“She’s an indie rocker and nothing’s going to stop her.” Archers of Loaf’s “Plumb Line.”
After studying playwriting for seven years at the University of North Carolina and Yale Drama School, comic Lewis Black barely made ends meet. He can’t help but look back and laugh at one missing aspect from his prestigious education.
“No one at UNC or Yale ever taught me about plot,” Black said while calling from his New York City apartment. “It’s like teaching math to students but never having anyone in class learn about numbers.”
Students in the arts often don’t learn enough while in school, particularly when it comes to the business side of the industry.
Virginia Cannon understands and is trying to help musicians in Tucson. The dedicated advocate for songwriters, independent artists and composers, was a Nashville music industry veteran for many years, who toiled as a consultant, talent manager and trusted advocate for singer-songwriters.
Cannon has successfully coached several clients for record and production deals, such as Shaniah Paige, who at 17, signed a record deal with Heart Songs Corporation in 2016.
Cannon has seen it all and the common denominator is that many fledgling recording artists don’t know the fundamentals of the business side of the industry.
“There was a student I worked with since she was 11 years old and was about to graduate with a degree in film and television at the UA and she didn’t have one class in sync licensing,” Cannon said.
Apparently, much has stayed the same since the aforementioned Black attended school a generation ago. But the lack of education is deeper than not knowing about sync licensing.
“I was dumbfounded when I learned that some singer-songwriters have no idea what BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) or what ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) is,” Cannon said.
Cannon is helping recording artists understand the intricate music industry. She is putting together the Indie Music Conference, which is slated for May 10 and May 11 at Monterey Court and Studios. Songwriters, artists, producers and composers are invited to sign up for music sessions that will help place their music in television and film. They can also learn about publishing, streaming and more courtesy of Cannon and fellow music business veteran Alan Brewer. The Los Angeles-based Brewer will offer tips and tricks on how to collect money in a very challenging business.
The president of New Brew Entertainment was a touring musician and songwriter before becoming an executive. Brewer worked in the studio as a musician with such icons as Pete Townshend, Rick Wakemen Rick Derringer, Clarence Clemons, Sister Sledge and Tony Levin. Brewer mixed or produced live recordings of Sting, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Bob Geldof and Jeff Beck. Brewer has performed with John Lee Hooker, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.
“I’ve discovered that a lot of very talented songwriters and recording artists know little to nothing beyond creating the product or the song they’re writing,” Brewer said while calling from his Los Angeles office. “You need to navigate the waters of the music business.”
That goes for those who must deal with music in the film industry. “The same is true for those who come out of film schools,” Brewer said. “An indie filmmaker learns the craft of film in school but they don’t usually don’t learn anything about music rights or music licensing.”
Brewer will lecture Saturday and conduct one-on-one sessions Sunday. “You can ask me anything during those sessions,” Brewer said. “You can pick my brain for an hour or play me songs for feedback or dig into the details about collecting royalties.”
Brewer hopes the indie music conference will become an annual event. The conference never would have happened if Cannon stayed in Nashville. She left Music City for Tucson nine years ago to take care of her aging father. “I want to make a difference and help people,” Cannon said. “I’ve been giving information away for free.”
It’s one thing to not know about inside aspects of the industry but the lack of common sense is surprising.
“I’ll hear, ‘I got a song that’s perfect for Vince Gill,’ or ‘This will be a great song for Tim McGraw,’” Cannon said. “What they don’t understand is that Tim McGraw will never sing a song about cheating. It’s a common-sense thing. I don’t want them to feel stupid. I want them to have the information to move forward.”
Cannon has her hands full. A fledgling artist once thought that being an indie artist was a genre, like jazz or blues. “I had to explain that indie was short for independent,” Cannon said. “I’m doing all that I can to help. There’s a lot to know about this industry. The best thing is to educate yourself as much as possible.”
The Indie Music Conference
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11
WHERE: Homewood Suites by Hilton St. Phillips Plaza4250 North Campbell Avenue Tucson, AZ
COST: Tickets start at $139
INFO: [email protected], www.virginiacannonpresents.com
