I recently read about a band called Fitz and the Tantrums who was led by a musician and advertising executive in his 40’s. He was tired of the slog of going to sit in a chair and work behind a computer every day and really wanted to break through in music to make it his full time gig. So what did he do?
He basically used most of his spare cash to advertise on Facebook and drive fans to his email list until he built up a following and started filling venues. Not exactly rocket science… a little talent and a decent advertising budget was all he needed to get the ball rolling. In fact this is the basic business model of every record label, money and a little bit of talent. Well what happend next was a little more in the “karma” category and only rarely happens.
Basically a hairstylist new Fitz and one day Adam Levine showed up to use the services of the hair stylist. The hairstylist says something like: “hey you should check out this great band” and he plays their CD for Adam in the salon. Next thing you know Adam invites Fitz to open for Maroon 5 on tour. Now Fitz and the Tantrums has played at Red Rocks my favorite venue in the world and the greatest thing about the whole deal is… I now know its possible to break through the walls I’ve been chipping away at for the last 10 years.
Of course there is still one major stumbling block, which isn’t talent. I’ve got songs that not only in my opinion, but in many others are beyond Fitz and the Tantrums and even Maroon 5. The challenge now is simply moula, cash, ducats, dollars. This has been my challenge for the last 6 years of my life and so at this point my whole existence is geared towards raising enough cash to build a real fan base. As far as getting my barber to play a track for Adam Levine, I’ll let fate and the universe handle that one.
Right now as a full time musician and yoga instructor, I’m a happy guy, I do what I love for a living, but it simply isn’t enough to alot for an advertising budget. So I’ve got a few other projects up my sleeve. One is the Feel Good Music Project, which allows anyone to make a tax deductible contribution to spreading positive music to at risk youth.
Did you know that music has a greater effect on the behavior of an individual that TV, Movies or video games? These funds go directly towards concerts and advertising for Chad Scott Music and with your generous support can make major waves of change towards getting positive music into the ears of kids who really need it. If you’d like to support please visit: https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=5421
This link above is our fiscal sponsor Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization dedicated to helping artists. All proceeds first go through their website, where they give you an official receipt for your tax write off and are then sent directly to myself and the Feel Good Music Project.
Here it is again: https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=5421
Oh, one more thing… If you just so happen to know or know of anyone who knows Adam Levine, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Ziggy Marley or anyone who might want a great band to open for them let them know you’ve got a really killer artist they should listen to.
Thanks for your love and support.
Chad Scott