As much as I really like the expression, “Be yourself because everyone else is taken,” that doesn’t mean you have to be one-dimensional. Especially in the music world where, by its nature, the business is already tough enough, you have to be able to find and get work. This, of course, has been further complicated over the last 18 months by the pandemic.
I’m often heard saying on the weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast that very (very) few people in the industry are just doing one thing. One need look no further than the latest episode where 3 Doors Down bass player Justin Biltonen talked about his solo project, acting work that he has done, and even co-founding a merchandise brand.
What I saw two nights ago, however, was not only a terrific show, but a great example of how being versatile, how not being a one trick pony, can lead to so much more for a performer.
The guest from back on Episode 333 of NHTE Terry Barber, an internationally acclaimed countertenor, did a show that I attended approximately 36 hours ago called “Mercury: The Story of Queen’s Front Man.” Backstage before the show he told me how he is also doing a Simon & Garfunkel show. My telling him that one of his original songs had been stuck in my head that day led him to tell me of another new project he has put together, with a re-release of that song to come out of that. And mind you, this all from someone who has performed at the likes of Carnegie Hall and with the London Philharmonic as well as done lead vocals on an international club hit remix with DJ Tracy Young that appeared on an album with Madonna, Chaka Khan, and Cyndi Lauper.
Is that multi-dimensional enough for you?
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I always encourage teens to do more than just sing. I tell them that if they can also learn to play an instrument, not to mention write their own original songs, they’ll be so much more marketable and will be able to get so many more opportunities.
So, imagine having the menu that Terry Barber has for a promoter or venue to choose from as it relates to booking him to perform. And understand too the lengths that he goes to in order to dazzle whoever will be booking him as well as, of course, the audience.
What I saw two nights ago was a show. It wasn’t a solo act just doing all cover songs by Queen. This was Terry with a band behind him (drums, piano, guitar, and bass). And there was dialogue, storytelling, and it wasn’t just him that was educating the audience about Freddie Mercury. The band members even used a gesture to signal when what they were saying was a direct quote from Mercury as opposed to giving us facts about the late Queen lead singer.
If that wasn’t enough, Terry Barber as well as piano player/vocalist Michelle Foster even did wardrobe changes. The harmonies were great. The production was great. Make no mistake, this was a show. And it was a highly enjoyable one at that.
Some folks will tell me that they perform solo or in a duo or a trio or with a full band. And that’s great, but, if all of those configurations still provide the same product (playing cover songs), it’s essentially one show but with a different number of musicians. You’re not going to have anywhere near the number of options that Terry Barber does with all that he has to offer. Ask yourself what you can do to create something different so as to have a wider variety of offerings that a booker can choose from.
And if you’re really in need of a pick-me-up and want to be inspired and entertained, go see “Mercury: The Story of Queen’s Front Man.” I drove just under two hours (one way) to get there, and you’ll be happy you did so as well.
Need to talk to someone who has been in the entertainment industry for more than 15 years so you can get some insights for your career in music? Book a one-on-one, confidential video consultation with me and let’s get online together to talk privately so you can benefit from all my years working with performers from throughout the country, providing them with management, promotion, and booking services. And be sure to share your thoughts on this blog too. Comment on it through Twitter, or on Facebook, or even LinkedIn, or by simply sending me your feedback in an email.