Day: June 4, 2011

People In The Industry Who Make A Difference

People In The Industry Who Make A Difference

Livin’ For Tomorrow

I want to take a moment to recognize people that interact with my business and that make my life a lot easier by being professional, working hard and doing it for the love of music. First and foremost, I want to thank my staff at The Lowry Agency. There is no way on this planet I could do what we do without them. I owe them everything and realize they make me look way better than I really am. I am so proud to be working with them and so very thankful for all that they do for me and for actually believing in what we do.

In a previous blog I wrote about Ray and Patti LeGrande (http://www.facebook.com/NashvilleMetalBands.) I just want to mention them again real quick because as we have gotten to know each other better, I can see I wasn’t wrong. They are not only great for the local rock/metal scene in Nashville; these are two people who truly care about everyone on a personal level. They are real, more real than most people I have ever met. I am truly blessed to call them friends first and business associates second. Thank you Ray and Patti!

One of the musicians that always steps up to the plate for me and helps is CJ Snare, the lead singer of “Firehouse” and “Rubicon Cross.” CJ has been a guest on “Live From Music City” 4 times and one of those as a co-host. A couple weeks ago, when a show was about to be cancelled, CJ stepped up to the plate with one hour and ten minutes to go, got his friend Chris Green to come on the show and knocked it out of the park again. CJ is always a great guest and such a gracious person. He truly adds a lot to every broadcast we do and it such a pleasure to have him on and we always have a blast. I have never, ever heard CJ utter a negative thing. He is as professional as they come. Thank you CJ for not being an unreachable person and looking past yourself to help others and spread your knowledge.

The one person here in Nashville that I think gets nowhere near the recognition she should is Dungeon Bonnie with Dungeon Promotions (www.dungeonpromotions.com.) This woman does so much promotion for the local scene and most definitely all for the love of music because she isn’t getting rich off of the industry here. Bonnie works harder than just about anyone I have ever scene and does it for so many bands. If one band put as much work into their career as Bonnie did in theirs, they might get somewhere. I am even more impressed because from what I see, most bands don’t appreciate her enough and really take advantage of her and yet she keeps plugging on, so here is a note to those bands. Get off your lazy butts, promote your shows that she does for you, quit ruining her reputation with your crappy online and in person behavior and work hard so that you actually get people to show up to a show she put you on so her business will grow. There is no point in her helping you if you aren’t going to take advantage of it and actually make something happen at a show she booked you on. It’s her reputation for the talent she brings in and if you don’t bring in fans, she shouldn’t be booking you anymore. And please don’t give me the its Nashville BS, Fools For Rowan kick your butts every time they play here. People, who want it, find a way to make it happen. Bonnie the Nashville rock and metal scene owe you a huge debt over the last couple years so let me thank you on behalf of them.

Bob Bender (www.bobbenderproductions.com) not only has been a guest many times on “Live From Music City,” but I have had the pleasure of listening to Bob speak at several events here in Nashville. Not only is Bob wiling to help and answer questions with people like me but also the local artist. There aren’t a whole lot people that to do that. Here’s to Bob and his willingness to help the scene grow just by being nice and always helping out the little guy!

Another person that I love working with that not only helps to get the word out with the major acts in rock and metal, but also small independent bands is Holly Jade with Metalholic Magazine (www.metalholicmagazine.com.) Holly is a great person, promoter and she also has the strength to keep pushing people in an industry where people can get burnt out real quick. Holly has also co-hosted “Live From Music City” with me once and hopefully with do it again.  Thank you Holly for all you do!

Dan Shaw with Dream Row Productions (www.dreamrow.com) has come along way in his time here with the Nashville scene. Not only has he created the “Rock Over Broadway” series at the Hard Rock Cafe, he constantly is looking to work with other professionals to take the local scene to new heights at his own expense. It has been great to get to know him and work on a few things with him. Stay tuned  for great things to come from Dream Row Productions in the near future! Dan, thank you for all your support and hard work!

So again I want to thank each and every one of you. You do make a huge difference in the music scene and I for one am a better person for knowing all of you. You make the job of The Lowry Agency a lot easier because you are top-notch professionals! Of course there are more to mention and I don’t want to leave anyone out but I will leave it for another blog.

Let’s make it happen!

It’s All About The Music… Or Is It?

It’s all about the music . . . Or is it?

And Fools Shine On

The great debate out there is it should be all about the music and not your image. This is true in a perfect world, but in a perfect world, people wouldn’t judge the book by its cover, all the band members would work equally as hard as the one currently doing all the work, and people would actually click on the music before seeing your pics, website or press kit. This isn’t a perfect world, not even close. Don’t get me wrong; I am not downplaying the importance of your songwriting. What I am saying is, if you think that your songwriting alone is going to be enough, then make sure you have the patience of Job. You need every advantage you can get in this business to get noticed.

Part of realizing why your image is so important is having an understanding of your core audience and understanding what the general public is looking for. Not everyone wants a deep song like Dylan would write, and not everyone likes a Lady Gaga pop tune that can be incessantly silly but catchy as hell.

Most people who go to live shows go to be entertained. Musicians sometimes forget that they are entertainers just as much as they are musicians or storytellers. Some musicians don’t have the immense musical talent others do, but they are much better entertainers, so they may have a much better selling tour than the more talented musicians. When I pay money to see a live band, I want to be entertained. I can see how talented you are by what you play, how you play, your phrasing, etc.

Most of us grew up wanting to be “Rock Stars” clutching a hairbrush microphone in front of the mirror, or playing air guitar to our favorite songs. We wanted to be larger than life. We wanted to help other people escape their busy stressful lives and transport them to a different place like all of our favorites did for us!

Most of the audience has dreamed of wanting to be that “larger than life rock star.” They look up to their favorite artists; want to get to know them. They want to spread the word about them. Well a big part of that is the image they put forward, the mystique they put out and being very cool while still somewhat accessible.

Small independent artists don’t usually have a back catalogue of hits to tour off of.  That means it’s a much harder road to book shows and win over fans. Decide what your goals are as a musician or band and then decide if you’re ok with possibly not having as many fans or not making as much money due to where your musical priorities lie, or if you’re going to be amazing entertainers who still write great songs people can related to and identify with.

There is no right or wrong here but there is reality. For artists that completely and totally have the drive like Tori Amos or Ani DeFranco to get their music out there and don’t take no for answer, you can make it in the business with non-stop hard work. But note, they both had a very distinct and defined image. For the artists that don’t have that skill set, the business mindset or a band where everyone is putting 110% forward in every aspect of growing the business, image becomes absolutely critical to set yourself apart and attract attention to you.

Here are a few hints to think about if you are going for an image. Don’t dress on stage like you are going to Wal-Mart.  Don’t wear a wife-beater tank top if you don’t have the body for it — it looks pathetic and laughable, not cool, plus no one wants to see your man boobs. Everyone in the band should look like they “fit” in the band, not half one way and the other half like they are going to go chop wood. Be original and find your own image and quit copying everyone else. If I see one more Dimebag Darrell wannabe, I’ll find another use for that very pointy guitar of yours. But most importantly, don’t skimp on your photography, artwork and press kit.  You get what you pay for, so take it very seriously and plan it out ahead of time. Know what you are doing and why you are doing it.

Good Luck!