| The Internet has had an enormous change on the | | | | development involves all the issues surrounding and |
| music industry and those that create the music. This | | | | arising from that charted path, and crosses into |
| has created fascinating possibilities and tremendous | | | | knowledge of product development - the ultimate sale |
| opportunities of exposure for bands and music artists | | | | of the music. |
| across the world. This also raises many questions for | | | | Checklist on what artist and product development |
| undiscovered talent to be heard above the clamoring | | | | necessitate: |
| din. | | | | *Exceptional vocals, musicianship and/or songwriting |
| Music, artist development, indies, unsigned bands, | | | | skills |
| singers, songwriters, musicians, music business, record | | | | *Continued education and enhancement of musical |
| deal, music promotion, music career, A&R, music online, | | | | skills |
| education | | | | *Quality equipment |
| Artist development in the music industry has evolved | | | | *Performance ability |
| over time, leaving most of the early progress to the | | | | *Image creation and maintenance |
| artist themselves. For the most part, the days are | | | | *Plan of action, goal setting |
| gone when a record label developed up and coming | | | | *Exceptional promotion materials, including photographs, |
| talent. The question continuously arises for those | | | | press releases and artwork |
| young artists, "where do I start"? With the advent of | | | | *Business management skills |
| the Internet, the possibilities are mind boggling. | | | | *Marketing, publicity, and promotion knowledge, online |
| Many artists put in their mission statement, simply that | | | | and offline |
| they want a record deal, thinking that is all they need to | | | | *Professional management |
| succeed for career in music. Most don't have a clue | | | | *Basic knowledge of recording, producing, engineering, |
| what it takes to get that deal, let alone maintain that | | | | and mastering |
| career. | | | | *Basic knowledge of manufacturing, distribution, and |
| Artist development is a huge area overlooked by far | | | | sales online, brick and mortar and air-play |
| too many artists and bands. Let's explore the question, | | | | *Good choices in members, staff and advisors |
| "What is artist development"? | | | | *Physical and mental preparedness |
| A record label A&R rep once "discovered" fresh new | | | | *Basic knowledge of finances, accounting |
| faces in clubs, bars or word of mouth and would then | | | | *Law and legal issues: publishing, copyrighting, |
| support them, cultivate their creativeness, build up their | | | | trademarks, and an attorney |
| fan base, and guide their direction with the intent of | | | | *Alternative career options - even athletes need to |
| turning them into superstars. All of this of course, was | | | | have other options! |
| with the intent of selling those 45's, LPs, cassette's and | | | | Tending to all areas of your music career may make |
| CDs. Gradually, many labels moved more into product | | | | the difference between a one hit wonder and |
| development, which meant they are focused more on | | | | longevity in this business. It's been said, "If you think this |
| the immediacy of sales of the latest CD (product) | | | | is a piece of cake, you better go bake one." The |
| released, and not bringing the artist up to that point. | | | | music business, again, is a business. Businesses need |
| And more often than not, naive artists were at the | | | | to make money. That's worth repeating - the music |
| labels mercy. | | | | business is a BUSINESS. Take the time to find out all |
| In this Internet age, it is more the artist or band | | | | you can about each of these steps in your journey. |
| themselves that must build the quality sound that is | | | | That being said, an up and coming artist must begin |
| ready as a commercially viable product. On top of that, | | | | somewhere...and if a career in the music business is |
| they need to have an already established fan base, | | | | the goal, then any naiveté must be addressed |
| basic music business skills, perhaps even the early | | | | immediately! Knowledge is power. Power gives you |
| music sales of a well produced CD. Labels are looking | | | | leverage. And who knows...that entrepreneurial artist |
| for pre-packaged, very talented musicians that are | | | | may just find they don't need that particular record |
| already showing their value. | | | | deal after all. |
| A music career is a charted path to follow. Artist | | | | |