Sideman vs Artist?? Several years ago I decided I wanted to break away from the limitations that only being a side man presented for earning in the music industry. I set out to be an artist and band leader. Well, as a bass player this is a bit tricky considering I dont sing lead vocals (well), and lets face it, traditionally the bassist is seldom the main attraction unless you are perhaps playing jazz or fusion. Never the less, I was determined to try. I created a game plan and goals list, committed it to paper and began to set set it all in motion. I started by composing material for what would be my first album Soul Clap 2009. I hired the musicians, booked the studio time and recorded and released the album independently retaining all ownership of the music and recordings ($7000.00) . I simultaneously launched an educational bass workshop series to try to begin to build a grass roots following. After two years of building up my workshop series I decided it was time to form my band. I landed a small booking agent in Europe and according to his requirements I had to deliver a blues oriented album to tour in support of in order for him to book my act. So I composed 12 songs and again hired the players and recorded Diggin That Funky Blues and released it independently. Another one of my agents conditions was that I had to sing some lead vocals. So, much to my pain and suffering ( at the time ) I sang 4 of the songs on it. I actually feel great about having gotten past that singing to tape fear. I invested a bit less this time because I was wiser and more careful ($5000.00). A year later I felt it was time to record another album unlike any I had done before. Due to my growing Workshop/Clinic series which had become international with the help of Warwick Basses as the primary sponsor I was now exposed to a global audience and was building a fan base rapidly. I needed material to perform for solo bass and usually unaccompanied at my workshops and solo concerts around the world. So, I again composed all the material that would become my third album The Way I Like It. I again booked the studio time and hired a musician I wished to join me on the album providing some tasteful percussion, and like before recored and released it independently. Even wiser as before, and with a far less complex production, I was able to put out the album for even less than the previous ($4000.00). Between the release of my second and third albums I realized the need for a platform to sell my products and market my brand (me). So, I began the process of developing an up to date web-site and hired a small but incredibly effective staff to manage its content and graphic arts needs. Several re-builds and SEO build outs later my investment is at around ($6500.00). Early in 2014 I decided it was time to have a professional representation of what my musicianship concepts are, and to present in a digital format a complete workshop. So, using content that was filmed at the Warwick Bass Camp 2013 I produced and released a 60min HD 3 camera DVD. Because I was given the content, my costs were even less than other previous projects. ($3000.00). While on the road touring throughout 20 countries around the entire world over the last 3 years I began to write a book. It was a challenge creatively I had not attempted prior, and turned out to be a series of challenges of entirely different levels unlike anything Ive ever attempted. I released the book and secured a decent, but not ideal, on demand publishing arrangement which makes it available in several major book store chains and on line shopping places. This was my most expensive creative work to date as a an artist ($8,500) So being an artist takes investment not only of passion and vision, time and effort, but money too. As of today my website is getting a pretty decent amount of unique visits weekly, all of my products are selling at what could be considered a slow and steady rate, but always building, each month the sales numbers grow. I feel as though the hard part is over, and now my infrastructure is fully in place. Most business analysts would likely consider my business completely foolish, but I dont care. I love being an artist and entrepreneur. I know I can make back my $30,000 investment, its just a matter of time, everything is kinda on auto pilot now. I feel like I got a lot for my 30 grand!! My focus is to keep sharing my love for music, learn more about marketing and to just keep on learning by doing. My highest priority is to stay creative and productive and to always raise the complete quality of my works from that of the previous. If I do this, in my mind Im succeeding. I will release two albums in 2015 a Live in Europe album from content I recorded while on tour last year with my band there, and also my long in the works Fever Pitch album ( 70% complete at this time) which will be my most ambitious and highly produced album to date. I encourage all creative people to take control of your art and your business and combine them - the challenges and rewards are in parallel motion throughout the process.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 00:39:32 +0000
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