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5 Do’s to Optimize Your Success

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills, Sneak Peek Greenroom: 2 Comments

If you are a songwriter, you know… there are basic rules to follow when writing for radio. The normal structure goes intro/ verse/ chorus/ verse/ chorus/ bridge/ chorus. It’s important to have it the right length (about 3 1/2 minutes long), and be sure and get to the chorus within the first minute (sooner, if possible). And so […]

4 Requirements for a Great Lead Player

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

You play lead… lead guitar, lead saxophone, lead mandolin… whatever instrument it is, you play most of the solos in the band. You’re not the main focal point throughout the performance (like the lead singer), but when it comes time for a solo, you’re the main dude! Being a musician, you know that solos are […]

Which Comes First – Movement or Song Rearrangement?

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

Sometimes when people hire us to work with them, they don’t have a full understanding of what we do. They think we’ll just be telling them where to stand on stage or how to hold a mic, or God forbid – dance! While we don’t teach anyone how to dance or do what is considered […]

Media: 6 Uses of this Onstage Tool

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: 1 Comment
This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Your 5 Onstage Tools

Our society is very visual. We see images and video everywhere we go, whether it’s waiting in a doctor’s office, walking through the airport, or standing in line to get our groceries. And it’s not unusual for media to be of varying quality. From professional videography to YouTube footage filmed on someone’s iPhone – we […]

Why You Should Use a Headset

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: 3 Comments
This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Your 5 Onstage Tools

“I can’t do that — it’s goofy, cheesy, hokey. And besides, (insert name here) uses one! I’m original. What would my friends and peers say?” That’s the usual response I get when I ask an artist to consider using a headset for one of their songs. Frankly, I don’t care what artist has used a […]

The 7 Requirements of a Great Front Man

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

So you’re the front man (or woman) of the band. It’s time to up your game and really lead your band to success. Oh, and if you’re a soloist or a singer/songwriter, don’t stop reading just because you think this article isn’t for you — when you’re onstage by yourself, you automatically become a front […]

4 Ways to Help Your Audience Listen When Lyrics are Important

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: Leave a Comment
This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Your 5 Onstage Tools

The garden hose was stuck on the faucet. (Being the strong guy I am, I guess I’d put it on too tight.) My solution: get out a pliers and start twisting on it with all my might. Result: the hose is still stuck and now it’s getting crimped. My wife, the true handywoman of the […]

Misdirection and Upstaging: Mistakes you can Avoid

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: 1 Comment

Avoidable mistakes are usually done out of ignorance. Or they come from not being prepared correctly. These are 2 that are definitely avoidable: Misdirection — drawing the attention of the audience away from what they should be paying attention to; and Upstaging — diverting attention from someone else to yourself. Misdirection is actually one of […]

4 Tips to Using a Microphone (the right way!)

by Backstage: Materials, Tools & Skills Greenroom: Leave a Comment
This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Your 5 Onstage Tools

Oh, how distracting it can be! The singer holds the mic with both hands like they’re clinging to it for dear life. Another singer holds it right at the top and has it so close to them you can barely see their face. Then there are the “tappers” – the ones who keep a rhythm […]

If You Don’t Believe ME, Listen to Winston

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

Remember this goal: to connect with your audience from stage. You may have nights where things don’t go as well as usual. Maybe you have a sore throat, maybe the strings break on your guitar, maybe you can’t hear because the venue’s sound is bad. But if you make people feel important, they’ll respond to […]