A&R - Getting a Record Deal

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Question:What does A&R Stand for?Answer:Artist & Repertoire. The term was coined to describe the function of people at record labels who are in charge of finding and developing new talent.Question:How do I get my music to an A&R guy?Answer:The best way to get your music to an A&R person is to cause them to come to you. You can do that by building a fan base through constant touring and relentless self-promotion. Couple that with making, marketing, and selling several thousand of your own CDs, and it's likely that you'll show up on their radar. When you do, they'll call you.Question:Can you get through to them with an unexpected phone call?Answer:Very doubtful. If they took calls from every person who wanted to pitch their music to them they wouldn't have time to do any of their other work.Question:Can you send an unsolicited demo? Yes, but it will most likely come back to you or end up in the round file. A&R people are extremely busy, and generally listen only to the material that comes to them from a trusted resource such as a high-level manager, a publisher, a music attorney, and if you'll forgive the little plug — TAXI.What makes an A&R person want to sign you?Hit songs and "star" quality. Those are requisites. Beyond that, you can increase your odds by doing your own artist development and proving that the public loves you and is willing to plunk money to buy your CD.