Parenting a Performer - Nobody Talks About the $$

One of the main questions I keep trying to tactfully ask other parents of aspiring artists is

HOW THE HECK DO YOU PAY FOR ALL THIS?  (Just try to picture yourself asking that tactfully.  It can't be done.)

Because I am pretty sure that whether your child wants to sing in stadiums, dance with a professional ballet, or play hockey for a living, it all costs a lot of money.  For a singer/songwriter, it takes training and song production and photography and videography and artwork and studio musicians and band members and a website ...


+Mackenzie Elliott's website is a work in process...

I always thought you performed every gig you could and sent your music to every record label you knew of and hopefully you got discovered! That still happens, but there are other ways to have a music career and other ways to fund it.

One thing I've learned is that almost every upcoming artist is doing something else in addition to music.  Waiting tables, building houses, working retail, anything that is flexible enough to allow an artist to develop their music while also paying the rent.

Here is what else I've learned:

• Some people have sponsors.  It might be a development label,  a PR firm, a music business friend or it might be Mom and Dad.  Someone has taken them on and is covering their costs. 
• Hitting the road is still the way a lot of people go. We met the parents of a country singer whose daughter has been traveling all over the country for years, sleeping in the van, eating at 7-11. Her mom and dad worry about her every day but she's making progress.
• Kickstarter is a great option AFTER you have a fan base established.  Don't go asking for money if you haven't earned the right to ask.  Everyone, even your friends and family, wants to "invest" in something they think has a good chance of succeeding, because it is really fun to be a part of that. 
• YouTube could be one of the best things of all time to happen for singer/songwriters.  It lowers the barriers to entry significantly and if you are successful, you can build up a brand before you ever try to tour or catch a label's attention.
• Reality shows like American Idol, The Voice, America's Got Talent, The X Factor . . . they are all extreme long shots but why not try? 

There's no single path to making a living as an artist. Whichever one your son or daughter takes, make sure they know how to go charm those restaurant customers for big tips in the meantime.