Monday, December 29, 2008

tate music group...crunch time

I'm not sure how we got here so quickly but we are only 3 days from 2009.

Most people would associate this statement with the coming of the New Year. However, at Tate Music Group, it holds an entirely different meaning. For TMG, it is the deadline for eligibility in the 2008 Tate Music Group Artist of the Year Contest. And that means there is a lot of work to do in the next 3 days.

We are really excited about this inaugural TMG artist competition. It is more than just a competition, though. It is a way for us at Tate Music Group to tell our artists how much we appreciate them and to showcase the talent we are able to work with everyday.

Tate Music Group artists will be choosing one of their songs to submit for initial judging. Based on writing, musicianship, and a few other criteria, the top songs, and therefore, artists, will be invited to come to Oklahoma City to perform their song live in front of a packed house and a celebrity judging panel. Ultimately, if you outperform the competition, you win the cash and prizes.

It is going to be a great time. I have been having a blast being a part of the planning and, truth be told, I wish I was eligible to compete. That would mean, though, that I would need to have an album and musical talent...how about I just leave that up to the real Tate Music Group artists?

I can't wait. Its crunch time.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

tate music group...the state of tate

Last night was the annual Tate Music Group and Tate Publishing Christmas party. What an experience that was. There was great food, presents and prizes, and very unusual entertainment. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Needless to say, it was a night that will not soon be forgotten.

As much as I would love to describe the silly skits that were performed or the amazing generosity shown by the Tate family (raffle prizes and gifts were everywhere), I have another reason for this post.

Every year Ryan Tate, President of Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC, addresses the entire staff in what we call the 'State of Tate Address.' It is a time where he tells us about the past year...what we have accomplished...where we need to improve...and how many sodas and brownie bites we have consumed as a staff in the cafe. Although there were a lot of funny statements made about staff food consumption, two figures really stood out to me and made me that much more thankful to be a part of Tate Music Group and the Tate Publishing family.

1. In 2008, Tate Music Group and Tate Publishing set up over 24,000 events for our arists and authors all over the United States. Also in 2008, Tate Music Group and Tate Publishing sold over 1.4 million CDs and books through events and distribution. That is incredible! What really stands out to me is that these are more than just numbers, they are a true measure of success, hard work, and great business strategy. We have a proven track record and it is apparent that our artists and authors are benefiting greatly from this.

2. In 2008, Tate Music Group and Tate Publishing gave over $660,000 in unsolicited funds to local, national, and overseas ministries focused on proclaiming and furthering the Kingdom of God. Wow! What an incredible incentive for success. It is such a blessing to work for a company that has its priorities in order.

It is no wonder that Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC, which includes Tate Music Group, was voted as one of the best places to work in 2008. For you artists and authors alike, there is no doubt in my mind that this is the best company to work with to help you accomplish all your dreams and goals.

I can't wait to see what 2009 brings...

Monday, December 8, 2008

tate music group...artist of the year

Everybody loves contests. Its true. Don't believe me? I'm willing to bet that if you are a college football fan, like me, you were very busy this weekend doing nothing but watching the last Saturday of the regular season. And, I'm willing to bet that most of you, during the halftime shows, were getting all hyped up watching those guys and gals trying to throw footballs into over-sized soda cans. If you are anything like me, you were thinking about how you totally could have done that better than everybody else. Am I right?

Well, I can't really help you when it comes to those 'giant cola can challenges.' As a Tate Music Group artist, however, I can help you regarding that drive and competitive nature you have deep within your being. How? By giving you the chance to beat out all the rest of the competition.

December 31st, 2008 marks the end date for eligibility into the inaugural Tate Music Group 'Artist of the Year Contest.' I realize many of you may have no idea what I am talking about. Allow me to explain. This will be the first year we will be putting our artists' songs and styles against each other in friendly competition.

Each TMG artist will choose one of their songs to enter into this contest. The songs will be judged in many different rounds and by many different judges and factors. The top finalists will be invited to come to Oklahoma City, all expenses paid, to perform their song live for a panel of guest celebrity judges. Everybody will have an amazing time...and the grand prize winner will head home with over $20,000 in cash and prizes. Not bad for one nights work.

Needless to say, we are all really excited about this contest. For one, it is going to be a great time. It is also going to be a great opportunity for Tate Music Group to show our artists how much we appreciate them. I have no idea what the outcome will be. There are so many great artists in the TMG family...and there is still plenty of time for others to join this year.

Who knows...it may be you?

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

tate music group...a december to remember

It is hard to believe that Tate Music Group is about to see its first year come to a close. What a year it has been. I do realize it is only the 2nd of December but you get the point. Now is the time of the year we start looking back at where we have been. We have seen some great things happen here at Tate Music Group and I wanted to just take a few moments to remember some of them.

Tate Music Group has gone from an idea in the heads of our company founders and executives to a key leader in the changing music industry. The 'old model' of a record label isn't working and 'indie' artists are the rage...though most don't have the resources, connections, or ability to really get things done on their own. That is where TMG comes in. We offer artists the best of both worlds - the backing and resources to get things done and the freedom to stay true to themselves and their music. That's a big thing.

Tate Music Group is also many steps ahead of where our parent company, Tate Publishing, was at the same time in its history. Granted, Tate Publishing paved the way in a new territory and has been influential in helping TMG get to where we are. That said, it is still a great accomplishment to be this far along the process this early in the game. And, if the huge success of our parent company is any indication of where Tate Music Group will be...watch out! That's another big thing.

Tate Music Group has also seen our marketing, promotions, and distribution grow immensely in this short amount of time. We are paving the way by offering Digital Download Cards, as well as CDs, for our artists to stay in front of where the market is going. We have over 400 radio stations, all across the country, who are playing TMG produced programs on a weekly basis. Our distribution has grown from working with a few stores directly, to working with one major distribution company, to now working with two of the biggest, most successful and respected distribution outlets in the nation. Those are all really big things.

So you see, there are a lot of big, great things happening at Tate Music Group. All of these things have happened in our first year of existence. It's almost scary to think about what will happen in 2009.

I can't wait to find out.