Stop Burning Bridges…Or
Your Career Might Go Up In Flames!
By Sheena Metal
Hey, nobody said the music business was going to be easy.
It truly is a jungle out there filled with: snakes, rats,
rabid carnivores, sharks…well, you get the picture.
In the course of your musical journey, there will be confrontations,
arguments, misunderstandings, and miscommunications. You’ll
get jerked around, screwed over, ripped off and disrespected.
So, you want to be a rockstar? Welcome to your nightmare.
But this is also a business of good people, who’ll
give you opportunities and chances and help you out when you
least expect it. That’s why it’s so important
that you, as musicians and as a band, act professionally and
respectfully regardless of the behavior of those you encounter.
You don’t have to be a pushover and of course, you have
a right to defend yourself against the questionable actions
of others, but the music community can be a very small town
and the behavior you exhibit will follow you throughout your
musical career.
On the flipside of that, there are musicians out there who,
either knowingly or unknowingly bring negativity on themselves
through their own actions. Short temperedness, egocentricism,
brazen entitlement, compulsive lying and just plain old psychotic
behavior can brand your band as troublemakers and deprive
you of important opportunities that you need to move forward
in this business.
So, how can you make sure that you’re doing onto others
as you wish they would do onto you? What can you, as musicians
do, to eliminate aspects of your personality that may be causing
bad blood between you and the people you run across on your
way to superstardom?
The following are a few tips that may help you to make sure
you’re exhibiting professional behavior at all times:
1.) Be Timely And Courteous---Whether you’re playing
out live or emailing booking inquiries from home, there is
never a substitute for courteously or timeliness. At gigs,
show up when you’re supposed to, be friendly, treat
others with respect, set up quickly, end your set on time,
break down quickly, be mindful of other bands on stage, compliment
those around you and don’t forget simple things like,
“please” and “thank you.” When you
leave a positive impression in people’s minds, you’ll
be high on their list when it comes time to fill an open booking
slot, recommend a band for a review, etc.
2.) Make Sure Your Actions Match Your Words---It’s
such a simple thing but you’d be surprised how many
musicians seem incapable to doing what they say they’re
going to. If you book a gig, show up and play. If you say
you’re going to bring twenty friends and fans to your
gig, do it. If you reserve an ad in a local music magazine,
pay for it. If you write a check, make sure that it doesn’t
bounce. If you say you’re going to send out a press
package or a CD, mail it. It is true that many people in the
music business are distrustful of bands that they don’t
know, and with good reason in many instances. Build your good
reputation in the industry by proving that you will do what
you’ve promised. Start small. Once you’ve gain
people’s trust, you’ll see more and more doors
opening up for your band.
3.) Take The High Road---It may be tough but there’s
nothing to be gained from returning someone’s improper
behavior with a heap-load of your own. That doesn’t
mean that you need to let every industry slime-bag from New
York to LA ride roughshod all over your music project but
there are ways to deal with the negative behavior in this
business without branding yourself with a label equally as
negative. Sending firm yet professional letters, making intelligent
and informed phone inquiries and, if need be, taking legal
action against those who have acted inappropriately are ways
to handle unpleasant situations without drawing negative attention
to yourself. Public scenes, yelling and screaming, long-winded
and ranting emails, threats and accusations and spiteful actions
may make you feel vindicated but it may chase away the good
people as well as the bad and that just sets your band back.
4.) You Can’t Undo What You’ve Already Done---It’s
much harder to undo past bad behaviors, or reverse negative
reputations than it is to foster positive ones. It’s
best when starting out to avoid acting rash as a rule. If
you have a band member that is incapable of keeping his or
her cool, perhaps it’s time to rethink his or her place
in your group. The entertainment industry has a long memory
and a spiteful tongue. Make sure when people speak of you,
they’re speaking well.
This may all seem like such common sense that it isn’t
even worth mentioning but you’d be surprised how many
shows, interviews, tours, and record deals have never materialized
because of burned bridges. You may have talent and great tunes,
but if your attitude sucks you’ll get passed over time
and again. No one wants to work with rage-aholics, egomaniacs
or crazies. Don’t let anyone think that’s what
your band is about. Sure it’s important to be creative
geniuses but if no one likes you, you’ll be performing
your masterpieces in the garage for grandma and her Pomeranian.
Get smart and treat people right and you may find yourself
rockin’ all the way to the bank.
Sheena Metal is a radio host, producer, promoter, music supervisor,
consultant, columnist, journalist and musician. Her syndicated
radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 700 affiliates
to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians’ assistance
program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members. She currently
promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles Area,
where she resides. For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com.
Past Column's by Sheena
Every Song
Fan Etiquette
To Tour or Not to Tour
Leave Your Drama At Home
Burning Bridges
Radio Play
Opening Acts!
Managers
Show Me the CD
Be Committed
Scandalous Behavior
Create A Buzz
Green Eyed Monster
It's All Good
The Winner Is
