Monday, November 16, 2009

Bands that know how to work!

Driven Cure is a band that knows how to work. They fit the Chuck Tilley, Jim Halsey, Jim Mazza approach that hard work pays off. These guys are not sitting back on their heels waiting for things to happen for them. They actively pursue every event they can book. Sometimes those events take the CA based band to great places. For instance Driven Cure just finished playing last week in Oahu HI at the "Stand for Life" concert. I received an email from them this morning that the show went very well. There were about 600 people in attendance and they sold 120 CD's in 45 minutes. Essentially 20% of the people in attendance bought a CD. That is great news, but not surprising.

Everyone here at TMG is very excited to see what happens in 2010 for the band! www.myspace.com/drivencure

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Jim Halsey Starmaker

Jim Halsey recently published a book with Tate Publishing called "Starmaker - How to make it in the music business". I started reading it the other night and haven't been able to put it down. It doesn't matter who you are or what role you play in the music business this book is a must read.

If you don't know who Jim Halsey is please google him. His list of accomplishments are way to long for me to list here, but he is probably most famous for managing "The Oak Ridge Boys" for over 35 years. The list of artist he has worked with is incredible such as Roy Clark, Clint Black, The Judd's, James Brown... the list goes on.

He has a chapter in his book that really hits home with me on the marketing side of the music business. So many artist are under the delusion that once they sign a record deal the hard work is over. That is just not true at all. Halsey talks about what it takes to be successful in the industry and one important point he makes is that the artist has to build a team around them. Halsey lists 9 essential members on pg 62 of his book "Starmaker". They are talent, artist manager, record company, record producer, booking agent, music/entertainment attorney, music publisher, press and PR, and promotions.

As you can see the record company is not the end all be all in this business. It takes a group of people performing different functions to make this business work.

Some other great points Halsey mentions throughout Chapter 8 that I think all artist or industry professionals should have stamped in their minds are:

  • Take every gig - you never know when opportunity will strike - always be prepared
  • Attend music conferences - network
  • Showcase your talent - invite industry pros to come see you perform
  • Submit your music to songwriting and singing competitions - Again you never know when opportunity will present itself
  • Build your act locally or regionally first - Enlist the help of local media. Home town radio or news can bring attention
  • Be persistent - Being successful in the music industry is not easy

Halsey's "Starmaker" is for everyone. It will either reintroduce ideas or techniques you already know or shed light on new strategies to be successful.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Gospel Beat

I spoke with the Founder of www.thegospelbeat.net, Bryon McGill yesterday and it looks like there are endless opportunities on his station for TMG artist. The Gospel Beat serves as a internet radio station who in their 6th month generated 70,000 listeners last month, and a social networking site for artist.

Mr. McGill is looking for the best Gospel, Hip-Hop, R&B artist out there. They listen to every submission that comes through and the good submission will make it into the rotation of the station. His mission is to help promote gospel music. The website allows artist to post music videos, search and communicate with other artist, and continues to operate as a 24/7 radio station.

McGill who is setting up to launch a second internet radio station soon is excited about the early growth of The Gospel Beat.