A scratchy-voiced rock singer once screamed, “It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock ‘n’ roll.”
Although not everyone who attended “The Business of Music” mini-conference and panel discussion at the Union on Saturday is aspiring to be a “rocker,” all of the attendees received advice on how to make it in the music business.
A diverse blend of music industry experts and professionals spoke at the event to explain the broad intricacies of breaking into and working in the music business.
About 120 students and community members attended the free event sponsored by the Union Program Council’s Music and Mayhem Committee.
The first half of the five-hour event consisted of various seminars focusing on internships, success, artist promotion, networking, life on tour and entertainment management.
Josephine Guste, a mass communication senior, said she attended the event to help her decide what kind of job she wants.
“I know I want to work in the entertainment industry, but I don’t know what I want to do,” Guste said. “I came here to get a better idea.”
Cynthia Simien, manager and wife of successful Zydeco musician Terrance Simien, gave insight into the hardships of being on tour.
“Life on tour is not very glamorous,” Simien said. “It’s tough, grueling and very physically demanding.”
She also advised music business amateurs to do their homework before diving into the music scene.
“You have to get your rap down and learn the lingo, or some people are going to take advantage of you,” she said.
Beverly Major, the assistant director of LSU Career Services, emphasized that a person must be proactive to work in the music industry.
“Record companies don’t have college recruiters to seek out employees,” Major said. “These are some of the busiest people in the world. You have to go to them.”
Major also said there are plenty of opportunities for people looking to enter the music business in Baton Rouge.
Major recommended going to the Career Services office for help with resumes and interviewing skills.
For the second half of the event, all of the speakers participated in a panel discussion and answered from the audience.
When asked about how a person can get a job in the music industry, Andre’ Mika, a successful producer and Baton Rouge native, suggested they should start out working for free.
“Most people will hire you if you work for free,” Mika said. “If you do your job well, there’s no way your employer will let you go, so you end up getting paid.”
Mika also addressed concerns about the relationship between the slumping economy in Louisiana and local opportunity in the industry.
“Every place goes through hard times,” he said. “Right now there is $200 million worth of construction going on here. You’re going to see some great changes in Baton Rouge over the next 18 months.”
Lonny Kaufman, the director of Louisiana’s Entertainment Cluster Development, said the entertainment industry’s presence in Louisiana is growing.
“We’ve had an explosion of movies in the state,” Kaufman said. “Film production has gone from $30 million to $200 million.”
After the panel discussion, the audience was able to personally meet the panel members, who seemed more than happy to speak individually with members of the crowd.
John Washington, the Music and Mayhem chairperson, was pleased with how everything went.
“We’ve been planning this event for about a year now,” Washington said. “I’m glad it turned out so well.”