irish proverb

A Great Band is Born

I am so lucky to see guys, who I advise, really take on board everything I say and just do it. Then I am so lucky to see them gradually and slowly [as it should be] get the breaks whilst working d*mn hard.  I am so lucky that they understand my work ethic ['cos they see it] and accept that hard work brings the 'luck'. 

The band I am talking of are local to me here in Eastbourne. D**** has been under my wing for some years now.  He has learned so much from me and I have willingly taught him.  Sometimes getting him to accept the correct techniques and methods has been tough.  He has, most times, taken some convincing.  Particularly about the way the business side of our great Industry works.....in other words, the REAL way that you get your stuff heard and the REAL way you actually get the deal that makes the $fortunes.

Yep!  You have to mime

This month they are doing 15 P.A's [public appearances] in dance places up and down the South East of the UK.  I advised him and his partner to mime.  I have seen the P.A. scene up close and realise that the smart cookies just waltz in, put on the CD or mini disc, grab whatever mics. available and perform their socks off.  The guys who insisted on singing live [with the big live 'egos'] suffered the indignity of the horrendous feedback, the muffled vocals and the sad audience reaction.  Muttering all the way home in the car about the soundman.  I have seen it too many times for it to be funny.  No one in the audience will ever blame the sound man...they will simply say: "that band was cr*p"....end of story, end of argument.

They learned the hard way

The other three guys in the band insisted on the live vocals and my two guys had to go along with it for the sake of band harmony.  They came over to the studio today and said: "Dec, they now understand...they want to mime!"  They had done just two of the 15 shows and the results were so G*d-awful that they had to concede that miming was the only way.  They play The Equinox, in London, soon so I shall let you know...hey!  I'll be there so we can have a good time.

The Other Problem?

Two of the other guys in the band have some DJ experience....dangerous!  At the first P.A., they immediately went into their 'know everything about live sound' routine....you know the sort of thing?  Directing the sound man to lift one mic., take the top off the other, more bass on the third one, etc, etc.  No, no , no........

If you are ever in a multi vocal band line up, the only professional way to operate is for the sound boy to balance all the mics precisely and exactly the same on the desk.  All with precisely the same input gain and EQ.  All peaking at 0db to +5db.  All the foldback and FX [effects] auxiliaries precisely the same...and, incidentally, the playback at the same level on the auxiliaries.  All the faders should be precisely at 0db....in a dead straight line.  I give members of The Serious Writers Guild at www.makehits.com some phenomenal, in-depth, advice on mic. and mixer set up. 

Then and only then should the band take the mics.

You have probably read or heard me say this before....balancing the mics is not the job of the band....it is the sound boy's job.  The band only take the mics when they are exactly balanced - precisely and exactly the same.  The band's job is to balance and blend between themselves, vocally, on stage.  Approached in any other way, it is impossible for the band to be consistent in blend and performance.

Identical mics are essential

Don't even think of gigging without a matched set of identical mics. [Identical stands too...just looks the biz.].  It is also essential to make sure that the radio receivers [assuming that they are radio mics.] are all producing maximum level.  There is always a small control, usually on the back of each receiver, or on the individual mic. section, if you use a multiple radio mic. set up.

The worst thing you can do 'live'?

The worst thing is to be 'addicted to live'....insisting that you are a 'live' performer and everything you do has to be live.  Trust me....you won't get very far in this business.  Learn when to perform live and when not to.  There is a time for live and a time for miming.  Be prepared to accommodate everyone and particularly accommodate the radio station/TV station or the dance venue.....they mostly do not want the inconvenience of live mics and live mixing desks and engineers upsetting the customers with incessant mic. checks......you heard it here!

"Be easy and accommodating in your business life - it works"

Tickets to the biggest Show Biz Ball of the year?

The last Sunday in November, each year, sees the biggest Show Biz bash in the UK.  The Water Rats Ball.  A chance to rub shoulders with the biggest names in the Business....yes, really rub shoulders...it's a massive black tie party.  At The Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, UK.  Of course I am a Past King Rat and a Councillor.....a Trustee for 20 years plus.

I have arranged that 'One Minute' guys and members of The Serious Writers Guild can be seated together.  A good chance for networking.  Of course, I will be there and I will ensure that you get to meet all the fave guests.

The 'Great Room' at The Grosvenor House ... the largest venue of it's type in London 

Simply call Gary at 020.7278.3248 and say Dec told you to call for tickets.  We have tables reserved already and lots of guys have booked.  Gary can give details of special rates at prestigious hotels to stay in London overnight....even The Grosvenor itself.  Make it a special night - or weekend?

A good thought from a good Guru:

Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine "Tip of the Day" get a Free Ad for their Business on his Web Page?  Subscribe at: http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm
Great Business and Computer Tips  Monday thru Friday.  Instructions to place your ad are in the Newsletter.

Best Wishes
Bob Osgoodby

If you run any kind of on-line music business you can learn a lot from Bob.

Support Fellow 'One Minute guys?

Thursday Night Live!!!
 
JDGC Promotions presents THURSDAY NIGHT Live, a unique entertainment mix including live soul/R'n'B music from the midlands finest talent and a Galaxy radio DJ set. The night is set at the prestigious 52 Degrees North Bar positioned in the Arcadian Centre, Birmingham, UK. This stylish bar has a reputation for pulling famous faces; All Saints, Lennox Lewis, and Andy Cole.
‘The Show’ section of the event presenting live music will commence at 9pm until 10.30pm. Included in this live music is a 4 piece band,
supporting artists from Errol Lawson’s  Higher Level Music.com Record Label and an accomplished talent by the name of Juliette Leon whose songs may be heard on the Cafe du Sol compilation in stores now.
Commencing at 10:30, until 2am is the 'After-party' hosted by Galaxy 102.2 DJ Mystro, who will be playing your favourite R'n'B club anthems back-to-back on our dance floor.
Drinks promotions will offered on the night as well as priority entry/queue jump for ticket holders.
Tickets are available from:
Omco (Selly Oak)
Old Skool Daze (Selly Oak)
Aston Wines (Aston Universtiy)
ACS societies (Aston and Birmingham Universities)

 

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There will be another Bedface show at the Infinity, London, UK on 24 October.

More info and a flyer to bring along to the gig is available on our site: www.bedface.com

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I want to keep receiving your great stuff as it is invaluable and second to none.  In your course, 'Make A Million..." you cover so much on every single page (stuffed to the gunnels) and, after reading and digesting it, one would think that one would know enough about the industry to not need any more.  But, even though I, myself, (a *practiced* performer) learned so very much from it all, yet, your constant updates and further insights through your regular e-zines never cease to amaze me.

Dec, for this alone, I can never thank you enough. My gratitude knows no bounds. You're a true master to me and a mentor to follow through the gates of hell. Thank you.  Bob Daulby
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I now know how to programme DMX lighting!
 
Good tip Dec.  So obvious, yet who really bothers? - The people who succeed, that's who!!
 
Regards,  David Payne
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Dec,
 
Once again I wanted to say thank you for the information and encouragement you have given me over the last 10 months.

Thanks again for the rejuvenated stated of mind you have given me.
 
Sincerely, Michael Panasuk
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Also, I'm delighted - I've got my ticket for the GOWR Annual Ball in November.  It's thanks to you that I am given this wonderful opportunity to attend.    I came to the Savoy, to Jim Marshall's Tribute Luncheon, again thanks to your good self. 

Thank you Dec for making it possible for me to attend these wonderful events.  You are such a good man.

Lots of love  - Sharon
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Charts:

USA [my thanks to Charles in the USA for supplying this]

1) Goodies, Ciara Featuring Petey Pablo

2) My Boo, Usher And Alicia Keys

3) Lean Back, Terror Squad

UK

1) ERIC PRYDZ -  'CALL ON ME' 

2)  DUNCAN JAMES & KEEDIE -  'I BELIEVE IN MY HEART'

3)  ROBBIE WILLIAMS -  'RADIO' 

Download Chart

(1) 'Vertigo' - U2  Island 1

(2) 'American Idiot' - Green Day

(3) 'I See You Baby' - Groove Armada Jive 1

Chart Comment:

What an upset in the UK chart...Robbie gone from the top so quick?  Does that mean that his new found writing career without Guy Chambers is not all it's cracked up to be?  But that Eric Prydz track just will not go away...amazing.  I have to say, a great track.  Makes you smile.

And the down load chart.  Hmmmmm!  No change at all.  Could it be that no one is actually changing it?  Whoops!  I never said that!

But hold on....the USA chart is the same too.  Hmmmm!

In the UK it was all going to be so significant. A long time since his last chart-topping single, a song from an Andrew Lloyd-Webber was set to take pride of place at the top of the UK charts. In the event it is "only" a Number 2 hit single. 'I Believe My Heart' is taken from the new musical version of the famous novel 'The Woman In White', the latest work to be turned into a full on musical extravaganza by the man who over the last generation has become synonymous with the West End musical.  He knows how to pick the singers of his songs.

"There is enough in the world for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed"
 
frank buchman

Subscribers Section:

MY REPLY

Large, close in, photos always work the best.  If your skin and facial features can take it.

You will need full length and head and shoulders just to prove you haven't got a wooden leg [grin!]  Crazy but serious!

Soft material close to your face is essential and warm colours are best....no primary colours.....soft creams, browns, soft pale blues, soft textured black....stay well away from jeans....been done to death.

CD cover design is an art for professional CD designers.  Stay away from amateurs.  It is worth while to grab a load of CD covers, in your genre, so that you get the 'feel' of what is required.  Particularly find the first covers of established artists...so you know what they did right - at the start of their careers.

Always bring along a dozen pics from magazines which best show what you are trying to achieve....that way is much easier than explaining to the photographer.

The most important point is to ensure that the photographer uses a 'soft' lens.  By the way, digital, is less than useless for professional glamour work.  Despite what the photographer might say.

And finally, bring along an expert make-up and hair person...plus a 'third eye'....someone to check for creases in clothes, crumbs on your face [I'm serious]...hair out of place....and the 'charm' that you should have.

Outdoor pics. are always best.  Natural light flatters.

Regards

DEC [Cluskey]
dec@makehits.co.uk