Music Business-- Blues Artists and The New Trend of Being Different Than Other Musicians
By Mark Grove
So many musicians give up such a big piece of their income to agents, managers or labels.Doesn't it make sense with the downturn in the economy and major label game to carve out your own niche and do it yourself.
Most bands especially blues; don't have the money to hire a publicist or use a top level studio for an album. Makes no sense to even do that when you don't make much to begin with. If you read Canadian Guitar Player regularly you'll know how to write your own press material, or use a student journalist at no money. Or you can barter your services and teach a journalist to play and get free articles and press-kit material.
Endorsement Deals:
Don't worry about getting an endorsement deal with a major guitar maker because for the majority it won't happen. Find a local guitar maker and try out their guitars and do a review on them. If you like the guitars you could even offer to do a free concert and promote the axe in question. Then you'll be able to grab an instant audience for your blues band, and be able to promote that guitar makers Axe.
If your band has a website or blog, ask the guitar maker and make a video commercial about the guitar and instantly become an endorser. If that guitar maker can't afford to pay you, you are at least developing an audience for that guitar maker and your band.
The majority of your money will be made from club gigs and CD's. If you're a blues guy, selling Merch or online CD sales will not be a part of your money making. If and when your band is ready to do a regional tour and use an indie label, just use them to sell your album off-stage. Don't worry about distribution or recording an album through a label. You'll waste your money as a blues artist.
As far as an agent goes limit them to 10% of your bookings. And if they're good at their job and able to wear different hats as a music promoter, you could even have them sell your CD's off-stage. Your best bet at that point is to start your own blues label.
If you can, stay with an indie agent and develop a solid fan base that way. Make sure you own the masters to your recordings and don't let a label run over you like a Mack Truck. Royalties for Blues artists are few and far between.
Don't worry about getting those either.
I don't think that Blues artists should worry about trying to glom song-writing royalties or publishing deals. Forget about it!
But, as far as making a cover of a blues artists song you'll need permission of both the publisher and the writer. ASCAP.com can help you find lickety split the publisher,writer and owner of the blues song in question. Don't quote me on how much any royalties will cost per unit sold, as I'm not up to snuff as to the number of "pennies" per unit it will cost you.
http://www.ascap.com
If you want a blues cover by all means do it. Just get ready to pay out. Think about joint ventures with local bands. Maybe opening for other blues artists, doing session work, and writing articles for industry mags. Endorsing indie made axes,rigs, and blues organizations could help your band hugely!
Indie Blues and Rock is where you should take your band and music business.
Peace,
Mark
Think off the beaten path blues gurus.
http://www.ascap.com
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