The Independent Source

On the Spot

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:16:00 +0000

Have you ever been placed on the spot to sing, act, or play an instrument? This feeling can be very overwhelming if one is not prepared, but it also can be a little uneasy for someone who is prepared. Why you may ask? It puts your preparation time to the test and determines whether you are ready or not for the opportunity. This is all too familiar with me because I was going to volunteer for a show recently, but by the end of the night, I was casted as an understudy for the play that opened that Friday. I was okay with this because I was not going to be in the show, but just prepare in case the actor could not show up. The next day at rehearsal, the guy dropped out of the show. You could only imagine my nerves and discomfort. However, I would not let FEAR overtake me because this is what I dreamed of doing, but also prepared for. Therefore, I practiced, practiced, rehearsed, and practiced some more until I became the character (in three days).

Would you be ready if L.A. Reid had a contract for $5 million based upon your singing abilities? Could Steven Spielberg cast you in his next film dependent on your acting capabilities? Are you in the right place to grow in your gift? If the answer is NO, then you still have time to get to that desire skill level or place.

1.Know the strengths and weaknesses in your gift. There is no need to waste time on the things that you do great. Instead, focus on those problem areas until you see a change from when you first started to the current date. The more you practice, the better prepared you feel.

2.Treat every opportunity like it is your big break. The first opportunities may not be your ideal gig, but you treat it like the entire world is looking at you. Remember, perfect practice makes perfect. Don’t downplay any gig because it develops a mindset that you are too good for that opportunity. Do not plant the seed of arrogance.

3. Be in the right place at the right time. I know this is cliché, but it is very true. You cannot expect to become a singer or actor if none of these activities are happening. Muster up the courage to move to Nashville, New York, or Los Angeles to follow your dream. If these places are too big for you at the moment, go somewhere that would put you on the path to your dreams. SAVE YOUR MONEY. The above-mentioned places are expensive.

4. Do NOT doubt your gift. If you do not believe in your gift, you cannot expect anyone to believe in you. Confidence exudes from a person who is prepared. Remember, not to be too confident because people who have been in the industry for years can pick up on arrogance. Believe in yourself. Remember, there is no one on Earth with a gift like yours.

Think Globally

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 15:39:00 +0000

Music connects different cultures around the world with a single push of the play button. The listener becomes a part of the thought process of the singer and songwriter through the understanding of the lyrics and vocal delivery. This was me the past couple of months as I interned at a major country record label in Nashville. Who would have thought this Arkansan who loves mostly gospel music would intern for a country record label? Although the internship was in the Contemporary Christian Music Department, majority of the music that was played was country. It was awkward at the beginning of the internship, but my mind began to change because it forced me to get rid of small mindedness and indulge myself in something new. Two weeks later, I found myself singing “Tornado” by Little Big Town, “Don’t Ya” by Brett Eldredge, and watching the Country Music Awards.

What was happening? A global mindset was being developed. As aspiring business owners, music industry professionals and artists, we must be sure to take part in areas that are not common to us because this industry is global. Who wants to work with someone who has limited knowledge about global information? Below are a few ways I found helpful in learning about the country music industry that can be applied to any situation.

1. Subscribe to major publications in that area. Ask people who are familiar with these publications what are special about them. Why did they subscribe? Read as much information you can and ask questions.

2. Connectwith a professional. Go to LinkedIn or do a Google search for an industry professional, connect with them, and ask for an informational interview. Oftentimes, people are willing to talk about themselves and what they love to do every day. LISTEN to these people, and learn all you can.

3. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Although this may not be an area of interest to you, but the person can help you somewhere down the line. Never feel that if they cannot help you at this time, then they are useless. Look to nurture the relationship because major opportunities come from relationships.

You're Doing It Wrong

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 02:25:00 +0000

Facebook and Twitter have become the number one social media sites used by musicians and artists to promote his or her music. Who would not want to reach 900 million individuals on Facebook and 175 million users on Twitter? It’s easy: Sign in, construct a status or tweet, and press send. Easy enough, right? We have all experienced the Facebook band campaign where the individual artist or band request fans to like their page but leave them with nothing to look forward to in the future. Granted, there are a couple of posts here or there, but that is not enough. Let us not forget the artists who are over infatuated with themselves. So how do effectively use social media to avoid the pitfalls of it becoming frustrating?

According to Indie Tools, musicians and artists make three common mistakes that make these mediums ineffective:

1. Self-Promotion is the Only Form of Communication

To ensure that your fans do not get bored with you and your social media page, the artist must change the content frequently. Give the fan something to look forward to when he or she visit your page. Post a video saying thank you for supporting the music of the band. This then makes the fan feel appreciated, and he or she will more than likely retweet or repost the video. This brings more publicity to the artist or musician. Ariel Hyatt even provided a Social Media Pyramid that gives ideas on how to change the posts.

http://arielpublicity.com/files/2012/03/Musicians-Social-Media-Pyramid-11x17-1.pdf

2. Lack of Branding

In the entertainment industry, image is KEY! This goes for your website and social media pages. Always be consistent across the board to avoid any situation that may confuse the fans. The same picture or logo should be used on every site. Therefore, everyone can identify the artist or musician. Who wants to look bad? This says something about your brand and could result in a bad impression.

3. No Newsletter

In order to be a successful artist or musician, you need fans to support your endeavors. This newsletter is a way for you to get e-mail addresses in exchange for anything you give to the fans. Believe it or not, this is where a great percentage of the revenue will be accrued.

Take heed to these three mistakes and make your social media site worth visiting. Remember, you have millions of people looking and following you. The first impression is everything, so be sure to: change it up, be consistent, and always stay in contact.

The Words

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 05:12:00 +0000

Recently, I had a chance to attend the movie “The Words” starring Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana. I was very apprehensive about this movie because I did not think I would enjoy it, but this movie had many lessons that many aspiring artists and writers could learn.

This movie was about a guy who aspired to become a published author, but many publishing companies rejected his work. Does this sound familiar? After he and his girlfriend sought support from his parents, he was forced to get a daily job at a publishing company. A sense of complacency came over him because he started to live a regular life. However, he finally received the call he had been waiting for, but the publisher informed him that he believed in his work but there was no market for his type of writing. He and his girlfriend got married and honeymooned in Paris where he found a vintage briefcase with a manuscript inside. The story that he read identified with his current situation, and he copied the outline word for word. In this story, a man was stationed in Paris for war and met the love of his life. They married and had a child together, but the child became ill and died. The wife was distraught and left the soldier. In order to keep his sanity, he wrote a book about his life. The author gained publicity and fortune, but an old man, who originally wrote the manuscript, confronted the author. The author was very disturbed by this encounter and offered the soldier money and rights to all of the royalties. However, the soldier did not accept anything from the author but challenged him to accept his mistake and move on. These actions caused a great deal of trouble for his marriage, relationship with the publishing company, and his life.

As I pondered about the messages in this movie, these teachings will help you along your path:

1. Don’t fear rejection. This is a chance to continuously perfect your gift or work. In addition, you want a publishing company to believe in your work not just accept you. Rejection means “not yet”.

2. Don’t become complacent. Although your dream of writing may not happen when you want it to, it will happen in due time. Until that time, gain all the information you can about publishing and distribution companies and how they work. Keep in mind that your current situation will not be forever.

3. Be original. One of the worst feelings is to know that you plagiarized or infringed on someone’s intellectual property. This can turn into legal trouble and is something you want to avoid. Let your work come from the heart because many people will be able to identify with the many triumphs and trials you have endured.

4. Accept your failures. It is guaranteed that you will not reach your dreams on the first try. You will make mistakes that may cost you, but you must find it in yourself to make things right and move on.

Unconditional The Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 05:01:00 +0000

How far are you willing to go to make your dreams come true? If you don’t accomplish your dream the first time, will you give up? What if your dream causes you discomfort by putting you in a place where things are uncertain? Will you still believe?

I have had the chance to work with individuals who could answer these questions without hesitation. The producers of Unconditional, a movie starring Michael Ealy and Lynn Collins, sacrificed time, money, personal lives, and sanity to produce a movie that has unfolded to be their divine purpose. Being independent filmmakers is not an easy task because the individual does not have the financial backing of a major movie company. Therefore, these individuals have to work diligently to get into theaters. To add more to a tedious process, the movie is a faith-based film, which is one of the hardest films to market to a mainstream and secular audience. Being a part of this marketing process has been most rewarding because you know in the end the movie is going to be an impactful feature and lives will be changed. Seeing Bishops, Pastors, and leaders from all over the country view this movie and support shows the urgency and need for a movie of this caliber. Hopefully, after much success, major companies will choose to do movies with Harbinger Films.

After seeing this movie, my life was change forever because I could relate to many of the characters. At first, I thought it was going to be a typical faith-based movie, but as the movie progressed, I was very intrigued by the suspense and storyline. Papa Joe, played by Ealy, is based on an individual from Nashville, Tennessee whose life and anger lead him to prison, but he was able to turnaround and help youth in the projects. After suffering from an illness, it threatened his ability to care for the kids, but he kept hope alive. Sam, who is played by Collins, is faced with a tragedy that stripped her life away, but strategically, she is placed on the course of finding her childhood friend, Papa Joe, who helped her get on the road to forgiveness and healing. This movie teaches about selflessness and forgiveness. Unforgiveness blocks us from the truth and the ability to live life freely.

Support Unconditional by purchasing tickets at your local theater opening weekend, September 21^st through September 23^rd. To find more information about theater locations and times, please visit the Unconditional website. Also, listen to the personal greeting from Michael Ealy inviting you to his new movie. Take my word, this film will change your life, and it is worth every dime.

A Little Help Please?

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 09:15:00 +0000

It seems so surreal that I will be graduating from Full Sail University in December with a Master’s in Entertainment Business. A few months ago, I was questioning whether or not to pursue another degree after college let alone Full Sail University. Granted, I was very reluctant about paying the cost of tuition, but after seeking wise counsel from many Full Sail’s students, admission counselors, and financial aid advisors, I was comfortable with the decision of looking at it as an investment. Full Sail University has placed me on the journey of starting my own entertainment company through the many courses in its curriculum. I don’t know about you, but starting a business can be very scary. There is the threat of failure, being sued, not being prepared, and a host of other fears.

This intimidating feeling was all too familiar, so I had to seek the guidance from Frederick Livingston who is an entertainment lawyer in Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Livingston graduated from Wayne State University and started out as a personal injury lawyer. Being that he grew up around music his whole life, he decided to pursue entertainment law. Moreover, he was perturbed at the many frauds that would get over on people with true talent with phony deals. It is his duty at the Law Offices of Frederick V. Livingston to protect these individuals and provide a service that is of quality.

In regards to my business, Livingston advised me to file as a Limited Liability Company because of the high potential of being litigated. He states, “If you do not get sued, you’re not making money because no one is paying attention to you!” I was all right with not being sued, but there was some truth to the statement. This filing protects the owner from having his or her personal assets at risk during a lawsuit. Having a plan was crucial advice he gave me because doing entertainment full-time takes a while. Therefore, gaining experience by working for another entertainment company, interning, or doing entertainment business on the side was recommended. Mr. Livingston also touched on the point of imaging. You cannot charge top bucks for your services if you do not have the proper equipment to send documents or hold meetings with potential clients. Building relationships and trust as a brand is a much-needed aspect of my business. There should be no rush to get into this business without the proper timing and preparation. He often sees management companies entangled in misrepresentation, frustration of purpose, and breach of contract litigations. To avoid these liabilities, I must be able to perform all the duties stated in the contract. Many management contracts are oral, but he advises that every agreement be in writing to avoid the tedious task of proving an oral contract if the situations gets there.

This was the amazing advice Fred Livingston gave to me as I am in pursuance to own an entertainment company. He encourages each individual who wants to go into business in the industry to gain book knowledge. This aspect is important, but it will also give the person a firm foundation. Then match this knowledge with real-world experience.

Take It From Them

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 04:17:00 +0000

One of the most avoided subjects of the entertainment industry is LAW, but it is the most important concept to understand in order to survive a gruesome industry. Many artists have talents, but the individual later find themselves irrelevant in a couple of years due to the lack of legal knowledge that result in multi-million dollar lawsuits. We even see in articles that artists and musicians we look up to are caught in legal battles that seem senseless but are later lessons for all who are watching. Take the legal woes of Drake, Beyoncé, and New Boyz to understand how agreements and copyright infringement can be a headache in the long run.

In the news, it has been reported that James Prince, the guy who discovered Drake, is suing Drake’s management team for money. Prince states he is owed money from a verbal agreement between him and Cortez Bryant. Prince is also asking the judge to stop the negotiations between Drake and his record label because it would hurt Drake financially in the long run. Prince teaches us a lesson that when we do business, we should always get agreements in writing. He could have avoided the legalities if the agreement was already put into writing and both parties had signed. However, we must understand that verbal agreements can uphold in court also. BE WISE and CAUTIOUS of the words you say.

Oftentimes, mainstream artists become a target for lucrative ventures because of the artist’s major following and the company’s ability to make millions of dollars. This is the case of Beyoncé and Gate Five who wanted to release a video game with Beyoncé’s dance moves. The deal was very lucrative for both parties, but in the middle of the agreement, Beyoncé requested more money from Gate Five. Since the company was not able to come up with the money, she pulled out of the deal. It was then reported that Beyonce’ was actually looking at doing business with another gaming company (EA Games) which was a breach of contract. Therefore, Gate Five is now suing her for damages and for the judge to release documents of conversations she had with other parties that could unfold her motive of leaving the deal. In this instance, Beyonce’ business ethics come into question. If an individual does not want to do business with a company, just say NO! Going behind the backs of people destroys trust and a good relationship. It is important to know as artists that your reputation follows you everywhere. Practice business ethics to ensure your practices are sound.

Lastly, the importance of research is key in this next case. Frequently, an artist comes up with a unique name, but they do not know someone else across the world thought of the same name. New Boyz is a Hip-Hop group who is being sued by a Christian group from Australia named Newsboys. Newsboys from Australia have been receiving bad reviews from followers who think they have been releasing vulgar music, which is actual music from New Boyz. Therefore, Newsboys are suing for damages for lost revenue during the time this confusion happened. I feel that this is something that management and label’s lawyers should have researched before releasing music under this name. Cover the bases because being creative is not too common nowadays. However, I do not agree with the fact that Newsboys should get paid for loss of revenue because they are from Australia, but some type of statement needs to be made.

All in all, having legal knowledge of the business can save you trouble in the long run. Be proactive about your career and learn from these artists who are constantly in the media. Remember to get everything in writing, have good business practices and ethics, and RESEARCH information.

These Two Will Meet

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Many aspiring artists and musicians dream of being the greatest at his or her gift, but unfortunately, it is not enough to just dream. It is common to hear opportunity will meet preparation, and those who are prepared receive major opportunities. Discipline and practice set apart artists who want to achieve the dream from those who just talk about the dream. Oftentimes, many people quit his or her dream because it became too hard or it was not happening fast enough. Which one are you?

Artist House Music posted a video of a Loyola University professor interviewing Kirk Whalum who is a professional saxophone player. In the video “Constantly Improving your Craft as a Musician," Kirk shared how important it is to continuously improve your gift. Before Kirk became famous, he practiced every chance he received. One day, he received a call from a friend who played for Whitney Houston and asked him if he wanted to play for her as the saxophonist. This was an opportunity of a lifetime, and he did not let it pass him by. However, Kirk understood touring was not what he wanted to do for the rest of his life because it would not challenge his gift. Therefore, he went on to be a solo artist and became very successful.

As an artist or musician, take these key points into consideration:

1. BE PREPARED: A musician or an artist should constantly practice everyday. Take vocal and instrumental lessons from professionals who can teach the individual the fundamentals of their instrument.

2. STAY CURRENT: An artist NEVER stops learning his or her instrument. Every day the artist should research new music trends, artists, instrumentalists, and business practices in the industry.

3. DON’T GET COMPLACENT: Always find the opportunity to try something new with your gift. If you are on tour, swallow the hard pill of quitting the tour and become a solo artist once you build a fan base.

Remember, OPPORTUNITY WILL MEET PREPARATION. Will you be ready?

A Manager's Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 01:49:00 +0000

Talent is a key ingredient that catches the eye of many managers in the entertainment business, but this has proven not to be enough. Oftentimes, managers are looking for those artists who possess many talents that ultimately bring in multiple streams of income. With the recording industry experiencing a decline in CD sales, record labels are only interested in 360 artists where the label is able to make money from CD sales, touring, merchandising, and other aspects of the artist’s career.

Simeon Henderson is an artist who understands the importance of being multi-talented in the theater/film industries. He holds the title as an actor, director, producer, and author. In our conversation with him, he began to explain the importance of management and hard work to reach your dreams.

Mr. Simeon, could you talk about what you do in the entertainment industry?

In the entertainment industry, I am an actor, producer, director, and now I’m an author.

What are some of the shows you’ve been apart of?

I’ve associate produced several films which includes Tactical that went to Redbox and Blockbuster. Also, Caught in the Game, Party Line and Comatose are among my other roles. I also produced several stage plays, and I’ve made appearances in Barbershop 2, Toured with Tyler Perry’s The Marriage Counselor, and I just recently filmed an episode for Season Two of Kelsey Grammar’s T.V. Series Boss. I’ve just been working and grinding.

In production, that is similar to being a manager. Oftentimes, people see the show but don’t see what goes on behind the scenes; can you tell us about being the producer?

I love being a producer; you have to make things happen. Pretty much, you’re making your dreams come true. It’s cool because you are directly involved in the creative process. I should say it’s like a woman being pregnant because she has to nurture the baby while in the stomach and when the baby grows up, she has to raise it up. Producing a project you get to watch it from conception, to birth, to growth, and I love being behind the scenes and making things happen. I love helping people make their dreams come true by working with music, acting in a movie, or stage plays. It’s also a must that you stay professional, you don’t have to be a jerk, but you have to be PROFESSIONAL.

In this industry, how important is it to have management?

It’s a necessary evil. When I say this, no one should be able to promote you better than you. You have to push your product and what you do. You need a manager because he or she can be the buffer. The people you don’t want to talk to, they can do it. It gives you a sense of relief because you don’t have to do everything yourself. Even I have a manager now, but I am still very hands on. If you don’t have a manager, you can work hard for yourself, and that makes people want to work with you.

You spoke about necessary evil, what tips do you give aspiring artists because there are some sneaky people in this industry?

Listen, find somebody that you can talk to, someone who can help, someone who has your best interest at heart. YOU MUST LISTEN and be willing to work hard. A lot of people are not willing to do that because they think they know everything. Listen to the people that have been there. I know you have to open your mind and work hard to persevere and you must have that tenacity and drive to be the best. But when you’re striving to be the best, you have to be humble, focused, grounded, and you have to keep your ears open. I remember when I was working on Barbershop II and I was a stand in. I got to do everything Kenan did first before he came on set. The director told me I was good and asked if I auditioned for this. The thing was is that I was so in tune and dedicated to it that it stood out.

You recently wrote a book, and it’s a manager’s dream to manage someone who has multiple talents. Can you tell me more about the book?

The book is out. It is called the Truth Series. I’ve always wanted to write a book and I wrote it. This one was for the people, but the next one will be for me. People often talk around things and talk about things to one another, but they don’t say it out loud. I wanted to give people an outlet and voice to say it, and do it anonymously. My pseudo name is William Truth, and they can go to www.williamtruth.com. You can see video trailers and voice over trailers to see how it’s done. It’s just one of those things that if you want to do something, you have to go for it and DO IT!

Deal or No Deal

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Have you ever watched the television show, “Deal or No Deal”? This show was very interesting because it was such a gamble to choose a brief case, hope for small numbers, and wait for the negotiator’s offer. I could only imagine the nerves of the contestants. Similarly, negotiations for independent artists are a gamble because many record labels take risks with many artists who are unknown, similar to the briefcase. As artists, you must be able to negotiate deals with many of the bookers and promoters who will give you the opportunity to showcase your music.

Jeremy Swearin is all too familiar with negotiations as a booking manager at a record label in Houston, Texas. He was able to gain experience as a student at Full Sail University. We were able to sit down and ask Jeremy a few questions about negotiating.

In booking, how is negotiating associated with your job?

“My job as a booking agent is to make sure that we are looking for the best opportunities for our clients and the best exposure. So we look at the markets that are interested in booking them but also the places they’ve gone. We try to our booking form to get all details about event, what is being asked of us, and the budget. After gaining this information, it goes from there.”

Oftentimes, artists are expensive and people don’t want to pay the performer’s fee. What do you do to make sure the company comes out on top?

“Yes, one of our biggest problem is that the industry is so small. We often do customized price packages based on the information given. We then run into someone hearing about the price we charged another client. We let everyone know that each opportunity is different. We are a booking agent and management company, so we are looking out for the best interest of the artists.

Do you look for mutual benefits in most cases? Why or why not?

“It depends, if it is a promoter or an organizer who we’ve done consistent business with, we try to make sure that happens. Also it really depends upon the opportunity, especially if this opportunity can lead to another opportunity for our other clients.”

How do you deal with negative emotions?

“Well, it is a difficult subject because no one should discuss the contract since each opportunity is different as previously stated. For the most part, we are pretty consistent with our fees, and we don’t go down too much on the price. However, if a client is not getting much work, then there is flexibility in the price. I just try to explain to them in a calm manner that separates the people from the problem. If that doesn’t work, we have the upper hand because they are demanding our artists, and if the artist has a major following, then they are able to make greater demands than others. We also use objective criteria, but it really depends upon the present situation.”

Have you ever been caught in a negotiation when someone tried to use dirty tricks?

“We’ve had some, and we didn’t do business. I’ve had that happened to me recently. I’ve had promoters try to go through another booking agent and then come to me, and then try to under cut me. However, me and the other booking agent has a great relationship, so we talked. I’ve also had promoters who have tried to book our artist, not sign a contract to advertise, and destroyed the client’s name and brand. We call them out about it and don’t do business with them.”

How do you approach a negotiation?

“I’m doing both, looking for opportunities for artists and receive requests for the artists. If I am looking for an opportunity, I am pitching through a cold call. Our negotiations are built upon relationships, so I just call to see if any opportunities are available for the artists. If there are, then we go from there trusting that each one will do good business.”

We see firsthand that booking managers have a major job that requires much negotiation. These individuals are the first contact between the potential clients and record label. Mutual benefit, in some cases, is the main goal if it is beneficial for the company. However, status will play a major role because these individuals are calling the record label for the artist. Therefore, they can demand high prices without feeling bad if a negotiation does not go through. In the end, we learn that each negotiation is different and should be approached as such. Research your potential negotiator’s company and background to understand more about the negotiation on the table.

Artist Management

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:32:00 +0000

Artist Management is a touchy subject many independent artists shy away from because it requires the artist to give up their rights of doing everything in their career. We often see up-and-coming artists being the manager, cd duplicator, engineer, marketer, and etc. Trusting a person with your career (life), is something that is not easy to take in because many questions arise: Are they honest? Are they experienced? What do I look for in a manager? These are some of the common questions that come to mind and are crucial in the process of selecting a manager.

Artist Manager Chris Ayears gives great insight on what skills you should look for in a manager as he explains his expertise of being in the music industry for many years. Ayears first started in the industry as an intern with Virgin Records in the radio department with Lou Calhoun. He soon figured out that he did not just want to do radio, but he fell in love with the process of getting records on the radio. Therefore, this led him to artist management. After being asked what interested him in artist management, he stated he was a behind the scene helper by nature. When he was young, his friends from the neighborhood established a rap group, and instead of being in the group, he wanted to be the manager. Keep in mind, he was only about 12 years old. Because of his efforts and minimal connections, the rap group was the first black crew on American Bandstand, which started giving them visibility. This sparked something on the inside of him.

Ayears stated that in management, you have to be a great listener because you have to listen to the artist and know the vision, and then take that, put it to paper and action. Also, the individual must be a major problem solver, negotiator, and salesman because you have to sale the artist. If the manager cannot sale you, he or she is not a great match for you. The manager should be the most knowledgeable person about the artist by knowing his or her strengths and weaknesses. Integrity is a major determining factor for a manger because in this industry, your word is BOND. Be really persistent because everything is not going to be easy, and success depends on the manager and artist’s determination.

What should an artist look for in artist manager?

Look for someone who is genuinely passionate about their project. They must have experience and know what they can do for the artist’s career. Examples should be presented of what they’ve done. The person must have a great reputation and be able to call people to be able to ask them how they do business. This person should be a hard worker who is willing to go the extra mile and stay up late, and really represent them. You want them to know more about the business more than the artist.

What are the biggest mistakes artists make in hiring a manager?

They just hire their friends or relatives or just someone who isn’t knowledgeable about the business. When you hire a person close to you, the person is a YES person. You need someone who will tell you the truth and say NO. They become executive assistant. The manager must be strong enough to tell you about your career and make sure it is on the right path to GREATNESS.

How much should an artist manager be paid?

The industry standard range is 20%. The more established the artist, the lower the rate. If they come to you with 30% or 35%, YOU SHOULD RUN. 25% only comes when they are going to put money in your project, and should operate on a deescalating scale. Also, the person is very well connected and can get you out there by building you from the ground up.

What are some the greatest highlights of your career?

My greatest highlight was having Le’Andria Johnson say my name on the stage while receiving her Grammy. There was a lot of work put into it: airplanes, sound checks, early mornings, and etc. So, to hear my name was a great feeling. Also, having conversations with all the Music World artists Brian Courtney Wilson, Amber Bullock, Trin-i-tee 5:7 were great.

What encouraging words do you have to give to artists?

Artists, it is very important that you get a manager that you TRUST. Artists never let a manager outwork you. It’s your voice and livelihood. Managers just know that it is a blessing to manage a career. Don’t take it lightly. Learn everything there is to know about the artist and business. Subscribe to Digital Music News, Billboard, and know industry trends, no matter what industry. Always make connections and don’t be a tired worker. It’s great to mold an artist and bring the music to the masses. Take it seriously and have fun with it!!

A Great Resource

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Sun, 06 May 2012 03:56:00 +0000

Education has become the center of national attention lately because employment opportunities are not available for recent college graduates. Not only do these individuals have an unusable degree, but also massive amounts of debt. According to the Associated Press, one of two college graduates is either unemployed or underemployed. Usually, people who only had a high school diploma were out of work, but in today’s economy, some college graduates are out of luck.

How does this information correlate with today’s independent artists? Many artists have a talent that is remarkable, but he or she lacks the business knowledge to secure legitimate deals that keep them with work. The artist, at the present moment, cannot afford a personal manager to negotiate deals, so he or she is forced to do the work alone. Because the artist has no work, then the individual accumulates debt that forces them to live in the car.

If an independent artist cannot afford to go to college or does not have the desire to, he or she can use Artist House Music as a tool to learn about the music industry. Here, many interviews with industry professionals are available for the artist to learn about current trends, how to market an album, legalities, and everything you need to know to succeed in the business. For instance, an artist wants to learn how to record music on Pro Tools. He or she can go onto Artist House Music and receive tutorials about the recording program. There are also other links to related articles based on the search results. This site is an aspiring artist, musician, or producer’s dream place of free information.

However, the ONLY downside to this website is that it has limited full videos available. When you are getting great information, the video cuts off as your write the new material. However, the many articles make up for the lack of longevity of the videos. Nevertheless, this site is one of the best instruments an independent artist can use to gain knowledge about the music industry. An artist increases his or her chances of being successful by gaining the necessary knowledge to negotiate deals and make hit songs at home. Without further due, go use this great resource!

Living Beyond Limits

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:18:00 +0000

Comfort zones are all too often familiar to us because of its sense of security, but this state is DANGEROUS when an individual is a DREAMER. Picture it, when you are asleep at night, your imagination takes you to places that resemble an Avatar scene or allows you to see yourself LIMITLESS. However, reality sets in like a bad case of morning breath when you wake up the next morning aware of the “I CAN’Ts” and “DON’T HAVES”. This then paralyzes the individual’s thinking to believing greater heights are unachievable because of his or her current circumstances. The result is the person being “stuck” in a place that is unfulfilling and depressing.

Sometimes, life’s sudden turns, deaths and illnesses push a person to realize life is too short and precious NOT to obtain the desires of the heart. While researching TED, a site that offers free viewing to inspirational keynote speakers, I was immediately drawn to the story of Amy Purdy “Living Beyond Limits”. Amy had always dreamed about being a professional snowboarder who traveled the world, but a certain illness when she was 19 put a halt on that dream. Because of this illness, she lost both legs and became saddened that her dream may never come true. After realizing that she could live life limitless with her current circumstance, she reached her dream of being a two-time World Cup Gold Medalist. She also went to South Africa to supply 1000 children with shoes for school, and co-founded Adaptive Action Sports that is dedicated to introducing individuals with physical challenges to action sports.

This powerful story captivated her audience and inspired each individual not to make excuses for why he or she cannot accomplish a dream. Adversity is just a building block that pushes you closer to the dream, and it prepares you for longevity while you are there. She lost both of her legs, but she is a GOLD MEDALIST and continues until this day. I believe we all can learn a valuable lesson from “Living Beyond Limits”. The only limits that keep us from our dreams are the ones we allow to be powerful in our minds.

Meet Your Representative

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:25:00 +0000

Did you know when an independent artist releases an album, he or she is running an independent record label? Think about it, you wrote songs for the album (copyrights), took pictures (imaging), placed the album in your Grandma’s store (marketing), begged the local radioman to play your song (radio promotion), and performed at a local venue with five people in attendance (touring). Major record labels usually complete all these tasks for a signed artist. Usually, independent artists use the major record labels to distribute their albums for national and international exposure. What happens when a major record label try to get over on the unknowledgeable artist?

Many industries like production, NBA, and education have unions that serve as the voice for their many workers or players who are being mistreated by an organization. In the independent’s case, The American Association of Independent Music is a trade association that represents independent record labels in the United States to ensure equity and fairness for these entities. A spokesperson is needed for the individuals who make up 30% of the music industry’s market share according to the Association. The A2IM best represents the independent labels in the areas of: Fair Trade, New Technology and Distribution, Branding, Access to Media, Legislative, Advocacy, International, Purchasing, and New Business.

Many independent artists are eager to hear about the Access to Media. Let’s face it, if the music is not being heard on the radio or television, then there is no money being made. A2IM acknowledges that independent music is underrepresented in the mainstream media, and they promise to remind the media that the United States is a diverse culture, and it should be heard and seen through media. This is done through the New Media Committee whose mission is to ensure that the label is educated about the different opportunities for indies who look to make an impact in the industry.

If you are an independent artist or label, this would be a great association to join. The American Association of Independent Music serves as the spokesperson for YOU, make sure they are doing it well.

How's Your Image?

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:57:00 +0000

Reputation is a word that should be incorporated into every aspiring artist’s decision-making. This is one of the most important aspects of a career in the entertainment industry because it serves as the individual’s “credit report”. A great image will profit the artist in the long run because he or she is identified as someone who is easy to work with and produce great results. Let’s be honest, no one wants to work with an artist with a bad reputation due to its ability to define who you are as an artist or businessperson. Therefore, it is important to integrate Public Relations to build the artist’s business and personal brand.

According to Public Relations Society of America, Public Relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics. In simple form, public relations serve as communication between the artist and his or her audience, liaison to the media, coordinate performances and media appearances, and improve the artist’s social media presence. Most importantly, public relations help with Crisis Management. Crisis Management is needed when an artist has been publicly humiliated because of behavioral issues or certain unforeseen circumstances have occurred like death. Because of how quickly news spread throughout the media, it is important that an artist releases a personal statement to answer all questions surrounding the problem to avoid any further confusion.

An artist must hire a publicist who is able to handle his or her image in the uttermost respect that portrays them as a model citizen. Even if the artist is jerk, a good publicist makes the artist seem like an angel who cares about the well being of the world. Not only should the publicist be strategic, but also he or she must be well connected in the chosen industry. Many performances and media opportunities are made available because of the work of the publicist. Publicists work 24/7 to ensure press kits and releases are sent to media outlets, coach the artist on what to say on television or radio, and develops rapport with people who will benefit the artist.

A great example of a publicist is Andrea Williams of Tehillah Enterprises, LLC. She has over 20 years of experience in the Gospel Music Industry as a singer and publicist. Tehillah Enterprises, LLC. is a company that specializes in public relations, media and advertising relations, and event management for gospel and Christian artists. Andrea has represented the industry’s best who have been awarded Grammy’s, Dove, and Stellar Awards. These artists include Donald Lawrence, Martha Munizzi, Byron Cage, Marvin Sapp, and many others. I had a chance to sit down and speak with Andrea Williams about the importance of public relations. Take a listen to the wisdom and knowledge she gives to aspiring artists.

Remember, your image in the public’s eye is very important. Be mindful of your decisions and whom you associate with in the industry. It takes ONE bad decision to taint a life-long dream.

Professionalism....NO EGO!

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:16:00 +0000

Being an artist or musician requires a certain type of professionalism that keeps the individual EMPLOYED with opportunities. Nowadays, it takes more than just a pretty face, talent, and a nice song to be successful in the music industry, but it takes sacrifice, commitment, practice, and HUMILITY to SURVIVE. There have been many artists who had “talent”, without a doubt, but E-G-O was the deciding factor of their career.

Harvey Mason Jr., songwriter and producer, tweeted, “Got the real deal in the booth today friends. Love working with talented people who can seriously sing, have great ears and are friendly. Wow.” In 120 characters, Mason gave the keys to success for an aspiring independent artist.

Successful Tip #1: Talent is a MUST. If a great product is going to be produced, the artist must be versatile in musicianship. Mastering your craft can achieve you great success. Practice your vocal techniques or instrument AT LEAST one to two hours a day. Gain experience in the studio because this is where artists hear his or her true voice. Get a mentor who will be honest with you about where you are as an artist. PERFORM, PRACTICE, PERFORM, and PRACTICE! The more experience you gain in front of an audience, the better your stage presence will be on the platform.

Successful Tip #2: Listening is CRUCIAL. This is the area many artists make their mistake. EGO opens the door to a mindset that states, "I don't have to listen to you, I have mastered my craft." This then leads to arrogance, and later on, UNEMPLOYMENT because no one has the desire to work with you. Instead, go into every situation eager to listen and learn because the professional has reached longevity in his or her career. If you don’t understand a concept, lay your pride aside and ask questions! Your gift will not be call into question if you do this. A great artist LISTENS and LEARNS! An egotistical artist TALKS and DIRECTS.

Successful Tip #3: Your Attitude determines many relationships or the lack thereof. The entertainment industry is based on RELATIONSHIPS! Opportunities are usually afforded to those individuals who have networked and developed long-term relationships. However, many artists who have reached some success tend to develop a bad attitude that, in the long run, is detrimental to their career. To avoid the attitude trap, switch places with the person whom you are working with. Would you want to deal with your attitude? Keep a positive attitude that allows the atmosphere to be conducive for creativity. Be HUMBLE by not making everything about you but about the TEAM. Be sure to keep a positive reputation. The industry is SMALL and people will deliver information about you to professionals whom you aspire to collaborate with on your project. If you master a great attitude, you will reach great heights in your career.

Remember to remove any signs of EGO because it stands between you and your desired career as an artist. Apply the abovementioned characteristics to your everyday practice to ensure you are an artist executives, producers, and industry professionals would like to work with and spend money on. It’s up to YOU!

Your Royalties?

noreply@blogger.com (Isiah) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:54:00 +0000

Many artists have a dream of becoming the next International Star like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. Their record sales are immeasurable and their talents are numerous. Did I mention they are RICH? “Of course,” you may say, “and they have a major record label backing them with millions of dollars.” That’s a great point, but their money is also made from being an artist and songwriter. Therefore, they receive ROYALTY CHECKS.

I don’t know about you, but have you witnessed the epidemic of struggling independent artists? One answer to this problem is simple: Independent artists lack the understanding of copyright. One day I asked an indie artist, “Are you registered with ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC?” The response I received was, “What is that?” After a long blank stare, I began to explain that these organizations are performing rights groups who are responsible for making sure you are paid when your music is played on the radio, sold in stores, appear in movies, or performed. For instance, when you get in the elevator at work and your favorite song plays, that artist receives a royalty payment from the music in the elevator.

An artist who does NOT copyright their music CANNOT receive a royalty check. Many people are unaware that once a song is placed on paper, it is copyrighted. However, it is advised that you register the material to assure that you are the owner. An artist must know the two types of copyrights. When you see the © symbol, that stands for a music composition copyright. If the symbol (p) is shown, that symbolizes a sound recording copyright. For example, if you wrote a song titled “A Struggling Artist” and recorded it, you are the owner of the music composition and sound recording.

Do you want to make money? Educate yourselves on the copyright laws and organizations that protect who you are as an artist. Get out of the norm and write songs to shop around to major artists and record labels that could launch your career. Before you do this, MAKE SURE YOU COPYRIGHT YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY!