Here are my top ten Artist/song writers, what are some of yours?
no particular order
1. Steve Earle
2. Gordon Lightfoot
3. Billy Joe Shaver
4. Willie Nelson
5. Billy Joel
6. Bob Seger
7. John Prine
8. Neil Diamond
9. John Lennon
10. John Hiatt
Thursday, April 29, 2010
A couple of my favorite quotes about music and the biz
Here is a few of my favorite quotes about music and the biz what is some of yours.
A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski
Music is what feelings sound like. ~Author Unknown
[An intellectual] is someone who can listen to the "William Tell Overture" without thinking of the Lone Ranger. ~John Chesson
Don't try to explain it, just sell it." Colonel Tom Parker
"Modern music is people who can't think signing artists who can't write songs to make records for people who can't hear." Frank Zappa
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
--Hunter S. Thompson
"Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it."
- John Lennon -
You have a better chance of being struck by lightning and winning the lotto on the same day than you doing making it big in music. I still buy lotto tickets but run when I hear thunder, maybe thats why I haven't made it yet!.
Ken McCoy
A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski
Music is what feelings sound like. ~Author Unknown
[An intellectual] is someone who can listen to the "William Tell Overture" without thinking of the Lone Ranger. ~John Chesson
Don't try to explain it, just sell it." Colonel Tom Parker
"Modern music is people who can't think signing artists who can't write songs to make records for people who can't hear." Frank Zappa
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
--Hunter S. Thompson
"Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it."
- John Lennon -
You have a better chance of being struck by lightning and winning the lotto on the same day than you doing making it big in music. I still buy lotto tickets but run when I hear thunder, maybe thats why I haven't made it yet!.
Ken McCoy
Monday, April 26, 2010
Playing Bars
The big question when getting started with a music career is should I play the bars or not?
Depending on who you ask you are going to get a different answer.
There is lots to think about and how you want your career to go. There are many pro's and con's to this subject. I am sure they will all be debated long after we are all gone.
First lets talk about what it takes to play the bars and to become successful in the bars.
The bars are a place to get your start to showcase your talents, to become successful at the bar level though there is some sacrifices you have to make. Unless you are playing a bar that allows you to play nothing but original music be prepared to play cover songs. ( just so you know there are not to many bars that do this)
Having original material is good to have though when playing a bar because it shows that you are serious about your music.
Picking cover songs that make you look and sound great is very important.
If you have a voice like Johnny Cash but are trying to sing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey it is probably not a good idea, unless you have some really cool arrangement and have made the song your own or it is comedy version. If you are trying to duplicate it DON'T DO IT! You may think it sounds cool but most people are going to be saying my god that is awful.
Remember to focus on what you do best.
Having a big selection of different styles is very important specially this days. Don't jump into the bars with 30 songs just enough to get you through the night.
The bigger the song list the better, just remember to select the right songs for you.
If you are a country band make sure you are playing new country, old country, your own stuff, fast ones, slow ones, a couple off the wall ones, as well have some classic rock and even a few new rock songs. Throw in a couple other style as well the more the better. You will get more fans with your versatility.
If you are a rock band same thing I know the last thing you want to learn is a country song but make it your own, rock up a old Johnny Cash or Waylon tune, it works!
When you walk into a the venue walk in like you are rock stars don't be rude but show confidence in yourself on and off stage. People are drawn to this.
Have a show planned if a set list works for you use it but be prepared to make changes if set is not working with the crowd. If you can do this on the fly then do it. If you are able to call out the songs as you go cause you are reading the crowd then do it, sometimes this works better, just make sure you have only one person doing this as you don't want to have a fight on stage about what song to play. Usually the lead singer or front man would call the the songs. Remember NO holes in your sets, dead air is a big NO NO, if you are not play then you are talking or getting the people going.
If you have props use them, anything to entertain the crowd.
Plan a couple of moves and use them, planned steps at the right time work.
I am not saying that you have to dance like Britney Spears on stage but a couple of little moves works, look at ZZ TOP they are in there 60's now and they still do and hey look cool doing it...still!
Just make it look and feel natural and just once every now then not every song.
Just remember posing in positions works once in a blue moon, to do it all the time looks cheesy, unless that is what you are going for once again, don't do it.
Sometimes the hard part about playing in a bar is getting peoples attention. They are there to drink meet with their buddy's and girlfriends, talk, party, try pick each other up etc... sometime you are the last thing that they came for so you have to find ways to get them on your side. many things work many things don't.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is start off with a big production song. screaming guitars lights smoke whatever it takes.
If they have had a few and are in the party mode hit them with a sing along song. any song they know the words to that is big a popular works!
Use you imagination to find ways to get a hold of them and then don't let go.
Lots more to come.....
Depending on who you ask you are going to get a different answer.
There is lots to think about and how you want your career to go. There are many pro's and con's to this subject. I am sure they will all be debated long after we are all gone.
First lets talk about what it takes to play the bars and to become successful in the bars.
The bars are a place to get your start to showcase your talents, to become successful at the bar level though there is some sacrifices you have to make. Unless you are playing a bar that allows you to play nothing but original music be prepared to play cover songs. ( just so you know there are not to many bars that do this)
Having original material is good to have though when playing a bar because it shows that you are serious about your music.
Picking cover songs that make you look and sound great is very important.
If you have a voice like Johnny Cash but are trying to sing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey it is probably not a good idea, unless you have some really cool arrangement and have made the song your own or it is comedy version. If you are trying to duplicate it DON'T DO IT! You may think it sounds cool but most people are going to be saying my god that is awful.
Remember to focus on what you do best.
Having a big selection of different styles is very important specially this days. Don't jump into the bars with 30 songs just enough to get you through the night.
The bigger the song list the better, just remember to select the right songs for you.
If you are a country band make sure you are playing new country, old country, your own stuff, fast ones, slow ones, a couple off the wall ones, as well have some classic rock and even a few new rock songs. Throw in a couple other style as well the more the better. You will get more fans with your versatility.
If you are a rock band same thing I know the last thing you want to learn is a country song but make it your own, rock up a old Johnny Cash or Waylon tune, it works!
When you walk into a the venue walk in like you are rock stars don't be rude but show confidence in yourself on and off stage. People are drawn to this.
Have a show planned if a set list works for you use it but be prepared to make changes if set is not working with the crowd. If you can do this on the fly then do it. If you are able to call out the songs as you go cause you are reading the crowd then do it, sometimes this works better, just make sure you have only one person doing this as you don't want to have a fight on stage about what song to play. Usually the lead singer or front man would call the the songs. Remember NO holes in your sets, dead air is a big NO NO, if you are not play then you are talking or getting the people going.
If you have props use them, anything to entertain the crowd.
Plan a couple of moves and use them, planned steps at the right time work.
I am not saying that you have to dance like Britney Spears on stage but a couple of little moves works, look at ZZ TOP they are in there 60's now and they still do and hey look cool doing it...still!
Just make it look and feel natural and just once every now then not every song.
Just remember posing in positions works once in a blue moon, to do it all the time looks cheesy, unless that is what you are going for once again, don't do it.
Sometimes the hard part about playing in a bar is getting peoples attention. They are there to drink meet with their buddy's and girlfriends, talk, party, try pick each other up etc... sometime you are the last thing that they came for so you have to find ways to get them on your side. many things work many things don't.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is start off with a big production song. screaming guitars lights smoke whatever it takes.
If they have had a few and are in the party mode hit them with a sing along song. any song they know the words to that is big a popular works!
Use you imagination to find ways to get a hold of them and then don't let go.
Lots more to come.....
to play the bars or not that is the question?
What came first the chicken or the bars?
People have always debated about to make it in this industry you should or should not play the bars.
Many artist have made it from playing the bars but a lot have not.
There are many different levels to performing and bars are a place to start but can they be damaging to your career or help it.
What do you think?
People have always debated about to make it in this industry you should or should not play the bars.
Many artist have made it from playing the bars but a lot have not.
There are many different levels to performing and bars are a place to start but can they be damaging to your career or help it.
What do you think?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Matrixboom
What do you think about country radio today actually any radio,Rock, MOR, Pop, satellite, internet?
I have to say of late I don't listen to radio much because I really don't like what I hear, specially country. There are a few artist that are standing out with good material but a lot of it sounds very bubblegum to me and a lot of it sounds the same as well as it is hard to tell one artist from another. I know there is great radio stations out there throughout the world that play great music and the need to be found.
The question is if you don't like radio today who do you blame, is it Nashville ( the record labels) for sending out the artists and songs to radio. Do they take the time to find artists that have longevity. Instead of one hit wonders that look good on TV, cause we all know that we listen with our eyes, that is until we see some of these acts live and then.... Or do you blame Radio for playing it and for caving into the consultants in New York telling us that this is what we want to hear. Maybe it is the listener who doesn't like it but does nothing about it, like turning it off or letting the station know or contacting the advertisers saying we are not listening to that station anymore because of the quality of music.
I remember talking to one Music director about songs and artists and we were talking about one artist in general. He had just added this person's song that was not very good at all and he admitted it as well and I asked him why and he said it was because he was a popular artist.... NO NO NO if the song sucks you don't play it. How many other stations do this?
I really believe that there is a lot of great music out there that is not making it to the masses and a lot of crap that is. What is it that can be done to turn it around or can it be? Maybe its just me and I am getting old and just want substance in my music. I would love know what most of all fans think as well as industry.
I have to say of late I don't listen to radio much because I really don't like what I hear, specially country. There are a few artist that are standing out with good material but a lot of it sounds very bubblegum to me and a lot of it sounds the same as well as it is hard to tell one artist from another. I know there is great radio stations out there throughout the world that play great music and the need to be found.
The question is if you don't like radio today who do you blame, is it Nashville ( the record labels) for sending out the artists and songs to radio. Do they take the time to find artists that have longevity. Instead of one hit wonders that look good on TV, cause we all know that we listen with our eyes, that is until we see some of these acts live and then.... Or do you blame Radio for playing it and for caving into the consultants in New York telling us that this is what we want to hear. Maybe it is the listener who doesn't like it but does nothing about it, like turning it off or letting the station know or contacting the advertisers saying we are not listening to that station anymore because of the quality of music.
I remember talking to one Music director about songs and artists and we were talking about one artist in general. He had just added this person's song that was not very good at all and he admitted it as well and I asked him why and he said it was because he was a popular artist.... NO NO NO if the song sucks you don't play it. How many other stations do this?
I really believe that there is a lot of great music out there that is not making it to the masses and a lot of crap that is. What is it that can be done to turn it around or can it be? Maybe its just me and I am getting old and just want substance in my music. I would love know what most of all fans think as well as industry.
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