Finding Me and starting over....

     I'm starting a new chapter in my life.  This is a whole new beginning and I'm ready.  It's been the hardest thing in the world to let go of how you want things to be and embrace what is right in front of you.  I decided to play the hand I'm dealt and be grateful for what I have.  It was hard and I fought it all the way.  Today I can say that it's been a very wise choice so far.
     I'm getting ready to do an Open mic and then I have the artist showcase at the end of the month.  I have plans in the works for November showcase.  I'm still working on the album.  Eventually, I will go into touring with artist that I pick.  I have a friend that has agreed to teach me how to engineer but I also want to learn production (everything).  I'm going to make myself into the go-to-girl, when it comes to music, for the south.
     I'm learning a whole new field which I know nothing about right now but I will get the hang of it with time.  I know a few things about business and the rest I hope to learn.  I've decided to try some different marketing techniques and see how they work out; keep those that work and let go of those that don't.  I have met some very wonderful artist here and they have been my support and my shoulder.  I know that if I need them they will be there but they can only do so much.
     I'm going to watch some of my friends go from ordinary to stars and I will be the one smiling the most because I helped them get there.  All thanks to this guy that put on my wall on Facebook for my birthday "do what you love and find a way to make money doing it."  If I could I would so kiss him right now but I think a thank you will do the job; so thank you so much for that info.  It really got me to thinking about what I loved doing and brought me to here.  I love helping people and I love music, so I put those two together; that's when I thought it would be so cool to see their dreams come true and know that I helped get them there.  I think I'm on the right path.
     I'm keeping my options open so as not to miss opportunities; "close mind close doors."  I am embracing new ideas and looking for new opportunities to refresh old ideas.
     I have a new life, a new love (did I mention but this time someone in love with me, yeah!), and a new attitude.  I just pray that everything goes my way.  I'm still hurting inside but I have hope that tomorrow will be a better day because I will make it so.  Here's to healing and no more pain, and... to hopefully (with time) love.  I have such a big smile on my face right now.  I'm determined to get my life back on track and find love; so don't start to tripping when you see me come up out this shell.

I'm brilliant!

     I'm brilliant!  I wrote this song the beginning of this year and I finally decided to take it to the studio.  It's a very dramatic piece.  I get quite a few collaborations from different artist and this track was one of those that I just loved immediately.  Probably because of the dramatic effect it had on me.  So William (that's the artist that sent me the track) was like take it where ever you want.  Thank you!  That's how I felt because I love when I have a blank canvas to create on and this was so one of those opportunities.  So that night I'm watching my favorite channel ID (I'm strange like that) and this idea came to me.  I'm having an operatic moment right now, if I could I would so sing it for you.  So I write the song and it's crazy.  I do crazy so well.  I kind of like crazy.  I do.
     Unfortunately, I can't let you hear it but after he gives me the go ahead I will put it up.  The song is called "Fallen" and it's about a male stalker/killer.  I told you it was crazy.  Wait til you hear it!
     I love to create and most of the time when I get a track I have nothing at all to go by; so I have to take the song where ever it leads me.  Talk about fun and exciting.  Some times it's hard but I let go of what I want and I just go where the track is taking me.  Once I get the hook the lyrics are usually easier to write.  You are so going to be seeing more of my work in the near future.  Yeah!

My Life is going smooth.....

     I'm planning my next Artist Showcase and I have some amazing talent.  I am so excited about this.  I love this work.  Who knew?  I felt so natural up on the stage during my first showcase and I wasn't nervous at all.  I'm thinking that there are no limits to where I can take my life now.  I sort of gave up on that a time back but boy was I wrong.  I have so much to plan and so many things to do.  If any thing I wish I had help; reliable help.
     I'm also starting an Open Mic that's going to be at Club Infinity on Wednesday nights.  I'm shooting for the young crowd (18-25).  I also hope to use it to find talent for my showcase.  Smart right?  I know.  I'm so PJ.  Okay, enough bragging about myself.  I think I need to sit down now and make new goals and determine where I really want my life to go.  Then make a plan.  Enjoy the ride.

Saturday Night show went smoothly.

     Last Saturday night was my first Indie I Am Artist Showcase and I'm proud of the first results but there are a lot of things that I didn't do right.  There were a lot of things that ran very smoothly and I'm very proud of those.  I see this as a learning opportunity and a chance to evaluate the situation then regroup.
      I've decided to go a completely new direction for the next show and I'm so very pleased with the artist that performed.  I'm also hoping to work with some of them again.  Maybe not so much with the artist showcase but to hire them to perform in another one of my shows.  We are looking for new venues now and hopefully there wont be a problem with finding places for those artist.
      I took on 14 or so artist last time but in my next show I plan to limit it to just five or six max.  My itinerary went so very smoothly; so I was absolutely pleased with that.  I think it's better to plan for things than to leave everything to chance and in this case everyone was able to work from the itinerary and they absolutely delivered.  Having all the music on one or two cd's made the show just work like clockwork and the dj had no problem executing last minute changes.  I am now looking forward to the next show or the next showcase.
     I'm now planning an open mic competition for people from ages 18 to 24; which will be an untapped market here in this area.  I think the main problem is going to be how to reach that market but I'm very confident that I will get the job done.
     As a result of my last show I have acquired a small team of artist that are ready and willing to work towards change.  We are all very excited about the September 8 show but that is behind us now and we are looking forward to the future.

New Song "Goodbye Lover"

Alright, here is my new single Goodbye Lover.  Every now and then good can come out of pain.  I really believe that this is one of those moments.  It's my way of having closure.  I've never had a song mean so much but I'm very proud of this one.

Getting you music in Movies and TV by Discmakers.

Here's a free download from Discmakers.com.  I so love free information and it's really easy to get.  Just click on link, put in your information, then it will send you the download link, click on that, and you are set.  

"Getting your music in the Movies and TV can be an absolute career-maker. Check out our guide to getting your music ready! 
http://goo.gl/3Fggd."

Building My Business

     I'm building my business, Philadon Production Company, and I'm trying to decide what I want to accomplish and how I can get it done.  I have to develop a fan base here in Mobile Alabama first and find ways to keep that fan base coming to every show I put together.  I think that’s going to take all of my talents and abilities.  I’m going to have to determine my target market and go from there.  The most important thing is going to be my ability to think outside the box, because this is a group of independent artist with no financial backing.  Yes, we are pretty much operating on a wing and a pray.  Well, we’re a little better than that but we’re definitely having to use the kindness of other people (club owners) to get started.  It’s a win-win situation because most of the clubs I’m approaching are not doing so well, so they welcome someone willing to do promotions for them free of charge.  In return we get to utilize their clubs for our show.  Fortunate for us, I don’t mind searching for those opportunities.  I only wish we had more of them.    It would be easier if I had a star or someone that’s been on a major show to promote around.  I’m hoping that one of these artist will be my break out star, then I can promote around that artist.  At this time all I can do is stick to the basics and hope that things fall in place.  I’m very hopeful that everything will turn out fine.  The main thing is to build a strong solid foundation in the beginning and work off of that establishment.  Every business starts off a little shaky but I’m confident that everything will flow together with time.  I'm so ready for this.

     I've been working on the web-site, checking and rechecking the content.  Then writing two blogs, and shooting live performance dvd's for different artist.  It has really kept me busy and I'm so loving that.

For my "Indie I Am Artist Showcase" Artist

    September 8, 2012 I will be hosting my first “Indie I Am Artist Showcase” at Club Infinity (512 Kirk Road) in Theodore, Alabama.  I am so completely excited about that.  I know it’s going to be a long haul getting people familiar with us and coming to our shows but in time we will get our numbers up.   I’m determined to showcase to a full club and then move on to bigger buildings, or bigger clubs.  I see this show as only the beginning.  There’s another club in the area that I want to look at; so that may mean doing two shows a month verse one a month.  It is entirely up to the artist, if they want to participate but know this I will put a priority on the artist that’s putting forth the most effort.  I’m working towards paid shows for the artist.  I want everyone to be able to take home a paycheck.  I think that it feels better to know that you are working towards something.  I’m not going to tell you that it’s going to be easy because that would be a lie.  If everyone puts in the effort we could have a quicker turn around but that’s up to you.

     I plan to help all the artist in my showcase as much as I can because by making them better artist my company will have better shows and that is a win-win for all of us.  With that being said, my first priority is to do an assessment of each artist and determine what I can do to make them better artist.  Then I have to determine their market audience and  find a viable way to introduce them to that artist. 

     I have a marketing campaign that I want to implement right away and some marketing that will be implemented over time.  The most important road to success is the artist willingness to put in the work needed to reach their goals, first we have to determine what those goals are.  So after the show I will be getting with each artist to really determine how I can help them or how we can help each other.   For those who don’t want my help, that’s fine, because I don’t want to waste my time being counter productive.  Some of you may already have your own teams and that’s a good thing because that’s time that I put towards those artist that don’t have a team.  I’m only going to be there as an advisory person but if you really need my help on some thing I’m willing to do what I can.   But please understand that I’m not trying to be any ones manager or Record Label.  Philadon Production Company is my company and our job is to give you the tools to be a successful independent artist or help you to get in the position to be signed my a major label.  I provide live shows where an artist can perform, I record live shows that can be used to market the artist talents, and I provide useful information concerning the music business.  I will give you suggestions and advise but it is your job to implement those things; if you so choose.  You also have to realize that some of this stuff is going to be trial and error, until we find out what works us.

     I’m going to have someone sell my cd at the show, I can sell your cd too but my fee is 1/3 of everything I sell; and I split this with the person doing the selling.  I’m also going to be setting up at the flee market on the weekend to sell cd’s and dvd’s; if you are interested in me marketing and selling your inventory let me know, the same fee applies.  I only get paid for what I sell; so if you sell your own stuff that has nothing at all to do with me.

     I don’t want anyone to feel like you have to use me or my services because you don’t.  I’m still going to be me no matter what.  I would love to have your business but this is your career and your business, so you have to make the best decisions to fit your needs and as a business woman I understand that.  For those that want my help you have my number, or you can hit me up on Facebook under the name Philessa Hooks, or email me at Ladypj32@yahoo.com.  This is an area that I didn’t expect to be in but I’m very happy to have things going the way they are.  I can’t promise that all of you will be successful but I can promise you that you will get back what you put in.  I’m ready to pull my sleeves up and get busy making this a very successful venture for all of us.  I welcome any of you that want to be on board with me but know that you have a lot of work ahead of you.

    

I really need to vent

     I use to have a friend that I could vent to but now I have you.  So... I really need to vent.  What I mean is, "I have a lot of stuff that's on my mind and I have to get it out my system."  I have to be honest with you because my venting can get a little crazy but it's my work through.  I just hope you don't hold it against me.  It's your first time so remember that patients is a virtue.  Patients.
     My professional life is going the way it should I suppose.  I'm on this road and I have no idea where it's going.  I use to really like that, the unknown.  Long story and no I wont tell it today.  I don't even know if I like this journey that I'm on.  Then I'm thinking am on the right path or am I running again.  My question to myself, of course.  I can't answer that.
     I've changed a lot of things in my life.  I'm putting a show together and I have a wonderful artist line-up; that's not the problem.  I don't really know what the problem is really.  Except that I'm completely mentally handicapped at the moment.  I mean, this is where I'm suppose to be.  This is where my life is suppose to be.  Except my purpose for success is gone and now I'm trying to decide if what I'm doing is really what I want to do.
     I'm not a very complex person.  Really, I'm not.  I'm pretty comfortable in just about any environment.  I prefer simplicity, well romantic simplicity (if there is such a thing) in lieu of over-the-top romantic or dramatic.  Although I have to admit that I love an air of dramatic (a pinch) and as long as it doesn't have a name or is a part of my family.  I'm just saying!
     I know that I want to help my friends and I know that I really want to do the show.  But do I want to lead or participate?  I love music, I love to sing, and I love creating.  I have to admit that I like being my own boss and I like helping people so that's not the problem at all.  Why isn't that enough?  That's where I am right now.  What I have to do is so easy for me but I have to learn new skills in order to be well rounded.  I thrive off of things being hard because I love problem solving.  I get off on it.  It use to be my thing.  I see a problem.  I solve it.  Simple.  I'm hoping that this show will spark something; give me something.  I know where this road could take me if I work hard and hard work is the easy part.  Getting past myself... that's the work.
     Okay, I'm done for now but thank you for listening to the inside thoughts of a crazy mind.  Much love to you.

Stuff happens!

This week was so stressful and I'm so looking forward to a new beginning.  I could not get my feet on the ground.  It was just crazy!  I canceled the show at The Billard's Club, for this month because of my financials.  Shit happens!

Fortunately, I was able to book a show with Club Infinity for September 8th, 2012.  My line-up of artist is like wow!  Suthernbreed, Kult Klassic, Red Ruga, Joe Cane, Nikki, COG, Travis J, PresTijus, and of course your girl Lady PJ. I've seen all of them perform and I have to say that I'm happy to work with them all.  Some times God closes one door only to open another one.  I know that this is a start in the right direction and I've been waiting for this to happen since I moved back here in 2007.  Now I'm just excited about the beginning.  I know that it will take some time for people to warm up to me and my ideas, but I got nothing but time and I've learned a little thing called patients.  I think I even have a team.   Who knew that life would just start showering me with candy?  LOL!  And I have a sweet tooth.

     Yesterday all I could see was this wall but today sunshine!  Alright Mobile, Indie Artist Stand UP!

Copyrighting your works

I've had artist ask me about copyrighting their work and I found this on YouTube and I think it's a great tool for learning the basics about copyright.  Fortunately there are so many video's on YouTube that you can use to learn about copyright so by all means don't stop here because this is free information.  Hello!

Working on a new song.

     I just got a new track from my boy Big Ced and it's got a west-coast vibe.  I'm so feeling this track right now.  It's smooth and sultry.  I so love that.  I can almost see someone playing the keyboard and guitar.  You know like back in the day; jammin!  I really miss live instruments but I think technology is hella good.  Damn!
     I have no idea where I'm going to take the track but it's going to be so much fun writing to this joint.  I'm going to rock this in a big way at the club.  I have to stop myself from taking over and just write one verse and the hook.  I can get a bit carried away.  When I'm in a project I just go where the project takes me and I stop when I feel it's done.  When I'm creating it's like I'm making love.  I stop when I'm satisfied.  I'm so laughing out loud right now.  I love making music.  I wish that relationships were as easy but that's another story.
     Big Ced and I are almost finished with our single "Never Enough" (our first collaboration together but definitely not our last) and hopefully it'll be done by next week.  I really can't wait for you guys to hear the song and let me know what you think.  I'm excited because my music is really coming together.  I have a ton of lyrics that I need music for and hopefully I can get that; eventually.
    Until next time, welcome to my world so very thrilled to be a part of your and as always I'm Lady PJ.

Thinking Of My Own Office

     Wow! I have a lot going on professional wise.  I'm teaching myself videography and photography.  I didn't think I would enjoy it so much.  I think I like taking pictures more than the editing part but all and all the learning is very exciting for me.  This is a whole new chapter in my life; I'm excited about what's coming next.  I've got to add a new webpage to advertise these new services.  I want to do some small productions and blast them on my site.  I think it's a wonderful opportunity for me to work with the younger crowd in my area and do the things that I love.  I really think I need this.
     Marcus and I went looking at an office last week and I'm really considering just doing it.  I love being my own boss.  I hate working for someone else and not having the complete control over my life.  I just feel like I work hard and I should be paid what I'm worth; so being my own boss is just a natural step.  I just don't know where to put Marcus.  He's a good friend and he's very loyal but he really doesn't have any skills right now.  I'm thinking that I can train him myself but I have to figure out how to get him the equipment he needs to do the job.
    I always think that I can do it all myself but I don't know if I can.  I know that I'm going to have to ask my friends for help and I'm not really good with that.  Unless I find a way to do it myself.  Anythings possible, right?

"Songwriting," I just enjoy the ride!

I love collaborations because they bring out creativity that you probably wouldn't have any other way.  I was fortunate enough to do a collaboration with King Size (from Mobile, Al) and we just vibe off of each other.  I love that so much.  He and I are working on this song called "Running" and we started writing on another song that we had no idea what to call.  Some times you just have to sit and listen to the music and let it dictate to you what's there.  You have to also be open to what comes because it doesn't always come the way you think it will.  Some times the lyrics are shocking are provocative, or sad.  You know?  You just never know what will come and for me that's the excitement of writing songs.  I never know where it's going to take me but I just enjoy the ride.

Don't recommend: www.musicsubmit.com

I found this site www.musicsubmit.com because I was looking for a way to get my music on the radio. I found the whole process pretty easy and I love the service because I can use the site, for free mind you, to submit my music to someone of my choice. If the company submits your music you have to pay a fee but it's fairly reasonable and it's a lot of work that I don't have to do. Love that! I am currently using their service to get my music on the radio and I already have feedback. As you can imagine I'm getting excited about it all. I really hope they do a good job but you know if they don't you will be the first to know.

www.folrecords.com

I found this site by Flo Records that you may find interesting. Their motto is "The First Online Record Label." Please check it out and let me know what you think. I joined so I will give you feedback on my use of the site. About them: "FOL Records is poised to help new artists gain market exposure, build larger followings and facilitate sales on iTunes and other online stores. FOL has created a rich and innovative way in which artists and fans can connect and relate like no other recording label has been able to do in the past. Our focus is on the combined experience of the artist and the fan by being able to keep the artists music free for the fan while the artist still gets paid. Thats right, download free music and the artist gets paid. Artists are paid for every unique view that they receive. The fan has a say in how well their favorite artists will do by telling their friends, sharing their links with social media. FOL Records lets you, the fan, enjoy music for free and take part in the exciting beginning of the reshaping of the entire music industry. FOL Records is taking the music industry in an entirely different direction by making it about the music, the fan and the artist and not about lining the pockets of only a few at the top of the corporate structure." I think that it's an interesting concept and it might just work. If interested you can sign up from the link above and the sign in sheet is pretty simple. Please leave a comment if you do decide to use their services and let us know how it works out for you.

Artists House Music

http://www.artistshousemusic.org

I found this site very helpful and it's full of information on marketing, promotions, artist development, and anything that you want to know about the music business.  So go and check it out, if you find it helpful please come back and leave a comment. Thank you and much love, Lady PJ.