What should I do with talent

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bleonard

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Greetings,

I have discovered a very young (18 yo) singing talent.

My first inclination is to have her voice over all of the songs I have ever written/recorded.

She also writes poetry - so my second thought is to record her original lyric with music I compose.

Am I selling her short? She has more potential as a singer than I have ever personnaly witnessed.
I do not want to inhibit her progress or potential but I am considerably older - music is not my primary income - but it is my dream to make a living someday working in the music industry.

How do I help her without inhibiting - she is young and has so musch potential. In addition no family ties or income restraints (unlike me).

She is currently working out of my home recording studio - what should I do? I want to help her but sometimes feel like I am simply hanging onto a her abillities.

Is there a way I can help her while contributing to my desire to change careers ?

I have business acumen, musical talent (sic) and money but am not able to risk a major career shift without defined income (i.e. I have bills and a family)

Thanks in advance for any replies.
Brian

Thanks,
Brian
 
Talent is subjective. How much money you're making is not.

I would suggest getting something out that you can sell, getting her on stage to build a fanbase, and working on things that labels can't deny.

She needs good material. If you supply it, that's fine. If she supplies it, that's fine. Quality is the first thing you need to worry about though.
 
OK granted "Talent is subjective"

I guess my question was more of a moral dilema.

What should I provide? In return what should I expect?

Should I leverage her abillity to promote my compositions?
What should she expect in return - what should I provide?

It seems a shame that I (purely by chance) have stumbled on this talent and do not know how to proceed.

Are you saying a local fanbase is the immediate goal?
Should I assemble a band simply to display her talent?

Thanks in advance,
Brian
 
Re: OK granted "Talent is subjective"

bleonard said:
Are you saying a local fanbase is the immediate goal?
Should I assemble a band simply to display her talent?

I don't know that you'll need a band, but a great live show is usually the best way to get people interested.

As far as what kind of offer you should give her, I'd say one which you both will be able to live with. You don't want her to resent you for taking advantage of the situation, but you also need to be paid what you deserve because it's most likely going to be a long road ahead.

Good luck!! I'm looking forward to checking out some mp3 files!
 
bleonard,
If you truly believe in this girl, help her find a REPUTABLE Producer. Someone who KNOWS the business, with a pocketful of money.

Do you really need anything out of it? Believe me, if you help her get a start on a successful career, she's not likely to forget that. Maybe you can make some money somewhere down the line.

bd
 
OH...btw, she WILL need a demo, preferably a little better quality than the post on NWR. Maybe you can help her with that.


bd
 
Thanks

bdbdbuck -

Perhaps I was not clear - it seems you construed my interest as monetary -
I make a fine living and have done so for a long while.

I have also always desired to pursue a music related career and have always been looking for a chance to transition.

What do you mean by a "REPUTABLE" producer and someone who "KNOWS" the business that also has a "pocketfull of money?"

Is the "pocketfull of money" the issue? or is it the "reputable" person who "knows" the business?

What am I missing?
How can I help her? I am not worried about the money - I just want to make sure I spend it wisely.

Brian
 
I've reciently had the same happen to me with a jazz singer. ...and mines better! :) ;)

...definately a better demo....with out the origional vocals :) ...you don't want anything for the listener to compair with. Though honestly I prefer to do origionals or "remakes" of public domain songs.

If she wants to take singing seriously I would seriously recommend hooking her up with a professional vocal instructor. I think theres some things she still needs to work on...mainly on softer passages. The chorus sounded strong... however the tone of her voice makes me want to recommend Broadway instead of L.A. - provided she can dance.

But thats me and I probably don't have any more experience than you :)

good luck
 
bdbdbuck said:
Do you really need anything out of it? Believe me, if you help her get a start on a successful career, she's not likely to forget that. Maybe you can make some money somewhere down the line.

Artists forget the people who have helped them out all the time. It's best to get any agreements in writing just to make sure.

I tried to get the song online, but it woudln't play. Do you have anything in mp3 format?
 
Farewell to you, my dear Spanish Ladies.......
Farewell to you, my ladies of Spain......
 

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hey brian,

You say you're not interested in money. That's cool. In what function would you like to serve her? Would you like to be a manager? Maybe that's the route you're entertaining in your head and you're not coming out with it....

If you really believe in her, I would cut a local demo and shop it around for her.

Miles
 
Buffalo Bob said:
Farewell to you, my dear Spanish Ladies.......
Farewell to you, my ladies of Spain......

that is freaking funnny bob!! hahahahaha


-alex
 
if you firmly believe she will hit big, go to a lawyer, create your own record label (not that expensive), get her to sign a recording contract, cut a demo, and (this is your payoff) sell her to another record company. Thats about the only way to make any money from her talents....without being her manager or agent. If you arn't in touch with alot of music business contacts you're not going to be a good manager and she will surley dump you at some point (as soon as someone that DOES have contacts "discovers" her...you're history)

if she creates major label interest not only can you sell her contract...but you have an album (the demo) on her that the record company would have to pay dearly for....cause if they don't buy that you can release it after she hits big and mop up.

i would definatly have her record some of my originals if i were you.....more money for you in negotiations

in a way you would be a snake using her to milk a record company for every dime you can get......but, business is business and record companies have deep pockets if they want something bad enough.

if she doesn't create any major label interest you can get the demo mastered and do a CD replication and book her some gigs and promote her....sell CD's. If you have a studio to cut the tracks and mix them your investment in 1000 cd's are the mastering and the replication...aprox $1500. 150 CD's at $10 each recoups that.

sell 40,000 CD's on your own and she WILL create major label interest. (plus you've grossed nearly half a million bucks that should net you and her some good money)
 
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Seriously,

If you care for her as a person, look her in the eyes and say "I need to find someone who can help you". Cut her loose...

Or if you're in it for the money, get her to sign you as her manager as soon as possible.
 
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