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A note from the editor... Hello FNO Bands and Performers,
This
month, another good article by Sheena Metal about how NOT to burn bridges in the biz! And below, check out the FNO Performer of the Month!
Are we Myspace friends? Check us out and send me a message: http://www.myspace.com/festivals. If you're a FNO free member and want to become a Pro Member in order to
have festival contact information, FNO's Myspace bands take $5.00 off a
membership!
Rock it,
Julie
FNO Marketing Chick
Festival Network Online
http://www.myspace.com/festivals
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« Newsletters Archive - To view previous newsletters, check out our archives!
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Stop Burning Bridges…Or Your Career Might Go Up In Flames!!
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 By Sheena Metal
Hey,
nobody said the music business was going to be easy. It truly is
a jungle out there filled with: snakes, rats, rabid carnivores,
sharks…well, you get the picture. In the course of your musical
journey, there will be confrontations, arguments, misunderstandings,
and miscommunications. You’ll get jerked around, screwed over,
ripped off and disrespected. So, you want to be a rockstar?
Welcome to your nightmare.
But this is also a business of good people, who’ll give you
opportunities and chances and help you out when you least expect
it. That’s why it’s so important that you, as musicians and as a
band, act professionally and respectfully regardless of the behavior of
those you encounter. You don’t have to be a pushover and of
course, you have a right to defend yourself against the questionable
actions of others, but the music community can be a very small town and
the behavior you exhibit will follow you throughout your musical
career.
On the flipside of that, there are musicians out there who, either
knowingly or unknowingly bring negativity on themselves through their
own actions. Short temperedness, egocentricism, brazen
entitlement, compulsive lying and just plain old psychotic behavior can
brand your band as troublemakers and deprive you of important
opportunities that you need to move forward in this business.
So, how can you make sure that you’re doing onto others as you wish
they would do onto you? What can you, as musicians do, to
eliminate aspects of your personality that may be causing bad blood
between you and the people you run across on your way to superstardom?
The following are a few tips that may help you to make sure you’re exhibiting professional behavior at all times:
1.)Be Timely And Courteous---Whether you’re playing out live or
emailing booking inquiries from home, there is never a substitute for
courteously or timeliness. At gigs, show up when you’re supposed
to, be friendly, treat others with respect, set up quickly, end your
set on time, break down quickly, be mindful of other bands on stage,
compliment those around you and don’t forget simple things like,
“please” and “thank you.” When you leave a positive impression in
people’s minds, you’ll be high on their list when it comes time to fill
an open booking slot, recommend a band for a review, etc.
2.)Make Sure Your Actions Match Your Words---It’s such a simple thing
but you’d be surprised how many musicians seem incapable to doing what
they say they’re going to. If you book a gig, show up and
play. If you say you’re going to bring twenty friends and fans to
your gig, do it. If you reserve an ad in a local music magazine,
pay for it. If you write a check, make sure that it doesn’t
bounce. If you say you’re going to send out a press package or a
CD, mail it. It is true that many people in the music business
are distrustful of bands that they don’t know, and with good reason in
many instances. Build your good reputation in the industry by
proving that you will do what you’ve promised. Start small.
Once you’ve gain people’s trust, you’ll see more and more doors opening
up for your band.
3.)Take The High Road---It may be tough but there’s nothing to be
gained from returning someone’s improper behavior with a heap-load of
your own. That doesn’t mean that you need to let every industry
slime-bag from New York to LA ride roughshod all over your music
project but there are ways to deal with the negative behavior in this
business without branding yourself with a label equally as
negative. Sending firm yet professional letters, making
intelligent and informed phone inquiries and, if need be, taking legal
action against those who have acted inappropriately are ways to handle
unpleasant situations without drawing negative attention to
yourself. Public scenes, yelling and screaming, long-winded and
ranting emails, threats and accusations and spiteful actions may make
you feel vindicated but it may chase away the good people as well as
the bad and that just sets your band back.
4.)You Can’t Undo What You’ve Already Done---It’s much harder to undo
past bad behaviors, or reverse negative reputations than it is to
foster positive ones. It’s best when starting out to avoid acting
rash as a rule. If you have a band member that is incapable of
keeping his or her cool, perhaps it’s time to rethink his or her place
in your group. The entertainment industry has a long memory and a
spiteful tongue. Make sure when people speak of you, they’re
speaking well.
This may all seem like such common sense that it isn’t even worth
mentioning but you’d be surprised how many shows, interviews, tours,
and record deals have never materialized because of burned
bridges. You may have talent and great tunes, but if your
attitude sucks you’ll get passed over time and again. No one
wants to work with rage-aholics, egomaniacs or crazies. Don’t let
anyone think that’s what your band is about. Sure it’s important
to be creative geniuses but if no one likes you, you’ll be performing
your masterpieces in the garage for grandma and her Pomeranian.
Get smart and treat people right and you may find yourself rockin’ all
the way to the bank.
Sheena Metal is a radio host, producer, promoter,
music supervisor, consultant, columnist, journalist and musician.
Her syndicated radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 700
affiliates to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians’
assistance program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members.
She currently promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles
Area, where she resides.
For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com
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Featured Performer - Rob Owen
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 FNO Member Rob Owen
from the Bay Area in California is this month's featured musician. He's found several festival
bookings from FNO and wrote me an email to tell me that. I then
checked out his myspace page and really dug his sound. His voice
is rugged but soothing, with great range and emotive
qualities. His songs are laden with tell-tale signs of a
well-trained artist from his melodic transitions to his rich poetic
lyrics. An Indie artist, Rob is performing at many California events this year, be sure to check his bookings:
myspace.com/robowenmusic
Email Julie Cochrane if you are interested in appearing here.
Put "FNO Band Feature" in subject line.
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