How
to Make a Financially and Personally Fulfilling Career Playing
Guitar – Part 2
By
T. D. Clark
Hello folks,
I am back after a lengthy absence due to the birth of my second
child, Nico Thaddeus Clark! He was born on 6/6/06 ( can we say
metal child! LOL) and both mom and baby are doing fine.
I have been also frantically mixing and editing my new CD which
is being sent for mastering next week.
The biggest problem I have found with doing music as a career
is finding the work. Where do you go to find people who need music
for film/bands to sign to their new label/people looking to book
bands/people looking for players for their band etc?
Well here are some good publications that will help you on your
way.
Music Connection magazine has got to be the most
informative industry magazine I have seen overall. Aimed at not
only the guy trying to break into the biz, but to seasoned pros
looking to expand their options. Every month it is packed with
info from record company A+R reps and their contact info to song
supervisors and their info, to managers, Publishing houses etc.
Each month tackles a different topic.
They also
have a new band signing section where bands talk about how they
got signed and to whom. There are articles about distribution,
label heads talk about what they look for in bands. How to get
songs placed in TV and film. I have had a subsricption for years
and learn new things all the time.
Hollywood Reporter magazine. This publication
deals with every medium there is. Film, TV radio. It gives tons
of info about which companies are making what films and gives
you the contact info. From giant blockbusters and indie films
to your favorite TV shows it has it all. It is full of interviews
with directors and producers etc. Has ratings for shows. Absolutely
packed with info.
Pollstar. Want to know about live concerts? Look
no further than this. It has what band is on tour and where. It
has a list of the hottest tours and the not so hot. Also many
times there is tour grosses so you can see just how much money
your favorite band is bringing in. Gives you rare look into the
live side of the biz.
And finally the grandaddy of all info about the biz Donald
S. Passman’s All you need to know about the Music
Business (Simon and Schuster) walks you through record
deals and management deals distribution deals and every other
aspect of the making music end of the biz. Caution,
you may want to quit altogether after reading this one, but the
information can be the difference between the life and death of
your career as far as signing a record deal goes.
Next time buzz words for the biz and maybe I’ll throw in some
licks from my new CD.
Ciao
Adios
T.
