small steps

I'm a firm believer in small steady steps building a career. For Elisa Girlando that has been our approach. Build build build one step at a time. Today I broke from the mold!

Today I worked on a proposal to build our business very quickly. HitPlay specialty records has a unique way of bringing commercial advertising to the digital music world. We worked on a proposal today going for a home run. Cant wait to tell you more.

a strategy meeting

Last night Mike Lewis (our director of Internet marketing), Phil Garland (our CEO), and myself had a strategy session. E-Girl made an appearance to say hello. The meeting focused on three issues: 

First, you tube videos. Three of the videos are finished and we took a critical look at them seeing how they would represent Elisa and HitPlay. We were very pleased with he results. I feel they show the diversity of E-Girls sound and vocal ability. Her personality also transfers very well onto video. One video is particularly powerful an a capella version of the song "songbird". I cannot wait until I can share this song with the world. We had some technical issues to straighten out and the Emerson team are working on them now. Video should be ready next week.

The second issue was a long critical look at the HitPlay website. This was very useful as we had to look at the site and decide if it was meeting the goals we want our site to show when people log on. Once we agreed on how we wish to present hitplay to the world the editing of the site became easy. When the goal is know the task of getting there becomes easier. So true.

Finally we discussed publishing and how we can develop this area of  our business. I found Phil's insight very insightful:) 

Go over to the site and give us your feedback. HitplayLLC.

dave.hitplay

back to work

I've been away for some much needed rnr this past week but I'm back and we are ready to get back to work. Have a working meeting with our director of Internet marketing Mike Lewis and Phil at Hitplay tomorrow.

While I was away e-girl peaked at number 32 on the reverb natio blues charts approached 12,000 hits to her myspace page so there was a lot going on sorry I wasn't there to keep you up to date.

Phil Takes Command at HitPlayLLC !

We had a great meeting today at Hit Play to discuss the hit play web page. My man Phil coming off 6 weeks of intense production moving onto promotion wanting to know about the web page. Well its coming out great so see you all over there next week

Emerson College comes to Hit Play

We had another fun day at the Hit Play studios. Today award winning video and tv production senior Albert Carpenito came to the studio with fellow senior Tricia Carabba. The two worked in conjunction with Hit Play writer Amanda Carl and President CEO Phil Garland, to produce 6 videos.

The videos, for you tube promotional release, include three from Elisa Girlando's upcoming release "voices", and three a capella songs. It was a great experience hearing Elisa belt out songs live for the video. This should really help to introduce Elisa's great voice to the world.

Rounding out the video where performing cameo's by "Out Of Truth" keyboardist Bob Rubestello and violinist Phil Garland. Of course the ever present E-Girls (Elisa's longtime female fans) where there to offer support.

Another great day a Hit Play.

peace, dave.hitplay

you tube production day tomorrow

Met with Phil tonight.We have a production team coming to the hit play studios tomorrow. The goal is to shoot enough video for three you tube videos.

Creating content for the internet is crucial for Elisa Girlando's marketing plan.  Our goal is to utilize the video in two ways. Firtst is to show a depth and character to Elisa as an artist. Secondly, we have two songs for the album that are Etta James covers. It is our hope to get some viral marketing off of the songs. When people "google" etta james we hope E-Girl will show up on the search page. Again if the songs suck it wont matter, but we believe our material can stand up with the great ones. We shall see.

In the meantime E-Girl is up to 42 on the reverb nation blues charts so thats good news.

peace,

dave.hitplay

The Word from RED

Received follow-up email from Alan Becker senior VP at RED. He is awaiting finished content and then RED will help introduce the E-Girl to the world.

It very gratifying knowing people are waiting to help us. Our job is to bring them the best material we can. Once that's done and the music gets out there it will be up to you to decide if E-Girl has a future or not.

In the meantime the music we released is doing great with Elisa Girlando now at 43 on the reverb nation blues charts.

EGO the Great Band Killer

A sure fire way for a band or artist to fail almost every time is: unchecked EGO. Now some folks are great and they know it, and people keep telling them their great, and they believe it, and them comes the destructive attitude that comes with the belief in your own greatness. Some people just think their great and they suck, and for them they usually get nowhere, so they are irrelevant to this discussion.

A belief that the world only revolves around you is very destructive in any relationship: marriage; friendship; work; or band. Fortunately at Hit Play, as the principals are older and more grounded, this issue is less of a problem. For others it may take up the majority of your time.

I remember when the deal for E-Girl first came through two of our players Bob (Hammond organ) and Brian (harp n bass) both approached Phil Garland (our leader) and said whatever he needed to do to be successful whether its replace them or get extra players its cool. This was a great thing. It immediately allowed Phil to concentrate on what was best for all of us(making the best music) and not have to worry about hurting ego's along the way. I was amazed that such great players would so willingly step aside for the team. With that attitude its hard to fail.

so whats the point?

we were thinking about signing a great local singer to the label. He's 16 years old and sings with a maturity that you cant believe. But he thinks he's great, and his friends tell him he's great, and his ego is not developed enough to "handle" the acclaim: so he was impossible to work with; refused to learn lyrics; would miss rehearsals; change songs night of shows; refuse to take instruction from people who new more than him. The result we all walked away. He may "make it" but if he doesn't check his ego forget it. Who will want to work with that?

 When I think of the really great musicians in Out of Truth and how willing they were to do whatever it takes, and this kid who wouldn't even learn the lyrics to songs I laugh.

So check your EGO or it will defeat YOU.

 Tell me what you think.

peace,

dave.hitplay

End of another week

A lot happening today at Hit Play. E-Girl jumped up to number 51 on the reverb nation blues charts so that's great. We also had a percussionist into the hit play studios today to finish the track "rise-up". I worked on the Hit Play web page tightening the first page a little. I also released the photo of us at RED music onto the wire today.  Everyday we do something positive.

This coming week we have meetings with ad agency about hit play specialty records. Cant speak about this until it develops a little further. All for now.

dave.hitplay

the making of hitplay