Are You a Local Band or Artist that Just Cannot Seem to Get People To Listen?

I have been lucky in my career journey as a performing/recording artist. Though I have yet to reach my ultimate goal most like me have of the limos, hotels, and thousands of screaming fans, there are places I have been and people that I have met that have taught me key things I love to share. I will warn that at times I can be quite blunt and smart alecy. To get through to a musician, such as one like me, this approach can be necessary if one really wants to know the truth.

Since this is my first article for AC, I will briefly introduce myself. My name is April Lee Roberts. I am a musician and I have started my own record label called Hurricane April Records. I have had the awesome chances to learn from some of our more recognized figures in the music business. I feel that my writing for this forum will help me to further polish the book I am writing on the industry, as well as better help me to service the artists that my record company supports.

My favorite subject is the decade and a half old complaint I hear from musicians throughout the USA. "Our city does not support local musicians. Our radio stations do not support local musicians!" I have traveled to, visited and resided in several major cities. I can say that this complaint is not centralized at any one region of our country. It is Everywhere. If a band or artist is going to let these facts get in the way of promotional efforts, it is best to hang up all hope now, and teach music lessons, instead.

There is no longer the traditional success stories of your band playing in a local club and Johnny Record Exec comes to your band, afterward, offering a lucrative recording deal. There is no longer the success stories of your song you recorded in a local studio being spun during drive time on commercial radio instantly resulting in thousands of new fans. Of course, every now and again you hear of this happening, for someone. My advice, is do not count on it.