Monday, October 15, 2007

HOW TO SING YOUR WAY TO STARDOM

I was checking out some of the latest posts on the site and there are so many great opportunities for singers. I’ve met a lot of aspiring solo artists who have experienced difficulty landing a contract and have become discouraged. If you fall into this category, don’t give up. There are lots of ways to climb the ladder of success in the recording arts industry.

The bottom line is that landing opportunities in any area of the entertainment industry can be a challenge. It’s rare that anyone goes from singing into their hair brush in the bathroom mirror to winning a Grammy overnight. Most stars will tell you that it can be a long road to success. But if it’s really your dream to become a chart topping singer, then you’ll be willing to commit the time and effort required to get there.

Often we want to be thrust into the spotlight immediately. But more than likely you’ll have to work your way up. One of the most important tools to landing a recording contract is getting in front of the right people – which can be difficult. Sometimes you have to piggyback on others in the industry in order to get to where you need to be. Let me share a few examples.

Find a Songwriter:
Songwriters often look for singers when they are creating demos in order to showcase their work to labels. By singing on a songwriter’s demo, when the demo is being shopped, your voice is heard by entertainment executives, artists and producers that could help to propel your career. While you may not be paid for your time and talent, it’s a great opportunity for exposure.

Join a Group:
Even if you want to be a solo artist, don’t turn down opportunities to be in a group. Some of the most successful solo artists were once members of groups. Justin Timberlake (N’Sync) and Beyonce (Destiny’s Child) have sold millions of albums as solo artists, but both began their careers as members of a group. Remember, you want exposure. Take advantage of every opportunity that arises to help you get in front of lots of people and showcase your talents.

Sing Backup:
Singing backup is a great way to get started in the business. You’ll get great experience, make great contacts and get amazing exposure. Those three factors could payoff big for you and you could be well on your way to stardom in no time. Many great singers started off as background singers.

When you’re working towards big dreams, it’s important to have an open mind. Get to know everyone in the business, from the studio engineers to the promoter of your local open mic. Sometimes a strategy that you hadn’t considered might be just the thing that gets you in the door.

There are a lot of opportunities on my site for aspiring singers. Check them out and give every opportunity a try. You’ve got nothing to lose but your day job.

Check in tomorrow to learn how to build your resume and your reel.

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