Drum Tech, Jan 22 London

Martin will be doing a special master class for Drum Tech in London

Cal Poly (private event) Jan 15, Pomona CA

Martin will be giving a guest lecture to music business students at Cal Poly Pomona.

NAMM 2009, Jan 15 – 18, Anaheim CA

Martin will be demo-ing PreSonus’ new gear, StudioLive.  Here’s a clip from a previous NAMM show:

Have a f&#%ign strategy!

Tour:Smart and break the band by Martin Atkins

You should fail because your band is shit or because you don’t have the balls.  You shouldn’t fail because of a lack of some basic advice and a bit of planning.  Your music, your band, might be important to some people, very important to a few, mildly important to a fw others, but it will never be more important to anyone that it is to you.  Apply that principle to everything.  It is ugly.  It is difficult because there are so many things that need to be watched and nurtured.  But at the end of the day, even if you are totally justified in being blaming a bad agent who booked you in the wrong club or a slacker manager on a tour where the only thing blown was your cash, it is YOU, your band, and your music that is going to suffer the worst consequences.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL OF THIS NOW!

What better person that you to navigate the dangerous waters ahead as you steer your unique vision through the shallow streams of compromise and the deep oceans of sell-out?  Tour:Smart will help you avoid the wrecks of ambition as you head towards the constantly moving “X” on the tissue paper treasure map.  We will help you know when a random collision of events is creating an opportunity or danger, whether to go for it or blow your nose on it, crash on the rocks or grind them up and snort them.

Tour:Smart is a stained glass reflection of what it takes to tour successfully and make it – whatever that means.  It is part basic knowledge, part math, part poetry, part alchemy, and part understanding that each and everyone of the limitations placed upon you by terrain, physical distance, your bank account, head, heart, and your willingness to choose to ignore the things that stand in your way.  In pulling all of this apart over the last 30 years, I reached a delightful conclusion:  it is only the people who are prepared to risk everything that will be rewarded.

The book and the site are designed to aide you in your journey.   Get started now:

• Saving every penny you can to print t-shirts?  Sign up for our FREE Tour:Smart newsletter
• Need inspiration while on the road?  Watch our Tour:Smart Tips videos
• Still unsure and want some expert advice?  Check our our consulting packages

Martin Atkins to give keynote address at Music Law Conference

Music Law Conference

The Music Law Conference at The University of Florida Levin College of Law is hosting its 7th annual conference on Feb. 20 and 21, 2009. The conference brings together musicians, lawyers, students, academics, policy makers and entertainment professionals for a weekend to network, learn, and share ideas. It is our goal that everyone, from the disgruntled ex-band member to the seasoned entertainment attorney, that attends the conference will leave with a new perspective on the music industry.

The theme of this year’s conference is “From the Suits to the Stage.” We will explore topics that every musician and future entertainment professional needs to know, as well as some new topics that even the most experienced lawyers and managers should hear. Possible panel topics include: digital and retail markets, new forms of music distribution, international issues, ethical issues, protecting musicians’ rights, understanding both sides of the table, the art of business, and basic D.I.Y. (Do-It-Yourself) ideas for new artists.

Martin will give the keynote address.