Music Promotion, Marketing and Distribution Newsletter

June 2017

The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections:

1. Publications, Review Websites and Music Blogs that will REVIEW your music
2. Radio Stations, Shows and Podcasts that will PLAY your songs
3. Labels, Vendors, Distributors and Promotional Services that will help you to SELL your CD
4. Websites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3s or videos
5. Helpful Resources for recording artists

SECTION ONE: SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED

On Request Magazine
11982 Pasco Rd. Apple Valley, CA 92308
PH: 919-889-5121
Christina Avina rockonrequestlive@gmail.com
www.onrequestmag.com
An online publication focusing on real Rock & Roll reporting, the way the fans want it. Inside you will find artist interviews, concert photos, reviews and much more.

Soundpress.net
38 Oliver Pl. Ringwood, NJ 07456
PH: 973-556-5400
Rich Lynch soundpress@yahoo.com
www.soundpress.net
Visit our flagship website for feature articles, concert and CD reviews and the home of Rockin' Rich Lynch on the Radio! Lynch regularly interviews music industry legends like Yoko Ono, Donovan, Meat Loaf, Jon Anderson, Don McLean as well as many independent artists. The radio show is now heard around the world on iTunes, YouTube, SoundPress.net and is coming soon to over the air syndication!

Carbon Rose Magazine
Brandi Jarath editor@carbonrosemagazine.com
www.carbonrosemagazine.com
Hip Hop review website. For music submissions, send the following: 1. EPK (bio must be in word format) 2. High resolution photos with proper credit information if necessary (300 dpi or greater) 3. Social media links 4. Album/Project Release dates (optional). Please note that we will not accept submissions that express excessive violence, excessive drug use, materialism, misogyny, homophobia, or discriminatory content of any kind. While we appreciate all submissions we believe that it is our duty as a member of the Hip Hop community to not only proliferate that which will entertain but also contains a positive message.

Chain D.L.K.
www.chaindlk.com
We have reviewers for each style and geographic location. Please check our site to see where to send your material. We do NOT accept and will NOT review MP3 files!!! Do not ask! Do not send them via e-mail! For EBM / Dark Electro / Industrial.

Indie-Music.com
indie@indie-music.com
www.indie-music.com
You can request a certain writer or you can simply submit your package and it will be distributed among our current pool of reviewers. You must be a member of Indie-Music.com in order to get a review.

SECTION TWO: RADIO STATIONS, SHOWS AND PROMOTERS

2.1 RADIO - STATIONS AND SHOWS

The Bongo Boy Rock 'N' Roll TV
507 Rte. 46, Ste. A, Belvidere, NJ 07823
PH: 908-455-1576
Monique Grimme bongoboytv@aol.com
www.bongoboytv.com
An unprecedented TV series that brings quality indie music videos to over 3.5 million cable subscribers in the United States. The series has placed acts on 20 television channels on publicly accessed giants such as NBC, NBC Comcast, FiOS, Time Warner Cable, RCN , AT&T and Cablevision. The show airs at prime time, 6 days a week for a total of 125 times on 20 Channels. Cities like New York and music city Nashville are only a couple of the many towns and cities which someone can watch the TV show. The focus is on educating the public about independent artists and their quest to greater success. The episode is dedicated to exposing the arts to new and old fans alike by featuring original music videos from around the world from talented indie artists. submit your OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO to our e-mail address. The Bongo Boy Rock n' Roll is on 20 Television channels, 6 days a week, 125 times in 4 weeks on prime time. Bongo Boy TV is more then a cyber channel we are real Television. If we select your submission, all submissions then must be, without exception, be accompanied by a fully completed and signed music video license agreement form and a full payment of $100.00 as a sponsorship/donation* Otherwise your video will not be aired on TV.

Entertainment Drive-Thru
Dan and Anna Zerin entertainmentdrivethru@gmail.com
www.entertainmentdrivethru.com
There is no guide to make it in the entertainment Industry, so we interview people in the entertainment industry to find out what works for them. Being musicians ourselves, we formed Entertainment Drive-Thru to guide fellow artists and learn from the best! During a 30-minute interview, we talk about our journey, sharing AHA moments, what works & what doesn’t as well as challenges we’ve faced along the way. It ends with tips and resources encouraging listeners and fans to take action towards their dream. For bookings, submissions etc. send a bio, pic and song to be considered.

High Tide Radio
Mark Spivey markspivey2002@yahoo.com.au
www.hightideradio.com
A New Age Instrumental station. I support indie artists pretty much exclusively and if their material is instrumental, melodic and well produced it usually makes it to the playlist. To cover costs of running the station I will be asking for a small donation for each successful artist to help keep it running. (This is not payola - if your music is not suitable for broadcast payola still won't get it there). Albums can be sent via Dropbox. Songs encoded at 128kbs MP3.

Nashville Side Streets
PH: 615-859-5523
Ronnie Dean ronniedean61@comcast.net
www.nashvillesidestreets.com
A new live internet music show, is broadcast in full HD from the front room of a house, turned state-of-the-art studio, near Nashville, TN. This live show is to exploit the musical talent that is hidden on the streets of Nashville and beyond, for a worldwide audience to view, and to let everyone know that there is still good music "JUST WAITING TO BE SEEN AND HEARD." The set is designed for both the comfort of home and the audio visual quality of a professional facility. Anyone who would like to appear on the show may audition by sending a simple 1 minute cell phone video of themselves and their music.

Express In Music
PH: +65-6746-8182
Jerry Chen ask.sg@expressinmusic.com
www.ExpressInMusic.com
This is an invitation to ingest your music to be broadcasted to the Asia markets and be heard by consumers in this region. Besides being recognized and accepted by the Asia market, we deliver monetary remuneration through music royalties. Yes we pay you and you do NOT pay us any fees. Basically we license your tracks and stream them through commercial retailers and food & beverage outlets. They pay for your music and with the transparent system, you get your music heard worldwide as background ambient in-stores. Some people liken us to the "business-to-business" streaming of Spotify. This may give you a better idea of how our model works as we split revenue with musicians who contribute. Please note that this is an honest music proposition to pay you music royalties and get you heard in real physical outlets. We just need to get your permission to license the music. Headquartered in Singapore, our Company had won numerous awards such as an award in Digital Content which we are proud of. We look only for original and independent music tracks to rightfully license. On a side note, if you are a publisher or have content with a library of more than 50 tracks, we will love to speak to you separately. However, if you are an individual musician, yes we will certainly be able to hear through your music and have your contents curated. Kindly note only 25%-30% of the music curated are accepted into our system every calendar quarter. Not all tracks will be equally accepted. Thank you for your kind understanding.

Indie Swag Radio
PH: 424-262-5748
Kari Taylor programdirector@indieswagradio.com
www.indieswagradio.com
Internet station providing a platform for indie artists to get their music heard. Offers free airplay and advertising at an affordable rate. Submit original songs in MP3 form, CD cover or approved photo and Bio to our e-mail address for airplay consideration. Genres R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, Jazz and Gospel.

The Indie Authority
715 Fig St., Scranton, PA 18505
PH: 570-565-9773 FX: 570-558-9247
Donald Miller submit@theindieauthority.com
www.theindieauthority.com
We're always looking for emerging artists to submit their songs for radio airplay! The goal of the station is to provide exposure for awesome bands who just need help finding their audience. The station is here to help local acts from across the US and even world to have their music heard and build their fan base. Our station requires all music submissions to be in MP3 format with the appropriate ID3 tags embedded. We are extremely eager to have your music a part of our rotation.

Metal Blessing Radio
Blake Sherwin blake@metalblessingradio.com
www.metalblessingradio.com
A Christian Metal radio station. I started Metal Blessing Radio not only to share great music with the world, but also to serve as a beacon of light in a music genre that many believe is the devil's tool. We know the devil is only able to deceive and corrupt, not create things. Creation is a power reserved only for God, and He created music although the devil my have corrupted it. While many may believe that metal was created by the devil, I dont think he deserves that much credit, we are simply taking back what belongs to God. Submit your music via our ONLINE form.

The Rendezvous Show with Cris and Alysia
www.trs247.com
A variety TV/Radio show featuring celebrity interviews, reality TV stars, surprise guests and an array of musical personas. But our passion is showcasing INDIE Artist from around the world, as well as up and coming actors, producers and musicians. Rendezvous Inc. offers a unique and effective way for Indie artist to attain a variety of exposure by extending their brand through our three main outlets, which are TV, Net Radio and Print Media. We are also committed to charitable organization by offering them an outlet to promote their respective foundations. We are very proud of the fact that we do not and never will charge a fee for radio airplay. With that being said the criteria for selection has had to change due to artist/bands not promoting themselves when their tracks are played and tweeted out, which is why every artist/bands that would like to receive airplay on TRS 24/7 Radio and its affiliated networks must follow our new guidelines in order to be guaranteed not only regular rotation/spins but also guaranteed a spot on our weekly Indie Artist Top 10 Showcase. Our submission policy is very strict, so please visit our website for details.

Chomee Music Network Radio
23860 Marabastad, Kroonstad 9500 South Africa
PH: 27829725575
Mpho Malgas radio@chomee.co.za
www.chomee.co.za
Get your music on rotation on our internet radio station. We are currently accepting new music. To get submit music to us, you need to log into our website and submit music through a submission link on site. All music played is reported for royalty purposes. We accept Urban Music including Pop.

Big Stats Idol Hour
PH: 347-989-0718
Big Stats bigstatsradio@gmail.com
www.bigstatsidolhour.com
Shows vary each day and the public is always welcome to participate. Not only do we promote music but, we also welcome all sorts of talent, from actors, songwriters, comedians, artists, poets, motivional speakers and all other types of people. The genres we feature are Pop, Hip Hop, R&B, Rock 'n Roll and Soul. Please contact us via our ONLINE form.

New Driven Radio
Sherry Sabine NewDriven@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/NewDrivenRadio
The NEW DRIVEN shows bring the hottest professional level independent rock to syndicated radio. Our weekly shows feature the best in emerging Soft Rock, Hard Rock, Alt Rock, Pop, Acoustic, Folk Rock, Punk & Melodic Metal. NEW DRIVEN also produces a weekly talk show that focuses on professional independent artists and a live show with call-in interviews and guest co-hosts. Artists on our shows are full-time musicians, (or nearing that step) with a rigorous touring schedule We spin newer release original music. @NewDriven

2.2 RADIO PROMOTERS

CIMG, LLC
119 Bowling Ave. Nashville, TN 37205-2357
Tony Bates contact@cimgllc.com
www.cimgllc.com
Our Radio Promotion work focuses on relevant radio stations (terrestrial and online), especially college radio stations, in the U.S., Canada and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Our staff works daily to build relationships with radio stations, regional promoters, music/entertainment publications and websites, and media outlets throughout North America as well as in eastern and central Europe. We work mostly with Rock, Pop-Rock, Americana and Alt-Country artists. facebook.com/cimgllc

Howard Rosen Promotion
521 W. Channel Islands Blvd. #15, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
PH: 805-382-2200 FX: 805-201-7816
info@howiewood.com
www.howiewood.com
Since 1985 We have been helping artists reach their goals of obtaining radio airplay, expanding their fan base, and creating awareness throughout the industry. @Howiewoodpromo

SECTION THREE: SERVICES/VENDORS/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC

3.1 SERVICES - PROMOTION/PUBLICITY

Music Gorilla
12407 Mopac Expressway N. 100-312, Austin, TX 78758
PH: 201-796-8742
Alexia info@musicgorilla.com
www.musicgorilla.com
A leading commercial marketplace for independent musicians worldwide. We set out to help artists get their music to the people who can make a difference in their careers. Through established relationships, we’re now a trusted provider for an evolving music industry looking for emerging artists and material. With our personalized approach, we quickly earned the reputation of being a small company, doing big things. Music Gorilla showcases artists from all over the globe and helps them get their songs heard and licensed by key players in the television, film, advertising, web, and gaming industries. We find and create opportunities and get them in your hands. We believe that your success begins with opportunity.

The Rainmaker Media Group
398 Columbus Ave. PMB #183, Boston, MA 02116
PH: 617-445-4383
Rhonda Kelley rockergirl363@aol.com
www.therainmakermediagroup.com
Thanks to many years of developing relationships with journalists, editors, reviewers, radio programmers and national and international contacts of all varieties, The Rainmaker Media Group has been able to individually tailor its efforts by targeting members of the media who will specifically champion its clients. These personal relationships with the clients and media alike provide The Rainmaker Media Group with a deeper understanding of each one's needs and talents, as well as the fuel to create the fresh, attention-grabbing angles for which the firm has become well known. The Rainmaker Media Group is fearlessly creative in the pursuit of press coverage for its clients, a dedication inherent in the fact that, as an independent publicity firm, it chooses carefully which projects to take on. The The Rainmaker Media Group staff is dedicated and enthusiastic and regularly goes beyond the call of duty, securing any opportunity that would be beneficial for the clients, whether it falls in the realm of conventional publicity or career development.

The Music Box
www.themusicboxsubscriptions.com
A subscription service that sends music and fun gifts to the front door of clients for only $10 dollars a month. Additionally, bands & artists have the opportunity to receive free promotion when they submit their music and marketing material. If they are selected, they will be featured in The Music Box. We hand pick emerging artists (keeping in mind the client's favorite genres) and send them new music every month. Items that may be included in their Music Box are CDs, posters, stickers, wristbands, t-shirts and much more! It's completely free for artists to submit. All we ask is that your provide us with promotional material that we can include in a music box. Please contact us through our ONLINE form.

Devine Jamz Gospel Network
PO Box 321281, Houston, TX 77221-1281
Brenda Solomon support@devinemarketers.com
www.devinejamz.net
The hub for Christian Premium Marketing And Advertising Services with four sister websites and affiliate partners working together to promote Gospel artists. We also assist Gospel Radio Stations, and related faith base organizations with sales and exposure. Our gospel artist direct-to-fan representation bypasses the major record label model that historically controlled radio, venue, and distribution channels. The service provides artists with the marketing support that creates interest to potential fans, record labels, and promoters. In addition, we help artists develop relationships with fans, sell directly to and monetize those relationships, then use those relationships to expand their fan base. And to compliment our marketing services, we include advertising through our multimedia platforms and partners that work together to keep fans and the public informed.

Miles High Productions
PO Box 93157, Hollywood, CA 90093
PH: 323-806-0400 FX: 323-462-0829
mhpmanagement@mileshighproductions.com
www.mileshighproductions.com
Created to bridge the gap of companies working directly with music artists and entertainment based projects who are in need of additional marketing support. MHP also focuses on non-music ventures such as corporate brand building, cosmetics, gaming, sports and other industries. MHP's goal is to elevate your product or artist to a higher ground in an expedient timeframe by exposing them to new and existing online audiences. MHP also focuses on taking our campaigns one step further by cross-promoting all traditional methods of marketing with online opportunities for further outreach. @MilesHigh

Rapping Duck Press
PH: 347-560-9971
Mihkel Raud info@rappingduck.com
www.rappingduck.com
Rapping Duck is your personal press agent. Just send us your music news and we will deliver it to people who matter! Whether it's a new CD, upcoming tour, charity concert, Web site update or any other music-associated event you want to announce, there is hardly anything more potentially rewarding than a positive response to a well-written press release. Just send us your press release - or have our professional writer to craft one for you - and we will deliver it to top music journalists, radio stations, reviewers, bloggers, radio promoters and online communities. Rapping Duck will target your news to media professionals who are interested only in your genre of music. No pointless mass mailings to folks who don't really care about your style. Also, you can target your press release geographically. You can choose if you want your press release to go to every genre specific contact in the whole world, or just in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia or Japan.

CIMG, LLC
119 Bowling Ave. Nashville, TN 37205-2357
Tony Bates contact@cimgllc.com
www.cimgllc.com
We provide Social Media Marketing and Social Commerce Solutions for our clients, in addition to Artist Management and Record Label Services. We work with artists, record labels, agencies, events, and brands of all kinds that want to effectively engage their supporters and fans via social media. Considering the global marketplace and international appeal, we offer our services in several languages as well, when appropriate to meet your goals. We work mostly with Rock, Pop-Rock, Americana and Alt-Country artists. facebook.com/cimgllc

Serge Media Group
PO Box 5147, Canton, GA 30114
PH: 678-880-8207
Sandy Serge sergeent@aol.com
www.sergemediagroup.com
Social media, networking and publicity solutions for musicians backed by a trustworthy and diligent work ethic.

3.2 SERVICES - LABELS, DISTRIBUTORS AND ONLINE VENDORS

Insound
61 Greenpoint Ave. #225, Brooklyn, NY 11222
PH: 212-991-5195 FX: 212-777-8059
Nicole nicolej@insound.com
www.insound.com
Brings the best underground culture to the surface.

SECTION FOUR: SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s OR VIDEOS

Deezer
www.deezer.com
The concept is simple: To offer, free of charge and legally, all kinds of music, While at the same time, artists and rights owners receive a share of advertising revenue.

Flaccid-Rock
submissions@flaccid-rock.com
www.flaccid-rock.com
A collaborative music project page where artists and bands share songs for music lovers to explore new music and converse about it. Flaccid-Rock allows an artist to put their music out there. Once out there anyone can listen to it, and comment about it. There's the difference. Flaccid-Rock is all about the conversation around the piece of music that has been submitted and listened to. Let's face it, and you know it's true, your loyal fan base will tell you a new song is great, even if it sucks. A random stranger (who you want as a fan of your music) sure as hell isn't going to tell you a crappy song rocks. In fact, that person will tell you exactly what they think of it. Sounds scary, but this is how you, as an artist, can push yourself to keep putting out the best music you can. This is how an artist truly makes it, they keep putting out great music time and time again. Use our ONLINE FORM to submit your song. Please only submit music files in MP3 format and be sure to complete all fields, including the check box before hitting the submit button.

Google Music's Artist Hub
music.google.com
A feature that allows unsigned bands to create a profile and sell music direct to fans.

My spOOnful
www.myspoonful.com
Delivers free new music to busy people. Three times a week, on the web and in an e-mail newsletter, we tell fans about a single new independent music artist people need to know about and include a free MP3 to stream or download. Our team of expert music writers do all the work, sifting through new music and recommending only the best, up-and-coming artists. Selected artists will be given a mySpoonful feature, individually highlighting that band to dedicated and influential music fans. For artist and music submissions, please use Sonicbids: sonicbids.com/myspoonful

Juno Download
PO Box 45557, London, NW1 0UT UK
PH: +44 (0)20-7424-2800
www.junodownload.com
The Dance music MP3 and WAV site from the makers of Juno Records! We have over two million tracks available. If you run a label or distributor and are interested in providing us with digital content then just complete our online form, and we will be in touch.

JukeBoxAlive
311 Montford Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
PH: 828-232-0016
Will Cumberland cumberland@jukeboxalive.com
jukeboxalive.com
Our Advanced Jukebox Player protects your music from being digitally downloaded, yet allows fans to hear your music online. This creates exciting possibilities for you to present yourself to new audiences without being ripped off.

SECTION FIVE: SOCIAL NETWORKS AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES

Global Musicians Fish Pond
www.globalmusiciansfishpond.com
Our vision was to bring musicians and music listeners from all over the world together in one place, to create a community with a passion and a heart for music. The vision has become a reality, and here you see the result; a caring family of like-minded individuals, who together truly can, and will, change the world. If you are a musician, join our family and meet artists around the world, collaborate, share, and grow; "we take from this life what we give into it."

SECTION SIX: HELPFUL TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND

6.1 RESOURCES - GENERAL

Best Choice Media
2215 Kenmore, Buffalo, NY 14207
Gideon Vardi gideon@bestchoiceprint.com
www.bestchoicemedia.com
With over 20 years experience in media manufacturing, it's no wonder why we are the Best Choice for CD, DVD, and USB Media needs. Whether you are a musician, a corporate client, or would like custom media for your personal use, Best Choice Media is your source for the best price, fastest turnaround times, and best service! We promise professional quality, quick turnaround, competive prices, and great service is our promise. Wether it is a music CD, a movie/video DVD, or a data disc, you can count on Best Choice Media for your disc manufacturing.

Indie Music Bus
www.indiemusicbus.com
We visit musician followers to check out their music, read interviews, and watch video as often as we can. When we do so, our software will shout it out on our account @IMBScout. From the acts we think have potential, we store our favorite songs and content to share later. We have different Twitter accounts we use for different purposes. Our @IMBScout account is used only to share who we are visiting next. @IndieFans is used mostly to share music, video and interviews. @IndieFollowBack we follow back most everyone and also share the same as we do on @IndieFans. On our main account we mostly share opportunities and articles with musicians, our new interviews and who we chosen to Ride The Indie Music Bus. On Monday's, we share music tracks, video, reviews and interviews, #MusicMonday. Our software will randomly pick an act that hasn't been promoted in over 14 days and selects a music track from the DB and a 1 in 3 chance to share other content by that act.

Festival Network Online
PO Box 18839, Asheville, NC 28814
PH: 828-658-2779 FX: 828-645-3374
Julie Cochrane julie@festivalnet.com
www.festivalnet.com
Lists more than 10,000 events throughout the U.S. and Canada seeking performers, from local & regional to national & international. @_festivalnet

6.2 RESOURCES - EDUCATIONAL

Success For Your Songs
www.successforyoursongs.com
If you're looking to get more fans, learning from hit songs that have substance is a really effective way to write better songs and attract fans. That's why I wanted to let you know about this great complimentary songwriting report. It analyzes several of your favorite quality hit songs, so you can use their approaches in your own music to get more fans wanting to hear what you're writing. You’ll see your favorite hit songs thoroughly analyzed, so you can use their songwriting techniques in your own music. Grab your free report and get started now.

6 Money Making Gigs You Haven't Thought Of
source.nationwidedisc.com/video2-gigs
Free video presented by NationWide Disc.

Music Industry Blueprint
1520 Horton Ave. #325, Nashville, TN 37212
Rick Barker rick@rickbarker.com
www.musicindustryblueprint.com
This page is built for ANYONE interested in the music business. I will be doing my best to provide and share useful information for you. Whether you are an artist, manager or someone looking for a career, I hope you find this page useful. I want all of you to have a FREE Digital Copy of My Book "The $150,000 Music Degree" and a Free Copy of David Hooper's Book "The Six Figure Musician." Visit my website for details.

Music Marketing Manifesto Blog
John Oszajca john@musicmarketingmanifesto.com
www.MusicMarketingManifesto.com
Advanced strategies, secrets, tactics and tips on selling your music online. @JohnOszajca

6.3 RESOURCES - TOOLS

Music Industry News Network (mi2n)
1814 Astoria Blvd. Astoria, NY 11102
PH: 718-278-0662
www.mi2n.com
Submit your press releases for free.

New Music Weekly Magazine
137 N. Larchmont Ave. #500, Los Angeles, CA 90004
PH: 310-325-9997 FX: 310-427-7333
staff@newmusicweekly.com
www.newmusicweekly.com
Covers the radio and music industry with its 48+ page weekly magazine. Is the standard for radio airplay tracking, industry news, and advanced radio airplay chart data.

MyNewsletterBuilder
comments@mynewsletterbuilder.com
www.mynewsletterbuilder.com
A user-friendly, feature-rich, online newsletter management program for novices and professionals alike.

6.4 RESOURCES - AUDIO

Peerless Mastering
1085 Commonwealth Ave. #322, Boston, MA 02215
PH: 617-527-2200
info@peerlessmastering.com
www.peerlessmastering.com
Dedicated to providing the highest quality restoration. We offer the highest quality stereo and 5.1 pre-mastering, CD, CD Enhanced, and DVD-A authoring and full audio restoration. Our staff is exceptional at giving our clients the best quality and service, guiding them through the final phase of their sonic process with ease and expertise. We are uniquely equipped to provide the highest quality mastering available anywhere. We have the expertise, equipment, and skills to achieve the full sound potential of your album. As more and more artists are choosing to record in project and home studios, high-quality professional mastering in an acoustically accurate room has never been more important. Working at Peerless' state-of-the-art studios with our highly trained engineers, you can realize your sonic vision and make your recording sound as full, warm, punchy, and clear as possible. We will guide you through every step of this final phase of your project, and you will be truly amazed when you hear how incredible your music can sound. @PeerlessMaster

6.5 RESOURCES - ORGANIZATIONS

AMP
Terri Anderson pluginamp@gmail.com
www.pluginamp.com
A collective of artists networking together to build and support artists, create new art communities, and enhance those that already exist.

SECTION SEVEN: THIS MONTH'S ARTICLE

How to Work with Stage Fright, Not Fight Against It
by Emma Back, She Sings Out Loud
© 2017 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission

Okay, let's be honest, most of us have felt that nervous energy coursing through us as we step onstage. Some of us have been completely overwhelmed by it. Our hands shake, our mouth and throat suddenly dry up and our mind goes blank, we forget that line of lyrics, skip the bridge, and totally screw up that solo…and walk off the stage thinking "I know I could have done better if I hadn't felt so nervous!"

As a child and teenager, I always thought nerves were kind of fun - natural actually. Before every show, I would feel those butterflies in my stomach and know "This is it. This is my time. This is the moment I've been waiting for! This is my moment to share my gift and shine!"

But then, somewhere around age 20, I started having what we call "Stage fright" - fear so strong it interfered with my performance. I would stand onstage and wish to God the show would get itself over with and SOON - before I completely lose it! I felt completely disconnected from the music, from the audience and I hated every minute. But afterwards, offstage, I was heartbroken, wishing to have another chance, longing to perform. So I would schedule another show, look forward to it for weeks, and then onstage again, I'd be consumed by fear, struggle through it and wait for it to all to be over. I knew I loved performing - I was even told I had "great stage presence." I wanted to share my music, but I had lost my sense of how to love it in the moment. Not to mention that playing my best was impossible.

Being frightened onstage is completely natural. Next to intimacy with another, the stage is the most vulnerable place to be… especially when we are performing our original music. When we resist our fear, it grows stronger. When we try to work on it, get over it, it grows stronger. But, when we learn to work with our fear, we can have the freedom we long for and feel confident, powerful and connected every time we are onstage. You don't have to become a better performer to get over stage fright. You don't have to work on your fear. You don't have to have less fear! You simply have to know how to let yourself be vulnerable, and how to use the music and your audience to help you let go, be present, and be the performer you were born to be. I call this "learning to receive."

Receiving means "to allow; to take into oneself something offered."

When you perform, the audience is offering you their attention. Stage fright is a simple resisting of this attention, or a need to prove oneself worthy of it. When we both trust the gift we offer with our music and allow ourselves to take in the attention of the audience, stage fright literally disappears. Often, the reaction to stage fright is to try harder. We become aggressive - we push with our voice, we play louder, we force ourselves to look at people, or we close our eyes and pretend no one is there. What happens when we try to get over our fear, or get through it and "fake it till you make it" is that the audience feels our aggression and our inauthenticity and we then lose their attention. But how we can truly move beyond our fear is to learn to receive.

Nerves are simply the subtle movement of energy in the body and perhaps some emotion. Stage fright happens when these sensations and emotions are fed by disempowering thoughts like "I'm not good enough. I'm not ready. What if they don't like my me or my music?" To curb these thoughts, we have to let go of our need to wow, please, prove and be amazing. We can do this by softening instead of pushing: working with the energy of receiving. We are amazing, just as we are. When we trust this and stay open to receiving, we will attract the fans who truly love and appreciate exactly what we offer.

Practice allowing yourself to be seen, heard, and witnessed. When you let people in, and receive the gift of their attention, then the offering of your music becomes easy and stage fright is obsolete. Trust me, this really works. I have experienced it in myself and worked with dozens of performers. Next time you have a show, instead of having your focus and attention on playing to the audience, I want you to notice them watching and listening to you, and practice allowing them to witness you exactly how you are - with all your fear, all your wanting to be good, and all your imperfections. It may sound weird, but go try it. When you do this - when you receive - it becomes easier to feel vulnerable. There is internal power and strength in your connection to the audience that you can rely on and relax into. Your need to be liked becomes less important than true connection and self-expression. In this state of mind and experience, your fear evaporates and you are left free to express your true self and offer the gift of your music.

When you receive, stage fright not only doesn't exist, it is impossible.

Emma Back is an artist and the founder of "She Sings Out Loud." SSOL is founded upon the principle that to be powerful onstage, we have to learn to receive. When we become not only comfortable, but confident in receiving attention, we can easily connect to our true creative power and and express ourselves on and offstage with freedom, joy and easy. Instead of working to become "better" we work to soften, listen and gain confidence that "our voice is necessary." If you want to learn more about this process, go to www.shesingsoutloud.com to get your free instructional video.

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