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Music
Industry Glossary
To succeed in the music business, you have to speak the language. With that in mind,
MusicBizAdvice.com has assembled this Music Industry Glossary.
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A cappella Singing unaccompanied by music. Can be either solo or
group.
Acid reflux (see Reflux)
Condition that causes stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus & throat
area. Acid reflux can cause reflux laryngitis.
Actors Equity (Equity) The union representing theater actors
and stage managers.
Adds (aka Add-ons) Songs or albums added to a radio station’s
play list.
AFM (AF of M) American Federation of Musicians. The musicians' union.
Sets minimum wages and working conditions for American artists. The majority of
live performance contracts are drawn up using the AFM standard contract format
known as the AFM Performance Agreement. The AFM
also provides a variety of services to its members, including health insurance, legal aid,
etc.
AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio
Artists) The union that represents artists on radio and television. Also known as
"The Singers Union."
Agent Seeks employment for the artist and negotiates
performance contracts. Gets the artist the gig.
Album A collection of songs, regardless of format.
Amp Slang for amplifier.
Aphonic Medical term used by throat
doctors used to mean
completely without
sounds.
A&R (Artist and Repertoire) Label department that works most
closely with the artists. The duties of an A&R rep include finding talent
for the label, finding songs or songwriters to work with the artist, finding
a producer for the artist, and supervising the artist’s recording project on
behalf of the label.
Artist Music industry contract term for musician or performer.
ASCAP American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.
Organization that grants licenses for performances of a given songwriter or
publisher's music. ASCAP was the first Performance Rights Society
in the US (1914).
Avails Available dates, usually in reference to the availability of a
venue. Example, "Can you get me avails for Hollywood Bowl for May16?"
Backline
Instruments and everything needed onstage to put on a concert, with the
exception of some sound and lights (See Sound and
Lights.)
Bean Counters Slang for those who count the money and
keep track of sales.
Black Currant Pastilles Glycerin-based throat lozenge
recommended by throat doctors. Used by professional singers. The most well-known brand is
Grether's Black Currant Pastilles, which have been manufactured since the 1930's.
Bland Band (The Bland Band) Not a real band; MusicBizAdvice.com staff slang used
to describe boring TV talent show house bands or telethon house bands. Such
bands often use toned down arrangements for rock songs and take the edge off
the guitar solos and remove distortion to make them more palatable for all
demographics. This results in an often bland, boring sound.
BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated).
Non-profit organization that
grants licenses for performances of a given songwriter or publisher's music.
One of the two main performing rights organizations in the U.S., BMI was first
proposed in the late 1930's.
Bogart-Bacall Syndrome (See Lauren
Bacall Syndrome) Condition in which improper vocal technique while speaking results in
a gravelly-sounding voice. Common in women.
Business Manager Keeps track of an artist's finances. Usually a CPA who
specializes in the entertainment industry.
Buyer (terms used interchangably: Talent
Buyer, Purchaser, Concert Promoter,
Promoter)
Makes offers of employment to artist through the artist’s agent.
Capacity The number of audience members a concert
venue will hold. (When figuring
Gross Potential, an accurate capacity takes into account any seats
eliminated by staging elements and is the number of saleable
tickets.)
Chargebacks Expenses charged by a
label against an artist’s royalties. (See Recoupable.)
Clear Channel (Clear Channel Communications, Inc.) Giant media
company, concert promoter, and world's largest billboard company which owns
well over 1200 radio stations and 37 TV stations in the US (2001 figures)
and invests in 240 other radio stations worldwide, controls 60% of the rock
music programming in the US, owns and/or operates 200 concert venues in the
US, and has a worldwide presence in over 65 countries. During a buying spree
in the late 1990's Clear Channel bought out many longtime local concert
promoters, earning the ire of many live concert industry veterans. Clear
Channel also owns merchandising companies, radio research companies, and
even pay toilets. Clear Channel has been criticized within the music
industry for using its power to limit opportunities for artists via a
monopoly, as well as for using its media holdings to further its political
agenda (its founder is friends with President George W. Bush and co-owned
the Texas Rangers with him). Clear Channel denies both allegations. You can
read more about Clear Channel
here (an anti Clear Channel site; contains links to news stories
about the above allegations, as well as a message board). You can also
read the Clear
Channel
company history on Clear Channel's corporate web site, which details the
afore-mentioned buying spree. There's also a list of Clear Channel's
media holdings on the
Columbia
Journalism Review web site. (Note: the local promoters that were
bought out fall under the Clear Channel Entertainment Group and are not
listed individually.)
Click Track
A recording of a metronome sound based around bar
beats that helps a drummer keep in time with the rest of the band.
Composite Card (aka composite) 8x10 photograph
containing images of you in
varied “looks” or angles. These are used to obtain modeling, television ad,
and acting gigs, but having one doesn’t hurt for live tour auditions. You
should also have a headshot in addition to a composite card.
Concert Promoter (aka,
buyer,
promoter,
talent buyer,
Purchaser)
Makes offers of
employment to artist through the artist’s agent.
Corporate date A
private show an artist plays for a corporation's convention, party, or
retreat. (See
Private date.)
Cost per thousand
Way of breaking down the cost of producing, manufacturing, and
promoting a CD. (Also used in producing printed materials.)
Cover (Cover Tune, Cover Song) A song that has been released before by
another artist.
Cut outs (also, cutouts) Product titles discontinued by the record label, usually due to
lack of sales. Often purchased in large amounts by another company and sold dirt-cheap in
discount bins.
Dated Derogatory term used by music industry executives to describe
the sound or sound of an artist they feel is behind the times. Translation:
1. "Show me something current that will get airplay on an important
reporting radio station" or 2. "Show me something that will start a brand
new trend."
Deadwood Unsold tickets at a concert.
Demo A recording made to demonstrate how a song should sound. Could be
done by a songwriter to pitch a song to a recording artist, by an artist to work out the
arrangement and production of a song before entering the studio for final recording, or by
an artist for use in a promo package to attract labels and
Talent Buyers.
Demo Reel A CD (used to be a cassette or ¼ inch
tape) used by studio musicians, backup singers, and touring
instrumentalists containing whole songs or clips of your recorded
examples in diverse styles. Assuming all cuts demonstrate your
musicianship (or voice) well, your demo reel should include: Solo work first
(commercial [AKA National/Major album] or non commercial,) commercial album
work non-solo next, then national jingles , non solo, followed by
non-commercial ensemble recordings.
Deviated Septum Abnormality of the nasal
passages.
Downstage The part of the stage closest to the audience. Called this
because in some vaudeville houses this part of the stage was slanted toward the audience
to facilitate sweeping off debris thrown at the performers.
Electronic tour (also, digital tour) Performances is which a
major artist performs live in one location and the performance is
transmitted to other venues via satellite, pay-per-view cable, and in the
case of a digital tour, via the Internet, and wireless devices.
Emancipated minor (aka "emancipated") Person under the
age of 18 who has been legally declared an adult and is no longer under his
or her parents' control. Obtaining emancipated minor status, which gives a
minor the legal rights of an adult, is common with teens in the
entertainment industry because it enables them to enter into legal
agreements such as contracts on their own behalf, work longer hours, and
gives them control to make financial decisions for themselves. In California
the code that allows this is the Emancipation of Minors Law and is covered
in
Sections 7000-7143 of the California Family Code. To obtain emancipated
minor status in California, the minor must be at least 14 years old, prove
that they manage their own financial affairs, and meet other criteria as
outlined in
Sections 7120-7122 of the California Family Code.
EP
Extended Play. Record containing at least 3 songs (2 songs per side is
usual), but not as many songs as an LP.
"Equity" Slang for
Actors Equity, the union representing theater actors
and stage managers.
Exclusivity Clause Found in various
types of contracts and agreements that prohibits a business relationship (or
certain aspects of a business relationship) with another entity. Example:
Management contracts have an exclusivity clause that states that "Manager
shall be Artist's sole representative and represent Artist in all creative
endeavors..."
Executive producer Credit on a CD or live performance indicating a
person who assists the project in an executive capacity, often financing the
project.
Feedback High-pitched squeal that happens onstage when an electric
guitar and a microphone get too close together. The sound is created when
the sound from an amp is taken in by the guitar's or mic's pickup and
is "fed back" into the amplifier.
Fly To suspend equipment (or people) above the stage
via a system of trusses and cables. Riggers are the crew
members in charge of doing this.
F.O.H. See Front
of House.
Foley The sound effects in a movie. The Foley artist creates and adds
sound effects with a variety of percussion instruments and every day objects
to recreate sounds that go with each scene. Thunder, horse hooves clopping
on cobblestones, creaking doors, wind, slaps, or the sounds of someone
getting punched are a few examples.
Foley artist Person who creates and adds sound effects to a movie
after filming, such as thunder, horse hooves, wind, creaking doors, slap, or
the sound of someone getting punched. Foley artists sometimes work in teams
to create multiple sounds for a scene. Most Foley artists love a challenge,
and the best are known for their ingenuity in inventing devices to create
the most realistic sounds.
Format 1. Type of music or programming on a radio station (CHR, AOR, Talk
Radio, etc.). 2. Less commonly, the type of playback media music is available on (CD, MP3,
etc.)
Front of House (F.O.H.) 1.The area around the main sound console, in the
audience portion of the venue. 2.The audience area of the
venue, nearest the stage. 3. Slang for the crew member who mixes sound for this part
of the venue.
Four walling (four-walling) Concert promotion / venue rental
term in which the owner of the facility furnishes only the venue and the
stage manager. The rest of the personnel, such as stage hands, box office
staff, ushers, Security, etc.) are furnished and paid for by the promoter.
Gold (as in, "Their last CD went Gold.") Sales of 500,000 albums. The
RIAA certifies the sales and hands out the gold album plaques.
Grammys Annual awards handed out by
NARAS for excellence in recording. One of the most
prestigious awards in the U.S. music industry.
Groupie Fan who sleeps with the band or crew members. (Yep, that's
why that person looked at you funny when you referred to yourself as a
"groupie" instead of a as fan.)
Headshot An 8x10 glossy photograph of the artist distributed to the
media in potential employers. Sometimes called a Glossy or
Composite.
Hi rotation: Frequent airplay within a 24-hour period. More commonly
called heavy rotation.
Hook 1. The part of a song that "grabs" the listener. (Usually the
chorus or a catchy, repeating riff.) 2. The tag line in advertising that
grabs the consumer.
House The audience portion of a concert venue.
Indemnity clause (aka indemnification) Clause in a contract
which, depending on the wording of the contract, means either: 1. one (or
both) of the parties is not legally liable. or 2. one (or both) of the
parties agrees not to do anything to cause a potential lawsuit.
In-Ears In-ear monitor
system that makes it easier for musicians to hear each other onstage than with traditional
wedges.
International Music Products
Association Present name of the former National Association of Music
Merchants (NAMM). Association that represents
manufacturers of musical equipment.
Kill seats (sometimes called "kills") Concert tickets held from sale
until after stage set up for seats expected to be unusable ("killed") due to
staging elements or the sound board being in the way. The number of kill
seats is usually overestimated, and after the stage is set, any seats not
eliminated are put on sale. (Those with "partially obstructed views" are
marked as such). In the past, kill seats could often be bought at the venue
box office close to showtime, but the advent of more online ticket sellers
have virtually eliminated their availability at the venue.
Lauren Bacall Syndrome (Bogart-Bacall
Syndrome) Condition in which improper vocal technique while speaking results in a
gravelly-sounding voice. Common in women.
Laryngologist Doctor specializing in the
throat, larynx, and voice. Other than a vocal coach, a laryngologist is the most important
part of a singer's voice team.
Laryngitis Inflammation of the mucus membrane of
the larynx. (Source: Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions)
Larynx Organ of voice production; the "voice box." (Source: Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary
for the Health Professions)
Lip sync (sometimes spelled lip synch) To pretend to sing to a
prerecorded track to give the impression that one is performing the song
live. Most often used in pop music and on someTV shows. Until the 1990's
most American performers sang live except when required by certain TV shows.
Low Rotation Infrequent airplay during a 24-hour period. More
commonly called light rotation.
Manager Oversees
the artist’s career. Does big picture, long-range planning and acts on the
artist’s behalf. (Also see Personal Manager, Tour Manager,
Road Manager).
Market 1. Audience which can be identified through demographic research
and/or preference analysis. 2. Group of buyers or consumers. 3. Sometimes, slang for a
market city.
Market City Area of a state or country large enough to support an arena
or stadium concert. Often the capitol city. Some states and countries
(California, Texas, and Germany for example) have several market
cities.
Metronome
A counting
device that maintains a constant tone or beat that helps improve timing.
Piano students practice to a metronome to develop timing.
Monitor A speaker or in-ear system that lets
musicians hear each other onstage. (See also, in-ears, wedges.)
Music Director Person at a radio station who decided what songs will
be added to the station's playlist. Reports to the Program Director.
NACA (National Association for Campus Activities). Association
which represents and assists colleges in matters pertaining to college
concert promotion. Also offers associate members to companies and
individuals who supply services or products related to college concert
promotion.
NAIRD National Association of Independent Record Distributors.
NAMM Formerly called the National Association of Music
Merchants. Now called the International
Music Products Association. Association that represents manufacturers of musical
equipment.
NARAS National Academy of Recording Arts and
Sciences. Represents the creative, technical, and artistic members of the recording
industry. Creators/Producers of the Grammys.
NARM National Association of Record Merchandisers. Association that
represents music retailers.
Nodules Callus-like growths on the vocal cords
resulting from vocal over use.
Non-routed date A show that does not fall in the natural path of
travel between two other shows that were previously booked. They are usually
either private gigs on a night off or special "one night only" performances
when the artist is on a break from touring.
One Stop (One-stop, One-stop distributor) Wholesale
distributor who handles product for several labels and sells them to
retailers, who order product by telephone as needed.
Original (Original Song) 1. A song not previously
recorded by another artist. 2. Song written by the artist who performs it.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration.) US Government Agency
that regulates job-related safety and health issues. OSHA's mission is "to prevent
work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths."
PA (P.A.) 1. "Public address system". Delivers sound
into the concert venue so that the audience can hear the band. 2. Slang for
Production Assistant or Personal Assistant.
Paper Slang for tickets given away to fill seats and
give the appearance of a full concert venue.
Papering the House The act of giving
tickets away to fill seats and give the appearance of a full concert venue.
Payola Payments of cash, drugs, or expensive gifts given to radio or TV
personnel to play an artist's music. Payola is illegal in the U.S.
P.D. (Program Director). Person responsible for a radio
station's programming decisions. The music director reports to the P.D.
Per diem Money allotted to the artist and each crew member for daily
living expenses on the road. Per diems vary by artist. Some artists and crew
members pocket and save up their per diems by use of the following trick:
[reaches into wallet to pay for a small item and pulls out a $100 bill.]
"Oh, sorry. All I have is a hundred. Can you get that and I'll pay you
back?" Before everyone knows it the tour is almost over, and the artist has
yet to break that same $100 bill and has racked up an impressive stash of
per diem money through the creative use of IOUs. This technique is also
employed by some rock
stars to prevent people from taking advantage of their new financial status.
Performing Rights Society (AKA Performing rights
Organization) Organization that grants licenses for performances of a
given songwriter or publisher's music. ASCAP was the first
performance rights society in the US (1914), followed by BMI (first
proposed in the late 1930's). SESAC is the third, lesser utilized of
the three performing rights societies in the US.
Personal Assistant (AKA PA) Assists
an artist or executive with day to day personal tasks such as scheduling,
travel arrangements, correspondence, picking up dry cleaning, hiring
domestic help, coordinating meetings, shopping for gifts or personal
necessities, etc. Usually travels with the artist.
Personal Manager (Manager) Oversees the artist’s career. Does big
picture, long-range planning and acts on the artist’s behalf.
Platinum (As in, "Their last album went Platinum.") Sales of 1
million albums. Double Platinum = 2 million, Triple Platinum = 3 million,
etc. The RIAA certifies the sales and hands out the Platinum album plaques.
Pocket Saunas Small vaporizers used by professional
singers on the road.
Podcast Sound and/or video file of a professionally produced radio
show, speech, or television show which can be accessed, downloaded, and
recorded to an MP3 device. Named after the Apple IPod file recording/playing
device.
P.O.P. Point of Purchase. Specifically, promotional displays in
retail stores that grab the customer (posters, flats, interactive displays,
etc.).
Press Kit (aka Media Kit) A professional
package containing materials to support an artist's
professional viability. Contents vary depending on the purpose of the kit
but typical items include the artist's bio, headshot, CD, list of venues performed, press clippings,
recommendations, lyric samples, and occasionally promotional novelty items
or posters from concerts (especially those with the artist's name listed).
(Also see Promotional Package, Promo Kit.)
Private date A show an artist plays that is not open to the public,
such as a wedding, private party, invitation-only fundraiser, or corporate
function. Sometimes called a corporate date.
Producer 1. (aka record producer, album producer, CD producer, music
producer)—Person in the studio who oversees and organizes an artist’s
recording project. The producer is in charge of achieving the desired
musical direction, books studio time, mixes the tracks, chooses additional
musicians and studio personnel as necessary to achieve the desired sound,
and is in charge of keeping the project on budget and on time. An “Executive
Producer” acts in a business capacity only, often financing the project.
Producer 2. (aka talent buyer, promoter) Term used in live
performance agreements and advertisements indicating the promoter who’s
putting on the show. Example: “Produced by Goldenvoice.”
Product Labelspeak for CD’s, cassettes, etc. Retail term for
inventory.
Production back-timing Method of scheduling in which a concert
production manager schedules everything pertaining to the concert so that
subcontractors' deliveries and services arrive and are completed on time.
The schedule is prepared in chronological order beginning several months in
advance of the show and ending on show day.
Production Manager In charge of the technical equipment for the artist or
venue. Rents the staging and equipment, keeps the
mechanical stuff working.
Project Director Person at a record label
in charge of visuals (artwork, ads, etc.)
for a particular album or song.
Promo Package (Promotional package, Promo
Kit, Promo) A package of materials assembled to attract labels or
talent buyers. Contents may vary depending on the
purpose of the promo package but typically include a cover letter, 3-song CD of the artist's music,
lyric sheets for the 3 songs, artist's bio or professional resume, an
8x10 glossy
photo, and photocopies of press clippings. Promo kits are also sent to music
editors of newspapers, magazines, and online publications, with slightly
different contents.
Promoter Slang for concert promoter. Makes offer of employment
through artist's agent.
Purchaser Music industry contract language for
the talent buyer or concert promoter. Makes offers of employment to
artist through the artist’s agent.
Pyro Slang for pyrotechnics. Fireworks or sparkler
type effects used at a concert. Requires a highly skilled licensed pyro tech.
Q Rating (sometimes called a Q score) Research product of the Long Island-based
research company Marketing Evaluations, used to rate the and
appeal of various celebrities on TV on a scale from 0-50. Good looking and
personable celebrities typically get the highest Q ratings.
www.qscores.com
Rack Jobbers People whose job is to stock the racks and shelves in
local discount department stores (Target, Kmart, etc.) with musical product.
Until the mid-to late-1970's nearly every department store had a music
section, so there were many more rack jobbers in the industry than today.
Easier shipping and distribution methods have vastly reduced the number of
these jobs.
Recoupable(s) Expenses charged by a label
against an artist's royalties. Recoupables are deducted before the artist sees any money,
so a tight rein should be kept on the recording and promotional budgets. (See
chargebacks.) Can also refer to expenses a
manager covers for the artist which will be paid back at a later date.
Reflux Laryngitis Throat condition caused by acid reflux in which stomach acid rises to the throat area and causes
hoarseness and other throat symptoms.
Region Labelspeak or radiospeak for a geographical section of the country
or world.
Repackage Collection of songs that assembled ("repackaged") and sold
as a new album, under a new title, such as a Greatest Hits CD or various
artists collection like Songs of the 70's.
Reporting Station Radio station that reports its airplay to trade
magazines and tip sheets, which helps determine Billboard chart
position, and other record charts.
Resonance Full, pleasing sound, determined by
vibration and or echo of tone.
RIAA Recording Industry Association of America. Trade association that
represents the labels and certifies albums "gold," "Platinum," and
"diamond."
Rider (see also Technical Rider) Part of the artist's contract
that details production requirements and staging for the artist's show, such
as sound, lights, etc. .The rider also
details additional contract clauses and outlines requirements pertaining to the care and feeding of the artist and touring personnel.
Rigger Tour or venue
personnel who "fly" lights and other staging
equipment above the stage.
Roadie Dated term for a member of the road crew. In
some circles, a derogatory term. When in doubt, use the term "crew member" or
"tech." (See Tech.)
Road Manager Handles
day-to-day artist management details out on the road. Works closely with the
Personal Manager. May have many functions, depending on the size of the
tour. (See Tour Manager).
Rotation Frequency of radio or video airplay in a 24-hour period. Heavy
rotation (sometimes called hi rotation) is many plays per day, light rotation
(sometimes called low rotation) is few.
Routed date a show that falls in the natural path of travel between
two other shows already booked. It's often a private gig on a
night off.
Routing The route a tour takes across the country or around the
world. ("The routing is all over the place. Who did the routing for this
tour, a demented octopus?") Tours are usually routed by the artist's agent
with input from the artist's management, usually 6-9 months in advance. Most
major tours are routed to follow the sun as much as possible in order to
avoid weather-related travel problems and to ensure best attendance; warm
climates in Winter, cooler climates in Summer.
RPM
Revolutions Per Minute. The speed at which a record plays. Records come in
33 1/3 (LP), 78, and 45 RPM formats.
Runners Local crew members who run errands during the time the artist is
in town. May also shuttle the touring party to and from the airport, hotel, and venue.
Runs Christina Aguilera-esque vocal tricks in which the singer
sends each note up and down like a multi-hilled rollercoaster. Runs have existed in
R&B and gospel music for decades, but were made popular in the mainstream by such
artists as Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera.
SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Union which represents film
and television actors.
Secular music Non-religious music.
SESAC The third Performing Rights Society (organization that grants
licenses for performances of a given songwriter or publisher's music).
Lesser known and lesser utilized in popular music than ASCAP and BMI, until
a few years ago SESAC was mainly utilized by European composers and
songwriters for musical genres such as gospel. Some country music
songwriters are SESAC as well. Originally known as the Society for
European Stage Authors and Composers.
Settlement The completion of paperwork, deduction of expenses, and
payment of the artist after the show. "Can it wait? Mike's doing
settlement right now."
Song casting (also spelled songcasting) The art of matching a
song with the right performer so that each compliments the other.
Song hold The process in which an A&R Rep,
Manager, or Producer claims "first dibs" on a song to prevent another artist
from recording and releasing it. A typical hold is 90 days with first rights, but 30-day
and 60-day holds are also common.
Song
Plugger Person at a publishing house who tried to get record
labels or artists to record their songs. (In the days before demo tapes songs were
presented live by singers hired just for this purpose by the song plugger.)
Sound and Lights Contract term pertaining
to rental sound and lighting equipment and personnel needed for a concert, as in, "Purchaser to provide sound and lights." (See
Backline)
SP
Single Play. An early term for Singles, containing 1 song per side (“A-side”
and “B-side”.)
Spotting session Process in which a film’s director and composer of
the score view the film and make notes about where the director wants music
to be in the film.
Stage Left The side of the stage on the artist's left as he/she looks out
at the audience from onstage. (Stage Left is the audience's right as they look up at the
artist.)
Stage manager Person at the venue who keeps the show running smoothly
and on time (especially important on a multi-act bill).
Stage Plot A map of where the artist's equipment goes onstage. Part of
the technical rider.
Stage Right The side of the stage on the artist's right as he/she looks
out at the audience from the stage. (Stage Right is the audience's left as they look up at
the artist.)
Standing Waves An acoustic phenomenon in which a
reflected signal intersects the original signal and there's a halving or doubling of
frequencies in that area. You can hear this for yourself by going into a narrow hallway
with hard surfaces on both sides and no thick floor coverings. Clap your hands. The sounds
will seem to "collide" with each other.
Star Search 1. TV talent show hosted by
former Johnny Carson sidekick Ed McMahon. Star Search contestants who went
on to fame include Rosie O'Donnell, Britney Spears, and others. 2. Adjective
used by MBADC staffers to describe an OK but very average, bland live
musical performance. Example: "Her performance wasn't bad, but it was very
'Star Search'."
Talent Buyer (Purchaser,
Concert Promoter, Promoter) Makes offers of employment to artist through
the artist’s agent.
"Talent show" Adjective used by MBADC staffers to describe an OK but
very average, bland, live musical performance. See also "Star
Search." Example: "Her performance wasn't bad, but it was very talent
show." "Her performance was very 'Star Search'."
Tech (Technician) Member of the crew. Often specializes in one
area of production, such as lights, pyro, drums, etc..
Formerly known as a "roadie,"
which is now a derogatory term in some circles.
Tech Rider (Technical Rider) Part of the artist's contract
that details the technical aspects of the artist's production requirements, including
equipment, its placement on the stage, and local personnel needed.
Technical Rider (Tech rider) Part of the artist's contract that details
the technical aspects of the artist's production requirements, including equipment, its
placement on the stage, and local personnel needed.
Throat Coat Tea Popular with professional singers.
Manufactured by Traditional Medicinals.
Tip sheet Newsletter which lists various music opportunities and jobs
for songwriters, composers, and their songs.
Tour Manager (Road Manager) The artist’s representative on the
road. Works closely with the Personal Manager.
May have many functions, depending on the size of the tour. On very large tours, there may
be both a Tour Manager, who oversees the entire
tour, as well as a Road Manager, who represents
the artist in day-to-day activities on the road on behalf of the Personal Manager.
Tracker Promotion campaign manager at a record label who is
ultimately responsible for sales of a particular song and tracks its
promotional activities by monitoring its airplay and sales.
Turntable hit Song that gets a lot of airplay (or rotation in clubs)
and becomes popular but does not have high product (CD) sales. Due to radio
station consolidation, turntable hits are less common today, as more
commercial radio stations play only charted music and are integrated more
with CD record sales. Internet and satellite radio may reverse this, but it
hasn't happened yet.
Underscore The music that takes place during the scenes of a movie.
Untouchable MusicBizAdvice.com slang for a song which, because of its
being exceptionally well-known or difficult to sing, artists are advised to
avoid recording or singing it on American Idol. The majority of the Beatles
hits, Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad
Name,” The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction,” and anything by Celine Dion or
Mariah Carey are examples of untouchables.
Upstage 1.The part of the stage farthest from the
audience. Called this because in some vaudeville houses stages were slanted toward the
audience to facilitate sweeping off debris thrown at the performers. 2. To
draw or steal the audience's attention away from the main performer onstage
and direct that attention towards oneself (sometimes done intentionally,
sometimes not--but the media usually assumes it's intentional).
Vamp 1. To stall for time (aka stretch) onstage when a
performer isn't ready by talking to the audience unplanned (aka ad lib),
telling an impromptu story, etc. Vamping for time can also be done by
playing unplanned music. 2. A repeated musical pattern, often without a
melody, that fills time before the main melody begins.
Venue Place where a concert is held.
Videocast The broadcast of a video on TV, the Internet, or at a
sporting event..
Vocal casting
(voice casting).
Wedges
Wedge-shaped monitors.
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