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

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

https://www.successbeyondthescore.com/getpaidbeforegigday

I am happy to bring you another episode of ‘Success Beyond The Score’ podcast where you can learn how to build your music career from the best in the field.

At the time of this recording, we are so close to the end of the year, I wanted to look back at some reflections about the critical event that marked 2020 and 2021: the coronavirus pandemic.

It was a devastating blow for humankind at all levels that is still taking a toll to this day, yet it was also a moment of crisis that allowed us to think differently about what we were doing and what we really wanted.

How did it affect the music industry? Specifically, how did it impact musicians? Today you will hear true stories - the impact of the corona virus pandemic on independent, DIY, and signed musicians.

Let's then listen to Anna Brooks, Tony Bean, Louise Dengate, Dan Whitehouse, Abigail Kelly and Ruby Turner MBE, while they tell us about their hardships, opportunities, the good and the bad.

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.

0.00 Introduction

02:18 Anna Brooks – International touring saxophonist, recording artiste, arranger and director. http://annabrooks.rocks/

10:23 Tony Bean - CEO and founder of 5AM Records. International Artiste Developer, Songwriter and Record Producer

13:25 Louise Dengate Choir director, vocal coach and agency director, https://louisedengate.wixsite.com/home

16:01 Dan Whitehouse – acclaimed composer and songwriter currently signed with Reveal Records. www.dan-whitehouse.com https://www.dan-whitehouse.com/

20:45 Abigail Kelly - an award winning international operatic soprano & Ambassador for the National Touring Opera. https://www.abigailkellysoprano.com/

28:28 Ruby Turner Ruby Turner MBE -singer-songwriter, US R&B number 1 chart hit and actress http://www.rubyturner.com/

40:22 Conclusion

40:53 Ten Reason Why They Will Pay You Before Gig Day

‘10 Reasons Why They Will Pay You Before Gig Day!’ https://www.successbeyondthescore.com/getpaidbeforegigday

This time, I are going a bit more personal with my guests.  I am asking them about their career highs; also their lows - what have they realised truly matters after decades of experiences? What have they learned from difficult times?

So come along and hear from:

02:09 Dan Whitehouse – acclaimed composer and songwriter currently signed with Reveal Records. www.dan-whitehouse.com

02:58 4 year old Harry sings ‘Somebody Love You’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZDk1Edsg08

07:30 Anna Brooks – international touring saxophonist, recording artiste, arranger and director. http://annabrooks.rocks/

11:31 Abigail Kelly - an award winning international operatic soprano & Ambassador for the National Touring Opera. https://www.abigailkellysoprano.com/

18:36 Louise Dengate Choir director, vocal coach and agency director, https://louisedengate.wixsite.com/home

22:46 Tony Bean - CEO and founder of 5AM Records. International Artiste Developer, Songwriter and Record Producer

29:21 ‘10 Reasons Why They Will Pay You Before Gig Day!’

By the way, these interviews were recorded through Zoom due to COVID-19 pandemic so you might notice a slight change of audio quality between the introduction and the interviews but the show content is still A+!

https://www.successbeyondthescore.com/getpaidbeforegigday

I am happy to have you back for another episode of Success Beyond The Score. This time, we are going straight to the main topic of the whole podcast: the business side of music.

Just before I kick off, I want to let you know I have a new gift just for you. It’s called ‘10 Reasons Why They Will Pay You Before Gig Day!’ If you have tried to get paid in advance and it’s not worked then check out this list of 10 things your customers consider before they pay you in advance, it will help you to understand what you should put in place to make it possible for you get paid before you hit the stage! The link is https://www.successbeyondthescore.com/getpaidbeforegigday

Now back to the main topic of today’s episode. the business side of music. It is an essential part of the journey to becoming a professional musician that intimidates many emerging artists, but it doesn't have to be that way!

Let my brilliant guests tell you all about it; we are going to talk about record labels, contracts, finances, networking, training and education, from their experience and without keeping any secrets. We have a full house today as well, so let's welcome Ruby Turner, Dan Whitehouse, Anna Brooks, Abigail Kelly, Louise Dengate, and Tony Bean.

This interview was recorded through Zoom due to COVID-19 lockdown still easing, so you might perceive a slight change of audio quality between the introduction and the show. But don't worry because the content is stella!

0.00 Introduction

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

15.45 Dan Whitehouse – acclaimed composer and songwriter currently signed with Reveal Records. www.dan-whitehouse.com

24.10 Anna Brooks – international touring saxophonist, recording artiste, arranger and director. http://annabrooks.rocks/

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

36.19 Louise Dengate - music agency director, choir director & vocal coach https://www.crystalproductions.uk/

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

50.18 Wrap up

https://www.successbeyondthescore.com/ (Details about Millicent's Podcast 'Success Beyond The Score'; her online community for women in music called 'Time For My Music'; Millicent's free E-Booklet 'Revealed 25 Secrets of the Successful Gigging Musician, Singer, Rapper and Spoken Word Artiste', and more).

Hello, I am Millicent Stephenson and I am very glad to talk to you again after the little break that we had here, in my podcast Success Beyond The Score.

So far, I have had the opportunity to talk with brilliant people in the music industry about a variety of relevant and interesting themes.

Now, I want to build a dialogue among them through a new format, in which you will be able to hear their opinions on selected topics.

To start today, you will hear them talk about family: how they balance work and home life, what their families have meant for their careers, how they have supported their journey, among other things. Without further ado, let's listen to Tony Bean, Louise Dengate, Anna Brooks and Ruby Turner MBE.

01.37 Tony Bean

07.16 Louise Dengate

11:31 Anna Brooks

15:58 Ruby Turner

23:16 Closing remarks

https://www.successbeyondthescore.com for Millicent's free E-Booklet 'Revealed 25 Secrets of the Successful Gigging Musician, Singer, Rapper and Spoken Word Artiste', and more.

Music Website: https://millicentstephenson.com

Email: info@millicentstephenson.com

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#musiccareeradvice #worklifebalance #familyworkmusic