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A recording contract is the ultimate dream of most singers and musicians. It signifies a certain level of success. However, a recording contract does not guarantee success. Many bands and singers have been signed, but when their CDs didn't sell, the record companies dropped them and they were never heard from again.

If you're interested in pursuing a recording contract, here's what you need to know:

Music as a business

Music has an artistic side to it, and a business side.. If you want to make money as a recording artist, you need to understand how the business side works.

The music business is a multi-billion-dollar industry. If you understand where the money comes from, and where it goes, you'll have a better chance of prospering as a singer.

The dollar flow starts with the consumer. They buy your recordings

and part of that money goes to the record company. The record company then gives you a portion of what they get. The more people buy your records, the more money you make. If nobody buys your CDs, the record company will probably drop you because you aren't earning them any money. If millions of people buy your CDs, the record company will treat you like God.

The money you earn from concerts or club performances will be little to none, in the beginning. Record companies look at concerts as a way to promote record sales. Concerts usually aren't profitable until you've been around for a few years and have a big following. When you're selling out stadiums, the profits become significant. For example, The Rolling Stones' Tours often earn over $300 million.

As you can see, it's a money game. The record companies are in business to make money. They aren't in the business of developing talent.

They sign fully developed artists with the hopes of making huge profits.

The most important thing to remember is this. If you have a sound that the public likes, you can't lose. They will buy your CDs and you'll get paid.

What does it take to get a recording contract?

One of the most commonly asked questions I receive is "How do I get a recording contract?" Believe it or not the answer is relatively simple.

Before a record company will sign a new artist, three elements must be present. The artist must have a radio quality voice, contemporary hit songs, and a good stage act. If any of these elements are missing or underdeveloped, you probably won't be able to interest a record company.

Let's look at each element:

1. Radio quality voice: This is what we've been working on. A voice that is rich, powerful, emotional and unique. It's a voice that sounds good on CD, and that people like. Your demo must show that you have a radio quality voice. It takes most beginning singers five to ten years to develop their voice to this level. However, I did have one student who got a recording contract after singing for just three years.

2. Ten to twelve contemporary hit songs: Record companies are only interested in hit songs, because hit songs are needed in order to sell records. Marginal songs don't sell. If you wonder what a hit song is, listen to the radio.

You should plan on writing these hit songs yourself. Most of the songs on the charts were written by the singers, or bands the singers are with. A very small percentage of singers are able to get record deals without bringing in hit songs, but it's rare.

You can learn to write songs. Just read my book, Anyone Can Write Songs

How do you know if you're ready to look for a recording contract?

Take a look at yourself as a marketable package. Are you strong as a singer/songwriter, but weak on stage? Then work on your stage act before trying to get a record deal. Make your presentation as solid as possible before approaching record companies.

The first step in pursuing a recording contract

What do you do once you're ready to start looking for a record deal?

You need to "shop" your demo. Shopping your demo means mailing or e-mailing MP3 files to record companies. If someone likes your demo, they'll want to see your stage act. If they like your stage act, they may make you an offer.

How do you get record companies to hear your demo tape

If you really want a recording contract, you'll have to work to get your tape heard. Fly to Los Angeles or New York and get a cheap hotel for a week. Start calling and visiting the record companies. Your goal is to get anyone to listen to your tape, but your prime target is the A&R person (Artist and Repertoire).

Another common approach is to have an entertainment attorney shop the tape for you. These attorneys are easier to reach than alot of the record company people, and you'll need one eventually to negotiate your contract.

They usually take a percentage or your earnings, on top of charging you an hourly rate, but it can be worth it in some cases.

Anecdote

Eric had been studying with me for about a year and had developed himself to the point of being marketable to record companies. He worked as a waiter at a small Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. The owner of the restaurant liked his music, and offered to manage him.

Eric's new manager knew nothing about the music business, but he did know that in order to succeed, Eric needed a record deal. So the manager flew to L.A. and began taking Eric's demo to record companies.

I'm sure a lot of doors were slammed in his face, but he managed to see someone at Sony Records. Sony loved Eric's tape and offered him a record deal.

Eric's manager then went to CBS records, using Sony's offer as a way to get in. He told CBS that Sony made a great offer and wanted to know if they wanted to hear Erics tape. They did!

Then the bidding war began. In the end CBS offered more than Sony. After that Eric's manager didn't have any trouble getting in anyone's door.

You can get your tapes heard, if you use the phone and beat the pavement. The record companies have to listen to new artists in order to stay in business. They're always looking for new talent.

If the public loves you, you've got it made!

The most important factor in this equation is how the public responds when they hear your CD or see you perform. If most people get excited, your success is inevitable. There's money to be made and somebody will see that and invest in you. If the public likes you, you'll sell CDs and concert tickets. If you do that, you are a money earner. Record companies earn their money by signing money earners.

If the public doesn't respond well to you, you need to figure out why and make some changes. If you please the public, the record companies will eventually be banging on your door, making offers.

Summary

If you have the three elements described above, getting a record deal isn't that difficult. Your challenge will be to develop yourself to the point where the public and the record companies feel you are ready.

That's the hard part.

PART 6

INSPIRATIONAL