Holiday Joy 🎄

 I'd love to talk about our Holiday Joy concerts. Boy, those shows were special!  We hosted six events from 2009 to 2014 at the Athenaeum Theatre in downtown Indy. 

The inspiration to put these shows on came from two various events. First off was the annual misfit party held at my place on Christmas night. I'd throw a party every Christmas for all the musicians home alone and often lonely on that night. We'd eat, drink and be very merry. Most nights ended incredibly late with a holiday singalong around my piano. The second inspiration came from the holiday caroling we did annually as a group at various hospitals, shelters, nursing homes, and schools. The caroling was a grand tradition that started back in my Bob & Tom days.

Holiday Joy came together once we compiled a house band consisting of a fabulous Team of musicians. Once the band was together, we started asking great singers in town to join us. We picked our favorite holiday songs and often put our Spin on Many of them. The rehearsals were intense. First, the band would learn the show, then the harmony singers would work through their parts, and lastly, the Lead singers Would come in to complete the songs. Our emcee from start to finish was the fabulous & funny Leonard Patterson, and our music director was the incomparable Michael Read. 

These Shows sold Out every Year after The first one. The word got out, and Holiday Joy concerts became a Not To Miss Event! They felt like an old-school variety Christmas program you'd watch on TV with your family when you were a child. The production, venue,  camaraderie we’d experience as a collective team, made us All feel completely whole. 

What made these even more fulfilling was that we donated the proceeds to different local charities each year. The singers donated their time and were happy to. We would have gone on forever putting these shows on but sadly, the venue decided to triple the rental price. It was a hard pill to swallow mostly because they knew we were doing these shows for charity and not for profit.  Even more upsetting was that we gave a donation back every year to the venue since they were a not For-profit organization. Things really do happen for a reason so after a bit of time, we all came to terms with this . We hope at some point to bring these shows back to Indy and the community we love so much. 

We recorded every show and put out CD’s volumes 1-6 for the 6 years the events took Place. We have a few of those available still if anyone is interested. Please email me lisasauce@aol.com

Xoxo 

Lisa 

Not about music

  I was looking at my mom today on Zoom and realized that she’d lost more teeth in the last six months than I had when I was a baby—getting old sucks. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in January of 2018, and it almost seems as if the decline started expediting On day one. 

Her husband, my stepfather, died of Covid in January of 2021. She doesn’t even know he’s gone and has never asked about him. We’ve been prepared since the day he suddenly left us to explain what happened to him to her. As it turned out, there was no need to be ready.  This lady used To knock Out the Most challenging Crossword puzzles In record Time every day. She Wrote poetry And devoured Novels. It's Tough and Sad to Watch her Deteriorate so rapidly. 

Hug your parents, your kids and your animals often. 

Lisa 

Let’s get it started again

 I recently was asked to be on a podcast for Drop the needle, hosted by my friend Ben Williams, drummer and singer in the Warrior Kings band. As always, I get nervous about speaking in a public setting or for the public to hear, but Ben put me at ease. We had a great time, and I realized that even after almost two hours with him, I still had much more to say. 

The music business has been such a gift to me. It’s allowed me to follow my passion for enjoying, listening to, and learning so much about the music business and, at the same time, sent me down the path of making a living at it. 

The number of creative people I’ve met over the last 24 years is in the 1000s. Who knew that right here in Indianapolis, there was so much talent? I certainly had no idea. Not only are they creative, but so many are gracious enough to share their gifts and give back to their communities.

In the following few blogs, I’ll focus on some beautiful events over the years that made the world softer and kinder. I’ll also write about some individuals who helped make these moments come to life. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Lisa 

Blonde Wisdom #11

 When your band is performing at a private event it is so important to always follow proper etiquette. This is to not only guarantee a successful event but to also set your band on a path for future referrals and a busy schedule with some high paying gigs.  Here are a couple of suggestions: 

One thing that comes to mind is "band attire".   Please follow whatever attire the host or hostess requests of you. If the event is formal or black tie you don't necessarily have to go rent or buy a tuxedo, but you will need a suit and preferably a black one. You can find jackets, pants, dress shirts and suits at most department stores (look for sales) and even at thrift shops like goodwill. Make sure that you keep your dressier attire clean and pressed. 

For the ladies look out for sales at department stores and several second hand shops also carry great designer black dresses. Make sure your lengths and fit are appropriate and your dresses are classy and not flashy or trashy. Remember, dress to impress. Most of the girls we work with have a black cocktail dress, a black longer dress and a nice pair of black pants with a few dressier shirts for business attire events. Also, keep your nails, hair, and makeup nice and always wear pretty shoes, preferably heels.  

As a band, coordinate your clothing at these events so that you all look sharp and similar for a cohesive uniform vibe. You never know, you might get some nice pictures to use from the event photographers too (if it's ok with the client and they happen to snap a few). Don't forget to always credit the photographer when posting pics to your social medias and web sites. 

Speaking of event photographers, make sure that you connect with the other hired vendors at the events you are performing. These can include planners, coordinators, photographers, videographers, other musicians, venue staff, just to name a few. Forming great relationships with other people in this industry will help you get positive referrals and might also help you to start forming a nice team of professionals to surround yourself with.  

None of these things work if you don't have a great product to offer to begin with, but these tips are all to help you put your best foot forward while being as successful and professional as possible. 

#numbereleven #eleven #blondewisdom

Lisa 

Blonde Wisdom #10

 One of the toughest things for people to do, not only in business but personally, is to admit when they've made a mistake. 

A lesson we've learned over the years in the music business is to check and cross check and triple check our calendars for double bookings and errors. Tonight we had a mistake. It was one that we wouldn't have even noticed if one of our venues hadn't noticed that the band booked at their room was also on another clubs website.  He called the other venue to question their calendar and then the venue called us and the mistake was realized on our end.  Through lots of panicking and scrambling we corrected the situation as best we could. 

The remedy wasn't the perfect solution but it was the best we could come up with in short notice.  These things don't happen very often, but when they do happen, instead of placing blame we always try to take responsibility. 

We apologized and assured the venue that it won't happen again. It might not have been our fault but inevitably it was our responsibility.  In business, always be responsible and aware of your performances and your decisions and also your mistakes. 

We are truly grateful for all of our clients, bands, fans and all who support us.  Thank you! #blondewisdom #numberten #ten

Lisa 

Blonde Wisdom #9

 When replacing a bandmate who has decided to leave the band for one reason or another, take your time and find the right person. Often there is a sense of panic especially when it's an abrupt exit.  Don't panic. Find viable substitutes to fill in while you are in the search process. Sometimes, an unexpected substitute could end up being the right fit. Don't rush it.  Don't just hire the first player that happens to have an open schedule just to ease your burden.  Having a guitar player, for instance whose wheelhouse is rock and performing lots of solos in your RNB band won't necessarily be a good fit.  Hiring a singer whose style or genre isn't adaptable to your bands set list and direction won't be comfortable.  We've seen so many bands just go for the quick and easy grab out of either fear or the unwillingness to be patient.  In almost all of these cases it seemed to end poorly. Really vet your candidates. Check references. Get to know them as a person too, not just a hire. This is someone you will be spending lots of time with and they will be representing you and the rest of your band on and off the stage. A band is a family and not only should you mesh musically but also personally.  #blondewisdom #nine #numbernine

Lisa 

Blonde Wisdom #8

 Listen to and respect your manager....

If you are smart enough to be represented by a manager then please listen to what they have to say. The reason to hire a manager is to help you hold your band to a higher standard, get your projects started and finished, have representation when It comes to contracts and negotiations and a myriad of other extremely important things. A manager is your advocate, they have your back and will handle aspects of the business that will keep you at the top of your game. If you don't respect your manager then you've more than likely hired the wrong person. For us, a manager is a must for any band that's serious about being in the music business whether local or at any level. Our business began as a management and booking agency for the purpose of helping bands and artists become the absolute best they can be and reach their highest potential.  We've followed that path and partnered with some amazing artists and bands for  almost 20 years now and will continue to do so for as long as we are needed. It's not something that should ever be taken lightly or for granted as it's a partnership and business relationship to perpetuate growth and strength.  #blondewisdom #numbereight #eight

Lisa 

Blonde Wisdom #7

 Starting a band can be really exciting and also intimidating at the same time. Think of it as opening the doors of a brand new business or creating a family. This will help you approach the process in a most effective way. 

Something important to consider is finding musicians and singers that not only get along with one another, but also have similar musical goals. Make it a priority to choose artists that are interested in performing the same type of genres as well as putting forth the same amount of time and effort into the band. Talent, chemistry and common band goals are all essential. 

Once you've got your band in place, get your set list together and practice, practice, practice. Your first impression as a band can make or break you. Come out swinging!  Honor each other, listen to each other and pay attention to what your clients and fans have to say about you. Other things to keep in mind as you are getting things up and running: look into hiring a manager, a booking agent, a regular sound engineer and most importantly, get your websites and social networks up.  

Remember, it's a business and a family. Choose wisely and lead by example. 

#blondewisdom #numberseven #seven

Lisa 

Blonde Wisdom #6

 Tax time can be a really tough time for musicians and other self employed individuals. A few words of advice in regards to making this time less stressful. 

1. Make sure to keep receipts for everything that you purchase over the year. File those receipts in a safe place and in an orderly manner. This is extremely important as you might not only need these for your records but if you are ever audited, they are required. 

2. As a singer you will very likely be able to write off clothing, make-up, hair appointments, other personal hygiene and grooming services, shoes, accessories, equipment, gym memberships, vocal or dance lessons/classes. Keep receipts for everything that you purchase. As a musician, everything listed already and add in all of your gear, and maintenance to gear.  

For all, include gas or mileage (keep track of both if it's your first year working), car maintenance, meals on the road, items such as iPads used on stage, music purchased online, periodicals, etc. 

3.  If you are a 1099'd individual make sure that you set up quarterly payments to the Fed and the state. You don't want to end up owing more than you have on hand and are unable to pay due to not paying your quarterly deposits. 

4.  Unless you are an accountant/CPA or are really good with numbers and understand the laws and rules of the IRS, hire someone qualified to do your taxes for you. This might cost you a bit but if you have someone good doing your taxes you will save money in the long run. 

Gino Johnson you are the best! Peachin, Schwartz & Weingardt P.C.

Best of luck.  #blondewisdom #six #numbersix

Lisa 

Blonde Wisdom #5

 Web and social media presence is of utmost importance in getting your band booked. If the client can't find you online or your sites aren't professional, you won't get booked. We can't begin to tell you how many bands have approached us for bookings while having no website, a sub-standard site, or little to no social media presence. In our socially media driven world, there really is no choice but to make this a top priority. 

Starting with a nice website is best. There are lots of ways to build a site and several of them are free or inexpensive. Businesses looking for corporate entertainment don't necessarily want to go through FB pages to find information. Your website should have quality pictures, audio, video, a sample song list, contact information and a calendar with dates. Don't overthink it and don't put too much added material on it as the average attention span isn't very long. What you do choose to post should be high quality and the very best representation of your band. Spend money on good photos and a professional video if possible. 

Reverbnation is a great second step. It's free, easy to navigate and functional to use and manage. Some bands still use myspace as well. A band FB page is a must, especially if you are trying to get good club gigs. The potential clients will look at your page for activity and also the number of followers and likes you have. Make sure you put the effort in weekly to build that base. It will take time, but it will be worth it in the long run.  

Always link all of your pages together. Everything should have a cohesive look and be easy to access from all of your sites. It should go without saying but...you have to be good to be sold so be GREAT!! Much more on social networks, marketing & branding later.  

#blondewisdom #numberfive #five

Blonde Wisdom #4

 Check your ego at the door.

Definition of a Band....  A band consists of more than one person therefore it's a unit or group of musicians and artists. 

      A large key to the success of a group is to have a cohesive, collective and cooperative blend of talented people. Every successful band needs a leader or music director to call the show, run rehearsals, possibly handle money and bookings if no manager or agent are involved.  With that being said, If one person feels that they are "worth more", "add more" or are "better" than the other members, it will very likely create a divisive environment that could lead to an eventual collapse of the band. If you are best suited to be a solo artist then embrace that. The philosophy that seems to work best for a successful band is to make it about "the whole" and not about "the one". #blondewisdom #numberfour #four

Lisa 

Blonde Wisdom #3

 Your sound engineer can make or break your band, therefore, it's extremely important to find the best person for the job. When someone walks into a venue and the first thing they hear is feedback or muffled vocals it can truly set the tone for how your band will be perceived for the rest of the evening. The sound engineer is an extension of your group, whether they are on stage mixing (as a band member) or out front mixing. Your band members need to make sure their equipment is working correctly and functional as well. You must have a cohesive relationship between your band and your engineer in order for everything to come together.  Getting your sound dialed in before your actual performance starts should be priority number one. Priority number two for your engineer should be to stay 100% present with your band for the entirety of the show. Your engineer needs to be aware of who sings lead on which songs and who sings certain harmony parts, not to mention instrumental solos on said songs.  With all of the boards that have presets now, this can be (and is) a great memory piece from room to room. However, you still need the person turning the knobs to actually know and care about what they're doing.  Hire someone who is not only good at their job and has solid production but also someone that wants to be part of your group. Also, your sound person will quite likely be the person that the clients will approach during the shows for questions or concerns. Make sure they are comfortable and equipped for this,  since the rest of you will be on stage performing. Pay them accordingly and don't forget to thank them at the end of the night when the dance floor was packed for the entirety as they were a big part of that success. #blondewisdom #numberthree #three

Blonde Wisdom #2

 Customer service is paramount, always.  In the music business, if you are a cover band, there is an even higher standard for it. Performing for the client and not for yourself can be a struggle for some musicians. Everyone has their favorite songs by their favorite artists but if you want to be a successful cover band you must appeal to the masses by choosing the correct songs. It's your job to cover other people's music, hence "cover" band. You've made a choice to perform the music of others so make it the very best imitation of their music that you possibly can. Remember, imitation is the highest form of flattery. Take a great song and make it your own, put your own spin on it (to set you apart from other bands), or perform it exactly like the original. There isn't a right or wrong way of covering a song as long as you are believing it and giving it your all. One of the biggest mistakes some cover bands make, is deciding that they're going to play whatever they want regardless of how it will be received. This approach only works if you're ok playing to nobody in your basement or garage and not being booked (or rebooked) by clubs and venues. Be relevant and know your audience. If you are going to play covers then make sure they are songs that people know and love.  Being self indulgent in this scenario can be a recipe for disaster. The most successful cover bands utilize their gifts and talents to make others happy. #blondewisdom #two #numbertwo

Lisa 

#1

 Some of the most talented musicians and singers we work with also happen to be the most humble. When you are in a profession that tends to garner positive attention from many, it's easy to get swept up in it. The fairest of them all are the ones that don't brag, don't boast and don't post about how great they are and how great their band is. Leave it to your clients and fans to let the rest of the world know how awesome you are. Your talents in conjunction with your humility will take you far and bring you successes. #blondewisdom #one #numberone

Lisa 

Blonde Wisdom

 This is the First in a series of many anecdotes, advice, words of wisdom, tips and ideas to help and guide bands and artists towards the most fruitful experience in the music scene.  We've always believed in a music community and musical collaborations and plan on continuing down that shared path. We hope that you'll enjoy, share, comment, learn and teach us a few things along the way as well.  Thank you for supporting live music! Xoxo #blondeentertainment

Lisa