NHT Blog

This week we’re back to having a guest blogger.  Mella Barnes is a Detroit-based singer/songwriter. She authored the book Way Less Cowbell - How to Communicate Your Musical Ideas. To read more from her, visit https://mellasongwriting.wordpress.com/blog/ and then also check out www.mellamusic.com to learn more about her and the various endeavors she’s involved with.

I remember having Rob Zarrilli out on a speaking engagement.  In his introduction he cautioned the audience about conference attendees who take extensive notes, get all charged up and excited, but then get back home and upon returning to work put the notepad in the bottom drawer, never to see the light of day again.

Last week in my blog I was referencing clichés and while this might not get that label, “street team” has become a very heavily used expression over the last several years in the music industry.  The concept of having other “boots on the ground” (okay, I’ll stop with the clichés, I promise) to help get the word out about your music is helpful when you’re trying to do every

Nobody likes clichés and, in particular, in the music business no performer likes to hear the “paying your dues” cliché.  The good news is, though, that there is a light at the end of the paying your dues tunnel.

Yesterday in the local newspaper there was an article about a national problem.  Heck, we might as well call it an international issue.  The pop music/culture critic wrote about the epidemic that is fans going to concerts and recording video of the show with their smartphone.

As you know from last week’s blog, I was at the 8th Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival when this month started.  True, longtime Now Hear This client Melissa Brethauer was performing there.  This was our sixth time at that event together and i

Having just returned late last night from the 8th Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival, I can’t help but be inspired by the days spent at that event, as it relates to crafting this week’s blog.

I don’t want to get started on the whole “don’t promise a venue that you’ll fill up their place with fans (patrons), knowing full well that you’re not going to bring them any kind of crowd.”  So, this blog is not about that.  While I am, in fact, writing about talking to venues regarding getting booked, it’s a different aspect thereof that I want to shed some light on today.

I’m picturing a teacher standing at the front of the classroom, writing furiously on the board while also glancing at a document filled with text that’s being projected onto an adjacent screen.  The teacher is talking and so dedicated to and passionate about the subject matter that neither a breath is being taken nor a glance is being made toward the class.  If so, the students raising a hand to as

You’re performing regularly, which in itself (“getting the reps”) gives you more experience and helps you to constantly improve and hone your craft, whether singing, playing an instrument, or both.  You’re also writing songs and seeing growth that way too, as the content and the structure improves over time.  And you’re even recording, making sure you’re getting the sound yo