The New England Music Seminar- Session 1

If you are trying to work in any facet in the entertainment industry (ie magazine, music artist, producer, writer, song writer, public relations, whatever), then you should have had your behind at the 3rd Annual New England Music Seminar, presented by June Archer (Eleven28 Entertainment Group).

If you have a "single" or "mixtape" or what you may call an "album" I cannot fathom any reason why you weren't there. I can certainly understand that you may have thought $75 was alot to spend on a ticket, but I know people that spend that weekly on dutches. That is 1/2 the price of a pair of JO's, did you stop and think about the RETURN you would have recieved from investing that $75 into your "career?"

I am not willing to accept any excuse about being there when I met two young men (GoldenTone Productions) that drove all the way from CANADA to attend the seminar. I mean especially if you aren't just in it because it's the hot thing to do right now.

Do you think the industry is going to find you, because I have news for you . . . there are enough people finding it that it doesn't even have to leave home anymore. If you were not there, I highly suggest a serious evaluation about how serious you are taking your "career."

The event was not only well structured, but it started ON TIME- which is always a major plus in my book.

I want it to be clear that I am posting this article to benefit my readers outside of the New England area.

Key Ideas from Session #1- Marketing yourself and your music: Marketing, Promotions, and Artist Development.

Chris Fury who manages artists Mook N Fair said: "Find yourself. Different normally works. If the people don't believe you, they aren't going to buy it. Create your stamp." and " Go out and network, this is the most important event in CT. You have to create a nich for yourself and stay persistant."

My Theory: I am so sick and tired of seeing these artist who are "playing a character." Seriously, look at Rick Ross. Who takes him seriously any more? I was also disappointed with the number of attendees at the event. It should have been packed, standing room only. This was an opprotunity for you to network and get to know people who have actually done more than dream about success. It was an opprotunity to recieve advice in rare form. Not trying to pressure you into anything, but advice that you can take and make it happen on your own. I really wonder when people are going to get it.

Divinah Shantefeire of The MAAT Group and Tentalents NYC shared that you need a promo pack, "It's all about your presentation . . . make sure it's tight or it will be thrown away."

My Theory: Quite frequently I recieve different products like cd's, books, magazines, and even shampoo. If I get one more magazine with a shitty layout. If I get one more CD cover with a shitty layout. If I get on more CD with horrible quality AND content . . . I am going to scream. Seriously. There was this "producer" at the demo listening workshop, HE SUCKED. From everything that I gathered, he was a newbie. His beats were off tempo and didn't transition properly. They adviced him to study producers that he liked and try to recreate their beats in order to sharpen his skills. This guy, was so stuck on not being like producers and wanting to be different, that he ignored their advice- I HEARD HIM SAY THIS MYSELF. I was shocked because his beats sucked- this was my "Are you SERIOUS?" moment. If he continues to ignore their advice, his CD will always be thrown in the garbage. Look at another CD cover, in this technical day and age, there is NO REASON why you cannot produce a professional looking album cover. Need one? Email me: Theoryfanmail@yahoo.com. SERIOUSLY.

Angel Martinez who does promotions for G-Unit strongly stressed, "build upon your fan base, or create one."

My Theory: The last time I checked the entire point of being an artist is to try to gain fans and have as many people as humanly possible know about you and your craft. Think of creative ways to win fans over. Try interacting with them at shows, get feedback from your performance. Your cousin and 'nem and your best friends from highschool are excluded from your fan count.

Sharra Dade, a publicist for 3-D Platform  offered advice, "You have to sell yourself and your product, it's a large part of being a success. The best advice I could give is to believe in yourself. The industry isn't looking for followers . . . Know where you want to be, if you know where you are going to end up you can map it out."

My Theory: She clearly spelled it out.

Juliet Lerman of Westward Music Group explained, "The quality of your music is first. The rest is worthless if the qulity is bad."

My Theory: No one wants to listen to your track that sounds like you recorded it in the bathtub of your sisters basement apartment next to the subway. It will be thrown away or even worse, thrown in random pile of CD's that will never get looked at again.

Cedric Thomas, owner of Probe magazine informed artists that, "1.) You can not have 500 people on stage with you. 2.) Do not perform your whole song, get the crowds attention, save your best song for last."

My Theory: As an MUSIC artist, your main goal should be to tour. How will you ever get on a tour if your performance SUCKS?

Peter Higgins, CEO of GHPA Promotions suggested that you, "Get on your grind. You can have a street team, but you need to grind yourself, get in the streets yourself. Go to New York, hand out our CD."

My Theory: You can never get too big to sell your own product. What better person? Besides, this all goes out to building your fan base- at this point you need EVERY fan you can get.