Posts tagged as:

inspiration

5 Habits That Will Make You a More Successful Musician

by Scott James August 3, 2011

There are a lot of posts out there that have great tips for becoming a more successful musician by using things like social media, sales techniques and email marketing strategies. I wanted to take a bit of a different approach and look at getting better results by improving the foundation that those things are built on…YOU! By changing some of your unconscious habits you can literally multiply your results in just a matter of months. Read more…

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One Thing a Day for My Songwriting Journey

by Doak Turner July 5, 2011

If I told you you should do over 350 things for your music career between now and this day next year, you’d probably think I was crazy. But you could do one thing a day, right? One thing a day over the year is how many? Exactly, 365 things on your journey in the next year. Read more…

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Setting Your Goals

by Ariel Hyatt July 1, 2011

In any aspect of your personal or professional life, setting goals is an empowering way to set the stage for success. In regard to your music, taking the time to visualize your goals can help you pave a personal roadmap for defining and achieving success with your career, whether you consider music your hobby or you are making a living out of it full-time. Read more…

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An Innovative Approach to an Album Release

by Disc Makers June 17, 2011

Kaiser ChiefsWe are always on the lookout for new album release strategies. Here’s the latest from Billboard.biz and the Kaiser Chiefs:

U.K. guitar group Kaiser Chiefs is taking an innovative approach to the release of its new studio album, “The Future is Medieval” (Fiction/B-Unique Records), by allowing fans to choose their own track listing and album artwork.

Read more…

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Re-Energize Your Career

by Scott James June 7, 2011

Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions? Like your shows are not quite as fun for you as they used to be? Has your audience started to shrink and lose interest? Then now might be a good time to take a step back and reflect on where you are and what you can do to change.

If your audience has started to dwindle then chances are you’re feeling anxious, depressed, sad, etc. Not exactly the right frame of mind to put off an attractive energy that’s going to make people want to forget about whatever else is going on, get in their cars and pay to come see you play. Read more…

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Are You an Artist or Just Someone Who Plays Music?

by Scott James March 31, 2011

Many of us use the term ‘independent artist’ or ‘recording artist’ to describe ourselves, but are we really artists, or are we just people who play music?

To answer that question we need to decide what it means to be an artist. Many of us grew up in an environment where we were only taught what art means at a superficial level. Maybe our first definition of an artist was someone who was really good at making realistic paintings or drawings or maybe someone who made weird abstract creations that were supposedly only understood by special people. Read more…

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Combining Forces = WINNING!

by Scott James March 17, 2011

Combining ForcesBeing an independent artist doesn’t mean you need to take the word ‘Independent’ too literally. Chances are, you’re missing big opportunities to take your career to new levels if you’re not actively looking for chances to join forces with other artists and industry pros. A piece of something big is worth a lot more than all of little or nothing. If you feel like you’re bashing your head against the wall trying to get people to your shows or to buy your music on your own then changing your approach can make all the difference in the world. Read more…

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Licensing Your Music Ain’t Easy – Be Cool

by Scott James January 14, 2011

I recently had lunch with the founder and CEO of a popular website for independent artists. It was great to catch up and hear about all the exciting things going on with the site. On the other hand it was a bit of a concern hearing about some of what he and his staff have had to put up with recently in dealing with some of the more, shall we say, frustrated and/or unstable musicians that use his services. Read more…

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Disc Makers Receives Recognition from the American Red Cross

by Disc Makers December 23, 2010

American Red CrossIn December, Disc Makers was recognized by the American Red Cross for ten years of support to the local community through the Camden County (NJ) chapter. Disc Makers has supported the American Red Cross through biannual blood drives in the summer and winter months and annual participation in our local chapter’s Children’s Holiday Project. Through the Children’s Holiday Project, Disc Makers employees have “adopted” families in need by providing winter clothing, toys, and groceries to prepare a hot holiday meal. Read more…

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Leverage Your Way to Success

by Scott James December 16, 2010

Scott James concertIn the course of your journey as a musician there will be some things that go right for you. What you choose to do about those things will go a long way towards determining your success (or lack thereof).

The concept of leverage is all about finding your opportunities to capitalize on the things that will give you the best return for your efforts. Read more…

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Quincy Jones: Tools For Success

by Quincy Jones December 8, 2010

My daddy used to say to my brother, Lloyd, and me, “Once a task is just begun, never leave it ’til it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.” Every day he said that. That has stuck with me through everything I’ve done.

There’s nothing in the world worse than having an opportunity that you’re not prepared for. Good luck usually follows the collision of opportunity and preparation – it’s a result of that collision. Read more…

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Fresh Pressed: Katie Costello

by Disc Makers October 29, 2010

Katie CostelloHot off our presses this week is Lamplight, a new CD by Katie Costello, set to release in early 2011. Check out her huge pile of YouTube videos supporting her EP and her upcoming release. Very cute, fun stuff – recommended if you like Feist. Read more…

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Keeping a Song (and Yourself) Together

by Leah R. Garnett October 21, 2010

This post is devoted to answering a reader question about singing and emotion. The reader, a man, specifically asks: How do you manage strong emotions that arise when you sing? The question will likely resonate with most anyone who sings (or wants to sing) in public – whether it’s a bar of music in a choir or an entire performance. Judy Rodman, the wonderful singer and vocal coach who contributes guest blogs to Music After 50, graciously provided an answer to this reader’s question. First the reader’s words, and then Judy’s: Read more…

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Fresh Pressed: Fierce Bad Rabbit

by Disc Makers October 15, 2010

Fierce Bad RabbitHot off our presses this week is Spools of Thread, a new CD by Fierce Bad Rabbit. We also noticed them in this interesting article on Scene Savvant where they talk about their new record, funding it through donations, and cooking meals for their fans as a reward for said funding. Read more…

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10 Great Tips to Help You Fail as an Independent Artist

by Scott James October 14, 2010

10 Great Tips to Help you Fail as an Independent ArtistWe’ve all seen and read posts and eBooks about how to ‘succeed’ as independent artists and to be honest, I’ve even written a few. But what about those of us who are bent on failure? Those of us who would like to know how to shoot ourselves in the foot as efficiently and painfully as possible? Those of us who would like to be more unsuccessful and confused? Well this post is for you!

Some of these things I’ve done myself, and I can assure you – they work amazingly well! Read more…

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