Remember the good old days? The days when artists could be artists, all feather boas and flare, and didn’t have to pay attention to the business of making music? The days when artists could focus solely on being creatives and let the suits take care of the tedious stuff like budgets, contracts and lil ol’ details like terms of the deal.
You know, the days of Run DMC, TLC, MC Hammer, Billy Joel, Toni Braxton, etc.? The days when multi-platinum artists could have financial trouble or suffer losses at the hands of grifters.
Turns out those days weren’t so good for everybody after all.
So, how do you reinvent your version of rock star responsibly and avoid singing the chanteuse blues?
Know your business.
Just as you cultivate your vocals and practice fingerings, so should you be up on the business. Whether it’s uncomfortable or not, it’s important to learn everything you can about the business of your affairs. Even if you do not handle the day to day of the details, you should understand them and be able to make a smart decision or ask intelligent questions regarding or be able to delegate to those who can and can help and can also be trusted.
Regardless your genre of music, the new concept of rock star includes self-empowerment, fiscal savvy and a healthy dose of do-it-yourself.
Ask. Learn. Google.
A couple of cool music business and industry Web sites to regularly check out and/or be affiliated with include:
ASCAP http://www.ascap.com/index.aspx
BMI http://www.bmi.com/
SESAC http://www.sesac.com/
Billboard Magazine http://www.billboard.com
The Recording Academy (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) http://www.grammy.com/
The Latin Recording Academy http://www.latingrammy.com/
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) http://www.riaa.com/
American Federation of Musicians
http://www.afm.org/
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists http://www.aftra.org/home.htm
The Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame http://www.oklahomamusichalloffame.com/
Variance Magazine http://www.variancemagazine.com
Work smart as you approach every aspect of your career. When Tate recording artist and multi-award winner Country singer Neal McCoy was asked about what his career by Tate enterprises founder Dr. Richard Tate, he said, “It took me 13 years, Richard, before I had a hit. Thirteen years of any and every kind of gig until things took off. I work harder today than ever to keep us on the road doing what I love.”
Empower your inner artist. Rock on, rock smart and rock responsibly!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Whts Ur Stry?
In the recent e-edition of Music Connection (http://musicconnection.com/digital/), Tommy Boy Entertainment Chairman/CEO Tommy Silverman, astutely commented, “…That’s how Susan Boyle sold more records than anyone else last year. She had the best story and that story sold her record. The story is the most underrated part of what an artist has to do.”
As you work on your voice, practice and program ‘til blisters form, go through the pain you will later pen into lyrics, how will you communicate the art of your experiences? How will you market your story? As an artist, you toil to perfect your talents with a dedication others envy. Why shrink to silence when it’s time to succinctly, engagingly, honestly tell the story of what makes you a unique artist and what makes your music so relatable to the “potentials,” i.e., potential consumers, potential congregants, potential concert goers, potential fans.
Be eloquent and be open in the telling of your story. What audience are you trying to reach? What are their stories? Keep it real. What do you have in common that makes people cry, laugh, dance, work out, get down, get pumped or give praises all courtesy of your music? Use your talent and your testimony to entertain, minister and collect potential fans - one by one.
As you consider your material, consider your message. What is it you want to talk about, communicate with your music? Consider the flow of your music as you open, close and pace your CD. Mull the content of your lyrics to express uniquely. This may be either your first or your most recent visit with fans; regardless, make it great. Be unafraid. Be compelling.
Now, couple that sound with an impeccable image. What are you trying to project? Outlaw, Pastor, Good Girl Gone Bad, Rocker Dude? Hair, makeup, clothes, fashion style, location, etc., are all majorly important. Harnessing the power of transformation, connect that image with the sound and themes of your music to tell your story.
Your story should be your truth. Transparency for art can feel awfully exposed in a fishbowl, but you’ve got to figure out what you can handle. Given 21st century marketing, the immediacy of media and permanency of posts, there is no room for regret.
So, you were saying?
As you work on your voice, practice and program ‘til blisters form, go through the pain you will later pen into lyrics, how will you communicate the art of your experiences? How will you market your story? As an artist, you toil to perfect your talents with a dedication others envy. Why shrink to silence when it’s time to succinctly, engagingly, honestly tell the story of what makes you a unique artist and what makes your music so relatable to the “potentials,” i.e., potential consumers, potential congregants, potential concert goers, potential fans.
Be eloquent and be open in the telling of your story. What audience are you trying to reach? What are their stories? Keep it real. What do you have in common that makes people cry, laugh, dance, work out, get down, get pumped or give praises all courtesy of your music? Use your talent and your testimony to entertain, minister and collect potential fans - one by one.
As you consider your material, consider your message. What is it you want to talk about, communicate with your music? Consider the flow of your music as you open, close and pace your CD. Mull the content of your lyrics to express uniquely. This may be either your first or your most recent visit with fans; regardless, make it great. Be unafraid. Be compelling.
Now, couple that sound with an impeccable image. What are you trying to project? Outlaw, Pastor, Good Girl Gone Bad, Rocker Dude? Hair, makeup, clothes, fashion style, location, etc., are all majorly important. Harnessing the power of transformation, connect that image with the sound and themes of your music to tell your story.
Your story should be your truth. Transparency for art can feel awfully exposed in a fishbowl, but you’ve got to figure out what you can handle. Given 21st century marketing, the immediacy of media and permanency of posts, there is no room for regret.
So, you were saying?
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