Lawrence.com

You might have gone the do-it-yourself route: mixing the sound from the stage, shopping your CD, booking your latest tour, putting together your promo packs or even asking the club owner for your "guarantee." All of these certainly fall into the DIY category but, believe me, it's not always a good idea to tackle these yourself.

I know from experience.

I've spent half my life in the professional music industry world. Sixteen years ago I moved to Germany to play guitar with Stigmata, where I toured nonstop with literally every major British and American act on the festival circuit in Europe. When I returned to the United States, I started a management and booking agency, where I handled the business and personal affairs of more than 40 "up and coming" acts. Later, I moved out to California, to a smaller record label, Def American, then on to artist relations for the Lollapalooza tour for a three-year stint. Then I spent a few years with one of the world's largest labels, Warner Bros. Records.

In all the time I've been playing, managing and working on the label side, I've learned a few tricks of the trade. One of the biggest lessons is that no matter how much artists think they can do it themselves, there are some things that are simply better left to someone with time and experience. This allows artists to concentrate on what they should be focusing on: the music.

Most artists go the DIY route to hold expenses down. I've lived in those "eating cornflakes and beer" and "showering at the gigs" shoes. But now there's a Web site, NetJammer.com (www.netjammer.com), which offers musicians the real world strategies they need to develop and break into the industry without all the financial strain. NetJammer.com has put together a fine track record in developing bands. Chapin Hemphill, president and founder of NetJammer.com, has collaborated with the most well-known names in the music business. He and the Netjammer staff also have worked with top behind-the-scenes professionals � managers, agents, publicists and record companies.

Artist development, for NetJammer, means working with each act to help them reach whatever goal the artist has in mind. That could mean moving from "baby band" status to a seasoned bookable band. Or it could mean helping an artist plan and develop a long-term career.

"Going into self-development without knowing what you're doing is the biggest pitfall (most young bands make)," Hemphill says. "It's almost like you've shot yourself in the foot before you get started. Then (the other mistake is) not taking advantage of the new wave, which is the Internet."

There are quite a few people out there who don't know how to use the Internet because they're intimidated by it or aren't aware of the resources available.

"Most of the bands I have talked to have used computers and understand what MP3.com is and understand what Netjammer is trying to do," he says. "They just don't take advantage of it. And I just think that's a mistake. If a band knows about computers, but is thinking they're not going to worry about the Internet now, that's a mistake."

NetJammer and its staff bring together years of practical experience. They help bands at every level, whatever level the artist may be, to get to the next level.

"If you're coming out of your garage, we help you become a local band," Hemphill explains. "If you're a local band, we help you become a regional band. If you're a regional band, we can help you become a national act and get signed."

One of the most valuable tools that NetJammer offers is a huge venue database to help acts break out and find the right gigs. Netjammer also matches up similar bands to increase each group's audience.

"We're introducing bands to dozens, if not hundreds, of potentially new fans," he says.

Another exciting feature that the Web site pursues is showcases in key cities. At these showcases, NetJammer assembles the top bands in that market and introduces them to a larger fanbase. The company works with local alternative radio stations and music publications. In making an event out of it, NetJammer events have successfully drawn large crowds.

"You know that we're working hard," Hemphill says. "We have a lot to prove to the world and to ourselves. If you're serious about being a band, and you want to work harder than most, you have a much better propensity to succeed when working with Netjammer."

The road ahead doesn't have to be such a stressful, scary, uncharted trek. If all you want to do is play every Friday night at the local club, or if you envision your group being the next Rolling Stones, you might consider NetJammer as a compass to help steer things in the right direction.