Your Music Business Book Inspired Me

The following is a testimony from Tha Sticman, who bought my first book sold in Alabama a number of years ago.

…A couple years back Ali Shabazz [Bama Hip Hop] was having a music industry event in Anniston, AL and my crew and I came down, I bought one of your books, the Atlanta Music Industry Connection. You autographed it "To My Man CJ Tha Sticman, My First Book Sold in Alabama."

Later on I bumped into you a few more times and I got the updated version and the Los Angeles Music Industry Connection. I got that one from you last year at the Ozone Music Conference. I said next time I see you I’m going to have something to tell you bro. I didn’t get to really chop it up with you when you came to the Come Claim The Mic Music Conference in Birmingham.

…I was reading in the L.A.M.I.C. Edition of your book series about the mp3s, how artists can grow and get paper from digital sales. …Basically [I] took that and applied it to what I do as a dj and I use it to break records. This is partially what caused the revival of the paid in full mix show. As you saw on the site it was originally done on college radio and grew rapidly but was shut down due to micro-management by the university and their staff.

What we did was found an avenue where we could upload mix shows and get them to people that use their mp3 players (computers, i-pods, zunes, zen, etc.) there are millions of these things around the world! On the site anyone can download and subscribe to the show, it doesn’t cost anything and a new show drops every week. This also created a new avenue for artists that are looking for new a way to get their records broken, however in return I ask them to sponsor the show and come and do a live interview or co-host the episode their record gets first exposure on.

The show was picked up by WGFX Goodfellas Radio. When they picked up the show and was playing it, we didn’t know. Chris just came to me and was like dawg your mix show is off the chain! Now I know one thing you are definitely concerned about is money, because you kept [talking] to everyone at the Come Claim the MIC Music Conference about getting paid.

The Mix shows are FREE. The Calls about come Dj at this party or come Dj at this concert will cost you and yeah the mix tape sales have increased. Hard Copies of the paid in full mix show also cost. So it’s not all work and no funding. It really balances out good so there’s no out of pocket expense on me or my partners. More than money I want the Honor and Respect, because if I have that, the money will come.

[JaWar], I just wanted to tell you thanks for the [Music Industry Connection] Books, even though the idea didn’t come from the book and it may have already been done by someone else before me. Your book inspired me to set a new goal and strive for it! Such a small price to pay for inspiration... Thanks man. I will see you around. Make sure you subscribe to the show.

If you know anyone that wants to get their records broke tell them to shoot me an email and their song to: paidinfullmixshow@gmail.com

We average about 250 downloads a week worldwide in Japan, Germany, Turkey, Mexico, Canada , Romania and all over the Continental U.S. Plus, Goodfellas Radio, broadcasts to another 45 countries . That’s just to show how much the mixshow has grown from January 1st 2008 till now.

Gimme a Holla Bro!
Tha Sticman
http://paidinfullmixshow.podomatic.com

Radio Music Conference -March 22, 2008

RADIO MUSIC CONFERENCE
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Albany, Georgia

Music Industry Connection, Music Showcase, Music Conference

Music Business Help Me Please

A young many contacted me through myspace and asked if I could help him out. I asked what did he have in mind. He said he wanted to ask me a few questions. My reply was what is your budget (how much money do you have)? He said he wanted to know if I could consult him now for payment at some later date. I replied that while it seemed doable, when I go to the gas station I'm always reminded to pay before I pump; likewise when I go to the grocery store I'm always asked to pay before leaving the store with food.

There's another alternative I told the young man. If I were to pay for the gas and fuel on my credit card then I could finance my purchases without having to pay cash on the same day. I told the young many I could email him a Paypal Request and he could pay for consulting services using his credit card today and everyone would get what they needed out of the business arrangement. I never heard from the young man again. -go figure

The music business is a business of selling dreams. It doesn't have to be this way, but most recording artists believe that if someone would just listen to their music they would hear their talent and want to help them achieve riches, fame and fortune. The reality is that the music industry is a business that requires some form of financial investment. If you're not willing to save and invest your own money don't expect anyone else to do it for you.

If you're unsure how to get started in the music business download the Music Industry Connection Book Series, attend Music Conferences and view JaWar's Music Business Videos.