Get Experienced. Get Exposed. Get Educated.

Coming Up Next is Coming to an End!

2012-01-23T07:35:00.001-08:00

Special Thank You to all the supporters of "Coming Up Next"...

April 12, 2012 will be the end of this project!

Major Salute to Firm Grip Music Group, Draz a.k.a. Mr. My 2 Cents, Dynamite Films, Caasi.net, 98.3 the Beat, WBFA and Student Promoters!

Follow Me on Twitter: @TeeHershey for other updates!

Respect My Craft: www.facebook.com/RMCraft

Respect My Craft: respectmycraft.blogspot.com

Respect My Craft: respectmycraft.tumblr.com

Holiday Specials

2011-12-06T05:41:00.001-08:00

HOLIDAY SPECIALS!! HOLIDAY SPECIALS!!!

Can't be Thankful enough for your support...

Get Your Hot New Mixtape & Album Featured
on Coming Up Next: The Blog for $50!!!

Coming up Next ‘The Blog Spot’ Packages
Experience. Exposure. Education

Coming up Next ‘The Blog Spot’ advertises independent artists via E-Blasts and Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other popular Online Outlets. This popular blog site offers experience, exposure and education to all visitors and features.

Featured Artist of the Month – The Artist of the Month package is the mother of them all. This package starts on the first Tuesday of the month until the Monday before the first Tuesday of the following month. It includes a feature on the blog site, Video Interview (brought to you by My2Cents and Dynamite Films), daily promotion, weekly E-Blasts, Mixtape/ Single Hosting, Music Review and so much more.
Package Pricing: [Contact Tee Hershey]

Mixtape/Album Exposure Package – Mixtape Hosting begins on a Tuesday for 90 days (both parties agree on a start date to include anticipation promotion). This package includes a feature on the blog site, daily promotion, weekly E-Blast, the cover/back artwork, Music Link and Music Review.
Package Pricing: $50

Single Promo Package – Single Promo Package begins on a Tuesday for 90 days (both parties agree on a start date to include anticipation promotion). This package includes a feature on the blog site, daily promotion, weekly E-Blast, graphic flyer design, Music Link and Music Review.
Package Pricing: $50

For more information on Copyrights, MediaBase/ BDS, Artist Development and/or Media Press Kits, contact us at fic.firmgrip@gmail.com.

The Record Deal Hype!

2011-10-11T11:33:00.000-07:00

Kill the Hype of getting a Record Deal!

It’s been a while since I’ve written an updated blog post. I was inspired by a conversation with an upcoming producer about independent artists and what’s the fine line of record deals.

Firstly, what is a record deal? According to Wikipedia, “a recording contract (commonly called a record deal) is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist (or group), where the artist makes a record (or series of records) for the label to sell and promote. Artists under contract are normally only allowed to record for that label exclusively; guest appearances on other artists' records will carry a notice "By courtesy of (the name of the label)", and that label may receive a percentage of sales”. Most of the time artists look forward to the big check that comes with a big name in stars. But do they really know what the big check entitles? Everybody just wants to be successful, thanks to Drake now and later, but do we really know the blood you sign to be a success story in the music industry? I don’t think so!

Secondly, all record deals aren’t for your best interest! Just because a record deal has 3 million dollars attached to it, doesn’t mean you are a millionaire. You have officially become the homeless man you drove past to get to the record label. There is no such thing as free money in the music industry, believe that! If you became an artists but prefer being a ghost writer, will you be able to produce the record label 3 platinum selling albums? Know your worth and don’t overestimate/ underestimate your value.

Thirdly, getting your family out of the projects should be the last financial burden you invest in after getting the record deal. Make sure you understand ALL FINE PRINT, when signing the taxable name on the deal. Everything you had to do and pay for before the record deal continues. Mixed/Mastered Music, Copyrights, Producers, Studio Sessions, Street Team, Campaigns, Shows, Concerts, Managers, Support Staff, etc; comes from your budget a.k.a. your record deal. Don’t let the green overshadow the black print.

Feedback or Hate?

2011-09-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

Feedback or Hate?

Do you know the difference between positive feedback and negative feedback? Do you base the information off who it comes from or what credentials they have?

According to Webster.com, feedback, the transmission of evaluative or corrective information about an action, event, or process to the original or controlling source; also: the information so transmitted. I hear and see numerous artists (Main Stream and Independent) stating that people are “hating on them” and/or their music. Also, according to Webster.com; hate, to express or feel extreme enmity or active hostility. Why does hating always have to be a negative thing? If someone doesn’t like you or your music, who are you to stay true to? Your loyal fans, right? Eventually, people that hate you now – love you later! It’s just easier to explain that people hate you than to correct where you went wrong. You have to take the positive with the negative and vice versa.

When people give feedback, good or bad, you have to collect the information to either use it or throw it away. Where we go wrong when we think people “hate on us”, is retaliate and miss out on what they were really saying. Don’t waste your time or energy on the negative, when you could utilize that to evaluate yourself.

Salute the DJ!!

2011-08-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

Salute the DJ

Without a DJ your movement WILL NOT be possible. Artists talk all the time about how DJs aren’t doing their job or only being loyal to certain artists. As an artist have you put yourself in the DJ's perspective? Think about it, you are amongst 20 other artists that have approached the DJ at an event and expect them to break all of your records at this one event. Not only does the DJ have to break 20 records in one night but also sell who’s each artist, keep the crowd on the floor or happy and make sure that the person who’s event it is - will be okay.

Don't approach a DJay using the phrase, ‘I’m the Hottest in the City’, it is overused and devalued. If a DJay has never heard of you, regardless if another DJay is playing your record – YOU ARE NOT THE HOTTEST IN THE CITY! Check out my articles on ‘Create a Campaign’ and ‘5 Things People Look at When Presented Your Music’. Below is a list of ways to approach a DJ after you have been established. Remember nobody is going to support your dream, if they haven’t seen it!

Approaching a DJ 101

- First thing first… Network
- Giving one DJay you’re Single/ Mixtape does not mean all DJays have it
- Don’t try to Meet & Greet during an event
(Get to an event early or stay late to network)
- Get the DJay’s contact information, don’t give them yours
(Get the DJay’s contact information, don’t give them yours)
- Stay away from using cliché phrases, separate yourself from the rest
- DO NOT CALL THEM MORE THAN TWO TIMES A WEEK!
(Most DJays work at night and sleep during the day, if they want to contact you – they will!)
- Burn bridges with no one – regardless if they play your song or not

Artist Development

2011-07-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

A R T I S T
D E V E L O P M E N T

Artist Development is a process a rapper/singer takes before being recognized as an artist. Example, before one becomes a doctor he/she must obtain higher learning, internships, pass exams, etc. The difference between an artist and a doctor is that there isn't a degree, internships or exams to pass to be involved in the 'Music Industry'. So the question is - how can one get into the 'Music Industry'? The 'Music Industry' is similar to street basketball you pick winning people to be on your team, who do you chose? Do you choose a person not dressed out, lack experience without any credit or someone dressed to play, experienced and the 'beast' of the court? Below are words from the experienced. "A wise man learns from the mistakes of others, a fool by his own." ~ Latin Proverb

"Rap fans are quick to forget what they appreciated just last year." Trugoy, De La Soul

"The hardest thing in the world to do in this business is start a band nobody's heard of." Tom Whalley, Interscope Records

"Going to radio with a rap record prior to going to the consumer is like having no foreplay with your girlfriend." Lyor Cohen, Def Jam/RAL

"People don't buy plastic and paper, they buy emotions." Scott Young, Wherehouse Entertainment

"I've probably put together more deals backstage at concerts than by telephone." Michael Lippman, Lippman Entertainment

"I think the second you feel you've gotten somewhere, you're nowhere." Michael Goldstone, VP A&R, Epic Records

"Don't try to explain it, just sell it." Colonel Tom Parker

"I wish there had been a music business 101 course I could have taken." Kurt Cobain

"There are more letters in the word 'business' than there are in the word 'music'." Anonymous

Keys to Success

2011-07-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

Keys to Success

People ask me all the time where am I trying to go with everything that I do. How do I know so much or how do I know so many people?! The simplest answer I can give is… God. Success according to Webster is a noun meaning obsolete: outcome, result. A personal perception and personal measurements is true success. We constantly think that the lifestyle billionaires live is the highest level of success which isn’t true. Many of us will never even become millionaires and be amongst the happiest living people in life. Below is my generated list of key ways to being successful.

- Empowering your spiritual needs
- Constantly educating yourself in your career choice
- Staying confident in what you do at all times
- Building creditability and a beneficial network
- Eliminating all negative aspects
- Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
- Being able to accept defeat and letting things go

A major ‘Key to Success’ is being able to be in a place to help others. My biggest dream is being a part of someone’s success story. A person’s greatest investment is in other people. If you don’t remember anything at all, if what you do does not make a lasting impression on someone’s heart, what are you doing it for?!

Tee Hershey's Birthday Celebration Live on Air

2011-06-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

TEE HERSHEY'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
LIVE ON AIR

{{{{Tee Hershey Tuesdays taking over New Jac Nights}}}}
with a LIVE AUDIENCE!!!!

Tune in to 98.3 the Beat during 7:00 PM to Midnight to find out how you can be a part of the LIVE AUDIENCE with Tee Hershey & New Jac!!!

Celebrate with the F.I.C. for her Birthday on
Tuesday, July 12th [7 PM – 9 PM]

Social Media: Music Distribution 101

2011-05-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

Social Media: Music Distribution 101

I receive emails from independent artists, record labels, promoters, managers daily of new music. 10% of those emails consist of music links without a group/artist name, location, contact information, etc. What do you think industry representatives do with those types of emails?! Let’s say it together… DELETE!! Below are examples of proper music distribution etiquette.

Are you ready to blast out your Music?! Here is information that should be included with your MP3 Formatted Music:

- Artist/ Band Name
- Manager's Contact Name and Number
- Location/ Record Label
- Name of Single/ Mixtape
- Producers
- Features
- Graphic Design
- Contact Information (Myspace, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.)
- MP3 Format Music Links (Zip Files are preferred)
- Small Biography

Coming Up Next: The Blog (Reloaded)

2011-05-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

COMING UP NEXT: THE BLOG
'Get Experience. Get Exposed. Get Educated'

RELOADED
Tuesday, May 31st 2011

Hot New Single?! In Need of Advertisement for Your Business?!

Coming Up Next: The Official Mixtape
COMING SOON JULY 2011

For more information about getting featured, contact us today!
fic.firmgrip@gmail.com

Building the Right Team

2011-05-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

Building the Right Team

When you look at any of the corporate companies they have several departments with different management staff members and various employees that are skills for their specific jobs. Now look at your business or label, how many people are skilled in the position that they are assigned to? Sometimes businesses/ artists lack the network to put a skilled team together and have to play several different roles. With that being said, the experience of being just a singer/ rapper or just a business owner goes out the window. The music industry is 90% business and 10% music; vice versa, in the entrepreneurship world it’s 90% business and 10% product.

Below is a list of positions that an upcoming business or an independent artist would need to get his/her career in the right direction. Even if they don’t have or know anybody capable of filling a specific job, knowledge is power. Recruit someone in training or get someone trained. Investments in people reaps the biggest harvest ~ Tee Hershey.

Basic Team Members:

- CEO/Manager
- Attorney or Legal Agent
- Accountant
- Media Specialist
- Booking Agent
- Promotions Coordinator or Publicist
- Street Team

Recognition Granted

2011-04-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

The 3rd Annual Grip Grammy Awards

Nominations is in Full Effect!!

Click This Link for the Categories: http://alturl.com/n2amj

Send your Nominations to: 3rdAnnualGripGrammyAwards@gmail.com

Consistency & Credibility

2011-03-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

What’s the Representation of Your Brand/Band?!

Have you typed in your brand/band name in Google?! Was it in the Top 10 results? If you have answered no to either of these questions, you have failed your brand. The representation of your brand/band creates a connection between the consumer and the buyer. The consistency and credibility your product/service offers put the icing on the cake.

The Webster Dictionary states, consistency is the firmness of constitution or character: persistency. How many times have you changed your brand/band name? Do you have various url links (Facebook, Twitter, email, etc.) with different url usernames? Make sure your emails, social networks and brand/band name coincide with each other; it makes searching for you easy. Also, be careful about changing your product/ service constantly, people observe those that have inconsistent ‘hustles’.

Every brand/band is the #1, hottest, best and/or most professional. Who’s giving out this credibility?! Speaking of, what exactly is credibility? Credibility via Wikipedia.com refers to the objective and subjective components of the believability of a source or message. With that being said, are you living up to the brand you portray and/or separating yourself from the rest? Take T.I. for instances, he consistently acknowledged himself as the ‘King of the South’, became the ‘King of the South’ and is credited as the ‘King of the South’.

Be consistent and the credibility will follow!

Creating a Campaign

2011-03-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

Creating a Campaign

Upcoming artists always want record spins either in the club or on the radio. What would be the sole purpose of doing so, if they have nothing to follow?! Think about it, anybody can write lyrics on a piece of paper, record and promote a single. What makes you different from the anybodies?! Creating a Campaign!!!

According to Webster.com, a campaign is a connected series of operations designed to bring about a particular result. Use an election campaign as an example; they have supporters, flyers, websites, commercials (TV & radio), press release, community activities, special appearances, etc. Imagine having the same effort towards your music career, we all know that the entertainment industry is by far the most competitive.

Get a review from some of the local DJs, radio jocks and/or club promoters, to see what should be your leading single. Make sure that the single is registered and copyrighted before releasing to the public. There are millions of free avenues on the World Wide Web these days, making your grind just that much more cost effective. Then create a campaign execution roadmap. Below is a list of things that should be included in your execution roadmap.

- Put together a Street Team
- Flood Streets/ Internet with Various Single
- Push a Main Single agreed between Artist and Label
- Create various community events
- Radio Interviews/ Shows
- Mixtape Release Party/ Release Mixtape
- Meet & Greets (Closing out Campaign)

Showing this effort, will have Radio Stations, DJays and Club Promoters; asking the upcoming artist for copies of the single, performances, etc. Proving yourself different is the key!!!

Performing 101

2011-03-15T07:51:00.000-07:00

Performing 101

As an upcoming artist, you SHOULD ALWAYS be prepared for performances. Whether on the spot, at the club, get an opening act gig, etc., you should always be ready. When networking and meeting new people, think of them as opportunity. Word of Mouth is the biggest marketing tool. If I was to ask you right now to perform, would you know what to do and what I’m looking for?!

You should know what are the demographics (age, gender, race, music genres, etc.) your music caters to so that you can specify your target audience. Below is a compiled list of the basic categories your music performance is evaluated by:

- Sound & Production Quality: Good sound quality and high quality productions will help get you noticed by fans, record labels, booking agents and promoters. Quality influences your music career beyond the “local” music scene.

- Lyrical Ability: Today’s music has been affected by good beats and productions with horrible lyrics but the beat moves the crowd it seems like. Having lyrical ability is the quality of being able to deliver deep personal emotions and/ or observation to connect with your “target audience”.

- Originality of the Song: This is probably one of the hardest categories. It seems as though these days, everyone lives the same exact lifestyle. Money, cars, clothes, jewelry, trapping, weed, sex, hoe or moving work; I’m sorry but, everybody is not about that lifestyle. If your song has lines that people can finish and have never heard of the song before, it doesn’t show originality.

- Appearance: If you want to be an artist, you have to act, be and look like one. Very understandable that you probably spent your last on the production of the song but 80% of what you look likes matters. What you wear to the basketball court, to wash your car, to work-out in or run errands in ARE NOT the look to wear to a performance.

- Stage Presence: More people on stage DOES NOT make a better performance. The more people you have, the more you become irrelevant. There is no way possible that your hype man has more energy than you OR your hype man has less energy than you. The audience will not pay attention, especially if they have never heard of you or your song before.

- Audience Reaction

-Song Appropriate
-Audience Attentive

- Overall Performance

- For Singers (Range, Quality of Voice, Tone)

Presenting Your Music

2011-03-01T12:44:00.000-08:00

5 Things People Look at When Presented Your Music

1. You. It is seldom that people realize what you look like matter; not only for social and/ or formal events but in general. Did you know, that 80% of what you look and talk like depends upon, if people opt to listen to you?! Imagine someone selling cookies to you, with dirty clothes on. Would you think about listening to them or brush them off?! Key Point: When approaching someone to sell them a product, you have to sell yourself first!

2. Inventory. Make sure where and what your selling, closes the deal. You don’t want to sell a CD out of your car or book bag with CDs falling out. Why?! 1) It doesn’t look like you’re the ‘Hottest Rapper’ you just told people you were. 2) Did the CD you’re selling now, fall out elsewhere?! If so, am I getting a scratched up CD?! Running out of CDs is like running out of food, sad day. Key Point: Have your product ready with your approach, always be prepared!

3. The CD. Writing on CDs with a Sharpie is automatically trash. Why you asked?! Sometimes we think are handwriting is legible because “we” can read it. Also, when we write on CDs we leave out important information. Go the extra mile to get professional CD printed. The looks of the CD could run questions about the quality of the music, before listening to it. Key Point: If your appearance sells the CD at least dress the CD to sell the music.

4. Contact Information. Distributing quality music with no way of contacting you is like going to the Car Wash with no car… why?! Today’s society has opened up communication through so many avenues that it should be easy to contact you. Come to the realization that when you hand out one CD, at least five people have heard it. Contact information is a MUST on all distributed music. Key Point: Don’t spend so much time, effort and money on yourself and the product; if we can’t reach you afterwards.

5. Graphic Design. Business Cards, Promo Cards, Mixtape Covers, Single Covers, Posters, Press Kits, etc. are great resources. Don’t clutter your CD with information that can place on a card to be attached with it. Graphic Designs are like résumés in the music business. Key Point: After you have sold yourself and the CD and given your contact information…MAKE THEM REMEMBER YOU!!

What's In Your Press Kit?

2011-02-22T07:44:00.000-08:00

Is your Press Kit Ready for Distribution?!

What’s a press kit, you ask?! A press kit, often referred to as a media kit in business environments, is a pre-packaged set of promotional materials of a person, company, or organization distributed to members of the media for promotional use (Wikipedia.com).

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Record Labels, Promoters, A&R Reps, Radio Stations and DJays receives a daily flood of music that either gets thrown away, overlooked and/or used for a Frisbee. How many times have you submitted music through email or mail and haven’t heard back from the people you sent it to?! Did you handwrite on your CD or have a multipurpose Business Card with 10 different trades on it?!

Below is a list of items to package your music to help it standout above the rest either through web mail or postal mail.

Things that should be in your Press Kit:

- Introduction: An acknowledgement is always appropriate with any type of mail you send out to grasp the attention of the reader. Don’t describe who you are before telling people who you are!

- Biography: Some artist get a biography mixed up with writing a book about your life. A biography should be about your journey to becoming the artist or group you are today. Don’t spend so much time elaborating on your start because what you’re doing with your music career now, will justify if listening to your music is worth it. Get a Journalism/ Professional Writing student at a local college to proof it and make suggestions before using it.

- Professional Photos: Professional Photography can take your press kit importance level from a two to an eight. Your press kit should include no more than 3 photos; if you are postal mailing, (1) Full Color 8x10 and (2) Black & White 5x7. 80% of your physical presentation matters whether people will buy your product or not.

- Sample/ Demo Music: Make sure that your music is mixed & mastered, copyrighted & registered before blasting it out. Remember, what is not legally yours can be easily someone else’s, don’t get caught up. Include the dirty & clean version of the ‘single’ your label is pushing. Any freestyle, professional YouTube videos and/or two other songs you have ready for exposure should be included in the press kit.

- Stats and Features: Music Reviews, Performance Feedbacks, Mixtape/ Album Features Listing, Lyrics to the Main Sample Song and/ or an upcoming performance line-up sheet would be the icing on the cake. Looking at a press kit, knowing that other people have reviewed the music, other artists have worked with you and the fact that I can make an appearance at your upcoming performance makes an artist/group standout.

- Jock Cards (Promo Cards): A Promo Card is the definition of ‘What You See is What You Get’. It should have pictures of the artist/ group, contact information, websites and newest single information. Your Promo Card will speak before your audience hears your music.

Is your music packaged right?! In Today’s world, the internet has overpopulated most types of communicating with e-mail and social networking sites. Promoting music links through

e-mail or social networks can be annoying to industry representatives that use those avenues for other reasoning. Get your Press Kit ready today!

Important Connects to Have

2011-02-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Not What You Know but Who You Know

- Club Promoters/ DJays: Most powerful way of getting the record heard locally is performing or having a song played at clubs/ events. Club promoters mostly have slots for an artist to perform and DJays may have different times or nights that they play upcoming artist music during a huge party. Industry people unknowingly show face to nightclubs/ events sometimes looking for talent. Let the spin and response speak for itself!!!!

- Local Radio Personalities/ DJays: Most powerful way of knowing what kind of record it is by the requests of the record on the local radio stations. Make sure that the record spins count by having the hot new single mix & mastered and/or copyrighted & registered (MediaBase/BDS). Although local radio is becoming overtaken by other music avenues (Sirius Satellite Radio, Mixtapes, Internet Radio, CDs, I-Pods, etc.); people still tune into the radio for news/event updates. Most radio stations have an upcoming artist spotlight… Get the Shine!!!

- Recording Studio Owners: Most powerful way of meeting other bands, music producers, classically trained musicians, session players, audio engineers, other artist, music business executives by working with studio ownders. This helps upcoming artist to make the connections and gain knowledge on what they need to enhance his/her talent.

- Other Artist: Most powerful way of staying relevant in the music business is through the network of other artist. Being humble and open to work with other upcoming artists will not only build a network but gain information on other networking/ advertising avenues. You can’t get outshined if you’re working together towards the same goal.

- College Students: Most powerful way of having a local hot new single reach other cities and states is through college students. Think about how many college students are always onto the newest and hottest artist/ music. Now think about if they were to take the newest upcoming artist single back home and play it for his/her friends. You have now built a buzz outside of your demography.

**Bonus: Knowing me (The F.I.C.) can get an upcoming artist

experience, exposure and education on the music industry.

Get Your Feature Today!!

Contact Me: fic.firmgrip@gmail.com

Next Business & Industry Mixer (Tuesday, March 29th) at Coffee Beanery
Mayor Teresa Tomlinson [Guest Speaker]

Considering to Become An Artist?

2011-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Considering to Become An Artist?

Top 5 Independent Artist Must Haves

1. Projected Budget. Before you start your music career, you need to know what you’re trying to accomplish as an artist. Draw up a listing of what is needed to fully produce a song, a mixtape and an album. Include recording, mastering and mixing song(s), owning the beat(s), registering and licensing song(s), promotional materials (flyers, covers, T-shirts, graphic designs, pressing/publishing, etc.), performances, photo shoots, video shoots, time away from work and travel expenses.

2. Network/ Net-worth. Networking is the most effective strategy to use in advancing your career. Various social media sites have made networking accessible to people all over the world that you wouldn’t meet on a day to day basis. Use the tools that you have to help accomplish what you’re trying to do. Your presentation, approach and attitude create the network to build your net-worth.

3. Licensed/ Registered Music. Music licensing is intended to ensure that the creators of musical works get paid for their work (Wikipedia.com). If a song is not licensed, any listener can make use of it for his/her gain. Before having the hottest song on the Radio in your city, make sure it is registered through BDS/ MediaBase. BDS is used to make all the Billboard airplay charts. MediaBase is used to make many of the charts in Radio & Records. MediaBase and BDS monitor about 80% of the same stations; therefore you may need to get both in order to get proper coverage.

4. Advertisement. Marketing is the representation of your product. Once your hot new single has been mixed, mastered, licensed and registered it’s time to advertise to find out if people are interested in your music. The demography that should be your main concern is where people know you best. If your market knows you, you know your market. Create a separate listing of things needed to promote your music.

5. The Right Management. The manager is responsible for financial planning, long-term career plans, publicity, marketing, and advising. The more successful you get, the bigger your team gets. A manager wears many hats (cheerleader, psychiatrist, advisor, guide, problem solver, etc). Communication is important; your manager only makes money if you are making money. If you can't trust your manager, it's over.

Big Boi Gives Upcoming Artists Advice: http://www.rapbasement.com/outkast/050710-big-boi-of-outkast-gives-advice-to-upcoming-artists-watch-and-listen-here-click-now.html

Guiding Tomorrow’s Superstars: http://www.getsigned.com/manage.html

Guess Who's Back?!

2011-02-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

Its 2011 and there are some artist that was extremely hot in past decade(s) and fell off completely... NOW, they are back with new music and production.

I'm going to let you be the judge...

Making a comeback or
Should they fall back???

O J Juiceman
‘Juice Wea You Been’
Check It Out: http://www.sendspace.com/file/h8l5q4

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Chingy

‘H.A.M.’ Freestyle
Check It Out: http://www.sendspace.com/file/u4iagi

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Bobby Brown
‘Get Out the Way’
Check It Out: http://www.sendspace.com/file/mygf69

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Bowwow

‘Body Bag’

Check It Out: http://www.sendspace.com/file/61hn6i

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

2011-02-01T06:18:00.000-08:00

BLACK HISTORY MONTH
MUSIC RELATED FACTS

Black Swan Records was a United States record label founded in 1921 in Harlem, New York. It was the first widely distributed label to be owned and operated by, and marketed to, African Americans. (Broome Special Phonograph Records was the first to be owned and operated by African Americans) The label name was revived in the 1990s for compact disc reissues of historic jazz and blues recordings.

Motown Records was the first record label owned by an African American to feature African-American artists paving the way into mainstream crossover success.

In 1943, First African American artists to have a #1 hit on the Billboard charts: Mills Brothers ("Paper Doll").

In 1947, First African American artist to receive sole credit for a #1 hit on the Billboard charts: Count Basie ("Open the Door, Richard")

In late October 1948, America's first black radio station with an all Black on- air staff that
Programmed Black music all day is WDIA in Memphis, Tennessee.

Oct 3, 1949 - The first black radio station started in Atlanta. The 1000-watt AM station, WERD, was owned and operated by Jesse B. Blayton, Sr. He purchased the station for $50000.

Jack "The Rapper" Gibson - The Father of Black Radio went on the air as "Jockey" Jack in 1949. Jack the Rapper is also credited with developing a new design for radio control rooms where he elevated the equipment forcing disc jockeys to stand.

In 1950, First African American solo singer to have a #1 hit on the Billboard charts: Nat King Cole ("Mona Lisa")

In 1953, First African-American woman to be made a member of ASCAP: Jessie Mae Robinson

In 1958, First African American to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Tommy Edwards, "It's All in the Game"

In 1959, First African-American Grammy Award winners, in the award's inaugural year: Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie (two awards each)

In 1959, First African American group to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100: The Platters, "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"

In 1968, First fine-arts museum devoted to African-American work: Studio Museum in Harlem.

In 1980, First African-American Channel Black Entertainment Television

In 1986, First African-American musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in the inaugural class: Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, and Little Richard

In 1986, The Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill, the latter becoming the first rap album to enter No.1 Spot on the Billboard 200.

In 1987, First African-American woman, and first woman, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Aretha Franklin

In 1990, First all African-American band to win the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance: Living Colour for "Cult of Personality"

In 1998, Tom Joyner becames first African American in Radio Hall of Fame.

In 2001, First African-American woman to win the ASCAP Pop Music Songwriter of the Year award: Beyoncé Knowles

Source Website
Urban Radio Nation: http://urbanradionation.com/history_of_black_radio.html
List of African American First: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_African-American_firsts

Other Sites
Celebrate Black History: http://www.biography.com/blackhistory/101-facts-firsts.jsp
Black History in Columbus, Georgia: http://www.columbushomeshow.com/blog/black-history-in-columbus-ga.html

ATL's HIP HOP OPRAH

2011-01-25T09:29:00.001-08:00

Tee Hershey Tuesdays & Firm Grip Music Group presents...

[Jan 2011] Business & Industry Mixer

Today, January 25th @ 7:00 P.M.

Coffee Beanery
1204 1st Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31901

ATL's HIP HOP OPRAH

StreetTalk Promo CEO

P. Brown (Guest Speaker)

CEO of ATL'S Biggest Networking Event-THE ATL RECORD POOL, STREETTALK PROMO and MANAGER of @geminitwinsatl.

http://www.streettalkceo.com/

Follow P. Brown on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streettalkceo

Don’t let your Advertisement become overlooked...

2011-01-18T08:12:00.000-08:00

COMING UP NEXT: THE BLOG SITE

{{{ exposure.experience.education }}}

Tee Hershey Tuesdays advertises upcoming artists via E-Blasts and Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other popular Online Outlets. If you are interested in advertising with us,

We would need the following:

* Your Ad / Graphic Flyer Design
* Content Information
* Website Link(s)
* Social Networking Link(s) (if applicable)
* Any Additional Images, Links, and/or Promotional Items to be included in the E-Blast Package

Includes:

* Artist of the Week (Tee Hershey Tuesdays, Video Interview & E-Blasts)
* Social Network Advertising Links (Twitter & Facebook)
* Single Featured on Upcoming Mixtape Release
* Single Featured on Tee Hershey Tuesdays’ Tee-Pod for download, share and comments; up to 60 days.

GET YOUR FEATURE WITH [TEE HERSHEY TUESDAYS] TODAY!!

Contact Us: Fic.FirmGrip@gmail.com

FREE HIP-HOP SHOW

2011-01-11T08:33:00.000-08:00

Columbus/VAR/SYN presents...

FREE HIP-HOP SHOW

#iVAR540 LIVE

1st Hip-Hop Show in 2011

Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ Bar Eighty-Five 85

900 Front Ave, Columbus, GA 31901

DJ T.F. Brad on the 1s & 2s!!!!

IF YOU LOVE REAL HIP HOP MUSIC THEN THIS IS WHERE YOU NEED TO BE!!!

ENJOY GOOD QUALITY MUSIC AS THE FELLAS FROM VAR AND 540 GANG WILL HAVE YOU JAMMING ALL NIGHT LONG AS YOU ENJOY A FULL BLOWN SELECTION OF DRINKS TO GET AT THE BAR.

IT IS FREE TO GET IN ALL YOU NEED TO BRING IS AN I.D.

4 OR 5 FRIENDS AND YOUR BEST OUTFIT.

(JAN 2011) Business & Industry Mixer

2010-12-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

Firm Grip Music Group presents…

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY MIXER

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Coffee Beanery
1204 1st Avenue
Columbus, GA 31901

Hosted by Tee Hershey Tuesdays & Student Promoters

GUEST SPEAKER: P. Brown, CEO of StreetTalk Promo

This Bi-Monthly Business Networking Event is for Community Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Upcoming Business Owners, College Students, and Professional & Business Associates from the Tri-City Area. A light snack will be provided.

Attend This Event

FREE ADMISSION!! FREE KNOWLEDGE!! FREE NETWORKING!!!

THINGS TO HAVE:
- Business Cards
- Writing Utensils
- Promotional Items

Please RSVP no later than, Monday, January 24, 2011. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via email: firmgriponline@gmail.com.