the AMP Issue 31

"I think any time I’ve ever got down or ever felt low the one thing that picks me up from that is writing a song about it. At least you’ve got a positive experience out of a bad experience."
— Ed Sheeran

In This Issue... [12 pages, less than 18 minutes to read] You'll Get...

• RECOMMENDS— The New Music Lives™ Facebook Group .comUnity

• BACKSTAGE PASS—  The 11 Trends Singer Songwriters Need To Know.

• the 100 GREATEST SINGER SONGWRITERS of All Time— Stevie Nicks

• MONDEGREEN— Drift Away by Uncle Kracker

• COACHING—  5 Career-Killing Mistakes from Rick Barker

• SNAPSHOT— The Top Seven Challenges Musicians Face from MIDiA

• PS from PS— What Do You Believe?

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Here’s the playlist

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• RECOMMENDS—  The New Music Lives™ Facebook Group .comUnity

Singer Songwriters— Transform Your Music Career with New Music Lives™ 

Here are some of very important reasons the New Music Lives™ Group is an essential resource for Singer Songwriters looking to make significant strides in their music careers. At the risk of... We're urging you to visit the group and participate. You will be glad you did. Lots of great stuff there. Truly.

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The specific posts referenced below are from the week of February 18th, 2023. There are new postings each week. It's like the AMP issued every day. 

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Where Passion Meets Purpose
In the stormy seas of today's music business, finding a safe harbor where creativity, knowledge, and community intersect can be transformational. New Music Lives™ is not just a group; it's a movement dedicated to empowering Singer Songwriters and music enthusiasts to navigate the ever-evolving seascape of the music industry. Our mission is clear: "It's Time... for a Change. Big Time. Past Time." And this past week's curated and created content is a testament to our commitment to not only spark that change but to nurture and guide the talents you possess today into your successes of tomorrow.

Diverse Insights for Every Music Lover
From Beyonce's groundbreaking venture into country music with her single Texas Hold 'Em taking the charts by storm to the heartwarming tale of dedication in The Last Repair Shop, an Oscar-nominated documentary short about the labor of love in repairing instruments for students, our content spans the gamut of musical genres and interests. These stories aren't just news; they're inspirations, reminders of the boundless possibilities within the music realm.

Inspirational Stories That Resonate
Every artist faces challenges, but it's the journey of overcoming them that truly defines their path. Through articles like The Story of the Emperor Moth… The Story of You..? we remind our group members that, like a plane taking off against the wind, adversity is required for ascension. Our community is a platform for sharing these stories, offering solace, encouragement, motivation, and a sense of belonging.

Engaging and Interactive Experiences
Participation is at the heart of New Music Lives™. Whether it's sharing feedback on group member Johnny J Blair's latest song Love That’s Here to Stay or joining Rick Barker's enlightening online event on leveraging social media, we provide avenues for active engagement. It's through involvement that our members find their voice, refine their craft, and connect with like-minded and same-hearted creative individuals.

A Hub of Educational Resources
Our commitment to inform is unwavering. From Songwriting insights that delve into the art of expressing love, to professional advice on finding the perfect collaborator, we equip our members with the knowledge and tools necessary for growth. The return of NPR’s beloved Tiny Desk Contest for its 10th year and advice from inspiring music pioneers like Nick Cave on the essence of meaningful life and artistry are just a few examples of how we aim to educate and inspire.

A Community That Cares
Listening to music is indeed better when it’s a conversation among friends. New Music Lives™ fosters this sentiment, creating a space where every post, every article, and every shared experience strengthens the bonds within our community. It's a place where passion for music becomes the basis for lasting connections and shared success.

Join Us on This Journey
New Music Lives™ is more than an on-line group; it's the beginning of a movement, a .comUnity where Singer Songwriters come together to transform their lives and careers. By choosing to Inform, Involve and Inspire, we're not just navigating the music industry; we're redefining it. Join us, and let's make music that matters and succeeds together.

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• BACKSTAGE PASS— The 11 Trends Singer Songwriters Need To Know.

These trends are most likely to impact the best ways for Singer Songwriters to create successful careers heading into 2024— and beyond. You don't have to be doing them all, but you do have to learn about them. All. So...

1. Social Media and Streaming Platforms: Utilizing platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify can be crucial for exposure. These platforms allow artists to showcase their work, engage with fans, and even go viral. Streaming platforms also offer revenue opportunities and can help in building a global audience.

2. Crowdfunding and Fan Funding: Sites like Kickstarter, Patreon, and Bandcamp allow artists to fund their projects through fan contributions. This method not only helps in raising funds for recording or touring but also strengthens the connection with the fanbase.

3. House Concerts and Live Streaming: Personal and intimate venues like house concerts are becoming popular. Additionally, live-streaming concerts on platforms like Twitch or Instagram Live can reach audiences who can't attend in person.

4. Content Marketing: Creating engaging content beyond music, such as blogs, vlogs, or podcasts, can help in building your brand and keeping your fans engaged.

5. Collaborations and Networking: Collaborating with other artists and industry professionals can open up new opportunities and broaden your fan base. Networking can be crucial in establishing a career in today's music industry.

6.  Direct-to-Fan Sales and Merchandising: Selling music, merchandise, and exclusive content directly to fans can be a significant revenue stream. It also helps in maintaining control over one's career and creative output.

7. Focus on Niche Markets: Targeting specific niches or genres can help in building a dedicated fanbase, which can be more sustainable in the long term.

8. Data-driven Decision-Making: Utilizing data analytics to understand audience preferences and behaviors can guide your marketing strategies and music distribution.

9. Sustainability and Social Responsibility: Aligning with social causes or focusing on sustainable practices can resonate with audiences, especially among younger demographics.

10. Independent Music Distribution: Utilizing independent distribution channels can offer more control and better revenue-sharing models than traditional record deals.

11. Personal Branding: Building a strong personal brand and online presence is increasingly important, as it helps to stand out in a crowded market.

These trends indicate a shift towards more independent and direct-to-fan approaches in the music industry, leveraging technology and personal connections to build a successful career.

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• the 100 GREATEST SINGER SONGWRITERS of All Time—  Stevie Nicks

"After forming as a British blues band in the late '60s, Fleetwood Mac evolved into one of the most influential rock groups of the '70s. Not only did they write some of the decade's most indelible songs—and release one of the best-selling albums of all time, 1977's Rumours—but the troupe created a distinctive 'California sound' that endures today as a sonic touchstone for countless bands."
— Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1998)

Stephanie Lynn (Stevie) Nicks is an American singer, songwriter, and producer known for her work with the band Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist. She is known for her distinctive voice, mystical stage persona, and poetic, symbolic lyrics.

After starting her career as a duo with her then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham, releasing the album Buckingham Nicks to little success, Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, helping the band to become one of the best-selling music acts of all time with over 120 million records sold worldwide. Rumours, the band's second album with Nicks, became one of the best-selling albums of all time, being certified 20× platinum in the US. In 1981, while remaining a member of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks began her solo career, releasing the studio album Bella Donna, which topped the Billboard 200 and has reached multiplatinum status. She has released eight studio solo albums and seven studio albums with Fleetwood Mac, selling a certified total of 65 million copies in the US only.

After the release of her first solo album, Rolling Stone named her the "Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll". Nicks was named one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time and one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone. Her Fleetwood Mac songs Landslide and Dreams, with the latter being the band's only number-one hit in the US, together with her solo hit Edge of Seventeen, have been included in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 

She is the first woman to have been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019. She has garnered eight Grammy Award nominations and two American Music Award nominations as a solo artist. She has won numerous awards with Fleetwood Mac, including a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978 for Rumours. The 1975 albums Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, and Bella Donna have been included in the "Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums" chart by Billboard. Furthermore, Rumours was rated the seventh-greatest album of all time in Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", as well as the fourth-greatest album by female acts.

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And Stevie Nicks #1 Most Popular Song is… Landslide

This reflective acoustic-guitar-driven ballad finds her pondering the aging process and the changes that come with it. She was 27 at the time and haunted by the thought that everything she'd spent her whole life working up to could come crashing down around her like an avalanche at any moment. 

"Well, I've been afraid of changing 'Cause I've built my life around you," she sings, her trembling vocal as vulnerable as Nicks has ever sounded. "But time makes you bolder / Even children get older / I'm getting older too." In the liner notes to "Crystal Visions," Nicks is quoted saying that she wrote that song in Aspen, "looking out at the Rocky Mountains pondering the avalanche of everything that had come crashing down on us ... at that moment, my life truly felt like a landslide in many ways.”

Tap the link to see Stevie Nicks' 20 Greatest Songs of All Time, ranked in order. 

To visit the MusicThisDay.com website, tap the link: The 100 Greatest Songwriters Of All Time.

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• MONDEGREEN— (Another one)

A mondegreen is a misheard or misunderstood phrase, most typically in a song or poem, that gives it a new meaning.

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Drift Away by Uncle Kracker

Original Lyric: 

Give me the beat boys and free my soul...

Mondegreen: 

Give me the Beach Boys and free my soul...

Peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Drift Away is one of Uncle Kracker's most famous songs. Unbeknownst to most people, it's also a cover. The original version of the song, which belongs to soul singer Dobie Gray, was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1973.

• COACHING— 5 Career-Killing Mistakes from Rick Barker

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1. Rushing the Creative Process: Quality takes time. I know it's tempting to push your music out as quickly as possible. But patience is key. 

Focus on mastering your craft and producing the best music possible. That’s important to remember when you're competing at the highest level.

2. Relying on Others to Make It Happen: No one can hand you a successful career on a silver platter. It's essential to be prepared and proactive. Build your audience, engage with your fans, and ensure your music is top-notch. 

Opportunities come to those who are ready. So be ready.

3. Not Treating Your Music as a Business: Whether you like it or not, your music is more than art. It's your business! And successful businesses have products people want. And they know how to reach their customers. 

Also, make sure your songs are registered correctly so you can actually get paid for your music.

You owe it to yourself to understand the business side of music as well as the creative side.

4. Lack of Proper Education: Don't chase trends blindly just because the current hot star is doing it. Educate yourself about the industry from reliable sources. Understand publishing, marketing, and the digital landscape. Knowledge is power.

5. Unrealistic Expectations: Success doesn't happen overnight. It's a journey filled with hard work and persistence. Dream big, but I also want you to set realistic goals and be prepared to put in the effort required to achieve them.

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Rick's mission is to help as many artists throughout the world build, grow and monetize a fanbase. Barker's 'Super Power' is the ability to simplify complicated issues and show artists just how easy it is to get their music out into the world using the tools that are readily available to all of them. 

With more than 30 years of experience, Rick has comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of the music industry. Independent artists in more than 22 countries have improved their skills and built their audiences based on Rick's teachings. Over 5,000 independent artists have worked with Rick to get their music out into the world. Rick works with artists in all different genres, with a broad and diverse range of music. He is constantly investing his time and money in staying up to date on the changes in the Music Business and the Digital Marketing Space and sharing that with his Management Clients and Podcast Listeners…

You can learn more and connect with Rick Barker by tapping his name link 

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• SNAPSHOT— The Top Seven Challenges Musicians Face

from MIDiA by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0

Spoiler: It has nothing to do with talent!

The entertainment research company MIDiA did an extensive study on the state of the music business today, and outlined a number of common challenges that professional music creators face today. Given how we think online music delivery and marketing currently work, the results are pretty surprising.

It’s Noisy Out There
By far, the biggest problem that professional music creators feel they’re up against is breaking through the noise. According to MIDiA...

70% of professional music creators chose "breaking through the noise" among their top three challenges. It is a steep drop to the second-most-common obstacle, at 40% penetration. For most artists across history, achieving their first breakthrough moment has always been the biggest hurdle. But two important things have changed: not only has breaking through become that much harder; it is difficult for artists across all career stages. Even established artists are finding it harder to make a splash with their new releases, and harder still to retain consumers’ attention.

The competition is fierce these days, everyone seems to use the same social marketing playbook, and the game constantly changes. Today we have audiences that have much shorter attention spans than ever before and there’s always something new to consume, and most of the time you don’t have to look too hard to find it.

It’s funny how we have better tools and opportunities for marketing online than ever before, especially if you’re DIY and not signed to a label, yet they grow less effective as we go along.

Going Viral Isn’t What It Used To Be
MIDiA’s study also found that virality doesn’t have the same effect as it once did either, and they use TikTok as an example. Going back to 2020, record labels were actually able to manufacture viral moments via a macro influencer campaign. This is no longer possible because of 3 reasons – the platform has become saturated, audiences have fractured, and the rapid release of new content.

Plus, this over-reliance on social campaigns brought about another problem – getting people to jump to a streaming service if they liked your song. 40% of music professional cite this as a main problem.

All this means that the digital playbook has to change because what once worked well, does not any longer. As usual, whenever something new comes along where creators find initial success, the platform gets crowded very quickly with imitators.

I remember having a conversation with the late Keith Barr, the founder of Alesis after the ADAT digital recorder became a big hit and spawned home studio recording everywhere. Although a financial success, Keith felt it was a failure because the new Beatles didn’t spring from the newly found music democratization. Some 30 years later we have exactly the same problem. Easy access to online streaming and marketing tools perhaps has had the opposite of the desired effect. It’s actually made it more difficult for anyone and everyone to succeed.
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Bobby Owsinski is a producer/engineer, author, blogger, podcaster, and coach. He has authored 24 books on recording, music, the music business, and social media. Tap Bobby’s ink to receive some great free info— 6 Trouble Frequency Areas Every Mixer Should Know, Self-Mastering Secrets,  How To Charge For Your Work to help you with your next mix project.

in partnership with SongTown On Songwriting

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• PS from PS— What Do You Believe?

"If you persuade yourself that you can do a certain thing, provided this thing be possible, you will do it however difficult it may be. If on the contrary, you imagine that you cannot do the simplest thing in the world, it is impossible for you to do it, and molehills become for you unscalable mountains."
― Émile Coué

What I Believe?

Let's climb a mountain. Or three.

Here are a few things I believe. Perhaps some of these resonate with you too…

• I believe in truth. Always. Integrity powers freedom and I’ll always tell you the truth…  Such as how building a music business is simple, but ain’t easy. It takes work, resilience, and grit.

• I believe you can build a music business with 3 solid hours a day. (And by 'business' I mean a real career.)

• I believe your music business can be small in size, but mighty in impact— and profit.

• I believe you can have an amazing business without neglecting your family or friends. Success does NOT require that you burn your relationships.

• I believe you should be proud of your music business. You CAN build a profitable music business.

• I believe in humility (and yes, I'm awesome. So are you!).

• I believe in speed and agility. Move fast. Try things. Test in the real world. And if it doesn’t work... Create and Adjust. 

• I believe you can have fun in your music business.

• I believe the world can feel heavy at times and it’s your job as a Singer Songwriter to lighten it and lighten it. I.e.; less heavy and brighter.

• I believe there’s a time to put down the damn books and Just DO It!

There’s always more we can learn (and that’s what New Music Lives™ is here for), but don’t use learning as a crutch for inaction. SO... 

• I believe in ACTION!

Oh, and I believe It's Time... for a Change. Big Time. Past Time. 

Until we speak again...

Thanks for reading. Give us your feedback.

And PLEASE, if you've got any Singer Songwriter friends, pass the AMP on, because... It’s Time... for a Change. Big Time. Past Time...