Album Capsules
by Mark E. Waterbury
Rick Derringer - Free Ride
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Bryan Beadle - Taming of Creation
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Injected - Burn it Black
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Force of Habit - Self titled EP
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Kenyata Sullivan & Majestic Twelve - Searching For the Elvis Knob
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David Fiorenza - Martinis, Stockings and William Holden
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Atlantis Music Conference 2002 - Music Sampler
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Greg Panfile with Talk & Roll - Inferno
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Flibberty Gibbit - Self titled EP
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David Neil Cline - Thorough Scrutiny
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Crossroads: Rick Derringer
by Mark E. Waterbury
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Industry Profile - Action Music Sales Gm John Awarski - Part Two
by Mark E. Waterbury
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Unsigned Spotlight - Bryan Beadle
by Mark E. Waterbury
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Scott Turner's Song Publisher's Perspective
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Music Biz Opportunities
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Music Industry Marketing Showcase
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Copyright 2004 by Music Morsels, a Serge Entertainment Publication.
Editor: Sandy Serge
Contributing Columnists/Writers:
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 October 2002
Scott Turner's Song Publisher's Perspectiveby Scott Turner
Look (And Search) Before You Leap
I was recently made aware of an underhanded scam relating to the slugs who take advantage of hopeful artists in our business and I imagine that it takes place in every music center. Apparently, the so-called "experts" work in pairs and here's what they do: Expert #1 lies in wait in a restaurant near the music center and scans the room for someone he senses is in said town looking for a break. He approaches the hopeful artist and says something to the effect that "You look like a star. Are you a singer?" The artist replies, "yes", and goes on to talk about how hard it is to get in closed doors. The expert then asks if he (or she) has a tape he could listen to and naturally, the artist, thinking this goon is a "somebody" gives him a copy of his session. The goon goes outside supposedly to listen to the tape in his car (which he doesn't do) and then comes back in and states to the artist, "Man, you're something else" and continues to hype the artist. The he says, "It's a shame I didn't talk to you ten minutes earlier because my partner who is a top producer in town is looking for an act just like you to develop and he was just in here." He goes on about how great the artist is and, as expected, Expert #2 comes in the restaurant. Naturally, Expert #1 says to the artist, "Hey, there he is," and calls him to the table. After more hype, Expert #1 gives the tape to Expert #2 and says, "Go listen to this and you'll hear what I mean." Out the door goes Goon #2 and after ten or fifteen minutes (after NOT hearing the tape), re-emerges and says to the artists, "Boy, you've really got something that's great - not good, but great!" And on and on he goes about star potential, big money, etc. In fact, all of the things the artist wants to hear. Then comes the scam. Expert #2 (the supposed top producer who couldn't tell Top 10 if it was 11 with a bullet) hits the hopeful act with his spiel - "I believe in your talent so much that I'm willing to put up $25,000 of my own money to see it happen, but I'll only do it on one condition - to show that you're serious, I want you to match my investment with $25,000 or your money". Then he goes on to talk about promotion costs, production costs and a ton of other made-up reasons for using the money.
Believe it or not, some gullible people actually fall for this unethical scheme. In fact, I talked to an artist who was sucked into it. He went back home and told his wife about the great thing that happened and talked her into mortgaging their home to get the money. The rest of the story is foreseeable as the producer hires second rate players and pays them $25 each, uses a ratty studio, pockets the rest, and sends the artist on his way with a tape full of garbage.
Yes, I imagine most people with an inkling of intelligence see through this scam, but sadly, some don't. So the moral of this story is very simple: If you ever decide to do a project in a music center, check out the credentials of the person you intend to work with, making sure that the real producer has a track record and is also ethically sound. Certainly, it will cost you to work with a seasoned pro, but at least you'll know that you've been treated fairly and the finished product will speak for itself. One word of warning though - if you're promised a major label contract before the sessions are produced, proceed cautiously because that doesn't happen these days, unless, of course, the promise comes from a major label executive who has decision-making power.
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