to fail sometimes. So thanks for this. Greetz. Carsten

Thank you. That story brought me joy

The not oversharing thing is awesome advice, but good your gut kept you right and kept you busy. Loving the channel Tim!

You're exceedingly gracious for not speaking ill of what seemed like an opportunity. You're actually lucky for reasons I won't say for the same reason.

I'm so glad I find your channel and really thanks to share this strong chapter of your professional life.

So true. Thanks again for another great video Tim. It's a great reminder it's sometimes we just need to keep our mouths shut haha. Love your stuff man looking forward to the next video.

Great story and life lesson! Thanks for sharing Tim!!!

"The least words possible, the most confident words possible and no need to tell your personal story" i should print that out and hang it on the wall.

Great story & life lesson, thanks for sharing Tim! We all need to be sowing more seeds!

Love the stories Tim. I bet you have a lot more stories!! Thank you sir!!

Brilliant life lesson here. "I'm your guy" is the first thing that should come out of your mouth when asked if you can do it and it is within your expertise. Thanks for sharing!

Had Tom Cruise taken the lessons, he would have been known for his guitar playing.

I'm loving all the album covers in the background! 8-)

Tim is a CLASS act, I love this guy!!

I gave Robert Duvall some lessons back in the 90's. Nicest guy you'll ever meet.

It's all good Tim, everything happens for a reason. Great story, by an even better guy👍🏼

Ain't the the truth brother -- I tend to over share too. It's said, oftentimes, that the universe will give you exactly what you ask for and as Confucius said: "Be careful what you wish for -- you just might get it!" Love seeing you play Tim -- it is always with great enthusiasm and love for what you are doing -- so you really didn't lose out by not getting the gig with Tom Cruise.

What a great story and morale...thanks for sharing!

You are a humble man, Tim !!!

You are a great teacher, thank You for all you give and do. Some Big fish just get away, but there is always a chance you might hook him again. We out here know you are one of the greats, and you share the inside of the industry and other great Artist life with us, really enjoy watching recording sessions, and when you review Amps and gear, new and old. Thanks Tim

electric ladyland, rainbow bridge, glen campbell and burt weedon in the front row......my kinda guy.......:)

Cool story, Tim. I'd like to see more of these.

Great show, Tim Pierce you are legendary

Love the effects you added when you pound your hand.....

I wish I could give multiple thumbs up for this video. Thanks Tim.

Love these stories Tim, keep them coming, so entertaining 👍

"Selling" yourself in a moment of importance can be difficult!

I love your attitude Tim. You make me smile! 😀

Oh yeah by the way thankyou for sharing ur story it was fascinating and everyone will have an opinion but was super cool of u to share and to be offered the part it speaks for itself.

Tim I lost a gig with only me to blame too!! Very honest of you to share this!! I got asked to play slide on a tune for Chris Kimsey. Thought I'd do my usual thing and vibe it then and there, so listened to the tune the night before and literally nothing came to mind!! It totally didn't seem to suit slide to me! So I showed up, busked my way through, he was great but I later found out he knew I hadn't prepared and that was it! opportunity gone forever.

I remember them filming down here. I actually auditioned for a role of Tom's bandmate/guitarist. Alas... it was not meant to be either. This cautionary tale I shared with my classes. Excellent point, thank you!

I strive in life to be as good as Tim. Not only at guitar but at being a great person as well.

Did you say “Scientology is just fantastic....golly”

Every thing happens for a reason ! The one that got away, is always for a very good reason !!!

I grew up in Memphis. I met Tom Cruise while he was filming the movie The Firm when his air conditioner went out in his room at the Peabody Motel and my father was the maintenance man I was with my father for the day to help him out and I talked to Tom Cruise for probably about 2 hours and he really was a cool dude

What a great story! Thanks for sharing man! I’m sure you have a ton of them! ✌🏻😎🎸

Tim... love your stories. And your happy attitude! 😀👍

Great story Tim. Thanks for sharing. Bummer about the missed opportunity though.

Hahahaha - love the disclaimer about drinking ROOT BEER instead of BEER. Root beer is loaded with high fructose corn syrup, so it's the far more dangerous beverage, meaning it's far more rock and roll than Pabst Blue Ribbon =D

Another great video Tim, thanks from 🇭🇲

This is such a great cautionary tale. I love the playing of Mark Knopfler & Lindsey Buckingham, but as a teacher & communicator Tim Pierce is my man.

Great video Tim, you are a master of masters sir. For a gig like that, I would start by asking questions along the lines of: Does he play already another instrument? If not what other things does he do that require timing and hand synchronization accuracy? Where does he expect to be within which timeframe? When they ask you why would you be the right guy to teach him, you could answer that you know you are because you believe that people play guitar because they are great and not the other way around, and that you don't get to be what Tom Cruise is without being extremely talented as well as dedicated, playing guitar would be thus just another manifestation of (another outlet to) his talent if he's willing to put in the work (however much needed to achieve the goal within the timeframe). Often folks tend to forget, it is us who make the guitar and not the guitar that makes us. That is how Rock n Roll came to exist in the first place.

Tim Pierce is hands down the best guitar dude on the internet.

Dovetailing into another agenda is a seamless art form. I knew where this was going right before you said it. Good on you for your candor.

It's the seeds you plant...super solid! 🔥

Great story Tim ! Thanks !

Another great lesson from Tim Pierce!

👍🏻 Yet Another Great Video…. Tim is awesome AND a GREAT / DOWN TO EARTH guy ! Surprisingly, Tim is NOT “Woke”. He lives in LA yet he’s quite “BASED”. I met him over 20 years ago while I was a “Go-For” at a recording studio. There was not a single time that I can recall in which Tim did not say”Hi” or say something nice. Outstanding dude.

Oh man, you are such a great inspiration!

As a former Navy fighter pilot who was serving during the mid 80's, buddies of mine who met Mr. Cruise during the filming of Top Gun had a completely different read on the guy than being "one of the nicest guys around". However, they all said Val Kilmer was good as gold.

Great story, Tim! ;-) It's amazing how we, in an attempt to impress, can talk ourselves right out of something. I've been guilty of that myself. Very good advice to say as little as possible (after all, that's what politicians do to get elected).

A friend of mine who works in post production/marketing was introduced around to some A listers when their movie had a great opening weekend, Tom Cruise among them. One of the producers he had worked closely with before, said he had worked with my friend before, instantly giving him a boost in the eyes of everyone in the room. When he was introduced to Tom, he noticed Cruise shot a look at his assistant, as if to say, "Is this someone I should take note of?". In my friends peripheral vision, he saw the assistant shake his head no. One of those "die inside" moments in Hollywood. Win some, lose some. BTW, my friend is doing just fine and continues to work with A-listers a lot. Tom's loss.

Just lost a gig for the exact same reason... Lesson learned! Thanks for sharing!

Great story. Great lesson. Im learning not to give too much information and stay focused on subject without straying

Great story Tim. It sounds like you made the classic salesperson mistake with that phone call of launching into a discussion about you and your experience/capabilities, essentially throwing it all up against the wall and hoping something sticks. The more successful approach on the phone or in person is to lead with a single short statement (a hook) that is relevant to the opportunity, grabs interest and makes the other person want to hear more. You then stop talking about yourself and start asking open ended questions about them and the problem they need you to solve. Doing this will draw out loads of information about the opportunity and give you the knowledge and framework needed to deliver only the most relevant and compelling information about you that solves their problem. The other person always likes talking about themselves, they will feel good doing this, and they will understand you are very interested in helping them. Once you have enough information about them, then that's the time to talk about yourself, matching key facts and capabilities to their needs, nothing more, nothing less. When you have finished telling your story, then simply ask if there is anything you haven't covered or if there are any issues, points or concerns that still need to be addressed. When you feel you have successfully matched yourself to the needs of the job and covered everything off, you then need to move them towards a decision. If it is the decision maker you are talking to, simply ask for the business. Do it tactfully though. Don't simply ask "do have the job?" Ask something like "Well everything sounds great and I'm excited by the opportunity. Shall I mark those dates down in my diary?" The golden rule at this juncture is once you have asked for the business, say nothing further. Stay silent until the other person speaks. You need that yes or no answer. If you open your mouth before they do, you may never get to that point of decision again. If you're not talking to the decision maker, you know you can't get a commitment on the spot and you will actually damage your credibility by trying to get one. But you can still move things towards the decision by asking a trial closing question like "I'm excited by the opportunity and I'm keen to move forward with this project. What are the next steps?" Then show the other person you can make their life easier by asking "Is there anything else I can provide to help you with the process?" That person will very likely become your strongest advocate. I hope you get something from this Tim. Selling is a process and you need to be in control all the way. The art to selling is to be tactful and empathetic, such that the process and your level of leadership and control of the conversation is not obvious. All the best!

Well, you can't be unhappy for being humble, honest and have great work ethics. So many would only tell them what they want to hear. Choices are often like door openers. Make the right choice, you get the key to the doors you want opened. This one sounds like it opened the right ones for you.

"Tom Cruise is the nicest guy in the world". Until he lost it on set and went off on the crew for not wearing masks, even though the two people were alone at the time. This happened on Thursday... 12/17/20 Check out E! TV

Tim, YOU ARE THE GUY!

You are so right, Tim. I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't know that.

The person that I am when I do a job interview or when I first meet a client is NOT the person I am usually. What he said is right: you ARE the guy, period. No, you never lie, but the confidence level needs to be cranked to 11 or more.

Great lesson ... Don't overshare ... Know when to hold 'em .. know when to fold 'em

Thanks for the great story!

I was looking for the parts where Tom Cruise was running......while also playing guitar. haha. Thanks for the upload. Funny.

Love the honesty. More like this!

One of those cases that proves the axiom "less is more". Cool story bro.

"I'm not really what you'd call a work-horse" was her interpretation. Haha. Great story, Tim

Nice to see honesty these days.

I also have a tendency to overshare and pretty sure this has cost me opportunities also. I know what you speak is truth and some of the best advice you can give somebody for non-personal interactions, business included, available. It does make you wonder how many people made bad hires because the best hire for the job was an oversharer 😁

Thanks, this videos are VERY useful, as we learn from mistakes and almost nobody of you level share this kind of information... thanks fort sharing.

Much RESPECT to you Tim!!!!

Great video and a Bert Weedon album in the background

Totally understand that. Tim literally talked himself out of the gig. It's understandable. You were excited..

In real estate, when I finally got myself to shut up more, and ask questions, it helped increase my business. I briefly explain that I'm the guy who is going to get the job done, but ask questions about them. People love to talk about themselves. A study proved that when meeting a stranger, it you ask them questions and get them talking about themself, it increases the chance that they conclude "I really liked that person" when really they learned very little about you. They spent the time talking about themself, so psychologically they are pleased and feel it was you they liked. Weird how that works, but makes sense. I used to feel the need to really explain who I am, what I will do, what to expect, my benefits, blah blah blah. Nah, people don't care. Just keep it brief, confident, ask questions, shut up.