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Developing a Fan Base Live: Your Song Intros

Do you want to develop a fan base from stage or not? It begins with the introductions to your songs. (And I’m not talking about speaking to your audience). As I always say, there’s a difference between what you perform live and what you record. For instance, song introductions on your recording need to be […]

“But I Can’t Afford the Bells & Whistles!”

We like the challenge. We know most artists – at least the ones starting out – won’t have access to lots of lights, staging, props, and the extras established performers have. And to be honest, that stuff can just be a bandage on a sub-par performance. It’s important to understand the logistics and principles for putting […]

Get Passionate: Help Children in Need

There are a couple things I’m passionate about when it comes to music. One is the live show: I want artists to understand how to make an emotional connection with their audience so they can create a great show, build their fan base, and make a living with their music. The other thing might not […]

Back to School

I’m a teacher at heart. Nothing thrills me more than to know I’ve shared good information in a useable way to help someone succeed. This time of year, seeing everyone go back to school, it reminds me just how much I enjoy teaching a room full of singers and musicians. When I meet talented, emerging […]

It’s Personal!

By far, our most-asked question about the live show goes something like this: “I’ve read your book/watched your DVDs. I love the way you put together a set list for a 45-60 minute show… but here’s what I need help with. You see, I do a _______ (90 minute show, 20 minute opener, 4 hours […]

Super Bowl ‘Hit or Miss’-direction?

I’m just sitting here in my office, contemplating Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVII and the aftermath of everyone’s likes and dislikes about the game, the commercials, the blackout, and the half-time show. It was amusing to check my Facebook feed and see that half the posts were saying ‘Beyonce’s amazing!’ and the other half saying ‘worst […]

You Deserve More Than Tips

No, I’m not talking to performers who play in bars or restaurants “for tips only” – although I’m sure most of you probably deserve to play for more money than just tips. I’m actually talking about the “tips” artists get from a session at a music conference, a single article they read online, or the […]

Taking Yourself Too Seriously

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 […]

A Classic Case

“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 […]

Be the Somebody

“Somebody has to do something about this!” Nearly 20 years ago my wife and I went to Kenya. We had been invited to come and see the work a non-profit organization was doing there. Of course we did the “touristy” things – went on a safari trip, took an overnight train ride, experienced the Indian […]