Hello all! I’m kind of tired of apologizing when I don’t post for a long time so I’m just going to tell you. You probably won’t get a blog post but about once a month! Apparently, that’s all I have in me! My pattern has shown me that I just don’t have enough to say to post every week or whatever….On the bright side, at least you won’t get tired of me. So, on to why I’m posting today!
I have a new manager! I’m really excited about it because I have been managing myself up until this point and it has not been easy. I’m starting to realize that me controlling EVERY aspect of my career is not as rewarding as I thought it would be. I am the artist, and that is what I want to be now and not so much the business person. So, when I realized that I wanted a manager I had to think about a lot of things. First, I had to consider who I believe is trustworthy. Even if I didn’t know the person well, at the very least I could look at their reputation in the business and form an opinion from that.
I also had to look at who had contacts on BOTH sides of the fence where I do music…Southern Soul and Beach music. I sooo love doing both that I absolutely needed someone that also had their foot in both doors. I love Southern Soul because I grew up on it and it makes me remember “The Good Ole Days” of when I was growing up and both of my parents were still around. I love Beach because when I’m near the water I feel at home and at ease. I can’t explain it but I just feel like I belong there. AND I GET TO SING AND HEAR OTHER BANDS THERE??? GET OUT!!!! It doesn’t get any better than that.
I also wanted someone that has already been pushing me along in my career. This is the part that makes me tear up a little….There have been countless people that I have met on this journey that have seen something in me that I still have a little trouble seeing in myself. And because they see IT, they have thrown their hats in the ring to help and support me in ways that I could have never dreamed of. I feel so honored because these wonderful people didn’t HAVE to do any of it. It’s almost magical because it seems that when I need something, someone just shows up that can help me with that need. This phenomenon is one of the things that confirms for me that I am doing what I was put here to do. All that to say, I wanted one of my allies.
(Is the suspense killing you yet?) OK, so I thought about all this stuff and chose someone in my head. I asked and he graciously accepted. I have the paperwork to prove it! Anyway, I love this dude and I’m looking forward to our brand new business relationship. So, without further ado…My new manager is THIS GUY!!!
That’s right! DJ Heavy…I am now officially a part of Heavy Entertainment! He was really the only one I wanted for this so if he had said no, I would have been crushed. BUT instead, I am ecstatic! So, if you want me, you gotta go through him. I need to get back to work and I know he is the man for the job. I’ve been pretty still for the last couple of months and I’m looking forward to being very busy.
Since I’ve not had many gigs in the last few months, I kind of let my band go by the wayside. The main reason is because I’m losing my star player; my bass player Andrew. He has been there since the beginning and was actually the one who encouraged me to strike out on my own. He was the FIRST one to see “Miss Mini” and was constantly telling me for months that I should be a solo artist. We met a few years back when I was a part of The Rhythm Express band and he came in as the new bass player. When he saw me perform, he immediately started to ask me for a list of songs that I knew, which is too long so he never got it. BUT he wanted to work with me on other things that he had in mind. A few months went by and we got to know each other and I let him hear some of the stuff I was writing. One day he looked at me and was like “What are you doing with these guys? You’re a star. You should be doing your own thing.” At first, the thought was a little scary but it obviously grew on me! So, we left the band pretty much at the same time and started working on my solo career.
Turns out he is also a brilliant musician and he was instrumental in helping me on my first album. For many of those songs, it was just the two of us in my studio for hours on end recording. Long story short, he can’t travel with me right now but has promised that he will still do my second album, which is currently in the works. BUT with Andrew also goes the guitar player, who is his son, and the drummer, which was a drum machine that he had programmed. So, I’m back at square one with the band. I’m looking at it as a positive though. I’ve been saying for the longest time that I wanted musicians that were dedicated to me and would put my projects ahead of their own. Now, I have a chance to find them. I can make that one of the things I insist upon before they join. I believe my last keyboard player is solid. I have a few other people in mind so I should be able to pull it off. I don’t know another bass player but I’m sure some of the musicians that I know do know someone. They probably won’t be as good as my Drew but I will learn to live with it…I will surely miss all of the energy and personality he brought to my stage. AND he gave the ladies something to look at while I sang. Did you forget what he looks like? Here’s a reminder.
*sigh* At least I should be able to promise the new guys pretty consistent work in the coming year. I trust that my new manager with that!
Enough belly aching about that! Every change is a positive so I am looking forward to whatever may come out of this perceived loss. I think maybe I have been leaning on him too much. Not having him around will force me to stand completely on my own and learn how to better manage my musicians, which he was largely in charge of. So, I’m going to get on the stick and make some calls.
I’m off to the mall now. I hate to shop except online but my 16 yr old daughter has a choral program that she needs a dress for by tomorrow. That’s right, she can sing too! But she has no interest in doing it as a career. She wants to model. I can see that for her since she is quite lovely and a size Zero….I’m not exaggerating. She is a size Zero and about 5’9″. Imagine how hard it’s going to be to find this dress!!! My 7 yr old son on the other hand just may have performing in him! He also has a nice singing voice. I can hope for one right? That’s all for now. Keep listening and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Miss Mini 