COUNTRY MUSIC BIZ..THE AWFUL TRUTH..PT1
So you think you can sing and want a record deal? Join the club. Some of the best singers in the world will never be heard by commercial ears. If you don't believe this, just go to the main street clubs in Nashville and watch countless bands and singers play 4 hour sets with no breaks for $40. Most of these guys and gals sound better than almost anything you will hear on the radio yet they are STARVING. Having been to Nashville dozens of times chasing the elusive record deal, I have come to learn a few things that aspiring recording artists should know. That is the reason that I am writing this so that I may help some deal with the truths about the music business. I have made alot of dumb mistakes that make me feel duped so I AM trying to help you reading this from my mistakes!! I will not name any names but they know who they are and can't deny. While there is still some honesty in the music biz, I have only seen small glimmers of it over many years.
THE MYTHS
1.)I have a walk in favor at a major label that can get you a deal.
BS!!! Every manager in Nashville will tell you this. If they are telling you this, I am guessing that it is about to involve an amount of money transferring from your side to theirs.
2.)The budget has been set for the year.
WRONG..If the mood strikes right, a record exec can sign a deal anytime anywhere, regardless of budgets.
3.)You need to bring a magic song to get a deal.
BS!! If you bring the magic song AND you own publishing/writers rights that you can part with to give to either Producer or Manager then maybe it help you eventually get a deal. Alot of times, they will take the song and part of your rights to put it on hold for George or Tim. The song writer being flattered and excited sometimes takes this deal. If I can get "insert star here" to cut it, can you give me publishing? I have heard of some hit songs being put on hold for many years before a "star" decides if they want to cut it or not.
4.)If you bring your own millions, you can have a record deal.
This can be true but the risks are huge and the deck is stacked against you. With the figure now approaching AT LEAST 1 Million Dollars to release and promote a new single (I've heard even higher figures) it is a huge gamble to lose your own money. I personally know of an artist who bought a record deal with a MAJOR label with a hit song that WENT TO #1 and the label STILL didn't release an album on him because he wasn't "testing well" with the radio markets. WHAT?? A #1 is the ultimate test. Whatever. The label got their money and the guy is now out of the music biz according to his vacant website.
5.)I have recorded a smash and now radio is going to eat out of my hand.
BS..The radio market is the biggest monopoly payola brother-in-law deal that you could ever imagine. Just because you have a good song and you send it to the label doesn't mean anything. I personally have gone on radio promotional tours here in Texas. You should see the amount of independant singles that are stacked all over the office. I would bet that 99% of those discs go straight into the trash. The only reason that we were being played at all is because we had radio promotion folks (we were paying for every week) pulling favors with DJ's and Program Directors. The PD's usually have all of the power as far as the playlist is concerned. The only ad-hoc chance that you have is for a late night Saturday Night "Texas Country" show or something else that features local artists. I have heard that on stations owned by the monopolies only have a song rotation of just 15 songs per weak for new music. Throw in your Tims,Kenny's,Taylors,Carries,Sugarlands,Pat Greens,Cross Canadians and then throw in some old classics and then you are done. No room for Joe Bob from basement #1.
6.)My situation is very unique so I am an exception.
BS..The music business has been a tough nut to crack from day one. UG and YOG were the best cavemen band in the camp. Their manager would have startup cavemen beaten up to avoid competition. If someone is telling you that your situation is different..better watch your wallet. Put them on commission only basis and then see if they still tell you that.
7.)This guy produced "insert star here" and HE LOVES ME so he MUST be able to help me get a deal.
Under the table deals RUN RAMPANT in the music biz!!! Most major (clarify MAJOR) producers are snake oil salesmen. Most of the time, they have an unbelievable sound engineer who does all of the work for them while they play golf and check in during final mix down. When we were finishing our album in Nashville, the producer was in Florida on the beach. Of course the check had already been written. They also are masters at passing the blame and stringing you along.
Stay tuned for part 2 which will give you some ideas on how to do it yourself!!
THE MYTHS
1.)I have a walk in favor at a major label that can get you a deal.
BS!!! Every manager in Nashville will tell you this. If they are telling you this, I am guessing that it is about to involve an amount of money transferring from your side to theirs.
2.)The budget has been set for the year.
WRONG..If the mood strikes right, a record exec can sign a deal anytime anywhere, regardless of budgets.
3.)You need to bring a magic song to get a deal.
BS!! If you bring the magic song AND you own publishing/writers rights that you can part with to give to either Producer or Manager then maybe it help you eventually get a deal. Alot of times, they will take the song and part of your rights to put it on hold for George or Tim. The song writer being flattered and excited sometimes takes this deal. If I can get "insert star here" to cut it, can you give me publishing? I have heard of some hit songs being put on hold for many years before a "star" decides if they want to cut it or not.
4.)If you bring your own millions, you can have a record deal.
This can be true but the risks are huge and the deck is stacked against you. With the figure now approaching AT LEAST 1 Million Dollars to release and promote a new single (I've heard even higher figures) it is a huge gamble to lose your own money. I personally know of an artist who bought a record deal with a MAJOR label with a hit song that WENT TO #1 and the label STILL didn't release an album on him because he wasn't "testing well" with the radio markets. WHAT?? A #1 is the ultimate test. Whatever. The label got their money and the guy is now out of the music biz according to his vacant website.
5.)I have recorded a smash and now radio is going to eat out of my hand.
BS..The radio market is the biggest monopoly payola brother-in-law deal that you could ever imagine. Just because you have a good song and you send it to the label doesn't mean anything. I personally have gone on radio promotional tours here in Texas. You should see the amount of independant singles that are stacked all over the office. I would bet that 99% of those discs go straight into the trash. The only reason that we were being played at all is because we had radio promotion folks (we were paying for every week) pulling favors with DJ's and Program Directors. The PD's usually have all of the power as far as the playlist is concerned. The only ad-hoc chance that you have is for a late night Saturday Night "Texas Country" show or something else that features local artists. I have heard that on stations owned by the monopolies only have a song rotation of just 15 songs per weak for new music. Throw in your Tims,Kenny's,Taylors,Carries,Sugarlands,Pat Greens,Cross Canadians and then throw in some old classics and then you are done. No room for Joe Bob from basement #1.
6.)My situation is very unique so I am an exception.
BS..The music business has been a tough nut to crack from day one. UG and YOG were the best cavemen band in the camp. Their manager would have startup cavemen beaten up to avoid competition. If someone is telling you that your situation is different..better watch your wallet. Put them on commission only basis and then see if they still tell you that.
7.)This guy produced "insert star here" and HE LOVES ME so he MUST be able to help me get a deal.
Under the table deals RUN RAMPANT in the music biz!!! Most major (clarify MAJOR) producers are snake oil salesmen. Most of the time, they have an unbelievable sound engineer who does all of the work for them while they play golf and check in during final mix down. When we were finishing our album in Nashville, the producer was in Florida on the beach. Of course the check had already been written. They also are masters at passing the blame and stringing you along.
Stay tuned for part 2 which will give you some ideas on how to do it yourself!!
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