I was a folk-singer and rocker before I became a Christian, but I knew enough to know I had a lot to learn. So I asked my pastors for advice about a potential career in Christian music, at the same time I was also writing Evangelical songs and singing in…
Within the last several months, forum discussions, reader questions, and comments, have reminded me of some of the peculiar pressures and decisions facing young Christians who are trying to make a living in music of any kind. I’m sensitive to these issues because, as a Christian myself, I wrote and…
On another forum, a musician discussed going to an audition for a gig he didn’t really want anyway, so he hadn’t bothered to prepare much. My response (edited a little for clarity) was: To me, the whole point of playing music is getting out in front of people and sharing…
Yesterday I wrote and published a bit about why everyone interested in any kind of musical pursuits should learn a chord-capable instrument (probably piano or guitar) early. That article is on the SchoolOfTheRock.com site here. But musing over that content reminded me of something that happened to me a few…
I just reviewed materials from a fellow who promises to take my music career to new heights if I give him money for “private coaching” and access to secret tips and tricks that nobody else knows (except all the other people offering similar services). Now don’t get me wrong; there…
During my recent interactions with many other independent musicians, I get a sense that it’s easy for intermediate goals to temporarily eclipse the reason you “do music.” Worse yet, the list of “things you need to do” to be taken seriously in music changes every twenty minutes, so those intermediate…
Sure, many of your earliest fans may be among your family and friends, so you may be fine having one list for both up to a point. What is that point? Before your music or art starts reaching beyond that circle. It Looks More Professional. If you’re just starting to…
When I was in bands, I promoted the band tirelessly. I didn’t sing all that well, and I wasn’t pretty, which meant that I’d have a “tough row to hoe” if I tried to make it as a solo act. But I could arrange and write, and I could…
Which is more: $17, $170, $1500, or $4000? What’s the difference? $17 is the approximate cost of registering the domain name for your name, your stage name, or your band name now. $170 is the approximate cost of registering your domain name and keeping it registered for ten years, just…
Originally posted, August 4, 2015. As a musician and a technology writer for an insurance company, I live a double life. Triple life, if you count Linked-In. My musical half (playing and writing music since the 1960s) has been experimenting with some of the tactics recommended by this generation of…
