BANDS/ARTISTS/MUSICIANS: READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE BEFORE YOU EMAIL ME WITH YOUR QUESTIONS! THIS MAY ANSWER SOME OF THOSE.
“The London Garcia Show” Sponsorship Program for Bands (now “London Garcia’s MUSIC BOXX”) is very unique. At the onset, we had a completely different plan in mind, however it evolved into something completely different, something that provided far more benefits for the bands as well as my show. It also enabled us to open up the opportunity to more bands than I initially was able to work with within the original plan.
Here’s the background on WHY I created London Garcia’s MUSIC BOXX:
Before getting into radio, my involvement in the entertainment industry was in TV, film, stand-up comedy, and things related to all of those. Since the early 90’s, I’ve established many great relationships with professionals the entertainment industry through my involvement in various projects. Since about 2003, I “stepped it up a bit” so I could increase my list of contacts in a shorter period of time. Most of these contacts are filmmakers and other decision makers in TV, film, cable, and connected projects. The list is considerably extensive and continually growing (specifically for the purpose of this program to open up as many doors as possible for bands/artists).
So, I’ll step back a little here. For several years, I’ve been approached by bands, very good established bands, to represent them and act as their liaison in getting their music submitted in TV and film or to manage them in some capacity. Because of their requests and persistence, I started setting up contracts with each band, one by one. It was basically a traditional contract that would have them pay me a percentage fee when their music is picked up for any TV or film projects (as well as other projects). However, because of what I do (my talk show) and my focus, I decided to restructure the arrangement. I still wanted to help the bands get access to these opportunities but I needed to create a different arrangement (including what is required of the bands, which quite honestly, is easy). Here are some of the reasons I decided to create something new:
- Everything involved in setting up contracts and the attorneys involved is more than I’m willing to add onto my plate. I figured, “Why would I go through that? After all, bands are the ones who pursue me.” (and honestly, if you were in my position, you’d probably feel the same way)
- The time I would have to invest in this to be an effective liaison would have me focus on THEIR career more than MINE, another thing I’m not willing to do. Yet, I knew that I could create something that would achieve just about the same things for bands/artists.
- I would be doing too many things that an agent or manager typically does and again, I’m not interested in working in that capacity. My #1 priority is the growth and success of my show and connected projects.
Those are a few reasons among others. So again, I changed the entire set up.
The first thing I did was create a web page just for bands/artists/singers in such a way that would work for both parties. The marketing of the bands is done online as well as the regular meetings, calls, and referrals I get, specifically from the folks in the TV and film industry seeking new music. These professionals go to the music page and get to see who you are and hear some of your music. If they want to pursue anything, they contact you directly. My agreement with the bands is verbal, kind of a “handshake deal”. They don’t pay any fees to “The London Garcia Show”. If it isn’t already obvious, the huge value in this is that the artists are part of a select group being marketed to hard-to-reach individuals and companies. And I’ve already explained above how that was established. And as rare as it is in the music industry, I’m not interested in taking advantage of bands nor interested in taking chunks of their hard earned money. We know about some of these unfortunate stories in the music industry and I am about something else entirely.
Not only do the sponsored bands/artists get exposure to the folks that place music in film, TV, etc., but they also get marketed to other radio stations and their executives nationwide, investors that focus their funding on entertainment projects, big name advertisers looking for a “hot band” to endorse, and some other random entertainment industry professionals that cross my path regularly. And it’s not just a nice music page where you display your music, pic, and profile. You can and probably already do that through Myspace. Although Myspace is a great and useful tool, you are among hundreds of thousands of bands hoping to get a peek by the right person. THIS IS NOT THAT. “The London Garcia Show” music page, which is officially called London Garcia’s MUSIC BOXX, features a very small group of bands/artists (the most at one time has been 40 and many times is less than 20). The agreements are quarterly. This doesn’t mean the band/artist can’t be on the page for a long time, but at the end of every quarter, we evaluate the relationship and the band/artist does need to re-qualify. Some of the qualification critieria remains the same and some changes. This is always based on what is in the best interest of London Garcia’s MUSIC BOXX, the bands/artists, and other involved parties.
The agreements are set up according to calendar quarters. They start January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.
I do my best to extend as many opportunities and as much goodwill as I possibly can to really great bands/artists who are talented, hard working, and who seem to have the same kind of “pay it forward” attitude about their career and life. The bands need to be crystal clear that they do need to fulfill what is required of them to be a part of London Garcia’s MUSIC BOXX as well as maintaining a good, “two-way street” kind of relationship with London Garcia. It’s also important that they have a good reputation among professionals.
For more information about London Garcia’s MUSIC BOXX and how to apply, simply go to: www.londongarcia.com/musicboxx. The front page has basic information and if you peruse the page and the links on the page, you will find all information you would need to pursue the opportunity available for bands/artists.
