tate music group...setting our own price

I received this information from some of our Executive Staff. I have to say, when I read it, I was blown away. Not by the facts and numbers that are presented...I knew what to expect there. I was blown away by the candid-ness of this author...willing to share her 'fortunes' (or misfortunes) with anyone who is willing to read them.

Now, you may say, "What does a book deal have to do with my music career/contract?" A lot. Yes they are different in subject/product but not in nature. The basic principle has always been the same for the publisher/label - get as much as you can out of the 'artist'...and then get some more.

Please hear me...I am not trying to say that individuals or companies are crooks, cheats, etc...I am, however, saying that the system that has been in place for a long, long time is not friendly or warm to the artists (or authors) who create the brilliance they sell.

At Tate Music Group, our vision and purpose is to change this model and mindset. We want to be more concerned with working together with our artists, side by side, instead of walking on their backs to get to the end goal. Success usually comes with a price...but Tate Music Group (and Tate Publishing) are not willing to pay the same types of ethical costs that have plagued this industry for so long.

Instead, we are setting our own price...and the outcome is gain.

Here is the article:

A few years ago I made a promise to my writer friends that if I ever had a novel hit the top twenty of the New York Times mass market bestseller list that I would share all the information I was given about the book so writers could really see what it takes to get there. Today I’m going to keep that promise and give you the stats on my sixth Darkyn novel, Twilight Fall.

Here is the first royalty statement for Twilight Fall, on which I’ve only blanked out Penguin Group’s address. Everything else is exactly as I’ve listed it. To give you a condensed version of what all those figures mean, for the sale period of July through November 30, 2008. my publisher reports sales of 64,925 books, for which my royalties were $40,484.00. I didn’t get credit for all those sales, as 21,140 book credits were held back as a reserve against possible future returns, for which they subtracted $13,512.69 (these are not lost sales; I’m simply not given credit for them until the publisher decides to release them, which takes anywhere from one to three years.)

My net earnings on this statement was $27,721.31, which was deducted from my advance. My actual earnings from this statement was $0.

My advance for Twilight Fall was $50,000.00, a third of which I did not get paid until the book physically hit the shelf — this is now a common practice by publishers, to withhold a portion of the advance until date of publication. Of that $50K, my agent received $7,500.00 as her 15% (which she earns, believe me) the government received roughly $15,000.00, and $1594.27 went to cover my expenses (office supplies, blog giveaways, shipping, promotion, etc.) After expenses and everyone else was paid, I netted about $26K of my $50K advance for this book, which is believe it or not very good — most authors are lucky if they can make 10% profit on any book. This should also shut up everyone who says all bestselling authors make millions — most of us don’t.

Just as a side note - if this author would have worked with our parent company, Tate Publishing...the net earnings would have been almost 4 times as much. Just FYI.

tate music group...a buzz

That's right. A buzz. There is a buzz happening in the music world surrounding Tate Music Group and what we are doing with and for up and coming artists. This past week/weekend, some of our Executive Staff traveled to the Gospel Music Awards. They spent their time going to concerts, showcases, and interviews for our Artist of the Year, Jeff Chandler (who knocked it out of the park!). It was a great time for Jeff...and for TMG.

It seems that the music world just doesn't know what to do with Tate Music Group. Our president, Ryan Tate, was asked over and over again about how and why Tate Music Group works and what the secret to our success is. In fact, a good number of these questions were asked of him during an hour long interview he had with Billboard Magazine.

The secret is...there is no secret. Just a lot of vision, passion, and a ton of hard work. Tate Music Group has taken the best of the 'industry' and discarded the rest. We know how important it is for artists to retain their rights and freedoms. We know that artists want to have control over what they do. We know that artists can't do it all on their own and need help. And we know that so many channels won't work directly with artists...unless they have a label backing them up.

With all that in mind...Tate Music Group was started. TMG is able to provide the services, support, and opportunities that artists need to have a chance to make it in this industry. The difference is that, unlike so many other companies and labels, we walk side by side...and not on top of the artists we work with. Partnership is key for this to work...and it is working very well.

Another question that was asked a lot - "how is Tate Music Group so successful at a time when the music industry is struggling and in a decline?" The answer to that is hard work, incredible leadership, and great choices.

Allow me to take an example from a sport I love to do, cycling. The reason why Lance Armstrong is the greatest of all time isn't because he outsmarted the competition or had better equipment during the Tour de France. He is the greatest because he pulled away, during the mountain sections, when the rest of the pack tried to just maintain and not fall apart. He was willing to outwork everyone else...especially when everyone else was struggling to survive.

Similarly, the 'industry' is struggling...fighting the economy, piracy, unhappy artists, etc. Tate Music Group, on the flip, is growing, expanding, hiring...you get the idea. As a company, our leadership has kept us free from debt and placed us in a position to excell and change the face of the music industry. In fact, we are already seeing that happen...in Nashville of all places...

Every once in a while I talk to an artist who just isn't sure and tells me they want to "wait and see about us." Well, Tate Music Group is moving fast and picking up speed. I hope they don't miss the boat...

tate music group...the 4th thing

I received a letter from an artist who just signed with Tate Music Group. I am very excited that she is now a part of the TMG family for many reasons. First, she has a very beautiful voice and a lot of musical talent. Second, this has been a dream she has pursued for a very long time. And last but not least, she knows what it will take to make it to the next step. In other words...she gets it.

This is a very hard business to break into. Certain television programs, among other things, have given a false sense of ease regarding what it truly takes to find success. You have to be talented, you have to have incredible work ethic, and you definitely need to have what some would consider 'luck' (or maybe just really good networking...).

Another thing that is needed, though, to make this pursuit a true possibility is a strong team backing you up...helping to create opportunities and opening doors. This is something that so many indie artists just don't have. They have the first 3 but they are reluctant to move into a partnership with a label because of their fear, and rightly so, of losing their creative freedoms and their music rights.

At Tate Music Group, however, the artists we work with need not worry about that. One of the greatest parts about Tate Music Group is that our artists receive the benefits of the 4th thing (the team behind the artist and music) while maintaining their freedoms and control of who they are as artists. For me, hearing the stories I hear every week about bad contracts, etc...that freedom would be worth a lot.

I am so excited to see new artists join our TMG family. Obviously I am biased towards what we do and how we do it but, I have to be honest, I am constantly impressed at what we are able to do and offer the artists we are blessed to work with. It truly is an amazing thing to see our artists receive the 4th thing...without having to give up any of the other things that have gotten this far.

tate music group...endorsement from a man who knows

Our founder, Dr. Richard Tate, told us about a great comment he received about Tate Music Group from a close friend of his...who just happens to be a very big name in the music industry. This friend, Jim Halsey, is responsible (in all or in part) for the careers of such stars as Reba, Little Richard, Garth, The Oak Ridge Boys, Clint Black, James Brown, and countless others. Needless to say...he knows the business and when he hands out a compliment and an endorsement...you would do well to listen.

He told Dr. Tate that what we are doing here at Tate Music Group is much needed within the music industry. We provide the kind of service, team, and opportunity that artists need in order to find success and growth within the music industry. What most people find crazy is that we do and provide all this without taking away any rights (music or otherwise) from the artists we work with. Unorthodox? Yes. A better option than all the others? Absolutely!

I had the chance to meet Jim Halsey when he took part in judging the Tate Music Group 'Artist of the Year' Contest. It was a true pleasure to be able to talk with someone who has so much history and knowledge of this business. And I wasn't the only one to think this. After the contest, our artists had a chance to talk with Jim and pick his brain about what they needed to do better and how they should approach other aspects of their music career. It was a great site to see these artists soaking up the knowledge he was sharing. Cool stuff.

I guess that is why I feel so honored and happy at the comments that Jim made regarding Tate Music Group. It is great, and even inspiring, to know that what you are working hard for everyday, because you know it is the best thing for artists and their music, is being acknowledged by those who know the music industry as the way to go.

Now, if I can just get Jim to listen to my Nu-Jazz/Country album I've been working on...

tate music group...oh what a night

It has now been over 24 hours since the inaugural Tate Music Group 'Artist of the Year Contest' ended. And boy did it end with a bang! So many of us put in countless hours of planning, talking, changing, running, organizing, hoping, and praying to try and make this event a success. What we experienced Friday night was more than I think any of us, if we were truly honest, could have thought possible.

Don't get me wrong...we know we have tremendous artists and a 1st rate staff to put everything together...but, you have to look at the fact that this was the 1st, the inaugural, 'Artist of the Year Contest' and we were running in the dark (so to speak). I don't think we thought it could turn out as flawlessly (and wildly successful) as it did. Please hear me, I am in no way trying to throw out negativity...I am trying to shine light on our incredible staff, artists, and production team that put together an unforgettable performance event that will be very hard to beat in the following years.

Besides the incredible planning, production, and execution of the night's event...one of the things that I will take with me forever was the support and comradery I saw between all of our artists. That was truly a special thing. Sure, each of the finalists wanted to win the contest and take home the biggest prize...but you could tell that they were all routing for each other as well. At one point I heard that a few of the artists were in one artist's hotel room, playing an acoustic guitar and singing the songs that influenced them. That kind of connection is special...especially since it happened within about 36 hours.

In case you haven't heard, Jeff Chandler was the winner and is the Tate Music Group 'Artist of the Year.' We are so happy for Jeff and his family and we are excited about what this year is going to bring him. We are also excited about the other finalists: SallyJane, Ron Walters, The Cliftones, and Sarah Scharff. They are all tremendous talents and have very, very bright futures ahead of them.

Standing around after the show, I was able to hear some of the commentary made by our judging panel (which consisted of some very influential music industry professionals). The consensus was the same. It was hard to pick a winner because every one of the artists gave a tremendous performance. It was also unanimous that the future for these artists is as bright as they want it to be.

I am so glad that Tate Music Group can be a major part of helping them shine.

(If you missed the show...you can check out a replay here. Enjoy.)

tate music group...t minus 3 days

It is hard to believe that the Tate Music Group Artist of the Year Contest is only 3 days away. A ton of work has been put into the creation and scripting of the event...from live dancing and musical numbers to a featured cartoon, illustrated by our very own creative geniuses in the design department. I am always amazed at the talent that is pooled her at Tate Music Group and Tate Publishing.

The top finalists arrive tomorrow. For the next 2 1/2 days, we will have them finalizing video edits, practicing their performances, and treated to many fun and exciting events...including one where we all have to dress up real nice. It is going to be a lot of fun and very exciting.

Overall, though, I am just ready to get to Friday night. I know that the things happening before are important and necessary for the event itself but I just want to see our artists get up there and perform. I know they are all going to blow us away!

I have no idea who I think will win. I couldn't even venture a guess with any amount of certainty. One thing I am certain of, though, is that the Tate Music Group Artist of the Year Contest is going to be the best thing going Friday night...

Sorry Big XII basketball tournament, you'll have to take a backseat...

tate music group...from beefsteak's to bob

I was a history major in college...and no...I had no plans on becoming a high school coach! To be honest, I was running out of money and I needed to graduate. I assessed my situation, turned my minor to my major, and voila...a degree I don't think I will ever use for any related purpose.

That being said, I came away with an even greater love of all things old...historical...iconic. I love to know how and why things happened and what it means for us, today. I especially love the story side of history...the parts that can only be described through interviews and fireside chats. (I think that is what makes me so sad regarding the histories of ancient Greece and Rome...we'll never hear the accounts of events, battles, and decisions that have shaped our world.)

Well, I was listening to a radio interview as I commuted home from work this week and it really hit on the things I seem to enjoy the most: historical story and music. To be more specific, it was an interview with an African-American songwriter from the 1940s and 1950s. She was describing the life and work of a songwriter in those days. It was an interview full of nostalgia...it took you back to a time when music and the industry was finding its way.

This songwriter (sorry, I missed the introduction part) talked about how many of the greatest songs of that era...from Elvis to Ella...were written in the back of an establishment called 'Beefsteak Charlie's' in New York City. That's right, Nashville wasn't always the music capitol of the world. She described late night collaborations between writers...using napkins and old paper sacks...anything to keep the music and lyrics flowing. And the next morning...there was a good chance you'd have a hit on your hands. That is a good example of how it used to work and, in some ways, still does. Songwriters creating hits and making people stars.

Now, fast forward a decade and a half. The era of the songwriter is still in full effect but we have a new breed of artist fighting for recognition. One of the most famous, and most influential, was Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan epitomized the singer/songwriter. He wrote amazing songs and then he sang them...and became a star.

I love the nostalgia and the mental pictures I get from listening to and thinking about stories from the early days in the music industry. But, those thoughts always lead me back to today and many other events that have brought us to where we are with music. Of course, there are still thousands and thousands of songwriters out there making amazing music. David Foster is a good one.

But there are just as many, and maybe more, great singer/songwriters who are out there writing and performing their own music...music they have a deep, emotional connection to...because they created it. In my opinion, this is the purest form of art there is. There is something incredible about an artist taking an idea, a thought, a vision, and putting it on paper, to music, and with a voice.

That is what we are looking for at Tate Music Group. The music industry is changing. Of course there will, sadly, always be reality shows that give us another singer/dancer/??? I don't want to discredit what other artists are doing but, in my opinion, there is a growing desire for authentic, meaningful music. I think that is a huge reason why artists like Bob Dylan were and are so popular. They have something to say...something original...something that is truly theirs. Their songs had a message and a meaning and they connected to people at a deep level.

At Tate Music Group, we want artists that we can help connect to people...to help share their music and message to as many as possible...and to help them to create and keep something that is truly theirs.