While driving through Missouri on my way to teach a seminar, I heard a report on National Public Radio about the power of a song. All Things Considered former producer, Marika Partridge, had attended a festival where she heard a song by Pat Humphries nearly one year ago. Her story was about how this one song influenced her, inspired her and stuck with her after all that time.
That, in its self, is impressive. To me, though, what is more, impressive and of importance to this article, is how a single event or performance may influence future results beyond your power of comprehension.
The above-mentioned event took place at a sing-along at a festival. It was not a major performance situation or a high visibility showcase or even a conference. It was not reported to the artists as an event that high-powered industry professionals were attending as they scouted for new talent. It was a sing-along at a festival! Yet, in attendance was the former producer of one of Public Radio’s premier news shows. The event, the sing-along, the song, moved Marika Partridge to the point where she decided to do a feature story and submit it. After some interviews, some research and twelve months later, the story aired on All Things Considered. Millions of NPR listeners had the opportunity to hear the story, hear the song, find out about little-known folk singer/songwriter, political and social activist Pat Humphries—and order her CD. Yes! The orders began flooding in right after the story aired and continued over the course of the next couple of weeks. Along with the CD orders–came invitations to perform. Is it a fluke, a miracle, a stroke of luck? Perhaps it is all of the above.
It was something that can happen at any time in your career. This type of event and the potential resulting boon exists for every artist every time you perform.
My lesson to you from this story is to perform your best every time you perform. Don’t save your best for the industry events and high-powered showcases. Within each audience, someone in attendance may have the potential to offer you an opportunity for future career advancement, whether the audience holds six or six thousand. Ani DiFranco was signed by her booking agency when the principal owner/agent saw Ani perform for six people at the Canal St. Tavern in Dayton, OH.
As you look out into your next audience, be alert, be prepared, be unwavering in your concern that your audience is getting your best performance—always. You never can tell who may be out there and just what keys they may have to unlock some future doors to boost your career.
And, I invite you to learn more about this and other topics important to your career development and to sign up for free weekly audio Biz Booster Hot Tip! Every Monday you’ll get another valuable strategy and technique that you can put to use immediately. You’ll find helpful books, career development seminars, Booking & Touring Success Strategies & Secrets online course and information on booking tours, the music business and performing arts. It’s all waiting for you at https://www.performingbiz.com. Jeri Goldstein is the author of, How To Be Your Own Booking Agent The Musician’s & Performing Artist’s Guide To Successful Touring, 3rd Edition.
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