If you are looking to get out of the independent music scene and seek a record deal then one of the best assets you can have is to know how to communicate with music contacts. The music industry is full of professionals so mastering the art of communicating professionally is the key.
First of all, let’s go over how you should not behave in person or on the phone with A&R, managers or the folks at the record company. Don’t call and give a long, drawn out story about this or that. Don’t call and use slang and profanity when giving your pitch. And don’t go on and on about nothing because they are super busy people who might just hang up on you or walk away.
The call should go like this, “Hi, my name is “your name” and I’m in a band called “your band name.” We are from “such and such place.” Do you mind if I tell you a little about our music or would you like me to get you a demo? Keep it simple, polite and professional whether it is in person or on the phone. Music industry people don’t want to hear your life story but if you play your cards right, they may want to hear your music.
How are your communication skills? Are you able to sum up your entire point in one short paragraph? Are you able to be professional and concise? You need to display your point in a couple of sentences so you don’t lose their interest or waster their time.
Communication skills are vital in the music industry whether you are seeking a record deal or more interested in independent music. And keep in mind that communication is not only done verbally but through letter writing as well. If you are not particularly wonderful at writing and lots of musicians aren’t, then have someone else help write your letter to ensure your point is clear and grammatically correct.
So, the point is that you want to impress and keep all the music contacts you come in contact with. Be professional and think before you speak. Sometimes you only get one chance with a contact in the music industry so you want to take advantage of that opportunity and communicate precisely what you need to. Practice what you want to say ahead of time so you don’t leave anything out. After all, your goal is to leave a killer impression on the person you meet.
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, he has become one of the most acclaimed musical directors on the concert and nightclub scene. In addition to playing and conducting for many celebrities including Lucie Arnaz, Kaye Ballard, Deborah Gibson, Shecky Greene, Jennifer Holliday, Lainie Kazan, Sally Kellerman, Gladys Knight, Barry Manilow, Chita Rivera, and the late Nell Carter and Wayland Flowers & Madame, Michael played for the hit shows FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, RUTHLESS!, and WHEN PIGS FLY in Los Angeles. He made his Hollywood …
Help answer the question aboutUS Music Industry
where is the latin music industry??where should i move if i want to be a latin music artist???
which cities in the US have a latin music industry? i have heard miami and los angeles??
what countries in south and central america have the best music industry?
thanks!
Hi Sam! What a great vlog…so cute together hehe Great to see you back Sam…vloggin again. THANK YOU sooo much for the hello on Mindy’s cam..you gave me goosebumps! Of course you too Todd!
What a show, what performers you both are…now get your butts down here to Florida so I can see you in person!
Lots of Love,
Angie (your gal in Florida)
Sam, thank you for posting such interesting and fun interviews. I’m always amazed at how many people you know in the industry. I love watching your friend Friday’s. Have a wonderful week !!!
Sam is on Tyra Banks Show on May 7th!
tinyurl . com /SamOnTyra1
tinyurl . com /SamOnTyra2
I LOVE (!!!) the two of you together!!! What a wonderful juicy being Michael is! I love his lips… And his mom! Another WONDERFUL interview! Sam, you are a JOY!!!!
SAMMY, you NEED TO RECORD Rainbows!!!! That was GREAT !!!!!!!!
aloha!
i’m a new fan to your vlog. and i LOVE it! long story short: i stumbled upon your star search performance here, and i couldn’t believe it. i sooooo remember watching you win that contest AND getting your first album. it was with great pleasure and surprise that i found you here on youtube.
i am recovering from knee surgery and have been watching all of your posts. add me to the VLOG people.
do you ever come to hawaii?
Had to watch this 3 times! So funny!
OMG you two MUST do the same exact interview as LIza and Lainie!!!! ROTFL, oh wait, you just did. HAHAHAHAHA I LOVE YOU GUYS
HEY When is Sam Hais going to mentor on idol?????
Possibly the IRS or an Entertainment Guild could better direct you. You can contact your local IRS office or one of the Entertainment organizations at this site
http://www.afm.org/resources/labor-unions
Not the best answer–but a start
I completely agree. This is why I have been listening to XM Satelite Radio for the last 3 years…
I still listen to regular radio every now and then, but an hour or so later (and after hearing one song 3 times), I no longer listen.
XM or Sirius is THE way to go…
From one who was there, it was minimal. Instead, it was more the other way around….protest music reflected popular sentiment among the American youths' peace/anti-war movement, not influenced it. Country Joe didn't convince draft dodgers to burn their cards and run to Canada; he sang about them doing that. And John Fogarty and CCR didn't convince Congress and others to to allow for draft deferrals due to colletge, allowing America's "fortunate sons" to remain at home while to lower classes went to the front lines; instead they sang about the economic disparity of the front line soldiers. The music simply gave yet another dimension to a voice of the the anti-war movement.
HTH
Its all about looks today, talent seems to have become meaningless. A lot of the greats wouldnt get a contract today bc they dont look hot by todays standards. So all we get is crap musically , its all eye candy. MTV changed things bc music became about visual rather than sound. Most of the great bands are pre MTV era.
Yes, people are lame everywhere and the popular music that young people listen to here in the US is terrible. On the other hand, isn't most popular music terrible?
The music industry is a corporate cash machine where marketing and money rules over real talent.
Music has been reduced from an art form to a product to be bought or sold.
This question is too generalized.
Even a guess is unlikely to come close because of the sheer number of songs that have actually been produced, let alone published.
The Library of Congress or the US Copyright Office might be able to provide some info regarding the number of songs that have been submitted for copyright protection, however you would have to be able to weed out the songs submitted but never actually produced – this will most likely be an astounding number in and of itself.
Sorry but I haven't a clue where you would start your research in the UK.
Maybe for now—-but not forever. If you notice with more and more upcoming artists this country has, plus the ones that are becoming more popular here from overseas—-traditional "black" music is slowly starting to "fade" and/or incorporate other musical genres from around the world. I personally don't care for Rap, RnB or other typical Black music. I can't say what type if music will dominate in the future,but I doubt the African music we know today will.
sadly, it's a resounding yes. Charice Pempengco ought to be another Sarah Geronimo if it weren't for Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey. OPM doesn't have an identity with the way it sounds. J-Rock/J-Pop is distinctly unique because it barely relies on synthesizers or turntables, they emphasize the use of all types of instruments like brass, strings, and piano to blend with their specific genre; and it has a certain tempo and rhythm to it. (Flow, Orange Range, Asian Kung Fu Generation, Mr. Children, Skapara, Utada Hikaru, Ken Hirai, Yui… their music sounds unique)
it's not that Japanese Music has worldwide recognition, but it's develoved a following among those interested in their culture especially J-Drama and Anime. their hit singles are ususally made into a show's theme song, and if that show becomes a hit, the artist/band who sang the theme song is recognized.
does talent alone dictate if an artist or band should gain worldwide recognition? of course not. we have a few talented artists here… but the reality is if the Americans don't know them, the rest of the world won't know them.
*edit for Karlo C*
you'll be surprised how poetically deep most Japanese lyrics are when translated to english, it actually makes OPM lyrics look bad.
sample Jap lyrics in english:
"even if it’s light like fireworks, that can never be caught
one more time, one more time… I want to reach out for it."
"the sky I looked up at was blue and perfectly clear, I decided to open the locked window, the moment that changes me and the world is always right here with me."
"may our two winding roads merge here together and become a rainbow."
"where did the burning tears, the outcry of love, the sparkling days vanish off to? if we keep wandering down this aimless path… we'll never go back to the way things used to be"