Your Music Might Be Perfect,
But You Just Blew Your Chance

By Michael Lloyd
Most articles save the author's bio for last. I wanted to give you some perspective while you read the tips below, so for this article, the bio is first! — Michael Laskow



Michael Lloyd making his point about making it easy for music industry people to find you and use your music at the 2008 Road Rally.

Michael Lloyd was Vice President of MGM Records by the age of 20, and for more than 35 years has been writing, producing, engineering and arranging hit records and soundtracks, earning more than 100 gold and platinum records along the way. Just some of the artists he's worked with include, Lou Rawls, The Righteous Brothers, Barry Manilow, Debby Boone, The Monkees, Sammy Davis Jr., The Flying Burrito Brothers, Pat Boone, Shaun Cassidy, David Cassidy, The Osmonds, Stryper, Hal Ketchum, Belinda Carlisle, and Frank Sinatra. That's the short list!

Michael was also the Music Supervisor for the film "Dirty Dancing" and produced the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack album. He's also done the scoring, music supervision, or had songs placed in 38 feature motion pictures. He is a partner in Curb Records and regularly uses TAXI to find artists and songs for his projects. He has also been a favorite speaker and panelist at TAXI's annual convention, the Road Rally for many years.

He has been known to take home boxes of CDs from the Road Rally, listen to hundreds of them, and often calls our members to use their music or offer them a bit of advice.

So, when Michael called me a couple of weeks after this year's Rally and told me how many people had lessened their chances of success by not using a whole lot of common sense, I asked him to jot down his thoughts and forward them to me. His notes are below.

It's pretty hard to argue with a man of his integrity, generosity, and track record.

Michael Laskow

From the desk of Michael Lloyd
November 23, 2008

Submission Rules

None of us can ensure that whatever we are submitting to a project or person will end up getting used. We write and sing our songs, produce our music and do the best we can.

However, there are important mechanical rules — rules we should all follow. These rules are designed to make it easier for the person to listen to your music. And in the event they want to use it, to be able to contact you with ease. If it starts to become difficult, the moment may pass and the opportunity is gone. There's not a lot of rocket science to these rules. It's not about talent. I'm assuming you've got that. It's simply about making it easy for the person on the other end to get in touch with you if they like, and want to use your music.

I try to mention these rules all the time, but judging from most of the CDs I received at the recent TAXI Road Rally, it seemed like no one listens!

Please consider these mechanical rules and observations...

Your name and phone number must be easy to see — and they should be everywhere.
Most of the time the song titles and information are on the CD itself. All of that must be on the CD cover (whatever it is) as well. No one can see the titles or name or phone number when the CD is in the player. Right? Especially if they're listening in the car. We still do a lot of that in LA!
I received a CD that had no writing on it at all and had fallen out of its sleeve. I didn't spend the time to try and re-connect it with the appropriate sleeve. A lost opportunity for someone.
It truly doesn't matter how nice the packaging is. It can be as simple as a paper sleeve. Consider spending your budget on improving the music.
If you are printing up pro looking CDs to sell, that's a different issue. However, being able to easily see the contact info is still critical.
Odd sized CD covers are a pain. It doesn't make you stick out, at least not in a good way.
A photo is fine — if it's on a CD insert or something. Separate photos (and papers) are difficult to keep connected to the appropriate CD.
If there is something noteworthy (contest winner, radio, sales, etc.) that you want to mention, mention it briefly.
Don't put more than 6-8 songs on a CD. Put the best ones first!
Again, if it's a CD that you're manufacturing to sell, there could obviously be more songs. However, understand that the first few tracks are the most important. They're likely to be the only songs that get heard by somebody in the industry. Don't save your best for last. That doesn't work.

We are all interested in seeing our music presented well (myself included) and have the best chance possible to meet with success. My goal is to help you easily avoid any issues that might hurt your chances.

Best,
Michael Lloyd