Stuck On The 1-Yard Line

Over The Edge is finished. The band is assembled. The PR is contracted and slowly starting to roll down the hill. The new logos and merchandise are being designed. And everyone who hears the new record - whether I know them or not - tells me how great it is. Everything seems to be going according to plan, right? Right. Except for the fact that securing a venue for the album launch party has been a bit more difficult than I expected it to be. And without the album launch party, I can't finalize the release date of the CD itself. Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck on the 1-yard line.

To be perfectly honest, I've been a little dumbfounded at the response from some of the venues I reached out to. After my 1st choice was unfortunately already on hold for the date that I was looking at, my 2nd & 3rd choices seemed almost indifferent to the mass of business that I wanted to bring to their establishments. You would think that in the tough economy we keep hearing about people would jump at the chance to bring in new business. Apparently not. The reaction from choice #3 was especially perplexing, given the fact that week before I approached the entertainment booker about hosting my release I had a conversation with him where he complained about how all the music he's being sent from new interested acts are crap. And here I was hand-delivering to him a night of great business with great music, and he wasn't interested. I almost wanted to tell him that it's no wonder he's not getting any more good submissions if this is the attitude he takes when presented with quality local music. But I didn't. Forever the politician.

But I am not deterred. I am off to plan B, C, and D if I have to. Why? Because they can't keep me down, despite how they may try. I haven't kept at this project for 3 years by giving up every time something didn't go the way I had planned or wanted. Giving up is for other people. I'll get that last yard.

PR, Anyone? Part II

So, I've finally decided on a PR company and have gotten the ball rolling. They immediately sent me their intake document - a 12-page questionnaire about me: my music, my life, my childhood, my accomplishments, my hobbies, my interests, my fans, etc. They also gave me a list of things I need to do, such as sending them my album, recorded podcast bumpers, and high-resolution photos, as well as linking up all of my online profiles and supplying them with the info they need to set up ones that I don't yet have.

It has been a somewhat daunting task, as it's quite a lot of information to compile and actions to complete. But I was able to tackle a good bit of it this past Sunday as I laid around exhausted from the weekend's gigs and my upset sleep schedule (late night, early morning, later night, etc.). And some of the questions seemed a little existential to me, for example: "Who would your ideal fan be?" Or "What do you want people to say about your music? How do you want people to remember you?" Geez, I don't know - I'm tired and really just thinking about The Walking Dead coming on at 9. Well, that's maybe not the best answer.

I'll keep you updated as things progress. And by the way, I will be releasing the cover of my upcoming new album, Over the Edge, on Wednesday, March 20, through my mailing list. Are you on it? Sign up at www.steveplaysmusic.com, get two exclusive songs for free, and see the cover art first.