I am really excited because this weekend Pop singer/songwriter Dayna Jones is coming up to record here in Minneapolis.  I have worked with Dayna over the last few years. We cowrote her first CD that she released a few years ago. You can listen to tracks from that CD at Dayna’s Myspace page.

This weekend we will be writing and recording for the next installment of her music. Dayna has a great, smooth voice. She is also such a blast to work with. I have a feeling it is going to be a fun few days of work.  We want to get as much done as we can….or as much as we are inspired to do. I sent Dayna some music tracks a few months ago to write lyrics and melodies to.  So we will try to tweak those and maybe get some cut. I work that way with quite a few arrtists. I make tracks, they write to them, then we tweak them together.

I will post some pictures and sound samples from this weekend here on the blog….so be sure to check back for those.

HAPPY WEEKEND! — Chad Sharp - songwriter, producer, singer

For those of you who are into Gospel music and great voices, I want to introduce you to a singer by the name of Robert Robinson. He is simply incredible.  I first heard Robert sing back when I was in high school in the 90’s. I was living in Mitchell, SD at the time, but I came up to Minneapolis to hang out with my aunt. She took us to a gospel brunch at the Fine Line Music Cafe.  It was the Twin Cities Community Choir and Robert was singing. I always remember a song called, “Trouble Don’t Last Always.” That song has popped into my head many times when I am having a bad day.

Fast forward now to 2008. I am introduced to Jim Foltz who is the owner and founder of Tyrol Hills Music, another independent record label here in the Twin Cities. Jim and I got to talking and he said he had just signed Robert Robinson! How cool is that. Then a couple weeks after Jim and I met, Jim got Andrew and I tickets to go see Robert sing in Saint Paul. IT WAS AMAZING!! Robert performed with almost a 100 person choir and had the place rockin’ with great gospel music.  Robert has such an amazingly soulful voice….you really can’t do justice by describing it, you need to feel it.

The new CD that Tyrol Hills Music has put out is a CD filled with inspirational easy-listening songs performed by Robert Robinson. Tyrol Hills just put out the CD you can get it at their website, and Robert has just put up a new website of his own. You really should check it out.

- Chad Sharp Pop, R&B singer, songwriter, producer

Another interesting article on the music industry is out. It says that by 2012 digital downloads will be 40% of overall music sales. In 2007 it was 10% of music sold.

Read the music industry info here.

- CHAD SHARP (R&B, Pop Recording Artist)

This weekend I was able to attend a songwriting seminar put on by Jill Holly. Jill lives in the Twin Cities and has been a songwriter for many years. She has toured both the US and Europe and is a great songwriter.

It was very interesting and educational. Jill showed all who attended how to write better lyrics and better melodies. It was a combination of classroom type learning as well as actually writing songs.
I would highly reccomend people who want to dive into songwriting to attend the workshops that Jill Holly puts on. Check out Jill’s CD or Visit Jill’s website.  Jill is very helpful and a great teacher. She always has a great attitude and makes it fun. She does workshops throughout the year and she is also a member of the Minnesota Association of Songwriters.

- Chad

Thank God it is FRIDAY!!!

It has been a busy, busy week….so in celebration of the weekend I am giving away some music!

Download the full Mp3 of “Know About You” — from the CD ‘Personal’ by Chad Sharp

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Ah yes, the music world is changing.  It was announced this week that Jermaine Dupri (aka, Mr. Janet if you’re nasty) has been “tagged” to head up a brand new record label venture.  Nothing really newsworthy in JD starting a new label, right?  Not quite…the new label is a joint venture with Tag Men’s deodorant and body sprays.

I personally find it extremely exciting to have these new types of deals being brought up.  Being an indie label myself I am always looking for ways to build artists and revenue.  Music is becoming more and more a lifetsyle statment more so than just an audio experience.  It is kind of like when you have a favorite perfume or cologne.  In reality it is just some chemicals that do something to your sense of smell….but after you see the commercials and pitch person, it makes you feel like you are part of some elite group.  You associate that smell with that lifestyle. Music is doing the same thing.

I have believed for some time that in order to develop success in entertainment you need to develop a culture. You have to create something that people can feel like they are a part of.  My examples would be Janet Jackson starting her own “Rhythm Nation” and Prince has his “New Power Generation.”  Janet was out to change the world. She had great videos, imaging and branding.  It was easy for people to feel like they were part of the Rhythm Nation.  Prince did the same thing. 

So now in 2008 Tag body sprays and Jermaine Dupri are looking to do the same things. Tag has marketing muscle and can use music as part of that….now when you smell Tag you will hear music and when you hear the music you will smell tag.

Read what MTV had to say.

- CHAD SHARP

For those of you artists out there who want to get signed to a major record label….here are some tips. These are some ways to get label attention:

1. Sell 50,000 CD’s on your own — Make sure it is tracked and you can PROVE it! Soundscan, etc.

2. Sellout shows at every gig — Are you bringing in a crowd each and every time you play?? This won’t get attention unless you are packing in hundreds of fans…even better if it is in major cities. (not your 10 drinkin’ buddies who come see you every time you play at the dive down the road.)

3. Sell thousands of digital downloads on iTunes. — A&R folks, I’m sure are watching who is making buzz on their own.

4.  Have a loyal fanbase. — If you have thousands of fans on your mailing list….preferably around 10,000…this means fans that have signed up for stuff, not random names you decide to spam.  Labels are looking for acts that have been successful at marketing themselves….and have a ready-to-go audience.

5. You are in the top 10 on American Idol — OK, this is just for fun….but true.

6. You have  hit songs, and a unique voice and image. — You need to be yourself and don’t try to be the next “Fill in the blank.” The industry already has “fill in the blank.”

Getting signed mostly comes down to being able to really prove that you have something that people want to spend money on. Plain and simple….if you can show a label that people are already into it and you are already making money they will take notice.  They are in the business to make money. Money talks.

The funny thing is that if you are packing gigs, selling thousand of CD’s and keeping in touch with thousands on your mailing list……you don’t need a label!

 Yesterday I was at an event and after I told someone I had my own music production company and label they asked, “Oh…so what do you do?”  I assumed that “music productions company and label” explained it, but I guess not. So I though I would break down what I actually do. I started my company back in 1996 when I was a senior in high school. I have been writing songs, recording and doing music promotion for the last 12 years.

I can help you with:
- Songwriting
- Track Production
- Recording
- Mixing/Editing
- Custom Songs for Special Occasions
- Demos
- Online Promotion
- Online Distribution
- Marketing/PR
- Developing a Fanbase
- Gaining Label Attention
- Press and Media Kits

Please visit my website at http://www.sharpmusic.com for more info or call me at 763-545-1969. — CHAD

I get asked, “Should I send my CD to record labels?” all the time. My answer is usually, not unless you know someone at the label.  In 95% of all cases if you do not know someone or have not had something specifically requested, it will not get listened to.

If you do not know anyone personally to send it to, you would basically be flushing the postage and CD cost down the toilet.

Now if a label is asking for demo kits…SEND ONE….BUT, make sure it makes a great impression…DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT send a CD-R that is written on in Sharpie!  That is so tacky. For more on this please read a blog I wrote a little bit back.

Record labels are in the business to sell music. Today that means downloads and CD’s…..also if you have a 360 deal it means they are out to sell anything related to an act.  Labels are looking for very specific things. It takes more than just being good….I will write more on how to get a deal in an upcoming blog.

- Chad

Hola! One of my friends has written a book that is not directly about musicians, but the book is about something that affects many musicians. The book is called “CPR for Caregivers.” It is a resource guide for people who have to take care of loved ones. It is all about how to maintain life balance and prevent burnout.

I have had a couple of music friends that have had to take care of elderly parents. This caused alot of stress for them, and really affected their music. It takes a toll both mentally and physically…which obviously caused something to happen musically as well. I wish I would have known about Grant’s book when they were going through their ordeals. This is a real issue that will affect more and more of us. As musicians we need to find ways to handle these situations, but still maintain our own life and passions.

Grant also has a section of his webiste that is devoted to Music Therapy which is pretty cool.