THIS IS YOUR FREESTYLE BLAST #34

Don't get upset when people are showing interest... get upset when they stop!

Oct 15, 2024

I’ve said this before: I don’t go looking for topics to write about. I write about what’s currently affecting me, the artists I work with, andor the Freestyle community at large, whether it’s happening now or something we’ve already been through.

Being a booking agent and managing some pretty big names, along with being married to one, puts me in a pretty unique position.

As a booking agent, I understand how critical it is for promoters to have a successful event, not just for themselves, but for the health of the entire Freestyle music genre. Understanding this allows me to focus on my promoter’s needs, a key factor in landing a gig is to know what it takes to deliver a stellar performance, not just on the stage, but more importantly… off!

As a manager I know how to guide my artists through the trenches of the business, keeping them always in the light, while at the same time away from the heat. I want my artists to stand out in a crowded room, not just because of their glittery outfits, but because of their radiant smiles, and the approachable aura that they set off.

As a road manager, I know exactly what goes into prepping for an event, those costs can pile up, especially with the female artists. Nails, hair, waxing, all those little details that really can eat into the money they make from a show.

Being married to the lead singer of one of Freestyle’s most iconic groups, The Cover Girls, gives me an even deeper insight into what these artists go through. I have a lot of empathy, especially for the women, and all they have to deal with just to stay in the game.

Then there's the madness of travel—everything from parking to dealing with airport security. Even with the TSA Pre-check these days, lines are still insane.

The stress of flight delays or cancellations on the day of the show is real. Sometimes the only other option is flying in the night before, which is tough when artists have jobs, families, or other responsibilities.

Airlines seem to be trying to squeeze in more seats each year, making flights even tighter than they already are. For my artists who often travel to the West Coast, those six-hour flights can be brutal, and asking promoters for seat upgrades can sometimes be a deal breaker - so cramped seats it is!

And don’t think for a second that once we’re settled in our seats all is good, because now a whole other stress factor kicks in, and trust that there isn’t an artist nor a road manager that wouldn’t admit that upon takeoff they’re praying. Shit, the last thing I do right before switching my phone to airplane mode is text my kids and grandkids to tell them I love them.

Getting my artists through an event successfully takes a lot out of me. I may look calm, but trust me, I don’t exhale until my girls take their final bow.

But after a successful event, there’s no better feeling. Looking around, not just at my artists, but at everyone—the managers, the road crews, the promoters, and the other artists, all the people who come together to make these events, not just happen… successful!

Below are two articles that cover topics most people don’t usually consider. But I do, because I’m often the first to face these challenges. Take a moment to read, reflect, and share your own thoughts in the comments. And if you know anyone who might benefit from these insights, please pass it along!

I truly appreciate each and every one of you, and with that said, let's get into it!

Freestyle’s Unseen Challenges of Giving Back

As a booking agent for many years, one of the most difficult parts of my job is having to turn down fundraisers, not only for my artists but for the many that I might be approached for...

Listen, there isn’t a cause out there that hasn’t touched all of us in some way. Whether through a personal experience or of someone we care about.

From Cancer to Domestic Violence, AIDS, Homelessness, Missing Children, and so many others, none of these issues are taken lightly by me, the artists I personally work with, or the others I book.

These are devastating problems, and if we could snap our fingers and make them disappear, who wouldn’t? But the reality is, we can’t.

So what happens when an organization from across the country asks us to perform at their benefit, and for free? Do we say yes? And if we do, how do we decide which ones to support, knowing that it’ll be impossible to do them all?

How do we choose which causes to help, and which ones we have to pass on?

Maybe you choose a cancer event because it hit a parent. But what about your best friend who’s dealing with Domestic Violence, the elderly uncle who was just diagnosed with Althzimers, or the hurricane devastation recently inflicted upon a neighboring city? And must I bring up Walmarts wall of missing children?

I don’t need to tell anyone how serious these issues are, nor the many others that I didn’t even mention who are in desperate need of help. But where do we start? How can we help, and more importantly, how do we decide who to help?

Can we be sure that the charity is legitimate? That a decent portion of the money raised will actually go where it’s intended? Because, let’s be honest, there are plenty of scammers out there.

I’m not here to tell you which causes to support, because I don’t have that answer. But I do believe it’s an important conversation, and one we shouldn’t brush aside.

And can the Freestyle community play a meaningful role in supporting these causes? Should we? Absolutely!

Now, in most of the fundraisers we’ve attended, the artists were actually paid their full fee, with accommodations, just like any other booking. What these organizations do is secure outside sponsors—local businesses who provide the funds to cover the event or concert. In return, the proceeds are donated to a specific cause.

At these events, there are often additional ways to raise money. Promoters can set up merchandise stands, selling t-shirts or other items donated by the artists. Food vendors can rent spots to set up, which not only supports the cause but also promotes their own business to the community.

There are many creative ways to put together these types of events, where everyone wins, and that’s key to ensuring these fundraisers can happen again and be successful.

As a booking agent, I’ve worked with many of these events and would be happy to share my experience with anyone interested in organizing a Freestyle fundraiser. Just shoot me a message, and we can talk.

And while we’re on the subject, let me mention something for those who want to donate but aren’t sure where to start. There are organizations known as Fund Distributors. They raise money through donations and distribute it to causes they’ve determined need it most. These groups follow strict criteria to guide their decisions.

So let me ask you, our amazing Freestyle Blast readers: How would you organize a Freestyle fundraiser, considering that most of our artists depend on their paid performances to feed their own families and pay their own bills? Click the button below, and let us know.

Freestyle Artists and the Power of Podcasts

The blessings of technology have also cast a bit of a curse, especially when it comes to the ease of becoming a Podcaster. Because nowadays all you really need is your phone…

Podcasts have exploded in popularity over the past few years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when most of us had more time to listen or watch them. Yes, I said "watch," because although podcasts started as an audio-only format, adding video has become so easy that most people thought… why not? A visual connection is often stronger than just an audio one after all.

I love podcasts, both audio and video. In fact, I hosted my very own podcast a while back called Goodnight Freestyle, with nearly 800 episodes. You heard that right, eight hundred! I didn’t promote it much because I treated it more like a personal diary. But I’ll be getting back to it real soon, so you might wanna check it out and try to catch up!

I get approached regularly by podcasters wanting to interview my artists, and since I’m a booking agent with connections to pretty much - everyone! I get asked to help with other interviews as well. Some artists are picky about which podcasts they’ll do, while others refuse altogether.

I respect and appreciate podcasters, especially those who are passionate about Freestyle. I do my best to accommodate them, and I’ve been featured on several myself. Honestly, I love it, probably because I love my genre and enjoy talking about it. Click Here To Check Out A Few

So what should artists do when they’re approached by podcasters? Should they ignore them if the show doesn’t have a huge following? Should they pick and choose which ones “deserve” their time, or should they do as many as they can?

Let me take off my newsletter editor hat for a second and put on my manager hat—a role I’ve held a lot longer. My advice is simple: Yes, do them all, or at least as many as you comfortably can.

Why? Well, I’ve got a few reasons.

First and foremost, it teaches artists how to tell their story. Nothing connects an audience with an artist better than a solid, engaging story. It’s not just about answering questions—it’s about painting a picture with your words, creating a visual in the minds of both the interviewer and, more importantly, the audience, and the only way to get better at that is with Practice.

Secondly, if someone is asking you to do an interview, it’s because they find you interesting. Huge business deals, multimillion-dollar collaborations, and most importantly, marriages happen because one person happens to find another person interesting. Don’t focus on the fact that the podcaster might only have 13 listeners right now because at some point every mega-podcasters out there had 13 listeners.

And lastly, keep in mind that every interview you do becomes another asset for your career arsenal. Make sure they send you a copy so you can repost and share it with your own audience. In other words, build a collection of You!

Think about the people you’re a fan of—whether they’re singers, athletes, or actors. When you watch an interview or enjoy their performance, don’t you sometimes want to dive deeper into who they are? Do you ever follow them on social media? I know I do!

The last thing you want as an artist is for someone to get hooked by something you said, did, or performed, only to find out there’s no other content for them to explore. Make sure you build a solid catalog of interviews and performances so when someone’s hooked… you can keep them hooked!

Oh, and one more thing: Who knows if that interviewer might one day become the next Joe Rogan, Drink Champs, or The Breakfast Club? So please, don’t sleep on anyone!

So I have a little task, that I am going to ask all of my readers, and I hope you guys work with me here because I believe it can really help out our genre. If you’re a Podcaster (audio or video) name 5 Freestyle Artists that you would love to Interview, and if you’re a Freestyle fan and enthusiast, name 5 Freestyle artists, that you’d love to see or hear interviewed.

Now I can’t promise the outcome, but what I can promise is that most if not all of those artists are subscribed to this newsletter and will probably be reading this article. So go ‘head… Comment below, and thank you!

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