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7 Basic Mic Stand Techniques

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

A fig leaf… or a microphone stand. Which one do you use? That may sound like a strange question. But I’ve noticed that most artists prefer hiding their nakedness by standing behind a mic stand (unlike Adam and Eve who chose the fig leaf). You know what I’m talking about: you’re standing on the stage […]

Music For A Living

by Backstage: Industry Tips Greenroom: Leave a Comment

When I speak at events around the world, one of the questions I usually ask is “how many of you want to play music for a few years and then quit?” Not one person ever raises their hand. Part of my Live Music Method is my Live Music Business Principles: investing in your music career […]

It’s Who You Are

by Backstage: Making it Your Own Greenroom: 5 Comments

You just moved into a new house. You want it to have your personality and style, right? It should be unique and express who you are. It’s the same thing with your onstage performance. Although you need to have certain basic elements, it should also be different from everyone else’s. I’m guessing you’re in agreement […]

Going from Good to Great

by Backstage: Industry Tips Greenroom: 4 Comments

Going from bad to good is easy.  Going from good to great is not. It’s not that going from good to great is so hard, but it’s definitely time-consuming, tedious, and often a little inconvenient.  However, as my friend Robert D. Smith says, “success is built on inconvenience!” I have a favorite analogy, and you […]

Built for the System or Not

by Backstage: Sneak Peek Greenroom: 10 Comments

I was recently inspired by a Seth Godin blog, “Is a famous thinker better than a great one?” Seth’s concept applies to artists and musicians, I think. Only the question for us becomes, “is a famous artist’s music, creativity, & show better than yours?” Because someone is famous, are they more creative, is their show […]

Rethinking Your Live Show

by Backstage: Making it Your Own Greenroom: 5 Comments

Most of you know that I work with bands and artists of all levels and genres; from Grammy winners to indie artists, making a go of it on their own. Most of the major artists I work with are always rethinking their live shows and how to make them better. It keeps it fresh for them […]

From One Song to the Next

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

Do you know what your rehearsal should look like? Because how your rehearsals look is a huge part of how your live show will look! Almost every artist I know thinks “rehearsal” means going through your songs over and over again until you’ve got the music just right. Maybe they decide where to stand during […]

You Can Go from Good to Great!

by Backstage: Sneak Peek Greenroom: 1 Comment

One of the “7 Deadly Sins of an Artist” I talk about is “being good.” Doesn’t sound like a bad thing, does it? But trust me, being good…is bad! There are a lot of artists out there that are good. Often, they don’t know they need help – they know they’re good. And when I […]

Trent Harmon: American Idol Winner / Live Music Makeover

by Backstage: Sneak Peek Greenroom: 2 Comments

It’s been a year since the last CD Baby’s DIY Musician Conference event.  Last year I had the pleasure of conducting a Live Music Makeover workshop with American Idol winner, Trent Harmon and his band, along with my associate Live Music Producer, Amy Wolter. I’m very excited to be conducting two workshops again this year!  […]

How to Create a “Moment” in Your Live Show

by Backstage: Making it Your Own, Materials, Tools & Skills, The Foundation, Vision & Planning Greenroom: Leave a Comment

You’ve often heard me talk about creating “moments” in your live show!  Creating “moments” is key to having a successful live show and a successful career.  Many of you have asked: “How do I create “moments” in my live show?” or “How do I find the “moments” in my songs?”  I have to admit, it’s […]