So today I had a 4:30 meeting with my very first artist. This has all happened so quickly. It was only 6 months ago I started making beats for fun which turned into a hobby and now a multi-million dollar business. Well maybe not a multi-million or even a million, but it will be soon enough.
Back to topic at hand. Mr. Long and I, Steve Long, met at his usual performing area in D.C.. Steve has been performing for years at metro stations playing live music with both acoustic and electric guitars. When I first heard him perform I was inspired and impressed. We sat down at a Quiznos for our meeting to have a chat. Not the most meeting friendly place but you gotta do what you need to succeed.
We must have sat down for only 30 minutes which flew by in seconds. We discussed expectations for one another and what I could do for him and he could do for me. I could see he was initially hesitant to see this young guy approach him with very little, nearly none, music industry experience. I was straight up with him and felt that was the best way to go. I told him I've only been doing this for a short period of time and that I thought there were things he could teach me as well. Steve is 51 years old, so yeah, he's got some time ahead of me in life.
We talked musical interest, influences, and general background on what each of us likes about music. I told him we could move forward for the first few months on an informal basis and go from there. At this point I don't know him and he doesn't know me so I thought it be best that we start our business relationship out slow but steady. I gave him two CD's, one with cover songs I thought he might sound good singing and the other with beats I've composed.
I told Steve that I recorded him singing a song a few weeks ago while he was performing at the metro station. He told me he wanted to hear it which is what I expected him to say but at the same time I was a bit nervous. I was confident that I liked the song but of course it was his song and I added a beat and enhanced the chorus. I played it for him via my iPhone in with my ear buds. I watched as he started bobbing his head for the first 20-30 seconds of the song and then it happened. The beat dropped in the second verse and he started to smile and bobbing his head a bit more. I knew right then it was official.
After listening to the song he said his apprehension went away which was more than flattering. Steve also writes his own original music and has a song out a YouTube called 'Believe.'
We left the meeting with a solid hand shake and I told him I'd get back to him with in the next 48 hours to tell him what our next steps were. We discussed open-mic nights, performing cover songs, and general promotion which is what we'll need to do in order to get his name out. The beautiful thing is that there are hundreds of people if not thousands who ride the metro every ay who know who he is. Although they know him as the guy with the nice voice at the metro. All I have to do is turn that into,"That guy Steve Long who use to sing in the metro is amazing."
Admittedly I am hesitantly excited. I have know idea what his work ethic is like, how responsible he is or even what kind of person he truly is. I believe its worth the risk to find all of that out. As things progress I will keep everyone updated. Don't be afraid to comment on my postings either.
Look out for Steve Long on YouTube and our website coming soon. See links below for his current YouTube postings. They are a bit old but it give you an idea of his talent and puts a face to a name.
Maria Maria - Steve Long - Performed infront of the Verizon Center - Washington D.C.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLMM2qbqruw
Believe - Steve Long (Original Song) - Performed at Farragut Metro Station - Washington D.C.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp2jtXxT9gg (Amazing song)
If for some reason these links don't work you can YouTube him yourself by search under "Steve Long, Believe" or "Steve Long, Washington D.C."
Stay tuned and good night!
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