5 ways to promote your music career !

If you love to sing or play a music instrument, would love to find a place to be heard, I would love to share some ideas that have worked for me.

1. Decide what style of music you prefer: Country, Rock, R & B, Jazz, Tribute (to your favorite singer) Gospel --the list goes on forever!
2. Where would you prefer to perform: At home, Cocktail lounges, Fairs, Churches, TV, Radio--all of the above?
3. Do you prefer singing with a live band, piano, guitar, pre-recorded music trax?
4. Would you be available to travel nationally, internationally, locally?
5. Do you have the stamina necessary for the choices you have just made or do you need to revise some of your desires to fit your capabilities?

I would assume if you are reading this you already know what your favorite style of music is that you wish to perform. And don't feel you have to choose just one. My husband, Gary, and I do mostly variety shows that include Country, Oldies, Rock n Roll and most always close our concerts with a gospel song or two!

If you have chosen #2, at home, then all you need is your radio to sing along with or a karaoki type machine and discs to play your favorite songs. You can find most any song on line or at a few local music stores. www.karaokewh.com , www.acekaraoke.com and www.soundchoice.com are a few I have used. These are excellent quality music trax.

Most singers would prefer to sing with a live band, however, I believe it would be harder to put a band together if you are not a musician yourself. Not too many people being discovered in Soda Fountains like we used to hear about movie stars in Hollywood being discovered by some big producer.

That is not to say it can't happen. I was recently asked if I was interested in singing with a band but I didn't grab on to the idea. Not pushing it aside-- thinking about it seriously! Trouble is , my husband and I perform together with me being the featured singer and he sings a few songs and takes care of the sound. I won't do anything that excludes him.

Most music stores have bulletin boards where you can advertise for a spot in a band, musicians to create your own band, etc. Not a bad idea to get to know the owners of the store, as they know all the musicians in the area!

Advertise by sending press kits to any organization that would be interested in your specific type of music. Make this kit as professional as possible, deliver in person if possible to the person who needs to see it, mail to all out of area locations. Press kit should include at least the following items:

Professionally created photos, in various poses.

Bio of your life experiences, capablities, and anything that will get their attention to want to meet and hire you.

Venues you have played, with references if possible.

Business Cards

Website If at all possible, hire a professional webmaster to create a website to advertise and a place for them to contact you.

Sample Cd Recording a cd is a tricky part of preparing a Bio for your Press Kit. You need to be aware of the legality of recording music. If you are planning to record your own original music and you are a musician all you need is the capability of recording and creating cds or find a company that will burn them for you. However, if you plan to record "cover songs", (those written by others) you must apply for the Mechanical License (permission to record). If you need info on this just contact me and I will be happy to guide you as best I can.

I hope some of these ideas will help you achieve your desires. Lots of luck and many blessings as you venture out.

If you are already working toward your dream, perhaps you would like to get some of your music out on the internet via websites/youtube, etc. Some of the websites where you can be heard are: