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    The Independent Music Grind: (A Guide To Success For Indie Artists & Producers) Part One
    The Independent Music Grind: (A Guide To Success For Indie Artists & Producers) Part One
    The Independent Music Grind: (A Guide To Success For Indie Artists & Producers) Part One
    Ebook122 pages2 hours

    The Independent Music Grind: (A Guide To Success For Indie Artists & Producers) Part One

    By Jesse Atkinson

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    About this ebook

    The Independent Music Grind is a step by step guide to success for independent music artists and producers. It discusses in detail about how independent artists and producers can monetize their music movement and start making money now.

    The book is written by a 15 year music industry veteran, who has successfully structured a myriad of independent labels. Additionally the author is the founder of the A&R Power Summit, one of the premier music business seminars in the industry. As well, he is the founder of the UMA awards, the biggest national award show for independent urban music artists in the country.

    The Independent Music Grind is a phenomenal wealth of information and inspiration. The book is designed to educate and energize. Moreover, it spells out the multiple revenue streams in the music business by which indie artists can get paid. It demonstrates how independent artists can separate their music brand from the competition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookBaby
    Release dateDec 10, 2013
    ISBN9781483513546
    The Independent Music Grind: (A Guide To Success For Indie Artists & Producers) Part One

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    • 5/5
      Great read to put a musician on the right track (no pun intended)

    Book preview

    The Independent Music Grind - Jesse Atkinson

    Resources

    Chapter 1: Introduction (About The Author)

    INTRODUCTION: Firstly, before we get started, stop for a moment and imagine the world without music. That is a scary thought. Hence, I want to give a special thanks to all of the artists, producers, songwriters and musicians around the globe. You make our world a better place. Secondly, now is the time to take your musical destiny into your own hands.

    The phrase on the grind refers to the process of working hard and hustling to achieve one’s dreams. This book is about the never ending independent music grind. It deals with the blood, the sweat, and the tears that independent music artists endure to reach the top. At the same time, the book provides concepts to broaden your business outlook. My goal is to share my experiences and help you to MONETIZE YOUR MUSIC MOVEMENT! With the right plan you can create the demand to expand your brand.

    The Internet has leveled the playing field for aspiring artists and producers. And more than ever, many developing music organizations are achieving independent success without the aid of a major label. There is a lot of power in being independent. In fact, there are several major label artists seeking independence from major record deals, that have their music careers in limbo.

    This is the music BUSINESS. It was never just about the music. As an independent artist, it is imperative that you sharpen your music business acumen and construct an infrastructure, a team and a strategy to build a long term music career. Your mission is to become a professional working artist or producer.

    If you take a lazy approach to learning about the music business, then you are setting yourself up to be scammed and screwed in the future. The music game is all smoke and mirrors. Do not get caught up in the illusion and sleight of hand. Study and learn the industry for yourself. Take your time to learn the ropes and develop the business savvy and skills that are needed to reach greater levels of success.

    First and foremost, you have to determine whether your music career is a business or a hobby. Some independent artists spend thousands of dollars on studio time and on accessories to give away free music just to say I do this.. Many upcoming artists are more focused on what is a good look instead of focusing on what will work and what makes sense.

    The problem is that there are too many marginal artists and producers out there and the talented ones get lost in the clutter of mediocrity. This book is designed to help you to distinguish your brand. One of the ways you increase your value is by increasing your knowledge. As you embark on your journey to success, there are certain guidelines, which you must follow.

    Who is Jesse Atkinson?

    With that being stated, let me introduce myself. My name is Jesse Christopher Atkinson. I’ve worked in the music industry for over 15 years. I’m an author, activist, executive and lecturer. My motto is dare to reach your hand into the darkness to pull another hand into the light.. Furthermore, I’m the CEO of Urban Threshold Enterprises Inc., and the founder of the Underground Music Awards and The A&R Power Summit.

    Urban Threshold has been a powerful force within the independent urban music scene for over a decade. We have influenced and inspired several other companies. Our presence has caused many of our competitors to raise the level of their endeavors just to compete.

    Early Days

    I grew up in the Bronx, NY, the birthplace of Hip Hop. Music has always been part of my life. I attended Pace University where I studied finance and marketing. After college, I worked on Wall street for over 20 years as an account executive. I had long stints at Oppenheimer & Co. and A.G. Edwards and sons.

    While working on Wall Street, I started a multi-faceted entertainment company called Hip Hop Palace in 1997. Hip Hop Palace was the precursor to Urban Threshold. The mission of Hip Hop Palace was to bridge the gap between the unsigned artist and the music industry via education, exposure and distribution. The centerpiece for the entity was the now defunct HipHopPalace.com. In addition, I created an extremely popular radio show called Promo Radio, which aired on 91.9FM in NYC. It was the show where the unsigned got to shine.

    Applied Business Knowledge To The Music Industry

    I applied the business and finance knowledge that I used on Wall Street to the music industry. I consulted with a myriad of independent record labels and production companies. I wrote business plans on their behalf and assisted them with securing investment capital. Moreover, I helped to structure the independent labels. I demonstrated how they must strategize their movements inorder to garner a competitive advantage. I taught them the importance of market share. Additionally, I showed the indie labels how to incorporate crucial financial reports and planning tools into their operations such as spreadsheets, balance sheets, marketing plans, sales projections, profit & loss reports, expense reports etc. And as a result, many of these independent music firms prospered.

    In 2001, I met my business partners Robert A. Wright and J. Price Mars and Hip Hop Palace morphed into Urban Threshold Enterprises Inc. At the time, there were not any national award shows honoring independent urban music artists. And besides the How Can I Get Down Conference, there were not many top notch music seminars geared to the urban music scene. Hence, I saw that there was a void, and I created the Underground Music Awards and The A&R Power Summit Seminar Series.

    Founder of The Underground Music Awards

    The 10 year old Underground Music Awards (www.UndergroundMusicAwards.com) is a national award show that breaks all of the rules of conventionalism. Unlike the Grammy Awards or the Billboard Music Awards, the Underground Music Awards were created to acknowledge and honor the achievements and contributions of independent artists and producers within the urban music scene. It combines the elements of an award show, a music conference and an entertainment showcase into one lively event. Urban Threshold’s Underground Music Awards show has become the biggest and brightest award show for independent urban music artists in the country. The UMA’s have received press from MTV, BET, The Source, Hot 97 and the village voice.

    Past winners of Urban Threshold’s Underground Music Awards include Nicki Minaj, (MGK) Machine Gun Kelly, Cory Gunz, J Cole, Freeway, Lil Mama, Remy Ma, Styles P, Papoose, Saigon, Lumidee, Emilio Rojas, Fred The Godson, Killah Priest, Donny Goines, Sha Stimuli, Torae, and Serius Jones among others.

    In addition to honoring the future stars, we also pay homage to the legends. Past honorees include Hip-Hop legends like Whodini, Ice T, Naughty By Nature, EPMD, Slick Rick, Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash, MC Shan, DJ Red Alert, DJ Kid Capri, Kool G Rap, M.O.P., Ralph McDaniels, Cormega, DJ Kay Slay, DJ Envy and many more!

    Founder of The A&R Power Summit Seminar Series

    Additionally, the acclaimed A&R Power Summit (www.TheARPowerSummit.com) is one of the most vital music conferences in America. It is the only conference that focuses on the role of the A&R. The summit’s comprehensive program schedule of panels, workshops, and music listening sessions address the important issues affecting the music industry today. The A&R Power Summit offers lively moderators, diverse participants, in depth discussions, fantastic performances and spirited debates.

    The mission of the A&R Power Summit is to give talented artists and producers, who have few connections or resources, the chance to get their music heard. It also gives them the chance to receive valuable business information regarding the music industry.

    Past A&R Power Summit Award recipients include Bryan Leach, President of Pologround Records/SONY, Chivon Dean, President of Ruff Ryders, Wayne Williams, former VP of A&R of Jive Records, Lenny Santiago, former VP of A&R of Def Jam and current VP of RocNation and more.

    Created The Urban Music Explosion

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