Greatest Blues Artists

Defining the True Artist

There are musicians who are more than comfortable remaining anonymous. You know, happy to hide behind their guitars or keyboards and be sidemen to the stars of today or tomorrow. Then there are those that have grandiose aspirations of stardom, adoration and limelight. And then there are those who have a driving desire and need to say something original artistically, to express themselves and to communicate that expression to an audience, be it a small niche market or wider demographic.

Those falling into the first category can make a living, albeit fairly modest as a general rule. Those falling into the second category often live in a little bit of a dream world and, depending on their tenacity and ‘smart’ skills, usually end up disappointed because the focus is set on the destination rather than the journey. The third category usually reaps the rewards of the second category gaining all the success and limelight, but as a result of focusing on their art rather than the shallow and flighty end of the musician’s world. These are usually the most fascinating people too, because they generally have a little mystery about them and because they actually possess what most entertainers really want; sincere and dedicated talent!

But there are also those that are in the early stages of artistic development who are still learning their craft, and open to influences. Possibly they will become great artists in the future, possibly not. It will be a question of choices and consequences, and doors opened and opportunities taken advantage of – or not. Life certainly will take you places.

But for those that do have aspirations of artistry and expression, then I firmly believe you must have qualities that others do not have. As an artist I believe one must stand out from the herd in order to be heard. It is so easy to make a record these days. One no longer needs to have the luxury of a recording contract in order to stand on a pedestal and say “I am an artist – buy my record!” With home studios costing one 16th of the price they did ten years ago and with software programs that do it all, you can churn out albums by the dozen if you put your mind to it. And many do.

However, just because you can, why would you? – is my question. Just for fun? OK, valid I suppose. But Isn’t it better to spend that time and energy searching relentlessly for something unique and different? God knows record companies are releasing enough mediocrity by the hour. Even signed artists are now under the impression they have something to offer. Maybe they have, but for the most part I don’t think so (as public reaction and their CD sales will attest!)

Perhaps I am being extremely unfair, but I think too many artists do not realize that they have a responsibility to say something profoundly unique, certainly if they expect any kind of career longevity. We live in a world where musicians spend their lives emulating their heroes; singers spend their lives emulating Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and so on. Rock guitarists spend their lives emulating Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Paige, Jeff Beck and Eddie Van Halen. Jazz guitarists are proud emulators of Pat Metheny, John Scofield and Wes Montgomery. Saxophone players worship Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Michael Brecker. And so on…

Before I go on I have to say that emulating heroes is absolutely imperative in your formative years as musicians. You simply MUST listen to the greats, past and present. One has to have a strong grounding and musical knowledge and one simply cannot get there without listening. However, way too many ‘artists’ cannot get passed this stage. They need to have peer approval, have to know that other respected musicians around them recognize them and applaud their abilities. Often all this takes place subconsciously.

This ‘peer approval’ is a stage of development that is also important. Every musician goes through it at some point. It is absolutely natural, but I firmly believe that to become a great artist, you have to move beyond that stage and look inward. I always liken it those wedding band singers, who despite having an honorable and justifiable (and in some cases envious) career, they are all too often ‘performing monkeys’. They are often fine vocalists but at the end of the day they are seeking approval and applause and not communicating or expressing anything artistic. They certainly know how to entertain but do they know how to intrigue? It’s a huge gap. Nothing remotely subtle about it as far as I am concerned.

The real communicating artists seek unique expression. They are not interested anymore in sounding like their heroes. They have moved past that, now searching constantly, developing and refining their own unique voice. Look at any of the true giants of yesterday and today. Yes you can hear their references, but they also have their own strong identity. At some point during their development something bigger than them took over. The chances are they knew it at the time and took advantage of it and made an extra effort to really hone that uniqueness.

Finding that unique inner voice might not be as easy for some. I think it starts by recognizing your technical weaknesses. It is often those weaknesses that ultimately end up becoming your artistic strengths. Let’s face it, if you were able to play the guitar technically perfect, at all speeds, meticulously so every note that came out was totally clean and audible, would this be ultimately interesting to an audience? Yes it might be very clever and impressive, but for how long could you listen to an album where every phrase felt like you were having your teeth drilled!!?

Wes Montgomery played with his thumb because he didn’t want to wake the neighbors, ultimately enabling him to become the greatest and most influential jazz guitarist of all time. BB King has about three licks in his entire blues repertoire. Does anyone NOT know BB King when they hear him? Thelonius Monk refused to conform to traditional piano techniques and musical ideas. He simply HAD to play music the way he heard it in his head. He made such a bold musical statement during his time that he is now emulated the world over and revered by the greatest musicians living today.

Technical shortcomings can be the very essence of your unique artistry. Now, should those shortcomings get in the way of what you need to say musically then those weaknesses might need to be turned around so they don’t restrict what you hear in your head.

Remember that the true artist simply communicates from within. All other extraneous thoughts, influences and distractions need to fall by the wayside. The minute a lick or a phrase that your hero played or sung (and made famous) ends up on your record – watch out! You might be in trouble. Absolutely steal from your heroes, but just remember that real artistry is about what YOU have to say, not what your heroes have already said before, and have possibly said better.

Push yourself to the max and search for that truly unique quality within. After all, that next great talent we are all so desperately waiting for might just be you!

5 Work at Home Solutions for Working Musicians

As creators and artists of original music, we all would like nothing more than to have our tunes blasting out all over the airwaves bringing in a constant revenue stream of ongoing residual income. Some people figure that out and more power to them. I for one have not and that is not the purpose of this article. I will say good luck to you in your pursuit of that dream if you are still running it down.

The objective here is to discuss 5 solutions working (or non working for that matter) musicians can use or apply to bring in extra income.

These are not get rich quick or easy Internet money programs. They are 5 solid solutions to realistically making extra money to compliment your true passion, playing music. Some of these you may have considered and some sites you may not be familiar with. The Internet has changed everything and it is always changing. There are always opportunities out there. You just need to be careful not to get involved in the wrong ones or involved in too many. The Internet really can be a tangled web if you let it snare you.

One of the best things you can do is to find a business mentor; someone who is successful in the endeavor you are pursuing. Surrounding yourself with successful people will help you overcome obstacles everyone faces when pursuing a venture. You also need a healthy positive attitude and a confidence in yourself. When you develop these, you become inspired to do great things.

With that said here are 5 Solutions:

Solution #1: Royalty Free Music Factory

Royalty Free Music Factory is a website that pays you, the musician, a commission on the sales of your soundtracks. The founder of the site, Mike Rowntree, is a musician and sound engineer who came to realized that there is a huge international market for music tracks you hear on radio, television, and internet sites. Producers of advertisements and programs in these media want to avoid paying ongoing royalties which is how this market niche developed. You upload your 15, 30, and 60 second MP3 tracks along with your full length version(counts as one track) and they are reviewed within 2 business days. Upon acceptance, they are listed on the site for sale. They pay you a 35% commission on each track sold. Visit them at: http://www.royaltyfreemusicfactory.com/

Solution #2: Digitally Delivered Products

Digitally delivered products are all over the Internet and music instruction is certainly no exception. The biggest retailer of such products is Clickbank. Products range from simple ebooks, to full blown membership sites like http://www.musicmasterpro.com/ with online video instruction. To get started on a shoestring, you will need a PDF writing program and a free Clickbank account. The most popular PDF software is Adobe Acrobat, but you can probably find a free shareware program that will do what you need. Accompany that PDF with MP3 files and not only can you charge more, but you’ll probably sell more. I purchased Alex Sampson’s http://www.bassguitarsecrets.com/ and thoroughly enjoyed what parts I’ve gone through. Alex charges $49.95 for that product and I feel like he over delivered.

Solution #3: Become An Affiliate.

With your Clickbank account, you can also become an affiliate for other marketers and make a commission on your sales. For example, MusicMasterPro pays 70% commission on membership sales. With your free Clickbank account you will need what is called a “Hoplink” to the affiliate you are promoting. The hoplink is a combination of your unique Clickbank ID and the affiliate you are promoting’s ID. Clickbank pays you directly for your commissions.

Another huge Affiliate website is Commission Junction.http://www.cj.com/ You can find other complimentary products to sell and receive a commission if a sales is made through your link.

Solution #4: DVD Production & Sales

An old friend of mine, (Tony who happens to be the Godfather of my daughter), makes great extra money doing this. He is a full-time drummer on Bourbon Street here in New Orleans and makes DVDs and sells them in the clubs he works in. To do this however, you will need to make a deal with the club owner and split the proceeds. They certainly don’t want you taking money out of their clientele’s pockets, but if you make an arrangement you can both profit from DVD sales.

Back in the day we would pay a sound studio $50/hr, practice to perfection not to screw up in the studio, and then send the thing off to a place called Disc Masters or something like that to make the CD. I guess people still do that, but with all the technology out there you can do this yourself. Like I said in the beginning, we’re talking about making extra money – not being a rock star!

Aside from the camera, you will need video editing software like http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ and a CD/DVD label maker. Instead of using the camera audio, Tony has some really small, really inexpensive handheld recording device he uses to record the band live. It’s quick and easy and he can pop out DVD in not time. Of course, it does help to have an outgoing singer/frontman to push the product!

Solution #5: The $9 Solution

Chad Rissenan, The Marketing Cowboy, has a $9 Solution to making money online and work at home business. Chad is a guitarist and singer with the North County Band. http://www.northcountyband.com/

Chad’s $9 Solution teaches you everything you need to know about Internet marketing and how to develop a successful work at home business. With the $9 Solution, Chad has an audio file and guides you through the whole process of how to build a successful business right from your computer, without ever having to sell products. It also comes with a 10 Day Marketing Success Guide that has income producing activities that ensure your success.

www.ninedollarsolution.net

As a musician and small business owner, I sincerely hope you find some of these solutions helpful in your quest to play music and make more money at the same time. Whatever you do, do something! Stay positive, focused, open-minded and visualize your success.

About the Author

HOWLIN’ WOLF – Smokestack Lightning

Aerosmith: A WikiFocus Book $1.99 Aerosmith: A WikiFocus Book details the History, Record deal, Aerosmith, Get Your Wings, and Toys in the Attic (1971–1975), Rocks, Draw the Line, and Live! Bootleg (1976–1978), Permanent Vacation and Pump, Get a Grip and Big Ones and Discography and impact of the ” Aerosmith “Aerosmith is an American hard rock band, sometimes referred to as “The Bad Boys from Boston” and”America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band”.Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock,has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many subsequent rock artists. The band was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. Guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton, originally in a band together called the Jam Band, met up with singer Steven Tyler, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarist Ray Tabano, and formed Aerosmith. In 1971, Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford, and the band began developing a following in Boston.WikiFocus Books are collaborative books designed for education on specific subject matter. Our motto is “Collaborative Books for Creative Minds” and it is our mission to provide focused content for both educational and entertainment purposes. We present targeted information on specific subjects which are compiled from online collaborative resources from across the globe. Some text and images contained in this book have been reused and/or repurposed for commercial distribution under the Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Unported License (CC-BY-SA) and the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL).

All Over The Map $25 From country and blues to rap and punk, Texas music is all over the map, figuratively and literally. Texas musicians have pioneered new musical genres, instruments, and playing styles, proving themselves to be daring innovators who often call the tune for musicians around the country and even abroad. To introduce some of these trailblazing Texas musicians to a wider audience and pay tribute to their accomplishments, Michael Corcoran profiles thirty-two of them in All Over the Map: True Heroes of Texas Music. Corcoran covers musicians who work in a wide range of musical genres, including blues, gospel, country, rap, indie rock, pop, Cajun, Tejano, conjunto, funk, honky-tonk, rockabilly, rhythm and blues, and Western swing. His focus is on underappreciated artists, pioneers who haven’t fully received their due. He also includes well-known musicians who’ve been underrated, such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Selena, and invites us to take a closer look at the unique talents of these artists. Corcoran’s profiles come from articles he wrote for the Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman, Houston Press, and other publications, which have been expanded and updated for this volume. His musical detective work even uncovers a case of mistaken identity (Washington Phillips) and corrects much misinformation on Blind Willie Johnson and Arizona Dranes. Corcoran closes the book with lively pieces on the Austin music scene and its most famous, if no longer extant, clubs, as well as his personal lists of the forty greatest Texas songs of all time and the twenty-five essential CDs for Texas music fans.

American Rhythm And Blues Bass Guitarists $11.12 Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher’s book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Bootsy Collins, Meshell Ndegeocello, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Shuggie Otis, Bernard Edwards, Jerry Jemmott, Georg Wadenius, George Porter, Jr., Phil Upchurch, Bernard Odum, Marvin Isley. Excerpt: Bernard Edwards (October 31, 1952 April 18, 1996) born in Greenville, North Carolina , was a bass guitar player and record producer , both as a member of Chic and on his own. He died of pneumonia while touring in Japan . History Edwards who grew up in Brooklyn , New York City , met Nile Rodgers in the early 1970s. The two formed the Big Apple Band (active from 1972-1976) and then united with drummer Tony Thompson to eventually form Chic together with singer Norma Jean Wright . With Chic (active 1976-1983) Edwards created era-defining hits such as “Dance, Dance, Dance”, “Everybody Dance”, “Le Freak”, “I Want Your Love” and “Good Times”. Edwards also worked with Nile Rodgers to produce and write for other artists, using Chic to perform everything musically and vocally except lead vocals. Those productions with Norma Jean Wright , Sister Sledge , Sheila and B. Devotion , Diana Ross , Johnny Mathis , Debbie Harry and Fonzi Thornton led to more hits such as “Saturday”, “He’s The Greatest Dancer”, “We Are Family”, “Spacer”, “Upside Down”, “I’m Coming Out” and “Backfired” to name a few. Chic split in 1983 after personal and artistic differences between Edwards and Rodgers. Edwards released a solo album the same year, and in 1985 he was instrumental in the formation of the supergroup Power Station . The band’s first album was produced by Edwards and featured Chic drummer Tony Thompson , and Duran Duran members John and Andy Taylor as well as singer Robert Palmer . Edwards followed this by producing Robert Palmer’s hit album Riptide . He continued to produce artists throughout the 1980s and

Art in Louisiana: Artists From Louisiana, Arts Centers in Louisiana, Monuments and Memorials in Louisiana, Outdoor Sculptures in Louisiana $20.96 Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher’s book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Artists From Louisiana, Arts Centers in Louisiana, Monuments and Memorials in Louisiana, Outdoor Sculptures in Louisiana, Willie Nelson, Kevyn Aucoin, Elenora “Rukiya” Brown, Irvan Perez, the Boy With the Leaking Boot, Lynda Benglis, Fritz Bultman, George Rodrigue, Eugene J. Martin, Clayton Colvin, Henry Casselli, Shaw Center for the Arts, John T. Scott, Earl Barthé, Michael Ray Charles, Clementine Hunter, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (Innis, Louisiana), Ellsworth Woodward, Angela Gregory, Elemore Morgan, Jr., Ben Claassen Iii, Edward Clark, George David Coulon, Enrique Alférez, Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, Ida Kohlmeyer, Keith Sonnier. Excerpt: Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American country singer-songwriter, author, poet, actor and activist. He reached his greatest fame during the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, and remains iconic, especially in American popular culture. Now in his 70s, Willie Nelson continues to tour and has performed in concerts and fundraisers with other major musicians, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Dave Matthews. He also continues to record albums prolifically in new genres that embrace reggae, blues, jazz, folk, and popular music. Nelson was born and raised in Abbott, Texas, the son of Myrle Marie (née Greenhaw) and Ira Doyle Nelson, a mechanic and pool hall owner. His grandparents William Alfred Nelson and Nancy Elizabeth Smothers gave him mail-order music lessons starting at age six. He wrote his first song when he was seven and was playing in a local band at age nine. Willie played the guitar, while his sister Bobbie played the piano. He met Bud Fletcher, a fiddler, and two siblings joined his band, Bohemian Fiddlers, while Nelson was in high school. While he was in high school he too…

Between Midnight and Day: The Last Unpublished Blues Archive $130.1 Between Midnight and Day: The Last Unpublished Blues Archive celebrates the rich heritage of one of America’s greatest cultural legacies, the blues. Dick Waterman has been representing and photographing blues artists for over fifty years and in Between Midnight and Day, he collects these rare images, many previously unseen, and illuminates them with his own first-hand commentary offering his unique perspective as an agent, representative, photographer, and friend to some of the most influential figures in American music. Waterman includes personal recollections and 120 color photographs of blues legends like Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Son House, “Mississippi” John Hurt, Skip James, Janis Joplin, B.B. King, Fred McDowell, Bonnie Raitt, Otis Rush, Roosevelt Sykes, Big Mama Thornton, Sippie Wallace, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Bukka White, and Howlin’ Wolf. Contributors include critically acclaimed music biographer Peter Guralnick, Grammy award-winning musician Bonnie Raitt, and author Chris Murray.

Between Midnight and Day: The Last Unpublished Blues Archive $2.38 Between Midnight and Day: The Last Unpublished Blues Archive celebrates the rich heritage of one of America’s greatest cultural legacies, the blues. Dick Waterman has been representing and photographing blues artists for over fifty years and in Between Midnight and Day, he collects these rare images, many previously unseen, and illuminates them with his own first-hand commentary offering his unique perspective as an agent, representative, photographer, and friend to some of the most influential figures in American music. Waterman includes personal recollections and 120 color photographs of blues legends like Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Son House, “Mississippi” John Hurt, Skip James, Janis Joplin, B.B. King, Fred McDowell, Bonnie Raitt, Otis Rush, Roosevelt Sykes, Big Mama Thornton, Sippie Wallace, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Bukka White, and Howlin’ Wolf. Contributors include critically acclaimed music biographer Peter Guralnick, Grammy award-winning musician Bonnie Raitt, and author Chris Murray.

Blue Rhythms: Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues $0.99 Never before in paperback: The high times–and hard times–of six of the greatest living rhythm and blues artists, told in their own words.

Blues-Rock Groups $31.4 Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher’s book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Cream, Danzig, Zz Top, the Yardbirds, Aerosmith, Mc5, Whitesnake, Blues Traveler, Them, the Glasspack, Blind Faith, Sir Lord Baltimore, Them Crooked Vultures, Climax Blues Band, Cinderella, the Hamsters, Engine, the Quireboys, Clutch, Foghat, Ten Years After, the Misunderstood, Badlands, Cold War Kids, the Steepwater Band, Santana, Heartless Bastards, Kamchatka, Dzem, Winterville, Steamhammer, Elf, the Snakes, Zona B, Breakout, Arc Angels, Josefus, Eric Clapton’s Powerhouse, Truth and Janey, Night Horse, Firebird, Sister Double Happiness, the Sleepers, Stray Dog, Hey Mama, Radio Moscow, Twentysevens, Entropy, Hampton Grease Band, Five Horse Johnson, Zoopark, Bloodline, Bêbados Habilidosos, Remme Brothers Band, Bryan Cherry Band. Excerpt: Italic text Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American hard rock band, sometimes referred to as “The Bad Boys from Boston” and “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band”. Their style, which is rooted in blues -based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal , and rhythm and blues , and has inspired many subsequent rock artists. The band was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. Guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton , originally in a band together called the Jam Band, met up with singer Steven Tyler , drummer Joey Kramer , and guitarist Ray Tabano , and formed Aerosmith. In 1971, Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford , and the band began developing a following in Boston. They were signed to Columbia Records in 1972, and released a string of multi-platinum albums, beginning with their 1973 eponymous debut album , followed by their 1974 album, Get Your Wings . In 1975, the band broke into the mainstream with the album Toys in the Attic , and their 1976 follow-up Rocks cemented their status as hard rock

Bryan Lee – My Lady Don’t Love My Lady CD $14.79 Over his 11 CDs plus a greatest-hits package for the Justin Time label, Bryan Lee has been one of the most consistently satisfying blues artists heard anywhere. Sporting a sly but sweet voice and m…

Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010 $12.99 Austin, TX has more bars per capita than any other city in the U.S., and on any given night, live music pours from the hundreds of doorways on 6th street, so being the entrepreneur that he is, co-owner of Matador Records and four-year native of Austin, Gerard Cosloy took on the laborious task of documenting his city? s impressive underground music scene. Over a year in the making, with submissions dating back to 2008, Casual Victim Pile (taken from a rearrangement of Austin? s motto “Live Music Capital”) is not Cosloy? s first attempt at making a city sampler, and his professionalism shows. His first release, 1984? s Bands That Could Be God shined a light on Boston hardcore bands, and 1991? s New York Eye & Ear Control featured great bands from N.Y.C. Like these other endeavors, this comp takes a historical snapshot of a specific time and place; an exquisite one at that, documenting a scene that, while unpublicized, holds up with the greatest D.I.Y. movements. In the way that N.Y. No Wave: The Ultimate East Village ? 80s Soundtrack exposed art-skronk to the masses, This Is Boston, Not L.A. encapsulated hardcore, or The Stiff Records Box Set captured the sounds of British pub rock, Casual Victim Pile reveals a secret surplus of raw, underexposed talent. Wisely, Cosloy skips over the dime-a-dozen Lyle Lovett-esque acoustic soloists and the many, many SRV-influenced electric blues acts, and instead focuses closely on the tight niche of Austin garage punk (with a few exceptions from Denton, TX.) All the bands fit the bill wonderfully and it? s a consistent, gritty listen throughout. As always, Cosloy? s a consummate tastemaker, and considering his role in boosting the careers of indie staples Pavement, Yo La Tengo, fellow Austinites Spoon, and the high caliber of music onboard, it wouldn? t be surprising if this one broke the Lone Star underground wide open. ~ Jason Lymangrover, Rovi