Just a heads up for all of you, I will be the featured performer at Sculpterra Winery on May 20th, 2012 hosted by Songwriters at Play! The winery is in California's central coast. Paso Robles. You can stay in Atascadero or San Luis Obispo. Its a GREAT area to explore and just enjoy a quiet weekend with us. Diane Arkenstone and Tim Pacheco will be joining me. More info to come.
Songwriters at Play and Sculpterra Winery
More to come!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Very Personal thoughts tonight..
I have not opened up in very long time. Mostly been keeping what is inside of my heart to myself as of late. As I sit here, I am listening to music that is new. I am touched by all that I am listening to tonight. The strength in all of the sounds, the stories being told, is inspiring me to stay true to my path.
Production for Fire in the Rainstorm is on hold. Am I sad about that? I can't lie, I am a little. I had plans, and they were derailed by a few things. Not that I am depressed and not complaining either. Just realizing what I need to do in order for it to happen. If the album takes a few years.. then so be it. I am not giving up by any means. I can only hope that I can get things back on track so this album can get recorded. If you know any millionaires.. PLEASE do me a favor and send them my way! :^P
Other things in my life I am watching play out. Watching my oldest daughter turn 18 this month is going to be hard. Already been dealing with the tears. I myself don't feel that old. To have her turn 18 blows me away. She is a gift to our family, and I am so thankful that she entered our lives all those years ago. Now she is on the thresh hold of living her own life. I often wonder if we have taught her enough?
Then lately, so many of my friends are struggling with so much opposition. I have to wonder why so much pain and suffering is part of their lives, when I struggle with my little problems.
Then there is the positive things going on, meeting new friends, cherishing good friends, understanding the friends that need that understanding, husband that is so supportive, learning lessons that continue to help me to grow, music, concerts with musicians that are quite amazing in my book. There are the people that are silently supporting me, sending me emails, encouraging me to keep making my music. To keep taking this journey.
To have your support this way, is a gift to me. Thanks so much for your support of what I do, whether its monetary or its emails.. just knowing that your support is there, makes me keep walking forward, not falling back...
more to come...
Production for Fire in the Rainstorm is on hold. Am I sad about that? I can't lie, I am a little. I had plans, and they were derailed by a few things. Not that I am depressed and not complaining either. Just realizing what I need to do in order for it to happen. If the album takes a few years.. then so be it. I am not giving up by any means. I can only hope that I can get things back on track so this album can get recorded. If you know any millionaires.. PLEASE do me a favor and send them my way! :^P
Other things in my life I am watching play out. Watching my oldest daughter turn 18 this month is going to be hard. Already been dealing with the tears. I myself don't feel that old. To have her turn 18 blows me away. She is a gift to our family, and I am so thankful that she entered our lives all those years ago. Now she is on the thresh hold of living her own life. I often wonder if we have taught her enough?
Then lately, so many of my friends are struggling with so much opposition. I have to wonder why so much pain and suffering is part of their lives, when I struggle with my little problems.
Then there is the positive things going on, meeting new friends, cherishing good friends, understanding the friends that need that understanding, husband that is so supportive, learning lessons that continue to help me to grow, music, concerts with musicians that are quite amazing in my book. There are the people that are silently supporting me, sending me emails, encouraging me to keep making my music. To keep taking this journey.
To have your support this way, is a gift to me. Thanks so much for your support of what I do, whether its monetary or its emails.. just knowing that your support is there, makes me keep walking forward, not falling back...
more to come...
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sculpterra Winery, Paso Robles CA
Claire and I drove up to Atascadero, CA ( 15 miles south of Paso Robles) and stayed at the Carlton Hotel there. I need to say that it was an incredible hotel. The staff was on the level, and the rooms were pristine, and the beds were a dream. What amazed me the most was how QUIET it was there.
The concert was great! There were a lot of musicians that came and performed. Thanks to Steve Key and Sculpterra Winery. Mike Swan started out first, then Banjer Dan, both very diverse, but fun to listen to. Then me. Well, it was fun and I was roasting. I think I have played better for sure. I unveiled a few new songs, then Tim Pacheco was next. I really enjoyed listening to him.
The featured artist was Diane Arkenstone and friends, Pj Sawyer, Robb Lawrence, Colin Break, Carl Weingarten and Jeff Oster, and I believe Russell Green. Her music is inspirational. Talking with Diane was fun. She is very beautiful, and I admire her spirit as well. I hope to perform with her again.
The trip was an all around success to me. Just being with Claire and having her be with me during a performance was good for me. One of the last times we can be together this way. I love her and appreciate the beautiful person she is.
Thanks to all of those that came out to the show, and again my thanks to Steve Key.
More to come...
If you want to see photos click on this link:
http://www.johnpatrickimages.com/sculpterra/
The concert was great! There were a lot of musicians that came and performed. Thanks to Steve Key and Sculpterra Winery. Mike Swan started out first, then Banjer Dan, both very diverse, but fun to listen to. Then me. Well, it was fun and I was roasting. I think I have played better for sure. I unveiled a few new songs, then Tim Pacheco was next. I really enjoyed listening to him.
The featured artist was Diane Arkenstone and friends, Pj Sawyer, Robb Lawrence, Colin Break, Carl Weingarten and Jeff Oster, and I believe Russell Green. Her music is inspirational. Talking with Diane was fun. She is very beautiful, and I admire her spirit as well. I hope to perform with her again.
The trip was an all around success to me. Just being with Claire and having her be with me during a performance was good for me. One of the last times we can be together this way. I love her and appreciate the beautiful person she is.
Thanks to all of those that came out to the show, and again my thanks to Steve Key.
More to come...
If you want to see photos click on this link:
http://www.johnpatrickimages.com/sculpterra/
Monday, January 30, 2012
So, how do you ask for payment when you perform?
I have met a lot of musicians and have read about musicians trying make gigs profitable. Some of them have told me to play for free.. wait what? I used to think that way too... and now the first thing I would tell you is to ask for what you are worth. Whats the worst that can happen? Not getting hired? Well that would be a good thing because you don't want to be hired at a gig that you don't receive payment. The venue and people will treat you poorly. HOW do I know this? Its because two years ago I performed in Coto De Caza at a house concert. I was treated like crap because they did not pay me. Imagine if you will it was 95 degrees out. The host would not allow me in the house ( I must have been some kind of animal or something) to cool down, and I had to change in this really bad smelling grotto like bathroom they had by their pool. There were other musicians, that they allowed in the house because they were paying for her, AND no cold water for me. Thank goodness I brought my own water and my gear. I am always positive and I did make a few connections that night.. but for the most part, it was insulting. It was the last time I decided to play for free.. unless it was a special circumstance, and it has to be a pretty amazing circumstance.
So before you say yes to a non paying gig, or a venue that wants you to bring in people to their venue. THEY should already have an established following of their venue. Always ask about the particulars, whether you can bring in your merch and sell it.
Most of all don't sell yourself short, because you are totally worth the money. Here is a fabulous article about this very subject:
Musicians and Venues, READ
Peace in Music
So before you say yes to a non paying gig, or a venue that wants you to bring in people to their venue. THEY should already have an established following of their venue. Always ask about the particulars, whether you can bring in your merch and sell it.
Most of all don't sell yourself short, because you are totally worth the money. Here is a fabulous article about this very subject:
Musicians and Venues, READ
Peace in Music
Monday, January 23, 2012
How to raise 20k in 10 days...
How can I raise 20k in 10 days? Every one of you can pledge, and you can tell your family and friends that "Fire in the Rainstorm" is an amazing solo piano project so they can pledge too. The project will not be funded if the funds are not raised by February 2nd, so there will be no risk to you.
There are rewards when you pledge certain dollar amounts. I have my M&M blankie I will be giving away, clothes I have worn at concerts, Artwork, signed photos, jewelry I have worn at my concerts, physical albums, skype call with me, t-shirts, liner notes made into a poster signed by me.
Come and pledge today!
Pledge + Me= Album
There are rewards when you pledge certain dollar amounts. I have my M&M blankie I will be giving away, clothes I have worn at concerts, Artwork, signed photos, jewelry I have worn at my concerts, physical albums, skype call with me, t-shirts, liner notes made into a poster signed by me.
Come and pledge today!
Pledge + Me= Album
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
CONCERT FEBRUARY 5th, 2012
I have decided to come out of my self imposed performance exile and perform in February. If you live in California and you need a break from the hustle and bustle of life, I invite you to California's Central Coast on Sunday February 5th from 1pm - 4pm. Songwriters at Play Concert I will be playing a 4 song set, and then featured artist Diane Arkenstone will perform with special guests. Tim Pacheco will be performing as well.
You can click on my "Events" page and find more info or you can visit the websites for where and when info. I hope you can make it because its going to be a wonderful artistic afternoon!
More to come...
You can click on my "Events" page and find more info or you can visit the websites for where and when info. I hope you can make it because its going to be a wonderful artistic afternoon!
More to come...
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
What is the Music Business Like and why do you need a "fundraiser?"
Is the latest question from FanBridge. At first I got a bit on the defensive side, but as I read the question over and over, and talked with a friend of mine. She pointed out that not everyone understands how things work. She never knew until she met me. This is what inspired this blog.
I have learned a lot. 1. don't ever take things personally, you can't. If you did, you would never survive the criticisms that come, and believe me people can hit below the belt. 2. Always be gracious, but don't let anyone run you over. You can get run over doing what I do. Its best you don't let anyone do that. You can be the best ever, but you can also be clever at not losing your cool.
Hokay so, if Will Ackerman believes in me, why doesn't he help out with the album? He is helping out, by me hiring him to be my producer. He is no longer the head of Windham Hill Records. He doesn't sign people to labels, that is not what he does now. He offers his unique perspective that he has gleaned over the years and you pay for that. Oh and he doesn't just magically appear. You have to email him and ask him. He then listens to your music, THEN he chooses to work with you or not.
The music industry is in a flux of change. Its not the same like it used to be. Say for instance, if you are George Winston during the late 70's signed to the Windham Hill Records Label, the label paid for the recording costs, ie: producing, musicians, studio time, engineering; which included mixing/mastering, manufacturing. They told you how you were release the music, and tour. Touring is another whole can of worms. Let me just focus on the production. Producing an album can vary in costs. It can cost from $5k to $100k or more. "Trillium" was staggering. It cost me... yes ME $80k. THAT includes production, recording, mixing/mastering, musicians, encoding, manufacturing, a publicist, radio promotion team no tv. If you want advertising on TV, that will cost you more. To be really rounded out to market something you need the marketing web. Which includes mailing, emailing, internet, online radio, radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, reviews, interviews. Oh and I had Ed Bonk working with me to promote "Trillium". He and I were a team together. He didn't do all the mailing of the albums, I did. He did all the phone calls to all the radio stations which includes internet radio/organic radio. All of those things MUST be put in place because none of this stuff is easy to tell people about it all. If you look at a commercial nowadays, you will see these commercials repeated during a tv show or during a radio broadcast or even a podcast. We are all creatures of repetition. We have to be told several times before things sink in.
So now, I need funding. Since I am an independent musician, I don't have the financial backing of a major label like Universal, Sony, EMI or any of those companies. Have I submitted my music? Sure I have. Since I was rejected, I chose to do this on my own. Would I like to be on a label? I did that with an Independent Record Label and got burned financially by them. The conditions have to be favorable for me to consider a label. I am still submitting, so who knows?!!
In order to produce a really good album worthy of Windham Hill of the past, which is my goal, I want/need a few things in place. Will Ackerman is part of that, then his studio and engineer is another part of the puzzle, I want great mastering, so that is another cost. All of these things are money driven. Which is true for most things in the Arts. I decided to change up the album I am working on, to do a solo piano project. Simply because, making another album like "Trillium" is expensive. VERY expensive. I had funding for that. This time, that funding is not there. I am looking to people to pledge $1, $30, or more dollars if you can spare that. I am not looking for thousands of dollars from one person. Wait, didn't "Trillium" sell? Sure, but I have not recovered my costs for that. Not even close. Then why do I do what I do? Because I am not in this to make money. I am in it because this is something I love to do. LOVE it, BREATHE it... its what motivates me to get up in the morning and "Carpe Diem"!!!! I am certainly not poor, but I don't have that kind of capital and that is why I am using Kickstarter.com to help me with this.
That is why I am coming to you to ask for help, which is not easy for this prideful chick to do. If I could do this on my own I would and never ask, but here I am asking because I feel that its worthy of my time and yours.
I hope you join me and pledge today!
Peace in Music,
Kori
I have learned a lot. 1. don't ever take things personally, you can't. If you did, you would never survive the criticisms that come, and believe me people can hit below the belt. 2. Always be gracious, but don't let anyone run you over. You can get run over doing what I do. Its best you don't let anyone do that. You can be the best ever, but you can also be clever at not losing your cool.
Hokay so, if Will Ackerman believes in me, why doesn't he help out with the album? He is helping out, by me hiring him to be my producer. He is no longer the head of Windham Hill Records. He doesn't sign people to labels, that is not what he does now. He offers his unique perspective that he has gleaned over the years and you pay for that. Oh and he doesn't just magically appear. You have to email him and ask him. He then listens to your music, THEN he chooses to work with you or not.
The music industry is in a flux of change. Its not the same like it used to be. Say for instance, if you are George Winston during the late 70's signed to the Windham Hill Records Label, the label paid for the recording costs, ie: producing, musicians, studio time, engineering; which included mixing/mastering, manufacturing. They told you how you were release the music, and tour. Touring is another whole can of worms. Let me just focus on the production. Producing an album can vary in costs. It can cost from $5k to $100k or more. "Trillium" was staggering. It cost me... yes ME $80k. THAT includes production, recording, mixing/mastering, musicians, encoding, manufacturing, a publicist, radio promotion team no tv. If you want advertising on TV, that will cost you more. To be really rounded out to market something you need the marketing web. Which includes mailing, emailing, internet, online radio, radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, reviews, interviews. Oh and I had Ed Bonk working with me to promote "Trillium". He and I were a team together. He didn't do all the mailing of the albums, I did. He did all the phone calls to all the radio stations which includes internet radio/organic radio. All of those things MUST be put in place because none of this stuff is easy to tell people about it all. If you look at a commercial nowadays, you will see these commercials repeated during a tv show or during a radio broadcast or even a podcast. We are all creatures of repetition. We have to be told several times before things sink in.
So now, I need funding. Since I am an independent musician, I don't have the financial backing of a major label like Universal, Sony, EMI or any of those companies. Have I submitted my music? Sure I have. Since I was rejected, I chose to do this on my own. Would I like to be on a label? I did that with an Independent Record Label and got burned financially by them. The conditions have to be favorable for me to consider a label. I am still submitting, so who knows?!!
In order to produce a really good album worthy of Windham Hill of the past, which is my goal, I want/need a few things in place. Will Ackerman is part of that, then his studio and engineer is another part of the puzzle, I want great mastering, so that is another cost. All of these things are money driven. Which is true for most things in the Arts. I decided to change up the album I am working on, to do a solo piano project. Simply because, making another album like "Trillium" is expensive. VERY expensive. I had funding for that. This time, that funding is not there. I am looking to people to pledge $1, $30, or more dollars if you can spare that. I am not looking for thousands of dollars from one person. Wait, didn't "Trillium" sell? Sure, but I have not recovered my costs for that. Not even close. Then why do I do what I do? Because I am not in this to make money. I am in it because this is something I love to do. LOVE it, BREATHE it... its what motivates me to get up in the morning and "Carpe Diem"!!!! I am certainly not poor, but I don't have that kind of capital and that is why I am using Kickstarter.com to help me with this.
That is why I am coming to you to ask for help, which is not easy for this prideful chick to do. If I could do this on my own I would and never ask, but here I am asking because I feel that its worthy of my time and yours.
I hope you join me and pledge today!
Peace in Music,
Kori
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