Don't Kill Live Music

#DontKillLiveMusic

If the festivals shut down in New South Wales it will directly affect South Australia and all of our sister states and territories. A dead NSW Festival circuit due to government legislation will devastate the Australian festival circuit and music scene.

National festivals such as Laneway Festivals and Under The Southern Star Festivals  may not be able to sustain their national touring festivals without NSW at the helm.

Secondly, festivals such as Bluesfest Byron Bay in NSW, finance and nationally tour international artists such as Bob Dylan, Grace Jones, Robert Cray, Iggy Pop, Ben Harper and so forth. So if an event like Bluesfest Byron Bay is financially crippled to appease the government policing policies, then the likely-hood of these artists and many many more touring to SA and our sister states will be severely affected.

This in turn will bring lower attendances to music venues across Australia financially affecting music venues across Australia. Off storey but to make a point of the lopsided decision making for the 'peoples own good' form consecutive governments, how many lives have poker machines destroyed? How many families have separated due to poker machines? How many suicides could be linked to poker machine debt? But these greedy governments grab the money from poker machines in one hand ignoring their affects and shut down mind and sensor stimulating real world music events that are good for the soul and society in general. This government does not have the foresight to admit prohibition has not worked and refuse to allow pill testing at festivals as a safety-net for our youth.

Shutting down festivals will not fix the 'drug problem' and neither will arresting individuals for doing what young people are going to do regardless. Understanding and education, particularly by the police,  would have a far reaching affects and what better place to open dialog with the youth of Australia than at music festivals. Shutting down these music festivals by financially crippling the organisers will just send the problem further underground and into the family homes and suburban streets. The national Ice epidemic is testament to this.

As a younger man, I attended countless music festivals Australia wide along with hundreds of events and concerts that shaped my entire being. I am far happier person for their influence, social value and memories than if I had not have shared these experiences with the thousands of others and I look forward to countless more.

As a local national music promoter I urge all Australian's to join the 121,000 music lovers as of 23rd February 2019, who are already standing ground against this draconic government and against this crime against the arts and our freedoms.

Governments have no rights to stop music festivals with ridiculous demands. A dead NSW music industry is a dead Australian music industry.

SIGN NOW - https://www.change.org/p/don-t-kill-live-music-2

These views are that of my own. The events and artists mentioned above are named as examples for my prediction of the domino effect that I believe will happen should the current NSW government continue with its draconic policies against music festivals in that state. I lived and worked in the live music scene in Sydney and NSW for 12 years and still work with musicians and dancers from that state.

20% End of Tax Year Discount Sale

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And here is some more information and plenty of happy subscribers testimonials, so if you don't believe us, ask them about the power Australian Music Business Manual supplies you.

Australian Music Business Manual
Successfully Mentoring and Up-Skilling Australian Artists.
Staring Price $199 GST Inc with top level, add-on components available

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Twelve months after the launch of Australian Music Business Manual, veteran artist manager, national tour manager and music promoter Darrel Baird (Blue Tongue Management / The Angels-Brewster Brothers / Harmonic Generator), has a growing number of artists and managers subscribing to the package and utilising the extensive contents to drive their careers. And with positive results.

Created to fill in the gap for the many artists that know where they want to go but do not know how to get there, the contents are full of knowledge covering every nook and cranny of the industry only some-one that has walked the path many times could know.

The industry standard for artists with aspiration "I am not doing it for the money", 'Why wont the media give us editorial or airplay?' 'Why can’t we get a good gig?', 'Why didn't anyone come?' 'Why wont the booking agents give us the support slots?' 'Jacks leaving the band after two years hard work. This is the best we have ever sounded, why is he doing this..........? " Of course, the answer to all those questions and more, usually lay in either the lack of understanding, long-term preparation and/or income problems.

Almost every artist runs through the same developmental problems when it comes to running their career as a business. The right direction is important sooner rather than later. And Australian Music Business Manual supplies that knowledge and understanding of this industry.

So it is Darrel Baird's experience and dedication working with successful recording/touring artists, an the years developing inspiring youth acts that has inspired such a strong mix of old school 'real world' music business knowledge with a full range of online and social media 'cyber world' tools belnded into one stand alone product. And it works!

The manual envelopes small business set-up, development and growth, multilevel web site and social networking systems, artist branding, marketing and growth, up-skills communications and builds business relationship skills, national tour logistics expertise, new music release, new media campaign requirements, copyright and licensing and problem solving in every sector. The product is peppered throughout with links to the smart savings in both time and income and money problems.

"I have not developed a book that tells my story and gives indirect hints on what to do. I have helped develop artists from the ground up, every step of the way and this is the contents. I have worked through the failures and the successors, the new and the old reinvented.". ~ Darrel Baird

Australian Music Business Manual puts the wheels on.
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Subscriber Testimonials

"Hey Darrel, the Manual is going great! I have been using it to help me implement our upcoming tour with The Nerve. I'm now working through the sections to best get our album out to local radio stations."
~ Ben Cuthbert - manages and performs in The Charge ~ Prog Rock -VIC

"I'm finding the package to be very helpful. I've created a good management system set up. We've got a couple of really good shows coming up, which techniques in the manual helped out with. We've also been promoting the shows and listing them in lots of gig guides supplied, and I'll be contacting a few magazines soon. I'll be referencing the manual a lot over the weeks leading up to the album release to get as much publicity and promotion as possible."
~ Ben Sims manages and performs in Matronarch ~ Metal - S.A.

"It's great to have you on our-side, you really understand us and we appreciate your help"
~ Kat Ayala at Bonney Read ~ Punk/Rock/Pop - NSW

"Dear Darrel, thank you so very kindly for your help and guidance, your time and help, it's greatly appreciated."
~ Heather Frahn - Self managed artist ~ World Music - S.A.

"Thanks heaps. It (AMBM) has reinforced what I've been telling my artist, that what has to be done and the manual is filling the gaps in my own knowledge. Am about to get into the PPCA paperwork that arrived yesterday thanks to your heads-up."
~ Steve Rackley - Artist Manager ~ Blues - NSW

"Darrel 'Oh Wise One' Baird for all the advice, knowledge and experience we needed. Thank You!"
~ Dale Shrober manages and performs in The Deep End ~ Rock - VIC

"This package is extremely useful, logically set out and relatively easy to use. Money well spent."
~ Tony Harrison Artist Manager(NSW) at Knox Fiji ~ Reggae - FIJI

"I can already tell the value of the content in here is far greater than the price of it. Love It".
~ Chris O'Brien Artist Manager/Label Owner Matt Gresham ~ Blues - W.A.

"You are an amazing mentor, there is no way we would be where we are now without your amazing work and knowledge."
~ Renaud Satre at Harmonic Generator ~ Rock/Nu-Metal - France

Brand New Price Points and Entry Levels

 

AMBM test drives the industry, points out the obstacles, straightens the chicanes and supplies the mechanics. The rest is yours to create.

After much deliberation and feed back from interested people such as yourselves regarding the Australian Music Business Manual, and already understanding the difficulties that surround musicians financially, I have restructured our pricing and developed a range of entry points. The complete package is now at $449 Inc GST a $46 Inc decrease in cost. More importantly, there are now a range of packages available that incorporate different elements of the complete management system starting from $149 Inc GST.

This will give you the ability to pick and choose what add-on you buy with the manual upfront and you can upgrade other elements down the track as you require them.

It doesn't matter if it is business set-up, branding, marketing, publicity and promotional work, or whether your seeking endorsements, releasing new music, understanding copyright and licensing your music for money, touring or any other part of this industry, if the questions are in your head, then there is a solution in the manual that will help you get your head around it properly and set you in the right direction.

So, come back in, have a look at the new price list and make your decision. Your Music Business  6ZS8YHCCRE3C

Musicians and Managers - Want to save $6000 in the first year?

Let me show you some of the savings we create for you in Australian Music Business Manual.

The savings we list below are not the real value of this package. The real value is in the knowledge and understanding of the business that we supply. This alone is worth well more than the $450 price tag.

The savings listed below, we supply to our subscribers as they are what a great artist manager would pass down and save your career if you were signed to them. And so to make sure I deliver to you a complete management system, I deliver the same, to make sure subscribers gain full value for their investment. This is what makes this product the only complete self help Australian Music Business Management system available in this country.

I am only going to touch the edges on the savings we create for you because there simply to many way we create ways to save you money and create income.

The value of the forms supplied and listed in the contents are yours for life whether you resubscribe for the second year or not.

• Trademark categories and sub categories research would take you around 5 hours minimum to sort out by yourself but you would probably need a lawyer or IP expert. We teach you how to DIY and Save $700 + 5 hours of time.
• Business Phone Skills - 6 months training saved. Get the gigs, make the deals.
• Band Member agreement ready to go except for your own minor adjustments. Save $600 minimum
• Electronic Business Signature - Near Zero printing . Save $200 minimum in ink jets a year
• One page booking agreement Save $25
• Full Booking Agreement Save $600
• Professional Modulated Stage Plan and Backline Save $50
• Record Producer Agreement Save $500
• Broadcast release form Save $50
• Merchandise Consignment Agreement Save $50
• Tour Budget Form Save $20
• Tour Booklet Save $150
• Music Media database - Save $250 minimum
• 1 x hour consultancy - Save $75
• The other forms are time savers and knowledge so we wont count them in our quest to show financial value for these purposes.

Whether you need them now or next year we will save you $3370 just within the forms + time. What could you do with that extra cash?

Then there are leads we supply to great businesses that supply products and services required by a professional self managed artist to function at high level.

Accounting software such as Quick Books and MYOB can cost anything between $300 and $1000's. So we supply you with a basic invoice to get you out of trouble. And we also introduce you to an accounting software to get your books started professionally and on the right foot with easy to use invoicing systems for around $60 a year until you can afford a more extensive software. SAVE $240 MINIMUM in your first year

Public Liability. I know most of you say I don't need that, the venue should do it. But the fact is the venue and you need to have public liability. If you want to perform at a Festival anywhere in Australia, You will have to gain public liability full stop. In Queensland you will not find many venues at all that will allow you to play without it and you will definitely have to have it if you want to gain a professional booking agent. So you can dodge it for a while but if you want to move forward an give yourself best chance to gain festival slots, quality venues and booking agents to represent you, then Public Liability is a must!

So Public Liability can be very expensive. We send you to a company that changes that. I have saved many artists I work with an average saving of around $1500 a year every year, by moving them to the company we send you to,  from now on. And this covers the whole band. And it will include some of your instruments to boot. As Homer Simpson would say WooooHooooa. So for around $300 a year you and your band are covered.

Office equipment, tour vehicles, computers and electronics, power boards and so much more, all top quality at amazing prices. The savings here are unlimited across a broad range of gear from where we take you. This isn't dodgy groupon stuff, This is the real deal. My office desk and bookshelf for example(smoked glass and steal) cost $39 delivered. The same at Office works was $350. So just that one item resulted in a saving of over $300. But this will amalgamate to thousands of dollars across an multitude of things that you will need to shop for over the years, as you grow.

Software. We take you to a place that makes it all affordable. I paid $175 for full legal version of Photoshop CS6 valued at $667 and windows 7 full version for around $95 instead of $165. Theres a cool little trick to it but it is all above board. So there alone is another saving of over $500. And there are tonnes of software to choose from.

So in this section there is a minimum potential saving of $2540 + time

The list goes on because there are video marketing tools and Facebook and Twitter driver that work who are offering Australian Music Business manual subscribers double value and all sorts of great bargains from other companies. Not to mention the expert touring logistics we teach you which will save your tours thousands of dollars in mistakes and other savings. Value here worth is tens of thousands over a life-time.

But wait, that's not all! There's more!

Good Music Business courses start at $4500 for 6 months and range to $12000 per year for a minimum 3 years. Australian Music Business Manual is $450+ GST for one year and $848 for 3 years. I can guarantee you I cover every facet of the industry. Courses cover certain topics. So if you are thinking of doing these courses there is at least $4000 saving in the first year without opening the pages.

Imagine what you could achieve investing in and growing your own business over three years using Australian Music Business Manual, instead of spending up-to $36000 over 3 years sitting in school and then having to spend the next 3 years developing your business in the real world.

It's your call.

"I thought I had a handle on the music industry and my management skills. Until I subscribed and I read through your manual the first time. I felt like I was back at the drawing board. How do you know all this?" Dale Shrober - Relentless Management - Managing and performing in The Deep End.

Dale has since established his management business and set up a national tour and CD launch for The Deep End. And he is growing his business contacts.

Established 1996 - This is My Story

Blue Tongue Management - Established 1996

I am Darrel Baird, the creator of Australian Music Business Manual and proprietor of Blue Tongue Management and Lungata Records Eighteen years of sustained music business, Blue Tongue Management works with start-up bands through to highly successful musical performers.

This is not a resume. This is my story. A short version anyway because there is too much to tell. It is written so you get an understanding of how I gained enough knowledge and experience in the music industry to create Australian Music Business Manual and give you confidence that the content within is the real deal and will help your career.

At 17 I was employed at one of Australia's premier 2000pax music venues working and enjoying the best Australian, US, and UK touring acts on the planet for over two years. And the concerts raged week after week Thursday to Sunday with music fans of all styles and backgrounds gladly paying to support the bands they loved and filling the joint. This was when the music industry was booming, and where my real passion for music began. Thereafter, I spent a decade traveling and frequenting major music festivals and cultural events, stadium and pub concerts and live gigs across Australia.

Ian Moss

In 1996, I launched what was then called 'Blue Tongue Promotions' and created and coordinated a multicultural, three day, multi-stage music and arts festival. I contracted 35 bands of all different genre and cultural backgrounds specifically including indigenous bands. The line-up included the cream of Australian rock and blues artists as the headline entourage. I flew them in on old DC-3 plane. The event also included dance groups, food stalls and an array of circus performers. It was streamed live on the web (circa 1996) and broadcast via Com Rad Sat to hundreds of community radio stations world wide. I met an artist manger called Ray Smith at this event. He later became a great mentor and taught me the importance of integrity while working with artists, amongst other skills.

Not long after, I managed two more very successful music events before moving towards artist management where I spent countless months driving in tour vans with bands that had asked me to help manage their careers. I booked, promoted, toured and lugged heavy black bins with these bands. What a great time as we lived the dream. But living expenses and rent costs money, so bands have to make money to pay those bills or just become weekend warriors. The hardships along the way lead me to work on the financial and business aspects harder and realising how many artists did not have management, I began looking at artist management as a profession.

So from 1996 to 2000, that is how I cut my teeth in this industry, building extensive experience in music business operations, artist and event management, tour management, logistics, marketing, promotion, and artist, and media liaison. And my business grew-up with the online revolution.

The Angels Band

In 2000, an eight year business relationship began with legendary rockers John and Rick Brewster of The Angels (Angels City) and soon after Chris Bailey and Buzz Bidstrup, the rhythm section of The Angels and Ganggajang. Blue Tongue Management was pinnacle in building The Brewster Brothers semi acoustic incarnation on a national basis and in steering the reformation of The Angels (Brewster Bailey Bidstrup Brewster, billed as The Original Angels Band) to national success which in-turn lead to their eventual reformation with Doc Neeson in 2008 (The bands original singer prior to 2000). Chris Bailey (R.I.P.), whom I can never thank enough, had managed Ganggajang since 1995 on an international level, and was a tower of knowledge and understanding. An amazing mentor, Chris shared his vast experience with me over the years, vastly broadening my strengths and strengthening my weaknesses in music business.

Although this line-up performed the same songs they wrote, and that ignited their career, we were told by the majority of our peers (Agents/Managers/Media and Rock Stars) along with hard core fans that 'This band will not succeed without Doc". So, it was on our shoulders to develop a new brand, build belief in that brand, create our own success and prove them wrong. I had to deliver the band across Australia, and the band had to deliver world class shows or the fans would walk. This was a time of immense pressure and it tested our resolve and self-belief. And we succeeded on all fronts. So if anyone says it can't be done, pass them by doing it!

Working with this band, Blue Tongue Management implemented all business decisions from meetings, managed the business office, created a healthy income flow by booking and contracting financially viable shows and national tours, and handled tour budgets, and engaged top level booking agents once the band and I gained credibility. Blue Tongue Management handled all media, publicity and promotional campaigns in the early years until we built consistently strong audience attendance to pay a high level publicist. Blue Tongue Management organised all travel logistics, production and crew and personally tour managed four hundred shows with this band alone. Blue Tongue Management designed merchandise, engaged manufacturing companies and sold that merchandise world wide. And built and managed the bands Website and social media until 2008. Blue Tongue Management also booked approximately three hundred performances for Brewster Brothers duo show and countless shows for many many other bands.

In many cases successful artists have a separate manager, tour manager, publicist and a label. The office of Blue Tongue Management worked with the four original members of The Angels and delivered quality management service, label service, tour management service and promotional service from grass roots to success. And everything else in between. There where plenty of stumbling blocks but we worked around them, become the wiser and moved forward. One of our last shows together was in front of 10,000 in W.A.

Harmonic Generator

During these years Blue Tongue Management continued working with other established artists, booking and promoting their tours and events, and worked in the development of up and coming bands, and booked various music venues, promoted youth concerts and continued to develop strong online social media and networking skills. In 2013 the journey continues with band management, new music releases and in music business consultancy.

Profile Australian and international artists, youth acts and events I have worked with, booked, represented or toured with include but are not limited to The Original Angels Band[The Angels](Aus), Dave Tice and Mark Evans(Aus), Ian Moss(Aus), Kevin Borich(Aus), The Poor(Aus), Adrian Belew(USA), Don Walker and the SF's(Aus), The Screaming Jets(Aus), Mark Evans (ex ACDC)(Aus),  The Radiators(Aus), The Deep End(Aus), Harmonic Generator(France), Darren Jack(Aus), Ray Beadle(Aus), Jenny Marie Lang(Aus), Chris E Thomas(Aus), Lil Fi(Aus), Kara Grainger(Aus), Koomurri(Aus), Sam Joole & Alien Zoo(Aus/UK), Brewster Brothers(Aus), The Backsliders(Aus), Shadow Thieves(Aus), The Bondi Cigars(Aus), Wayne Cornell Jnr(Aus), Raise The Flag(Aus), GangAwry(Aus) and The Brown Brothers(Aus). There are many many more artists, too many to list. You know who you are.

Event contracts include The Blues Shack(NSW), Bon Scott Celebration Concert Series (WA), Carlton United Brewery (Sydney 2000 Olympiad)(NSW), Brisbane Bicycle Grand Prix (QLD), Marburgh Oktoberfest (QLD), Carnivale '96 (NSW),  Newman Bike Show (WA), The Australian Comedy Gala(NSW/QLD), St George RLFC Events(NSW), Thredbo New Years Eve Concerts(NSW) The Snowy Run(NSW) and Bushfire Blues Concerts 2003 (NSW & SA)

Lungata Records 

is the independent record label arm of Blue Tongue Management. Lungata Records primary aim is to shop and release independent artists signed that work with Blue Tongue Management.
Current releases through Lungata Records include
Shadow Thieves - Between Days (EP) - 2010
Harmonic Generator - Dead On The Ground (Single) - 2011
Dave Tice and Mark Evans - Brothers In Arms (EP) - 2011 Through MGM Distribution
Harmonic Generator - Nobody Dies (Video Single) 2012






Released by Blue Tongue Management independently together with the below artists
Brewster Brothers - Any Day (EP) - 2004 (Blue Tongue Records) Through MGM Distribution
The Angels Band - Live At The Basement (Album) - 2006 Through MGM Distribution
The Angels - Ivory Stairs (EP) - 2007
GangAwry - Politics (Album) - 2007 Through MGM Distribution
Darren Jack - Better Place (Album) 2011 (consultant)

Releases penned for 2013 include Harmonic Generators new album 'When The Sun Goes Down' recorded with Mark Opitz and Colin Wynne

 Kevin Borich 5 CD's and two DVD's back catalogue.

Mashable - The place to get social network smarts

Mashable is a fantastic website where musicians can create great understanding and learn to make full use of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, learn what Apps are hot and what are not and take advantage a brilliant small business brains.

Taking the time out to learn a little, or a lot, everyday, will really enhance your ability to create greater awareness and build a solid, interactive audience with your projects. Here's a direct link to the Twitter Guidebook and Facebook Guidebook

Mashable is a great place to start. Have fun and keep focused on the business side of your career as well as your creative side. Drive your music to success. Australian Music Business Manual

Gain Professional Management or Self Manage?

It really is a mixture of both that creates success!

Many artists we speak to who represent themselves find it difficult to get people in the music industry to take them seriously regarding band business when they also perform in the band. Self-promotion can be difficult so making contact as the band manager will help in many ways. For example, on the phone “I am in this really good band and…....” can be seen as a little self-indulgent particularly when you’re starting to learn telephone skills and nerves can affect your delivery of a call.

It is important therefore, if you are a self-managed band or artist to separate your management business from the performing artist. This will come across as more professional and help you project the act you represent (You) from an outside perspective and less as self-promotion. Think about it.

Which of these two examples sounds more professional to you?

i)“Hello, my name is Jane/John, I play in a great band called….”
ii)“Hello, my name is Jane/John from D’music Management, I represent an upcoming band called….”

Setting up your music management business as a separate entity to your musical performance act while you need to self manage will make your business look and feel a lot sharper while creating a buffer zone between the two. And it separates you the business person from you the performer.

Many individual musicians and ensembles successfully self-manage their careers for years, building at least a regional reputation and a following. Once you are successfully doing this, you are in a good position to attract reputable professional management.

Regardless of gaining a professional management team, it is imperative that musicians maintain a healthy hand on their own business. If you are a musician or in a band, ask yourself this, do you really want to rely 100% on someone else making all your decisions without understanding why they are directing your career that way? Or, would you like to play an active role always understanding what is going on, and helping to knowledgeably handle time consuming tasks and make educated decisions that will allow your new manager to tackle larger tasks and build your brand to higher levels.

To many times I have started working with hard working self managed artists that have chased my business for pro management. Then out of no where, they take their foot off the gas as soon as I start working with them. It is as if by signing to management, all their troubles are over and they kick back. However, pro management is only as good as strong, if the band works alongside the manager or management team. So kicking up the heals and thinking that your job is over in the decision making and proactive management work is suicide.

Don't suffer your future in others hands. Work hard throughout your career on the business side. And if you gain professional management, work together to create a bigger team

Australian Music Business Manual Delivering the tools to success.