Your Singing Career

As artist demos pile up on the floors of A&R directors offices and on the tables and window ledges of music industry pros offices alike, one thing you can be sure of, the vast majority will never be heard, will be overlooked because of unprofessional marketing and packaging and likely not have the "It" factor that so many managers, booking agents and music execs everywhere wish to discover. You've heard the phrase, "Man that band has It." The "It" is what sells and finding "It" for many groups or singers is not always easy.

Where are you looking to go in your singing career? Are you serious, just starting to think about it, or are you weary from the never endless promises with little to show in return. In the next few minutes, let's take a look at some key factors that you might try to incorporate into your singing career and maybe, just maybe you can take it one step closer to your singing goals, artist record deal or wherever your dreams are wanting to take you.

As we get started here, just know that many will try to convince you or try to sell you on some idea or book that they want you to buy that will herald all of the "inside secrets" to the music business - I will not. I learned a number of years ago as a talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency that you can plan, plan and plan again and then still not get the deal even with considerable backing and influence. What I can do is offer some workable game plans and advice that you can incorporate into your career.

In your desired singing career path always start with attitude. I know a very prominent artist manager whose motto is "Attitude is everything." If you've got a great attitude everything else will fall into place. You know how many singers and session singers I've met through the years who have a lack luster attitude and then wonder why they're not called in for studio work even though they have an incredible wealth of singing experience and talent? - Too many to mention. Take an attitude inventory and ask yourself, "Do I come across as a know-it-all, or am I edgy or do I exude confidence with a flexible singing style? You get the picture.
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Next, take an honest look at your talent and abilities. Is your desire to sing springing forth from only a dream, or do you have credible talent to back it up. Be honest now - Mom and dad telling you how wonderful you are isn't going to get it if you aren't in fact talented. This is often the most difficult step for most singers and musicians. Do I have the ability, determination and talent to drive this dream of mine, or am I living in a fantasy world? Do some soul searching, but don't confuse the "no's" of the industry to whether you have talent or not. Oftentimes, singers with incredible gifts and abilities get the cold shoulder from industry insiders, so be careful in your evaluation.
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Another thing to consider is your singing style. Are you singing the style of the real you, or a forced style because you like the style, but you either can't pull it off, or it's just plain not you. You can almost immediately tell when an individual or band is playing a style that is not in the musical scope of who they are - And the truth is, most everyone else can tell it to. Don't be afraid to broaden your musical horizons, just be true to who you are.
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What are you currently doing to further your career? Are you thinking inside the box or out when you are looking at promoting your singing skills or band? Although for a band or solo act the artist showcase, with hopefully a room filled with eager industry pros, is your ultimate goal when looking to get signed, but getting there doesn't have to be? Don't get bogged down with the "This is how everyone does it approach". Instead, look at ideas and concepts that are creative that can get you to your goal. Have you thought of writing spots or commercials for DJ's or radio personalities in your local area that might take a liking to your music that you created for their show just for them for free? There are a number of ideas like this that can go a long ways to further your career. Besides that, it's great exposure and bio info.
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As a session singer or background vocal singer, what are you doing to break in? Are you submitting CDs or mp3's that are pretty good, or are you sending out incredible, I've already arrived on the scene sounding demos? Send out only what would be considered a great sounding demo - one that makes your socks roll up and down. What ever you do, that demo ought to produce the word wow!

What does your marketing look like? Are your pictures, bios and press kits looking top notch or do they look like someone from the band half hazardly put something together? Image is everything in this business. Do you have a website? You ought to and it ought to include a number of pages including bio, pictures, sample mp3's for broadband and 56K connections, as well as contact and booking info along with your calendar of events. You will want to consider a logo to be used on absolutely everything. A logo sets the tone for who you are and should be rememberable. More of this type of information can be found at ReelMusician.com. For that matter there are a multitude of articles on booking, management, etc that can be found as well at ReelMusician.com along with free downloadable e-books. Many of these articles go a lot further in depth in those specific areas and so many of you who are reading, being significantly further in your career and knowledge can really benefit from the information.
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Don't bother going to find a manager, booking agent or any other music industry pro until you have your act together. Make sure that you know yourself, your music, your press kits and logos and are comfortable with the whole package, because that's what you are ultimately selling. Be certain of your stage image. Again, don't let everyone else who has gone before you and is currently on the top 40 charts dictate your image. The image ought to fit who you are and both you and the audience better be comfortable with it and consider it authentically you.

In short, take the time, investigate who you are, where you want to go, make a career blueprint and follow your dreams.

Mr. Gauger is a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency and has been heard on numerous TV and radio spots including Fox TV, UPN Station ID, O'Charley's and many others. In addition, he co-wrote "Who To Love" slotted for upcoming telecast on the soap The Guiding Light. Mr. Gauger is the founder of http://www.reelmusician.com and can be contacted through this organization at tgauger@reelmusician.com or 615-300-5030.