Modern Acoustic Music Collective

Phone: 216-738-1059
Email Address: mamcollective@aol.com
Website: www.mamcollective.com

Business started: I filed my first tax return as a solo musician in 1991, and 2006 was my first full year with the Modern Acoustic Music Collective.

COSE Member since: December, 2006

Type of work: Musician and Music/Arts booking agency

Benefits of membership: Officemax Discount, Gas/Energy Discount, Networking Opportunities

About: I started treating my music as a business right from the start, although it took me quite a few years to really get the business end of things right. The number one mistake I had was I always worked for someone else to "pay for my music". I realized in 1999 that to really succeed in the music industry, I had to devote my full time to the business side of things. By 2004 I had received national airplay with my 2 CDs, developed a successful touring schedule as a solo artist, and started my own college booking agency representing primarily myself. In 2006 I expanded my business to represent other artists, and I now actively represent 2 nationally recognized musicians, 4 regional musicians, and a couple novelty and speaker acts. I am successfully starting my 2007 season with 2 formal companies: The Modern Acoustic Music Collective (www.mamcollective.com), and Doug Wood, guitarist (www.dougwoodmusic.com).

Connect: When I started performing in 1989 as a musician with instrumental group WATTS GNU, I thought more about my music and art, and less about business. The group received some great national recognition with music magazines reviews and radio airplay, but we always thought that people would call us with offers and gigs. Little did I realize then that we had to take the full initiative and actually contact possible "clients" (venues, radio, and press) on our own. Because of our lack of clear focus, our band eventually broke up after 8 years. I began my solo career in 1999 with a clearer strategy to better succeed in the Marketing and Sales aspect of my business. I formatted my objectives in a business plan, which helped me to break down all the steps it would take to reach my objectives. Because everything was on paper and spelled out in the business plan, I successfully reached my 5-year goals in 3-years. As a result of that success, I was able to expand my business to start my agency to reach to a wider audience.

Advice: I have found that the most successful musicians and artists are the ones that respond to what their "clients" need. As an agent for several musicians, when I need something from you, by all means, get it to me as quick as possible. Too often, I have worked with musicians that take weeks to get me materials to help secure a gig for them. If you make it hard for me to book you, I won't want to book you.

Past Arts Network Member Profiles:
Dustin J. Elliott, Absolute Music Productions, LLC
Christopher Sweiger, Artifactual Creations
Patty Flauto, Patty Flauto Art & Design
Brian Sooy, Brian Sooy and Co.
Jean Schnell, Jean Schnell Photography
David Shimotakahara, GroundWorks Dancetheater
Adam Pate, The Caricature Guy
Stephen and Debra Bures, Bures Porcelain and Elements Gallery
Linda Uca Damiani, Fra Angelica Gallery & Studio
JT Thomas, The Cleveland Fashion Media Group - FashionTV Network
SPACES Gallery

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