I just finished working in New York City with an artist, Zach Maxwell, and his band. Two of the hottest days they’ve had in NYC in awhile and our cramped rehearsal room just refused to cool down. Even the car that took me to the airport had no A/C! (So I’m a bit picky when […]
A New York State of Mind: How Bad Do YOU Want It?
by Backstage: Making it Your Own Greenroom: 3 Comments
Making a Living as a Cover Band – 4 Important Elements
by Backstage: Making it Your Own Greenroom: 6 Comments
There’s no shame in being part of a cover band or a tribute act. I’ve worked with some. The thing is, if you do that, do it well and make no apologies! I must admit, most cover bands I’ve seen are forgettable, or painful, or worse – cheesy. This doesn’t have to be the case. […]
Robert Grows Up
by Backstage: News & Shout Outs Greenroom: 2 Comments
Tomorrow I’m heading down to Orlando to work with 17-yr-old singer Robert Pierre. He and his band from Nashville are getting ready for a festival gig down there this weekend. Four years ago when I first met and worked with Robert, Amy WolterAs a trained Live Music Producer for Tom Jackson Productions, Amy Wolter brings […]
Bootcamp Meets Rock Band
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Recently, we were in Virginia Beach in front of a theatre full of Army personnel from all over the country. Tom and I put one of the US Army’s rock bands, USA Express, onstage and worked with them, taking a song and creating moments to connect with the audience. And we heard and saw it […]
The Band Tournament
by Backstage: News & Shout Outs Greenroom: 2 Comments
A couple of weeks ago I was asked to go to Minneapolis to speak and to judge a band tournament at the state-of-the-art Club 3 Degrees. So what do you get when you mix together promoters, label heads, radio guys, and lots of ex-rockers that have seen hundreds of bands over the years? Amy WolterAs […]
It’s the Stupid Economy
by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: 1 Comment
“How do we sell more tickets to our concerts? With the economy the way it is, people don’t seem to want to spend any money!” Are you having this problem, too? Yes, the economy can play a role in how people choose to spend their money. But did you know that a recession can actually […]
The Group Dynamic on American Idol
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Being in a band or group of any kind requires teamwork. No question about it. That was very evident as I watched American Idol contestants divide up and perform in group competitions. It was rough! Many of them weren’t used to the give and take singing in a group calls for. Typically someone will name […]
I Just Wanna Be Famous
by Backstage: Sneak Peek Greenroom: 10 Comments
As I watched American Idol last Tuesday night, one thing that struck me was the desire for so many people to just be famous. Either legitimately (with talent) or illegitimately (with outrageousness or lack of talent.) Obviously, some just try to get their 15 minutes of fame by doing whatever they can to get some […]
Go Army! – Part Two
by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: 1 Comment
Last week I wrote about an Army band I worked with up in Maryland a few weeks ago, Raw Materiel. They were definitely Willing to Fight and Rock Right. I promised I’d let you know about some of the other ideas I gave them for what someone can do who’s not singing lead onstage. Singing […]
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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'!...