Recording Artist Advocate: Don't hold back.

So, Paula Deen is losing her job and lots of sponsors for using racial slurs sometime in the past. I don’t watch her show and won’t notice, but I have to say if your glad about that – Don’t cheer too hard. Anything you’ve ever said may get you fired someday.

What does this mean for the rest of us?
The owner of a bakery didn’t want to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, and got in all kinds of legal trouble. Another bakery called the cops when a family wanted a birthday cake for their little boy named Adolf Hitler. Some land mines are obvious and some are not.
I’ll record anything I can feel OK about. If an all gay band wanted to record at Rough Wood Studio, I’d probably record them, if they’re music is any good.
If a racist band wanted to record with me. Would I have to record them too? Or risk getting sued.
I’ve had to draw a line with a few artists. But so far I’ve been able to show them how what they were trying to do would harm them or turn off their audience. Maybe I need sensitivity training.
Things are cyclical. We’re moving into a cycle where you’ll see a lot more witch hunts. This is a time when walls are going up, metaphorically, and people are getting kicked out of the group. We’re in the part of the cycle where we divide ourselves into smaller and more exclusive groups. It’s not good. Watch out for it.
It might not be the most popular time to reach across those, barriers? Do you reach across a barrier, or reach around - a barrier? But, I say, “Don’t give in.” And don’t be afraid to talk or sing or write about - anything. The best music seems to happen when artist point out a wrong that needs to be addressed.
You may upset some people. Talk to other folks you respect. You might find a more subtle way to say the same things.
Music slips in past our normal defenses. It reaches us in a very deep way. People with dementia or Alzheimer’s may not recognize their families, but they remember songs. Music is - amazing.
When you are ready to record something amazing, call me. Robert Snyder at Rough Wood Recording Studio in the Great state of Texas.

Recording Artist Advocate: Food and Rent 2

Last week I said you’re not selling your soul doing cover gigs. They may just be a good way to put food on the table till you build a big enough fan base to make some real money. There are well-established artist who make their living doing other people’s music. Lots of places actually prefer cover music because they know the audience likes those songs. The bars and clubs are already getting lots of calls from bands looking for work but where else can you look for good paying gigs? Think about it this way, who else needs to entertain a big crowd? Every big organization has events and they usually book well in advance. Contact HR directors, wedding and event planners, and every college has fraternities and sororities competing to have the best events. Build a good relationship with those people. They tend to keep booking bands even when they move on to other organizations. Let them know when you get a big win like radio play or a really good booking. When your band hits they’ll be the first folks calling to get you at their events.

Recording Artist Advocate: Food and Rent.

Have you thought of doing corporate work? If you’re like most bands I work with you want to write great songs and preform to huge crowds. A cover now and then is okay, but you want those crowds to hear your music. But for now you may just need to do some corporate cover gigs to make ends meet. Don’t think you’re selling your soul. You are still making money with your musical abilities. And who says you have to use your band name? I know guys who came up with a cool band name they use for all their corporate work. They still do their regular gigs and they have money for rent and food. You don't have to look far for places or events that want cover bands. You may want to pick an era and focus on that music. There are even corporate cover bands with branches in major cities. See what they are doing and you'll see what works best. They don't mess around. Next week I’ll tell you some places to look for work you may not have thought of.

Recording Artist Advocate: Is a Booking Agent worth it?

I know bands that are very successful booking themselves, and bands who hold themselves back trying to keep it all in house. If you get a recurring gig or become a house band you may not need a booking agent. But a good booker wants to make money too, and will not only book you more but will try to grow you so that you get more for each show. As your fan base grows and you can draw bigger and bigger crowds they can ask for more money. Think about it from the club owner’s perspective, they need a crowd. If you can deliver they can pay more. Also as an artist, you need to focus on your craft. More often than not you need someone who can take care of the business part and let you do what you do best. So for most musicians I say, find a good booker, tell them your goals, and let them help you reach them.