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Archives for 2016

There Must Be Some Misunderstanding

by Backstage: Sneak Peek Greenroom: 2 Comments

     I HATE being misunderstood.  Things I say that didn’t come out right, or something I did being taken the wrong way…maddening!  Makes you just want to buy a TV ad and shout to the world, ‘NO! That’s not what I meant by that!’ or ‘That’s NOT what I do!’      It’s somewhat […]

Part 2 – State of the Music Industry and Your Live Show

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

     You are the character. People come to see people they don’t come to hear just music.      We need to leave space in your show so your personality can come out.  That’s all part of what’s inside your song.  It just needs to be rearranged so your personality can come out and […]

Your Show, Your Vision

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills, Rehearsal Room Videos Greenroom: 5 Comments

     I realize I risk critique from writers everywhere with this blog, in that it goes in many different directions and doesn’t have one specific subject. But, I don’t care.  Fact is, there were so many things touring artists need to be reminded of, that came up in a recent week of rehearsals, that […]

State of the Music Industry and Your Live Show!

by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: 2 Comments

     You need to decide!  Are you a “recording” artist or a “performing” artist?!  Seriously, most of you NEED to become a better performer for the sake of your career!  Tom Jackson comments on legendary music blogger, Bob Lefewitz’ blog and offers valuable insights on why you need a great live show and how to […]

Three Things Instrumentalists Can Do (to Create a Better Show!)

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

     You’ve decided no singers for YOUR band, after all, who wants to deal with those divas anyway, right? They never help set up and tear down! (Kidding….I was a lead singer and I loaded in, loaded out and wrapped cords for days…but I digress.)      You instrumental groups might be asking how […]

Getting Better Gigs!

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: 5 Comments

      I’ve been asked recently, by a singer songwriter; “How do I get better gigs?  I’ve been playing in bars where no one is listening!”      This is a common problem I hear over and over again.  It’s really quite a dilemma and there are numerous suggestions and possibilities, some dependent on […]

 Six Ideas for Your ‘Different’ Moment

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: 8 Comments

     So you get to that fourth song in your set and you’re wondering just what to do to surprise the audience a bit…you need something different.  (See set list blog here) A somewhat ‘left turn’ at this point in your show, will shake things up for the listener. Let me throw you some […]

 Transitions: How the Pros Do It

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

     Once your songs and your set list are in place, the last piece of the puzzle – the finishing touch, the frosting on the cake – is how you transition from song to song.  Many artists get to this point and just wing it, thinking it’s not that important.      Without this […]

Finding Your Niche

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

     While walking through the airport recently in Charlotte, NC, I was pleasantly surprised to hear someone playing a grand piano.  His name was Harper Hicks.  After he finished playing some Journey covers, I went over to drop 5 bucks in his tip jar and say hi.       Harper said he loves to […]

Using Cues: Don’t Wing It!

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

       I just returned from an AWESOME three week trip to Australia.         I experienced a stunning amount of music at the WOMAD Festival (pictured), in clubs, at my workshop and at the Fringe Festival.  There were artists of all types: from one guy with a guitar to a group of […]