My guest today wasn’t a musician or songwriter in high school – he was a soccer player! But in mid-college, he experienced a major paradigm shift in his life, stopped some pretty hard partying and started playing guitar. Unable to play cover songs well, he began to write his own. That was 1.6 million albums… Read More » about Mat Kearney Interview – Making Pop Music Matter
Artist Development
Authenticity: Lesson from the Hummingbird
I was watching my hummingbirds today and thought about how much they are like an audience. They may investigate you to see what you are about. If you have a red shirt on they may look for a flower opening for a few moments (which can startle you!). But since you don’t have one they… Read More » about Authenticity: Lesson from the Hummingbird
Separating Music and Business
For recording and performing artists who are in or want to be in commercial music business, meaning the making and selling of music, I have a suggestion for you: Separate music and business in your mind and in your actions. Why? Because unless you do, you will not do either as effectively or successfully. What… Read More » about Separating Music and Business
Why is Gladys Knight So Good?
photo courtesy of Ron Oates I just got back from singing background vocals for the Jim Wilkes Show at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas. Our performance went very well…Jim truly rocked the house…and the all star band from Nashville (with horns!) was fabulous. We then had the extreme pleasure of watching our headliner…one… Read More » about Why is Gladys Knight So Good?
Artistic Definition
Many, if not most, of us would like to make money in the music business. There is a very important factor that must be determined: Your artistic definition. In other words, who are you, and why would I want to listen to the music you make? Here are some things that go into your artistic… Read More » about Artistic Definition
No Vocal Competition with Vocal Uniqueness
I have a unique slant on what performance is. This may surprise you in this day of gladiator-style vocal competition. You can quote me: The best voice comes not from competition with othervoices but from a pursuit of its own excellence. I say there is no competition with uniqueness. The REASON we sing will be… Read More » about No Vocal Competition with Vocal Uniqueness