JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum A little advice is needed. . .

My question for anyone more experienced than me is, how does one go about getting signed and recorded with have no money at all. I am the epitome of a starving artist, and was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to get noticed without having a fat wallet.

Thanks in advance

Naomi Montgomery
Visit my myspace! Add me, Comment, or send me a message!

Hi Naomi,

Welcome to JPF.

Well, I understand your predicament. Our family was literally poor. I was raised by a single mom, back before such a thing was cool. So I've never had anyone to fall back on. Even during a period of homelessness, my solution was to work my way out of it.

Here are some of the things I've learned.

There is no magic button. If you want to succeed in the music business, you have to outwork and out perform everyone else. You need talent, of course, but more than that you need to be able to objectively assess your talent and develop it in a way that enhances it.

If I were you, first off, I'd spend some time examining my motives. Why do I want to be a recording artist? Is it for the money? Is it for the fame? Is it so I can have revenge on those snobby kids from high school by becoming a star? Then I'd quit right now. If I'm not in it for the love of music, then my art will not be authentic. One good question I'd ask myself: if I knew for certain that I'd never become a star...would I still do this? If the answer is truly yes, then I'm on the right path.

Then I would work on my delivery. It doesn't matter how good I am already, I know I can always get better. If I stop growing, then I become a "tribute band" to my old self. I would continually work at improving my music, my singing, my writing. A lot of practice would be in order. A lot of listening to other music, learning about different genres, exploring. I haven't heard your songs on myspace, but it doesn't matter. No matter how good I am, I can always get better.

If I wanted to "get noticed." First, I'd ask myself by whom I want to be noticed. Do I have a target label? Do I have a target producer? A little homework would show me that the best way to attract a label is to have a lot of local success. The way to do that is to build a fan base. I'd be putting together a mailing list as well as a myspace site and every other internet site I could think of. I'd work on building and servicing my fans a whole lot more than trying to hunt down a record company or a producer or a manager. And, I'd be singing anywhere there is a good crowd. I now checked out your myspace. The Alabama Pecan Festival is a great venue, I've played it a few times with Razzy Bailey and again with Freddie Hart (those are names from the Jurassic Period of country music ). I'd set up a table there, even if I only had a sign-in book on it, I'd invite people over to say hi and ask them to sign the fan list. Their email addresses, their mailing addresses, even their phone numbers are all valuable. Then, I would follow up and send out an email thanking folks, if they don't have email addresses, send post cards, or even call them and thank them. I would do that until there were so many people on the list that it became impossible. Of course, I would want to protect myself when calling or writing people. I would want to have a post office box and maybe a blocked number or a cell phone to protect my address. Especially if I was a good looking young girl. (I am none of the above. )

For gigs, the most expensive thing is travel. By moving out from my home in concentric circles, I would try to build fan areas. I'd play the Shriner's Fish Fry in the next county, sing the National anthem at the local high school football game, do a town summerfest, and then a VFW two counties over. At each place (and at the Pecan Festival) I would get the promoter or the person who hired me to write a short letter, or just sign a quick quote about how they liked me and would hire me back. Eventually, I'd want to get paid for some of these things.

The camera is a good tool. I would stop in the middle of a show, take out a camera and point it at the audience and tell them to smile. Pictures of smiling audiences look good on websites, facebook pages, and myspace pages. When fans can see themselves they feel like they are part of your adventure. At my table, I'd ask people if I could take my pictures with them, and try to get their names right when I upload them.

Of course, publicity is always good. I would learn to write a press release and send one to local papers when I was playing a gig. I'd keep a file of news folks' names, and I'd sure send a thank you card when they wrote about me. (Same for promoters and folks who hired me...thank you cards are great tools to keep people considering me.) I would call the local radio station two weeks before performing and ask it they have an events calender. Also, I'd send them any promo I might have.

Well, you're probably getting the idea. Work. Lots of it. Thought, research, attention to detail...that's what it takes. If you develop a good sized fan base and are doing a lot of appearances, then you're on track to catching peoples' attention.

Of course, I always recommend having a team. You'll find a lot on this website if you do a search for "team" and "teams."

So, God bless you. Good luck. Work hard. Also, very importantly, have a LOT of fun. Write if you need a bass player.

All the Best,
Mike

Glad to see that Mike D. jumped in there. He is one of our resident "experts" and successful Nashville guys. I am not a mentor or expert, but I can still give advice (just remember it doesn't carry much weight).

My first piece of advice is to practice and practice the art of song craft and the delivery of your songs. I sampled every one of your songs at MySpace and here are my initial thoughts. You have a good voice and you know how to put songs together. The majority of your songs are thoughtful, introspective song on life and struggles. Nashville and country music seems to like uptempo songs with twists and potentially positive, upbeat messages. So let's say you have 10 songs at MySpace (i forgot to count). Maybe three of those could fall into the mid-tempo to up-tempo category (with more production) and 7 or so were slower. You need to turn that ratio around.

I would also work on improving the production quality of your guitar/vocals. You could sound really good with just slightly better recording techniques.

I would post a tune on the MP3 forum with lyrics and let our friendly members critique you. They will say nice things and then point out things that can be improved.

Lastly, I would point out that the odds are stacked way against you, so I wouldn't spend too much money on anything until you are much further along (OK maybe a couple of hundred dollars at Christmas time for mic and recording software). Guess what? The odds were stacked way against Taylor Swift, also.

So, work on song craft, work on recording, have your songs critiqued, expand your fan base and then see how it goes. Music can be a real money pit where demo shops can prey upon those with no experience. Don't spend a cent on those things until you have the go ahead from your team (Mike D is big on teams). JPF members can be part of your team, too.

Best of luck!

Kevin

Naiome,

Good to hear from you. As one who works with young artists and writers on a daily basis, the above information is very good. I would add, finding ways to utilize (I never say USE, we are all looking for a win-win, where we all get something) other people in a quest for your own music journey.
Along with the aforementioned advice, building a team, working locally first, then regionally, then nationally, don't overlook things. I don't know what region of the country you are in, but there are usually writers everywhere. In order to do anything as an artist in any format, it requires two main things:

Original material.
Fan base.

I don't know what your focus is but you should learn as much about songwriting as you can.That is something you can always do. But if you are an artist, never overlook the material of others. People on this site and others have songs that might already be recorded, you could sing to for little or no money. That helps them as well as you. Find songs you like. That speak to you.

Co-write with other people and utilize their talenst as well as your own. Sing their songs in shows and have them help you build your fan base. Always look for things around you.

Learn the market and what others are doing. Read biographies, visit web sites. Learn from those who know more than you. Attend workshops. Support other writers and artists. And perform on every opportunity you can. If you are good, other people will naturally come to you. If you are not, you have to work harder.

And remember my favorite advice.
"If you ever want to get a royalty check, first get a reality check." Make sure you don't trust friends and family for opinions or critiques. They love you and don't always have your overall best interest around. Get among people who don't know you. Earn their respect. And that takes the "W" word. Work.

There are four areas that all music business boils down to:

#1 Creation of the song.
#2 Presentation of the song (live and demo)
#3 Networking
#4 Business

If you study what you are doing. You will find a way. That is the reality.

MAB

NETWORK! Meet as many people in the biz as you can. {Fellow musicians,club owners, bookers ect. Go to LOTS of open mic nights.They're some of the best places to make contacts and hone your craft without a lot of pressure. Your first gigs you'll probably play for little or nothing until you build a following. Go to other musicians gigs, meet them and get to know them and THEIR supporters.Check them out and see what works, and doesn't work for them onstage.. Everything else Mike, Marc and Kevin said.

Grow some thick skin...I won't sugar-coat it. It's going to be a tough road, but if you've got the goods and follow the advice just given to you, you've got a fighting chance. Good luck!

Naomi Sue,(I like your name) it is because of you that I have founded the Rock-a-Billy Academy. It is a year's worth of training for the upstart musician/band. What makes it different is the opportunity to make some money monthly with the Academy and I will show you how to grow this money monthly and how to put it to use in marketing and promotion. I have been in the business for over 40 years and I sincerely want to help musicians and artist to be the best they can be. I have seen that for the most part the lack of funds and knowing how to use money properly has been a big holdback for most. You can hear my original music and guitar playing at http://www.myspace.com/rghorne so you will know I am a real person. My course is explained at http://www.rockabillyacademy.com Good Luck and feel free to obtain a free copy of my book while you are there Beau Dean and The Rock-a-Billy Kings. Roy

Roy,

It sounds you have set up a multi-level marketing platform (pyramid) geared towards music folks. While your lessons might be great and your music is fine (I listened to some tunes at your MySpace site), I am not sure that Naomi needs this kind of thing right now -- she's got a lot of other things to work on and she can great lessons and advice here for free.

I am not part of her team, but if I was, I'd vote no.

Kevin

Naomi,

I would tend to agree. I think the best thing you can do is spend some time studying the market as inexpensively as you can. There is time to spend money, workshops, seminars, etc. and this might be something you will want to do at some time. First, kind of find out what other options you want to do.

Find out as much as you can about songwriting, studios, meet people. There are three places where music is manufactured, Nashville, New york and Los Angeles. There are other satilites and areas out there that might offer you what you need and those should be checked out as well. But most things that involve the mainstream music industry all go through one of those three people. They are not the end all, but are where the banking, labels, publishers, artists and writers are congregated. Always get as close to the actual sources as you can.

But try to get an overall picture of everything before you commit time or resources that might not help you as much as you think they will.

There is an event next week in Nashville called "Song Posium." It is sponsored by NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International, the best nationwide organization for songwriters) and freatures around 60 classes taught by various people ranging from songwriting, performing, publishing, recording people, producers, label people, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc. that could give you a great view of where to get started.

There are many people here who can offer suggestions. Sit down write out some questions you have. The more specific the better. Then many people can help you with answers. You write down the info and then look at it all very carefully. That will give you a foundation.

MAB

Kevin and Marc, thanks for the input. It is not multilevel. I am attempting to help with an affiliate program. And although this forum and others help with great advice, there is nothing like hands on mentoring. But thanks anyway.
Roy

Roy,

I hope you do not take what I have said as disparaging you or your service. I am not. And you might be exactly what our friend here needs. I tell people basically the same thing about my own services. I offer people on my web site who act as references for me. I put their e-mail addresses and encourage people to check me out.

In fact, I suggest other competitors at times, and they suggest me. So I do not want yourself or anyone to think I am being dissmissive of you or your efforts.

I think we are all trying to find our way and many of us have gifts toward the educational aspects of the business. I actually welcome education. There is nothing more dishartening than what
I went through a week ago with a woman who had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on songs and a career which is actually going no where. It is very difficult to play damage control.

So I say to Naomi Sue as I say to you and anyone reading this. Check out everything. What works for you might not work for someone else and vice versa. Give honest assesments of what you go through and do your best to keep an open mind. If any of us had the answers to any of this, we wouldn't be doing this. We would be on our giant boats, eating our expensive foods and drinking our priceless champagne. We are all the same here. People who care about our craft, art and businesses.

Keep your eyes and ears and minds open and work hard at what you do. Help other people and it comes back ten times.

MAB

I do not take you the wrong way Marc, and I appreciate you input. Thanks,
Roy

Thank you so much for all the great advice from everyone, but the one thing that stuck out in my mind the most was the question "Would I still do this if I knew for sure I'd never be famous?" My answer to that without even having to think about it is ABSOLUTELY. I know I'm rough around the edges but I have a great head on my shoulders thanks to my wonderful parents. I just recently talked to an indy label only to have them dump me when I refused to meet their management exec at a motel. I would rather never be famous and still have my self respect rather than be the biggest name in the industry and have to live with how I got there. The way I see this though, is God gave me two talents, singing and being able to pick stuff up with my toes, lol. Singing is all I ever do there's not a time during the day I don't walk around at least humming. I have signed up for a few song writing workshops. And I have attended a few open mic nights and they were all surprisingly well received. The one true problem I'm having at this point in time other than money, is putting together a band. I live in an area that is dominated by hard metal and hip hop, Mobile, AL to be exact, and I'm the exact definition of "I was country when country wasn't cool". I've taken adds out in newspapers, craigslist, absolutely everywhere, and the only email i got back was from a 10 yr old boy whom I'm sure would have problems getting into venues to play. I'm a very stubborn child (if 25 still counts as a child) and will be pursuing this until the day I die, and then some. I WILL take every bit of advice on this post to heart!

Thanks everyone so much,

Naomi Sue

A quick question Naomi..Do you play an instrument, or are you strictly a vocalist?

I've taught myself to play the guitar, and am now teaching myself to play the piano. My instrumental skills are minimal but yes I do play.

That's good, it opens up the possibility of solo gigs. You don't have to be a virtuoso to pull it off. {I'm living proof!} Keep working at it.

Naomi Sue,

You are really in luck. Aside from having me in your area (Gulf Shores, Perdido Key Fla) you are about to have the world's greatest songwriter's festival in November in that area.

The Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival will be from nov. 11-22. About 300 of Nashville's biggest writers come down for ten days of shows and hanging out. GO to www.fbsif.com for info.

I host my own workshop the first weekend and you might like to come find out about that. A lot of great people and you can hang out with us, go to shows, meet a lot of the writers. And it is wives, girlfriends, etc. none of that hotel business. You could even bring your parents.

I perform almost every night and there are about 15 different venues. It is truely the best songwriting event I know of and is pretty much how I met every Nashville hit writer I have ever worked with.

SO you are welcome to join us. Also, Steven Veal is the NSAI coordinator down there, go to www.Nashvillesongwriters.com and the "Silver Moon" lounge, across from the Florabama lounge (Right on the beach highway on the state line has a writer's night every Thursday. Last week I hosted.

I will also be down for the Shrimp festival next month if you can't wait that long. Feel free to contact me and the other sites I mentioned. There is a lot of stuff going on all around you. Just have to be aware of it.

MAB

I am not sure why marc's link didn't work for me, but try this one out: http://fbisf.com/

Kevin

Marc I just got done reading you services and I am so impressed. I was on here for awhile back and got lost along the way. I will definitely be contacting you soon and anyone who reads what he has I think it's worth consideration. From someone who has struggled getting out there this sounds like a good way to start.

Naomi don't worry I understand how you feel. I too have been through the I can't get a band together as well. It's frustrating I but I refuse to give up. I do not play so you are ahead of me there. My dad lives in Mobile next time I'm out that way maybe we can catch a cup a joe.

Marc thank you so much for telling me about the festivals coming up. I must really be doing something wrong I have searched all over google and bing trying to find songwriting venues and workshops only to come up with online "classes". I will definitely be there, can't pass that up at all.

April anytime you're down you can give me a shout, when you know you're coming you can email me @ nmontgomery1984@yahoo.com and I'll give you my number or something.

Thanks Kevin his link didn't work for me either, what would this little country girl do without JPF! :))

Thanks so much guys

I am not sure if I qualify as a Mentor--- but I have been reading alot, learning, asking alot from my songwriter friends on here and in real life...so here goes


Find a local artist that is good, up and coming and see if they would be willing for you to play at open mics before them or opening for them at a smaller show that is local

I know of a lady who is quite well known as a singer/songwriter, she allowed at a small gig for a young lady that was at her songwriting class to open for her...

long story short
This girl got a few fans and now posted her song on a free contest with the local radio station and they are playing her song for the next week from 7-midnight. cool huh?

This site will help to, post your songs on the mp3 section for advice-- be sure to crit others work as that is how it works here, we help one another, take advice you find works for you, realize you can not please everyone, and also put your song lyrics up for advice on, this site will help you grow...

and as someone else said..
sing anywhere and everywhere you can. get some info cards to pass out, spread the word...it wont cost much for bus. cards.

Best of luck:) Kimberly

Hey Guys,

Naiomi Sue. forgive me, I am a writer, and not very good technology wise. That is why you have people on places like this as when one person misses something someone else can help out.

Let me give you the MAB view of the music industry. You can find out what works for you and doesn't work. Get as much info as you can.

Everything in music operates around four points.
#1 Creation of the song.
#2 Presentation of the song.
#3 Networking
#4 Business

You have to write, have them written for or about you,or become a part of songs that are unique, get attention, and keep attention of everyone you come into contact with.

You have to present songs live that stand out from everyone else that is around you. This includes demos, or recordings that are now our calling cards for places like Face Book, My Space, etc.

You have to meet friends, associates, co-writers, producers, record people, publishers, song pluggers, all sorts of industry and the general fans.

You have to understand the elements of commercial accessibility of music, the avenues that make money, the dead ends and what motivates others to make money on you.

These all have to work together to create a career. Everything you do is built around these four things.

How it works

The more you learn about writing, the better you get at it. The better the writers you are around, the better your personal side gets.

The more you perform and work in the studio, the better you are at it.

The more people you come into proximity of the public, the more people you bring into your "songwriting universe."

The more you do all these things, the more your chances of succeeding financially.

You have to look to the "win-win." What can you do that helps someone else, thereby helping yourself. Can you sing someone else's songs. Saving yourself money on demos and approach.

Be careful of "bands" Less is more. Every good musician plays with several people and you are willling to be the least of the priorities. Try smaller singles, duos or trios before you graduate to bands. Take baby steps before you jump in the deep end of the pool. Find a "mentor" who has good songs you like, who plays and instrument and help you get to where he or she wants to be as well as your own goals. Share the load and the responsibilities. Get someone you like, you may be around each other for a long time.

Practical reality

A year ago I was introduced to a guy out of Kalamazoo Michigan. he was 25 very good looking, a young Keith Urban, and had a very soulful voice. Much like yours truely used to. He was an incredible guitar player and entertainer who played in Kalamazoo 6 nights a week. His only thing missing was song writing chops.

For six months, he visited me in Nashville. He did my "tours" of Nashville where he stayed at my house, we wrote songs, I introduced him to hit writers, got him around the Nashville world. he was also very good on his own so it didn't take much. We wrote 13 songs, he recorded them, in addition to two of my own. We had written five with number one songwriters.
Creation of the song.

We recorded all fifteen songs (my two I had the existing tracks on) He did a CD. Silmultaneously he was playing continuously in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Pontic. he was played on radio. He opened for Chuck Wicks, Montgomery Gentry, Keith Urban twice for Kenny Chesney in front of 50,000 people. Each time his fan base, My Space, Face Book grew. Before long he had over 40,000 people as friends and fans.
Presentation of the song, live and demo.

As his legend there grew he also continued the trips to Nashville. One thing led to another and another hit songwriter, Walt Aldrich, took him to the president of Sony music where he was signed as a staff writer.
Networking.

Seven months after our first song together he signed as a writer. Eleven months after our first song he signed as an artist with Warner Brother's record. He is in the studio now with Jason Aldeen;s producer and is expected to be a huge artist next year.
Business.

This doesn't happen for every one. Frankie is VERY good. But he was very smart. He employed me which pays my bills. I helped him get to places he couldn't get for a while without me.
Win-Win.

But all that I do is simply speed up the time frame for some people. There are many other things you can do. Online workshops, forums like these, face to face writing and workshops. just get into as many situations as you can. Study them first. Be careful. Take it easy. Learn the basics first. Baby steps.

I am down there once a month. I do very little during the day and am happy to sit with you and talk over things. When I really get to work, that is what I am paid for. But I have a web site, and am always glad to offer suggestions. There are other professionals here on this and other sites. Stay involved, ask questions and learn. For almost any question you have, there is someone here who has done it before,made mistakes and can give you some unique insights.

If you ever need help, all you have to do is ask.

MBarne4908@aol.com My personal web site is www.marcalanbarnette.com

The Frank Brown festival is very disorganized but it does happen. Just plan on being there. I will coach you through it. And there are others here that can offer suggestions. But none of us know you, what level you are at, or what you need. You have to pick your questions based upon you.

Let us know. And that goes for all of you as well. We are all here for the same reasons. We all wish you luck. If we can help you we will.

MAB

Well how cool is that?

Hey Ethan! You know what I like about Marc? His honesty. Oh yeah he answers emails without delay,too. There's no hidden agenda with this guy. I can tell he truly loves his calling.
He makes no bones about the way he "pays his bills." This is very refreshing.


redwing

You know his honesty is EXTREMELY refreshing. My pet peeve is when someone beats around the bush and over-dramatizes things. For a girl like me who obviously knows next to nothing about all of this, its nice to kind of have someone "on your team" per say.

Marc I can't thank you enough for all you've told me so far, I did send you a short email about the Frank Brown Festival.

Thanks everyone for your help, I've gone from having a tornado swirling around in my head from everything that has been happening to having maybe a small tropical depression, with little gust of confusion every so often.

lol What a description. . .but that is the best I can explain it.

Hey Naomi I added you to my messenger I'm nashvilleapril@yahoo.com

I dont use that name for messenger i use Naomi_16_ i'll add you

Hey guys,

Redwing, I do pay my bills with mentoring and helping writers. But I do no advertising. It is all word of mouth and I don't force anyone, hard sell anyone at all. I give out information gladley because no matter what I tell someone they are going to have to go through those doors themselves. It is their butt on the line singing, writing, playing,etc. Not mine. I can help them understand the process, show them ways to maximize their time and efforts, and show them ways to spend their money effectively. But I can't make them stars.

Naomi here is exactly what I talk about on these forums all the time. It is what I live. You see, I believe and know the Intenet is here. It is not going anywhere. And there are quite literally millions of people out there like her trying to find their way.

Now obviously she is quite beautiful, young and sweet. And at time that can be naive. If she just ups and goes at it, she is most likely to end up falling in love with somebody "promising to make her a star" waste money time and effort with someone that has the wrong thing in mind. We see that every day too.

There is no end to people that want to separate dreamers from their money. That is in fact why I have the business I do. I am honest and really care about people. I am not concerned with getting cuts, hits, etc. I care about people and their journey's. Why/ Because if I help them save money and be smart, the 9 times out of ten, spend that money with me. And even if they don't they understand what is going on and don't get in to quite so much trouble.

I sat with a woman last week who had spent $100,000 over 10 years on really mediocre songs. She did demo after demo on songs that sounded like really mediocre Disney stuff and every song sounded the same. And she was so frustrated because everywhere she went in the industry people told her "They sound like Disney" and could do nothing with her.

She was in her forties and feels like a failure. But in one hour I had picked her up and written a song with her that encapsulated EVERY thought she ever had exactly like she wanted it. I do it very effortlessly because I listen to what they say and undestand the power of the therapy of music. I don't let all the outside issues get in the way. Now since then, she has been playing the song for other people and they are all wanting to help her now. Is that because the song is so good? Well I would like to think that is part of it, but the reality is because she is looking at things differently and now the things she writes will have a different attitude to it. She has e-mailed me almost every day thanking me. That is what I live for.

Naiomi Sue and the millions like her, are just like that. They come to sites like these because they don't have any other ways to go. they don't have endless pockets. They are just kids, houswives, friends, people that jsut want to share their talents with other people but don't have any idea how to do that. Sure they would love to be the next American Idol. But they most often just want to do music.

And what do you have on sites like these? Hundreds and thousands of writers who rarely leave their living rooms who need a voice on their music. They need someone to carry the ball past the living room. They might have the perfect song for someone like this. They might have some life experiences they can share, instincts they know about, traps to avoid.
But they get on places like these, talk negative, complain about so many things and those artists who scan through pages like these see that and go "well, that is where I DON'T want to be."

My job is trying to keep people from cutting their throats without even knowing they have a knife in their hands. I believe in my talents, I believe in the dreamer and I believe in my town and the people who live in it. It is a wonderful place and i do think can help people a lot, whether they are going for the big hit or just trying to figure out how to say what they want to say a little better.

That is what I am about. I try to show it in every post I do, every song I write, every body I interact with. I live in a world I wish everybody could see a little bit of. That is what I am doing here. Trying to show you a little of that world. Hope it works.

MAB

Mark I think the advice you have given me is outstanding, your one of the few people who can make a mile long post and I can sit and read every word. You easy to understand, is what I mean.

I've had many people try to "impress" me with their knowledge. Come to find out I'm not overly impressionable and I'm more skeptic than anything. I do my research on everyone I meet. I've got good instincts, and by all means I'm not rude to these people. I keep my opinions to myself when in mixed company, as hard as that is to do for me.

This last guy I was talking to, the one I turned down on the meeting at the motel, dropped names like crazy. Talked about how he passed on all these huge names, so I should be honored that he was talking to me at all, then asked me for 25k. Then told me it would be free I just had to meet him. No thanks, I passed, and here I am today. Self respect in tact and just as determined if not more determined than I've ever been.

I may not have the money but I definitely have the drive to stick it out. I'm not worried about being famous, though admittedly it would be an added bonus, and yes the money would be nice too, I simply want to sing and be heard.

I talked to a few people, one being a manager of a very well known local band. He listened to my songs and said he would help me however he can, as far as studio time and things like that. Even offered to manage if needed.

So the good thing about being at the bottom, is there's nowhere to go but up!

Naomi,

Marc is a great resource for the songwriter and artist. He's the real deal, both as someone whose main motivation is to help, and as someone who can deliver the goods himself as a singer/songwriter. If you make it to the Florabama fest, you'll hear what I mean.