The Real Number Two Tip On Getting Higher Paying Gigs

Hey players, hope you played a gig,jammed or practiced this weekend.

Alright here it goes lads. Here's how to get your band's results in advance.

Now you've started talking to a couple local bands you like. You asked them questions about their gear. Turn that info into an article and put it on your blog or Myspace page. Like I said in an earlier article, that  kind of info can give you good insight into what kind of gear you need, when you end up doing live work or studio work with this band.

Believe me, that information is gold for you somewhere down the line doing session work. But I'll get back   to tip number two. I'd tell you there's an easier way to make incredible pay days gigging, but I'd be lying like a bastard!

The majority of you aren't cash flush players who can call up your agent and get your band work opening for Dave Grohl or Jerry Cantrell.

Like I said, the boring shit in your music business is what makes you major cash. Interview bands, song writing,practicing, Booking your bands own gigs at first and learning everything about booking contracts and managing your band business.

If that's too much for ya, go get a day job. You don't have to know everything, but you do have to study hard and take action on the above things I mentioned. But I'll get back to the task at hand. Getting high paying gigs. But if you choose not to, you'll be like all the "pipe smokers" out there who hem and haw about getting gigs and end up just jamming with local players, when they could be doing so much more.

Okay, I'm done my little rant. At least fer now.

Back to working with local bands. Take what I said about interviewing a band on their gear and put it on your site or blog and talk to local media like your local College, who are tuned in to great music. Have that article put in their print mag and do an interview on their radio station  about this band, not yours.

 As well, the band you're helping can add to their already existing press kit, or a non-existent one.

Again, don't ask for anything in return. Maybe a picture of the band or take one yourself with their permission.
As well, for the interview on their gear, get pictures of the gear to put in the post. Now copy and paste those pictures right into the article. Presto, more material in their press pack. You didn't ask for anything to benefit your band.

There's the first baby step. Read my articles to get ideas on how to keep on interviewing this band you want to open for and work with making big cash. Email me if you have questions on this.

Interview this band regularly on different aspects of their musicianship, from songwriting, recording, guitar lessons and getting gigs and how to jam properly to get gigs. It runs the gamut lads.


I know you want your  band to be working with a local or national band, but give it time.

For now, grab our free newsletter and reports to help your band on it's way to being the band it wants to be, and yes make big jack! Just email me for the free newsletter.

I'll have the next tip later this week. Til then go jam with someone. It's the greatest thing there is.


Keep your music alive

Mark G

Why You The Musician Need To Listen To What I'm Saying About Working With Other Bands And Creating Your Own Media

Okay, get to work musicians on not just helping your band, but other bands and creating joint ventures  with them. Why?  To make lots o' money!

 I say this because you need to get to work, and now. So many of you say you want to become a great band that makes good money, but you do nothing to get people to come to your gigs, get media attention or even go about creating your own press kit, and your band's own media.

I've written article after article on this and it's fallen on deaf ears. I have reports on this that help musicians immensely, and can get you going writing your band's own articles, bios, interviews and full press kits. I even show you how to attract media as well. I even show you how to get a music journalist to write for you for free.

I've even talked about how to approach bands creating value for them by helping them with media,doing interviews with them and then opening for them and creating joint ventures with them.  Sell their CD's and get a cut. Start your own label by helping other bands. This isn't tough guys. It's not difficult guys. You have to work hard though. If you don't love being a musician enough you won't work hard and you'll never make the money you want. You'll go back to your day job. Is that what you want?

Obviously a lot of you do. I have reports on creating massive value for other bands, opening for them, joint ventures and making a good living as a musician. I can help you succeed.

Don't think I can? Then sell your guitar and amp and stay out of the music game.

Here's what I have:  Free Reports, free. It doesn't cost you a thing. How to approach bands, open for them and do joint ventures.


Here's What It Will Do For Your Band: Make you more money than you can at a job.

Here's What You Need To Do: Send me your name and email. Put: "Making Money For My Band"--in the subject line and I'll send you free reports on how to not just make money for your band, but do media for other bands, do business with other bands playing on the same bill--working with other bands as well, and selling CD's and creating a music community that your band can benefit greatly from. 

 Just send your email to me and you'll get the free reports. Just do it.

Mark Grove

Musicians,Get A Handle On How You Think And Act About Money And You'll Succeed As Musicians

"Money is the root of all evil"---Some idiot said that.If you believe that,then musicians, you need a reality check.

This is an important Repost to help musicians.

If you want to make money as a musician,stop partying your ass off every night.I was a major partier before and spent every dime I had on booze and dope.I enjoyed most nights of doing exactly that.For a long time I never had a bloody dime.And yes,you can make money as a musician--you just need to get some basics down.Okay,before we delve into all that shit let's get one thing straight here.Most musicians  will need to work a regular job.You have to save money as well.

For a lot of years I never had anything because of it.I don't denounce partiers or the lifestyle.But stop partying for a while and get back to basics.You need enough to cover rent,food and maybe a car and a mortgage.If you can,hold back on the mortgage and rent a place with someone from the band or someone you can trust.

Beyond the bare necessities start saving money in a high interest bank account and some Government investments like CD's.Don't put your money in stocks.If you don't understand it, don't take the risk!

Back to me. I trusted every shithead who fed me dope.This was back in the late 70's and early 80's.Hell, I didn't get a solid regular job until the late 90's.I thought I was going to hit it big here in Canada as a writer  and manager for musicians.Nothing ever panned out because I was too fried along with who ever else I was kickin' back with.

At one point I finally decided if I keep this road for too long I'm screwed. Not just money wise, but health wise as well.I got a job started saving money like a bastard and I was able to get a half decent flat here in Canada. I still work at that job and I'm still a writer for musicians making a small side income.

Here's what you Musicians need to do:If all your band does is play locally for 200 a night once a week, put the majority in a band account to use as gigging money. Take 100 bucks and put that in a high interest bank account.Take a paltry 25 for yourself.

Get your band to start approaching better bands you can open for, even if it means doing it for free. Help that band by interviewing them and  creating value for them. Approach all of this like a business.Focus on that band you want to open for. Keep working a job and look for off the beaten path ways to make money as a musician.

Do session work for other bands, write articles and press Kits for other bands. This won't make you a lot of money, but it will show musicians, club owners and industry people you mean business. Keep things on a shoestring budget. Stop partying for a while. Then your band can afford it, start playing at places an hour to  two hours away. But make sure how much a club pays you is worth it. You're not in this to lose money. That's why you're better off playing locally until your band has capitalized on the local scene, and has banked more than enough to cover gas, vehicle maintenance, hotel stays and food.

Also, make sure your gear is top notch and you have it insured and secured.What if the band van gets ripped off? Still want to be a musician? If you love it enough you'll never quit. Focus strictly on your regular job and music. That's it. Save your money.

Write songs for other bands for a cut of the profits.There are many ways to make money as a musician. Just don't spend money you don't have. It's not worth it. Just because you're not making the scene with some chick doesn't mean squat.

Curt Cobain said something to the effect--"Why would anyone  become a musician to make the scene be cool and have chicks".

Because all that matters is you become a musician for the right reasons. Provide value to fans and industry people, and play for the simple joy of being a musician.You can get loaded once in a while. I still have a few too many once in a while.

I have a few more tips on saving money and being a real, serious musician. But I'll leave those for a later post. If any musicians need help with a Press Kit or playing locally or regionally,just email me.

I'll help you out.

Stay a hip musician for life and the rest of life will work it's self out. mdgrove@rock.com

Mark G--Canadian Guitar Player

Hey Guys---I'm offering a "Free Report" To Musicians on How to open up for other musicians, make money and create massive value for other musicians

Hey, as you know lads it's vital for musicians to help others and create a great community of like minded players. That's a given, Duh. But where most musicians drop the ball is getting the ball rolling for themselves or getting hung up on approaching other bands or just getting out there even for free. Yeah, sometimes you have to play for free until someone decides that you're worthy enough to pay. If you're a real player who wants big things for your band you won't worry about the obstacles and become the musician you always wanted to be. Get paid well, open for big acts, do session work and sell CDs by the ton. It's hard work but you can do it and prosper.

I'm sending a free report on how to open for other bands, create massive value for other bands and become the kind of band most only dream of but never do anything about. You're a smart cookie and I know you'll love the free reports.

Just email me at:mdgrove@rock.com

Just put free report in the subject line of your email.

Thanks,

Mark

Audio Podcast On How To Promote Other Bands,Open For Them And Different Ways To Make Cash As A Musician

Hey guys,this 9 minute podcast is important for any band that wants to open for other bands and make money in off the beaten path ways as a successful player,songwriter and music businessman.

Please click this link.It will be the first or second podcast from the top.

Click this link,yeah,right here: http://markgrove.mypodcast.com

I talk a lot about the same stuff,but it's important so you can be a cash flush working musician.

Much success to you.

Mark G

Music Business---How Not To Let Failure Keep Your Band Down

Multi-Billionaire Richard Branson talks about business failure and
why you need to do everything in your power to succeed as a musician so failure doesn't get you down and out.He also talks about why its imperative to get back on the horse.

Musicians,even if you busted your ass playing a regional tour and
playing local gigs,yet could not convince 20 agents to be an opener
for a couple well known bands for the last 2 years,don't give up.

Even if you play for 2 or 300 a night at the most don't ever give up.
Failure is part and parcel of music.You need to focus totally on music
and if you still need to work a regular job too,that's the price of
success.

Failure with tours,CD sales,songwriting collaborations,session
work etc.Want an even bigger list of music biz failures? I
didn't think so.

Get back to work.That's all there is to it.

Much success Musicians

Why Your Band Needs To Hunt Out Other Bands To Make A Better Living As Musicians

By Mark Grove

I'll make this simple guys.

The reason you hunt out other bands is to make more money and create value for other bands at the same time.

You have to give before you get guys.Okay,I know your band works hard and practices 3 times a week--has a great demo CD and jams with other bands.At least you better be.Now you're probably wondering how you can make more money by hunting out other bands.

If you just play in a stand alone band and play strictly your own gigs you might succeed.But it makes it tougher to make the money your band deserves.The more eyes and ears on your band the better.

So how do you do all of this?

If you've been reading Canadian Guitar Player or my new Musicians
Instant Press Kit Blog,you'll know that creating massive value
for other bands will help your band vastly!

Alright,start by interviewing a band you would like to either jam
with or open for who already plays regular gigs.Write articles on
them and put them on your site.Include doing live interviews with
them at their gigs.Try to get College media to come out to the gigs
as well.

College media represents a hipper cache of fans who will resonate
with your music.Also,talk to clubs who book them and get them to
bring mainstream media out.At this point still keep doing articles
on them,but offer to open up for them--for free if you have to.

If they say no,move on to another band you're interested in and
do the same thing.Don't give up.When you find a band that wants
an opening act,make sure your band is ready chops wise,set list
wise and have played some gigs on your own.

Once you find a band that says yes,play a number of gigs with them
as an opener,and offer to have them open for you as well.Make the
same pitch to other bands.Keep interviewing other bands in your
genre,and keep opening for others and them reciprocating.

Then when you develop a good base of fans,start selling your CDS
at your gigs.Offer to sell other bands CDS as well at their gigs
for 10 percent of the take.This is a great way to make more money.

I'll talk about that in a future article.

Try this out and see what happens.

Mark G

Musicians,here is an idea to help you open for local bands

Musicians---Here's an idea to help your band open for other bands

Lets say your band has been playing once a week at a blues club,but can't seem to pin down opening up for that one blues artist in town you're just dying to open for.Don't ask for money for one thing,don't even mention it to this blues guy.Instead,offer to interview them at their gig.Do it in front of their regular crowd of fans.

Get some ideas from a music magazine like Canadian Musician,Guitar World or Guitar Player.Ask them questions about their recent CD.No don't ask them who their blues influences are. That's the biggest cliche music question on the planet.Ask them about a cover song they did and how they came up with a certain part that many blues guys just copy.

That's another thing.Look for blues bands who do their own material,yet,do covers their own way.Go out of your way to look for players like that.You'll learn the most from bands like that.Ask them questions about songs using local players and what they look for when using local session players either live or on their albums.A lot more music fans these days want to know about this type of stuff,because they aren't just interested in the music,but how their material was made.

And ask simple questions like how they study the blues gurus,yet come up with heir own material.These are questions you can ask to get your foot in the door.Offer to interview this blues band once a week and put up the interviews on your website.

Do this for a month and keep playing jams and writing and recording your bands own material.Then ask this band if you can open up for them.Even if you have to do it for free,do it!

If you don't get a yes from this band,continue to interview this band and other blues bands.By helping other bands you get your foot in the door.If your band's material is liked by a metal band,offer to interview them and open for them.

Sometimes,just a little outside your genre can actually open doors for your band back in your genre of blues.The answer here is give before you get guys.

Pure and simple.Go do it.

Mark Grove  You can talk to me at: http://twitter.com/musicianswriter