I was reading five or six years ahead of my grade during public school. I was pretty bored. I made a contract with some of my teachers that if I didn't ask too many questions, I could work in the back of the room.
It's typical of record companies. They sign you because you're unique, and then they want to put you in a mold so they can sell records.
I started 20 years without missing a race and ESPN started broadcasting on the air waves.