PLAIN FOLK

by Les Pearson
Makin' A Buck Takes More than Luck in the Folk Music Business!

In the course of the past year, I have listened fascinated at the fringe of several conversations about the business of professional music. Fascinated, that is, like a pyromaniac at a fire or a moth by a light bulb.

First there was Manitoba Hal talking to Ron Mason about launching a professional music career. I took notes. Hal is just this side of beginning a full-time music career and Ron is starting to gaze over the fence. Both these musicians are talented men. Both are clearly attracted to sharing their music. But a professional has to live and money is the critical factor.

Ron is an amazing local roots lyricist and Hal plays guitar in Collin Linden's league. The point? Both deserve success. But clearly it comes down to savvy and business smarts.

Hal Brolund's vision of a successful future began in 2001 when he paid to produce his own CD, "Kick at the Stones." He ditched his surname. (My little joke about confusing him with Al Borland was tired for him. No one was spelling his name right!) Instead he adopted a brand name, Manitoba Hal, because it was marketable. First debit: personal identity is sacrificed for a stage persona.

Then Hal hit the road because exposure is everything. His song, Manitoba Under Water, played on CBC during the Winnipeg Flood of the Century. That was good exposure! But Hal quickly became over-exposed going local gigs in Saskatchewan and Manitoba while remaining cloaked in mystery where it matters: Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. That is why he travelled to BC and Alberta last winter.

Hal's advice to Ron was simple. It was echoed again at JazzFest when Pat Carey, bassist for Downchild Blues Band, told an adolescent Medicine Hat hopeful to play any where and any time he can. Pat's advice was to keep trying. Never give up. Success is all about timing.

Hal's message had another edge. Musicians are selling the moment! Commercial success is selling CD's, doing regular gigs, as well as making monthly mortgage payments. If you are not doing the latter, you are not making it as a musician.

Metal Queen, Lee Aaron, was really making it several decades ago. Or so she thought. A recording production company told her they wanted to spend millions to promote her career. They forgot to tell her that it would be her millions.

As her records soared on the charts, profits for the producer were acruing. However, Lee never saw a cent! She had signed away the rights to her songs and when they stopped selling, she was broke! Like every teacher will tell you, everyone has to pay for an education.

Find out about the costs when Lee Aaron instructs a music business short course in next week's Plain Folk.