3 ways to produce my demo - need input.

[gloverman]

I have been in contact with 2 producers, and 1 all-in-one engineer.
My music can be found at MySpace.com - Restart - BEDFORD, New Hampshire - Rock / Pop - www.myspace.com/restarttheband (all recorded in my home studio)
I am a 40+ year old who has raised his family and now has some time to get back into writing music. So I am completely lost and need guidance from an objective view point.

I am looking at creating a 3 song demo with songs focusing on the teen pop genre (people recently said some of my music would be great for that genre, if that is even a true genre).

I can provide links to websites for more information on these people, I was not sure if that was ok to do on this forum.

Producer 1: Produced a song for Disney's Hit TV show, "Hannah Montana", Season 3, working with 2 stars from "High School Musical 3" stars and a star from "Camp Rock". Cost around 5k for 3 songs. This is a cost break because he associates with the "under dog". He will produce and hire musicians and singer (I am not a singer), all done remotely, I do not have to be involved or present if I do not want to be and I may not since he is on West coast and I am on East coast. No promise of level of shopping but is surrounded by the contacts. If placed, he will get a small percentage. He is laid back and not salesman like.

Producer 2: Produced some artists, no big names. 5k to produce plus travel expenses. He is more sales man like. He want to travel to me (he too is on west coast). He will hire musicians but wants me to sing since he is attracted to whole package not just songs. He will actively shop (no cost), but no promises on extent of effort. But he appears more anxious to work with me as he says he believes in the music and the RC budget is out now

Producer 3: Max 3k. He is more of an engineer. He is a all-in-one music producing shop. He hires the musicians and singers and will produce a quality demo. He does not shop and recommends shopping myself to TAXI and directly to Publishers. He seems like a straight shooter.

Emotionally I gravitate to Producer 1
Logically I gravitate to Producer 3
But Producer 2 might work harder since he needs it more?
Are any of these viable?
Selling myself might take forever. But Producer 1 knows people in the business now. But no promise to shop. ARGH! I feel like this should not be so difficult.

Sorry this has been so long.
I appreciate any advise.
Let me know if I am able and need to give specifics to websites that woul include some credentials on these Producers.

[sparqee]

My only advice to you is to *always* treat business in an absolutely business fashion. Meaning; the only thing that means anything is what is in writing. These producers may all be truly and honestly enthusiastic about your music but don't *expect* anything other than exactly what you have in a contract.

Mixing business with art (e.g. your music) is always tough. You have to believe in your art, it has to have a greater meaning (or it isn't art) but business (contrary to classic belief) is not about trust, friendship, meaning or anything other than money and the law. This isn't to say that you can't have a friendly business relationship but ultimate long term success in the music business requires that you minimize your risk and you always get exact terms in writing.

I know that all sounds very hard but the entertainment business in general is a hard profession. The people on the business side of the business typically don't have much respect for the art or the artist. They see it (them) as a somewhat perishable commodity that must be rushed to market and sold before it spoils. When the product is past it's "freshness date" it is unceremoniously tossed in the dumpster.

As an artist you must nourish your soul, as a human you must feed your body, as a business person you play tug-a-war while riding a unicycle and simultaneously try not to offend the people on the other side of the rope. If they let go... you know what happens.

p.s. if it were me and I had belief in the truth of what each of these three producers tell me; I would go with number 1. "Who you know" is far more valuable than anything in this business. It's even more important than talent unfortunatley.

p.p.s. I personally think Taxi is a waste of time and money if you ever want to actually support yourself as a musician.

[paul999]

My two cents. No one will sell you more than you. In order for someone to "believe" in your music they need to see that you will do the hard work to follow through. Nothing shows this more than you selling a bunch of cd's and starting to prove you may not need them.

My vote #3 You stay in charge and sell until you prove you have a product through sales.