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Give Your Audience What They Came For

by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: 1 Comment

I want to give my audience what they came for! As musicians, we assume the audience is there to hear some good music.  We have some great music and songs for them and some cool lyrical things going on.  In one song there’s an awesome bass lick, and in another song the lead guitar is stellar. […]

Your Success is Important to Me!

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills, Sneak Peek Greenroom: 4 Comments

As we say here in the south, “I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed”.  But, one thing I have is perspective.   I’ve worked with hundreds of artists over the years and taught at workshops around the world.   My expertise is the live show.  I’ve seen the struggles artists have with their careers […]

Is Your Show a Sitcom or a Movie?

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: Leave a Comment

Some of you may have heard me talk about the difference between your record and your live show being like the difference between a sitcom and a movie.   I’d like to expand on that concept. I have recently been at workshops with about 100 artists and bands.  Most of the artists and bands are good. […]

You and Your Music Should Be Unique!

by Backstage: Making it Your Own, Vision & Planning Greenroom: 2 Comments

You are an original. Admit it, you are! There is no one like you, and you want people to know that. As an artist it is key to your long lasting success to be able to communicate that. Your recordings, show, website – everything needs to reflect that. So how do you do it from onstage?

More Than a Set List

by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: 23 Comments

Most artists call it their set list.  And for most artists it involves putting your songs in some kind of order – fast, fast, slow, fast, slow, etc… But, that’s not the best way to do it if you want to have a successful live show every time you perform! To me, it’s not the […]

Applause Cycles: Build the Momentum, Don’t Kill It

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: 6 Comments

If you knew there was something you could do from the stage to help build momentum in the room, would you do it? I’m guessing you would. And if I told you there was something you might be doing from stage that was killing the momentum every time, would you stop doing it? Of course! […]

Please Don’t Wing It

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: 2 Comments

Being in this music industry for at least…. well, a lot of years, I’ve seen many artists “wing it”.  There’s nothing wrong with learning as we go, because that’s life. But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to a show (sometimes a big show!) and I watch the artist backstage with their band or […]

I Don’t Want to Look Hokey!

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: 3 Comments

“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” – Confucius “Thinking” when you are onstage can cause a lot of problems.  In fact, it’s one of the quickest ways to lose your audience! You need to forget about yourself when you’re on the stage.  So, if you’re thinking about things […]

Courage and Your Music Career

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: Leave a Comment

“Everyone has talent. What’s rare is the courage to follow it to the dark places where it leads.” ..Erica Jong I just returned from Toronto where I worked with the band “The Ascot Royals” during my workshop at Canadian Music week. After the workshop, I received this message from one of the people at the […]

Develop Your Own Performance Style

by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: 4 Comments

I’ve worked with many singers who are trying to find and develop a unique vocal style.  Artists also need to develop their own unique performance style. A great vocal coach can help singers develop a unique vocal style.  On the flip side, a bad vocal coach who only understands one style and tries to teach […]