Hello everyone. This is the place to introduce yourself and start chatting with others.
My name is Geoff Taylor. I'm a country music artist based in Brisbane. I work as a fulltime musician playing mainly clubs and private functions across south east queensland.
I started this forum as a way for country music musicians to network with each other all over the country. I hope it becomes a favourite stopping place for you.

Cheers
GT

Hey GT, Great idea this! good to get known around the traps! I play bass for jetty road, James Blundell and have been working on tour with Travis Collins, Kirsty Lee Akers, Amber Lawrence, Kelly hope to name a few. Love country music & the more people I play with the better! Just got back from QLD. James, Jetty road  & Travis played the Caloundra music festival. It was great!

Keep up the great work & I would love to meet you some day.

Cheers
Rusty Cochrane
www.myspace.com/rustycochrane

Hi Rusty,
        Sounds like you're having a ball and livin the life. Good on ya. I'm having an uphill battle to find other musicians here in Brisbane to form my own country band. That's what prompted me to start this forum. It will take time, but eventually I hope it will become a central meeting place for all country music musicians.

Keep up the great work and keep playing that country music.
Cheers
GT.

Hi guys
The forum is a great idea.
I'm based on the Gold Coast. Like GT play the traps around south east Qld. Instead of me going into boring detail here about myself, feel free to drop on over to my website EPK:
www.sonicbids.com/brentlillie
to find out more about where the music's at.
I've given it a shot at Tamworth with the original stuff. Good on you Rusty for scoring a spot with some big names in the Aussie Country Music industry. It's bloody hard to crack, so you've obviously worked hard at it. That's what I'd like to address in this thread - if the original country music scene in this country is the closed starchamber many people claim it to be. I've won, placed and made the finals of a heap of major songwriting comps in Australia and overseas, got myself management and an original trio - Barbed Wire - but spots at major festivals are so hard to score. Most times, there's no reply to enquiries at all.
Making a buck at the local clubs playing covers is the only alternative. Any thoughts?

Hi Brent,
I love your stuff. A good mixture of songs. I'm in the same boat as you. I'm constantly writing my own songs, but survive by playing in pubs and clubs week after week. I see you have got yourself management. Thats probably a good start. Something I need to look into.

I am interested in your recording process. Are your songs all done in a studio, or do you do any home studio recording?
I also love your website. I might have to make another topic for tips and idea's for other musicians for helping them get exposure. Your website is certainly a good start.

I have managed to get some radio airplay with my latest CD, but only because I am contacting radio stations and sending it direct to country presenters.

I'm not sure where to go next which is why I created this board so we can all give each other ideas about what works and what doesn't.

Keep at it. Persistance goes a long way.
Cheers
Geoff...

My main use for the sonicbids EPK is for entering songwriting comps like the ISC, John Lennon Songwriting contest and other reputable comps. there are plenty that aren't and you have to be selective.
the EPK is great because it's so easy to update and with the supersonic version plenty of songs, pics etc can be included.
I use myspace and a standard website as well.
As for the songs, all were recorded at Bignote Productions where they more or less let me wander in and out, tinkle on a piano here, strum a geetarr there. I co-write, network, write the odd jingle, record, and sit in with production teams and artists who are cutting my songs. It's a dream come true, really.
It's a beautiful studio with all the trimmings and a top team. For more info, check out the link to Bignote on my EPK. Yeah, it's a soft sell, but only because I like 'em. I don't make any money out of it. Not even commission. I have to talk with them about that.
I did the 80 station phone around after putting a single on NFS a couple of years ago ('How Come?'). Don't waste your time, mate.
Record with Rod McCormack. Those blokes are the ones with the clout.

Hi Brent,
         I have entered a few songs in the Tamworth songwriters association awards for 2008. I probably won't do much good but its worth a shot. I will keep my eye open for other contests throughout the year and see how I go. I guess it's even harder to be trying to make a name in the industry at 40, but I figure it's better late than never.

I'm still managing to seel cd's at gigs which is always encouraging, but It's still a struggle. I'm trying to build up more weekday work but it seems hard to find. And then there is the ever seeming battle between agents. I had an agent tell me last week that a venue of his has just been taken by a rival agent whom I also use. However, the new agent will try and put the same acts into the venue at a cheaper price. But I'm not budging on it anymore. I get so annoyed when agents try and undercut each other because at the end of the day, we are the ones that suffer the most.

So I'm going to keep looking for new venue's to play and hopefully relieve some of the financial burden that most of us musicians have when we do it fulltime.

I too have my own website and myspace. I have tended to let myspace go a little because I don't find it very helpful to my cause. Another site is www.showcaseyourmusic.com It lets you put your songs and videos up for free and allows other users to rate your music (in thier opinion) and leave comments. It's kind of closed circle thought since you have to register to leave a comment. I find that a little useless since the average person does not want to go through that trouble just to leave a comment.

All my songs are recorded in my home studio. (I can't afford a real studio ) But I seem to do ok. I get better at it all the time. I'm working on my second album now. It would be nice to find a collaborator one day. I'd love to do something like Big and Rich. I love their sound. Anyway, enough from me, we need more members here. Tell all your friends. lets get some people with good ideas and opinions to share. every little bit helps.

Cheers
Geoff...

You're right on all counts, Geoff.
40! You're still a spring chicken. At 55 you could say I've been down the track a ways and have learned (and I'm still learning my lessons) the hard way.
Some may say I'm jaded, but show me a professional musician who is isn't. there's no such thing, in my opinion.
I simply coast along now. On a local level, had my turn at sticking up for myself with the agents and got sent to Coventry for a while till I learned my lesson. So I just shut up now, send out the bookings regularly, build myself lots of options (solo, ,duos, trios, Highwaymen Show - all these come with time, but they come). And you're right, money now is pretty much the same as we were getting in 1980 when I was in a band working locally seven nights a week. It's all ancient history.
I don't think I'm being pessimistic. In fact, the agents are doing it just as hard as the musos. It's dog eat dog, but as long as we get to wag our tails now and then, it's ok. There's lots worse jobs than being an entertainer. On the Gold Coast especially, no matter what game you're in, it's tough.
I'll get the word out about the forum. It's a great idea and thank you for putting it together. I'm sure it will catch on. I'd love to see some of the big names on here, too, just for some insights and advice. Here's hoping.
Tks for the tip re showcaseyourmusic.
Cheers
Brent

I hear what your saying. I'm at that same point now. I do solo, duo, corporate band and play bass in a Rolling Stones tribute show. Whatever keep food on the table. Would love to put together a country tribute show of my own, but need to find the musicians first.

Meanwhile, I'll keep poking along and writing my own songs and see how I go. Afterall, if you don't try, you don't know.

I too would love to see some big country music names drop by and offer some advice for our members. I'm sure once the word starts to spread, we will get loads more members here and hopefully we can all help each other with whatever ideas we have.
Cheers
GT..

Hi All
Just dropping by to check out the site.Tipped off by Brent Lillie.

I am a singer/songwriter and I live in Tamworth and sing in a female harmony trio called "Those Gals" around New South Wales, very rarely to Qld.

I am also the publicity co-ordinator for the Tamworth Songwriters' Association so am very pleased to hear that you have entered our comp Geoff. All the best.

Sounds like most muso's/singers are in the same boat. We sing every weekend and while we have quite a few originals, we find that we have to sing covers to get the work. You're right about the money Brent. It's difficult to make it worthwhile sometimes with the travelling etc. I guess we're lucky that we LOVE what we do sooooo much.

This forum is a great idea and I hope that you get many more artists involved on here. I'll try to spread the word too!!!!
WW  

--Last edited by Wendy Wood on 2007-10-29 16:31:08 --

Hi Wendy,
Nice to have you aboard. This will be the first time I have entered my songs in any type of competition. I figured I have nothing to lose, and at the very least it helps to spread my name around the traps. Regardless of the outcome this time around, I'll put more in next year. I seem to be constantly writing lately. I was doing a two night stint in Kingaroy a few weeks back and had a whole day to kill so I sat down and wrote 9 songs to help pass the time. If only I had that much inspiration when I was twenty:-)

Thanks for helping to pass the word. I think this will end up a great forum for country music musicians at all levels in the industry. And it will provide a place for newcomers to network and get to know others.

I'd also be happy to post any bulletins for the TSA if required.
Cheers
GT..

So many people go into comps just to win.

Over the years I have realised how important it is to just get your songs out there. In competitions you never know who is judging the comp, especially ones that have good reputations.

Many people who have a high profile in the industry judge some comps. There's no better way to get them to hear your stuff.
You can send it out to many of them and have it sent right back because it's unsolicited, but this way they really listen to it.

So, I say to everyone, enter comps not to win but to get your songs heard. You never know who is listening. Your song just might be the one they are looking for and if you happen to win or place then you will be noticeed even more.

As Brent said, you have to pick your comps because some of them can be a bit dodgy. You can enter and never hear a thing. Don't be afraid to ask other writers if they've had anything to do with the different competitions.

Hi Wendy. Good to see you here.
You're right. Comps are a great way to to get songs out there. TSA sends out the judging sheets and they can be really helpful. Songs can always be revisited and improved.

Crazy thing, I woke up the other morning with a melody, grabbed the guitar and put a real rough down on tape. The whole day I kept thinking 'I've ripped that off from somewhere' before realising the melody was a lot like a song I'd written way back in '03.

Funny thing is, the melody in the old song never resolved to my satisfaction, but I was happy with the hook and lyrics. Combined the 'now' melody with the 'then' lyrics and came up with a much better song - four years down the track.

I get the feeling your forum is going to take of, Geoff, just needs a bit of time.  

Hello again Brent,

I know what you mean with your song. I have a drawer full of lyrics either have done or no music written over the last twenty years. Most of the time I continue to write new stuff, but it's a great resource of material to have at my disposal.

I am very sure the forum will take off. And I'm a patient man. I'm not going anywhere. (maybe to the top of the country charts one day:-))  

Speaking of good songs, I am absolutley in love with the song '8th of November' on the last Big and Rich album. In fact, I am equally impressed with just about everything they do. I love thier harmony work. Do you know much of their work?

GT....  

--Last edited by Geoff Taylor on 2007-11-02 10:22:14 --

Geoff, I too love what Big and Rich do.

Their voices really compliment each other and they touch on some very sensitive issues with compassion.Another great song of theirs is "Holy Water". The video of 8th of November is very good also.

They have also had a lot to do with other artists, especially Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy. They have a great website too. http://www.bigandrich.com/  

--Last edited by Wendy Wood on 2007-11-01 10:32:40 --

Well here we are at Friday again and it's time to earn a living for the week. I hope everyone has good gigs over the weekend. I'm in Bundaberg tonight and then 2 gigs tomorrow back in Brisbane. Have a good weekend everyone..

GT...

Yep, have a good one country musos.
Runaway Bay tonight and Dunwich with the Highwaymen on Sunday.
Travel safe and happy gigging.

Another successful weekend over. Now it's just a matter of getting paid for it:-). I finished my gig Friday night only to be told they had no cheque for me. I hate that. Now I have to wait longer for my money. Couldn't happen at a worse time of year. Thats life I guess.

A certain golf club in a well to do suburb in Brisbane has owed me for a gig for two months now. Had another with them two weeks ago and told agent 'no way'. After an iron-clad guarantee that the payment for first gig would be arriving that afternoon and that I 'had to do the gig' I headed on up, played, had a great night. Have I been paid yet. Take a wild guess.

Agents wonder why the industry is unstable at the moment. Hey, the answers obvious. Once upon a time agencies maintained a small stable of reliable, professional acts that would always get a good response. You don't need that many acts to create a nice, profitable circuit. You know what ones work.

Stop putting crap acts in at venues, they're like sewerage and filter down into the water table. Agents get dropped, part-time entertainment managers at venues get changed. Mostly it's the same people that frequent clubs every day of the week (members).

Serve good food in the restaurant and they'll keep coming back. Put a fly in their soup and you've lost them. Make all your promotions, raffles. pokies good value for money and well, you know. Start offering less for more and bye bye patrons.

Well, the same applies to entertainment. It's not rocket science. Not even chemistry set science. If a club has eight gigs a month, roll over a regular circuit of acts that keep the people happy.
You've made this point in another thread, Geoff.

Funny thing is, it's the musos that get the most feedback from members and visitors. But who listens to us, eh? When was the last time an agent actually went to a club and tried to dance to some of the acts they put in it. Then again, that sort of thing went out of style when agents started 'paying us' instead of us 'paying them'.

One of the advantages of using an agent is that they were a security device to get entertainers their money. I can remember many years ago when the person who was supposed to pay us after a gig left while we were packing up. An agent called Mal Barnes drove from the coast to Brisbane, tore strips off a manager and actually held the manager's expensive watch until they suddenly 'found' our money.

Nowadays we are waiting longer and longer for our rightful compensation for gigs and agents do nothing. In most cases, they're terrified of losing a venue if they stick up for the entertainers on their books. Pathetic. For a solution, agents, see above.

I hear what you're saying Brent. I do the same thing. I refure to go back to a venue if they are over 60 days behind. I was lucky enough to get my money for Friday night deposited directly to my account today. What a bargain. Just in time to pay rego and electricity before this Friday.

But it is a joke really. Until I moved to Queensland, I had never played a gig before where the venue pays the agent. That was a new concept to me. But for the most part it works well. I'm am still always looking for venue's that I can book myself though.

Not that I want to do the agents out of thier job. But any venue they are not booking for me, I will try. There are a few agents that I won't touch with a 40ft barge poll. I currently use 3 different agents and still have trouble keeping fully booked.

It's certainly a dog eat dog world. Only the best survive, but its the crap that comes and goes that keeps the true professionals from getting what they are really worth.

So at the end of the day, keep writing your own songs and have them for sale. That's the one thing no-one can offer but you.

Cheers
GT...