ScamAlert™!!!
MusicBizAdvice.com wants you and your money to be safe while you pursue your music
industry career! Following are some of the scams that are making the rounds of the music
industry...
SCAM:
"You've Been Discovered!"--the
variation:
This scam is similar to the scam we just covered, but the scouting company
claims to hook up freelance musicians with national-level projects like tours, session
work with top recording artists, recordings with top producers, etc., for a hefty fee. (In
the case of the scam we read, just submitting an application to the scouting company was
$295.00.) They claim you don’t have to move to a music industry center to be
successful, and that they bring opportunities to you via your computer. Some of these
companies are very convincing, telling musicians to be "ready to travel on short
notice" to join a tour.
FACT: Again, most of these scouting companies are nothing more than
databases for resumes and sound clips. They are not agents.
FACT: Agents do not charge fees up front. They are paid a commission on
booked jobs and are paid when the artist receives payment for the booking.
FACT: Top-level producers have favorite session players they like to work
with who can be counted on to deliver what they need in the studio under pressure. Why
would they take a chance on someone with little or no top-level studio experience?
FACT: Management companies and producers have their own lists of
contacts, and if they need someone new they call one of their trusted contacts for a
referral. They're not likely to sift through resume databases at the last minute.
BOTTOM LINE: If you have resume credentials that make you eligible for
national level work, you don't need this company. And if you don't have the credentials,
you'd be better off building your resume in your own town and putting your $295.00 toward
moving to a music industry center later.
More scams
Know of a music or entertainment industry scam? Tell us about it. Send the details to
talktombadc@aol.com with "SCAM ALERT" in the
subject line. Include the company's name, web address, and contact information, along with
a brief description of the scam. We'll post as many as possible to keep it from happening to someone else. All
submissions are confidential. |
