What are musicians looking for today?

For those who are serious about a career in music, they may tell you they would like to have some sort of security. But if asked what that might look like, they will probably tell you they have no idea. Why? Maybe because there has never been “security” in the music industry! It has always been a dog-eat-dog world. If they are honest with you, musicians may confess that in order to be successful it may require them to be creative, to diversify their income and be proactive. If they wait for something to happen, for that big break in their career, most likely they will be waiting for a very long time.

In an interview with Jeremy Gantz, contributing editor with In These Times magazine, Makaya McCraven was asked if the record industry’s collapse had an impacted on his career.

“I've never had a livelihood that was based off of record sales — the only people who made lots of money off of records were selling huge numbers. But one of the things I see in the music industry now is the gap between the haves and the have-nots, and the disappearing middle class of musicians. These days, big labels put a lot of money into promoting big-name artists whom they know will sell. In doing so, they've taken more and more money out of artist development. So you have fewer mid-level artists who are signed and making a living. 

We've seen a lot of industries for working musicians disappear. The advertising industry once provided a lot of work for musicians. Now ad songs can be easily done by one person at a computer.

And then you see, with regular local gigs, that the pay scale hasn't changed in 30 years. These older guys, they used to make good money playing a jingle in the studio before going to play a club gig that night. They got paid the same rate that I’m getting paid to play. So you can see how tough it can be — the cost of living has changed.

Probably the most significant observation McCraven shared was his belief of what he needs to do in order to be successful — words of wisdom which perhaps should become “The Musician’s Mantra” by which all artists acknowledge and adopt: “…if you’re constantly trying to create opportunities for yourself, it’s very possible to have a career in music.”

McCraven went on to say “You don’t even necessarily have to be that great, unfortunately, if you’ve got good business skills. There are two sides to it, for me. One is: what am I doing as an artist? Am I creating my own product to sell, to become known and draw people to my shows? The other important side is becoming known by other musicians as someone who’s reliable, as someone who can play the music well and show up on time — you want to be professional and to not cause any rifts.”

If I may, there just might be a third side which is being overlooked by many artists which could make all the difference in the world… especially in today’s economy and that is, “how do I make a difference for my fans, my audience, everyone I with whom I am associated with?” We know there have been many success stories of entrepreneurs becoming successful by their providing something no one else has… by making one’s life better either in a product or service. This after all is Capitalism, or Free Enterprise is all about. Could this also be applied to music? Well, that is what the dedicated team behind Conquer Entertainment believe. Could this be the wave of the future? Could others see it as well? Then I met Jermaine Purifory.

When I was first introduced to Jermaine and began listening to his music, I was profoundly moved by the quality of his sound. Now I am no music aficionado by any stretch of the imagination, but I know what my ears like… and they were keenly focusing on the quality of this young artist sound. I am actually blessed in being associated with two very talented artists. Melion has a quality that is actually quite unique along with having what I would like to call stage charisma, the ability to really move his audience and boy does he ever move them. It was during my interview with Jermaine that he confirmed what I was hoping would become the wave of the future. Jermaine had actually sought out Conquer Entertainment because he saw the opportunity from the eyes of an entrepreneur as well as an artist for he was implementing “The Musicians Mantra” if you’re constantly trying to create opportunities for yourself, it’s very possible to have a career in music.

During the interview he said he had been searching for ways in which to “expand far beyond what we have available to us now”. Come to find out, Jermaine was referring to finding opportunities where musicians could monetize their craft, their love of music, and to afford creating a profitable and long lasting career. It was a memorable interview, one I only wish I would have recorded so I could listen over and over.

Here was an artist who was very proactive in moving his career forward, but just how proactive I could not have known until he was to join us at the 2015 ma World Conference in Miami, Florida. He was all set and ready to go when he receive an unbelievable surprise in that Jermaine had won the first Hilton Rock Star Contest in which contestants submitted a video of themselves performing an original vocal or instrumental song. Jermaine was notified that he was the recipient of a four-day, all-expenses-paid trip to the Grammy Awards for two, including airfare and hotel, plus seats at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 8 and access to the official after-party. You just can’t make this up folks... Jermaine would miss out on the greatest Event in Market America history, but he would not be missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity — an all expense paid VIP trip to the Grammys.

Susan Pierce from In Life Entertainment posted Jermaine’s story “Cleveland resident's original song wins him trip to Grammys”, sharing a very impressive element of Jermaine’s character which helps us in understanding what exactly contributes to his success…

“Jermaine Purifory has spent the last decade building a name for himself. Local audiences first heard him sing when he was a student at Lee University and a soloist with Voices of Lee, the a cappella group featured on NBC's "Sing-Off." His voice and stage presence made him a favorite with audiences at the Chattanooga Theatre Center, where he won Miss Annie Awards, which honor the best in the center's performances.”

It is a great story, one which everyone should have a chance to read. Talent comes from so many different forms, and it is really a great story just how he happen to learn about the contest (the very last day to enter) and what he had to do in order to submit for the contest. Nothing fancy, no studio, no expensive equipment, no manager, no producer, nothing but “true grit” in order to get er done as Larry the Cable Guy would say. I mean really, playing a track of your music and singing into a cell phone… and win? Now that is awesome talent!

So what’s next with Jermaine? Jermaine has got some great ideas and plans ahead with Conquer Entertainment — helping artists is only one small part of his strategic planning in moving not just his career forward, but creating a better experience for fans and consumers alike.

Again, I just cannot over emphasize just how much of a pleasure it is in working with such a stellar and dedicated group of professionals behind the scenes at Conquer Entertainment — for their talent, vision, and Amanda Ridinger's belief in her dream to help change an industry that has been screaming for help. It is their hard work and dedication that talent like Jermaine can find and partner with in order to make a huge difference in their lives. What a pleasure it is going to be working with Jermaine Purifory and artists like him Keep your eyes open for Jermaine certainly has all the makings of becoming another legend in music industry. You just never know what will happen when a musician finds what he or she is looking for.