Don't Get Lost

Rising stars shoot up fast, burn bright, and then fade away. That pretty much describes the music industry. When bands first make it on to the major music scene, the record labels do everything they can to promote and build their reputation. A band might sell millions of albums and attract a spotlight everywhere they go. For many, that popularity doesn't last long. As soon as the next music sensation is discovered by their record label, that former music sensation is pushed to the side. When fans hear their rare radio play, they wonder whatever happened to those guys. Very few bands manage to weather the music industry long term. Why is it that some bands can stick around for years, while others fizzle out? That's a great question that many musicians ask themselves on the way down. When it comes time for your band to get into the big time, what steps can you take to avoid the fate of so many condemned musicians? That topic can be pretty subjective.

When the music industry picks up their next big hit, it is because they see something that will appeal to society right then. A&R Coordinators are the talent scouts that find new acts to sign. They are experts on what is hot right now, and what is upcoming. Once they find what they think will work in the current market, the label will put all their energy to making money from their new find. They build their image and their sound to appeal to the public. Fans of popular music, though, can be fickle. It doesn't take long before trends change and what was cool is now out of date. One of the biggest mistakes a band can make when they hit the big time is to change their style to suit the record label. Musicians get discovered because someone liked what they saw in them. That means the talent scout thought you had something going for you. When you change too much to meet commercial needs, you are guaranteeing yourself a short career.

The best way to ensure a long shelf life in the music industry is to stay true to what your band was intended to be. Any changes you make should be because that's what your fans want. One of the keys to a successful band knows your audience. The audience that record labels cater to is the largest target group they can find. Your fans may not fit that profile. Staying in touch with your audience will allow you to grow and change to meet their needs, not the needs of a sales quota. Bands that try too hard to fit into the mold someone else creates for them are doomed to fail.

When your band finally gets their turn at the spotlight, it can be tempting to follow the lead of others and go for the money. Money is not what got you where you are, so it probably won't get you where you want to go. Stay true to your vision, and the needs of your fans, and the rest will take care of itself.

If you're a fan of oldies music, there are a few great resources online to help you find hits easily. One recommended site: http://977music.com, which will let you stream oldies music online for free.