Reinventing Yourself

The key to having a long career in the music industry is knowing how to stay relevant. As producers, songwriters, musicians or artists we all understand what it means to become stagnant or even dated. It is important that we stay motivated and continue to find fresh inspiration. The key is being able to reinvent yourself. This is done by constantly challenging and pushing the creative envelop. It sometimes requires a new look, sound and attitude. Artists like Miles Davis, Prince and Madonna are great examples of artists that have reinvented themselves over and over again. Reinvention is just growth and expansion. When we become bored with our current state or we feel creatively flat, going in a new direction gives new life to everything. From a commercial perspective it is important to stay abreast of where popular music is trending but don't feel that you have to follow the trend just be aware of where the game is so that as you reinvent yourself you can carve out your own niche. The process is inspiring and exciting. This is actually something that has to happen in every career and in every one's life and some point. Reinvention only occurs as the result of years of experience and trail and error. Most times we only truly find ourselves during our reinvention process because we are truly living out loud with no creative limitations. Our experience also has given us a chance to know exactly what our strengths are creatively, visually and otherwise so we know what we really do well and what to focus on. We all have alter egos and different sides to our personality. Reinvention allows us to explore those sides in a creatively exciting way. Reinvention truly opens the door to discovery. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Keeping Up With Your Credits

Most of us are so busy working and creating that we sometimes forget one very important business side of our career. Now I don't mean that we don't watch the money or create new work. What I mean is that we get so involved with moving forward that we don't take time to keep are resumes updated. Keeping up with your credits is vitally important. This is the only way we have of showing people our level of experience. If most of you are like me, you are always doing so much that if you don't update regularly then you can forget and leave certain things off. When ever you are recording a project be sure to insist that your contribution is listed in the credits on the project and be sure to get a copy for your own records as well as all links to where it is being sold and promoted. Each project we work on is not only a chance to promote that artist but it is also a chance for us to promote ourselves and what we do. I recently took stock of this past year and realized that I had already done enough new stuff to warrant an update to me EPK and resume. Keep your bio, EPK and resume as current as you can. It all depends on how much you work and don't take anything for granted. If it was worth doing then it is worth documenting. You will also be surprised at how many people really do read credits on projects. I've gotten a lot of work because someone liked a particular record and saw that I was either the producer, writer or drummer and the called me to do something for them based on that. Our work is our calling card and we must stay on top of it. It is also important to choose your projects wisely. You don't want to be a part of something that doesn't represent you or your ability in the best light. So go and update you paperwork. Don't leave ANYTHING out. If you wrote, produced, played, served on a board, play a festival, served as musical director, did music business consultation . . .etc. It is ALL important. Our experience speaks for it self but it can't if we don't aggressively keep track of the things we've done and demand that we are properly credited in every situation. I'm updating my own as we speak. I advise you to do the same. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

I'm A MUSICIAN

One thing that still trips me out is the perception people have of musicians. I meet a lot of people and of course you can't give your entire resume in a sentence so when people ask what I do I simply say I'm a musician. It's kind of funny because most of the time people almost begin to talk down to you or pity you in a sense. Now this to me just shows people's ignorance. I know that historically being a musician has not carried the best connotation but we still deserve respect. I take great pride in being a musician even though I'm also a writer, producer, educator & music business entrepreneur. For all musicians, don't waste anymore time trying to prove yourself to people because they just don't understand what it takes to be us. They take our skill and dedication for granted. It says a lot to have a skill that has taken you all over the world and opened doors for you do incredible things when most people that judge us have never even left the country yet they have the nerve to look down on us. Musicians are usually the most intellectually savvy people around but we are always underestimated. I say let them continue to underestimate us. Don't be concerned about what people thing. Most people are plastic or superficial anyway and don't really possess the capacity to fully understand the things that drive and motivate the creative being so just be YOU and achieve. I'm a MUSICIAN and proud of it! Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Don't Be Afraid To Suffer

The one thing that still remains true is that nothing worth having comes easy. We all want to be successful and prosperous but how many of us are really willing to do what it takes? What it takes is hard work and yes some suffering. Don't be afraid to suffer for your belief or goal. The destination is not really the thing, it is the journey that defines us and makes us really appreciate getting to our goal. It is along the journey that we define and refine our skills, character and intestinal fortitude so that we really EARN our success. Anything you truly earn can never be taken from you. If some one gives you something without you having to work for it then you become a slave to that person and eventually your number will be up. Look at it this way, none of us are born ready. Even the most talented of us have to work to discover our own true voice and this can only be done through hours and hours of practice, study and dedication as well as a lot of trail and error. We all have come short of something we were attempting but that is only part of the journey because with each failed attempt we learned a lesson that made us stronger and more prepared to define and achieve our success. Don't even look at it as a bad thing. It is ALL about learning. It's better to take time and learn all you need to know and be prepared to step out into the world than to step out to soon thinking that you don't have to pay any dues. We ALL have to pay dues and that never really ends. Anything worth having is worth working or suffering for so don't be afraid. Stay true to who YOU are and what you believe. Do the work, learn the lessons and enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Advancing Your Career

One the hardest things to do in this business or any other is grow. Let's face it the older we get the more we seem to dislike change but change is the only way to truly grow. The thing that's hard to accept is releasing our comfort zones. Sometimes in order to do better you have to take great chances and risk loosing some things. For some this is scary but for those who are serious about advancing their career this is simply a must. Moving forward to the next phase of your career can be like going from middle school to high school. In middle school you had a lot of friends and a great reputation because people knew you and what you were capable of. You were important, known and privileged but when you got to high school, even though you were advancing, it was like starting all over because no one there knew you yet and you had to reestablish everything. Advancing your career is a lot like that. When you choose to elevate yourself in your field, sometimes you have to take a few steps back in order to move further ahead. This can be hard for those of us that have had years of experience and have worked hard to develop a certain reputation but when moving forward a good resume is cool but it's all about proving yourself at the next level in new situations. When you choose to move forward people only want to know if you can offer the things they need, they don't really care about what you've done. The proof is always in the putting. Now, don't get discouraged. Every new level requires the same process. We are always having to show what we can do at some level or another. We should look at our experience as a blessing because it enables us to thrive in any situation and once people see that you are the real deal then that's it but you have to have the belief and courage to step out and do it. You can't sit down getting old and say if this and that or I coulda, woulda, shoulda. Advancing your career always takes skill, courage and unshakable faith. So when moving forward don't get discouraged about someone not knowing who you are or what you are worth. Just show them. Do what you do and don't be afraid to keep growing and that process is never done. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Embracing Your Fear

I was reading something the other day about how even the most successful people have thought about giving up. I found this to be interesting because people are usually telling you to be positive and persevere no matter what. I too am all about the power of positive speech and thought. I also understand that fear is a very real emotion. What most of us do is that we deny our fears and call it courage but what I've discovered is that it takes true courage to embrace your fears. Only by embracing our fears can we truly overcome them and let's face it, we all have fears. As artists our biggest fear is failure or not reaching our goals. We also fear the thoughts that can sometimes creep into our heart saying that we should just give up and try something else but most of us would never admit that we have thought about giving it all up. That's why the article I read hit home with me because it tackled the issue head on. Fear or thinking about giving up doesn't mean that you are weak, it just means that you are human and you are building your faith muscle. It can be hard to stay focused on pursing your goals when the bills are piling up and it seems that your pursuit is in vain because it's not contributing enough to help you out of your current position. So we have thoughts of making a change or giving up but we DON'T because in every journey there are obstacles and fear is just an obstacle which pales in comparison to your larger goal. By embracing this fear and letting it be OK to feel a bit down at times instead of pretending it doesn't exist, you actually make yourself stronger. We get stronger because once we face our fears we defeat them. These victories only fuel our drive toward our goal. You must also remember that the closer you get to achieving your goals the larger the obstacles are going to seem but you have to stare them down and keep moving. Just know that you are close and even though we can think about it, giving up is just never an option. Face and embrace your fears today and enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Your Vision Is YOUR VISION

One of the hardest things to realize in the pursuit of your dreams and goals is that it is a very lonely process. Even though we need and want others to support us along the way it is inevitably our responsibility to stay on course. In the book "The Alchemist" your goals or life calling is referred to as your personal legend. It basically lays out how it is solely YOUR responsibility to pursue your PERSONAL legend. Notice the word personal denoting only YOU. It is important to remember that your vision is only YOUR VISION. The closer you get to achieving your goals the harder it will seem and the more you depend on others, loved ones included, the harder it will seem because they will all find simple ways to abandon you in what seems to be your weakest hour. But this is not really true. The truth is that you have to understand that your vision is only important to you because God only gave it to you and the people that support you are operating from a limited view of your vision. They can only live vicariously through you because it is not their personal legend. As a matter of fact, we are all at different levels of pursuing our personal legends and yes some of us have just given up the pursuit. So you have to be careful when you put to much faith in others to help you pursue your goals because they can only help you based on their level of understanding and based on where they are in their own search. There is an old Jazz song that says," God bless the child that's got his own", this is so true. No matter who says they want to help you and no matter what any one gives you there is never anything like having your own. I guess that's why the author used the term personal legend. We also have to remember that sometimes we will have to make hard choices when pursuing our personal legend. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to walk alone but in most cases it is a must to achieve true success. Not everyone is prepared to make that walk with you to the end. It doesn't mean that they don't love you. It just means that they can't fully see the vision because it wasn't given to them. As artist's we are hard enough to get along with because we are sometimes emotional and insecure. We tend to wear our hearts on our sleeves and are easily hurt or even angered. Keeping this in mind, we must take as much of the burden of our pursuit upon ourselves as not to destroy the people around us. Remember your vision is YOUR VISION and we must not punish others because they can't see it. Just move forward in your pursuit and stay strong. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight 2011

First Things First

We've been talking a lot about this new music industry and how we have to change our mind set to achieve success. With all of the changes it is important that we keep first things first. We understand that the Internet gives us access to world wide distribution and with social sites we have a vehicle for networking and building a solid fan base. It is important that we not become slaves to this medium though and realize that the Internet is nothing more than a means to an end for us. The most important thing to stay focused on is making great music. You can have as many friends as you want on facebook and you can spend your time building followers on twitter but if you are not making great music what does it all mean. The first thing you should do is make sure that you have great product and let that product be the basis for for building your fan base. It makes no sense to have four thousand facebook friends and thousands of twitter followers if these people are not interested enough in you to buy your music. Build it and they will come. You can't invite people to an empty table and then serve them. You have to prepare the table with great tasting grooves and appetising lyrics that will sustain their musical cravings. This way they will not only return time and time again but they will share with others about how great you are. This way your music is the focus and not your marketing skills. So remember to keep first things first. Now go make a great record and watch them come. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Speak Life

Today is the best time ever to be in the music business. We are in the middle of a revolution. Everything about how we sell music and how people consume music is changing. We can not take this time for granted. Instead of sitting on the sidelines waiting on others to define the new music industry, we need to be right in the middle of it helping to define it for ourselves. This is a new day and it requires a new approach and attitude. The first place to start is within ourselves and our own belief systems. I say this because it is the things that we believe in that ultimately help us make decisions. As we make this new transition, we have to speak life into every situation. Words and thoughts are real and as we move out to collectively define this new music industry we have to have our words and thoughts focused. Forget about the old ways of doing things such as getting a record deal, finding a manager, shopping a demo, begging for airplay at your local radio station . . . etc. The artists sit in the seat of control again and we have to make sure that we are about nothing but taking care of business. There are innovations being made daily that will effect our industry so we need to be focused on studying those things as well as creating our own new path. This is not a game though. You need to take some time to yourself to think in a quiet place about what you want to do and who you want to be in this business. Once you think it, you have to see it. Close your eyes and visualize whatever it is you are wanting and once you leave this quiet space of creation you can never think or say a word that does not line up with your new direction. This is how you speak life into your goals. I know this may seem a bit weird to some people and some may ask what this has to do with the music industry. As I stated before, we are living in revolutionary times. No one really knows what is going to happen or where the industry will land so it is vital that we are spiritually, mentally and physically focused on the things we want. There has never been a time in modern history like this one and we can play a huge part in the outcome but we have to be committed to speaking only what we want to see and spending every bit of who we are on positive things that will not only motivate us but those around us to move in this direction as well. We now have a chance to redefine the value of the artist, our ownership and how our music is distributed as well as gain access to new mediums and ways to sell and control our music and art. So from this moment forward, think not about what you don't want or what has happened in the past or how people are this and that. Just speak life into where you want to be and live out loud pursing it. Again, this is a great and exciting time in our industry so let's cease the moment and SPEAK LIFE! Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

The Bottom Line

We are all artists and creative people therefore we don't always think of what we do in terms of the business. People are always telling us to focus on the creative and let someone else take care of all of that boring business stuff. Well I have news for you. We have to always be focused on the bottom line. People are always trying to take advantage of artists because they think that we don't possess the intellect or focus to handle our own business. We are also guilty of making emotional decisions when it come to our own financial well being. I mean we will allow people to rip us off just because we consider them a friend or associate. The truth is that a true friend will not ask anything of you that will keep you from taking care of yourself. It is important to be able to separate business and friendships. Now that doesn't mean that you have to be evil or disrespectful but just stern when it comes t0 YOUR business and this has to apply to everyone you work with. When we allow people to short change us or devalue or talents, it becomes hard or next to impossible to regain that value because once you get a reputation as a push over then no one will ever offer you your true worth or give you proper respect. We have to stay focused on our financial bottom line. If it doesn't make dollars then it doesn't make sense. We do have to build relationships with people that may not have anything to do with immediate financial gain but we have to careful when making those kinds of investments as well. Look at every decision as a business move and if it doesn't make good business sense to your career and bottom line then don't do it. It is impossible to be successful without establishing proper boundaries and making sure that people respect them and pay the proper price for your services and input. Remember, it's not personal it's just got to be about your bottom line. Enjoy the journey.

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Listening

One of the most valued things in music is silence. Most of us totally miss this because we are always focusing on speaking instead of listening. I mean this figuratively and literally. We can only learn by listening and understanding what our role is in any situation but most of us don't get it. When playing music it is important to realize that it is a team effort and it is all about communication and give and take. Music is interactive and to truly provide an enjoyable experience for yourself and your audience, you have to surrender to the music and the moment. Even though you may have played a song a million times, you should always have your ears and heart open to hear what's going on each time because you may think it's the same but it never is really the same. Each situation offers something new and there are so many things that play into a vibe or groove such as the emotional state of the players, the environment and the audience. You should never allow yourself to go on auto pilot because this will limit your experience. The old adage of less is more is definitely true and the key to knowing what to play or say (if you will) is listening. We can read the notes off of the page or learn the licks but feel and touch are all connected to paying attention and listening. You have to be selfless and play with the intent of serving the music and not your ego. So just remember to listen more and speak less. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

We Call The Shots

The one thing about this business that still amazes me is the fact that most of us still don't understand the hierarchy and protocol that really runs the music industry. We have to deal with managers, attorneys, booking agents and media people all the time but the important thing to remember is that we call the shots not them. All of the previously mentioned people work for us but in most cases they don't know or we don't insist that they know it. We are the cornerstone of the music and entertainment industry. Without us what would they have to manage, promote or write about, yet we allow these people to treat us like second class citizens. They speak to us as if we are children and use our talents to further their own interest without fully looking out for us and these same people would have us believe that we can't make it without them. Well I have news for you . . . YOU CAN MAKE IT! We do need a team to help with our career but that team must realize that we are in control. No decision should be made concerning our careers without first consulting with us. I've seen so many situations where managers, writers, booking agents or attorneys would make all of these promises to help you but with conditions. They all want to make us jump through hoops while not realizing that these people are not really doing ANYTHING for us but giving us hype speeches and telling us how much we need them. Most of these people don't even work full time in the industry so how can a man or woman really manage my career if they are punching a clock for someone else eight hours a day. That's eight very important hours that they are not working for me and they still expect to call the shots (LOL). It's high time that it be known that the time is over for all of these empty promises and dead end conversations. If you can help us, then help us. Not by saying but DOING something because as a representative you only make a percentage of what we make so it stands to reason that you can only make money if WE make money. So keep all the promises for the pipe dreamers and for those of us that are real about our careers, if they can't produce results then let them be. Don't let anyone try to tell you they can ruin your career or how much power they have and what they will do if you don't let them control or use you. Business is business and when two parties are mutually invested in achieving the same end result then there is no time for ignorance or vale threats. Only weak minded people do those sorts of things because they are afraid to admit that they really can't help you so they would rather pimp or control you just to satisfy there own insecure ego. Now this also means that as artists we have to step up to the plate and be willing to work as hard for ourselves as we expect others to work for us because we set the bar. The bottom line is never work with or let anyone represent you that doesn't have YOUR best interest at heart and the main way to tell this is by RESULTS not conversation and not promises. Also know that the first time someone threatens you with their perceived power, drop them immediately because if you don't you will simply become a slave to them. We are the people that create the art, write the songs, make the records and put the shows on the stage and without us their is no industry so we definitely call the shots. No more laziness and fear, take your proper place and sit in the driver's seat when it come to your career. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions

Focus On YOU

The music industry today is at best in a state of flux. No one seems to know where it is going right now but there are still some pretty absolute concepts that we should stick too. It is always vitally important to know what you want and more importantly how you plan on getting there. The biggest obstacle most of us face is being honest and courageous enough to put ourselves first. I know this may be contrary to what you were taught as a child but it is time to break through a lot of those trite and misguided traditions. Never be afraid to focus on you. Until you do something for yourself there is really nothing you can do for anyone else. Not to mention the fact that most people in this business are opportunists and they are only looking for any easy way out so when you focus more on them they will just use you up. There has never been a better time in music to begin using this concept. Imagine how many hours you may spend talking to people and trying to keep them motivated when the truth is if an artist doesn't have that spark of self motivation you are really wasting your time. Now imagine if you woke up everyday with the focus of only doing YOUR business and focusing on the things that will directly advance YOUR career, how much further would you be along? I've been producing records for a long time and I am a very inspired and excitable person so when I see talent in people I want to nurture it and help them reach their goal but what I had to learn was that I really had to focus on growing my own career because I wanted more for the artists I was working with than they wanted for themselves. When you are working with people and you have to remind them to do the smallest things to further own career, well you are wasting your time. This isn't for everybody. Just because someone has talent doesn't mean that they are cut out for this business. I don't mean to sound cruel but this is a harsh reality. No one cares as much about your well being as you do and the mistake some of us make is expecting people to believe in us like we believe in them. Word of advice, just believe in yourself. It is true that no man is an island but you have to operate in a way that doesn't leave you fully depending on others when it comes to your career. Yes we need people to help us but where we miss the mark is by trying to save the world and we haven't even saved ourselves yet. Start with YOU. Set your schedule so that you are never doing more for anyone else business wise than you are doing for yourself. Our time is the greatest commodity we have and we must invest it wisely because once it's gone you don't get anymore. Remember to stay humble and grounded but know that putting yourself first is not a sin it is a MUST! Now go and begin focusing on YOU! Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Facing The Truth

In every career there are times that you have to make adjustments or reassess your strategy and goals. One of the hardest things for most of us to do as musicians and artists is face the truth about what's working and what's not. The biggest thing to realize is that you have to aggressively go after your goals and not sit idly by and wait on things to come to you. In most cases it only requires a change of location. If you really want to be successful at something you have to be willing to go where the industry is. In entertainment all roads eventually lead to California, New York, Atlanta . . .etc. Even if you build your career in a smaller market you will have to do a lot of business in these places. It's hard to face the fact that in order to have further success you have to change everything you do from where you live to who you associate with. Not many people are ready and willing to do this because you have allowed yourself to become attached to certain things that aren't really practical or beneficial. All of us play gigs in clubs and private parties and we all realize that there is a definite ceiling involved. For some people this is fine because it's about all they want to do or handle but for those that have the true talent and heart to go to the next level you have to realize that you can't become wealthy just playing gigs in any town. You have to be willing to take who and what you are to the world via concerts, festivals, business and Internet exposure. Take it from me, I grew up in a small town and everyone was always saying that I had what it took to make it but no one was coming forth with that opportunity and I had an elder musician tell me years ago that if I wanted to be a success I would have to willing to leave and go show people what I could do and he was right. My career is still growing but I've had to face the truth about what I needed to do and where I needed to focus my energy. I mean I could spend the next ten years playing gigs in my little town and that's all that will ever be, just gigs. A lot of work for little money and very little recognition or true access to greater opportunity. Now this doesn't mean that I don't love and value my home because I do, it has helped to make me who I am but I can't be so attached to a place that it becomes an albatross around my neck. Look at it this way, life is full of different kinds of people and we have to be willing to be daring pioneers so that we can pave the way for others to show them that you can't be afraid to step outside of your box or comfort zone because true achievement and success never exists in a box. So take some time and reevaluate what you are doing and your results, if you are not satisfied then don't hesitate to move on and do things differently. Facing YOUR truth can be liberating and give you the fuel you need to drive you to your success. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011

Exposure

The most valuable thing we have is our imagination and it is important that we nurture it or risk loosing it. It is our imagination that sparks us to dream then achieve and the most important part of that spark is exposure. To be successful in the music industry takes a basic understanding that there is a much larger world outside of your own personal space and existence. To truly understand how to market to people you have to expose yourself to new things, experiences, people and cultures. One can not think that the world begins and ends with their neighbour hood, state, region . . .etc. I have played on and produced all kinds of records in many different genres and I continue to learn new things by traveling and working with artists and people that have a different life experience and culture than mine. What I have found is that each experience adds something to me and how I perceive the world, my art and even myself. Exposure is the only true gateway to unadulterated freedom. Most of us live our lives being slaves to limited exposure and experiences. For example: I often have discussions with young musicians on how important it is to master the music of your roots then learn, study and play music that is outside of your experience. Most people I grew up with were into R&B, Soul, Hip/Hop, Blues & Gospel but as I became a music business guy I discovered how vast the financial divide is between those genres I just mention and others such as, Pop, Rock, Metal and Alternative. Now I know that there are quite a few other forces at play that help make this a reality but it is still worth understanding all the same. I mean as much as I loved Frankie Beverly and Maze or Jodeci, it blew my mind to find that to this day there are people that have never heard of them. Now this doesn't mean that they are not great artist because we know they are. What it means is that the industry is set up to mass market certain things to a certain type of consumer. As another example, take your favorite R&B or Hip/Hop artist and compare their sales and concert attendance to their Pop or Rock counterparts and you will see a definite difference. Luther Vandross was one of the greatest singers that ever lived but I don't think he sold more than two million units per release, if i recall correctly I think he would go platinum but never multi-platinum verses an artist like Phil Collins that has sold upwards of fifteen million records on one release or an artist like Alanis Morissette who's debut CD sold twenty seven million. How do you sell these kinds of numbers? One word . . . Exposure. If we are going to be successful we have to understand how to make the world our home and benefit from ALL it has to offer us. Spending your whole life in one place is not at all healthy for the creative palette. Every city, state or country has it's own personality and inspirations. I love traveling and letting the city speak to me. I mean when you are in Atlanta there is a feeling in the air that just inspires thoughts and things that I could not get any where else just as when I'm in Paris I get yet another feeling and inspiration. The more you expose yourself the more you free your mind and open yourself to what success is all about and that my friend is FREEDOM! So embrace and expose yourself to the world. True success awaits you. Enjoy the journey.

The Truth

All Rights Reserved by Airtight Productions 2011