Every singer wants a long line of steady singing gigs coming their way. But are you willing to do the dirty work to get there? In an earlier post I made a list of what you can do to get you on the track to performing more. Many singers have asked for more details and I’m happy to oblige. If you have more questions, email me directly at eric@ericstoddardconsulting.com or leave a comment on this post.
Phase I: Preparation
- “Coal Miner’s Daughter”
Watch this movie. Pay attention to the process of how Loretta got started and what exactly Doo did. This movie encapsulates your strategy and steps for success.
Commentary: Take notice that Loretta could sing in a style that many people would pay money to hear. (It may not be your style, but stay with me on this.) She had a husband who heard her sing and decided to see if others liked her singing. So he took her, nearly against her will, to a Saturday night dance hall and arranged, without her knowledge for her to sing a song. The audience loved it and Doolittle, her husband, knew what to do next. Go and watch the movie and analyze the process. Take notes. That process could work for you. You will need a friend who believes in you to break down the doors and prepare the way. Find someone in your circle who will do that and promise them 15% of whatever you make in a year. Be generous and it will come back to you. - Repertoire
Have a couple of dozen songs always ready to sing. This assumes you have both the repertoire and the voice ready to sing. You should have at least pianist and/or accordionist at least who is part of your act. You must both be paid. You have invested hundreds/thousands of hours already: what you have is enough.
Commentary: Basically you need a 45 minute act prepared from beginning to end. This package is always ready to go, and the pianist [you may need more than one] is critical because he/she will help you sell the song and you singing it. The auditioners will be able to see you can work as a team member. Practice the act. Know every word. Practice the act every night until it is perfect BUT DO NOT TURN DOWN GIGS WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO PRACTICE TO PERFECTION!!! Performance is an excellent way to rehearse. Every performance is an audition. - Your Headshot
Have a “headshot” photo of you and of you and the pianist. Use your camera phone to take the picture if you are broke.
Commentary: In our era of smart phones making a very good and attractive head shot is easy. Don’t do it yourself. Find someone whose pictures you like take the picture. Send the picture to Costco via the internet for creation 8×10 black and white glossies. Of course take time to get the make up or costuming and hair correct. Dedicate an evening to this. So maybe this will or could take a couple of hours. It will be fun. - Attire
For the ladies, have a singing outfit always ready to go. The outfit should fit your act. Learn how to make your own outfits or get your sister or mother to make them. For the guys, look through GQ and find something current to wear.
Commentary: I suggest the ladies learn to sew and make their own outfits, or get a friend or mother to sew them for you. You want them to fit, and feel good and look spectacular. This skill will come in handy when costumes become damaged and need repair. Further I suggest for the ladies to keep the outfits modest. Leave something to the imagination. Don’t be afraid to go vintage and then remodel to fit you. - Italian Restaurants
Make a list of every Italian restaurant of any size, yes even pizzerias, within a 30 miles radius of your house.
Commentary: Why Italian resturants? They are more likely to be owned by people who love great music and by patrons who also love great music. Offer to stroll around the tables with your accordionist and sing favorite Neapolitan romances. The owner will love how is patrons stay longer, order more food and drink and make a real party out of their trip to his/her restaurant. You are there to keep the patrons in the restaurant not to teach them correct reptoire skills. Give them what they want. Sing the favorites more than once or twice. Even pizzerias will love you. Maybe you stand outside and help encourage people to come in. That IS the job of the entertainer. Be one. Own it. Feel joy in persuade people to come into a restaurant because you sang them into it. Owners love it. Do it free for a weekend, then charge them for it. Mrs. Field’s always gave out free samples and Costco does to. They both did it because it works. So hand out some free samples.
Why keep it to a 30 miles radius? In the end you figure out your own radius but make a list and go see every single restaurant, and don’t second guess by looking at the outside whether or not they want you. Better to be thrown out than to fearfully never venture in. Head in there like Wagnerian Valkyries! - Karaoke Bars
Make a list of every Karaoke bar within a 30 mile radius of your house.
Commentary: Now this is vital! Don’t skip this step because this is how you are going to make a demo. And build a fan base. You are going to find a dozen favorite bars and you are going to be a favorite singer. Or they will hate you and ask you to never return. Either way provides important instruction to you. So get out the map, or use your smart phone and create your list. Do it while you are riding the bus, or the train, or while someone else is driving. The bars are your targets of opportunity. Try a few then bring your friend with the HD video camera to shoot you. This is a very popular method today. - Today!
Don’t be a perfectionist, because you will evolve both 1 and 2 above many times but start NOW!!!
