The Mama Foundation

This week I wanted to take the time to acknowledge a not-for-profit organization that has contributed to its community by keeping the music alive. Based out of Harlem New York, and founded by Vy Higginson radios first African American disc jockey, The Mama Foundation school of Gospel, Jazz vocal and R&B arts has been helping talented teenagers and musicians make a loud sound in Harlem New York.

The Mama Foundation welcomes voices at any stage of development whether beginner or seasoned. However, most importantly the foundation provides a place where musicians can go to learn the craft, become more confident and learn how to interpret songs better by learning how to find emotional release. In addition, the foundation provides a place for teenagers to join their own gospel group.

The gospel for teens by far is one of the many attributes the Mama Foundation possesses. Learning the background story of some of the teens and learning the many different trials and tribulations the teens go through in their daily lives becomes moving when you witness the positive effect the school has offered the them. In many cases the foundation has helped some of them become more confident about who they are as a person and taught them to be proud by shouting their name out loud. The Mama Foundation not only provided the gift of music but the gift of learning how to be comfortable in your skin, know and learn how to love yourself.

Amongst being a service to the community, the foundation also found success by having the longest running black Off-Broadway play in history. Mama I Want to Sing is a classic musical that has been widely recognized and has had an impressive star line up since its creation including Tisha Campbell, Chaka Kahn just to name a few. Current versions of the play that has been brought to film people can find music greats such as Pattie la belle and pop artist Ciara playing roles in the musical.

The Mama Foundation has a rich history behind its creation and continues to run shows in Harlem and all over the world. To learn more about The Mama Foundation please watch the attached interview conducted by CBS news 60 minutes.

References

2012. The Mama Foundation. About. Retrieved from http://mamafoundation.org/index.html. Sunday 23, 2012

2011. Gospel for teens. CBS 60 minutes. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7361574n Sunday 23, 2012

Directors Cut

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Business Planning: The Experts Point of View

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I believe it wouldn’t be a little far fetched to say that there has been a boost in entrepreneurial spirit lately, more and more I stumble across young entrepreneurs opting to take a chance on their idea and passion in hopes to turn it into a money making machine while on the quest for financial independence. Within the music industry the entrepreneurial spirit is well alive, established artists are finding new ways to build off their brand and venture out into businesses other than music such as selling perfume or starting a new clothing or shoe line. For the independent artist, we are seeing them rise to fame on their own by creating successful campaigns to help boost their notoriety. The common link between these scenarios is that before a perfume, shoe line, or artist campaign could ever take place, one must realize the importance of planning for the business.

From an experts point of view, business plan writer Tim Berry explains which components in a business plan that can kill its credibility. Tim Berry started his career  as a journalist and continued on to publish books such as Business Plan Pro, Three Weeks to Start-up, and Sales and Market Forecasting just to name a few. He is also a successful business owner of Palo Alto Software now a multi-million dollar company.  From Tim’s standpoint, business plans are a critical component to the success of a company, he believes that it is not beneficial for anyone but the entrepreneur themselves to write their own business plans.

 According to Tim, a key component in a business plan investors look for that can kill its credibility are: Unbelievable profits, Ignoring sales on credit, and expenses vs. assets. He says this holds true because most startups are not profitable, rarely do they make 10% on profits therefore it would be unreasonable for a plan to project their business will make 30% or more in profits. Waiting to get paid is a reality within businesses which is why Tim stresses sales on credit in business plan projections are key, without them included in a plan can kill its credibility. Lastly Tim says every business plan should accurately list its assets and expenses accurately.

Another Business plan expert Mark Zwilling is the CEO and Founder of Start Up Professionals Inc., his work has been published in Harvard Business Review and Business Insider. According to business plan expert reviews like Berry, Zwilling shares some basic tips that should never be excluded in a business plan.  He states the executive summary is a key component in a business plan, investors will not look at a plan without an executive summary. Making sure the plan is free of typos is key and making sure the plan is an actual plan. Lastly, lengthy plans are not ideal, keeping the plan roughly around 20 pages will work.

To learn how to write a business plan Tim Berry offers advice on his website http://www.bplans.com/.

References

Berry, T. (2012 July 31). 3 incredibly common credibility killers in business plan numbers. Retrieved from http://timberry.bplans.com/. August 5, 2012

Berry, T. (2012). How to write a start up. Retrieved from http://www.bplans.com/. August 5 2012.

(2011 March 31). Mark Zwilling. R. Expert views on business plans. Retrieved from http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/. August 5, 2012

The Voice Auditions!

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NBC's hit music television show The Voice is finally hosting auditions around the country looking for new talent that will be showcased on television, airing fall 2012. It seems like many undiscovered artists are finding new found fame and success from nationwide opportunities such as programs from The Voice, Americas Got Talent, American Idol and a slew of other music talent shows that have been taking over late night television by storm.

Since its very difficult breaking into the music industry independently, gathering the courage to audition for The Voice may not be a bad idea. If you know you have the talent and are having a hard time getting yourself out there, then choosing to audition is the way to go! these days any opportunity an artist gets should be taken advantage of. No opportunity is too big or too small, if the talent and image is there then go for it!

For more information about The voice auditions please visit the website to learn about qualifications and how you can become the next voice America will be begging to hear every night!

The Voice production team wants to hear you! audition at the following locations.

New York: July 21/ 22
Memphis, TN: July 7th
Minneapolis: July 14th
Dallas, TX: July 28/29
Los Angeles, CA: August 11/12

If you are unable to attend and open call audition The Voice also makes it easier for applicants to audition via online. For more info on online auditioning please visit the following link http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/audition-online/?__source=voice|home|rightcolumn

References

2012. The Voice. Official casting cite. Retrieved from http://www.nbcthevoice.com/. July 22, 2012.

2012. The Voice. Online casting cite. Retrieved from http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/audition-online/?__source=voice|home|rightcolumn. July 22, 2012.

Ratings Over Integrity

In the realm of reality television, ratings dictate the life and air play that a show will be broadcast to viewers. For the stars of the show, being broadcast on television often means an opportunity to earn income, fame, and other perks associated with the entertainment industry. All of these gains are enough to make any one jump on board at the sound of a whistle. however, the question is why does it seem when these reality stars sign on, viewers would much rather see them jump off ship.

Lately there has been a backlash on reality tv shows such as VH1's  basketball wives and Love & Hip Hop series now airing. Apparently viewers have been outraged about the content the network has been allowing the viewers to see and the portrayl of bad character and behavior that has been captured. Many petitioning the show to be removed off air, believe all of the malicious fighting, sex and love triangles are not healthy for young viewers that may think that type of behavior is acceptable.  On the website Change.org, explains it’s reasoning why they believe creating a petition is necessary “For example, let's look at the story of Momma Dee, the ex-pimp/ex-human trafficker on the show. In a city where sex trafficking is pervasive, we desperately need to hear Mama Dee's story. Yet, VH1 treats her story like it's no big deal. When sex trafficking is treated casually, like it's chewing a piece of gum, it perpetuates the problem!”. http://www.change.org/petitions/boycott-vh1-love-hip-hop-atlanta-specifically-stop-dealing-digital-crack-and-tell-balanced-stories. 

In response to the negative backlash, some of the characters on the show have defended VH1 and themselves by stating what is aired is real life, and if people have a problem with it, then they need to change the channel. To see some of the controversy click on the link to view a trailer of this weeks upcoming episode of Love & Hip Hop on VH1.  http://www.vh1.com/video/misc/809042/episode-3-sneak-peek.jhtml#id=1688464

References

Harper, E (2012). Boycott VH1 (Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Specifically): Stop Dealing Digital Crack and Tell Balanced Stories. Retrieved from. http://www.change.org/petitions/boycott-vh1-love-hip-hop-atlanta-specifically-stop-dealing-digital-crack-and-tell-balanced-stories. June 28, 2012

(2012). Love & Hip Hop Atlanta > Ep. 3 | Episode 3 Sneak Peek. Retrieved from http://www.vh1.com/video/misc/809042/episode-3-sneak-peek.jhtml#id=1688464. June 30, 2012

Local Music Networks

As an artist you might have it all, great music, fun personality, relatable and immensely talented. If a major record label gave you a shot you know your artistry package will make you an overnight success. You're doing everything you need to do locally to get recognized such as performing in local showcases and open mic's, in the hopes that someone whom works in the music industry will discover you. Although this is a good start for artists, many of them do not know that making it in the industry is going to require more effort than performing in local shows. 

So you want to be a star? Then you must master the art of getting yourself out there. Performing locally is a good place to get acquainted and experience performing live but it won't necessarily win you the recording contract with a record label. Artists need to expand and gain the right exposure by constantly being in tune with music industry professionals. This means that artists need to know what industry scouts are looking for, learn where they are networking to find talent, and being prepared to seize the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately for many this is a hard task because there are not that many organizations that host events on a regular basis and that are extremely effective on reaching the right individuals. 

Recognizing the need for this in the entertainment industry website www.themusicbusinessnetwork.com aspires to connect aspiring artists, students, established music professionals and engineers through their website and official hosted events in the New York City area. President and Founder Kathryn Sano describes the purpose of her site "The Music Business Network is dedicated to connecting industry professionals, students, and musicians with the services that they need in order to succeed professionally. The Network acts as an intermediary between members. It facilitates the connection between individuals who are in need of services to network members who supply the services they need. The goals of the network are: to provide networking opportunities (through its events)."(Sano 2012 MBN). Sano's cite is what emerging artists in the music industry need to support successful careers, her events offer good networking opportunities for industry professionals to discover talent and for artists to meet people that may help music projects.

Sano's Music Business Network is an asset for artists in the New York area trying to get their foot in the door. I would recommend artists to start getting themselves out there at events that will be a direct networking genius for their careers.

2012. Sano K.The Music Business Network. Retrieved from www.themusicbusinessnetwork.com June 16, 2012

2012. Image. About Us. Retrieved from www.themusicbusinessnetwork.com. June 16, 2012

Using Websites To Get Discovered

For years as a lover of all music genres and the business of the music industry, I know first hand how hard it is for artists to get their foot in the door. So many negative factors about the industry has left a bad taste in many peoples mouths and since discouraged our talented musicians and business professionals from pursuing their dreams. Making a difference in the music community has always been a lifelong goal for me because I understand how powerful and inspiring the sound of beautiful music can be. I want this blog to serve as a tool for emerging musicians, singers, songwriters and future business moguls as a reference and guide for the starving artist on how to make it in the industry.

Many of us have heard or know of extremely gifted artists with the ability to touch lives through song, but yet they have not been able to land a major recording deal. To yourself you may have wondered this artist has the whole package, quality music, personality and a great image so what is the hold up? The frozen truth is that making it into the music industry has a lot to do with who you know and networking. If this task was an easy one maybe that talented person would have been signed a long time ago. Artist have to grasp that utilizing resources is essential to advancing their career.

In 2007 three business partners understood that breaking into the industry for unknown artist is extremely difficult and wanted to connect those artist to already established music professionals looking for talent. The innovative founders Corey Stanford, Nathaniel Casey and Ronald Harrison created a brilliant idea of a company now known as Blazetrak. Blazetrak serves as the first ever online networking for artist looking to get their music heard by A list celebrities and moguls such as Ruben Studdard, Matthew Knowles, Big boi and John Rich just to name a few. The company guarantees that if an artist submits their music through Blazetrak to the person of their choice, that within 30 days they will receive a personal video message from the music industry professional giving the artist valuable feedback and direct exposure.  http://vimeo.com/20583755 Although this idea is brilliant it also comes with a hefty price, Blazetrak translates the price into credits with one credit averaging 25 dollars a pop. However, it is a great opportunity for artists that have quality material but no direction.  Blazetrak works! visit the website at  www.blazetrak.com.

 Reference

 About Blazetrak/Blazetrak. Retrieved from http://Blazetrak.com/howitworks_overview.php. June 16, 2012.