As stated in my biography, I love singing (and performing). I started off singing in choirs until I grew confident (and brave) enough to sing leads and solos. After auditioning so many times to be in girl groups and other music projects, I became despondent and didn’t think I had what it took to be a successful singing star… Well those were my dreams back in my 20s anyway.

One day, when I came from from work back in August, I looked at an invitation to join a singing workshop run by a childhood friend, Susan Harriott. I remember she was very talented from back in those days and I’d seen here numerous times doing backing vocals for Corrine Bailey Rae and other music popstars over the years.

Initially, I was going to sign up in Feb 09, after I had settled into my routine of a new day job, and trying to build my business empire on a part-time basis – you see I was committed to the job.

Then something happened at work – I can’t remember what it was, but the fact that I can’t recall the event means that it was so small but terribly significant to make me commit to myself. I signed up for the workshop that evening!

It’s been a great experience to meet new people who are involved in music and also catch up with other childhood and school friends who are also vocalists in the choir.

13 weeks of workshop classes which included vocal techniques, learning 8 songs, going for dinner after rehearsal and having fun have come to an end and we have our end of workshop concert in central London tonight.

I’m a natural 2nd soprano, however I’m singing tenor – it’s quite funny really. But it’s great to venture into something I’ve never done before. I’m not nervous, given that my last singing performance was Dec 06. I’m just really really excited.

So I’m off now, to eat, dress and warm up before the concert. I’ll get some photos, video and audio and post them up on here as soon as possible.

Whatever you’re doing this Saturday, have fun and keep warm if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere!

Then on the monetization side of things, the Internet has shaken the old School music industry model – who have been incredibly slow (some may say stupid) to react/respond/whatever – to secure their revenues or even status in the eyes of both artists and consumers.

Yes, digital music and piracy has increased, but there are also reports that free downloads also generated physical and digital music sales. I believe that there are many new breeds of music and entertainment companies on the scene who’ve created their own niche and a revenue stream from the industry, so things can’t be that bad (for the industry as a whole) and could get much better too.

The industry would always face this crunch and I’ve been saying for the last 6 years that this would happen: the whole model would be turned on it’s head and perhaps the industry would not be the same or recover. CD sales are down, Record labels are clearly not investing as much money in development of artists when compared to the past – just signing them up, churning out the cds and drop artists once they’ve reached the peak of their career which is usually around 2 months after their album launch right?! LOL!

Old school companies have been scrambling to protect their IP and suing everyone they can including kids (to set an example or just collecting money huh?). While there’s so much more I can add, I don’t want to unleash my bittersweet outpouring against record labels, but I really do think there’s so much more they can do for the artists and fans and still turn a healthy profit… I just don’t feel that many are doing that right now.

The reason why I’m writing this post is because Prince’s final London concert was last Friday. Sky News (yep, that’s right!), aired some of the concert live. Now I’m not so sure if this news channel had the right target audience, but it has the best TV reach I suppose and best mix of audience and it’s reported that Sky didn’t have to pay for the coverage either. WOW! Not sure if it’s true but it makes sense in that Prince didn’t necessarily have to pay for advertising and it’s also great free publicity to sell albums to those that didn’t get their free copy back in July.

In the news story, the anchors discussed the music industry and how the big labels and old school are losing their grip in the face of music fan’s seeking non-traditional channels to listen, watch and purchase music.

Prince gave away 3 million CDs as a promotion with the Mail on Sunday in July, every concert ticket holder also received a free CD, live broadcast of the concert was aired on Sky News and I understand that free digital downloads were also available to fans. I’ve seen some estimates that Prince will gross £26m in ticket sales from the concerts in London alone.

I should note that because of the free CD giveaway, the UK distribution label Sony BMG declined to distribute the physical CD as they saw it as a slap in the face to them and so we’ll struggle to find it in the stores. However, you may be able to get imported versions from Japan on Virgin and pay the premium price. Funny enough I couldn’t find it on iTunes UK or anywhere else. (HMV opted out of stocking the album.)

Now tell me, if an artist is able to retain control of the creative development of his/her music, how it’s marketed, where’s it’s distributed, how they will be remunerated from the proceeds of their own works, don’t you think that more artists will look up to mega artists like Prince and create their on marketing ideas to share their art? Yes there may be certain limitations of scale, but in principle, innovative, creative tactics like Prince’s UK campaign are employable. I really believe that.

I’ve said for the last 3 years that live music/performing seems to be one of the best ways to make a living out of this new era music biz. And Prince’s example may prove me right. I’m sure there are others. And while record labels still make money, their output seems to be a direct result of their investment. I have been a little disillusioned with the whole state of affairs for the last few years but Prince’s genius gives me hope that my first love will always survive the madness: it takes the mavericks who challenge convention to show that.

I won’t share my revised plan for my music empire, but the next time you hear about it will be when it’s live (sorry for those who’ve heard this for too many years!). However look out for more ramblings about my thoughts and news on the music biz.