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I've done a week of blogs on songwriting and production teams. So my question now to all of you who write alone, are you ready to start your own production or songwriting team? If you are a songwriter or producer who writes alone and is now ready to start your own team, but don't know where to find the people that you need, then I'd suggest the following things:
1. Network!!!!! Check out all the blogs I did on networking as I think they will help you find the right members for your songwriting and production team. Go to some music conferences. Check out JaWar's blog which lists over 25 upcoming conferences on mymusicconnection.blogspot.com. Please do attend one or more of these conferences, which are located all over the U.S.! Interestingly, it's from attending music conferences that I in fact found people in my own city to collaborate with, network with, find out about other events, etc. So again, get out the studio and network, network, network!
2. Find talented, business-minded, serious members who you'd enjoy working with! Well if you just met someone at a music conference, how do you know if that person fits that criteria? Well, do you see them out at multiple events, including music conferences, beat battles, open mics, industry events or a host of other networking places that I've mentioned in previous blogs? Do they have industry contacts? Have they been referred to you by someone who can vouch for them or by someone you know? Have you heard them sing (if they are a singer), heard their songs, heard their lyrics, their production work? Do you like what you heard? Does the person have business cards? Does the person have a CD of their work? Do they have a serious web presence? Are they currently working on their craft? Or are they constantly out partying, chilling, watching television, chasing women/men, etc? You can tell if a person is business minded and serious by listening to the person's conversation: what do they talk about the most? Don't just believe someone who says their "grinding" (an overused, misunderstood term in my opinion). Watch their work ethic which says more than their tongue service! And check the person's character and their personality and see if it meshes with yours or compliments yours.
3. Once you find those individuals, establish some rules. I gave you two days worth's of do's and don'ts to help you get started with setting a foundation for your songwriting/production team. Since you've found talented, business-minded individuals, there should be no problem with establishing some parameters!
4. Set up a schedule for when you will meet.
5. Meet and work with each other for awhile (I'd suggest no fewere than 6 months together), and then if the fit is there, meet with an entertainment attorney, see about going into business with your new members, and set up the right corporation for your production or songwriting team.
6. Then make great music together!
Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
hitsamillion.blogspot.com
Interviewed.blogspot.com
Musicpanels.blogspot.com
Mobilemusicbusiness.blogspot.com
Musiclabels.blogspot.com
globalmusicbusiness.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label music conferences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music conferences. Show all posts
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
My Songwriting Contest Experience
In my prior blogs, I shared with you 10 upcoming songwriting contests and the benefits of entering a songwriting competition. Now I'd like to share with you my own experience.
I will never forget the first time I entered one of my songs into a songwriting contest! I was at my very first music conference, the Babbie Mason Music Conference, a gospel music songwriting contest. This contest was my very first songwriting contest ever. Songwriting for me was, and is, at times, a very personal thing for me. I was hyper-sensitive about exposing my songs to people until recently. But nevertheless, I decided to shed my song-shy ways to enter this contest.
And the song I entered I just knew was a hit! I loved singing it. Me and the guys who worked on it, worked on this song for hours, days, months even. I wanted it to be perfect! We believed our sweat and tears made the song a hit. I just knew EVERYBODY who heard this song was going to love it. I was confident that this song was going to place at the very least in the top 10 songs out of 100. Being a type-A personality and an over-achiever, I placed high value on my scores and rankings. So imagine my shock when the top songs were announced and I didn't see my song anywhere on the list. Then when I got my song back, my song was returned with a score of 70 out of 100! Are you kidding me?! They basically said I failed!
I was crushed and hurt.
There were three judges who critiqued my song and each had something positive and negative to say about the song. Because I was hurt initially, I refused to listen to the critique. I didn't even want to finish going to the music conference! I didn't want to hear what ANY ONE of those judges had to say to me. They didn't know how much time, and money, and effort had gone into this song! So I started not to return to the conference at all. But listening instead to my instinct rather than my hurt feelings, I went back to the conference, humbled, and ready to listen and learn. Returning was the best decision I made as I learned some valuable songwriting tips, gained some resources now, and am a better songwriter because of it. That's one of the reasons why I encouraged you as I did in my prior blogs to participate in one of the 10 upcoming songwriting contests and gave you some benefits of participating in songwriting contests. I hope you will take my advice!
I want to help you avoid some of the embarrassment that I felt when I found out my song was not up to industry standards. So I'm going to be doing a series of blogs on how to critique your own song. So stay tuned!
Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc
interviewed.blogspot.com - contains interviews of top producers, songwriters, & music execs
globalmusicbusiness.blogspot.com -helping you go global with your music
musicpanels.blogspot.com -missed a music conference, find some clips of it here
mobilemusicbusiness.blogspot.com -go mobile with your music, find ways to do mobile marketing
musiclabels.blogspot.com - find out information on new record labels recently launched
hitsamillion.ning.com - network with other producers, singers, songwriters, and beatmakers
I will never forget the first time I entered one of my songs into a songwriting contest! I was at my very first music conference, the Babbie Mason Music Conference, a gospel music songwriting contest. This contest was my very first songwriting contest ever. Songwriting for me was, and is, at times, a very personal thing for me. I was hyper-sensitive about exposing my songs to people until recently. But nevertheless, I decided to shed my song-shy ways to enter this contest.
And the song I entered I just knew was a hit! I loved singing it. Me and the guys who worked on it, worked on this song for hours, days, months even. I wanted it to be perfect! We believed our sweat and tears made the song a hit. I just knew EVERYBODY who heard this song was going to love it. I was confident that this song was going to place at the very least in the top 10 songs out of 100. Being a type-A personality and an over-achiever, I placed high value on my scores and rankings. So imagine my shock when the top songs were announced and I didn't see my song anywhere on the list. Then when I got my song back, my song was returned with a score of 70 out of 100! Are you kidding me?! They basically said I failed!
I was crushed and hurt.
There were three judges who critiqued my song and each had something positive and negative to say about the song. Because I was hurt initially, I refused to listen to the critique. I didn't even want to finish going to the music conference! I didn't want to hear what ANY ONE of those judges had to say to me. They didn't know how much time, and money, and effort had gone into this song! So I started not to return to the conference at all. But listening instead to my instinct rather than my hurt feelings, I went back to the conference, humbled, and ready to listen and learn. Returning was the best decision I made as I learned some valuable songwriting tips, gained some resources now, and am a better songwriter because of it. That's one of the reasons why I encouraged you as I did in my prior blogs to participate in one of the 10 upcoming songwriting contests and gave you some benefits of participating in songwriting contests. I hope you will take my advice!
I want to help you avoid some of the embarrassment that I felt when I found out my song was not up to industry standards. So I'm going to be doing a series of blogs on how to critique your own song. So stay tuned!
Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc
interviewed.blogspot.com - contains interviews of top producers, songwriters, & music execs
globalmusicbusiness.blogspot.com -helping you go global with your music
musicpanels.blogspot.com -missed a music conference, find some clips of it here
mobilemusicbusiness.blogspot.com -go mobile with your music, find ways to do mobile marketing
musiclabels.blogspot.com - find out information on new record labels recently launched
hitsamillion.ning.com - network with other producers, singers, songwriters, and beatmakers
Sunday, March 30, 2008
25 or More Places to Network
(c) 2008 all rights reserved
In previous posts, I've given you over 40 tips on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, upcoming music conferences to network at, telling you why networking is important and how it's helped me. Now I want to give you some physical places that you can network as a songwriter, producer, engineer, musician, artist, band, group, and music executive. Some of the places noted below are typical places but some are not typical. Later I will provide some more general places online where you can network.
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!
hitsamillion.ning.com - network with others!
In previous posts, I've given you over 40 tips on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, upcoming music conferences to network at, telling you why networking is important and how it's helped me. Now I want to give you some physical places that you can network as a songwriter, producer, engineer, musician, artist, band, group, and music executive. Some of the places noted below are typical places but some are not typical. Later I will provide some more general places online where you can network.
- music conferences - look for ones in your area, in other cities, and even abroad. Read my prior blogs and JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com for details on upcoming conferences.
- music seminars - look for local groups who are putting on one-day events. Read my prior blogs and JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com for details on upcoming conferences.
- talent showcases - again you can find artists, producers, A & R folks, etc at these events. In fact, I just bumped again into Bryan-Michael Cox, Kawan KP Prather, DJ Nabs, and some of the other panelists from Patchwerk's Music University that I attended in January at Rovella William's Almost Famous Artist Showcase. You just never know who you are going to meet at these events. JaWar again has a complete list of talent showcases at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com.
- open mics - you might get a hodge podge of folks at this event but it still may be worth your time. I'd choose the ones where people have to audition to perform over just simply an open mic but still it's better than nothing. Read JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com for details on upcoming open mics.
- open auditions - American Idol auditions usually bring out hundreds of thousands of folks! Sometimes I wonder where all these people are at when the music conferences come to town! Seems everyone wants to sing, and not many want to learn the business! Then folks wonder why they get taken! Okay, I'm off my soap box but network at these events; learn the business at music conferences or again read books on it.
- beat battles - these are cropping up all over the U.S. for producers. As a songwriter needing producers, I'd definitely check this event out. Producers and songwriters are always looking for each other.
- clubs - I personally don't typically go to clubs. But if you want to network with DJs, you've got to go to the clubs to find them to get your music played there.
- music industry parties - join some of the newsletters to find out where and when these events will take place or read JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com
- performance right organization's parties, especially the special event parties such as holiday parties.
- songwriter organization parties and events, ex. NARAS puts on different events such as meet the producer or songwriter events, or host special parties to recognize their members.
- record pool events - there have already been two of these this year.
- DJ conferences - another great place to meet DJs and get them your material.
- Film and TV conferences - since you want placement in film and TV, this is an excellent place to network. Don't forget indie film and TV.
- New Media/Digital Music Conferences - the music biz is changing - stay up on the game.
- Mobile Phone/Mobile Website conferences - folks we are moving into mobile - network with phone companies about getting your music put into mobile phones.
- Award shows - if you live in LA, there are always award show events being held there. Go to some of them. At the very least you can meet and make some new fans of your music. You might even meet some people in the industry.
- Networking events outside the music business - since it seems everybody is a rapper/producer/singer, you're bound to meet other music creators at other networking events. I met a producer and singer and a woman needing a songwriter at a Millionaire Mind Intensive seminar.
- Karaoke bars - if you are looking for demo singers, this may be a spot to check out. Plus, by doing karaoke, you know that they don't mind singing for cheap (:-O
- Studios - here's the place where you can meet engineers, mixers, producers, professional demo singers, artists, etc. Plus some studios will have their own events that they put on. Patchwerk is one of the studios that does events from time to time.
- Concerts - haven't we all seen the "flyer guy" at the doors of a concert passing out flyers? You can do the same thing with your CDs and make some fans of your music.
- Music retail stores - are you kidding?! You can meet plenty of musicians, producers, engineers, DJs, songwriters, etc. at these stores. Plus, just meeting the people behind the counters who know how to work the music equipment you're about to buy is good enough reason to go there and network!
- Bookstores - in the music section of the book store are learners and students of music just like you!
- Colleges & university - Sometimes colleges, universities, law schools and even high schools have music business departments and music business groups which put on music conferences and seminars. Sometimes you may want to just go when there is not a conference, just to meet the professors and network with the students.
- Trade shows - like NAMM, NARM, NAB are good trade shows where you can network with music merchandisers. Digidesign in fact will be at NAB (April 14-17, 2008) in Las Vegas.
- Radio Broadcaster Conferences - this will help you not only meet radio personalities, but you'll also get some good tidbits on what PMs are looking for.
- Gamers Conferences - since more and more music is being placed in games, you want to attend these events as well.
- Targeted Niche Conferences - go to conferences that will also help you learn what your particular niche is wanting and buying. For instance, Billboard is hosting a number of conferences this year which target teens and men.
- Record label parties - there are plenty of record labels that host events introducing either their label or their new artists. I recently attended one of those in December and met a lot of great industry folks who came out in support of the new production team, or artist!
- Producer parties - Sometimes producers will open up a new club, a new restaurant, or showcase their new signed artists. Check out those events.
- Magazine parties - I was invited out to a party being sponsored by a magazine and many, many industry people were scheduled to come.
- Music festivals - if your city or a surrounding city hosts things like music festivals, go! Make some new fans by passing out your CD. Find out who is putting it on and see if you can open up.
- Basketball/baseball/football games - arenas are always looking for groups to sing the National Anthem. Perform that song, then pass out your CD. Your name and group gets out and so does your music.
- Clothing stores - I heard this tip from JaWar - stores play background music all the time. Network with clothing stores and see if they will play your music or mix tape.
Want to know where to find some music conferences, showcases, open mics, and when they will be held? Check out my prior blog posts on upcoming conferences and JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconnection.blogspot.com
Thedy Bmyspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!
hitsamillion.ning.com - network with others!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Upcoming Songwriting/Music Conferences and Seminars
If you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!
Well, here's your chance to get out of the studio, start networking more, and attend some upcoming music conferences. Here is another abbreviated list of upcoming 2008 Songwriting/Music Conferences and Seminars for March 2008 through May 2008. But before you go to these conferences, I suggest reading my blogs on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, and purchasing some of the recommended books on networking. That way you can ensure you are getting the most out of networking at the following songwriting/music conferences and seminars:
Well, here's your chance to get out of the studio, start networking more, and attend some upcoming music conferences. Here is another abbreviated list of upcoming 2008 Songwriting/Music Conferences and Seminars for March 2008 through May 2008. But before you go to these conferences, I suggest reading my blogs on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, and purchasing some of the recommended books on networking. That way you can ensure you are getting the most out of networking at the following songwriting/music conferences and seminars:
#1 March Events
March 25 - 29
Mar 31 2008
#2 April Events
Apr 2 2008
BMI Presents Noche Bohemia 2008: Los Angeles
Apr 2 2008
BMI Presents . . .The Art of Songwriting: Atlanta
BMI Presents. . .The Art of Songwriting featuring The Clutch. This event will take place from 3:00-5:00pm at Emory University. Admission is free. Space is limited. Please RSVP evangraafeiland@bmi.com by Friday, March 28th.
Apr 3 2008
SPONY Songwriter Pitch-A-Thon: New York
April 3 2008
Apr 3 2008
Apr 6-10 2008
Billboard Latin Music Conference and Awards
April 7 - May 1
ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in Los Angeles, directed by Stephen Schwartz
Apr 7 2008
BMI’s 8 off 8th Showcase: Nashville
Apr 9 2008
BMI Songwriting Workshop: New York
April 9
April 9
April 9
April 9
ASCAP/Billboard Latin Showcase
April 10 - April 12
2008 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO
April 10
ASCAP's 2008 General Annual Membership Meeting
April 14
BMI’s 8 off 8th Showcase: Nashville
BMI Songwriters Workshop w/Jason Blume: Nashville
April 16
April 16
April 19 - April 23
April 23
April 23
April 27 - April 30
April 30 - May 4
2008 Key West Songwriters' Festival
April 30
April 30
#4 May Events:
May 14-17
#3 I Got Soul Conference
June 13-15
http://www.igotsoulconference.com/
Again, if you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!
Here's a blog that I subscribe to which lists even more songwriting and music conferences: http://atlantashowcase.blogspot.com I suggest you subscribe too!
Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!
hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Upcoming Songwriting Seminars & Conferences
Check out the following events for songwriters:
Event #1
The Southwest Georgia Radio and Music Conference is a one-day/one-night music conference and seminar with prominent music industry and business professionals. It is being held on Saturday, March 22, 2008 in Albany, GA at the Hilton Garden Inn, 101 S. Front Street, Albany, GA 31701. This music conference is anticipating a variety of tourists and fans to flood the streets of Downtown Albany, Georgia for this HISTORY making Radio Music Conference and How to Make Money Online Seminar!
Special invited guest, speakers, partners & presenters include Motivational Speaker/Author/Consultant (JaWar), Entertainment Attorney (John F. Christmas), Author/Associate Director-SESAC-Performing Rights Organization (Cappriccieo M. Scates), Music Business Consultant (Allen L. Johnston –The Music Specialist), Judge Law Radio (DJ Judge Mental), Publicists (Rovella Williams), Publicists/Writer/Public Speaker (Willie Hunter), Bar Red Entertainment (B. Brown), Come Claim the Mic Music Conference, Select-O-Hits Music Distribution, Recording Artists, Music Producers, Songwriters, Singers, S.I.R. Magazine, Photographers, Music Magazines, Media Outlets and more!
For details on registering, sponsorship & performing for the Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference Call 404-543-0675 or 229-255-4016.
Event # 2
The Entertainment and Marketing Summit returns to the Newport Beach Hyatt Regency
March 26th through March 29th 2008. For more info go to www.urbannetwork.com
or call 213.388.4155
Event #3
The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is set to take place April 10-12, 2008 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.
The 2008 EXPO's unparalleled list of panelists has grown even more. Jackson Browne is confirmed as well as:
Glen Ballard | Marilyn Bergman | Bun B | Mary Chapin Carpenter | Chamillionaire | Desmond Child | Julio Reyes Copello | Jackie DeShannon | David Banner | Amaury Gutierrez | Keri Hilson | Mark Hudson | Johnny Mandel | David Paich (Toto) | Linda Perry | John Powell | John Rich | Rivers Rutherford | John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) | Stephen Schwartz | Darrell Scott | Billy Steinberg and many more...
More...
"The ASCAP EXPO was educational, exciting, entertaining, and just plain fun."
- Rick Martin, Attendee
Event #1
The Southwest Georgia Radio and Music Conference is a one-day/one-night music conference and seminar with prominent music industry and business professionals. It is being held on Saturday, March 22, 2008 in Albany, GA at the Hilton Garden Inn, 101 S. Front Street, Albany, GA 31701. This music conference is anticipating a variety of tourists and fans to flood the streets of Downtown Albany, Georgia for this HISTORY making Radio Music Conference and How to Make Money Online Seminar!
Special invited guest, speakers, partners & presenters include Motivational Speaker/Author/Consultant (JaWar), Entertainment Attorney (John F. Christmas), Author/Associate Director-SESAC-Performing Rights Organization (Cappriccieo M. Scates), Music Business Consultant (Allen L. Johnston –The Music Specialist), Judge Law Radio (DJ Judge Mental), Publicists (Rovella Williams), Publicists/Writer/Public Speaker (Willie Hunter), Bar Red Entertainment (B. Brown), Come Claim the Mic Music Conference, Select-O-Hits Music Distribution, Recording Artists, Music Producers, Songwriters, Singers, S.I.R. Magazine, Photographers, Music Magazines, Media Outlets and more!
For details on registering, sponsorship & performing for the Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference Call 404-543-0675 or 229-255-4016.
Event # 2
The Entertainment and Marketing Summit returns to the Newport Beach Hyatt Regency
March 26th through March 29th 2008. For more info go to www.urbannetwork.com
or call 213.388.4155
Event #3
The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is set to take place April 10-12, 2008 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.
The 2008 EXPO's unparalleled list of panelists has grown even more. Jackson Browne is confirmed as well as:
Glen Ballard | Marilyn Bergman | Bun B | Mary Chapin Carpenter | Chamillionaire | Desmond Child | Julio Reyes Copello | Jackie DeShannon | David Banner | Amaury Gutierrez | Keri Hilson | Mark Hudson | Johnny Mandel | David Paich (Toto) | Linda Perry | John Powell | John Rich | Rivers Rutherford | John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) | Stephen Schwartz | Darrell Scott | Billy Steinberg and many more...
More...
"The ASCAP EXPO was educational, exciting, entertaining, and just plain fun."
- Rick Martin, Attendee
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