Q & A
Each month, MusicBizAdvice.com answers your questions about the music industry.
Breaking into the music industry in a small town?
Q.
I've always
known that I've wanted to be a singer but lately I've been especially
interested in backup singing. The problem is I'm from a very small country
town and it’s hard to find opportunities to sing backup for major singers
(or just anyone starting their singing career). I've won various talent
shows and happen to be very well known for my singing where I live. (I'm not
trying to boast or anything, because I know it may come off like that, but
I'm just letting you know that I can actually sing.) How does a small
country girl like me get into the world of professional R&B backup
singing?--C. [state given but deleted by Editor as a courtesy to protect the
reader’s business privacy]
A. I don’t mean to oversimplify, but move. Or at least expand your
networking horizons beyond your own backyard. I Googled the city and state
you gave in your email, and although your town has less than 1000 residents,
it happens to be between two large market cities in your state--both of
which are a couple hours’ drive from you at most. So if you do move, you
don’t even have to go far from home at first.
Remember: If a city has a major arena or amphitheater where major artists
play on a regular basis, there’s a local segment of the national level music
industry, with people who have national level contacts.
If there’s a major arena or amphitheater, there’s also probably a recording
studio or two. Network with the owners and producers and offer to sing on
demos or to sing backup or harmony on recordings made there—in musical
genres like rock or straight blues (and even other genres if your voice fits
the song) to get your feet wet at first. Once you have some recordings under
your belt, then you can specialize, but right now you need experience.
Also, check out getting a job at a local studio—even if you have to work in
exchange for studio time. How are your office skills, and runner skills? Do
you make good coffee? People who work at the studio are first to know when
there’s a new project that might fit your voice, so try to get in there.
Start there and build your career outward, but stay independent for now and
don’t sign a local production deal (which you may feel pressured to do). You
need to be available to take on a variety of projects at this point so you
can build your resume, and you won’t be making enough money to give someone
a percentage.
Meanwhile, check out
this
interview with some professional background singers.
Good luck!
Randi Reed
Editor-in-Chief / Founder
MusicBizAdvice.com
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