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how do you want to be perceived feature

How Do You Want To Be Perceived?

By Johnny Dwinell   How do you want to be perceived?   Do you want people to see you as a great artist?  A great writer?  Innovative?  Intelligent?  On the way up?  A survivor?  A maverick?  An icon?  Maybe an outlaw?  We…
Music Marketing feature

10 Music Marketing Facts

By Johnny Dwinell Here are 10 facts for your consideration with regards to the music business, marketing your music, and overall perspective on what some of your favorite stars had to go through to “make it.” Even back in the heyday of…
Rejection Feature

How To Deal With Rejection

By Johnny Dwinell Rejection Ugh. We all fear rejection, we all could learn better ways on how to deal with rejection.  Men especially fear not only rejection but also commitment.  As the buyer, a man is reluctant to purchase anything…
Artistic Courage feature

5 Ways To Find Artistic Courage

By Johnny Dwinell   cour·age [kur-ij, kuhr-] Show IPA noun 1.   the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery. I wholeheartedly disagree with this definition…
Song Demo Mistakes feature

10 Worst Song Demo Mistakes

This week I got the call to produce new record for an artist on a NY label.  It was a rush project as they wanted it “in the can” by 1st week of December in time to ship for Christmas.  Mostly the songs were already chosen, however, at…
Strategies That Guarantee Success feature

5 Strategies That Guarantee Success

By Johnny Dwinell Artists are mostly brooders; we are, let’s face it.  We worry too much.  We are constantly tripping about where we should be and therefore look down on ourselves about where our careers currently are and as a result, we…
failure Is not an option SIZED

Are You Failing or Conceited?

A reporter came and asked Thomas Edison, "How many times are you going to fail at creating the light bulb?" Mr. Edison replied, "Son, I haven't failed! I've simply discovered another way not to invent the light bulb!" Are You Failing or Conceited? “Failure…
Success feature

What Is The Best Predictor Of Success?

By Johnny Dwinell   Answer:  True Grit For months now I have been telling y’all that you should be reading the Lefsetz Letter.  Bottom line, if you’re in the music business, Bob Lefsetz always provides and intelligent perspective for…
produce yourself Producer Wanted image

How To Successfully Produce Yourself

By Johnny Dwinell Ok, ready for the answer?? YOU DON’T. At least most of you don’t and shouldn’t. Why would you produce yourself? Money? Huh? I mean would you home school yourself for college to save money and claim you’re…
Professional Artists Don't

Professional Artists Don't...

By Johnny Dwinell Professionals Artists Don’t – Talk about being professional because they are. Professionals Artists Don’t – Procrastinate Professionals Artists Don’t – Let life get in the way of their mission Professionals…
20 Worst Indie Artist Mistakes

20 Worst Indie Artist Mistakes

By Johnny Dwinell In my job, I get to speak with many indie artists who are at different points in their journey.  They consistently make these common major mistakes.  Changing your approach will change your career.  I made this personal…

Tanya Marie Harris - Canadian Beats Review

Tanya Marie Harris is a Country music singer/ songwriter who was born and raised in London, Ontario. Tanya’s first single, “A Woman Scorned” was released to iTunes on May 31, 2013. Continue Reading...
Music Marketing Tactics

5 Simple Music Marketing Tactics

By Johnny Dwinell  In my last blog I really dug into the difference between distribution and marketing because I have had way too many conversations with artists who feel they are marketing their music by having it on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora,…
Artistically Starving To Death

How to Avoid Artistically Starving to Death

I have amazing conversations with artists and songwriters every day; I love my job.  Some of those conversations are with beginners, some with intermediate artists, and some are with professional indie artists whose careers are well on their…
Label YES

What if the Label Says YES?

So Kelly and I are at a private party with Anthony Orio & friends and we end up in a conversation over beers and cigars about artist development and the damage that happens when artists and/or songwriters get their lucky break too early. …