Related Article: Part 1 of “Cloverdayle on Networking in the Music Industry”
Cloverdayle with the Jason Aldean band
Make the most of Industry Networking
Winning a radio-hosted battle of the bands competition to open for Kenny Chesney was a huge opportunity for Cloverdayle. Not only did they have a radio station promoting them as a new band, but they were also surrounded by big names in the country music business. Artists can make the most of these contacts by being personable, taking the time to learn from those they rub shoulders with, and as Cloverdayle iterated, having real conversations with real people. Additionally, Rachel Hamar suggests acting quickly. “When someone says, ‘Hey, let’s write,’ put it in your calendar while you’re talking about it,” she said explaining that taking care of business when it presents itself is the best way to create a relationship and tie down a commitment. Whether this is done by immediately adding a contact to her phone with clear description of who that person is, or scheduling a meeting, Rachel Hamar says it is best to take advantage of such moments when they occur, rather than losing the opportunity later.
Don’t Understimate “Smaller” Contacts
Chad Hamar pointed out that industry contacts can come from the most unexpected places. He revealed how one of his music students put him in contact with former Brooks and Dunn band members, the guitarist Terry McBride ended up producing Cloverdayle’s first album, and a friend from junior high led the duo to open for country music artist, Lee Brice. Once key contacts and friendships are made, the Hamars continue to foster them through occasional emails and updates. The two often send out emails to Nashville friends, inviting them to join them at concerts or outings, when they know they’ll be visiting the area. Making the most of even the “smallest” or seemingly ordinary contacts helps drive an artist’s career.
Networking and self-promoting can seem daunting. Once artists build an industry presence, they have to continually build their fan-base and seek out networking opportunities through their contacts. There’s an art to doing so, as bands need to avoid alienating their audience with overly aggressive promotion. “You don’t want to offend people,” says Chad Hamar. To ensure artists maintain a positive relationship with their network, Cloverdayle suggests closely monitoring fan-base numbers and following “your gut.” If numbers drop, an artist will know they are doing something wrong and need to revise their approach.
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Cloverdayle’s kickstarter project
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By Marzee Dyer Sources: Feb. 10. 2012 Interview with Cloverdayle
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