The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

HAVING connections in the music business is a key ingredient to an artist’s success and will yield faster results than just talent alone, according to local music producer Gregory Collie.

Many new, emerging and aspiring musicians believe that being talented will lead to automatic success, however, a seminar taking place this weekend will debunk those preconceived ideas about the music industry.

The iCreate Music Seminar, which was founded by Mr Collie, will give insight into the business of music and equip musicians with information they need to establish meaningful relationships with others on the scene.

iCreate will take place at the Atlantis Resort on September 20 and 21. The seminar will have nine panellists made up of songwriters, industry veteran lawyers, managers, producers, engineers and A&Rs. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to engage panellists and ask any questions they may have, as well as participate in workshops and music showcases.

Mr Collie said the seminar is something that is needed in the country, especially to help artists understand that the music industry not only entertains but is a business first and foremost.

“This day and age talent is becoming the least important thing when it comes to having success in the music industry, which is somewhat sad. Relationships have surpassed the talent level. Who you know or who you are affiliated with has become more important than your actual talent, because this can propel you to levels you have never imagined. So there are a lot of things that are creeping in and surpassing talent. There are so many things that people need to know about being successful in the business and this is the reason why I wanted to have to this event, to relay give them the reality of what it will take. If people just think, ‘Well, oh, I am this talented and I can make it far’, and they believe that is all they need, then they have got it all wrong,” he said.

“If there was a rule book to success then everyone would be successful. There are no rules. I do not know how much a person may want to succeed or what their goals may be, but these are all tools that they can use. This is just a platform for people to build those relationships and learn as much as they can. Whatever you choose to with what you learn is solely up to you,” he said.

Mr Collie said that entering the music business is also not get-rich-quick scheme, despite what is portrayed in music videos. He said it takes time to build wealth and success, just as in any other industry.

“Money comes very slow in the music industry. People may see the big music videos, the show of all the cars. People do not know that a lot of that stuff is rented and it is entertainment at the end of the day. But money comes in slow. And especially if you are an artist who does not write their own music, you will be the absolute last to be paid, if your record even makes money. The producers and the songwriters would be getting paid before you. I think that is one of things that may not be common knowledge, but is important for people to know. A lot of people get into it because they think it is quick and fast money or it is a lottery. But it is very slow money in the industry,” he said.

The iCreate seminar was held for the first time in 2011 and has evolved since then to now feature an additional seminar day.

“This event is a two-day event and we are going to have at least seven panellists this time that range from music producers, songwriters, music attorneys to managers, and we have covered much more ground with this event than we did with the first one,” he said.

“Between 2007-2009 I had done a lot of travelling to various music seminars, and during that time I learnt a lot and I developed a lot of relationships and I thought this would be the perfect platform for artists, producers and people in the business. I wanted to give people an opportunity to learn about the business and also network with people they would not regularly come into contact with.”