I get it. If you’re like most bands out there, you think you already rock. After all, YOU feel it every time you play, right? That surge of adrenaline, that euphoric feeling music gives you.
But, are you really paying attention to the crowd to see if THEY are feeling it too?
The Tom Jackson Productions team has seen enough shows to know that most artists can use some help, and here are 3 reasons why:
1. THERE’S A DISCONNECT BETWEEN YOU AND THE AUDIENCE.
You can have the greatest songs, be an incredible singer/player, but yet somehow people aren’t ‘getting’ it… they aren’t making an emotional connection when they hear your songs.
A Live Music Producer can teach you how to bridge that gap – help you find and create moments in your songs that will connect with people.
An audience will connect with that personal story you tell, to set up that ballad you wrote about the loss of a friend. They will feel joy and sing along when you execute a fun moment in your set. They’ll remember how you make them feel.
2. YOU’RE TOO CLOSE TO YOUR MUSIC.
You know how it’s easier to see someone else’s flaws over your own? Or how much better your friend would look with a different haircut, or how much happier she’d be with a different boyfriend?
Same goes here. Our team is trained in what to look for and crack open the possibilities in a song. Now, many of you have been or will be able to make some great changes in your show after seeing Tom’s videos or reading the book and that’s great. But lots of you won’t be effectively able to get past the original way you perform your songs. It’s just too ingrained in your head.
It may be a battle getting the rest of the band on board to let down their guard enough to let us in to work with them. If you give us a chance, we’re usually able to win those stubborn ones over, as they see the results and become part of the process!
3. YOU NEED TO MAKE MORE MONEY.
What musician doesn’t need to bring in more cash?! These ‘moments’ that we talk about all the time… those are what make people in the audience respond. When you give them something they feel and connect with, they’ll be at your merch table asking for those songs, buying that shirt with the hook line they sang along to, or picking up that CD with the song that made them tear up.
Bottom line, more moments = more money.
I could give you more reasons, but these should be enough to convince you to take the next step with your career, and work on your live show. It seems like every music article I read these days, mentions the fact that artists are making the bulk of their money from touring. (We’ve known that for awhile, but it’s nice to see everyone waking up to this reality.)
Find out how this can work for your act. We can talk to you over the phone or meet for coffee if you’re in Nashville, and put together a game plan specifically for your gig and the direction you’re heading.
Email us at info@tomjacksonproductions.com or check out what we have to offer by clicking here and give yourSELF a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!
Amy Wolter
As a trained Live Music Producer for Tom Jackson Productions, Amy Wolter brings her years onstage as a lead singer & keyboardist - along with her experience as a producer, arranger, and songwriter - to singers and bands who won’t settle for ‘good enough’. She’s worked with artists at all levels, and genres ranging from Rock to Celtic, empowering them to have confidence and authority onstage, and put on memorable live shows, a few of whom have been on two of the largest US tours in recent history. Some of her clients include Grammy award winners The Band Perry & Lacrae, CMA and ACM –winning country acts, Gloriana & Thompson Square, 2016 The Voice contestant Mary Sarah, CCMA (Canada) winners High Valley, Jess Moskaluke & Chad Brownlee, and Winter Jam Tour veterans Sidewalk Prophets & Love and The Outcome.
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catch 22. On the road to pay for your lodging at home while paying for lodging kind of negates the whole point of touring. Fulfill in small doses so costs can be effective and be recouped.
Ger, I’m guessing that ‘Fulfill in small doses…’ is referring to your merch? Yes, you need to use common sense when ordering shirts and CDs for the road so you’re not playing catch-up all the time. But don’t miss the point of reason #3. Working on your show BEFORE you hit the road, will increase your sales, repeat bookings and your fan base. We’ve seen artists’ merch sales jump 600% after working with us! One band paid for my 2-day fee in 2 gigs, and created a huge buzz at festivals, with promoters telling them they were the best live show they’d seen! Not just blowing smoke here – stating the facts. Another way to make money on the road is through tour support…check out our website http://www.livemusiccares.com and see how other artists are making a living, mainly through connecting with one of these charities. Thanks for weighing in Ger, and let me know if you have any other questions or concerns…would love to be a help!
Great points you make! Being a great performer IS the ultimate goal!
Thanks Robert! Seems like every music industry blog or magazine article I read now, all say the same things; that artists need to tour to make money. It’s the one thing that makes the biggest impact on people and YOU are in control of it. If you missed it, read an earlier blog I wrote titled The 1 Thing a CD Can Never Contain; http://tinyurl.com/l4p8gsk Thanks for your comment!