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Archives for 2012

Taking Yourself Too Seriously

by Backstage: Sneak Peek Greenroom: 6 Comments

I finally got the chance to go and hear the Nashville Symphony this year, and it was a truly incredible concert. But I have to admit, I’d forgotten how serious and reverent that audience is. It’s a hotbed for suppressed laughter, simply because you know you have to be quiet and listen. It didn’t help […]

Myths About Spontaneity, Part 2

by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: 1 Comment
This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Myths About Spontaneity

“A show that is planned is not real and people won’t like it.” This statement is a common thought among artists and bands these days. It came from a front man of a popular indie band who was on a panel with me at a CMJ Festival in New York. I agree with that statement […]

ECMA 2011 Workshop Part 1 of 2 Video

by Backstage: Workshop & Panel Videos Greenroom: Leave a Comment
This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series Workshop ECMA 2011

In this workshop video, Tom begins by answering the questions “why do we do this thing called music” and “where does the money come from.” To bring home the answers, Tom relates a true story about an award winning artist who ends up confessing, “I never looked at it like that…” Don’t make the same […]

Lizzie Sider Has Music Industry Fluttering with New Release

by Backstage: Spotlight Greenroom: Leave a Comment

Only 14 years old, singer/songwriter Lizzie Sider already has the industry a-flutter with her autobiographical new single Butterfly! With a whole lot of country and a hint of pop, this young performer provides a great story through this song from her latest album. The song Butterfly is about overcoming life’s obstacles, mistreatments and/or misfortunes. Penned […]

Myths About Spontaneity, Part 1

by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: 2 Comments
This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series Myths About Spontaneity

I had been on a conference call with 5 other people I was going to see at the CMJ Music Conference. We had been asked to be part of a panel called “Stage Diving 101” about the importance of the live show. The moderator wanted all of us on the same page before the conference. […]

Courtney Rau Releases iTunes Single “Thanks But No Thanks”

by Backstage: Spotlight Greenroom: Leave a Comment

Armed with enthusiasm for performance and a sophisticated appreciation for all things music, country pop newcomer Courtney Rau is breaking into the music scene with a drive to succeed. A Florida resident, Courtney is in many ways your typical happy teen, taking on extracurricular activities and keeping up with her schoolwork. Yet unlike her peers, […]

A Classic Case

by Backstage: Sneak Peek Greenroom: Leave a Comment

“The phone rang. On the other end of the line was the drummer for a band I’d heard before and thought had a lot of potential. He was really upset and wanted some advice.” When I wrote the chapter on “Fundamentals” in my Live Music Method Book, I knew that was exactly the story to […]

Borrowed Blue Song & Critique Review Video

by Backstage: Music Makeover Videos Greenroom: 1 Comment

Listen to Tom’s advice for this band: for movement onstage to make sense, there needs to be a purpose for it. Also, when you step up to do something, you need to own the stage! Your audience (even though they may not realize it consciously) expects you to take charge, to take risks, in your […]

Don’t Skip the Skip

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

Contrary to some artists’ way-too-casual approach, how you get around on stage during your show matters. Let’s think about it for a minute. First of all, remember that 55% of communication from the stage is visual – what the audience sees. Example: If your show uses lights, I’m guessing that during a rockin’ song, those […]

Tom Jackson at Berklee College of Music on 10/24/12

by Backstage: News & Shout Outs Greenroom: Leave a Comment

Tom will teach at the annual Berklee College Evening with Entrepreneurs event, giving students and faculty the opportunity to hear about his career as a Live Music Producer, how he started, what he does, the obstacles he faces, and the success he has achieved. Berklee’s annual event provides the Berklee community the opportunity to hear […]