Small Markets Can Build Careers
Most emerging artists go for gigs in sanctioned venues in recognized hubs around the country, yet there is a huge untapped audience in towns and communities that are off the grid. Increasingly, credible promoters are cropping up in in smaller towns where a savvy public is happy not to drive to the nearest metropolis to see a show. These promoters are not music-biz types, but good-hearted folks with taste—and motivated friends. These are worthwhile gigs. Don’t be 5th on a 7-band bill on a Tuesday when you can play to a room full of hungry people.
Presenters
Clair, who showcased as an artist here at SXSW in '04, '05 and '06, has released four solo albums and toured the U.S. as both a solo artist and as bandleader, and made his most recent Rich Brotherton-produced album backed by Robert Earl Keen's band.
In 2007, he founded Local 845, a concert promoter which produces shows and festivals in NY's Hudson Valley. He runs Beacon Riverfest, an annual rock music festival on Beacon's waterfront.
Since quitting her job as a full-time audio engineer, self-described "post-brontosaurus indie folk/crunk" sinner/songwriter Rebecca Loebe has played an average of 150 shows per year in almost 40 states of the US and in Europe. An invitation to audition for NBC's new hit singing competition "The Voice," in 2011 led to her performance of an original arrangement of Nirvana's 'Come As You Are' on the premiere episode of the program. Her performance caught the attention of celebrity coaches Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera, and her version of the song landed in the iTunes Top 100 in the US, Europe and South America, peaking at #7 on the iTunes Alternative Chart in the US. Although appearing on a television show seen by 12 million people in the first of its many international airings gave her career an undeniable boost, Loebe had already been supporting herself as a fulltime touring indie/roots singer/songwriter for 4 years. In the May of 2009 she was honored as a winner of the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Award, and the next year her full-length album ‘Mystery Prize’ spent over 2 months on both the US and European Americana Charts and was named by the AMA as one of the Top 100 Albums of the Year.
ComboPlate Booking is an Austin based booking agency run by me, Laura Thomas. Born and raised in Austin, the love of music, and especially live music, is in my blood. ComboPlate opened in 1999, and I am truly honored to work with each artist on my roster. Seriously, I feel I am the luckiest booking agent around. The artists I represent are songwriter based - roots rock, roots pop, folk in nature - full bands and solo singer songwriters. See you at their shows! www.comboplatebooking.com
Tim serves as president and founding partner of The Roots Agency and is the responsible agent for Richie Havens, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Eileen Ivers, Jimmy Webb, Ritchie Blackmore, and about 20 others. Tim currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents Association (NAPAMA) and frequently participates in industry forums and seminars. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Pace University.
Tim Drake started in the music business at age 14, while a freshman in high school. He promoted his first national act, Mountain, at age 18, which was followed soon thereafter by shows such as Billy Joel, Aerosmith, and The Kinks. He promoted primarily in the suburbs of New York City, in venues such as Newark Symphony Hall, Westchester Premier Theater, Westchester County Center, and The John Harms Theater. In 1995, after 15 years as an independent concert promoter, Tim founded a boutique booking agency, Drake & LaRoche, which would eventually be re-named The Roots Agency. The Roots Agency has grown to 40 clients, 4 offices, and staff of 10
Friday, March 16
