What to do ????

[jensen]

Oh and btw, it was my manager that made me join Taxi yesterday, she's been nagging me for weeks, so it seems she has good taste in music sites eh ??Jensen

[nomiyah]

Quote:I asked for advice, just like adad did, and I got mixed reactions exactly like there has been on here, many people were trying to tell me that managers are only in it for themselves, they would rip me off, or let me down, and bla bla bla, so I borrowed some money, got some legal advice from an ents lawyer and he listened to my story, and all the worries that everyone had put in my head, so his answer !! he just said well my boy, you can either go for it, or leave it ! its up to you, but, he said if you dont go for it, whats the alternative ? are you going to regret it a year down the line when you are still in the same place as you are now ?and why he said would you think this lady manager is going to rip you off, dont you realise that this lady is in a far more vulnerable position than you are,she invests, you get some movement maybe a deal, and then you get through the door and another management will come in as a 5% cheaper offer, you think uuhmm why not, so she looses out, you end up with a shark manager, the one who didnt want you when you were nothing !!!I thought about what he said, called up the lady and said we're on !!since then, in 6 sweet weeks, I've worked with two top level hit producers recorded my stuff and co-written with them, I've travelled to Europe, next month will be in LA with another top level producer, and I've already had two major labels showing interest !!This is what I was talking about. Beginning artists usually have this notion everyone is going to rip them off. There is a lot of corruption in the industry but look for honest people. Bottom line is we don't make it anywhere by ourselves.I had a similar story a few years ago. I was working with my friend XSample as a duo and we opened for a local band in a nearly empty club in a small town. But the people who were there were ecstatic about our performance and we were approached by a manager who wanted to sign us.We did sign with him but he just wasn't very good. He never did anything but talk. We'd get a gig and he'd take a cut. We'd record a song and he'd take credit for it. After nearly a year, I asked to get out of the contract based on the fact that he wasn't fulfilling any duties of a manager. He let us out of the contract without a problem thankfully. He really was trying to get a free ride on our backs.But it sounds like you found a good person who is really helping your career and that's how it should be. Congrats to you. Nice having you on the forum and I look forward to meeting you at the Rally.Nomi

[nomiyah]

Hooks, you sure did give me the inside scoop on N-town!!!! But if you've been keeping your cats in bags, I don't think I'd call that nice. Now this thread's officially been jacked up (sorry...)

[adad]

Update :awyer post poned until Monday Uggh..

[adad]

Regards Jensen:This thought has caused me to loose sleep. "Will we tinker the deal and loose an opportunity?"...as for my daughter, a teen, she demands to know what are we waiting for and goes from elation to absolute fear of failure in ( it sems like hours) A short time. We had been approached by an opportunity about a year ago, he manages a well known "b" level group with legitimate hit(s) and producers etc.The process was " hurry up", "wait" ," oh not now", and so on. It became very deflating. The attention came after her FIRST public Gig for a well known entertainment company, where she was the by chance the act just prior to the intro to this group. Since then the lack of traction had been de-motivating.Now with these development opportunities, that previous experience is in her mind and from an immature point of view the question for her is "go through this again?" "for what?".... So we are trying to make sure the deal is solid and straight for her....$$ is not the key, opportunity and exposure for her is what we wantGreat advice from you folks... thanksyou will get updates soon.. promise!adad

[nomiyah]

Quote:as for my daughter, a teen, she demands to know what are we waiting for and goes from elation to absolute fear of failure in ( it sems like hours) A short time. She must be talented so she should feel good about that!!!!!The ups and downs are typical for the music industry, she may as well get used to it. Meanwhile, she should prepare for success by working on her vocals and staying fit.Most professional singers work out as hard as athletes. When I performed full-time, I used to run and sing at the same time to stay in shape so I could make it look easy onstage. Then I started noticing interviews with everyone from Beyonce to Mick Jagger saying they run and sing at the same time to get in shape for a concert. Lots of upcoming young artists take vocal and dance lessons.Best to both of you!!!

[jensen]

from what I have heard all the way through my time so far in this industry, it seems like you can never be sure of anything till you actually see your stuff in the charts, its an industry full of risks !!but the other way to look at it is, the "other side" also takes a risk as well as your daughter, managers and producers have also been "hurt" many times in the past too by putting masses of effort into an artist only for nothing to come through for them in the end.I totally accept these days that everybody deserves to make a buck out of a deal, the labels, the manager, the producer, the merchandisers, the road crew, whatever and whoever ! because without every little cog in the wheel turning nothing would be able to move forward.Anyway, good luck with your offer and your decision too, hope things turn out great for all involved.regardsjensen

[edteja]

She is going to have to find a way to deal with the hurry up and wait nature of this business. The best thing is for her to always have a goal for herself that does not depend on anyone else. It could be learning a difficult vocal part, running with Nomi, learning some new performing techniques, or building her own web site. As long as it is something that she can productively put her own energy into and feel that she is moving her own career along, even if everyone else, including Dad, is sitting on their thumbs (cause she will feel that way even if you are busy relocating heaven and earth to make things happen).Just a thought.

[jensen]

that Mr Ed is actually excellent adviceJ

[adad]

OK here are our updates. and in just 2 weeks the world has changed.We met a lawyer. She gave me an expensive tutoring lesson and reworked the development deal. We sent the revisions to all of the "producers" .One was was livid that we would question the deal, or even attempt to write additions to the contract. He then sent an e-mail littered with mis spellings and wholly un-professional with indignation.He asked me what I thought I was doing, I told him my role is to bring a happy healthy teenager to adulthood and if mixing it up with him meant that I get her there, great. If not he could seduce another parent.we have not spoken since... oops.On the other hand another producer actually took the time to meet us while we vacationed near his studio. We met there ( my suggestion) just to see if the thing even existed, especially after dealing with the kook.He agreed provided she sing live for him ( first time he could hear her live) at a very public event he was part of.I will tell you only that she sang at the event, and for the moment we are now in the middle of a made for TV movie.Turns out other people we sent her demo to were there....To report the details will jinx everything, further no one would believe it until it plays out. But, I promise to report the events once the ride is over.Thanks for your advice, the lawyer thing and learning to trust trustworthy folks means a lot.It seems simple in retrospect, but its truly hard to see the forest from all the gilded trees..I think I need to learn what a manager does...regards,ADAD