Let's DO this!

that's strange - I don't know why...I'll add your address to my addressbook - that will keep it from bouncing. In the meantime, e-mail me here at work (I sent you my work e-mail address)... O.k., I'll call the record store and tell them to hold it for me til this weekend. Donna

I've been singing for about 10 years... more karaoke than anything but appreciate good music and love to sing... I deejay karaoke and have for about 8 years. I sang in a nationwide contest in Nashville many years ago but it was on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. I will always remember it even though I didn't become a star... *insert shucks here* I have friends that have made CDs but it was a home town studio here in Omaha so I can't be much help with any of your other questions. Nice to meet you... Jenn

Nice to meet you too, Jenn! You know, I'd thought about doing the karaoke thing as a sideline income, but there are so many people around here who are doing it that I don't know if there would be much work around here for me to make the investment worthwhile. Every once in a while, I'll use a karaoke CD when I'm singing at a small function and they don't want to hire a whole band. I'd like to find some good quality jazz CD's. Where do you get yours from? Sue ZQ

Karaoke.com is where I get mine... I don't own my own system though. I work for someone else... Much much easier that way!!! No hassle.... Believe it or not, it is a pretty cut throat business... I worked for 3 different companies and one bar and the crap that goes on behind the scenes is just crazy!!

I think I may have bought some stuff from Karaoke.com before. Some of it sounded really good, but a few tracks had some kinda cheesy sounding background vocals. I can believe you about the business being cut throat. As a singer I've run into a lot of political stuff since moving here. Also, by being female (and especially after losing some weight), I have to deal with come on's and sexist B.S. People want you to perform, but they don't want to PAY you like they pay the men. I've had to learn to toughen up. Sue ZQ

I'm a guitarist. I played classical guitar in a classicl guitar ensemble at the Peabody Conservatory of Music (where I study), but I left the group right before having WLS. I may rejoin at some point in the future, but right now, I'm on hiatus. I am also the guitarist for my church. I don't have any experience with press or demos, etc.

That's so interesting! When I was a music major (voice) I took a couple of semesters of classical guitar. I muddled through it, but I just didn't have that gift. Same with piano. I remember when I was taking theory and we'd do those dictation exercises, I always had a hard time hearing chords. Probably because I'm a singer, my ears want to process melodic lines rather than clusters of notes. When I picked up the bass, it was a much more intuitive experience for me because to me it's a melodic instrument, not just something meant to keep a beat. Years ago I played woodwinds - clarinet, oboe and sax. I still have an alto sax at home that I pick up every once in a blue moon. Sue ZQ

Hi Sue, I am a Karaoke DJ full time. I have also been with many many bands in the past whom of all i still enjoy sitting in with. I've sung everything from rock to blues to country to bluegrass and things in between. I love all music with the exception of rap but even I will listen to it when the mood strikes me. As for putting together a Press package I would get recomindations from establishments i've played at have photo's done of your group and make flyers with the name of the group where your playing times dates etc... Also have business cards made up and hand them out to friends businesses and such. Let the people know if your group does benifits special occation parties and such. Check with your local news papers and place adds to get your name out there the style of music your group does if your playing anywhere give dates an times so people can come out an hear you. exposure is everything. create a web page that shows photo's of your band playing to crowds get release statements from bar owners and people recomending your groups names dates times where an when kinds of things. Always remember first rule of thumb classy not trashy. It goes along way. As for making a demo. Look around carefully trust the people you are going to be working with and always if you have created new music get a patient on the music an lyric's to the songs never leave yourself open to piracy. Make sure the studio has the things you need equipment wise. instruments if needed proper sound mixers etc.... If you are re-recording someone elses work make sure you have thier written permission and keep that copy. Studio time is costly any where from 150 up per hour not per song. make sure you know what your going to do ahead of time. because it can cost you alot of money if your not ready. Your probably asking how i know this I worked for a production company for many years we handled at one time over 70 local bands in west michigan from Detriot to Cadillac. I loved working with these people and we are all great friends to this day. Some have been calling me lately to find out when I will be making a return so they can hire me to help them along. I still toss them gigs from time to time if i see where one has become available. Kind of like freebies but it keeps you in touch with people and word gets around. I hope this helps you get things together. Its a lot of hard work and many miles on the feet and being creative is a good thing Dawn 360/234

Thank you SO much, Dawn. I am in the baby stages of doing this thing. I put so much of my life on hold because I was so big. I might get one of my friends to shoot some photos of me at my gig tonight. I don't have any of myself performing since I dropped some of my weight. I have enough computer skills to build a web site for myself in the near future. I've been surfing the web and looking at styles that other vocalists are using in order to get layout ideas. I was thinking about putting some audio samples on it so people can hear what I sound like. I'm also considering getting another phone number for voice mail so that I won't have to put my home phone number out in the public. I would like to stay in touch with you as I proceed with this. Sounds like you have lots of experience in this area. Thanks again! Sue ZQ

I just want to say hello and wish you luck with your career goals! Don't let your weight hold you back. Of course I understand, it's always easier if you look like everybody else! I sang and played guitar in college in the 70's, wrote songs and joined a couple of bands. I do remember what it was like to be on stage, singing, and realize that suddenly people forgot there was a fat person up there - when you're good, does it matter? We have enough Britney Spears lookalikes with mediocre talent....I say no matter what your size, let that voice go!