Keeping in Touch!

We got a new CD in the mail this past week here at Prescription Bluegrass and along with it came the record label's “One-Sheet” which is at least a page and in some cases two or three pages of pertinent data so that we in the media can be informed about the ins and outs of the new album.

Many times someone from the band or the label may also include a small personal note, handwritten on the bottom or back side. I always find the personal touch rewarding. It's a simple gesture that helps to cement the bond between the artist and the media on a personal level. It takes it out of the corporate world and right down to the family table.

Moving Your CAR-eer Into The Future!

Websites for a band today are just about as mandatory as are the instruments they play on stage and in the recording studio. Not having a website today puts any band into the Milli Vanilli category of not being for real.

We’ve written about this subject before, and so have countless others; but, it seems that we (and they) can’t write it, say it or promote it enough. The subject is how to build your website if you are a band. But I suppose it could also apply to anyone who thinks that I, you, or any of us out here in the cyber-world want to hear your favorite song as soon as we land on your web page.

It’s old school web-building and it has been old-school since 1999 turned into 2000 or another way to say it, “Last Century” thinking.

Brand Loyalty!

Coca Cola does it, Disney does it, Southwest Airlines and almost every major corporation doing business anywhere in the world does it. That is to create a loyalty, among consumers of their product, so fierce that they'd rather “fight than switch.” Remember that campaign?

So what does brand loyalty mean for a bluegrass band, a festival, a record label or any other business that is primarily focused on reaching the bluegrass fan as their consumer base?

I recently had the opportunity for an advance review of a stellar bluegrass band's latest album.

Yes Men!

This topic has come up from time to time in our business dealings with musicians and their representation with regard to how hard they all work to produce the product that they eventually sell to the public.

There are those who feel that they can't have enough “Yes Men” on their team and continue to look for more and more – all the while avoiding anyone who doesn't fit the criteria and excluding them from entering into the circle.

I suppose it is necessary for everyone to have a few but, if all you have is “Yes Men” in your corner you've gotten short-changed in the friends department.

So, to be clear, just what is the criteria for owning that “Yes Men” label? According to Webster's On-line Dictionary it is: a person who agrees with everything that is said; especially: one who endorses or supports without criticism every opinion or proposal of an associate or superior.

Yard Sale Bluegrass!

I Once heard a band break-up referred to as “something like a bad divorce.”

At the time, I thought of that as a very interesting analogy. But after more reflection and investigation, it's not so strange after all.

Perhaps BAND BREAKUPS are like a bad divorce but during their lifetime, bands are more like a business than a marriage. So it is unfortunate indeed that the breakup probably does resemble a marriage breakup more than a business closure.

Bluegrass bands, like everything else in life, were never meant to last forever. So when the breakup of a band happens, why is it that both the band members and the fans seem shocked and then subsequently react in the strangest ways – sometimes going well beyond the bounds of decency. Tongue-Lashings, accusations and bad feelings are surrounding the band and everything associated with them in the most recent case I'm aware of.

Who Gets the Money?

Who Gets the Money?

If you've ever recorded your own CD for commercial resale, or known someone who has, you probably already have some idea of the amount of money that goes into a recording project before the project even hits the street and you or your artists/band friends begin to make anything back.

“Who gets the money?” has a multiple answer because it seems that everything and everyone the artist wants in the project, from the recording studio to extra guest artists, all want to be paid up front. I suppose that's only fair since they're hired to do their job. And, they have no investment in the project, and, therefore, no share in the potential reward.

Who Are You Trying To Sound Like?

Impressionists and “Sound-Alike-Artists” have been around since Noah first did his famous impression of Charlton Heston. Garth Brooks, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and, even, Little Jimmy Dickens, plus scores of others with celebrity status, have look-alike and sound-alike artists paying tribute to them on a daily basis.

Almost every single performer has mentioned someone in their past who has greatly influenced them. It goes without saying that all of us are influenced by others in our lives in one way or another if not in several ways. Dean Martin was influenced by The Mills Brothers, John Lennon was influenced by Hank Williams and Elvis was influenced by Bill Monroe. Yet, I would be hard-pressed to find anyone who said that John Lennon sounded like Hank or that Elvis sounded like Bill Monroe.

Did You Really Want to Say That?

Granddad always said, “Be careful what you do.” If he were alive today, I'm sure he might also occasional have added “electronically” as the last word in his advice.

Thinking something or saying something negative is sometimes easily retracted. But when you click on the “Send” button, hit “Enter” or “Submit,” you are committed to your actions which include whatever thoughts you just let loose onto the keyboard. You're never going to get the chance to say “oops, I didn't mean that”, “let me take that back” or, “pardon me for thinking out loud.”

Lisa Leadbetter Celebrates Husband Phil's Good News!

GOOD NEWS! 2015 brings the long-awaited news that Phil Leadbetter is once more CANCER FREE!

For anyone unfamiliar with Uncle Phil's situation, he has been battling treatment sessions for Hodgkin's Lymphoma for at least 4 years, and was once before pronounced "Cancer-Free" by his doctors only to have a recurrence and live the nightmare with all of it's uncertainties all over.  (Read More)  Through it all his wife, Lisa, remained a rock of support.  With the news of his victory she posted the following message on her social pages.  It is re-printed here with the Leadbetter's permission.

Cancer has been the worst nightmare I've ever known, it's cruel beyond words, you really have to deal with it yourself to know what a hell it truly is. I would of gave anything to have taken his Cancer, I prayed so many many times Please God make him well, give it to me, just don't let him hurt with it anymore. I just about lost hope, many many times, I never let Phil know this. For the last 4 years.....I watched the love of my life try and do anything and everything to make this go away. we kept getting knocked down time and time again. So for all of you out there, and I know some very precious friends who are in this same battle:  Try, try your hardest to not give up, don't lose your faith....they sent us home to die, nothing more they could do for him. But, what a strong brave man God made......he never lost hope, he never stopped trying, and God never gave up on him. So, no matter what the docs say......be still, listen to what God can do!  Don't give up on God, cause he never gives up on you !!!! Our God is mighty and his love is the most powerful thing ever! Thank you Lord, with all my heart I thank you.....and I know he heard all your prayers for Phil. I am forever grateful for all your love and support.....God heard you, thank you !!!!!!

-Lisa Lindsey Leadbetter

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Look Good/Play Good - by Eric Gibson

People often comment about how we dress up for stage.  In 2008 or so, we started wearing dark suits with ties onstage.  I had seen a picture of Bob Dylan and his band in Rolling Stone at the time wearing dark suits, and it looked so crisp that it really caught my eye.  Johnny Cash’s stark look always appealed to me as well.  

Dressing up is nothing new for bluegrass bands; so many of our heroes like Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and Del McCoury had always done so.  However, we had gone through a stage of everybody in the band wearing whatever felt comfortable.  I see pictures of us from those days and cringe now. We all had different ideas about what looked ‘right.’   I don’t think the guys in the band were too crazy about the change at first. 

What Bluegrass Needs is More News!

We've had a catch phrase on the Prescription Bluegrass Radio show for quite some time now that says: “Bluegrass News Happens Every Day – Somewhere in the World.” And while that is certainly true, you might not know it by reading the bluegrass media.

Over the last couple of years, I've noticed a definite decrease in the number of actual news stories being sent in to us as well as being published elsewhere. This isn't just isolated to our website alone but I've noticed a lack of fresh news stories being published on our fellow bluegrass media outlets' pages as well.

The 2 Qs

Granddad always said “...mind your “Q's”. No, he never said “P's and Q's” like a lot of other elders. And he wasn't amiss either. He meant what he said.

He was referring to the Quantities and Qualities, or as he said: “The Two Q's.” It seems that even back in his day, folks were all about “More Is Better” and hang the quality.

Granddad was a horse trader although I don't ever remember seeing any horses. But he'd trade just about anything and somehow always came out ahead. Looking back, I can see now that he understood exactly what he was talking about when he said “...mind your “Q's”.

To Send a Press Release or Not - That is the Question!

Whether you do it yourself or have a Press Agent, you can't do much better than with a well crafted press release.

A press release helps to guarantee that your message is the way you intend it to be received. It helps to stop the press from miss-quoting you.

Live interviews go much better when you've helped to craft the press-release first. You have your “talking points” more firmly cemented in your mind. You also can make sure that some of the audio soundbites that are certain to come from a live interview will get the message across with clear and well-said statements.

Get your band in the NEWS! - Advice Column from Prescription Bluegrass

Ever notice that the bands who appear to be the most successful are often the ones who seem to be in the headlines most often?  It's a "Catch 22" because the ones in the headlines seem to get more success coming their way more often.

Never under estimate the value of a good publicist or public relations person - Even if you handle the chores yourself or share with other members of the band, getting yourself in the news is going to help your career.

I was talking to a young band member about this recently and the thought he had was that he wasn't really willing to get himself into a vehicle accident or to rob a bank just to get in the news. I wondered if most bands would think that way too. I asked him what he thought constituted news. “Well,” he pondered for a moment, then said, “politics, disaster, crime and death”.  Isn't it sad that, often, that is what we think constitutes a majority of the news.

Your Chance to Be Heard!

Got something to say?  Think it's pretty important?  Prescription Bluegrass is giving you, the reader, a chance to be heard* on any subject related to bluegrass music.

Send your comments to: News@PrescriptionBluegrass.com  along with a recent photo of yourself.

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*Not all submissions can be used. Prescription Bluegrass reserves the right to use or not use any specific submission based upon editorial discretion.  Prescription Bluegrass also reserves the right to edit  or omit any submissions or sections of any submission but will not change the the flavor of the message.

D.I.Y. BLUEGRASS BANDS - RIGHT OR WRONG?

Who needs a record label ...or a manager ....or a booking agent, publicist.....etc.?

While it is true that today's digital technology has made a lot of things possible that previously were not and a lot of things easier that were previously difficult or complicated, it is also true that the old formula for success in the music business where an artist was doomed without a record label has changed.

The roles of the record label and what they do for an artist have certainly changed and the once clear lines of duty for the record label are now blurred like charcoal smudges on a canvas pallet. So let's agree that it's easier than ever to be an Independent Artist today, but let's question whether or not that is the wisest decision an artist can make.

Prescription Bluegrass Editorial - THE BIRTH OF A RADIO JINGLE!

Guest Editorial by:
TOM FELLER

August 2010, began the musical partnership of Feller and Hill. Since that beginning, Chris and I have discussed having a wider and more entertaining approach to the music business. I've always been entertained by performers who use "radio personality" or "voice-over" references on stage, i.e. Ned Luberecki doing "the White Zone". Today's bluegrass scene has more bands and what I believe are higher quality bands than ever before. For this reason, a group who wishes to succeed must find creative ways to promote themselves and their music. 

RADIO LINERS - WHAT WHY AND HOW!

Liners, Drops, Bumpers. There are about as many different names for them as there are radio stations and musicians.

Now, if you're not a musician or a radio announcer, what they are is those short little pre-recorded announcements in an artist's voice announcing their song on some specific radio program. Something like, “Hi, this is Dumas Walker and you're about to hear my new song, 'Headhunter Bluegrass' right here, right now, on WXYZ.”

The reason they are there is two-fold: radio stations and programs that use them, like them because it helps to customize their sound, it's like an endorsement for their radio station/show from a celebrity. Artists almost beg to record them because it generally helps to get their songs on the air. Disc Jockeys who have these recorded liners by a certain artist are known to play that artist in a heavier rotation than normal just so they can use the customized recording mentioning their name.

The problem is that most artists' recorded liners sound like … well ... let me put it mildly ... they sound like the bi-product of processed animal feed. Not much to brag about there.

This is a perplexing problem and not even the Association of Bluegrass Broadcasters can come up with valid reasons why.

THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE – THE GOOD, BAD and the UGLY! READER SURVEY RESULTS

Where would we be without festivals? Hopefully, this is something we will never be faced with. But sadly, some festivals, after years and years of struggling, are calling it quits. There are new festivals being born each year, but I'm afraid the number of festivals that are closing is the more rapidly growing percentage. It's going to take a little from all of us to ensure the festival experience continues for years to come if you want to be able to take your kids or grandkids to one of these events, instead of just one day telling them how much fun a festival was.

We must all work together to keep these festivals going. Whether you are the festival promoter, band member, volunteer or audience member, your help is needed! One way you can help is by voicing your opinion on what ways we can improve the festival experience.

Prescription Bluegrass heard from a few concerned bluegrassers regarding this issue, so we surveyed several more to try to get the ins and outs, the ups and downs, and the things that are really treasured, as well as those that don't really get the job done to the satisfaction of all concerned.

What we found was not ....

Prescription Bluegrass Editorial - WHEN COMMUNITY IS CONTAGIOUS!

by  Davis Welborn On April 25, Prescription Bluegrass published this story of bassist Gene Libbea's mysterious illness. While working as an instructor at a fiddle camp, Libbea was exposed to strep throat by an infected student, whom he calls "Ventura Fiddle Girl". Ventura Fiddle Girl was there with her mother. While sitting across from Libbea at breakfast, the girl confided that she had strep. Just a few days later, Libbea became seriously ill. After 12 days of suffering from an infectious illness that five doctors could not diagnose, and a subsequent five-day hospital stay, Libbea announced that he had been discharged from the hospital. That part of his story, at least, has a happy ending, but what are we to make of the girl?

Our "Guest Editorial" this week is by; Dust bowl grandchild, Davis Welborn,  a bluegrass singer and a freelance publicist for clients in music, publishing, and high tech. She loves nature, dogs, and the Enneagram.