HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!
Well, another year has begun and I hope you are all doing the things you want to make this year more creative than the last. Hope some of you are out there, and would love to hear from you and what is going on with each of you. I have not been on much as the end of year in Nashville gets very quiet so there is not a lot to talk about. Did perform a few times, did a couple of tours with some new artists, but basically got very quiet. I have just gotten back from California and will fill you in on the details if you would like. If not, as usual scroll on.
Everyone is still trying to figure out what the music industry is going to be. No one really knows, or will ever know. Personally I believe like always it is what we make it. I think our goals should be to write the best songs, be around as many like minded people as we can and constantly work to getting our music out there in as many avenues as we can.
In many ways, not much has changed. It is highly competitive, more so every day, and everyone has to scratch for their place in it. Whether you are trying to go for the "brass ring" in National stardom or just trying to be the best writer you personally can be to perform on a writers night in your area, the principals are exactly the same.
IN MY OPINION (always have to start out with that) it is about being clear and trying to avoid what everyone else is doing.
It is more and more like THE GAME OF GOLF. More people out there doing it all the time. Less and less people that get any real financial benefits out of it. Most "internet based" "Riches" (which are not riches at all, but platitudes) most of the fame or glory of any kind are very fleeting. Always looking for the next big thing.
It is my method to do most everything yourself. Don't wait on publishers, record labels, producers, or anyone to come along and "annoint you" to success. Probably not going to happen and all you are going to do is wait.
I try very hard not to tell any of you to do things I don't have to do myself. I am a professional adviser and mentor, so I can give people advice on how to proceed, help them along the way, but they still have to do it themselves.
CALIFORNIA.
My week in California was basically a vacation. Tina and I went out, stayed with two of my best friends, Cliff and Bev Nelson, of IRVINE (ORANGE COUNTY) CALIFORNIA. They are two of the most dedicated people I have ever met and the actual embodyment of what I preach. Do something for someone else and it comes back to you. The primary thing is they are putting another songwriters group together.
Over the years I have mentored several songwriters groups. Many of the NSAI groups but also several "split offs" from those groups. You see, there are people who want to go more than just a once a month meeting or the odd writers night. It takes someone to step up, take the lead and get people on board to doing things. Along the way, you find how you fit in and it works for you.
Over the years they have done many things, had numerous Nashville writers out there, did song camps, did retreats, have formed their own groups, duos, their own writers nights, their own regular writers group get togethers. Quite social and quite productive.
At one point we had them and a few others put into a professional publishing company with their own song plugger in Nashville. They came in, made trips, made connections. Some of their members moved here. Was very productive, but when the difficulty of getting cuts became so apparent, they sort of ended what they were doing.
Now, it is a different focus. We are building a "FARM TEAM" approach, sort of like the MICHIGAN GROUP has done, yet taking it a step further. While the Michigan guys tend to start off well in finding people, often personality quirks drive people away, and they get very fragmented. When you can't find the win win, and when you start getting lost in what you are doing, it doesn't go well. Writers need artists more than artists need writers. When you lose sight of that, you can defeat your own purpose.
Some things about artists have to be acknowledged. They are often difficult to work with. The farther away from the artists, the less involved you will be. Which is why there are almost no pitches any more. Artists are in the driver seat. So you have to figure out how to get in the car.
In the format we are taking, there are nine people involved in this group. They include nine writers, who write together in various configurations, and all are scouting for artists. Two of the writers, who live in San Diego, own a recording studio. There are also several "additional team members" who are associated with the core group. These include two actors, a husband and wife (at just over 30) who are very savvy in video and publicity. There is another who is a very good photographer and runs their web site and social media.
Other associates are one guy who does a LOT of film and television background work. He did the music for the last Olympics and has other media involvement. All told, about 15 people will actually make up the group. That includes me as mentor and coach.
They are called "THE OC NINE."
Currently they have two female artists and are on the look for two-six others. Trying to find two males, a duo, and a band are the immediate call.
The set up for the group would be something like this:
#1. Twice a month they meet with individual artists. There are writing groups of three people in different rooms in Cliff and Bev's house. In a speed writing session, the artist visits each group, developing ideas, around grooves, subject matter, types of songs, etc. they spend around 20 minutes with each group, then move on to the next group. The group stays and continues to flesh out the song. Roughly two hours are devoted to each one, then everyone gets together and plays the songs in the common area. The artists give guidance up and down on songs.
Each of the groups will take songs home and work on them individually, or drop the ideas. About 50% will be finished.
There will be emails and social media that continue the songs and then demos may be done on multiple songs.
On the top of the heaps, videos will be done to add to everyone's social media, Facebook, Web sites, etc.
#2. REGULAR WRITER'S SHOWCASES.
Since several of the artists and some of the writers are established in the area clubs, there will be an "OC NINE NIGHT" in one of the shows. Done like a "Variety show" of the old days, the group THE LOSERS, Which feature Cliff and two of the other writers, who will be more or less the headliners. They will emcee and perform themselves. The artists will showcase the songs and other artists will be added along the way.
#3. THEATER SHOWS.
#3. THEATER SHOWS.
As enough presence is developed, there are many small (150 seat) theaters in that area. The show will be moved up to these larger venues a couple of times a year, depending on fan basis.
#4. POD CASTING.
There are opportunities, to do house concerts that will be broadcasting on the Internet. With a couple of the members having access to video equipment, it is pretty easy to do. Again, something most of these people are doing anyway, we are just trying to bring them together with a larger purpose.
#5. NASHVILLE TRIPS.
At some point, some of the artists will come to Nashville, work with me (I will also be working with them out there) and perform on shows and make connections here in town. I will set them up with my own writers and hopefully work toward showcases at the proper time. Also, recording will be done in town if budget allows.
So essentially, that is how it works. This is the same as Nashville publishers operate. Build a group of people around artists, develop several artists simultaneously. As in most ventures, many drop out. But like planting seeds, if you plant enough, you will get seedlings.
THE UP SIDE,
There are safety in numbers. Having a core group of people, supporting each other, allows artists to be nurtured without becoming indentured servants. They get access to more songs, build their own skills, have more depth to their writing and approach.
The writers get access to artists in the development stages. And if that artist "moves on" past what the group can do for them, it is in effect a "resume builder" (Tina's favorite phrase) and the overall reputation of the group will attract future artists. In effect creating a re-occuring event.
That is basically it. The key is finding people willing to do this. The writers side has many already, and actually more wanting to get in. But there will have to be a screening process. Again, that is something I will be involved in.
If nothing else, it will help them build what they do, allow them all to write and participate in the music industry. They will see their songs and efforts develop in front of them. Instead of the long distance "trying to get cuts" on artists they have no connection to and even less of a chance to get songs to them.
So this is how it is going. Meet other people, develop your own product. Have constant participation, and move forward. Basically "getting out of the living room."
That's what they are doing. Enough for now.
MAB
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