Preliminary Artist Questionnaire ©

Help Us Get to Know You and Where You Are in Your Career.

 

I am not looking for one word answers. If you want to be seriously considered help me out by letting me see what is inside your head. Although we are looking for established artists with an established career we will consider all.  Understand going in that your odds of success are infinitesimal, overall 1 in a million (no pun intended.) Everyone says they are willing to stick it out, do whatever is necessary, but our experience shows us that is seldom the case.  Charles “Max” E. Million, President.

 

PS  If this seems like too much work…. You don’t have what it takes.

 

Date:

 

Name of Artist/Band? (Include all band members’ names and instruments played.)

 

 

 Is your stage name trademarked?

 

 

What is your background? (Who are you and your band members? Tell your story.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Do any band members belong to the Musician’s Union?

 

 

 Do you have a written ‘band agreement’?

 

 

If you do not, what will the structure of the band agreement be?

 

 

What is the decision-making process in making band decisions?

 

 

Is everything to be decided equally or does the leader make the band decisions?

 

 

Is money to be divided equally?

 

 

Make a list of adjectives which describes you (your act.)

 

 

 

Make a list of adjectives which describes how you want your act to be seen.

 

 

 

Make a list of favorite colors that you feel represent your act.

 

 

 

Make a list of images that your act, your music, your performance brings to mind.

 

 

Describe your act in three words or less.

 

 

 

Genre/ Classification

((

 

□ AAA (Triple A)

□ Adult Contemporary

□ Alternative – Rock

□ Classical

□ Country

□ Dance

□ Electronica

□ Hard Rock/ Metal

□ Jazz (All types)

□ New Age

□ Singer Songwriter

□ Other (explain) _______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Give me your best “elevator pitch” on why anyone should consider your act?

 

 

 

 

 Why do you want to record and release your own music? (Be very honest.)

 

 

 

 

 Who is your fan/customer? (Analyze this question thoroughly. What are the targets for your music? )

 

 

 

 

 

 Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the song writing process in detail.)

 

 

 

What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

 

 

 

What is the message?                 

 

 

 Have you filed your songs for copyright protection?

 

How many songs have you written?

 

Are you writing with other songwriters?   Who?

 

 

 Have any of your songs been published? (If so, by whom?)

 

 

Have you affiliated with a performance rights organization? (Which one? ASCAP, BMI, SESAC?)

 

 

 Who are your musical influences? (Site specific examples.)

 

 

 

 

How do you describe your music to people? (This is not a short answer. Discuss it.)

 

 

 

 

 

What image do you think your music conveys? (Do not avoid the image issue!)

 

 

 

 What are your immediate music career goals? (Next 1 to 3 years.)

 

 

 

 

 What are your long-term career goals?

 

 

 

How would you define the word “success”? (This is not a short answer. Discuss it.)

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any personal contacts in the music business?

 

 

Do you have an entertainment law attorney to consult with?

 

 

Do you have a manager?

 

 

If so, can we contact your manager?

 

 

 Are you looking for an independent label deal or a major label deal? (Why?)

 

 

 

 Do you have a demo or press kit, or any promotional materials? Have you included them in your submission? If not, why not?

 

 

 

What live performance experience have you had? (Any industry showcases?)

 

 

 

Please bullet point the top 10 background information items on the artist/band, including accomplishments, radio charting, awards etc.

 

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Have you performed with any notable artists?

 

 

 

 

How do you rate your live performance ability? (Be very critical. No clichés,)

 

 

 

 

 Have you recorded any previous CDs/Tapes? (Which studios? Who produced it?) Please include these with your submission.

 

 

 

How did you sell your CD’s/Tapes? (Consignment? Live sales? Distributor?)

 

 

 Have you had any previous print or broadcast media exposure or reviews? Please include copies.

 

 

 

Are you financially able to fund the costs of establishing your career? (In debt?)

 

 

 

 How have you paid for the costs you have incurred so far?

 

 

 

 Do you have a business license? (City, state, federal?)

 

 

 Do you have a web site or web sites? What is it?

 

 

 

 Are you listed on Social Media?  # of listeners’, # of downloads. Under what name are you found?

 

 

Facebook? # Followers/Fans

 

Reverb nation? # Followers/Fans

 

Instagram? # Followers/Fans

 

Snapchat? # Followers/Fans

 

Soundcloud?

 

YouTube? # Views

 

Jango?

 

Spotify?

 

Pandora?

 

Apple Music

 

Amazon Music

 

Other Social Media?

 

Do you have a web site?  List it.

 

 

How many names on your Email List?  How often do you communicate with them?

 

 

What is your current “business form”? (Sole proprietor? Corporation? Partners?)

 

 

Do you have a booking agent?                    If so, who?                                                                        

 

May we contact your booking agent?

 

 Have you set up a system for tracking your financial activities? (Software system?)

 

 

Are you aware of the tax deductions available for musicians?

 

 

 Do you have insurance on your band equipment and vehicles?

 

 

 Who handles your daily business activities? (Bookings, promotions etc.)

 

 

 How often do you work as an artist(s)?

 

How many years have you been pursuing a career in music?

 

 

 

 Have you created an actual career, marketing, or business plan? (Is it in writing?)

 

 

Have you done any creative fundraising campaigns?

 

 

Have you been in a recording studio?  Where? Who recorded you?  Do you have samples of these recordings?

 

 

 

What cities/ regions does the band/artist regularly tour or draw well in?  Please provide details.

 

 

What is the average number of people who attend your performances?

 

 

Have you ever had a sponsor?   If yes, give us details.

 

 

 

Have you ever had a song in a film/commercial/television etc.?  If so please provide details.