The Music Gardener - Artist Manager, Music Marketer

Over the last few weeks, I have been shopping for a booking agent for an artist we are working with. This particular artist is on an independent label but has quite a bit going on and the phones have started to ring for bookings. The Presidents of two big booking agents both began our conversation with the craziest statement “We don’t sign artists who aren’t on major labels” . Really? One of the companies’ represents a multi-platinum selling artist who is signed to an independent label. The other company has three of their bigger artists that were on an independent label until it was recently purchased by a major label and that particular major label appears to be sinking quickly. It really surprised me that these guys would respond like that based on the paradigm shift in the music business and the success they have seen on their own roster from independents.

I’m seeing a real opportunity in the booking industry for entrepreneurs who really understand the new dynamics of the music business and the important role that independents are playing. Can’t wait to meet them!

http://www.artistgardenentertainment.com

WOW Worship Purple

WOW Worship Purple released a few weeks ago and should have been one of the biggest releases of the year for Christian music. Soundscan reported a disappointing 5,330 units in first week sales. The last WOW release logged 14,615 in first week sales. WOW! What happened?

The WOW brand has been the cornerstone for Christian music for the last 15 years. WOW Worship Purple is loaded with hits from Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Lincoln Brewster, Hillsong United, Kari Jobe, Mercy Me, Matt Maher, David Crowder Band and Michael W. Smith so it is obvious that content is not the problem. Sales patterns have changed since the last WOW release but have they really changed that drastically? After hearing the disappointing numbers, I couldn’t help but wonder about the marketing for this release. Just as sales patterns in music have changed, the way to reach consumers has changed.

A few observations.

- there is no WOW Facebook page that I can find

- there is no WOW Twitter account that I can find

- there was no blog campaigns that I am aware of

- there appears to be a total absence of any web 2.0 marketing for this release

WOW! That’s what happened.

http://www.artistgardenentertainment.com

As I navigate through music marketing and artist management in this new era, I am reminded of something I learned early on that remains constant and will always be the cornerstone for music. This “something” has been present since the very first note of music was created. At times, the music industry becomes frustrated and impatient in attempts to manipulate it but it can’t be avoided.

Artists search for it…

Record labels hope for it…

Radio exist for it…

TV and Film create images for it…

Humans long for it…

The Song… It’s all about the Song.

http://www.artistgardenentertainment.com

Beckah Shae

Times are changing!

I met a wonderful independent artist this week named Beckah Shae.

Beckah has no record label deal.

Beckah’s single “Here in This Moment” is #7 on the BDS Christian CHR radio chart and climbing!

…..enough said

http://www.artistgardenentertainment.com

Diana Stancil, Danny Gokey, Byron "Mr Talkbox Chambers, Keith Stancil

Artist Garden Entertainment announces the signing of Byron “Mr Talkbox” Chambers to an exclusive management deal. The partnership began in October when Artist Garden Entertainment was hired by Key of B Productions as a marketing consultant for Byron’s new record “My Time”. Best known as co-writer and performer on Tobymac’s “Diverse City”, Byron is known as “Mr Talkbox” to music fans. He has quite the touring resume including serving as keyboardist for NSYNC, Britney Spears, Jordan Knight and recently as multi-instrumentalist for Tobymac. Byron arranged Danny Gokey’s performances for American Idol last season and he was recently nominated for a Dove Award for his co-write and arrangement on Group 1 Crew’s “Movin”. We look forward to helping Byron’s music reach bigger audiences in both the Christian and Mainstream markets.

Byron “Mr Talkbox” Chambers “My Time” is available now on iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-time/id356335600

http://www.artistgardenentertainment.com