By: Bruce Wawrzyniak
It’s back to the mixing console at Crystal Blue Sound Studios for Dominick Pages this morning, as a new week begins. His setup is a bit different from what he sits
down to as the Front of House Engineer and Audio Director at New Hope United
Methodist Church.
The singer, songwriter, guitar player, and recording studio
owner/operator is one of many musicians around the country who have found
unique and, yes, creative ways for a secondary income. For Pages, the guest on Episodes 56 and 8 of
the weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast, his work at the church seems
like a natural extension of the work that he does at his studio, located in the
greater Tampa Bay area.
But for others, there are some clever efforts being
undertaken that aren’t so connect-the-dots-logical for additional methods to
bring in some money, all of which were launched well before the coronavirus was
even known.
Many performers would just think of merch as a means to supplement
what they already earn from the sale of their music. The following guys and gals, however, have
thought well beyond that.
Orlando-based singer, songwriter, guitar and banjo player Bianca
Leduc stays plenty busy with her sister Gabriela as the country act Diamond
Dixie. Like Dominick Pages, the two have
made a pair of appearances on NHTE (Episodes 226 and 63), and the girls have
made lots of music and fans. But in her
spare time, away from the chords, lyrics, and melodies, Bianca makes jewelry,
which she markets through a designated Instagram account called After CoffeeCreations.
My hot drink of choice isn’t coffee, but rather, tea. In fact, just this morning I started my day
drinking a cup of Human Tribe Tea, sent to me by Roger Fisher, the founding
guitarist of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Heart and guest on Episode 86 of
NHTE. Although he continues to churn out
music, including last year’s “Heart of the Blues,” going off the page and doing
something like loose leaf tea is quite commendable. Just like creating songs, he even displayed
the power of collaboration by launching the beverage initiative with someone
else. (And yes, it sure does taste good.)
Speaking of tasting good, renowned fingerstyle guitarist Muriel
Anderson already draws plenty of attention for her performances on the harp
guitar, as talked about on Episodes 319 and 211 of NHTE. But launching an international cookbook last
year was something that truly drew a “wow.”
It’s still undetermined if it’s a cookbook with a CD or a CD with a cookbook,
but either way, as far as I’m concerned that’s a whole new way to serve up a
memorable meal with a soundtrack.
Another performer known for guitar playing, NHTE 107 guest David
Feder from down in the Florida Keys, takes his fingers off the guitar strings
and holds brushes instead to create art, just like singer, songwriter, guitar
player Hope Cassity (NHTE 258 and 13) whose creations literally come off the
canvas. The Nashville-based musician even
had a Facebook post last month about combining both elements of her art, via a “live
couch concert and online art show.”
And if all of these initiatives haven’t dazzled you enough,
then think back to last summer’s interview with Justin Johnson (NHTE 287) who
makes (and sells) guitars out of shovels that were originally intended to turn
dirt (pictured at top). That and the
others mentioned above should make you realize that if you’re trying to make a career
in music, whether those dreams have turned into reality or not, you can turn a
nice profit by thinking outside – in some cases, way outside – the box
and finding other efforts you can enjoy alongside your music making.
What are you doing that should’ve been on this
list? Tweet those at me to @NHT_tweets!
• • •
I
am a manager and publicist, running Now Hear This, Inc., an agency that
has served clients across the U.S. ranging from music artists to
authors to small businesses and even an Olympic athlete. Since February
2014 I have also hosted a weekly podcast (“Now Hear This
Entertainment”), which has gotten listeners from 152 countries around
the world. Find more about the company and the podcast at www.NowHearThis.biz. I am also a national speaker. Visit www.SpeakerBruceW.com for more information.
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