It’s pretty common for soloists and musicians to think that their audience has come to hear these “great songs” that they’re going to play! Singer/songwriters especially feel that it’s all about the song. But it’s not.
What it is about is an emotional connection with your audience.
Audiences come to your concert for 3 reasons:
1. To be captured and engaged. They want to be present in the moment. Totally caught up in what you’re doing, losing track of time.
2. To experience moments. They don’t go to hear songs, no matter how good the songs are. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying you shouldn’t have some good songs. But the form of the song, how clever the writing is, how artistic…those aren’t the things that help you connect to your audience.
3. To have their lives changed. It’s always cool when an artist takes you to another place, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually.
If you do these three things, your audience is going to want to see you again. They’ll want to buy your CDs to relive those moments. And they’ll tell everyone else about you.
If you can keep that connection going live with your show, and then online, it will lead to more bookings, more merch sales, and most likely a very long and successful career!
Hello Tom
do you have any plans to be in Western Canada in the next 6 months or so. I am currently closing down my computer business to get back into music and specifically worship. My musical partner and i have worked with your DVD’s and I will be filming some video, but, I know there is no substitute for the real live(life?) experience
William, Tom will be teaching at a BC Country Music Association event in Vancouver on October 17. He also teaches every year in Seattle at the Christian Musician Summit – this year that will be November 13.
And we’d love to have you down here in Nashville for our Bootcamp any time you can come!