So New?

So it's been 10 months since I left Broadway, and though I miss it I've been enjoying life on other stages.

CONCERTS
From Israel to Los Angeles, Boston to Washington DC, Little Rock Arkansas to Midland Michigan , I've performed in some truly great cities with some truly great symphonies. It's magic working with 50+ piece orchestras singing some of the greatest music ever written. And I've really enjoyed meeting and working with some of the most talented maestros and musicians in the world. With symphony work you really focus on your voice, your mic technique...you're out there just you and a full orchestra making music...it's a beautiful thing.

MUSIC BIZ
I've learned a lot about the music business this year as well. I was working with Sony/Epic in London as member of Broadway 4 (now Teatro) until I decided it wasn't for me. But for all of you interested in making a record/landing a record deal, I can tell you it's a very complex affair. Since there is no union protecting recording artists, contracts are negotiated by lawyers, managers, and record executives. The economics of how record labels and managers make money is incredibly convoluted (just read Secrets of Negotiating a Record Contract)and the artist usually has to put his trust in his lawyer and just sign on the dotted line. Add to that the changing nature of the music industry (i.e. itunes, 360 deals, starbucks, livenation, plummeting CD sales) and you've got a tough tough business to be successful in as a new talent.

But it can be done. One thing you can't argue with is the label's power to spend millions on promoting and marketing you and your music. It's a platform for stardom. Just ask my friend Sara Gettlefinger in The Three Graces (Universal Decca). They're touring with Paul Potts right now and they're GREAT. They're HOT, they can SING, and their songs/arrangements are BEAUTIFUL. A shout out to my man Jeff Cohen who with his writing partner Michael Ochs and the girls has written 2 of the best songs on the album.

TV
I learned a lot about the TV world spending a few months in Los Angeles and starting a relationship with Greenlight Management. TV moves FAST. During episodics (when shows are casting day player/recurring roles) often you audition for something that shoots a day later and airs the following week. During pilot season it's intense. You're reading multiple scripts a day and auditioning back to back for roles in new television shows that if picked up could give you the platform to launch into into the homes of millions of Americans. Actors are cast from a wide spectrum of experience (i.e. compare the careers of the ladies in Grey's Anatomy). If you're in New York you get put on tape. I prefer being in the room in Los Angeles. Let's hope this year's pilot season (just under way) is not affected too badly by the strike.

MENTORING
So last night I hosted Scott Alan's New Voices Series with Vicki Clark and I gotta give these ladies a shout out--Marissa Dargahi, Leslie Henstock, Addi McDaniel, Sara Weiss, and Kimberly Chesser--Brava! The series features actors/singers who are great but have yet to debut on Broadway. Congrats ladies--you ARE GREAT! It was a lot of fun. And it reminded me of passion for mentoring young performers and why I started this blog in the first place.

My thanks to you guys for the inspiration.