Before I committed a string of robberies in 2014, I was a gigging musician. If I wasn’t playing my guitar in pizza parlors or in bars I was playing on the streets of downtown Louisville. I wasn’t bad either. Sometimes I’d walk away with $150 in tips. What I was bad at, however, was handling liquor. It perverted my thinking on many levels. Like most ignorant musicians I suffered from lottery mentality. I assumed one day I’d fortuitously be “discovered” by “someone” and the next day be a “rock star.” Combine alcoholism, lottery mentality, and evil depression, and violent thieving is born. At least for me it is. Kentucky handed me a 27-year sentence to think long and hard about why alcoholism and lottery mentality should never consummate.
On the bright side a lengthy prison sentence, if nothing else, is a foundation for songwriting. I wasn’t a songwriter before prison, though I’ve played music since I was ten. I had nothing to sing about. I didn’t have a voice. But two weeks after my arrest I wrote my first tune it was clumsy and childish, but it was mine. For the next twelve years I devoted myself to honing the craft. I’ve put countless hours behind writing melodies, forming lyrics, practicing scales, and even teaching the trade to other budding musicians. But crime, songwriting, and sobriety isn’t the point of this article.
Two years ago I read Ari Herstand’s “How To Make It In The New Music Business.” Imagine an angelic chorus reverberating as a shining golden highway appeared in front of me. The book was a roadmap of clear, practical, and extensive direction. Inevitably it lead to more books, magazines, and printed online articles. I became obsessed with anything related to the music business. That obsession fueled the drive I needed to reach beyond these prison walls.
I’ve sent close to eight hundred query letters to industry professionals. I bombarded every address I got my hands on — music lawyers, producers, sound engineers, independent labels, agents, managers, and college professors. I was on a mission to discover all I could about the industry. It pains me to recount the amount of return to sender mail I received, but my persistence paid off. I now have a nest egg of connections who’ll play a vital role in my success once I’m released. But again, my achievements are not the point of this article.
The point is you, my fellow caged musician. The point is to encourage the unheard voices and talent behind the prison fences. I intend to educate and assist my incarcerated brother/sister artist who desire to turn their amazing skill into a viable, realistic career.
It starts with this: you don’t know what you don’t know.
Do you know how to upload a song to Spotify, Apple Music, and other DSPs? Do you know the difference between publishing and performance royalties? Do you know how to collect them? Do you know what a mechanical license is? You get the picture. The question you really need to ask yourself is, ”Where do I find the answers?” Fear not. Here are some tools every caged musician must invest into.
- Ari Herstand’s “How To Make It In The New Music Business.” (3rd Edition) This book caters to the DIY musician from the POV of a musician who has done it ($40 USD)
- Donald Passman’s “All You Need To Know About The Music Business” (11th Edition) This book covers similar business but from the POV of a lawyer. ($40 USD)
- Music Connection Magazine. Wonder how I got eight hundred addresses to write? Not only does the magazine include a directory of professional addresses, it has tip, tools, and other resources for the DIY artist. Address: 3441 Ocean View Blvd., Glendale, Ca 91208 USA ($35 yearly subscription USD)
- If you have outside support from friends/family have them print articles from these blog sites:
You should begin studying the content take notes on clever techniques journal your own plan of action search the material for how you and your specific musical talent can thrive above the rest. Over time, as you shape your vision, something will begin to evolve in your soul. Confidence.
Hear me on this. Rejection is coming — more than you’re anticipating. People will roll their eyes when you disclose you’re a musician by trade. You can’t stop it. They’ll snicker and sneer. Even when they aren’t self-doubt will be there to beat you down. It’s a serious affliction. So, you study and prepare, practice and evolve, hone and shape. Preparation and education breed an unshakable confidence that doesn’t break under the weight of life.
With that being said not everyone is against you. My biggest fans are right here in prison with me. I kid you not. There are men in here who believe in the success of my songs more than I do at times. When I see these guys singing along to songs, I wrote that is a curb stomp to self-doubt and rejection. Make it apart of your overall mission to find your tribe… which leads to the final topic.
Make connections. ANY connections.
Reach out to local churches and ask them to post on their bulletin board: “incarcerated musician seeking mentorship.” Don’t worry. Chances are you won’t be preached at. The sincerity of this demographic is undeniable.
Write local businesses. Make no mistake, dear artist, you are in fact an entrepreneur entering into your own business. Write local guitar shops or record stores. Keep it grassroots. Ask about their origin, hurdles their business has overcome, or some goals they hope their business achieves. People love talking about their work. Make friends who can share business insights.
Query your local college/university. I’ve had more success reaching out to professors in the music industry than anyone else. They are passionate about what they teach.
Error! Filename not specified.
And the thought of assisting a pupil behind prison walls is an honorable challenge. Write the art, English, or business departments if they don’t specifically have a music business branch.
Lastly, write me. I’m scheduled to leave prison November 2027, but my mission and business is rooted in this: paving the way for incarcerated musicians coming home. I’ve been blessed with much access to professionals who have freely given me tips and guidance. I want to pass that along. My future musical vision includes the current caged musician. I have seen astronomical talent in my 12 years. And I have seen it go to waste for one reason or another. If I can help it ignorance will no longer be the reason.
So, if you want to turn your amazing, unmistakable musical talent into a lifelong career, I want to help. I wish you all the best. Now get to work!
No Comments