Dan Peart, singer/songwriter from Iowa, performed at our Tom Jackson Bootcamp showcase. The industry panel commented on his great confidence onstage, a unique sound with guitar and harmonica, and the good hook in his song. But it felt like a “bumpy” ride, where the momentum didn’t build consistently throughout the song. (This is very likely […]
Dan Peart Song & Critique Review Video
Claudia Norris Song & Critique Review Video
Most artists don’t give the audience time to hear and digest the lyric & emotion of their songs. When you’re playing live, you’ve got to take time to help your listeners connect with what you’re trying to say. In this Bootcamp video, you’ll see our Live Music Producers help a singer songwriter set up her song […]
Anna Morgan Michel Song & Critique Review Video
As musicians, we understand the necessity of dynamics. Yet as live performers, we often forget the use of dynamics within each song, both musically and visually! In this makeover, Tom Jackson plus a judging panel, critique and give specific examples of how this young artist could use dynamics throughout her song. She is told to leave “simmer […]
Steve Waylon Music Makeover Part 3 of 3 Video
As Tom says, your audience is ignorant of musical things… even musicians can miss exactly what to pay attention to when things go by quickly! So some of the things you can do to help your communication include: 1) performing the solo so they “see” what you’re playing, and 2) support your band by making […]
Steve Waylon Music Makeover Part 2 of 3 Video
Your songs don’t sound the same, so why do they look the same? Whether it’s to put pressure on the audience, balance the stage, or to visually show what the song is about, your movement is crucial to helping your audience “get” what you’re trying to say. Not only that, but you also help establish […]
Steve Waylon Music Makeover Part 1 of 3 Video
It’s a vocal moment… and it will make your audience want to run back to your merch table to take that moment home with them! Don’t let a good voice be hidden under everything else like an ingredient in goulash. From Eastern Canada, Steve Waylon and his band allowed Tom to work on 2 of […]
Tracy Abney Song & Critique Review Video
We all know Tom is into sports analogies (35 references to baseballs, footballs, & basketballs alone in his book!). But the remarks made by industry panel songwriter Rick Elias (Tom Hanks’ That Thing You Do) to Tracy Abney (our Bootcamp showcase artist in this video) call out for that famous quote from Yogi Berra: “Baseball […]
Josh Peidl Song & Critique Review Video
The industry panel at this Tom Jackson Bootcamp had some important tips for singer/songwriter Josh Peidl from Canada that apply to most artists. First of all, songwriting requires some critical work. You might accomplish that with a co-writer, or it may require some drastic steps on your part (according to Jay Frank, FutureHit.DNA). Then, when […]
Mandi Lee Song & Critique Review Video
Pouring originality into the song needs to be addressed with your own songs, but it can be down right difficult when you are performing a cover! In this video, you’ll learn how to use the words of a song to build a moment the audience can connect with. But you’ll also see demonstrated a way […]
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Amy Wolter on Three Things Keyboard Players Can Do
Glad to hear this Vee. Yes, it’s a process and takes some...Vee Patrick on Three Things Keyboard Players Can Do
I have seen both you guys work at extreme conference last year...Amy Wolter on How Soon Should You Work on Your Show?
So happy you had the foresight to prepare for the 'what IF's'!...