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Question: How Are Artist Being Signed Today ?

There was a time in the music business, and we are going back a bit, when the ultimate goal for musicians, artists, or unsigned bands was to obtain a record deal or recording contract. Back then, we were talking major record label, there were little or few Independent Record labels to speak of. This was the standard focus and quest. It was my band’s quest at the time and we were lucky enough to get signed by Warner Bros. and they did a decent job on the marketing end. But if you are an independent artist today, a lot of you know that this obsession of getting a record deal may not be as prevalent as it was many years ago, and it probably should not be.

Most independent musicians today understand that the glamour of getting signed to a major record label or even a strong independent label may not be all it is cracked up to be. First of all, with the state of the music industry and record labels today, it is even harder to obtain a decent record deal then it was years ago and...

Changes in the Recording Industry

LOS ANGELES — When you're not inclined to give your product away for free, make your customers believe they're getting something for nothing.

That's the thinking behind some of the offerings music fans may see this year as the recording industry scrambles to offset losses from plunging CD sales and find new sources of revenue when many consumers simply download music for free.

Among the business models music fans are likely to see more of: music subscriptions bundled with the price of Internet access, and services like Nokia Corp.'s upcoming Comes With Music, which would give users of select mobile phones a year's worth of unlimited access to music, for no extra charge.

Music companies also are expected to license songs for more ad-supported Web sites like imeem, which lets visitors watch videos or listen to full-length tracks posted by other music fans for free.

Major recording labels, long-criticized for being too slow in adapting to changes brought by...

What Makes A Real Record Producer?

A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording (i.e. "production") of an artist's music. A producer has many roles that may include, but are not limited to, gathering ideas for the project, selecting songs and/or musicians, coaching the artist and musicians in the studio, controlling the recording sessions, and supervising the entire process through mixing and mastering. Producers also often take on a wider entrepreneurial role, with responsibility for the budget, schedules, and negotiations.

Today, the recording industry has two kinds of producers: executive producer and music producer; they have different roles. While an executive producer oversees a project's finances, a music producer oversees the creation of the music.

A music producer can, in some cases, be compared to a film director, with noted practitioner Phil Ek himself describing his role as "the person who creatively guides or directs...

VH1's Love & Hophop Atlanta at CSP Music Group (Karlie Redd Feat. Headkrack on available on iTunes)

CSP Music Group: VH1's Love & Hip Hop Atlanta with CSP Music Group

CSP Music Group: The Hidden Truth behind Artists in Today's Industry. Why you Profit Staying Independent

Beanie Sigel, former artist signed to Rocafella Records, conducted an interview that was unseen by many up until recently. In the interview, Beanie said the same thing DMX, Left Eye, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and many other artist have been saying for years, “Artist don’t make money.”

He says artists only make a few CENTS per album they sale. On top of that, they have to pay for their own music videos, lawyers, accountants and more. That leaves the artist with as much money as some people who work 9-5 jobs.

Interviewer: We was talking earlier about the things people don’t know about the music industry…money…people think it’s this and it’s not that.

Beanie: Artist don’t get no money off of records sales. Unless you own your company. It’s a pie that gets divided between your record label, the distributor, the producer, writer, artist. That’s a big pie that gets broken up in that hundred percent of what your doing. You think your rap is hot, you get a beat from...

CSP Music Group Food Bank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Relations Contact:
Juanita Stephens-JS Media Relations – HYPERLINK "mailto:jsmediarel@aol.com"jsmediarel@aol.com

CSP MUSIC GROUP AND HY-VEE SUPERMARKETS TO ENGAGE YOUTH VOLUNTEERS
TO SUPPORT HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAM IN WATERLOO
A food drive benefitting the Northeast Iowa Food Bank will help Iowans in need

CSP Music Group (www.cspmusicgroup.com), a team of accomplished music producers, composers and writers whose “The Next Pop Icon” talent search will be presented in Waterloo on April 30th, has joined with HYPERLINK "https://www.hy-vee.com" Hy-Vee supermarket chains to assist the HYPERLINK "https://www.northeastiowafoodbank.org" Northeast Iowa Food Bank (NEIFB) in their mission to combat...

The Next Pop Icon Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Juanita Stephens
JS Media Relations
jsmediarel@aol.com

SUPERSTAR FORECASTER, CSP MUSIC GROUP, TO PRESENT

‘THE NEXT POP ICON’ TALENT SEARCH APRIL 30 IN WATERLOO

One Lucky Winner Will Receive a Grand Prize Music Production Package
Valued at $100,000

CSP Music Group, a team of accomplished music producers, composers and writers, will present “The Next Pop Icon,” a talent search on Saturday, April 30, 2011, in an effort to showcase Iowa’s bourgeoning performers. Twenty finalists will be selected to perform in front of a panel of top music industry professionals. One stand-out star will win a Grand Prize music production package valued at $100,000.

Staged at the Elizabeth A.H. Green Auditorium (214 High Street, Waterloo, IA 50703), the event begins at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m. Registration fees are $10 until March 22; $25 from March 23 – 29; and $35...

CSP Studios on VH1's Love and Hip Hop Atlanta Season 2 episode 3 & 5

Karlie Redd‘s in the booth at CSP Studios working on her rap all while being messy. And why not make a diss record toward K.Michelle and let Rasheeda hear it? Traci comes along for the entertainment and tries to grasp what is going on. “Come on, get on a verse,” Karlie tells Rasheeda. “I am so not about to waste my beautiful voice on no gotd– zoo animals. I can’t do it,” Rasheeda responds. Traci eggs Rasheeda on persuading her with the “I’ll play it [on the radio]” if she just does the song. Rasheeda says she’ll think about it. When Karlie asks when is the last time she saw K, Rasheeda says, “Oh, I was driving down Boulevard pass the Atlanta Zoo and she was right outside that b*tch eating some grass.” Oh, Rasheeda.

CSP Music Group: Damon Dash on why it Profits to stay Independent

CSP Music Group is an independent record label and production company that caters to recording artists. We are the new approach to artist who want creative control of their projects and are disillusioned by the politics involved with major labels. The new generation of music-makers are following in the footsteps of pioneers such as Mackelmore and Adele who are proving that artists of today no longer need the financial backing of the major record label.

By investing in their own careers, such artists are able to make it to the top strictly based on their fan base and music alone. The artist remains in control with a team of people who understand your branding, your fans, and your dream.

CSP Music Group provides all the services an artist needs, in one location; to produce, create, market, distribute, promote, and brand their music. Under the CSP Music Group umbrella, a diverse team of seasoned industry professionals combine thought-out marketing...