QUESTION OF THE DAY - ITS TOUGH OUT THERE - September 16, 2009

TheHolodigm.com

Danny Delgato asks:

I'm trying to stand up and make a career. Its tough out there. What do I do?

Hartmann responds:

Don't tell me how tough it is, stop whining and kick some ass. Its only going to get tougher. This is the most competitive environment on the planet. Any fool with a mac and a mic can play. The public is the only true judge of your talent.

Stop worrying about Europe and the rest of the country. Become the dominant musical force within a 100 mile radius of your home. Play every high school, college, bar and concert hall you can get into and book it yourself. Even perform in the street. Play as often as you can.

Find someone you trust to be your partner in business. Give him an equal share with the band and put him to work. Take him to http://www.theholodigm.com/ All the answers are there, or ask me. Watch everything and read the "Blog" postings. Your new partner is the CEO of your business and his survival will depend on your success. He doesn't have to know anything about the postmodern record business that he can't learn on my web site.

If you try to get another record deal you will fail, or they will fail you, as in the past. The record companies are lost and don't know what to do. They don't have enough money left to fund a radio campaign and you don't need to waste your time on national touring. They are crashing and burning. If they do offer you a deal it will be a 360 degree participation in everything you ever earn. They will own your masters and your publishing; and, they won't deliver on their promises.

Start your own label and work it from the fan base up. Nurture your followers on the Internet, get them to form a cult around you and ask them to enroll their friends in your club. If you can't make it at home something is wrong and you won't make it elsewhere.

In my fifty two years in music I never met a band that didn't think it was going all the way. 99% of them are wrong. If you think you are one of the 10% who will make a living in music, or the 1% who will share most of the money, start now. Do it yourself. Get tough! This is not a game for the faint of heart. It is not about fame and fortune; its about making music.

The first level of success is survival. That means making a living from music without a day job. Own Portland and the world will come to your door step. If you can't get it done there, why would any body else care? There is no point in playing to an empty house in Chicago. Keep the money; don't spend it on long distance travel and hotel rooms. Are you reading me, Danny? This is the truth.