Music Business - Work for Free

Below are my comments responding to people talking about how they wouldn't work for Diddy for free. Many people work in the music business for free to get their foot in the door. Many of you are working for free now and think you're in the music business. 


It's interesting how many responses are talking about how they wouldn't work for Diddy for free, yet Diddy and many others have worked in the music industry for free in order to learn the music business from the ground up, to build solid relationships and network with the top brass. Additionally, Diddy has a solid track record of several hits under his belt. He must have done something correct as this entire forum is dedicated to him and his brand of business.

It's always easier to criticize and critique when you haven't walked in that persons shoes. I invite everyone to achieve certain levels of success in their craft, profession and business and get others talking about you. At this point you would have made such an impact their your brand will be marketed even when you didn't invest or spend a dime. For more industry commentary, links, videos, resources, ebooks. 


Remember to get your music contracts and music business plan asap. This way you don't have to always work for free!

Music Business - Don't Be Broke

Simply because you haven't achieved a certain level of success in the music business doesn't mean you have to be broke today. In fact, you would be wise to institute best practices in the music business to ensure you don't become broke. Here are things to consider that will empower and position you to move from a broke thinking, planning and acting state to one of riches and wealth beyond the norm. 


Your destiny is in your hands and as you apply the information below you'll see greater levels of success in the music business in particular and in life in general. Isn't that something?


Create something to sell.
Offer to sell your music -there are a number of websites that help with this.
Find ways to make money online.
Remove the struggling/broke mentality.
Start truly thinking of yourself as being happy, healthy and wealthy.
Do the things that self-made millionaires do -it ain't always sexy.
Make it a point to read financial invest or related magazines, website, blogs, etc.
Read Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
Read Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert K.
Read The Mis-education of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson.
Become and Influencer on Twitter & Facebook and get paid every Friday, CLICK HERE for details.

Music Business - Music Managers

Everyone wants to be on the winning team in the music business. Typically, great music managers would have watched you for awhile before approaching you and/or the both of you would be at the same point in your careers and develop in the music business at the same time. The growth I'm speaking of is true of Chaka Zulu (music manager) & Luda and Jason Geter (music manager) & T.I. In both situations they sort of came up together in the music business. Sean Garrett is a rare breed of music producer, songwriter and recording artist, as he doesn't have a music manager as such or didn't a few years ago. However, Sean has the ability to be articulate, knows what he wants and typically gets it.

In both examples -the artist in your case -music producer would do all that you can to work with independent artist who might have a situation developing and/or a strong Internet, street, club or radio buzz.

If you have heat (hit music) it makes things a lot easier for you. The other thing is having a pleasing personality. This doesn't mean that you have to kiss *ss per se, but it does mean that people have to believe they can put you in the studio with Mariah, Whitney and Janet, etc. and you'll perform as a music business professional.

Many people have gotten placements by working in a particular recording studio and networking while there. There's no specific way, but then again there is. There's no specific way because it's not like educating yourself to become a C.P.A. or attorney where the process is clearly laid out. However, it's a specific way because of what was mentioned earlier about having hit music, a pleasing personality and building your own buzz. Through these efforts you'll see results, as long as you don't get out the game (music business). 


Always have a written music business contract with whoever you're working with especially as it relates to artist/manager, music producer/manager and songwriter/manager relationships. Having written written music business contracts keeps everyone from collecting amnesia when royalty checks start rolling in.

For additional details download either the Atlanta Music Industry Connection or Los Angeles Music Industry Connection Ebooks.

Music Business - Domain Name

Sure you have a profile on one or more of these sites, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube. One of the things each of these sites have in common is that they have their own unique url, domain or website address. Like most of us you are probably investing a lot of time and effort branding, marketing, promoting, publicizing, networking and corresponding with people both online and off. You are helping to build the communities on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, which each have their own unique url, domain or website address.

Now is the time to protect your brand, company and stage name by securing your own unique url, domain or website address?

One of the first things people will do when attempting to find you on the Internet is put a dot com (.com) behind your name or company. It has become second nature for those of us who are on the Internet -researching people, companies and information. Since you use Facebook.com, Twitter.com and Youtube.com you already know the importance of having your own dot com (.com). Don't wait until it's to late register your own domain name today. 

A Good Name is Golden -Protect Your Neck or at least your dot com by registering your own domain name, url or website address today. Any of the links or the image below will help you get started.

Perform with a Purpose

If more artist performed with a purpose they would benefit at music showcases, talent shows and open mics.

Performing with a purpose goes beyond trying to get a record deal. Performing with a purpose means you carefully plan before your performance. It means you take advantage of the opportunity to gather contact details from fans, such as email addresses and phone numbers. It means having product to sell, such as t-shirts, posters and other merchandise. Start performing with a purpose beyond trying to get a record deal and your will give your music business and career a boost.

For more information, details and music business resources download the Music Industry Connection Book Series by JaWar by clicking here. Contact JaWar at 800-963-0949.

Atlanta Music Showcase & Talent Show

Atlanta Music Showcase & Talent Show Schedule

Often, I hear artists complaining that the talent show was not what they expected or that there weren’t enough people there. My response is: “What did you expect to happen from the talent show and how many people did you invite to see you perform?” The artist’s answer has become fairly repetitive. Normally, they say they weren’t sure what to expect from the talent show and that they didn’t invite anyone to see them perform. Well perhaps the music showcase is not what they expected because they didn’t know what to expect. More importantly, they didn’t have clearly identifiable written goals that would allow them to measure the success of the talent show. For instance, one goal would be to distribute flyers to everyone in attendance, while another would be to get as many email addresses as possible.

Many artists don’t take every performance serious enough. While you should have fun as you perform in any music showcase, also know that if you want to play in the major leagues it is best to perform as such. You get out of a music showcase what you put into it.

Artists should know that the music showcase may not start on time, the sound may be messed up, there may be disorganization and others may not be extremely professional. Knowing this you may mentally prepare to positively deal with whatever comes your way. This will set you apart from other performers and help present you as the professional that you are.

Sometimes the music showcase will go on without any problems, but this is rare and shouldn’t be expected. Never complain about the stage, the lighting, the sound and so forth while at the talent show. Simply do what it takes to correct them and if you can’t- entertain your audience and perform. Remember your audience understands if something is not right, but what they don’t want to hear is an artist on stage complaining. If you have to perform without music do so! Make a joke, get the crowd involved and perform. If your mic cuts off in the middle of your performance, keep going, it probably will come back on. Remember you are not just a singer, rapper or musician you are an entertainer, that is your job that you seek to make a career treat it as such or face the pit of failure.

Read more about how to benefit and improve your experience at a talent show, music showcase or open mic by reading the Truth about Record Pools and Music Conferences, Talent Shows and Open Mic Book by JaWar.

Atlanta Music Showcase & Talent Show Schedule
Tell them JaWar sent you. Contact the Atlanta Music Showcases & Open Mics to ensure they are still happening and for sponsorship, registration and performance fees. This list is subject to change.




Free Forum Exchange
Apache Cafe, 64 Third St., Atlanta
8:30PM
404-876-5436

Throwback Sundays - Open Mic Contest
4847 Old National Hwy, College Park, GA 30337
404-761-6418

MONDAY

Cafe 290, 290 Hilderbrand, Atlanta
8:30PM
404-256-3942

Open Mic Mondays
Club Miami, 3011 Buford Hwy., Atlanta
9:30PM
404-456-1463

Open Mic Mondays
Eddie's Attic, 515-B N. McDonough Rd., Decatur, GA 30030
404-377-4976
eddiesattic.com

Maximum Exposure
Club Crucial
404-474-2804

Rip Tha Stage, Django's, 495 Peachtree St., Atlanta
8:00PM
atlclubs.com

Scores, 2425 Wesley Chapel Rd., Atlanta
8:00PM
678-362-2632

TUESDAY

Open-Mic Performance Battle
Apache Cafe, 64 3rd St. NW, Atlanta, 30308
10:00PM
404-876-5436

Open Mic/Jam Session
The Park Bench (Buckhead), 256 E. Paces Ferry Rd. , Atlanta, 30305
8:30PM
678-437-7833 gorillaallstars@yahoo.com

Open Mic Poetry
Javalogy, 466 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, 30312
678-502-4918

R&B Tuesday Night Atlanta Music Showcase
483 Edgewood, Atlanta, GA 30303
404-880-9902
Tell Ray, JaWar sent you

Songwriters Open Mic
Urban Grind, 962 Marietta St.
7PM-10PM
404-724-0605

True Talent Tuesday's
A-Town East, 3711 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur, GA 30032
404-437-5011 gaj504@aol.com


Get More Music Fans on Myspace

WEDNESDAY

The Open Hustle Showcase
3580 Sweet Water Road Duluth,Ga 30096
Doors open 9:30pm - 2:30am
$10 to perform
Jay (770) 722-1604 cell
JayMyVision at yahoo.com
Myspace.com/JaysMusicInc

Flow & Hustle
Club Seduction, 1234 Columbia Dr. Decatur, GA 30032
(behind the auto Zone)
9:00PM
404-454-7244
MIFOKmanagement@gmail.com

Open Mic
Cafe Red Train, 1033 Franklin Rd., Marietta
11:00PM
404-438-9814

Open Mic Wednesday
Club Studio 7, 2930 Ember Dr., Decatur, GA 30034
404-244-9700

Open Mic Nite
Runaround Sue's, 1397 Church St., Marietta, GA 30060
info@emergingnetwork.com
770-428-8109

Winning Wednesday
Dugans, 5922 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
7:00PM-10:00PM
678-937-0028

Talent Showcase
The Red Shoe Restaurant, 2891 East Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur, 30030
8:30PM
musicisme83@yahoo.com
Restaurant Number 404-377-5656

Wild Out Wednesdays - Open Mic Night
Black Lion Cafe, 253 Auburn Ave, Atlanta
404-579-4898

THURSDAY

Club Gozar
1115 Powder Springs Rd. (Old Spikes Grill), Marietta, 30008
9PM-11PM
770-500-9898

Club Xpose
6013 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain, GA 30083
8:00Pm
404-380-5932

Cocktails & Soul Showcase
Forest Blu, 5394 Old Dixie Hwy., 30327
myspace.com/malachiakahustlinboy

Down & Dirty Open Mic & Producer Battle
The Backroom, 2375 Delk Rd., Marietta, GA
404-453-7315

Earz 2 Da Streetz - Open Mic Thursdays
1179 S., Harriston Rd., Stone Mountain, GA
9:30PM
404-808-6223

Grindin Thurzdayz
Gates Sports Bar, 6510 Tara Blvd., Jonesboro, GA
9:00PM
404-474-2804

Open Mic (Every Other Thursday)
222 East Howard Ave, Atlanta, Georgia
7:00PM
404-370-1990 ask for Sonia Leigh

Open Mic Poetry
Urban Grind, 962 Marietta St., Atlanta
7:00PM
404-724-0605

Vision Studios
3875 Green Industrial Way, Chamblee, 30341
7:00PM
678-437-6155

FRIDAY

Fresh 2 Death Music Showcase
3816 Stone Rd., (Off Fairburn Rd., SW)
7:30PM
Call 404-549-2167
www.imrichent.com

SATURDAY

Go Here for Updated Music Business Conferences
Go Here for Music Business Wisdom & Commentary
Go Here for Music Business: Fame & Fortune by JaWar

Atlanta Music Showcase
Tell them JaWar sent you.

First (1ST) Sunday of Every Month
Super Sunday
Next Level/Midsouth, 706 Collins Hill Rd., Lawrenceville, 30045
3:00PM - 8:00PM
770-882-3021

First (1St) Saturday of Every Month
Hood Hard TV - Live Performance Tapping for TV
860 Hank Aaron Dr., Atlanta, GA 30315
myspace.com/djaaries

Green Light Open Mic
Contact below for dates, times and locations. Tell them JaWar sent you.
www.myspace.com/greenlightopenmic

Mark 404-454-8975 Money/Travisty 678-754-1002 E.P. 678-525-9370

Dates, time and locations subject to change.
ALWAYS verify the information before attending.