I’m Singing at Big Night Out on August 6th!

Next Thursday, August 6th, let’s have a Big Night Out!

Billed as a delicious gathering for the musical community, Big Night Out is a unique and supportive
environment for performers and composers of all backgrounds to come together and perform the
music that they love. On Thursday, August 6, 2009, Big Night Out is having a special night featuring
female lyricists and composers including Bomi Lee, Crystal Skillman, Amy Shapiro, and ME!

Big Night Out’s Associate Producer Alex de Suze organized has organized a very special night of
featured female artists who will present and perform their songs past and present and discuss their
songwriting process.

This night will be especially fun because the first half of the night is open mic. Hosted by Jennifer Wren, and resident Musical Director William “Bill” Zeffiro, singers are encouraged to try out new material, sing the roles that they aspire to play, sing the roles they will never play, or just show off for the joy of it. If that’s you, I’d love for you to come out and strut your stuff!

Big Night Out will play at Etcetera Etc. Restaurant located at 352 W 44th (between 8th and 9th Aves). Nestled in the heart of the Theatre District, Etcetera Etc. Restaurant features delectable Italian cuisine with a surprising Mediterranean flair and a unique industrial interior. The upstairs cabaret boasts stunning modern art and a versatile, beautiful space.

The cover is $10 ($5 if you are a member of Equity, EMC, MAC, or SAG), there’s a $12
food/beverage minimum. The food is excellent, and the cocktails are lovely, and I look forward
to seeing you there!

Etcetera Etc. Restaurant
352 West 44th Street (bet 8th & 9th aves)
New York City

For more info, visit Big Night Out

Nia Long (vs Beyonce): Don’t Be a Bitter Betty!

Nia Long on the July 2009 Cover of Pride Magazine

Nia Long recently shared her two pennies about musical folk who expand their creative potential from singing into acting:

“I didn’t see ‘Obsessed’, so I can’t comment,” says Long, when asked by UK magazine Pride about Beyoncé’s acting skills. “But,” she continues, “it’s just not about how talented you are any more. It’s about ‘How much box office revenue will this person generate?’”

“When you see certain people — we won’t name names — they just don’t have the skill, and no one in their team has said: ‘You need acting classes’.”

“If you’re a singer not an actress, you should sing. If you’re a rapper, you should rap. If you take time to develop your craft, God bless you. Jamie Foxx is an example of both.”

This is not the first time that an actor has gone on record to complain about singers taking their acting jobs. I understand where they’re coming from, but I don’t see this trend changing any time soon. Film companies want to make money, and if they believe that a recording artist will have a bigger draw than a regular actor, they’re making a choice that will affect their bottom line.

My advice to Nia: If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. There are thousands of fans out there who love Nia Long’s work, so why not go to them directly? If you’re not working as much as you like, then that means that you have time to Twitter, Facebook, et cetera. Build your own fanbase, create a YouTube channel, start your own newsletter, whatever! Just get over yourself, and do what needs to be done. You’ve already succeeded as a well-known, well-paid African-American actress in a very competitive industry. If you can accomplish that, you’re already ahead of the game. Leverage your current level of success, and dare to go further.

Complaining about stuff you can’t change is a waste of energy that would be better spent on building your own database of diehard fans, and learning to produce a film on your own. We may not always like it, but the times, they are a changing, Girlfriend.

In other words: Don’t hate the player. Instead, change YOUR game!

And that’s my two pennies!

Musicians Lunch NYC on July 25th is Sold Out!

Interview with Ariel Hyatt, Indie Music Publicist and Author of Music Success in Nine Weeks

The Rock Star Life Lessons Interview with Ariel Hyatt, Indie Music Publicist and Author of Music Success in Nine Weeks
by Carla Lynne Hall

Rock Star Life Lessons: How has your marketing yourself and your career changed in the last 5 years?
Ariel Hyatt: Wow – great question – it has changed radically…. Since the evolution of Social Media my own PR and marketing has shifted from making our promotion and marketing all about a one way conversation: Hey artists: We have been in business 12 years and look at our reputation! Coupled with the fact that I was very much in the background as the “pitcher” to the writers writing releases and telling a very one sided story using press releases and mail and phone call follow -ups.

Now the primary marketing tool that I employ my expertise and how I can share what I have learned being on the court to help musicians understand not only the value of social media but also how to do their own PR and Marketing. The more I share, the more Cyber PR seems to flourish because people buy from those that they like and trust and I have built up trust by sharing good ideas and having a two-way conversation in the musicians community in the form of blog posts, vodcasts and newsletters and well as real-life interaction by teaching workshops and bootcamps and paneling at music conferences.

RSLL: What is Cyber PR?
AH: Cyber PR is my online PR firm and we get musicians and authors featured on blogs, podcasts, Internet radio stations, and all over the Internet. We also help artists come up with a social media strategy that works in tandem with a marketing plan so they can take advantage of the new ways to build a fan base and a community online.

RSLL: What do musicians need to know about social networking and/or Web 2.0?
AH: Social media is a wonderful way to engage your fans, meet new people and use cool interactive technology to communicate BUT artists must realize that this is just one piece of the puzzle. The real money and profits comes out of having a strategy and setting goals and working towards them.

I see so many artists that have thousands and thousands of fans on MySpace and on Facebook and they are making no money. The reason is: no one comes to MySpace or Facebook with their credit cards out ready to buy music – they do that at iTunes and on Amazon – so there needs to be a strategy that gets engaged fans away from the cool Web 2.0 portals where we meet and chat and interact into an atmosphere where we are used to BUYING – Amazon, iTunes and live clubs are where fan pull money out of their pockets and buy so if you are only on MySpace and Facebook and you are frustrated about why you sold way less than you expected ask yourself: Where are you asking for money? and how are you asking for money? Is there a strategy behind your asking or are you forgetting to even put a plan into place around this? Or even worse are you forgetting to ask at all because asking for money means you are being too pushy and aggressive and you hate the idea of asking?

You need to look at the Internet just like you look at your telephone or your fax machine – its a way of communicating NOT a place where you just will magically make money without a strategy and some knowledge of how traditional marketing works and a willingness to employ real plans and actions.

RSLL: What are some of your latest product and service offerings for indie musicians?
AH: Aside from Cyber PR campaigns, My best selling product is my book that I released last year. It’s called Music Success in Nine Weeks and it is a Nine week program that helps artists do 3 things:

1. Build a bigger fanbase
2. Get more PR (via using Social Media)
3. Earn more money

The way I teach this is by taking artists through a process that helps them:

1. Laser focus their message so that potential fans can understand them
2. Start a two way engaging conversation with all fans
3. Capture vital information (email addresses)
4. Create a plan that is based on traditional marketing so that they are set up for making money

My book comes with a lifetime membership to my closed online forum (which in the interest of full disclosure I will say Carla helps me manage!) where artists can get direct coaching from me and Carla and get a plan in action with the support of other musicians.

You can buy the book here: http://www.cyberprbook.com

RSLL: What is one action a musician can take to build their music business?
AH: Being in control of your own mailing list and start a regular email newsletter and send it at least once a month! This has been the #1 technique that I have noticed works the most effectively for musicians.

RSLL: If you were starting all over today as a musician, what would you focus on?
AH: I was never a musician so this is a hard question but I would say I would focus on building a community of fans who are engaged and involved with me on a personal and authentic manner. The bands that I meet who are making the most money and having the most success during these weird and uncertain times are the ones who work really hard at knowing who their fans are and what they like, don’t like and what they will respond to. These artists also provide a steady stream of communication and music and opportunities to engage with fans – either online or offline.

Thanks Carla – it was fun being interviewed!

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Ariel Publicity was founded 12 years ago, and has since represented over 1,400 artists. The publicity game has changed radically over the last few years, so the company went 100% digital to accommodate the new landscape in January of 2007. Cyber PR is currently handling campaigns for artists of all genres and at all levels of their careers.

Ariel’s bi-weekly ezine “Sound Advice” has over 6,000 musicians and music professional subscribers. Her first book, Music Success in Nine Weeks, came out in June 2008. She is a contributing blogger to New Music Ideas and Music Think Tank and her articles have been featured in the Discmakers and ASCAP online newsletters. Ariel Publicity also offers Band Letter, a musician’s newsletter service to handle fan outreach.

Ariel has spoken at dozens of music conferences including SXSW, The Philly Music Conference, NEMO, The East Coast Music Awards, OCFF, & Les Rencontres (Canada), A2A (Amsterdam), CMJ, BMI Music Panel Series, and The Connective Panel Series.

Ariel’s Websites:
Ariel’s Blog
Ariel Publicity on Twitter
Ariel Publicity on MySpace
Ariel Publicity on Facebook

Ariel’s Products and Services:
Ariel’s eBook: Music Success in Nine Weeks
Cyber PR Campaigns
Band Letter Newsletter Services
Review You

Interview with Dayna Steele, Author of Rock to the Top

This week heralds the unearthing of last year’s lost indie music reviews, which will culminate with a BRAND NEW interview on success mindset from indie music mogul Derek Sivers. Enjoy!

The Rock Star Life Lessons Interview with Dayna Steele, Author of Rock to the Top
by Carla Lynne Hall

Rock Star Life Lessons: How has your marketing yourself and your career changed in the last 5 years?
Dayna Steele: The good side is there are many more avenues. The bad side is there are many more avenues and everyone is doing it!

RSLL: In your book, Rock to the Top, you write about musicians like Gene Simmons, Carlos Santana, and Jon Bon Jovi, who have “an entrepreneurial fire”. Is it important for musicians today to think of themselves as entrepreneurs? Why or why not?
DS: Anyone in any business has to think of themselves as an entrepreneur if they want to succeed. Competition is fierce in any business and you won’t succeed unless you do treat any career like a business. Everyone has to market, network, brand, etc.

RSLL: For your book, Gene Simmons wrote a glowing foreword, which also gives the reader an inkling of the drive that it takes to lead KISS, also known as “The Greatest Band in the World”. How did you get him to give up the goods?
DS: I asked for three months. It was either going to be a “yes” or a restraining order. I finally just laid it on the line, this is what I want and this is why you should do it for me. You have to let people know what you want and why they should give it to you. No one reads minds…except maybe your mother.

RSLL: After you left radio, you created an successful online business, The Space Store, that you later sold to a NASA aerospace contractor. What online marketing/promotion tips did you learn that a musician can use?
DS: Keep your website updated weekly if not daily and communicate with your customers/fans. Have a newsletter signup, let them know when there is a new product, an appearance, free stuff. They love free stuff….

RSLL: I also hear that you’re an AC/DC fan. What do you think of their decision to only sell physical CDs (no MP3s) of their new CD release, Black Ice via Wal-Mart and ACDC.com?
DS: Brilliant. Hey also have the money to begin with to take such a daring stand. They are a very successful business. They know their fans, they did their research. Very smart. And still adore Brian….

RSLL: What is one action a musician can take to build their music business?
DS: Network like crazy – it’s still who you know more than what you know…!

RSLL: If you were starting all over today as a musician, what would you focus on?
DS: Getting my music online everywhere I could, doing everything I could to get that one great song to “go viral.” And make sure you have it all backup with a website, blog, newsletter, quality product, etc. Get organized and run your business!

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For years, Dayna was one of the top female rock radio personalities in the USA. During her career and reign as Houston’s “First Lady of Radio,” she was named one of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts by Talkers Magazine and nominated as Local Radio Personality of the Year by Billboard Magazine.

After leaving radio, Dayna created The Space Store , the world’s largest space related e-commerce venture which she sold to a NASA aerospace contractor. She then created Smart Girls Rock, a product line to encourage girls to make “smart the new cool” or “geek the new chic.” Dayna also founded Operation National Anthem, a series of free videos of U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq offered to venues throughout the country to play prior to the singing of our national anthem. For that, Reader’s Digest named Dayna one of the “35 People Who Inspire Us” in the May 2008 issue.

Dayna Steele is the author of Rock to the Top: What I Learned about Success from the World’s Greatest Rock Stars with a foreword by KISS superstar Gene Simmons. Dayna captivates audiences across the country with her stories and sage advice learned from the world’s greatest rock stars. From students to a national sales force to corporate business gatherings, Dayna Steele rocks her audience through the four essential principles for achieving rock star status and building a stage for success.

Visit DaynaSteele.com

Sell Your Music! The Next Musicians Lunch NYC: Sat, July 25th 1-3pm

Isn’t this widget purty? 😉

Click here to register via PayPal

Let Me Sing For You at Your Event!

NYC Singer Carla Lynne Hall

In addition to being a singer/songwriter that performs original music, I’m also available to sing popular songs, jazz standards, and cover tunes for your special occasions:

* Live and Studio Vocalist
* Classic Rock/Dance Band
* Piano Bar
* Jazz Trio
* House Concerts
* Weddings
* Funerals
* Corporate Events
* National Anthem
* Contemporary Inspirational
* Karaoke Host

Whether you need a solo, duo, or group, I can organize a musical performance that will work for your needs and budget. For more info on my musical background and training, please visit my NYC Singer website. Contact me at moxiemaven64@gmail.com, and we’ll set something up!

PS – With enough notice, I will travel anywhere in the world to add the magic to your event that only I can provide! 😉

My Twitter Account Has Been Restored

Whew! What a relief. That was the scariest nine hours of my life! 😉

Twitter Suspension Graphic created by Jason Bradford aka @jasonbradford

So I really AM a Twitter badassssssss!

Aaaack! My Twitter Account Has Been Suspended!!!

Not sure yet how this has happened, but my Twitter account @carlalynnehall has been suspended for suspicious activity. If you’re looking for me, I’ll be back as soon as things clear up.

In the meantime, you can still find me here, as well as via Facebook and FriendFeed.

Those of you who know how much I love to twitter can imagine what kind of withdrawal I’m going through right about now. I’ll keep you posted.

And for any of the Twitter Support folks who may be checking my blog to see if I’m real, I swear I am!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeffrey Paul Bobrick Premieres Michael Jackson Tribute Song on Rev Al Sharpton’s Radio Show

Jeffrey Paul Bobrick

Billboard Award winning singer/songwriter/pianist Jeffrey Paul Bobrick has composed a Michael Jackson tribute song, “Michael”, which was produced by Rick Warren. Jeffrey will perform it live on Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network Radio Show on Saturday, July 4, 2009. The radio show can be heard in NYC on 1190 AM at 9-11am. Jeffrey is scheduled to perform at 9:30am. If you do not have access to this station, you should be able to listen live on the Internet through the National Action Network Live Stream.

A long-time fan of Michael Jackson, Jeffrey was compelled to honor his musical hero in song after the star’s sudden death on June 25th. “Michael was one of my greatest influences and inspirations,” he says, “I saw him perform live multiple times and even had the opportunity to meet him on two occasions. He was incredibly warm and generous during our meetings.” When Jeffrey learned that Reverend Al Sharpton’s radio show would be honoring Michael Jackson this weekend, Jeffrey immediately submitted his song’s lyrics to the show’s producers for consideration. Almost as quickly, Jeffrey was invited to perform on Sharpton’s National Action Network Radio Show.

Born and raised in New York City, Jeffrey started writing music at a young age and was performing frequently by the time he reached high school. He read Shakespeare at Oxford University, trained in theater at the British America Drama Academy in London and graduated with a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. After studying as a classical singer and enjoying a successful career as an actor (Off-Broadway, national tours, indie films), Jeffrey released his demo EP “When You Are Free,” which won him songwriting honors from Billboard Magazine.

Every Saturday morning since its founding, the National Action Network holds its weekly live action rally and radio broadcast which has been critical to its development. National Action Network (NAN) is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the nation, with numerous local chapters around the country. NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes one standard of just and decency for all people regardless of race, social justice for communities, and the improvement of race relations.

A friend of the Jackson family, Rev. Al Sharpton recently traveled to LA to help with funeral arrangements. During his weekly rally at the National Action Network, Sharpton called for fans to celebrate the star’s life and music, and said that he knew Jackson was at peace: “When you get to heaven,” he said, looking skyward, “turn around and moonwalk through the gates.”

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Billboard Award Winning singer/songwriter/pianist Jeffrey Paul Bobrick performs throughout the east coast and is creating a buzz with his “very clever, bright, intelligent songs” (Joey Reynolds, WOR radio). His demo EP, “When You Are Free,” is now available. Jeffrey is also in pre-production for a full length CD, slated for release in 2009.

For music samples, news and performance information, go to:
http://ILoveJPB.com

JPB LOVES YOU…keep listening…

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7/5/09: JUST ADDED – Here’s a video of Jeffrey singing his MJ Tribute song on the NAN show

Michael Jackson Tribute Live on Rev. Al Sharpton with Sharp Talk at National Action Network