The Path Of Least Resistence

If you're like me, you want your job to be easy. Work smart not hard, right? and yet so many people (including myself at times) are hell bent on making their own jobs as well as others difficult. Let me give you some examples... When it comes to your own duties, how often do you decide to "take care of the problem" yourself instead of hiring a pro (or just someone else) to get it done. I know the thinking, I'll save some money. I'll fix my computer, repair my amp, paint the house, drywall the holes from the plumber, tile the bathroom. How about being the guitarist, bassist, keyboardist and drum programmer on your recordings or road manager, stage manager, booking agent, band manager, transportation driver and marketing and promotion person, etc. All because you're either a control freak or you think you are going to save money. Well, sometimes it works, but often it doesn't. If those skills are not in your wheel house, if they are not in your comfort zone, than you may be weakening rather than strengthening your situation and/or career. In the long run, you need to focus on those things you do best. You should absolutely know what to expect from certain jobs and I highly recommend doing all the jobs aforementioned at some point so as to appreciate the difficulties of any job. But sometimes it helps everyone involved to divide and conquer. In this case divide up tasks and responsibilities and hire out when it makes sense. I do also understand that in these tough economic times and in order to get certain things done, you may have to do things yourself. If that's the case, take the time, do your due diligence, do your homework, and learn as much as possible before tackling the tasks. Otherwise, you might wind up spending more correcting the problem than if had you not done it yourself in the first place.

BTW, when you do hire out or delegate a task, make that person's job as easy as possible. Give them all the tools that you can to allow them to do a great job. Give them the path of least resistance. I once asked a distributor rep who was faced with working hundreds of new releases each month, how he determined which releases he worked diligently on and devoted more time to. His answer...the labels and artists that were working diligently, making sacrifices and team players. A great line from manager Andy Gould (Guns and Roses, Rob Zombie) "Never work harder than your artist". In other words, when you hire others and bring others on you OWE it to them to keep it going yourself, do your job and don't sit back on your laurels. Don't confuse the path of least resistance with the easy way out. People will rock for you if they see you working it. But again, work smart not hard. maximize your efforts on those things that can move the big picture a long. Don't get caught up in over thinking and the minutia. Make each small step for you one giant step in your career and find your path of least resistance.

Steve Belkin is a music business consultant, author of the Ebook "The Six P's to Success" and owner of Open All Nite Entertainment and an artist manager and partner with Left Coast Music Group.

The Next Food Network Star!

I'm kind of a fool for those food reality shows…Hell's Kitchen, Top Chef, Ace of Cakes. But The Next Food Network Star is different. It's not about just great food or great culinary experience. It's something more. To be the next Food Network star, the winner has to have something special. THEY NEED TO CONNECT WITH THE AUDIENCE! It can be frustrating at times to watch some of these very talented people struggle at "performing". Some do fine in front of a camera but freeze in front of an audience. For some it's the other way around. The next Food Network star must have at it all. They need the whole package. Cool in front of the camera, cool in front of an audience, they need culinary talent, they must make the food not only taste good but look good AND look like it tastes good. They need to make your mouth water when you watch. They need to be likable, and most importantly they need to be authentic. As chef Bobby Flay says about the lack of authenticity…the audience will pick up on it and so will the viewers.

Well I'm sure you can see where I'm going with all this. When it comes to being an artist (no matter the genre) you have to connect. For some this comes natural and for some it ain't easy. Nothing worse than watching an artist crash and burn before your very eyes (okay maybe a comedian …all by himself trying to be funny and all you hear are crickets). Most artist will tell you "that's who I am, I can't fake it". Let me be clear, I am not suggesting you be anything you aren't. However, it is important to know who you are and enhance those appealing qualities. It's also important to listen to your audience. Not just what they say but what they don't say. Any artist who has felt the roar of genuine applause vs. the polite clapping knows what I'm talking about here. Find the things that work and ditch the stuff that doesn't. As an artist, like the Next Food Network Star, it's the whole package that is going to make things work.

BTW...A couple of pet peeves for me when watching a band… - music stands - I hate 'em, especially when they become a crutch for a musician or vocalist to stare down at. If you really need them make them as inconspicuous as possible. It's important to look at the audience and make the audience feel like your performing your music for them NOT because "it's a gig". And the other... if you're having fun…show it! If your audience likes you…they are more likely to like your music. The too cool for school vibe doesn't always work. Some artists may be able to get away with being condescending and standoffish (Miles Davis and Prince come to mind) but in general, like the next Food Network Star you stand a better chance by connecting and coming off as a person folks want to hang with down at the local pub. In fact at your next gig…invite everyone down to the local pub, have a nice hang and get to know your fans. The first one's on me!

Steve Belkin is a music business consultant and owner of Open All Nite Entertainment and an artist manager and partner with Left Coast Music Group.