tate music group...promotion that makes sense

My team found an interesting article this week about the state of our country's media in regards to the music industry - TV, Radio, etc. I will post the link below...but the basic idea is that media availability has decreased dramatically because of dominating control by a select number of players. One statistic from the article is that over the past 25 years, media input and control has decreased from over 50 to just 6 major players. That means that you have less opportunities to get your music in front of anyone responsible for making decisions in the media...and even less of a chance of those same people giving you the time to even listen to your music. We know this is the case for radio...since you have one program director (who is usually responsible for multiple stations) playing the music he HAS to play from corporate...and trying to squeeze in some that he actually likes and thinks his audience will like. As an aspiring artist, you have to be willing to put aside the traditional understanding of what "works" in the music industry and be realistic with your expectations. The truth is, these aren't the only hot spots to go to. You can find actual opportunities through many other avenues...if you are willing to think outside the box and be willing to be more organic in your growth as an artist. Since Tate Music Group started...our focus has been to stay ahead of the changing industry and look at new, effective ways to work with our artists and promote their music. There have always been (and will probably always be) the traditional promotion tactics for artists in the upper echelon of the music industry. However, those avenues are rarely open for the new, aspiring artist...so why spend much time and resources there? Across the board, it is imperative that we look at ways to promote music to the people who want to hear it. I think the numbers speak for themselves...and I think artists have more opportunities for exposure and promotion than ever before. They just need to embrace the new norms. That is where our focus is here at Tate Music Group...and we are seeing incredible numbers and opportunities that confirm our correct approach! http://www.trueskool.com/forum/topic/show?id=1464587%3ATopic%3A119281#.T7v4ITsR3cs.facebook

tate music group...alternative rock staff picks

In case you aren't subscribed to TMG's Radio Girl Blog...here is the link to check out our first 'staff picks' for alternative rock. There is something for everyone in regards to sound and style. I really love the high energy of The Fab Rudies...but you can't go wrong with the more traditional alternative rock sound of We The People. And if you are a fan of Explosions in the Sky...you have to check out Pollock. Really good stuff! More 'staff picks' coming each week so stay tuned...and go check out some great music!

http://tmgradiogirl.tumblr.com/post/2685457712/happy-monday-as-promised-i-have-our-first-staff

tate music group...coming soon...some staff faves

Our very own TMG Radio Girl has been hard at work compiling a list of some of our favorite artists and songs from 2010. This list is in no way exhaustive...but it is a small sampling of some of the music that has been playing on our iPods and entertaining us this past year. Make sure you are following her blog so you don't miss the upcoming lists. I'll make sure and redirect you each week...but you should definitely add our TMG Radio Girl to your favorites.

http://tmgradiogirl.tumblr.com/post/2613306793/my-favorite-thing-about-a-new-year-is-the-end-of

tate music group...radio happenings at TMG

Here is a recent post about many of the great things happening with radio here at Tate Music Group. Our TMG Radio Girl has put them together, along with the links, so you can check everything out and share it with others. 2010 was a great year for us at TMG and within the radio division...but 2011 is looking to greatly surpass last year. We will keep you posted and up to date with the news and events here at TMG and within the world of radio. Don't touch that dial...

http://tmgradiogirl.tumblr.com/post/2583922288/a-look-into-the-tmg-radio-dept

tate music group...tmg radiogirl blog

Make sure and check this new blog out - http://tmgradiogirl.tumblr.com/

Jo will give you another perspective about great new music and news regarding radio and artists for TMG and beyond. Post it. Share it. Tweet it.

And make sure you get this sweet widget! (look to your right)

tate music group radio...spotlight...ahnwar

I gotta tell you, I am 'so excited' (pun intended) for this album. Ahnwar has such a great sound and style...and an incredible message! His new album, The Flesh vs. The Spirit, is releasing with Tate Music Group. It has a great blend of urban, gospel, and hip hop styles...which combine to make some really good music. Be sure to check out "So Excited" and get ready to groove with it. I promise, it won't disappoint.

You can check out the single here or go to his EPK - http://www.tatemusicgroup.com/epk/?id=10970.

tate music group...spotlight - vanessa vasquez

I want to shine a light on an incredible singer/songwriter out of California, Vanessa Vasquez. Vanessa is a TMG artist and we are excited about not only her music...but her message and the plans that God has for her. Her sound is a mixture of acoustic folk & rock...and her vocals are rich and powerful.

Her new CD, Lessons Learned, released last week. Here is a link to her Tate Music Group EPK - http://www.tatemusicgroup.com/epk/?id=9343&page=music

Go check out the music...but make sure you have a cup of coffee and a spare hour handy...because you aren't going to want to turn it off.

tate music group...radio ads

Tate Music Group has started a national radio advertising campaign for our artisis and their music. TMG undrstands how important it is for artists to have as much radio exposure as possible...and this is another way for Tate Music Group artisis to be heard. Our TMG design team customizes ads for our artists and they run nationwide...creating incredible opportunities for artists to grab new fans. Contact Tate Music Group for more information. And keep listening for TMG spots on air.

tate music group radio shows

I don't know if you knew this or not but Tate Music Group produces weekly radio programs that go out to over 400 radio stations nationwide! These are FM...listen while you drive...terrestrial stations...all across the country! One program is called Breakthrough and it focuses on new and heartfelt worship music from all over...including many TMG artists. The other programs are title, X-Tracks, and they run everywhere from Minnesota to Texas and Pennsylvania to Kansas City. This is more of a Christian rock and contemporary based show with a lot of local flavor to them. We keep things regional to showcase the talent these areas have to offer. Here are the places you can check out these programs. Be on the lookout for more.

CSN International

The Refuge

WCTL

rockradiolive.com

tate music group...artist in the Top 10

Congratulations to multi-platinum songwriter Jeff Chandler for his song "I Know You're There" breaking the Top 10 on the Christian Radio Weekly Inspirational format chart. Many thanks to great stations like American Family Radio, KDKR Dallas/Ft. Worth and KAXF Houston for supporting and playing the song.

www.myspace.com/chandler360

tate music group...radio and media spots

I wanted to share some information with you regarding some cool happenings with our artist of the year, Jeff Chandler. Yesterday, Jeff kicked off his radio tour with a stop in the great city of Tulsa, OK. He was featured on KXOJ - did an interview and his song 'Because of You.'

This was exciting for a few reasons. Obviously, it is cool to hear Jeff on the radio and know just how much hard work was put into making that happen. It is also cool, however, because it is great to hear him share his heart and passion for the music he writes and performs. This is hands-down one of the best things about working at Tate Music Group. Music, for so many of our artists, is the expression of God's love, grace, and hope through them. It is ministry...even before it is entertainment. That is exciting to be a part of...and I am so glad that Jeff is able to share his music (and message) with the world.

You can hear the interview here.

tate music group...digital killed the CD star

I read an interesting post by Derek Sivers, the guy who started CD Baby and then sold it for a lot of dough. He brings up some interesting thoughts and questions about the future of CD sales, especially in-store sales. He makes the comment that he believes CDs to be on the downhill slide and, he believes, they will be all but obsolete in a few years. I must say that I agree with him, for the most part, but I don't believe it will happen as soon as he thinks it will.

Technology is a wonderful thing, unless you are the thing that technology just helped to replace. I do think that, much like the cassettes of my youth, CDs will be fully replaced by the digital files that are making a long-term home in the jean pockets of the next generation.

I don't see this as a bad thing, though, and neither does Tate Music Group. Sure, if you grew up going to the store to buy a CD you will most likely always want to go to the store to buy a CD. I get that. What I don't get is the worry and focus that is put on the 'in-store' sales. In my opinion, the focus should be on the 'sale.' Period.

A huge part of what Tate Music Group provides our artists is the nationwide distribution which includes in-store as well as online. We will continue to provide this distribution for as long as stores are carrying CDs. What I, we, want the artists we work with to realize is that it doesn't matter how or where the CD is bought/sold. It really only matters that it was, in fact, sold.

A sold album, whether physical or digital, is an album that is being listened to, talked about, and promoted by the fans who are listening. When this happens, the music and the message and meaning it carries is shared with the people who, as an artist, you want to share it with. It grows and spreads and, let's be honest, it is probably shared, too. But that is okay because every sale helps the cause and because Tate Music Group is working with our artists to benefit from this popularity through radio and live gigs. It all fits together.

I don't think CDs are waving goodbye just yet. I do think that digital music is moving in permanently but I think, at least for now, there is room for both. And as long as there is room and demand for both, Tate Music Group will offer them...and anything new that technology introduces to us.

I just hope the next idea involves holograms...

tate music group...what's the frequency, kenneth?

One of the things we focus on with the artists Tate Music Group is privileged to work with is the radio. Every artist wants to be heard on the air...some want to hear themselves (which is perfectly normal), others want to make sure their music and message gets broadcast to as many as possible, and most want both. Again, perfectly normal. In fact, we might think something strange if radio and musical exposure via FM/AM airwaves wasn't something an artist was interested in.

What gets tricky is the fact that we don't own or control the stations we talk to regarding our artists. Many times, to them, we are just one of hundreds and thousands of groups or artists who approach them to play some music. So, when you don't control the station or the station manager...and you are (or represent) one of thousands of new (really good) artists, how do you make the station/manager/radio-world take notice? Good question.

Tate Music Group hits this question from a few different angles. One thing our Marketing team makes sure to do is build good, personal relationships with station managers and program/music directors. Many artists still send a CD in an envelop with a 'please play me' note included. Granted, the music might be tremendous but the managers and directors are overworked, overstressed, out of time, and they receive hundreds of those types of submissions every week. It isn't worth it to them to sort through it all to find the few hidden gems. I can't say I disagree with them.

At TMG, we approach things from the personal level. We want to respect their time and we know that we only have a small window to impress and connect. We make sure to connect on a personal level, to let the stations know we are a strong, well-established company that is backing some really, really great music. We also refrain, unless directly requested, from sending 'cold CDs.' Instead, we create for our artists a professional, genre and artist specific electronic press-kit to send their way. These are sharp, well created, easy to navigate, and full of all necessary info to tell about the artist and the music. Since we only have a few seconds to catch their attention, we want to 'wow' them with a great looking, user-friendly EPK.

Besides the personal connections and the EPKs, Tate Music Group has started to offer our own staff and services in ways that are very hard to refuse. As TMG began contacting stations and talking with the directors, we noticed a need (and an opportunity) to take some of the workload off of their plates. We do this by creating our own programs to fit specific stations and areas. We have 2 major shows as of now (with more being added) playing weekly on over 450 stations nationwide. One of the shows, our Christian Hard Rock program (X-Trax) can be checked out here.

There are many other shows and opportunities on the horizon. This is just a small taste of what Tate Music Group is doing when it comes to 'attacking' the radio world on behalf of our artists. We understand how important the radio is to helping up and coming artists gain more and more of an audience. We also see where the radio market is heading. We are constantly discussing, planning, and dealing in regards to online and satelite radio.

The future of Tate Music Group and the radio looks and sounds bright...

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.

tate music group...contract bullets

One of the things I am most proud of regarding Tate Music Group is our contract. It is, hands down, the best contract available to a music artist. One of the great things you will notice about our contract is that it is pro artist. Our artists retain their song rights, they have final approval of production, and they have freedom. They can decide if Tate Music Group is where they want to stay or if they want to move on. Of course, we never want any artist to go elsewhere which is why we work so hard to constantly earn their business. I don't know if you will find that anywhere else.

Most people who read this post will probably not believe our contracts are as good as I am saying they are. With that in mind, I thought about how I could explain and show off our contract offer without just cutting and pasting. I decided to just hit the main points of what we do...what sets us apart from everybody else...what makes our contracts and our model better than all the rest.

So here is the 'bullet point' version of a Tate Music Group contract. Enjoy.

Tate Music Group will:

• Set up and promote gigs and events for you, the Artist, as well as help manage
and promote events set up by you.
• Contact all the media outlets (Radio, TV, and Print) within a 100-mile radius
of each event scheduled.
• Create a customized Electronic Press Kit for promotional use.
• Provide nationwide distribution for your album.
• Present your music to industry trade shows, awards shows, and include it in
our yearly catalog.
• Create and provide marketing reports showing our progress and giving vital
follow-up information.
• Produce, mix, and master your music at the highest quality.
• Create and design original CD artwork to your specifications.
• Provide you with the highest quality product and unbeatable prices.
• Create, manufacture, and promote your album while you retain all the rights
to your music.
• Provide you with over $2000 in merchandise to sell at your discretion.
• Return your Artist Participation Investment once 2,500 albums are sold.
• Work hard and work smart to help you find success and achieve
your dreams.

better late than never

There have been quite a few artists who have said to me, "I wish I/we had known about Tate Music Group before we did [insert high dollar production item here] on our own." That statement makes me both happy and sad. Happy for us here at Tate Music Group because it reiterates our belief that what we offer is the best deal going. Sad because I think about the money, the thousand and thousands of dollars, that is spent on producing a CD but having no support after its been created.

I think that is what truly sets us apart here at Tate Music Group. We offer what no one else does or can. What we offer goes beyond just the production and manufacturing of a CD. We offer a partnership with each of our artists to help them, in any way we can, to get to the next level. Sounds different, huh? Well, it is.

Production and manufacturing are very important parts in the music process. We agree with that, which is why we offer those services to all of our artists. The problem is, if you stop there, what do you do now? What do you do with the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of CDs sitting in a closet in your drummer's two-bedroom apartment? How do you get people to seriously consider you for shows, interviews, or openings for larger bands? What about radio? What is the plan for talking to radio stations? Do you send in a CD with a note about you, maybe an EPK? Thousands are doing the same thing. What is truly going to set you apart? And what about distribution? Besides iTunes and CD Baby, where else are you going to get your music represented? How can you get it out of your local music store and into a nationwide distribution channel?

The great thing is that all of these questions can be answered in one of two ways: 1. You can pay for each of these services to happen. There are booking agents, publicists, radio promoters, and distribution managers who will gladly get this going for a not-so-small fee - or - 2. You can sign on with Tate Music Group and you get all of these and more. (Wow, that sounds like a commercial...but it's true.)

That is what makes us different than all the others. We do all we can, all that I have talked about and more, to help our artists to make it, to find success. We care about each of our artists and we want them all to know that TMG is working hard and smart, on their behalf.

So when people tell me they wish they would have known about Tate Music Group first, my response is "Better late than never." We truly care about our artists and we want to serve them any way we can.

By the way, if you wanted to find out more or just have some questions, I'd love to talk to you. Just give me a call at 405-376-4900.