There's No Business like Snow-Business! 

 2014 as the snow whirled outside, I was halfway through my NYE residency in the 5-star ski resort of Meribel, France but my palms were sweaty, and my heartbeat was racing. I'd just read the final lineup for the NYE show and seen that the agent had billed me as a Motown act. I wasn't a Motown act. Pretty far from it, in fact. Even worse, the hotel manager from my other residency where I thought I had been billed as a lounge jazz and blues singer, thought my songs were "too slow" and wanted me to play more upbeat music, not only that - they wanted me to re-audition for a gig I'd already been contracted for and flown out over Christmas to do!
Like, seriously? 

It was a mess. I quickly added some upbeat swing and rock n' roll into my lounge jazz set, and appeased the manager, who approved I would indeed be paid and could continue my residency. Phew! Then I dealt with the agent, who seemed to think it was ok that I was billed as a Motown act "Can't you just throw in some Aretha?" I think were the words that were muttered, "They won't know." My act was a Vintage Jazz NYE Swing Party - a carefully considered act I was very proud of! 

After that anxiety-inducing event and sleepless night that followed, all on my own in the middle of The Alps, I declared to myself "This will never happen again".

I was a professional musician but constantly felt at the mercy of bookers who didn't care; whether it be late payments, or goal posts moving with little notice and impacting the integrity of my show. I had sacrificed so much to get to this point in my career. I wanted to be respected and appreciated for my gifts, and I wanted to feel deeply fulfilled in my live shows.

So, I made the decision to only take bookings that were fully aligned with my vision and to make sure that I was always paid what I was worth and that my act would be so well presented, promoted, and professional that I would never be billed incorrectly again. 

Then in 2016, as the result of a vocal operation, I did the unthinkable, I became a booking agent myself and worked out a simple formula to streamline my acts, and my own music and make sure everything ran smoothly. I knew I would never bill an act incorrectly and I knew what clients needed in order to be clear about exactly which act they were booking. I also had to learn how to sell myself effectively, show up for myself every day and work diligently without impacting my creative output. That level of integrity has taken me places!

In a world where people are cutting corners, stand out by going the extra mile!

Fast forward 8 years, and I'm now running my own successful live music agency. As a singer, I only take on live event bookings that are fully aligned with my vision. I'm respected, I'm appreciated, and I'm paid more than ever before, and the best part is that I now get to help other musicians do the same. It fills my heart with joy.

It doesn't have to take you 8 years to find success with your live act, in Get Booked Bootcamp I've done all the legwork for you, and I'm so excited to share my knowledge and experience with you.