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So you want to be a rock star...

Almost every musician has dreams of hitting the "big time" with their art/craft, yet so many have no clue how to accomplish this feat. I find many times, they think they know (they should be protective of their careers), but I liken it to someone who can hardly navigate their Facebook telling an IT person how to fix their computer or a person who can't change a flat tire telling a mechanic how to rebuild an engine.

Recently, I wrote this detailing some of the many common mistakes artists make on their journey down the path of mythical musical riches.

Take a second to refresh yourself with the article.

Are you back yet? Good. Let's get one thing out of the way now.

The years of making millions of dollars in music is virtually unheard of now. Record companies don't throw out as much money as they used to at unproven acts. You won't get rich in this business, but you can make a living if you actually work hard at it.

Here are so easy tips that many bands just seem to miss for one reason or another:

- Get an EPK (Electronic Press Kit). It should contain your logo, a song or two, a couple of choice photos, a small biography, contact information, and links to live reviews or press clippings if you have any. No one wants to read your life story except maybe your mother, or see every picture of your band puking drunk. Get used to work with press to promote your band locally and nationally. Also, be mindful that the EPK service you use doesn't bludgeon visitors about getting their app. If you can't draw locally, don't expect to draw nationally. If you don't draw, enjoy your ramen cuisine.
- Do original music. Every town has 100 cover bands who can draw, so your cover band is not really all that special. "Write is right". If you don't write, enjoy your ramen cuisine.
- Look like a band. Believe it or not, most bands don't make it past the eye test. Your band image actually tells people whether your band looks like they are on the same page or not, or if they aren't worth the time. Also, no matter your image, make sure you don't look like you just got off work from Gamestop. If you don't think image is important, don't work on it and enjoy your ramen cuisine.
- Work on your hooks. Just because you have the ability to play music does mean you have talent or can draw. Charisma helps, but your music must have hooks and be catchy within your genre. If you're afraid that may be too cheesy for you, enjoy your ramen cuisine.
- Bring your music to the people. NEVER, EVER ask people to search for your stuff when they ask you for links. I can promise you they don't care about your music as much as you do, and will get lost in the shuffle. If a promoter, agent, or club owner asks you for an EPK and a link, and you tell them to "google it", you will be enjoying your ramen cuisine.
- Use professional equipment. Many bands are actually very lost on this one. This doesn't just mean Peavey and Crate aren't good enough, but that your Line 6 amp or your drummer's exact replica of Neil Peart's 2112 drum set is too good. There is a standard backline most professional bands use, and your band should too. This not only makes it easy to switch in and out, but will actually help you get opening slots for bigger acts coming through the area without you having to sell tickets, which means greater exposure and networking. Here are some riders to help, but remember the size of the venue you are playing, so two quality Marshall half stacks, and Ampeg bass rig, and I sturdy five piece drumset (one rack tom, two floor toms) is very standard. If your band doesn't have good equipment, eat your fine ramen cuisine and save up.
- Keep your party in check. If it is your show, you are the master-of-ceremonies, and you need to make sure people are having a good time, but you and your bandmates need to keep your partying in check. This, no matter how you want to look at it, is still a job, albeit not as strict, but every action is monitored by everyone around you and your band. Act like you know what you're doing and keep control, or enjoy eating your ramen cuisine.

There is so much more than these, but these are some of the very basic needs bands seem to overlook. You have to realize you will have to invest in your craft to go beyond the practice room, but I have seen bands waste hundreds and thousands of dollars on inferior results, usually due to poor direction or thinking they actually know what they are doing.

Don't be that waste.

You're not getting booked...

I book bands professionally for shows and events on a national level. I help established artists get from town to town to play for their fans in all parts of the United States, whether it for a tour or for a "one-shot". Many times I have "not quite national" bands wanting help, so if I like them, I try to help where I can. I see many mistakes, and some are unavoidable, but there are some that make me scratch my head and wonder why are they even trying to go farther. In no particular order, I will post some things if you are in a smaller or local band you just don't do:

Never try to convince the booking agent you know what you're doing. If you did, you wouldn't need the agent to begin with. Why would you go to a mechanic to get your car fixed if you can do it yourself? Get your head out of your ass.
If an agent books you on a show, you represent him and the relationships he has built. Act professional or stay an amateur. Get your head out of your ass.
If you book behind the agent's back to cut him out, know that he will find out. You can then say goodbye to him booking you anywhere else again. This is his booking and he likes to eat too. Get your head out of your ass.
If you are essentially a local band, you don't have fans, you have friends. They may like your music, but they also may have known you personally for quite some time.. If you think your agent is a fan, he may like the music, but this is a business for him. Get your head out of your ass.
Be careful where you get your music business advice from. Your local radio station person is not in the music business, but in the radio business. They make money broadcasting music, but they don't get to pick what they like to play on the air. If they did, why wouldn't they play your music? Get your head out of your ass.
Don't confuse the music business with playing music. They are two different entities. Your agent or manager want you to play music other people like (as well as venue promoters and owners), while you want to naturally play what you like. If you can't tell the difference, get your head out of your ass.
If you are in a cover band, and you play mostly other people's music, you are not going to branch out much more than locally, and you will eventually kill that town too, if you play every weekend. Cover bands don't go very far on a national level because EVERY town has 10 of them cheaper with a following than the absolutely no one you will bring to a show. Get your head out of your ass.
If you are an original act without a record deal, take any show you can for exposure, and if you have an agent, you will be getting paid. If you are worried about the venue you are playing at because it isn't up to your lofty standards, stay in your garage or basement and complain about not going on tour with <insert national band here>. Pay your dues, get seen, and get your head out of your ass.
It is your agent's job to book you, not promote you. The venue may do some promotion, but they generally save that for national acts. Use social media, but don't rely on it. Promote or don't play in that town again. get your head out of your ass.
If you have anyone else who you let book you, don't bother an agent with asking him to help you. The venue wants the cheapest price possible, while the agent has a good idea of what the band actually needs to coordinate a show. If the agent is getting cut out of bookings, he is gone. Just save us all the hassle and book yourself. While you're at it, get your head out of your ass.
If you live within four hours of a venue, and you aren't a national act, then you will be home that night. Promote the show, and don't ask for a hotel room from the venue. That is still considered local. Get your head out of your ass.
Keep any rider you may have professional looking and within reason, as well as any dinner demands. If you agree to do a show without a rider, don't spring it on the promoter right before the show. You already have an agreement. Get your head out of your ass.
I don't care if you are national or local band, a venue, a promoter, a band manager, a bar owner, a booking agent, or a musician, NEVER TRY TO RENEGOTIATE PAY AFTER THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED. It creates a very hostile environment. get your head out of your ass.
Network. Network. Network. Get to know everyone. The person you step on on your way up the ladder will be there to meet you on your way down. Get your head out of your ass.
Never... NEVER post a video of your band where there is very little crowd. A promoter is not a music producer. They don't care if you are "killing it" on a song, but what your draw looks like. No one wants to book you based on your band rehearsals. Protect your brand. Get your head out of your ass.
Dear cover band, an agent will have many bands he works with that makes more money for him than your band does, and even if they don't, don't ask him to work exclusively for you. Get your head out of your ass.
While I can appreciate your dedication to your "art", this is a business. If you are worried how your art will be interpreted, don't ask a booking agent to help you get booked. This is a transaction, not a glee club meeting. Get your head out of your ass.

There are many more, so I am sure I will update this list as I remember them, but the one thing you have to focus on is to get your head out of your ass.