The Life of Talented People - Essay Example

 The Life of Talented People Introduction James Morrison is a 28 year old guitarist, singer and songwriter born in Rugby, Warwickshire. The music artist has registered a lot of success in the music industry which demonstrated by his hit singles such as “You Give Me something” and “You Make It Real” and their popularity especially in Europe. Regardless of the growing international popularity of the artist, it is notable that he is relatively less popular when compared to the recent successes of artists such as Lil Wayne and Celine Dion. LeBlanc (2002, p. 39) illustrates that it is through appropriate, effective or proper artist management that music artists are enabled to grow considerably into the international music market by significantly increasing their fun base. However, the collaboration which James Morrison did with popular artists such as Nelly Futardo and Jason Mraz is one of the revelations of the potential of immense growth of the artist through effective artist management. This essay presents a strategic, informed and analytical plan for the artist management of James Morrison with a view of demonstrating how his music business can be promoted for a worldwide success such as that which is demonstrated by Lil Wayne and Celine Dion. The Artist’s Belief and the Roles of the Manager James Morrison believes in his music talents, songwriting and playing the guitar. Prior (2005, p. 10) demonstrates that Morrison success through singles such as “You Give Me Something” reveals that he would be successful in attaining his desires for international popularity and music business success in his future productions and performances. It is in the light of these arguments that proper artist management strategies become important for the artist. This means that the management of the artist’s music activities including practice, production, performance and sale of his music must be supervised effectively. As a result, possible failures of the artists and disappointment of the fanatics will be prevented. Passman (2009, p. 32) reaffirms that the roles of a music manager includes helping the artist to make music business decisions, helping with the processes of creative production such as the selection of the producer and promoting the career of the artist. More importantly, an artist manager is mandated to coordinate the professional teams such as music lawyers and the performances in tours and music campaigns. More importantly, an artist manager functions to buffer the artist with the outside world. This is achieved through the application of the most effective and appropriate marketing approaches or strategies for the artist’s performances and productions with a view of increasing the popularity of the artist and the fun base (Fraser, 2005). Performance According to The Evening Standard (2011), the popularity starts at the level of performance for the fanatics. In this regard, performance by James Morrison for his new music will be prioritized as the most significant aspect of the marketing and popularizing endeavors for the artist. To achieve the appreciation, respect and admiration of the artist, life performance is to be carried out to the local following or fun base. Sexton (2002, p. 36) justifies this by demonstrating that it is through life performance that an artist is able to demonstrate his or her music talent to the audience and thus attract their attention to the song or work of art. For James Morrison’s new music, local avenues such as clubs would be the areas where he would play his guitar and sing his songs. This is important because it would help to define the reaction of the local listeners to the performance and music before it would be thrown out into the wider music market. Local promoters will be targeted so that they allow the artist with the opportunity of illustrating his abilities to the audience for the purpose of winning their admiration and respect (Amicone, 2002). Additionally, the artist’s performance will be planed through avenues such as events, gatherings and parties. During these performances, the artist will be advised and encouraged to practice patience because success of music singles take a while before it gains popularity and success. During these performances, a special relationship will be built between the artist and the fanatics and admirers. It is through such relationships that communication can be opened for positive criticism of the artist’s performance and thus open new doors for improvement. To achieve these relationships, it will be necessary to share addresses and online user information, blogs and social networking so that efficient and effective communication would be achieved. USA Today (2010, p. 1) demonstrates that the success of a work of art such as a music single release is achieved through performance which emanates at the local level before national and international music market is targeted. Online marketing Taylor (2007, p. 40) reveals that there are many opportunities within the internet which will be utilized for the marketing the songs and performances of James Morrison. What is more important in online marketing is a lot of effort and time. Famous singers such as Celine Dion have official websites through which they connect and communicate with the fun base and their music market in general. In regard of this illustration, the role of the artist manager in Morrison’s songs would be to ensure that the online marketing tool is used appropriately for the advantage of the artist. The online communities and sites through which the marketing communication of the artist will be achieved include Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube and Soundcloud. To achieve effective marketing via YouTube a channel labeled James Morrison-YouTube Channel will be created. Through this channel, the songs and performances of the artists will be viewed within the music market and thus act as a way of ensuring increased popularity. The aim of the online marketing is to achieve as many views as possible to the site. In this regard, the YouTube channel for the musician must be interlinked with all online communities and sites. Therefore a Facebook page for James Morrison will be created and linked to the Twitter following and the YouTube channel through hyperlinks. The online pages and sites for the must be properly designed in order to achieve attractiveness, user friendliness and effectiveness in navigation. In this regard, attractive photos of the artist especially during performances must be included on the online sites. More importantly the music videos of the artists must be provided with links to allow views to access them with ease. The Daily Mail (2011, p. 36) illustrates that online marketing of music must ensure that the works of the artist are easily accessible by the audience so that the popularity of the artist within the market will grow significantly. Furthermore, James Morrison’s web sites and likes will be updated regularly so that current and relevant information on new releases, performances and collaborations are availed to the music market. What is to be given priority is the relevance of the information of the sites. The information on the artist must be interesting to avoid a situation where viewers of the site get bored with the site. Management of Recording Deals Sexton, McClure & de Hart (2002, p. 440) point out that one of most important roles of art managers is making deals with Record Labels or producers. The music business of the artist must be controlled by the artist manager which includes making proper deals with must producers at the right time. For the artist to grow in popularity, famous record labels will be used to record his music. Issues of cost and benefit will be analyzed in the management of production to ensure that the expected sales can be justified by the investment on the production. Adrian (2012, p. 43) says that when music recording deals are made, the artist manager must ensure that the lawyers of the artist company are involved for legal advice and consultation. The James Morrison artist lawyers will thus be involved in the contractual process with the production company. Nonetheless it is the role of the artist manger to ensure that the Morrison’s music is recorded by credible and famous recording companies. Additionally, the directorship of the artist’s music videos will be done with identified renowned producers to ensure quality and fame for the artist. In accordance to PR Newswire Europe (2009), the relationship between the artist and the recording company is very important for success. It is therefore the role of James Morrison’s artist manager to ensure that a healthy and mutual relationship is maintained between the artist and the recording company. Moreover, good relationships must be achieved between the artist and the production team of his music videos. To ensure this, proper communication, respect and professionalism will be ensured in the recording and production process. Sexton (2002, p. 36) adds that good relationship among a music artist, recording company, producers and lawyers is necessary. These are the stakeholders of the artist’s music and thus they must collaborate to ensure that their production achieves success. As a result, each and every of the participants of the recoding and production process of the music will have the agreed share of compensation. The artist manager will thus be mandated to play the mediating, coordinating and collaborating roles among the producers, recording teams and the artist’s lawyers. As such matters of record keeping, signing of contracts, payment and closing deals will be handled with effectiveness by the artist’s manager. Conclusion The music industry is full of many challenges in addition to the obvious competitiveness in the music market. It is due to this that the management of James Morrison’s music career will have to be effective to enable him achieve his goals of international fame, popularity and high revenue from the sale of his music. Nonetheless, to achieve international success like famous artists such as Lil Wayne and Celine Dion, patience and careful planning is necessary. For this to be achievable, the artist manager must play his roles effectively. The artist’s new music will be promoted through a strategic plan which will involve starting at the local level through performances in clubs, gatherings, events and parties. At this point local promoters will be the center of focus. Success at the local level will be followed by online marketing strategies for the artist’s productions and performances. In this regard, a well designed website in addition to online marketing sites such as YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter will be used with a view of helping the artist to achieve a larger fan base through international recognition and admiration for his production. However, it is important for the artist’s manager to play his role by ensuring that the recording and production of the artist’s music is achieved through renowned recording and production companies. This is for the sake of quality and recognition of the artist. More importantly, the production team, recording company, lawyers and the artist himself must be coordinated by manger to ensure collaboration and good relationship which is the adjunct to success within the music industry. References Adrian T., 2012,” On Tour James Morrison”, Daily Mail, pp. 43 Amicone, M. 2002, "Artist management: Management 2002", Billboard, vol. 114, no. 38, pp. 32-34 Fraser, P. 2005, Big future beckons for Morrison, says skipper, Darlington (UK), United Kingdom, Darlington (UK). LeBlanc, L. 2002, "Tough times continue for laid-off music executives in Canada", Billboard, Vol. 114, no. 31, pp. 39 Passman, D. S., 2009, “All you need to know about the music business”, New York, Free Press, pp. 32-48 PR Newswire Europe, 2009, "Statement on Lil Wayne European Tour from Bryant Management", PR Newswire Europe Including UK Disclose Prior, M. 2005, "Celine Dion's Second Time Around", WWD, vol. 189, no. 19, pp. 10 Sexton, P. 2002, "Artist management: Wildlifes Lester and McAndrew win MMFs Peter Grant Award", Billboard, vol. 114, no. 38, pp. 36-40. Sexton, P., McClure, S. & de Hart, J. 2002, "Artist management: Managers worldwide confront common concerns", Billboard, vol. 114, no. 38, pp. 44-45. Taylor, C. 2007, "James Morrison: You Give Me Something", Billboard, vol. 119, no. 7, pp. 40 The Daily Mail, 2011, “James Morrison: The Awakening (Island)”, Daily Mail, pp. 36 The Evening Standard, 2011, “James Morrison Review”, Evening Standard, pp. 36 USA Today, 2010,” Managers mined the Lil Wayne connection”, USA Today, 07347456, pp. 1 Read More