Performing for a competition is stressful to say the least.  Choosing the right song/songs and sticking to an allotted amount of time can drive you nuts! 

Many times artists will second guess themselves and sometimes even change their minds last minute on what songs to do right before they go on stage.   I witnessed a train wreck like this at a competition I was helping judge.

This was a band that played the year before, so our panel was familiar with their sound and style. …

Did you know that talking on the phone for any extended length of time can sabotage your singing voice? Yep, it's absolutely true. Why? No one can see you. Therefore, you don't use the same kind of facial and body language that you would if communicating visually.

Here's the typical phone talker:

• Your face upper face goes inactive. When you don't use your eyes, eyebrows and mask area while sounding your voice, your vocal ceiling (soft palate, back of nasal…

In part 3 of Behind the Gear at The Record Shop, we take a look at the Tube-Tech CL1B Opto Compressor; a device that has become a studio standard since its release in 1987. The CL1B was developed by Tube-Tech founder, John Peterson. John began his career as a maintenance engineer at the Danish…

Welcome back to behind the gear at The Record Shop. Are you ready to roocccck!?!?!? (cue stadium of screaming fans) This week we take a look at the Purple Audio MC77. The MC77 is a superior recreation of the legendary URIE 1176 Peak Limiter. This piece of gear bleeds rock…

{EHA-Nashville, TN} Friday, September 23 is the next God and Country Jubilee Show at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville. The show will begin at 7 p.m and tickets will be $10 at the door. Appearing will be Allison Speer, T. Jae Christian, Jay Shupe & Band, and David & Carrie Smith. Tank Tackett and Bev McCann will be hosting the concert. Tank, a Pathway Records artist, has traveled with the legendary Statesmen Quartet, Jerry…

If I was stuck in a studio on a desert island, and could only choose one compressor to bring with me, I’d grab a Distressor. The Distressor is without question the most verstile compressor on the market. If you walk into any professional recording studio in Nashville, or around the world, you’re bound to find at least one of these pieces in the room. If you drop by The Record Shop, you’ll find four of them. Why, you might…

One of the most exciting aspects of my job is having the opportunity to do something new everyday. Running a recording studio in Nashville, I have been privileged to work on an eclectic range of projects. While every record requires a unique approach, detailed preparation is consistently a key element of the process. This week, we take a look at the basic elements of effective pre-production.

Demos: Keep it simple

There is a…

Maintaining a dedicated fan base is one of the most daunting tasks faced by musicians. We all know the importance of social networking, working the press, and promoting shows. If only there was a way to incorporate all of your promotional efforts into one source that could be easily distributed to your target audience. Well guess what? There is! It’s called a newsletter. Newsletters are a simple and effective way to build a “community” around your music, while keeping in touch with your fans…

Eric Conn of Independent Mastering drops by For The Record to share some insight on preparing for mastering. Eric has mastered records for a variety of artists. From Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, and John Prine, to Skid Row, Hank III, and Young Buck. Here at The Record Shop, Independent…

Eric Normand, author of “The Nashville Musician’s Survival Guide” and accomplished guitarist, teamed up with “For The Record”, to provide some insight on the downside of rocking a little too loud. Eric’s upcoming book, “The Nashville Musician’s Survival Guide” provides a comprehensive reference of what it takes to persevere in the competitive Nashville music community.

You can learn more…

Doing a Big Show with Regie Hamm "American Idol" Songwriter Winner " This Is The Time Of My Life" this coming weekend at the Rockbox Theater , Fredericksburg , Tejas. 6 / 23,24,25,28 / 11

Read the latest from Tom Jackson & Onstagesuccess.com:

'I had a conversation with a young girl who has done multiple showcases for record labels. (She is still trying to “win the lottery,” so to speak.)

I met her last weekend when I taught at Berklee College of Music. Everyone was really nice at Berklee, the professors are very sharp – it was a good experience!

But there was a sense of desperation all around this young artist. She was a…

 Buss call was Friday at midnight to climb aboard the "Hillbilly Hotel". On this trip would be the usual suspects, Jimmy Yeary, Jim Seales, Mike Mcguire, myself and the fairly new, Jeff Allen, subbing for Mike Folsom on bass. Folsom is still recovering from his hand and arm injury he suffered last year and we wish him a full recovery. At the helm steering us to Nahunter, Ga would be Kyle. This would be Kyle's first time to drive for Shenandoah and we looked forward to getting to know him.…