Forget the recording contract.

I was reading this article about being your own artist manager, when it occurred to me that there was a time when an artist’s ultimate goal was to get a contract. An artist would spend all of their money trying to make a good demo and sell himself or herself to an executive. As a young artist, I would see hundreds of guys running backstage with their demo tapes in hand. They were just trying to give it to whoever might be important. Then the evolution of sound happened and the game was changed to compact disk.

My question now is, WHY? With the invention and easy access of the Internet, you tube, iTunes and more, why would and artist try to enslave themselves and literally owe thousands and sometimes millions to a company. We have all heard the stories of artist who gets signed are asked to change their hair, weight, name and what is worst their music to appeal to a broader audience. An artist has to ask themselves if they really what to be told to change their names. It is a form of modern day slavery.

When an artist does get a contract, there are so many documents that they have to sign to appear loyal to the company. They have to agree to a certain amount of records in a certain time and are forced to give it even when their creativity may not be speaking a tune.  We all understand that it is called the music “business.” These companies are only in it to make money. They don’t really care about an artist’s inspiration or desire to even put out an album every two years. It’s all about the money.

I also recognize that there are some artists who only want to record for the same reason as the companies. The artist sees becoming a recording artist as a way to become famous, rich and powerful. I know that I am going to get in trouble for this but I going to say it anyway. This is how I feel R&B music is today. I can’t even listen to the radio without wanting to take a bath. I am so disgusted by the themes. The artists only want to make music about sex, crime, game and themselves. It is a sad state. These kinds of artist have no heart to me. They have sold themselves to the companies and have become ponds to the system. They have no creativity and hopefully they will eventually die out in the business.

My message to a true creative spirit and artist is to, “forget the recording companies.” Find and keep your own voice. Record your own music and never, never sell out! Vivia la artist!!!

Can an idea be marketed through the arts?

Hello Gorgeous, 

I was watching the entertainment show Omg!Insider and I was intrigued by one of the stories that featured viewing numbers on the new mini-series, The Bible. Omg!Insider stated that 27 million people tuned in to view the series and the day after the hash tag #thebible was trending number one.  This made me think about the possibilities of spreading the word around the world. This new mini-series proved that through entertainment, the message of Christians could be channeled into every home in America. 

My class right now at Full Sail is Artist and Product Management. When I saw this show in my hotel, I was writing a script about Noah's Ark. I thought, "What if your product was the bible?" How would that work? Mark Eriksson, who is a product manager, wrote in his article, What, exactly is a Product Manager?, “that a product manager must learn how to maximize the business value of the product.”  Does the bible have a business value? Can you make money off spreading the word of God? In my opinion, yes. However, I feel that your product is not the actual bible itself but more of an idea. Can use manage an idea? This was seen when President Obama was running for office in 2008. Through the message or idea of hope and change, a movement was started and eventually lead to the Obama’s election. The business value was implemented through t-shirts sales, buttons, artwork, dvd’s about his life, jewelry, bedding and so many other products.

Eriksson also add that, “you need to know everything about your market and your customer, and then mix all that information with a healthy dose of creativity to define a vision for your product.” This could be done through many diferrent medians.

Everyone feels as though they are familiar with the stories of the bible and the teachings of Jesus.  However, to see this interpretation of the Word is inspiring and engaging. If a product manager for a Christian company was looking at these trends and ways to capitalize on this growing interest, I feel that there is money to be made.

Spreading the word of the bible in this technological age has gotten much easier. With applications like Bible gateway the word is emailed to you daily and even motivational messages.

All a product manager would have to do is represent a Christian entertainment company and use the bible’s messages to sell their book, movies, apps and much more. This is a new way to think about product management.