Going The Distance

Distance Medley Relay

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Distance Medley Relay is an athletic event in which four athletes compete as part of a relay. Unlike most track relays, each member of the team runs a different distance. A Distance Medley Relay is made up of a 1200 meter leg, a 400 meter leg, an 800 meter leg, and a 1600 meter leg - in that order. The total distance run is 4000 meters or nearly 2.5 miles.

The Sprint Medley Relay consists of two 100 meter legs, one 200 meter leg, and one 400m leg. The first three exchanges are blind exchanges. The last exchange is a 4x400 relay exchange.

I am an avid Track & Field fan. In fact, I aspire to become an Official! I enjoy the Javlin, the discus throw and most running events. I am a regular at the Texas UIL State Championships, University of Houston All Comers Meet, LSU Alumni Gold, TSU Relays and Texas Relays. (Sidebar: I'll get to the Penn Relays ONE DAY!)

Sprint: (Individual Event) A short distance, fast run, ranging from 40 Meters to 400 Meters.
Relay: (Group Event) A series of combined sprints or distance runners working together.
Exchange: Passing the baton from one leg, or runner, to the next.

Informed vs. Mis-Informed

In this example, I'd like to reference the Texas Relays.Thousands of people attend this event. The Texas Relays traditionally begins on the first Wednesday in April and ending on Saturday.I have found it surprising, over the years, to STILL find that many people think this event is on Saturday at 5pm. That is when the "Finals" begin!

Athletes compete all day Wednesday thru Saturday; this includes the preliminary sprinting events. The long (Less Popular) races, like marathons and the Distance Medley, are scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday. These events are certainly "low attendance" days. Oh, but wait until Saturday's finals! You can barely find a seat because the "common" track fan arrives to see the Sprints. They don't have a clue! All they see is the big roaring crowd, the flash of the cameras, the trophies and those in the spotlight.

I see music and musicians in much the same way. Artists often approach the music industry as if it's a quick Sprint to the spotlight. It is not. The industry is more akin to a combination of the "Sprint/Distance Medley Relays."

There are many people and/or roles that have to work together for an Artist to truly succeed.

The Start of the Race

On your Marks.
When I quote a recording project at $4000, people's mouths fall open, gasp for oxygen, the eyes roll back in their heads and they think I'm crazy. "That's too much!!" they exclaim. Conversely, I'm thinking "Man, I may lose money on this deal." Poor things. They just don't know that this is the LEAST of their investments on behalf of the project.

Get set.
The Artist sees the completion of the CD as the proverbial "Finish Line." They also discover hurdles along the way to that "finish," which is not the finish at all. Many Artist THINK they are running the open 60 Meter dash but, after the start, find that leg is more like running the 110 Meter Hurdles!

Go!
After the music stops, you must have the project mixed; tweaking the levels for each instrument, voice and nuance. Once this process is completed, the project must be sent out to the Mastering Engineer. Mastering levels the recording across the board and prepares the recording for radio airplay. Mastering should cost you at least $100 per song.

You need a good Entertainment Attorney to guide decisions on contracts and agreements. This CANNOT be a traditional attorney who dabbles in the entertainment. Good Entertainment Attorneys are hard to find.

As they are learning that the race isn't as short as previously predicted, they also discover they have a baton in their hand. when they reach what would have been the finish line, they find that someone is there waiting for them to hand off that baton. The race (Medley) continues. Prepare to hand-off the baton.

Exchange 1:
After the CD (Just One) is completed, it must be manufactured. This process is called "replication." (A form of duplication.) You must select the case, the number of pages on your insert and what type of graphic or artwork you want on all sides. 1000 "Full Color" CDs could set you back $1700. Keep in mind, to achieve success, you will need to sell more than 10,000 CDs. If you are trying to attract the attention of a major label, 35,000 CDs is your goal. That translates into $52,500.00 worth of investment from your band.

Exchange 2:
Next, the product must be marketed. Advertising is big business and it doesn't come cheap. What ads move you? What commercials really make you want to purchase a particular product? I would bet you "New Money" they ARE NOT the $100/week ads. The ads that truly move you cost in excess of $100/day! You are not moved by the cheaper ads because you don't see or hear them. These "affordable" ads are in community newspapers, newsletters & souvenir books. There are others are on TV or Radio when you are asleep. Will your customer be influenced by those?

Exchange 3:
After a successful marketing campaign, your phone may start ringing. Who will be there to answer it? Somebody has to schedule events and handle day-to-day tasks. Will this person be a volunteer? Who's on your team or "your staff?"

Exchange 4:
OK, so your volunteer is booking performances for you. Now you have the challenge of travel and lodging. Have you priced a hotel lately?

Exchange 5:
You need to start applying funds to the follow-up recording. Remember all those other songs that you could'nt put on this one? Plus, there are new songs that you have been creating since you've been touring, traveling and meeting new people.

Exchange 6:
Go Back to "The Hurdles!"

T. Greigh, Out