Pre-sound check at the Sofia Theatre in Sacramento prior to a concert with the Ramana Vieira Ensemble
Kind Words
“Dear Steve, I just wanted to drop a quick note in appreciation for your recent participation in our first Sonor dealer trip to Frankfurt, Germany. I realize that it was a sacrifice to you as a retailer, to give up your time to make this trip to our factory. I hope that the trip was not only informative, but pleasurable as well. Once again, on behalf of sonor, thank you for your participation, partnership and support.” — Robert C.
Blog #1
Tips for Becoming an Effective Band Leader
Blog #2
How to Become an Effective Sideman
Blog #3
Guidelines for Interacting with Venues and Vendors When Preparing for a Show
MUSIC BUSINESS CONSULTING
Music Retail Experience — Sales and Marketing
Benny Maupin clinic-concert at Haight Ashbury Music in San Francisco.
Steve managed the drum departments at Haight Ashbury Music Center and Drum World, San Francisco. He interacted with scores of wonderful and talented drummers and percussionists, as well as public figures like Nick Nolte, Michael Fox, Cheech Marin, Don Johnson, Cindy Lauper, the Grateful Dead, Thomas Dolby, Annie Lennox, Keannu Reeves, Blondie, Bill Bruford, Dave Mathews, Bill Walton, Steven Seagal, and so on.
Drum World won the Namm award given to the best drum store in America. He was responsible for ordering, display, inventory, sales, marketing, organizing clinics, negotiating deals with manufacturers, and more. Steve was interviewed numerous times by music trade magazines and periodicals, such as Music Inc, Music and Sound Retailer, Drum Business, etc. He wrote ads and compiled newsletters to promote store brand, gain market share, and promote clinics.
Drum World and Haight Ashbury hosted dozens of drum and perucussion clinics. Steve helped book, promote, mc’d events the events, plus helped set up the gear. Some of the clinicians included:
Terry Bozzio • Louie Bellson • Chalo Edguardo • Joe Morello • Steve Smith • Tommy Aldridge • Dean Castranova • Trilok Gurtu • Jack Dejonette • Tony Williams • Elvin Jones • Jose Luis Changuito Quintanta • Talking Drums • Michael Spiro • David Garibaldi • Bernard Purdie • Will Kennedy • Virgil Donati • Dave Weckl • Kenny Aronoff • Orestes Vilato • Miguel Anga Diaz • Heratio Hernandez • Ignacio Berroa • Karl Perazzo • Raul Renkow • Dennis Chambers • Peter Erskine • Giovanni Hildago • Hal Blaine • Bobby Rock • Danny Gottlieb • Alan Hall • Peter Magadini • Sonny Emory • Donald Moye • Dom Famularo • Greg Bissonette • Arthur Hull • Simon Phillips • Omar Hakim • Marvin Smith • Les DeMerle • Akira Jimbo • Vinnie Appice • Jonathon Mover • Shelia Escovedo • Alex Acuna • Ed Shaunnessy • Richie Garcia • Pancho Sanchez • Rod Morganstein • Eric Singer • Chad Smith • Neil Pert • Carmine Appice • Benny Maupin
Consultation about Band Outreach, Promotion, and Organizational Logistics
Steve can advise bands and individual artists about many topics involved with creating successful musical events:
Advancing shows — analyze the steps required to ensure a smooth journey, from booking to the final curtain, including communications with sound and lighting people, stage managers, vendors, event planners, and so on.
Publicize and promote shows — communicate with radio, television, and social media personnel to make them aware of band performances, recordings, interviews, etc.
Band communication and organization, internally and externally.
Tax implications and options for individuals.
One-on-One Consultation
Steve will work with individuals who need help with networking, promotion, marketing, document editing, and resume writing. He has edited a wide spectrum of documents and written award-winning ad copy about a range of topics.
Tip #1 — Demonstrate a sense of urgency! Be the person whom people can count on, time after time. These days, with such a variety of communication vehicles available at our finger tips, there’s no good reason to let days pass without responding to a time-sensitive email, call, or text. If you don’t respond in a reasonable amount of time, you could lose a gig or a recording session or a piece of news that you might regret later. One gig or session could lead to many more. Losing out might mean that you lose your place in queue — that on the next go around, the bandleader or vendor may think of someone else first — not you.
Tip #2 — After you’ve played with a band for the first time, as a sub on a gig or at an audition, or first rehearsal or recording session, don’t forget to send an email or text to acknowledge folks for inviting you and bringing you into their fold. Go the extra step; don’t take the opportunity for granted.
Autographed photograph sent by hall of fame basketball player, Bill Walton, to whom I sent a drum set
Post-clinic hang with clinician, Simon Phillips and Drum World owner, Don Sfarzo
Post-clinic hang with clinician, Bernard Pretty Purdie at Drum World, San Francisco
Hanging out with master percussionist and clinician, Giovanni Hildago at Drum World, San Francisco
Drum World San Francisco clinic moments with Dave Weckl, Terry Bozzio, and Chuck Brown
Drum World San Francisco staff with drumming great Elvin Jones and Jack DeJonette clinic.
Talking to master percussionist, Giovanni Hildago and Karl Perazzo at the Namm show in Anaheim.
Interviews done by Music Inc. and Music and Sound Retailer.
Steve was invited by DRUM! magazine to review the new Valje congas (from Latin Percussion) for the September, 2003 issue.
The Musical Family Tree/Forks in the Road — Sometimes I think about the music-based relationships I’ve developed, playing back in my mind, what led to the connection or resulted because of a connection. Things aren’t always what they seem on the surface; you never know what might lead to the next opportunity. Perhaps it may stem from being asked to sub at the last minute for a gig or you meet someone who subs for your band with whom you hit it off. Perhaps someone in the audience takes a liking to your playing and establishes contact. These situations can be like branches stemming from a tree or small streams leading from a freshwater tributary. Who knows what comes next if you don’t explore the possibilities? Think back about the bands with whom you’ve performed or recorded. How did you get there; what did it lead to that you didn’t anticipate in advance? Keep your eyes and ears open.