5 things the record labels are looking for- when you have a sit down

I was very fortunate to learn from the best in the industry while growing up in the business in Nashville. So here are a few musts:  Originality, Appearance, Commitment, and my #1 qualification, Passion! I am going to give you a few very common sense do's and dont's when talking to or visiting either an A&R person or a record executive.

 1. Hygiene.  Dress for success!  They are looking at you!  Their first impression may be the last if you're not dressed for the part.

2. Have a plan.  If you don't know where you're going, how can you expect them to?

3. Know your interviewer and the label roster.  Showing them you're interested in them will go along way.  There's a lot more to your art than the music.  This will show you're a well rounded Pro.

4. Have at least 3 songs ready to perform live as well as multiple CD'S.  If they're interested in you they will ask you to perform for them and will want to have copies of your music to pass around to the A&R department.

5. Have someone with you to represent you.  You need to have a representative with you that understands the business, and can promote you and ask questions that you can't.

As simple and obvious as these may seem, you would be surprised how many people we met with that came to possibly the most important meeting of their life, and blew it.


 If someone came in for review we would probably ask "Who do you sound like?" and if their answer was -(example; Garth Brooks) our response would probably go something like this: "Well that's nice, there's already a Garth Brooks-- NEXT!!"
You must be yourself.  Don't ever try to be someone that's already out there. You must find your own niche.

Here's another question I would always ask.  How long do you plan on pursuing your career?  If a limit was put on this question, that tells us a lot.  The correct answer is as long as it takes.  This is a tough business and it can easily take years to launch a career even after signing a deal.  The Artist I know and respect can't quit even if they want to; it's in their blood.  Enjoy the trip, because you will find out at the end the destination was not what you were after.  Sharing your gift with others is where you find true joy.