Change is hard. And change is especially hard if you’ve been doing something the same way for 20+ years. But change is the new normal… especially in technology and in the music business.

A recent article in The Tennessean caught my eye. It was an interview with Mike Snider, co-head of Paradigm Talent Agency (Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Toby Keith, Aerosmith). He was asked questions about how they’ve handled changes and challenges in the industry.

Mike says Paradigm now has to count on “how (artists) are doing on radio and on the road… There are so many people out on the road. Bands and artists – that’s the only way they can make money.” [emphasis added]

That’s what we’ve been saying. Unless you’ve got lottery-winner-sized hits on radio, 95-100% of your income is going to come from touring. That’s why your live show is so important!

Snider goes on to say in the article, “You have to convince these bands and managers that the world has changed and they can’t command the dollars they had once received if they want to work. Bands and artists have to work harder to get what they made prior. Sometimes they don’t understand the reason for that. Some of them do. The smart ones do.”

There’s lots of competition out there, and just having talent doesn’t mean you’ll make it. I’ve seen artists – who aren’t even the best singers or musicians – doing really well, getting gigs and making a living. The difference is that they are putting the work into it, doing whatever it takes to create a following and put on a great show.

It’s apparent to today’s artists that you don’t have to have record deals or radio airplay anymore, and the guys at Paradigm recognize the fact that indie artists can make a good living if they’re willing to work for it.

At Onstage Success we can help you adjust to this paradigm shift by helping you with what you do in your live performances. Get a Backstage Pass and have access to hands-on help. Let us help you stand out from the crowd!

Any artist that’s been at this for more than a few years realizes the glamor aspect of being an artist quickly fades as the amount of work, time and money going into their gig increases.

But, if you love what you do, all that work will pay off and you’ll be making a living doing the thing you love!

(You can read the whole article/interview with Mike Snider here…)