Special thanks to our seminar sponsors:

Graham Artist Management and Winding Road Music!

When Bruce Robison was asked what it feels like hearing a song he wrote on the radio by an artist like Tim McGraw or George Strait, he said, "It feels like I’m prom king."

Bruce was the Keynote Interview topping off the ninth annual “I’ve Made a Record...Now What?” Seminar, ending a day packed with information for aspiring artists and veterans alike who heard Bruce offer life experiences and advice:

Back in the day he had no idea how he got into the music business but soon figured out that songwriting was what he does best.

After a short detour into rock, artists like Foster and Lloyd, Steve Earle, and Nancy Griffith got him back into Country music in the late 80s. 

When he has a song idea, he records it on an iPhone app. 

How does he measure success? "Having something I feel good about."  

Tony van Veen, President of Disc Makers and CD Baby, offered 11 tips to achieving success with music, the most important of which was, “Remember, your fans are your customers.  Serve them like customers.”

A legal session from attorneys Bill Keffer and Lindy Woods underscored the importance of having legal documents in place at the start, not when the band is about to make it big. 

Artist manager Rob Dennis reminded attendees they don’t have to have a “proper” video at the start.  Put it on YouTube with a flip phone.  “It doesn’t have to be a high dollar video to go viral.”

A promotion and publicity panel received high marks on Seminar evaluation cards.  Shane Media radio consultant Pam Shane moderated as publicist Jill McGuckin, promotion reps Jenni Finlay and Gerrie McDowell, and KTEX Program Director Ken Murray discussed how to get radio airplay and other media coverage.    

The two longest running live performance venues in Texas were represented by their owners on a panel discussing how to take “The Next Stage.”  Kent Finlay of Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos and David Card of Poor David’s Pub in Dallas described how to get their attention with questions from moderator Lee Logan of Shane Media.

Thanks to everybody who attended and to all our panelists and speakers.