Todd Carey signs deal with Rock Ridge Music - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2011

TODD CAREY SIGNS MANAGEMENT DEAL

WITH ROCK RIDGE MUSIC

Brooklyn-based and Chicago-born singer-songwriter Todd Carey has inked a management deal with Newark, NJ-based music services company Rock Ridge Music.  Says Carey of the partnership:  “I’ve been building a fire with my fans’ help, and it’s very exciting to have Rock Ridge Music take notice and step in to elevate what I’m already doing.  I couldn’t be more optimistic about working with this amazing team.”

Says Rock Ridge Music President Jason Spiewak of the deal with Carey:  “We at Rock Ridge Music are stoked to be working with Todd Carey and his team. Todd's charisma is contagious and together we will broaden his audience on tour, on the web, on the radio, and everywhere else fans are enjoying great pop music!”

Carey is planning to go into the studio to work on a new album this calendar year; even though he has 40 songs written already for possible inclusion on the album, he plans to continue writing during the recording process.  “I’ve embraced the newer industry model and have put out an EP and singles since my last album came out,” says Carey.  “But I’m looking forward to getting into the studio and working on a full album’s worth of material.”  Already, he’s begun working with Lion’s Share, the production folks behind Andy Grammer’s Hot AC hit, “Keep Your Head Up.”

Carey’s most recent release, 2010’s “After The Morning After” EP, hit the Top 40 on iTunes’ Pop Chart and was produced by Mikal Blue (Colbie Caillat, Five for Fighting).  Previously, he released three solo albums (“Elevate,” “Revolving World,” and “Watching Waiting” [which came out through Universal’s Fontana Distribution]) and an additional EP (“Whitefish Bay Sessions”).  Carey is no stranger to touring and has criss-crossed the country repeatedly, playing over 250 shows in support of “After The Morning After.”  He’s toured with and performed on stage with numerous artists including Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Marc Broussard, Keaton Simons and Matt Duke.  Music from his “Watching Waiting” album was featured in the film “Palo Alto” and on MTV's “The Real World.”  Billboard magazine called “Watching Waiting” “…custom-made for the top of the pop charts... with a witty edge.”

www.toddcareymusic.com

www.facebook.com/toddcareymusic

www.twitter.com/toddcarey

www.myspace.com/toddcarey

For more information, please contact:

Krista Mettler / Skye Media & Rock Ridge Music

publicity@rockridgemusic.com

MeanStreet Riders' Manager - Bill Dern - meets cast of SOA

Bill Dern, Manager of The MeanStreet Riders Band, had the unqiue opportunity to attend the cast party for the hit TV show - Sons of Anarchy.
Bill had a blast meeting and chatting with the cast members, and graciously give each one a 'sneek peek'of the MeanStreet Riders music by presenting each a copy of their upcoming CD High on the Hog.

Here is a peek into how it went:

You started a band, should you get a manager?

So you have a band. You know all about music and are good, but the business end of it is scaring the crap out of you. Do you need a hire a high priced manager?


Not necessarily. But you do need someone to handle the business end of things. Many bands and artists are self managing things themselves to keep down costs and to maintain control of there business. This is fine if you have a member that is business savvy and can and will fulfill the role. But what if you don’t?

I read an interesting piece on when does a band need a manager. The author laid out things a band should have already accomplished before looking for a manager, from having a solid press kit to already playing many gigs and having a loyal widespread fan base. I disagree.

Yes, it would make getting any managing agency to take you on as a client easier, for you have already done all the hard work of building up your business. And really, outside of removing some of the workload off of you, at this point, why spend the money for a manager? And how will the venues you have been dealing with on a one on one basis feel about having to deal with a manager now?

A good manager should be willing to work with you and help you in the beginning of your career. If you can’t hire them fulltime, they should be willing to set up some sort of hourly basis. And they should honestly be into your music. Why hire someone that mainly deals with heavy metal if you play country?

When looking for someone to manage your band, you do need to research their record, talk to other bands they are working with and have worked with in the past. Be sure to get everything in writing, and be sure it is not a contract you could not end when and if you feel they are just not the right one for your band.

Having a music career is a business, and needs to be addressed as such. And good management at the beginning is vital for the success of the band. But the good news is you do not always have to go hire a big firm. Many times you can find the perfect manager within the band or within your fan base. Just be sure to find one with the passion for your music and the business sense to help you drive your band into the spotlight.