Fall 2013 Cover Story - The Business of Music

The Business of Music

However, some musical entrepreneurs right here in Topeka have turned the tables and turned music into business success.

Andy McKee

Photo by: Christine McKee

Andy fell in love with the guitar at the age of 12. By the time he was 14, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in music. A Washburn Rural High School student, Andy opted to get his GED at the age of 16 and throw himself into his music career.

Teaching others to play was the first step on his career path. He taught guitar lessons from the time he was 17 until 27. Teaching lessons paid the bills. In his free time he wrote original instrumental acoustic guitar music and began to perform. After appearing in numerous finger-style guitar contests, his name started circulating in “guitar circles.” He networked with other musicians around the world and soon found himself performing across the United States and even internationally.

Secrets to Success

Andy always had a vision for where he wanted to go—a career in music. He put in the hours of practice, used the influences of other guitarists such as Preston Reed and John Ross to create his own unique music, and networked like crazy to get his name out there.

Reaping the Rewards

At 34, Andy has seen his music career evolve dramatically. Last year an independent music label in Milwaukee released some YouTube videos of Andy performing that quickly went viral. Those videos led to music icon Prince asking Andy to go on tour with him in Australia as a guest performer. He also completed an Asia tour performing in more than 250 shows.

On the Horizon

This year Andy plans to stay home a little more to spend time with his family. He has a 2-year-old son, Lachlan and his wife is expecting another baby in September. This year will be one of performing every other weekend, creating new music, and being a dad.

TK1

Kerry Livgren

Photo submitted by Kerry Livgren

You can’t hail from Kansas and not recognize the name Kerry Livgren. As one of the founders and primary songwriter for the band KANSAS, Kerry quickly made a name for himself with his creative expression and originality. Following a brilliant career with the band, he released several solo albums and founded Grandyzine Productions and Numavox Records.

When Kerry first started out in music, he barely eked out a living. That all changed when KANSAS’ first hit, “Carry on Wayward Son” hit the charts. Although he always felt it was just a matter of time before he was successful, it took three years after being signed before it really hit home. He says he’ll never forget the moment he knew he had made it big—when the band was presented with its first Gold Album. From there he embarked on the ride of his life.

Secrets to Success

As a serial entrepreneur, Kerry has always understood that while music was his passion, it was also a business. He credits much of his success to hard work and good business decisions. While other musicians were throwing money to the wind, Kerry was investing his. When he got his first budget with CBS to do a solo album, he rented a studio and pocketed the money. He used the budget for his second album to buy his own studio equipment so he wouldn’t have those out-of-pocket expenses going forward.

Kerry says musicians need more than raw talent— they must find the creative difference that makes them original. And, if you want to be serious about the music business, he says you need to have people in your corner to help you wade through the process.

Reaping the Rewards

Kerry has ridden the proverbial wave of fame as a performer and songwriter. His ongoing royalties from writing songs such as “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry on Wayward Son,” coupled with royalties from CDs and singles of the band KANSAS, provide a steady revenue stream. He is still writing and recording original music.

His favorite song ever produced? A piece that no one has heard yet—a Cantata—30 years in the making.

TK2

TreeHouse Drums

TreeHouse Drums was born in 2000 when Derek Sharp, owner of Supersonic Music in Topeka, was tasked with building a custom drum for a client who wanted to add onto his existing drum set. Derek was already refurbishing drums made by other people, so he thought “why not?” Derek spent the next year and a half making the tools he needed to make drums. From there, his custom drum business has grown into an internationally recognized brand.

Secrets to Success

Already having a storefront that paid the bills allowed Derek to open his custom drum business without much financial risk. Then, instead of marketing the drums through his store, he put them into the hands of drummers at music festivals, high school jazz festivals, and KU, K-State and Pitt State music festivals. Once drummers heard the quality of sound coming from these custom drum sets, they were sold.

Reaping the Rewards

Already this year, TreeHouse Drums has made more drums than any other year.

• One custom set went to a popular band in Scotland. A Tupan (Gypsy) drum is appearing at various renaissance festivals around the country.

• A Surdo (Brazilian) drum is heading to Wichita for Derek’s son’s wedding.

• An order for a Broadway show turned into a whole new concept for a compact, more portable drum set—already in high demand.

• And the coup de gras? His latest custom set will tour with Queen this fall.

Why TreeHouse?

The name comes from a love story. When Derek was 10, he saw a 9-year-old girl dragging wood across the street from his house. When he asked her what she was doing, she replied, “building a tree house.” He offered to help. Little did they know that tree house would result in a marriage lasting 22 years and counting.

TK3

Live Music Institute

Pictured from left to right: Max Lock, Celeste, Arec Rich, Izzie Girl of Destiny, Dave (owner of Live music) Jiana Van Higgins

Five years ago, David Schaffer put his lifelong dream into motion—an academy of rock in Topeka. A working musician all through the 90s, when David moved back to Topeka, his first thought was, “I’m a musician, what am I going to do now?”

He dreamed of taking his love and knowledge of music and paying it forward. So when the right location became available, he took the first step to making that dream a reality.

Secrets to Success

Because a school of music is only as good as its teachers, David sought music professionals and skilled individuals who wanted to make teaching a long-term priority. He also wanted to make music fun. He saw so many kids taking private lessons who would simply go home and practice in their bedrooms. They followed the same routine week after week, often becoming bored with both the music and the process.

At LMI, kids not only take lessons, but also have an opportunity to play with other musicians their age, with similar interests. They learn to work together as a band and even perform on stage. LMI “band aids” help tutor them along the way, strengthening their technical skills and bolstering their confidence.

Most people associate LMI with rock music. They expect students to learn guitar and drums. What they might find surprising is that students can take lessons for virtually any instrument—from harmonica to trumpet.

Reaping the Rewards

LMI Academy of Rock students are getting some “gigs.” David has groups play at Cider Days, the Celtic Fox, Gage Amphitheater and the library. In fact, his greatest satisfaction is seeing some of these groups still playing together after three or four years, forming close friendships and lifelong memories.

TK4

Suki Willison

Uncle Bo’s Blues Bar, located in the Ramada in Topeka, is

known for its outstanding concerts and performers. Bringing

quality blues talent from around the country to a small city like

Topeka might seem a difficult task, but one that Suki Willison

makes look easy.

Suki began booking bands with her lunch money while she was in junior high. She loved music, especially blues. She traveled to Memphis to watch and learn about performers, audiences and the magic that makes entertainment. Her countless connections tied her to a giant musical family where everyone knows everyone. She brought her knowledge, her sixth sense about talent and her vast network of artists to Uncle Bo’s eight years ago. Since that time the popularity of the blues club has skyrocketed.

Secrets to Success

For Suki, the number one key to success is watching and listening to understand what people like. She travels to watch new bands perform, looking for that special “something” that captures the audience. Her ultimate goal is to find bands that entertain people. Suki also understands that this is a business, not only for her, but also for the artists themselves. As a result, she sometimes feels more like a traffic controller than a talent scout. She spends countless hours looking at performance schedules trying to route popular bands through Topeka as part of a road tour. And she continually works her connections at blues festivals to find new talent and keep old acquaintances top of mind.

Reaping the Rewards

The laundry list of big name blues bands speaks for itself:

• Phantom Blues Band with Mike Finnigan—Played back up for the Blues Brothers. Their agent called and said,” We want to play Bo’s because we heard it’s the place to be.”

• Tab Benoit—Advocate for wetlands in Louisiana

• Paul Thorn—Singer-songwriter whose music is a mix of blues and rock

• Curtis Salagado—2013 BB King Entertainer of the Year; Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year; Soul Blues Album of the Year

Suki knows she really has something when bands say, “I know I’ve made it when I get to play Uncle Bo’s.”