I've been talking about performing at a Grammy party for over a month. I've been exercising, rehearsing my performance, getting wardrobe sponsors, buying accessories... you get my drift.
Solange Knowles was supposed to DJ at the party, but at the last minute she had to cancel due to circumstances beyond her control. It left the people who were throwing the party in an awkward position. You can't have a Grammy party without a celebrity. The party's organizers had sponsors and press and a lot of other factors to consider. So, long story short, they opted to drop me from the bill and book Kid Sister instead.
Sometimes things don't work out the way you expect. I've always held the belief that everything happens for a reason. And in this case, I have proof to support that theory :o)
About a month ago, I was fiddling around with my account on
Ourstage.com, just rifling through my songs that I uploaded to
my profile so that I could post links to them on Twitter. Ourstage.com is a website that lets independent artists enter songs in competitions that could win them money, prizes, and performances opportunities at major events. I hadn't entered a song into one of the site's monthly competitions for a whole month at that point, I was just going there to post my songs and to hear good indie music. (Speaking of which, you HAVE TO hear this dope song called
"Baby" by Chris Robbins. It kicks SO much ass.)
A few days later, I got an email From Ourstage.com that read:
Dear Artists,
OurStage recently launched a Premium Channel hosted by the New Music Seminar. Premium Channels will come with premium opportunities as well as an entry fee to help cover the cost of the prize. To kick off the channel we are gifting some of the most promising artists on OurStage entrance into the channel. As a result you- as one of the Top 20 artists in November's Urban Music Channels- have been entered into the channel.
There is an extensive list of prize offerings that include being flown out to LA to showcase for industry attending the NMS on February 2, 2010 as well as having material serviced to top A&R in the US. See full list of prizes here:http://www.ourstage.com/go/artistsontheverge
When I read it, I didn't think much of it. I never really enter my songs into the Ourstage competitions to win. I just like knowing that people will hear my music. About 2 weeks after the first email came, I received a new one that read:
Dear Finalist in Artist on the Verge Urban:
Congratulations for your song placing within the Top 20 in the New Music Seminar Artist on the Verge Premium Channel for Urban. You have moved to the evaluation phase in the contest. Industry professionals participating in the New Music Seminar will evaluate you and your entry for the grand prize.
To help the judges get a better picture of who you are, NMS needs more input about you or your band. Please fill out the online form by 11:59pm EST on January 11, 2010.
Ten artists will be selected to have their OurStage EPKs sent to A&R department throughout the United States. From the ten artists three will be sent to the New Music Seminar in Los Angles on February 2nd 2010 to receive mentoring, publicity and have their press kits critiqued by industry experts.
One Grand Prize winner will be chosen to perform at the NMS After Party and will receive a consultancy package valued over $25,000. Find out more about the prizes here: http://www.ourstage.com/go/artistsontheverge
Congratulation Again and Good Luck,
-OurStage
Honestly, I didn't take the email seriously. Stuff like that never happens to me, I have to bust my ass for EVERY opportunity. I didn't think it was real until I got a call from an Ourstage representative the day after the deadline encouraging me to hurry up and fill out the form. I filled it out, fully expecting to get an email a few days later that said "We're sorry, but you didn't win. But thanks for trying, kiddo!" This is the song that got me recognition in the Artist On the Verge competition. It's called "Everywhere."
At the time, I didn't know that around the end of last year, OurStage.com launched a competiton in honor of the
New Music Seminar heading to Los Angeles. The founders of the event decided to make the seminar on February 2nd different from the ones before by inviting pop, rock and urban artists to compete for some amazing exposure opportunities with some of the music industry's "most connected leaders." The competition is called the New Music Seminar's Artists on the Verge New Winter Artist Search. Eight artists were narrowed down from hundreds to have an A&R package sent to top labels in the United States. And out of those 8, I am one of the 3 who were selected to be flown out to LA to attend New Music Seminar and compete for a grand prize package of gear and consultation services that's worth over $25,000. How bad ass is that?
I've sized up the competition, (you KNOW I had to,) and I must admit, they're pretty good. I am the only female artist who won a spot as a finalist. I'm the only black artist who won as well. And I am the only solo artist who won, the other winners are both groups. Yeah... I'm kinda the underdog. LOL.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to win. The
prize package is soooooooo dope! You have NO IDEA know what I could accomplish with that prize package. OMG. However, even if I don't win, being chosen as a finalist has its own perks:
- Ourstage and NMS is flying my background singers, my DJ, and me out to LA
- They're putting us up in The Orlando Hotel
- We're special guests at the opening night event at The Roxy
- I get mentoring, publicity, and get to have my press kit critiqued by industry experts.
- My 2 background singers, my DJ, and I get free admission to the New Music Seminar. The tickets cost $175 each!
- I get to network with people who are in a position to help me.
I think I might actually have a good shot at winning. I am the #1 pick from all the the other artists who competed under the Urban genre. I have my own sound and my music is solid. I still have to go to the Grammy events, because my manager and my publicist have set up interviews and appearances for me in LA during that time. But if I win this competition, maybe next year I'll be nominated for a Grammy Award instead of just attending :o) Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Talk about "backup plan" in action!!! This is such a blessing! Glad you got the opportunity for exposure, at least! Enjoyed your recap of the trip, and will stop by for the outcome.
By the way, "Baby" by Chris Robbins def' has a "Beatles" flava to it. Enjoyed it!