The 7 Stages of a gigging musician, according to Millicent Stephenson. I believe that

• Every musician (singer, instrumentalist, rapper, singer-songwriter, etc) should be paid their worth
• Every musician should apply business principles to their music for it to grow to the level they want it to
• Every musician (irrespective of age) can have their own fanbase because the world is big enough.

But it is not the case for everyone, it may not be the case for you. Perhaps you feel stuck; you've tried but can't move forward, maybe you're thinking of giving up. Perhaps you are just getting started but you are unclear about what you need to do next, the stages of your music business.

In this episode I present the 7 stages of the gigging musician, to help you consider where you are and where to go next. These stages are based on my music journey and observations of gigging musicians.

GET YOUR FREE GIFTS ’25 secrets of the gigging musician, singer, rapper and spoken word artiste’, or ‘Ten reasons why they will pay you before gig day’ from www.successbeyondthescore.com/freegifts

'HOW TO WORK OUT YOUR GIG FEE, COLLECT YOUR PAYMENT AND MANAGE YOUR MUSIC MONEY', on reduction as at the date of this recording. Pricing and availability may change going forward. https://www.successbeyondthescore.com/store

I’m so thrilled to have interviewed 6 exceptional west midlands musicians. They work full time in the industry and are making waves where they are. Today I’m going to share the absolute best takeaways from my Guest list. That’s not to say that everything else in their interview was not important, in fact there was good stuff from beginning to end but these things really stood out for me. Somethings I learnt, somethings were re-enforced.

0:00 Introduction

2:46 About Tony Bean and what caught my attention.

3:40 Lesson: You don’t know where you will end up but you know where you are starting. Networking is key, treat everybody right. Be yourself. Help others when you can.

9:56 About Louise Dengate and what made sense to me.

10:35 Lesson: Dealing with my headspace, my stage nerves, imposter syndrome. Projecting my critical thoughts and dealing with my mental space to be successful on stage.

15:30 About Abigail and what resonated

16:15 Lesson: Backstage and front stage are very different. Balancing life’s challenges and delivering the perceived glamour of our work.

19:10 Memorising music.

22:47 About Anna Brooks and needs must

23:57 Lesson: Multi-tasking and balancing childcare and music. Other ways to work in music. Getting another job outside of music temporarily.

30:30 Anti-sociable working hours and the needs of our family. Planning family time. Time for yourself. 35:09 About Dan Whitehouse and what you have to do

35:41 Lesson – developing my inner artiste helps to clear your mind and get in touch with your music. Why I gave up journaling and how I got back into it. The reasons for journaling and engaging with the page.

40:40 About Ruby Turner and looking after you

41:28 Lesson: Be down to earth. You are still you. ‘Celine Dion reacts calmly to fan storming stage’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoO2LpfcVVI

41:32 Health challenges and how to cope with them at your Gigs and teaching. Handling the menopause or other health challenges. Time to retire from music.

43:31 Disclaimer: At time of this recording, according to the NHS, men do not have the menopause, but experience symptoms related to other concerns https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/male-menopause/ Other research might suggest otherwise).

47:32 conclusion and free gifts www.successbeyondthescore.com/freegifts ’10 reasons why they will pay you before gig day’. ’25 secrets of the successful gigging musician, singer, rapper and spoken word artiste’

48:45 End

‘10 Reasons Why They Will Pay You Before Gig Day!’

https://www.successbeyondthescore.com/getpaidbeforegigday

Hello, everybody, I am Millicent Stephenson and I want to start this episode wishing you the best of the best for this new year 2022! I hope you had the opportunity to celebrate the holidays, rest and get ready to smash all your goals.

Actually, today's theme is perfect to start the year: from each of my guests, we are going to hear at least three essential tips, things you can do now to help you make it in the music industry.

It condenses all the other advice and experience we have enjoyed through all the season, which is great and so useful, isn't it?

Please be aware of the fact these interviews happened during different moments of the pandemic, so the outlook of the guests might vary.

Also, all of these conversations took place over Zoom, which means you might hear a difference in sound quality between the intro and the recordings.

Let's find out what Anna Brooks, Tony Bean, Louise Dengate, Dan Whitehouse, Abigail Kelly and Ruby Turner MBE think is needed for success. 

0.00 Introduction

02:07 Anna Brooks – International touring saxophonist, recording artiste, arranger and director. http://annabrooks.rocks/

Tips: Passion. Calling. Study be it formal or self-study.  Build a Portfolio Career.

11:10 Tony Bean - CEO and founder of 5AM Records. International Artiste Developer, Songwriter and Record Producer

Tips: Studying; Working for Free or Paid; Get your material heard; Invest in yourself; Don’t look for lucky break. Networking and everybody is somebody.

15:58 Louise Dengate Choir director, vocal coach and agency director, https://louisedengate.wixsite.com/home

Tips: Increase your skill. Get a really good teacher.  Know who you are and where you fit.  TV music competitions pros and cons. Just get out there.

23:05 Dan Whitehouse – acclaimed composer and songwriter currently signed with Reveal Records. www.dan-whitehouse.com https://www.dan-whitehouse.com/

Tips: Listen to your inner artist; relationships; how to build an audience; reflection. dealing with distractions

30:59 Abigail Kelly - an award winning international operatic soprano & Ambassador for the National Touring Opera. https://www.abigailkellysoprano.com/

Tips: Have a side hustle and safety blanket; know your stuff; learn who you are as a performer - practise!  Know how you are going to represent yourself for auditions etc; don’t take yourself too seriously

40:41 Ruby Turner Ruby Turner MBE -singer-songwriter, US R&B number 1 chart hit and actress http://www.rubyturner.com/

Tips: Individuality. Stay focus and stay on course.  Distractions.  Follow your heart.  Listen to yourself.  Be armed with knowledge of the business and know how the money is being spent. Gigging realities. The nice route and fast track, doesn’t last. Live it and experience.

47:38 Conclusion

47:58 Ten Reason Why They Will Pay You Before Gig Day

#musiccareer #3essentialtips #musicindustry