This quote appeared in the Los Angeles Times in an article by Geoff Boucher entitled, "The path to success is no longer labeled". I thought it was worth highlighting because the paradigm for bands and artists has changed so much in the last 15 years.
Today, the power of both record labels and radio stations has been partly diminished by the global stage the Internet affords musicians. Music labels once controlled the distribution and traditional radio stations provided the main artery that lubricating the distribution lines.
Well, that's not the case anymore. Bands can put their music online for people to hear or buy without regard to music labels, radio airplay, or any other restrictions from the old ways. But, it's still not easy: success requires self-promotion, touring, word-of-mouth, and a bit of viral luck.
If you are an entertainer, musician, artist, or band and you've had some success with the new opportunities of the Internet and the ability it's given you to build a fan base, I'd like to hear about it.
What kind of success have you had with traditional and Internet radio stations?
Does your band offer a podcast or appear on podcasts to promote itself?
Do you receive local airplay and what did it take to get some?
How do you market yourself in an Internet world when music labels and traditional radio stations ignore you?
I can be reached at: radio.guide@about.com
