By Guest Columnist Jeff Nagel
DIY PR TIP FROM MICHAEL J. MEDIA
When in Doubt…Bring Everything
As a musician who has been performing nearly every weekend for the past seven years, the best advice I could ever give to any nascentgigster is to bring everything. When it comes to playing out, the one thing you can absolutely count on is that things break. Cables die,tubes fail, drum heads tear, and singers bleed. Of course, there’s the obvious stuff you’re all prepared to deal with -stashing guitar stringsand drum sticks in your gig-bag is a no-brainer. However, one of the keys to being a successful performer is being equipped to handle allof that weird stuff you never, ever thought could go awry.
A lot of bands forget what is on the line every single time they perform –their reputation. In this age of short attention spans, you only getone chance to make a first impression. Therefore it is vital to give our best performance at every performance. In order to generate returnbusiness, you have to bring your A-game; especially when performing for an audience who has never seen you before. To the venue atwhich you play –you’re only as good as your evening’s bar sales, so there’s no quitting early due to “technical difficulties.” Musicians simplycannot afford to be anything less than really good at what they do. That means you need to be professional on and off the stage. Andwhen things go wrong, the world is able to see our true colors.
In truth, you can’t actually be ready for all of the crazy things than can happen at a gig. Nonetheless, you need to do everything you can tocover our butts and ensure a successful performance. It’s a good idea for the band to have a collective bag of goodies that includes ducttape and first-aid stuff (i.e.; bandages, throat lozenges, ibuprofen, etc.). And, everyone should bring their own instrument-specific tools.Nothing looks less pro than begging the staff for some pliers. Guitarists and bassists should always have the little stuff (strings, extra strap,strap locks, etc.), but must also be prepared for cable, tube, or total amp failure. That means always carrying an extra cable and an extraset of tubes (if you play a tube amp). Bringing a back-up amp is ideal, but not very practical. So why not throw a pedal-sized pre-amp inyour bag? It’s might not be tonally perfect, but it’ll get you through the gig. Drummers need replacement sticks, heads, and an extra bassdrum pedal at minimum. Singers need an extra mike and cables, and the band should have at least one extra mike stand. Keyboardplayers should bring extra cables, a spare volume/ sustain pedal, and a skinny tie that looks like a keyboard. The general rule: If you thinkyou might possibly need it…bring it. Bring everything.
So how is all this gear-talk a PR tip? It’s simple really –it’s all about protecting your image. If your drummer breaks his one and only foot-pedal and throws a tantrum between songs, or your guitar player fries his amp and proceeds to cry like…well, like a guitar player; it looksreally bad to the people watching. Remember to protect your image. It’s not what goes wrong, but how you handle it that matters. Thinkof it like hitting a wrong note in a song. You have to recover quickly. With just a little foresight, you can be ready to handle all that a badgig can throw at you. By handling a bad situation well, you can present our music in a better, more professional manner. And that’s theultimate goal.
Jeff Nagel is a talented guitarist, singer and songwriter based in Cleveland, Ohio. Watch for his upcoming solo release entitled Bellwetheror visit Jeff's website at www.myspace.com/jeffnagelmusic
Friday, June 6, 2008
Save Internet Radio
Web PR - This summer Congress is seeking to pass legislation that would - for the first time - require AM/FM broadcasters to start paying performance royalties. Unfortunately, the bill under consideration, the Performance Rights Act, still does NOT address the fundamental lack of rate parity between terrestrial, cable, satellite, and Internet radio.
Live365.com (Americana Rhythm's radio host site) and other internet based radio stations and brodcasters are asking for your help to make sure that Congress hears us loud and clear: small webcasters are an indispensable partner to artists and indie labels. Why should they pay 6 TIMES what satellite and cable pay? Intenet radio deserves a fair royalty rate. Support IREA and rate parity! The future of webcast radio could rest on this decision. Please go to www.SaveNetRadio.org and make a call to your Representative. NOW is the time to get this fixed!
Live365.com (Americana Rhythm's radio host site) and other internet based radio stations and brodcasters are asking for your help to make sure that Congress hears us loud and clear: small webcasters are an indispensable partner to artists and indie labels. Why should they pay 6 TIMES what satellite and cable pay? Intenet radio deserves a fair royalty rate. Support IREA and rate parity! The future of webcast radio could rest on this decision. Please go to www.SaveNetRadio.org and make a call to your Representative. NOW is the time to get this fixed!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Blue Ridge Hall Of Fame & Wayne C. Henderson
Old Wilkes, Inc. and The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame (BRMHoF) committee announced earlier this year that Wayne Henderson will beone of the charter inductees to be honored at the first annual Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony to be held at the WalkerCenter on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro on Friday, June 13, 2008. The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame wascreated in 2006 to recognize and honor musicians and others who have contributed to the special heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Born in Rugby, VA in the White Top Mountain area of Grayson County near the border of North Carolina, Wayne Henderson has becomeone of the finest luthiers in the country. Coming from a family of craftsmen and musicians, he has remained in the Blue Ridge Mountainshoning his craft. Henderson's father and uncle were musicians who played with the string band of Estil Ball and were recorded by John andAlan Lomax, folklorists. Admiring his uncle's steel-string Martin guitar, he ordered a guitar from the Sears catalog and with hisdisappointment, Henderson's career as a luthier began.
Using a dresser-drawer bottom and some "sticky stuff" used to glue weather stripping to a car door, he almost completed his first guitarwhen a hot day appeared. It was left in a confined area and when he returned to complete his work, Henderson found as he described itthat "it had blossomed like a morning glory." He used a cigar box, carved a wooden 2 x 4 for the neck and used fishing line as strings.Finally he made his first complete guitar using a mahogany door. He sold it for some tools and cash ... and the rest is history ... look for afollow up story coming in an up-coming issue of Americana Rhythm Music Magaizne.
Born in Rugby, VA in the White Top Mountain area of Grayson County near the border of North Carolina, Wayne Henderson has becomeone of the finest luthiers in the country. Coming from a family of craftsmen and musicians, he has remained in the Blue Ridge Mountainshoning his craft. Henderson's father and uncle were musicians who played with the string band of Estil Ball and were recorded by John andAlan Lomax, folklorists. Admiring his uncle's steel-string Martin guitar, he ordered a guitar from the Sears catalog and with hisdisappointment, Henderson's career as a luthier began.
Using a dresser-drawer bottom and some "sticky stuff" used to glue weather stripping to a car door, he almost completed his first guitarwhen a hot day appeared. It was left in a confined area and when he returned to complete his work, Henderson found as he described itthat "it had blossomed like a morning glory." He used a cigar box, carved a wooden 2 x 4 for the neck and used fishing line as strings.Finally he made his first complete guitar using a mahogany door. He sold it for some tools and cash ... and the rest is history ... look for afollow up story coming in an up-coming issue of Americana Rhythm Music Magaizne.
Richmond Continues In National Folk Fest Style
The Richmond Folk Festival is excited to announce its first six performing groups for the 2008 inaugural festival taking place October 10-12, 2008, on downtown Richmond’s riverfront. In an exact likeness to the National Folk Festival held in Richmond, Virginia, from 2005 -2007, the Richmond Folk Festival will feature the best musicians in American Traditional Music.
"We're so pleased that Richmond is carrying on the National Folk Festival tradition,” said Julia Olin, executive director of the National Council for the Traditional Arts. “The public response over the last three years demonstrated that Richmond has embraced the festival as its own. The strong, able team of partners led by Venture Richmond is committed to making the inaugural Richmond Folk Festival the very best one yet. It's shaping up to be a stunning event.”
Venture Richmond, in collaboration with the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) and the Richmond Folk Festival Programming Committee, has selected a rich variety of musicians for this year’s festival. The first six confirmed performing groups display talent in various genres, including, Cajun, bluegrass, Irish, Hawaiian guitar, go-go and original honky-tonk country.
"As we transitioned from the National Folk Festival to our own "brand" in 2008, the primary concern of the programming committee was that we deliver as dynamic and diverse a slate of artists this year as we've enjoyed over the past three years,” said Jim Wark, chairman of the Programming Committee. “I believe we've accomplished that mission... and then some!"
More than 25 groups will perform at the Richmond Folk Festival. Additional groups will be announced in the coming months as they are confirmed for the 2008 event. Please visit the website, www.richmondfolkfestival.org for complete performer bios and photos.
"We're so pleased that Richmond is carrying on the National Folk Festival tradition,” said Julia Olin, executive director of the National Council for the Traditional Arts. “The public response over the last three years demonstrated that Richmond has embraced the festival as its own. The strong, able team of partners led by Venture Richmond is committed to making the inaugural Richmond Folk Festival the very best one yet. It's shaping up to be a stunning event.”
Venture Richmond, in collaboration with the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) and the Richmond Folk Festival Programming Committee, has selected a rich variety of musicians for this year’s festival. The first six confirmed performing groups display talent in various genres, including, Cajun, bluegrass, Irish, Hawaiian guitar, go-go and original honky-tonk country.
"As we transitioned from the National Folk Festival to our own "brand" in 2008, the primary concern of the programming committee was that we deliver as dynamic and diverse a slate of artists this year as we've enjoyed over the past three years,” said Jim Wark, chairman of the Programming Committee. “I believe we've accomplished that mission... and then some!"
More than 25 groups will perform at the Richmond Folk Festival. Additional groups will be announced in the coming months as they are confirmed for the 2008 event. Please visit the website, www.richmondfolkfestival.org for complete performer bios and photos.
Win A Stelling Banjo
With musical instruments being cranked out of big factories every day, Geoff Stelling's handmade banjos are a true rarity. The Afton-based business produces just 200 or so banjos annually. Geoff's son, Jimmy, who works with his dad in the business, is a banjo player who has played music professionally. He's been playing Stelling banjos since he was 8 years old. Together, the family has dedicated themselves to making what Geoff calls a "better banjo" - working 25 hours plus on each banjo - spread over six to eight weeks. A process that is precise because you have to wait an ample amount of time for the glue to dry and the finishes to cure between coats, among other details that make Stelling's banjos stand out in the industry. And now you could win one.
The Bellflower, which retails for $4,300 and is available at approximately 40 retailers worldwide, is making an appearance on this side of the mountain, with a special drawing at a bluegrass festival to raise funds for the Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, VA. Tickets are available now in advance of the upcoming "Bluegrass, Blue Jeans and Barbecue" event on June 14 at Laurick Farms in Fisherville. For a $10 chance, anyone could own their own Stelling banjo with proceeds benefitting the Wayne Theatre Alliance, a 501(c)3 organization based in Waynesboro. The non-profit group is working to renovate and restore a closed theatre into a first-class performing arts center.
"We are excited that we can offer a Stelling banjo to collectors and others in the community at our first ever bluegrass festival," said Clair Myers, executive director of the Wayne Theatre Alliance. "We know that whoever the lucky person is to take home the banjo will treasure it, and we look forward to the boost that the event will bring to our project."
For more information on tickets for the Bellflower Stelling Banjo or the bluegrass festival, contact the Wayne Theatre Alliance at (540) 943-9999 or www.waynetheatre.org.
The Bellflower, which retails for $4,300 and is available at approximately 40 retailers worldwide, is making an appearance on this side of the mountain, with a special drawing at a bluegrass festival to raise funds for the Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, VA. Tickets are available now in advance of the upcoming "Bluegrass, Blue Jeans and Barbecue" event on June 14 at Laurick Farms in Fisherville. For a $10 chance, anyone could own their own Stelling banjo with proceeds benefitting the Wayne Theatre Alliance, a 501(c)3 organization based in Waynesboro. The non-profit group is working to renovate and restore a closed theatre into a first-class performing arts center.
"We are excited that we can offer a Stelling banjo to collectors and others in the community at our first ever bluegrass festival," said Clair Myers, executive director of the Wayne Theatre Alliance. "We know that whoever the lucky person is to take home the banjo will treasure it, and we look forward to the boost that the event will bring to our project."
For more information on tickets for the Bellflower Stelling Banjo or the bluegrass festival, contact the Wayne Theatre Alliance at (540) 943-9999 or www.waynetheatre.org.
Chatham County Line Heads Overseas
Chatham County Line will be making another visit to the UK and Ireland in November '08! The response from the band's performance on "Later...with Jools Holland" has created quite a stir overseas. CCL's newest record, IV has sold very well and just received rave reviews from MOJO. Please stay tuned as dates will be posted shortly. For more info go to www.chathamcountyline.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)