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 […]
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 […]
But I Play Country Covers
by Backstage: Making it Your Own Greenroom: 5 Comments
Admit it. You’ve done it. We’ve all done it. And sometimes just 10 minutes before you go onstage! Someone gets out a piece of paper, turns to the band and asks, ‘What songs should we do?’ That’s the kind of thing that makes us here at Tom Jackson Productions shudder and scream. Needless to say, […]
Go Ahead, Judge Me
by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: Leave a Comment
Performing for a competition is stressful to say the least. Choosing the right song/songs and sticking to an allotted amount of time can drive you nuts! Backstage Pass member, Temperance, wrote in recently asking about a competition she’ll be performing in – she had questions about how to choose the correct song for the situation. […]
I Want You to Want Me
by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: Leave a Comment
I just returned from our Road Show Bootcamp event in Baton Rouge. I had a really great time talking to artists and demonstrating how to improve their live performance. Our group was all over the map in terms of musical style, age, personality, goals, and where they are in their careers. In spite of these […]
Troy Castellano Music Makeover: Make them Feel what YOU Feel
by Backstage: Music Makeover Videos Greenroom: 11 Comments
A few months ago, I did some video critique reviews for winning artists in a Broadjam competition. Here is one of those videos, my thoughts on the artist’s performance, and recommendations for how they can make it even better. In this video, Troy Castellano and his band are playing a song that had yet to […]
This Changes Everything
by Backstage: News & Shout Outs Greenroom: Leave a Comment
A Game Changer. Career Defining. An Unforgettable Experience. These are some phrases artists have used to describe our Bootcamps. Most people come expecting to maybe get a few ‘tips’ on how to make their show better. But after just the first session, artists are blown away by the amount of eye-opening information they get. There’s […]
Safe vs. Good: The Nerd and the Daredevil
by Backstage: Vision & Planning Greenroom: Leave a Comment
It was not a good morning. So feeling frustrated and anxious, I decided to “self-medicate” by going to McDonalds. No lectures please…I’d worked out that morning! About halfway through my quarter pounder and perfectly salted hot fries, “nerd-dad” and his kids sat down in the booth behind me. (Not a judgment – just painting a […]
The Songwriter Round
by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: 4 Comments
I recently wrote about a songwriter round at the Bluebird Café in Nashville. ‘Rounds’ for those not familiar, are when a group of writers take turns singing songs they’ve written. Typically they just sit and sing, sometimes playing or singing along with the other writers. It’s not what you’d call a show. It’s more a […]
Little Things, Big Difference
by Backstage: Music Makeover Videos Greenroom: Leave a Comment
How often have we heard about most anything successful, that it’s the little things that make a difference? That cool swirly design on top of your latte, the extra mints on your hotel pillow, or that cool goodie bag you got at the seminar you attended, all add an extra appeal. When I was asked by […]
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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'!...