You will find, from my experience, and from the experience of other successful guys in the business, that getting involved with band members is a 'nightmare'...and it never gets better. It is with you for your whole career. My brother, Con and myself, even have it at our stage....we are on our new tour and the problems get bigger as the tour goes on....but you find that, in life, the successful people are the 'problem solvers'...I love solving problems.

That is why so many bands are 'one man operations' [Sting? Mick Jagger? B'yonce'.]. The bands, who have lasted, have always had one or two guys at the core, except for the family ones [Beach Boys, for instance]. Status Quo, 'Queen', 'The Shadows'. 'Eternal', 'Oasis' are all 'two people at the core' situations. Think of The Beatles. Think of my band.

You will always find that the others in a band can be obstructive, destructive, ego driven, lazy as sin, and certainly will not have the 'drive' that you will have. They certainly will not have the 'knowledge' because they can't be bothered to learn. You have to, of necessity, be 'THE BOSS' [they will hate you for that] and you must treat them as 'employees'. You are not in this business to be 'liked', you only want to be 'respected'. That statement comes from mountains of experience, and reading every 'team building' and 'management skills' book....however, Show Biz people are totally different to 'ordinary job' people. You are dealing with 'ego filled', 'nervous' idiots [sorry about that, but true!]

I have always advised just getting out there and doing it. Two Peavey Speakers on poles and a back track. Then get another musician/backsinger who can mime and eventually learn the parts and become a 'live performer [still with back track].

Then - as the money comes in, increase the band size, using the same principles. Along the way, you can find out very easily are they committed [few will be] are they 'loved' by the audience [the most important point]. Do they LOVE performing and get the ultimate buzz from it? Would they do it for nothing if they were asked?

At that point in your career, you should be making a few bob, so the merchandising kicks in...CD's, posters, tapes, pictures, brochures....increasing data base/ fan base as you go [so important for that eventual record deal].

Suddenly, you will find you have a band 'UNDER YOUR DIRECTION' and control...that is 'making money'. You will have fired the 'no-hopers' and replaced them with exciting 'good lookers and movers'. All the guys will want to be in on the action....'cos they want to be on 'Top Of The Pops'. That is the biggest 'hold' you will ever have over them. "Do you want to be with me when I'm on MTV at Number One?". Simple question...that means a lot.

Work out a deal right from the start. You make sure you get 50% of the money after agency etc. commission. The rest is split between the band. So they understand: 'the better the show, the better the next venue booking'...the better the venue, more bums on seats and more money to share. With your 50%, you control the equipment side. It's a nightmare when other band members are involved with purchase, storage etc. You control it - but THEY HUMP IT AND SET IT UP. Make sure of that. YOU are the star.

Those girls you have are making the most basic, fundamental mistake. 'The music is the easy bit'. And if you don't believe that, check out what all the biggest producers in the world say. Amateurs always want to get involved with making the music, engineering, recording, mixing, programming, mastering.....whereas their REAL JOB is to interface with the public and present the music to the ones they hope are going to buy it....make sense? It's the 'looking good', being fancied by everyone who sees you, the photographs, the shows, the TV appearances, the Videos that make the artist...not the music.

It certainly makes sense to me!

Regards

PS: Telling people where you get your knowledge is not a good idea, by the way, George Bush doesn't tell everyone, Colin Powell doesn't, Mick Jagger doesn't....Robbie? Get respected as 'one who knows'.

Just been speaking to Vicci about forming a band and she was very helpful.

I wanted to ask you if you thought advertising in The Stage was a good idea. I'm only interested in people with a professional attitude. (Obviously!)

I've found, in the past, that a big article in the local paper about my looking for singers for a close-part harmony singing group (while ostensibly a wonderful 'leg up' from my tame journalist) resulted in many unsuitable replies (including an enthusiastic but very old lady from the local nursing home!!!) So while I may well try for a similar article (this time being even more specific about what I'm looking for), I don't want to rely on this.

Vicci suggested local universities/colleges (I don't want young students, but who knows, there might be some more mature people out there.)

She also suggested I talk to all the local rehearsal and recording studios. Very good idea.

And then she mentioned that you might be able to put me in touch with Guild members in my area. That would be great. My only question there would be........ it's particularly performers not composers I'm after.

(Yes, yes! I know it's almost the same thing!!! And I want creative people working with me. But I was once in the position where, while working on one of my songs in a studio, someone else has taken over my session and started doing one of his. I was very young and couldn't handle it then. I wouldn't allow that to happen now, but don't want to start off with people who are pulling in a different direction from the outset.)

That reminds me. What about the Serious Performers' Guild? Should I be subscribing to that or have I all that info. as part of my Writers' Guild stuff? (I've just started the Masterclass too.)

Do you have any ideas for me for where are the best places for me to start looking for professional-attitude band members and singers?

Thank you.

Sadly, just like your last experience you will get a lot of time wasters.

>>>>>>.there might be some more mature people out there.)<<<<<<

You could be on the wrong tact altogether here...you need the talent as young as possible... it's all 'yoof' culture today...be careful...the adult audience does not exist...it is a myth.