ION INDIE MAGAZINE February 2015, Volume 9 | Page 66

One point I would like to stress with all artists, and musicians in particular, is to always take the high road
and avoid gossip, trash talk and innuendo in social media. To quote Dumbo: "If you don't have something
nice to say about somebody, don't say anything at all." I am troubled by artists who engage in public pissing
matches and feuds, which ultimately will be their undoing when no one wants to take the risk of hiring them.
My former band accepted a gig last summer in a venue I was less than thrilled to be playing at. It came as
little surprise to me when we were stiffed at the end of the show. I asked my bandmates to avoid going to
social media and badmouthing the club, but just learn from the experience and don't talk about this to
anyone. They complied and I'm glad they did. No good, reputable venue wants to book mouthy trouble
makers
This also goes for spilling your guts to social media about embarrassing personal issues. I have peers who
make me cringe when I read what they put on social media sites. Artists need to keep their public personae
and personal lives separate, unless they are a reality TV star whose appeal is based upon daily disclosure of
lurid private details. You never want your album or ticket-buying public to think you are moving in any
direction other than up. If you need to dig in your couch cushions for food money or such, keep it off social
media. It will bade much better for you in your career to keep that stuff private, and let your fans look to you
as an example of someone who has life completely figured out. I have car and relationship trouble
occasionally also, but I keep my social media for business only, period. No label or venue executive wants
to invest in someone who looks like a train wreck waiting to happen. Remember, in this business, any move
that is not a move up is a move downward.
***
"I love producing, I love engineering, I love performing. It's the whole package! I love it all!" states
Northeast Ohio guitar great "Bad Boy" DAVE MARKO of Classic Rock band BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA.
Consisting of members BRIAN "Big B" HARROLD on lead vocals and guitar, "Richter Scale" RICK LEBLANC