unknown

The grass is always greener?

I always feel that guys, attempting to have success in this great music industry, feel, somehow, that it is a way to easy riches....the elusive: 'get r*ch quick scheme' [note I had to asterisk a letter...there are so many spam blocker systems now that block by just that word]

Fact of the matter is that I always challenge guys to spend a week with me and realise the pace of life in our business...or life in the fast lane as you might say.  The stress is quite astonishing.  My band is currently appearing at The Opera House in Blackpool...the largest theatre in Europe, finishing on 9th Oct.  I am writing this in Eastbourne [about 6 hours away] and keeping the pretence that I am in the office!  Well [huge grin] I am nearly succeeding!  My lap top is in overdrive and my cellphone bill is astronomical.  But hey!  They tell us we should be able to operate from anywhere at any time?

Sleep is something you grab when you are tired, not when you feel you should go to bed!

On this Wednesday we play a concert in Worcester [Swan Theatre] at 2pm in the afternoon and still we will be at The Opera House in the evening...the logistics are a nightmare...but achievable.  I think the bank manager will be quite happy.

A Master Class in stagecraft

It has long been said in British show biz that to see my band 'The Bachelors' is to see a Master Class in stagecraft.  Judging by the audience reaction, I totally agree [my Goodness, I am a big headed sh*t!].  If you are within reach of Blackpool...come and check it out...we may even have a beer after...just catch me and say the magic words: "One Minute With Dec".

Live Sound

One of the areas where I tend to have great expertise is in live presentation of studio sound.  You see, it is possible to use all the same equipment and all the same techniques in a live situation that we do in the studio.  But at the end of the day, it is down to the knowledge in how to actually 'do it'.  I personally designed the sound set up in The Opera House.  I did the initial sound balances and set up the effects units, compressors, limiters, samples etc.  When the entire show was balanced and ready to go I handed over to the sound engineer....all he had to do was do as directed from the script.  If the engineer is smart and just does as directed, then the results are stunning.  The only way the sound can stutter or stumble is when he starts to use his own 'brain'....big mistake!  ALWAYS!

All major shows are set up this way.  The most important thing to say to an engineer in a major live venue, when the sound has been set up for him, is: "whatever you do, do not think for yourself....simply read the script and do as directed".  Thereafter, if you ever see him without the script, fire him on the spot.

If the balance is correctly and theoretically set up right and really 'taking no prisoners' then he should, in theory, just stand back and watch it happen...he only has to change the FX [effects] patches and sample sounds as directed...easy?   [See this in action at the next major chart concert you go to] 

A/B testing

Members on The Serious Writers Guild [ www.makehits.co.uk] will know that I highly recommend the American Yamaha series of live sound speaker enclosures.  They are rated at 1,000 watts per box...pretty awesome.

During this present tour we were able to A/B test them against some other happening  gear.  The Opera house is equipped with Turbosound.....scored about 3 out of 10 against the Yamaha [we actually have linked the Turbosound into the Yamaha rig for better theatre spread]

At St David's Hall, in Cardiff, on last Friday we matched it against a major Nexo rig....Nexo came out at 6 out of 10 [a bit better than Turbosound].  Again, we linked in for better spread.  2,500 people on their feet screaming!  Yep, that combination of sound was pretty knicker wetting!

Martin Audio came out at 5 out of 10.  But I would have to say that the magic is in knowing what you are doing in setting the live sound up.  No graphic equalisers is the most important requirement.  And don't even start to argue the point...trust me!  Come to The Opera House and see the theory in action....the sound will blow you away.

Where do you get the knowledge?  www.liveperforming.com  

"If you could kick the posterior of the person who has hurt you the most...you wouldn't be able to sit down for six weeks."

~John Hagee~

'Support fellow 'One Minuters'?

OCTOBER SCHEDULE:
 
Saturday the 9th, FreedomFest (Stanton, MO, USA) 8-9pm
website: coming soon
Saturday the 30th, Caffeine (Nashville, TN, USA) 8-9pm
website: http://www.caffeinenashville.com
 
Don't forget to visit our website at http://www.stonecatband.com
Listen to our new single, "Happy"

A sage thought from another good mentor:

Another prize bit of sage advice from a guy I follow closely:

" Where could you be right now—or even better, where could you be tomorrow — if you surrounded yourself with a network of positive support to assist you on your journey?

There’s an old saying that goes, "We are the five people that we associate with the most, and our income is an average of those five people."

If you don’t like the path you’re on, I suggest that you take a look around you to see who you’re associating with. After all, water truly does seek its own level.

We are the company we keep. Choose your company wisely.

Best wishes, and keep smilin’!

By Greg Reid, GregReid@AlwaysGood.com

"Work like you don't need the money.

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 I've already noticed that people react in a different way. Subtle things, but I'm very alert now to the impression I make.

I haven't yet phoned you because my head is spinning with all the stuff I'm learning and I don't really know what would be the most productive question I could ask person to person.

Best regards, Richard Dowling
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 Hi Dec,

 When I went to Kinko's and had my Writer's Guild Certificate printed and framed I was prouder than I ever have been. I really forgot how that felt.  Quincy Ellis
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"One Minute With Dec" has arrived and that, too, has contained very useful information which I have shared with my high school marketing and business students.  Why?  Some of the tips and information not only apply to the music business, but to almost any aspect of business and sometimes to being successful in life itself.  There are some of my high school students who are in a band and hope to become a star recording artist, so the tips are great for them.  Some of the same tips can be applied to becoming a successful business person.  For example, this edition mentions learning your trade and learning all the skills, not just the easy, enjoyable bits.  That can easily be for business, but can also be applied to the skills necessary for life.

The best part is the information is not from the United States, which proves business and the tools for success are universal.

Ray Bergeron [USA]
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When I started your course seven months ago I was a singer/songwriter . Recently I have played at The Edinburgh Festival and have been asked if I would be interested in playing at Glastonbury next year. Obviously I said yes and so I wait.

However it is in other areas of the business that demand for my services has blown out of all proportion. a local publican (in Paisley) asked me to help him organise a Battle of the Bands.

It was such a financial success for the pub though so I asked if I could run a band night...This has now taken off to the extent that although I am a teacher by day, it is turning into what might be a full time business. 

Now 2 local bands have asked me to manage them...Then the sound engineer from King TUT's asked me to suss out premises in Paisley to open a venue with him..called THE Bungalow..On top of that an old uncle has now given me some land in a place called Plumbridge in County Tyrone and wants me to build on it.My head Dec..is beginning to Burst!

The point is DEC that since I adopted all your teachings, I am no longer on the road I thought I was on. I am obviously making an impression with many different people.....

Drew McCormack
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Once again it was great talking to you today. 

A thought of something that you said on the phone about "never underestimate how difficult the music business is..."  I totally agree... it's probably the most difficult business I've ever been involved with.  But why not do it anyways?  Just like being a brain surgeon is almost impossible...doctor?, lawyer?, or an NHL hockey player, an Olympic athlete, an actor, etc.  I've come to my own personal conclusion that most of the best things in life come directly from the exertion of the human will.  I personally hope you keep enjoying music forever and keep doing it forever... I think you've got the potential to inspire and keep inspiring great numbers of people.  There's a retirement company in Ontario here called freedom 55... I say it's freedom 155!

Steve Zaborski [Canada]
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UK

1)  ERIC PRYDZ -  'CALL ON ME'
2) GIRLS ALOUD -  'LOVE MACHINE'
3)  NELLY -  'MY PLACE/FLAP YOUR WINGS'

Celebrity News:

Bob Dylan:          

Fans of the legendary writer, singer and actor should grab a copy of the October 4 issue of Newsweek when it lands on newsstands today. It's one way to find out what he is thinking these days in written form instead of via a tube interview that requires a translator. Dylan had a lot of trouble in America when he settled down in his first house in Woodstock. He wrote in his new book 'Chronicles, Volume One,' "Road maps to our homestead must have been posted in all fifty states for gangs of dropouts and druggies. Moochers showed up from as far away as California on pilgrimages. Goons were breaking into our place all hours of the night." He added, "After a while you learn that privacy is something you can sell, but you can't buy it back." That's pretty heavy stuff from a man who has been labelled a rebel for so many decades. 'Chronicles, Volume One' is scheduled to be released on October 5. Most book stores and online shops like Amazon are accepting advance orders. 

"Laughter is the sun that drives Winter from the human face"

victor hugo

Subscribers Section:

My Reply

Ed

Thank you for your kind words.

<<<<<<<<<The vocal arrangement was superb and this was obviously what made this song a hit, as well as having 3 very good looking young men performing the song.>>>>>>>>

It was the same then as it is now.  The music is the easy bit!  It's understanding the importance of vocal performance and vocal arrangement and really understanding the importance of the 'visuals' that brings success.  The first ten seconds, of course, is the 'fairy dust'.  Diane has probably one of the all time great first ten seconds.....in concert it is electric, the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.  I was lucky, in a way, that I understood all this right from the start!

Music 20%....visuals 80% .... understand that relationship and success in the recording business is almost a 'given'.

Regards

DEC [Cluskey]

"Stop worrying and start living" 

dale carnegie 

Regards

Dec

Get in touch personally to discuss what you want to achieve in music dec@makehits.com

web: www.makehits.com or call +44 (0)1323.728005

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The gags:

After his exam the doctor said to the elderly man, "You appear to be in good health. Do you have any medical concerns you would like to ask me about?"

"In fact, I do," said the old man. "After I have sex with my wife, the first time I am usually hot and sweaty, and then, after I have sex with her the second time, I am usually cold and chilly."

After examining his elderly wife, the doctor said, "Everything appears to be fine. Do you have any medical concerns that you would like to discuss with me?"

The lady replied that she had no questions or concerns. The doctor then said to her: "Your husband had an unusual concern. He claims that he is usually hot and sweaty after having sex with you the first time, and then cold and chilly after the second time. Do you know why?" "Oh that crazy old fart," she replied. "That's because the first time is usually in August and the second time is in January".

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