FAQ

1. You have a lot of products. Which one is the right one for me?
2. I'd like to know more about your services-can I talk to someone about what I need?
3. My genre is _____ (you fill in the blank: rock, pop, hip-hop, blues, jazz, traditional, electronic, bluegrass, polka.....). Does your teaching apply to what I do?
4. I've watched your DVD Turn It Up to 11, where you graph out a set list. What if I don't have 9 songs like your sample set list?
5. You teach that we should "change pressure" on our audience. But I'm a soloist, and I play guitar (or keyboard, or banjo, or zither, or....) - how can I vary how I look onstage?
6. How can I get tour support for my live shows?
7. Do you have an affiliate program?

1. You have a lot of products. Which one is the right one for me?

   Tom's #1 choice for anyone is the All Roads Lead to the Stage 7-DVD set. It contains all the basics of what he teaches - how to connect with an audience, creating moments, how to rehearse, and more. Purchasing the 7 DVDs as a set also saves you $90 off the individual prices, so it's our best bargain.

   And if you've got a band, are in a band, or want to start a band, the Band Workshop is a terrific supplement to complete your All Roads Lead to the Stage education.

   In addition to the All Roads series, Tom has other supplemental options: Live Music Makeovers (DVDs of Tom working with an artist and a big reveal at the end), Expressive Worship (the perfect tool if you lead worship or play in a worship band), and Live in Kansas City (an audio set about the music business for Christian/Gospel artists).

   To see the details on each of these products, visit our Merch Table. By reading the contents and class titles for each product, you'll soon find the perfect resource to improve your live show!

2. I'd like to know more about your services-can I talk to someone about what I need?

   We're happy to help you figure out where you are as an artist, and what might be your next step in improving your live show. Contact us and someone will get in touch with you to visit about your needs and your goals, and they'll give you some ideas to get started. There's no charge to visit with them - just have this basic information ready when you talk:

   1) What amount and type of experience do you have with live shows (full concerts, a few songs for special events, etc.)?

   2) Describe the type of show you'd ultimately like to be doing and your style of music.

   3) Are you preparing for something specific (tour, showcase, one event)?

   4) What are your strengths and your weaknesses?

   5) What do you expect to gain from Tom Jackson Productions?

3. My genre is _____ (you fill in the blank: rock, pop, hip-hop, blues, jazz, traditional, electronic, bluegrass, polka.....). Does your teaching apply to what I do?

   Conceptually, everyone who performs onstage needs to do the same thing. Whether it’s a concert, a club, or a church...whether you're a soloist, a quartet, or a band...whether you play acoustic guitar, sing heavy metal, or are a comedian - your audience is coming for the same things: to be captured and engaged, to experience moments, and to be changed.

   All of the Tom Jackson Productions products, workshops, and Live Music Producing help you understand your audience, and teach you how to build a show that creates life-long fans.

4. I've watched your DVD Turn It Up to 11, where you graph out a set list. What if I don't have 9 songs like your sample set list?

   The example on my DVD is just that - an example! As you plan out your set list, you need to remember that your audience isn’t counting songs…they are feeling!

   What IS important to remember is that the show, however short or long - is all about moments and connecting with the audience. Whether it’s one song or 20 songs, it can either be a Chinese water torture or it can be engaging. For more on this concept, read my blog "Getting A Vision for Your Show."

5. You teach that we should "change pressure" on our audience. But I'm a soloist, and I play guitar (or keyboard, or banjo, or zither, or....) - how can I vary how I look onstage?

   There are only so many things you can do visually in terms of movement when you're behind an instrument. But there are some things you CAN do.

   Bringing moments to your audience is still vital, and directing the audience's attention to what is important may need to be done more subtly for you than other artists. But it can be done!

   There are also several ways you can vary where you are onstage, such as using a track, storytelling, sitting on a stool, and more. For more ideas, see my blog "Painting with Musical Colors."

6. How can I get tour support for my live shows?

   One of the best ways to get tour support while helping others at the same time is to become an artist associate with a charity. Tom Jackson works with several non-profit organizations that give tour support for artists who are performing regularly. See our Artist Tour Support page for more information.

7. Do you have an affiliate program?

   Yes. If you're interested in promoting our products, please contact us for more information.