Hey To All...

It's been a while since I have blogged. The sites I will be the most active on are here at billydean.com, my facebook sites, twitter, reverbnation, and billy dean writers block. I am currently working on a schedule, which I will post here to work with songwriters at the writers block, and I will be make daily post on facebook and twitter...be patient it's all coming together.

billy

It's Been a while...

Hey Guys it's been a while since I've blogged here on my site. I have a lot of catching up to do. As you know, we have been working hard on my billydean.com site to function as a place for info for fans, create a service for songwriters, and help corporations build their brands. It has been a work in progress and I think we are almost there. We are now linking and networking my facebook and twitter sites as well. It is overwhelming the amount of time it takes to stay current, but I'm learning. It's going to be a fun 2010.

billy

I wanted to let you know about some social sites you can follow me on,

http://www.facebook.com/billy.dean1?ref=name

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28628711419&ref=ts

http://www.reverbnation.com/billydean

http://twitter.com/billydeandotcom

billy

An amazing week

Let me say that my week started out pretty awesome and ended rather amazing. I was in New York last week promoting the new album on CBS radio and on Sirius XM radio. While I was there I met Fergie and Black Eyed Peas, and I had coffee with Gov. Mike Huckabee, ( I hope to get the chance to jam with him and his band) and then I made it back to Nashville for the CMA music fest. Amazing as New York was, the highlight of the week was performing on the Somet stage for the folks who were there. Someone said it was the largest crowd they had at that particular stage which meant a lot to me. What was really special about it, was how everyone really zeroed in and paid attention to my set with just me and a guitar and Brent on keys. Let me say, for a performer, it's pretty scary playing for a large out door crowd, when they have been hearing big bands all day long. I felt like everyone was in my living room and we were able to share a real connection and a real moment. My daughter Hannah sang with me and even signed a few autographs. She is 14 now, and the power of the song, "Let them be little" really sank in. Also everyone seemed to except my version of "The Greatest Man I never knew". I think you can tell by the youtube video how powerful that song is to me. I guess overall, what I'm trying to say is, I felt like we all healed a little, and got to know each other better, and it reconfirmed for me that in these crazy times we are living in, music helps us all to laugh, cry, and just feel something, instead of feeling nothing. Thanks for giving me that moment for those who were there !!......bd

  

 Hey everybody, I wanted to let you know I started twittering. Wow, technology is moving so fast. My twitter name is

billydeandotcom. I know some of you, like me are unsure of how our web world is changing, but ultimately it is a good thing. For instance, because I haven't been out on the road touring, I lost touch with so many of you that I use to be able to see on a regular basis when I was on tour, back stage, or at the autograph table after the show. With facebook, youtube, twitter and my .com domain, I am slowly reconnecting again. I don't know about you, but it takes me a while to read and respond. I am starting to integrate that time into my daily routine. Probably like some of you, I was reluctant to dive in at first. I was afraid that If I couldn't keep up, the fans would get upset. I must say you guys are very patient. I still have a lot of catching up to do in terms of reading and responding, but I do read what you say, and I find myself watching less tv at night and using that time to write and connect.

   I am starting to go back out on the road, and I can't believe how many people I've run into, that have been to shows in the past, but are not really actively using the web as a way to stay connected. Please, if you know anyone who is familiar with my music, would you let them know where to find me? I will constantly strive to get more consistent with getting new information up. It is easy to give everyone a daily twitter as to where I am and what I'm up too, but it takes a while for new music, videos and photos.

 Next week at www.billydean.com I will update my tour schedule, as well as post some new photos. In about 3 weeks I will have hard copies manufactured of the new album BILLY DEAN SINGS RICHARD LEIGH. I hope in the future I can offer my music digitally for downloads only. It could save you and I almost 5 bucks a c.d. In the meantime, I know some of you would rather have a hard copy so I will press some up. 

 

 I am releasing my version of THE GREATEST MAN I NEVER KNEW to radio shortly. I will be posting the radio stations who are playing it so you can tune in. Well that's all for now......billy

Update for the Fans and Friends

Just an update for everyone. I will be going back out on the road some time this summer to promote my new album, Billy Dean Sings Richard Leigh. We are thinking about releasing a single for radio, so hopefully you'll get a chance to hear some new music.

I just returned from Napa Valley where I did a new photo shoot with the famous photographer Jim Shea. This guy is amazing and has shot all of my heroes, like James Taylor, Jackson Brown, The Eagles, etc... I will post some of the pics very soon. I should have the artwork completed for the new album soon and posted in a couple of days. I can't wait to get your feedback on the new album.

The response has been great regarding the live DVD recording. I haven't set a date yet because I want to make sure there is enough notice for those who want to attend.

If any of you want me to come to your area to perform, there is a new site you should check out: Eventful. This site is a valuable tool for both you and me in terms of planning and routing my dates. It's exciting to think I may get the chance to reconnect with fans in person, and to have new music to perform.

Also, I wanted to let you know our website is a work in progress and I do appreciate your feedback as we go forward. Get ready for some new music, new photos...it's on the way.

On another note, I've been writing with Robin Meade. Robin is the headline news anchor on CNN. Her show is called Morning Express with Robin Meade. Robin has a new book coming out in September called Morning Sunshine. She and I wrote a song and recorded it last weekend here in Nashville. You might catch a podcast on her site of us in the studio.

Thanks,

Billy

To The Fans

THIS BLOG IS FOR THE FANS OUT THERE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH ME OVER THE YEARS, TO GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING AND WHY, AND TO INCLUDE YOU IN THE PROCESS.

A LOT HAS CHANGED IN OUR MUSIC INDUSTRY SINCE I RELEASED AND TOURED THE "LET THEM BE LITTLE" ALBUM. I CAME OFF THE ROAD IN ORDER BUILD MY OWN MUSIC COMPANY WITH THESE OBJECTIVES:

1. WRITE AND RECORD NEW AND FRESH MUSIC FOR YOU, INCLUDE YOU DURING THE PROCESS, AND TO EVENTUALLY TOUR AND PERFORM AGAIN IN YOUR LOCAL AREA

2. TO HELP OTHER SINGERS AND SONGWRITERS IN YOUR LOCAL
COMMUNITY BY GIVING THEM A ROAD MAP,THROUGH A SERIES OF BLOGS
BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY.

3. TO PROMOTE AND CALL ATTENTION TO BUSINESSES THAT ARE TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLL
IN THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR
COMMUNITIES, USING MUSIC AND FAN SUPPORT TO HELP BUILD THEIR BRANDS.



THESE ARE MY MAIN OBJECTIVES. ALL I NEED IS YOUR PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT AND WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND OUR COMMUNITIES, AND WE'LL HAVE A BLAST DOING IT TOGETHER.

I HAVE LAUNCHED A NEW SITE AND I NEED YOUR HELP TO GROW OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY. I ALSO WANT YOUR FEEDBACK AS TO HOW I CAN MAKE THE SITE BETTER IN REACHING THESE OBJECTIVES.

ALSO, I AM MAKING PLANS TO RECORD A DVD IN NASHVILLE IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE OF APPROX. 250 PEOPLE THIS YEAR
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS.
POST COMMENTS ON MY SITE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING THERE,
AND I WILL GIVE MORE DETAILS LATER.

Sponsorships

Finding the right sponsorships in your local community will have a lot to do with your popularity. Your music and your live performance must be reactive, creating a buzz around your local scene. Get to know everything you can about the fans you have and stay connected, building your online community. Keep track of valuable info, such as the average age of your fans, what's the female to male ratio, what do they do for a living, or where do they go to school, where do they shop? Take this information and meet with local merchants such as a skateboard shop, a local music store, a coffee shop, a t-shirt shop, anyone you think your fans may do business with and work out a trade with them.

Why do you need sponsorships? Sponsorships allow the band to expand its brand, fund the music projects and upgrade tech. and transportation needs, in order to move into bigger venues in surrounding markets. What's in it for the sponsor? The band offers personal appearances for the sponsor, sharing its community of fans and bringing exposure to the sponsor’s products, helping to create new customers for your sponsor. If you are to succeed, you must apply your creativity in areas outside of music. I realize this may not be as fun as playing the gigs, writing and recording the music, but the power in our industry has shifted back to the artist, and you either step up and claim this empowerment and take control of the business of music, or else you will lose this golden opportunity to own and control your music.

Introduction to the Process

THRIVING IN YOUR LOCAL MUSIC SCENE: MARKETING

It's important to understand the commerce needs of local businesses and how you can help them help you. Not only are you a band of artists, you are a small business owner, and you need the support of the local community to attract the attention of the national community. For example, a club owner wants to sell liquor, radio stations want to sell advertisement, and your band wants to sell music. You'll have to learn to accept criticism and rejection during this process. When you're discussing business and the commerce it is important to set aside personal feelings about your music and just talk business. Business is numbers and results.

For example, if you're playing a club and the owner thinks you should play more covers and less originals, this is not a "slam" on you original music. The club owner is just trying to sell alcohol and needs patrons. Another example: if the local radio station won't play certain songs of yours because the production value needs work or the song doesn't fit, they are just trying to increase listeners ...learn from that.

You need support from your local media and local merchants to grow your fan base. When the local radio station starts to give you some airplay and support, this will help increase your attendance at the club. By increasing the club's business, they in turnwill usually increase their media buys, which helps the radio station and you. Stay loyal to the radio station that supports you in the beginning and the club that's giving you a gig.

You're now becoming the hottest thing in town!

By increasing your following, you have increased your leverage as a small business in the community. Your band now has a high profile and local celebrity status in which the community, as a whole, has a stake.
Work with the radio station's promotions director to make appearances at even larger upcoming events, such as opening for a headliner.

*SUMMARY
Assuming you've made some hard choices, honed your show and set list, writing and producing better music, you are well on your to the next level: SPONSORSHIPS, which I will cover in my next Blog.

BLOGS FOR THE SINGER/SONGWRITER AND THE INDEPENDENT ARTISTS: Part 3

STEP 4
Make a business plan
You are all equal business partners with equal responsibilities, with the attitude of "all for one, one for all". There are no split decisions. Like Congress, you lobby for your ideas, and put them to a vote, until a unanimous decision is made. Good or bad, you all must take ownership of that decision. If a decision cannot be made, respect the other members and rethink the idea. This is collaboration, and in order for a band to succeed, egos must be set aside. In order to create, you must collaborate. If by now you still feel like you have the right combination of members, you set up the business. The business plan defines the partners, their contributions, the property and the mission.


A). The property will consist of original music copyrights, the master recordings of the original music, the band's domain and name, along with merchandising rights of the band's brand and production equipment (however, I believe each member is responsible for his* own gear).

B). The band's LLC model should look something like this. Let's say there are four band members. Start with a total of 150 shares of stock. 25 shares for each member, with 50 shares in a reserve, which could be sold to raise capital for the band, add another member, or other components, such as a manager.

C). Contribution. Each member has to contribute something in return for their shares. For example, one member may have a van or trailer for transportation. One member may already own some production equipment. One member may own and operate recording equipment. One member may have already written several songs to contribute. One may have cash, or a place he can offer for rehearsal of storage space. If you are uncomfortable contributing "hard assets", then your contribution would be services and the use of those hard assets in return for your ownership. Whether you're in charge of transportation, bookings accounting, web design, art design, recording engineer, etc., each member must feel their contribution is equally matched by other members. Accountability is crucial, so everyone knows each member is pulling his* weight.

Note: The business plan will also include a marketing plan, which I will blog about in detail at a later time.

SUMMARY
You may ask the question, "Why don't we just hire someone to take care of all this stuff, so we can focus on the music only?" My answer to that is, if you are to survive as a band, you will have to learn to work together, live together, and play together. That is why so few bands stay together. You have to become a unit, a brotherhood, a family, and ultimately a BAND!

My next blog: "Thriving In Your Local Music Scene"
Topics: Marketing, Bookings, Media and Sponsorships.

*HIS...as used in this context is referring to the universal usage meaning both his and/or her. I do this only for the sake of continuity. In no way is meant to discourage women, or imply they are not in bands.

BLOGS FOR THE SINGER/SONGWRITER AND THE INDEPENDENT ARTISTS: Part 2

STEP 2
Define your music
This is a tough one and it can create dissension and fighting among members. The best approach to defining your music would be for each member to voice his* opinion as to the best genre the band's music best fits. A tip would be to listen to the different radio formats in your community, and try to envision your singer and your sound working within that stations format. This doesn't mean you have to completely conform, or copy something that has already been done, but you must have a base from which you can creatively branch out from. Settle and agree on that and remember to be open and willing to make some compromised for the "good of the whole".

STEP 3
Define the name and the brand
The name of the band should encompass a look and a feel that best fits the sound of the music. As you are thinking up names, check to make sure you can own the .com (domain) before settling on the band's final name. Once you have found the right band members, the right name and defined its goals, it is time to commit to a business plan.


Next post: The fourth and final step in getting started as an artist/group

*HIS...as used in this context is referring to the universal usage meaning both his and/or her. I do this only for the sake of continuity. In no way is meant to discourage women, or imply they are not in bands.

BLOGS FOR THE SINGER/SONGWRITER AND THE INDEPENDENT ARTISTS: Part 1

This is the first in a series of blogs I will be posting in order to lend advice to those who are interested in achieving national recognition and creating a business model to get there. I will be discussing pitfalls to avoid, answers to frequently asked questions and will hopefully offer a road map that will ensure success. I will use the example of a band, but the same rules will apply to the solo artist as well. I use the band scenario because it is the most difficult to hold together. In essence, it is a democracy of a group of independent-thinking individuals, making compromises in order to achieve a specific goal.

The first question usually is "How do we get started?” I will begin with the basics that a band needs to fulfill its goals.

THINK SMALL AND DO BIG THINGS
All too often, we have big dreams, big plans, but we are missing the small, mundane details that get us there. Paying attention to these small details can make a big difference, and you can avoid fighting within the group. Remember, you are a democracy, as well as business partners, and no individual is as important as the sum of the whole.

STEP 1
Define the goal of the band.
If the goal is to compete on the National Scene, each member must be dedicated to his* craft and instrument. The road map to the ultimate goal takes sacrifice, dedication, and execution. You should hold a meeting to see if you have the right members, people who are willing to go "all the way". Some members may have bigger responsibilities, such as: family, kids or a good job that doesn't allow them to be flexible to pursue such a goal. In that case, they should treat music as a hobby they can enjoy with others in similar situations on a local level only...and that's ok. The band has to share one common goal, upon which they all must agree.


Next Post: Steps 2 and 3 to getting started

*HIS...as used in this context is referring to the universal usage meaning both his and/or her. I do this only for the sake of continuity. In no way is meant to discourage women, or imply they are not in bands.