Alicia Keys' Background Vocalist: Whitney Keaton

I have had the pleasure of growing up with the amazing singer Whitney Keaton.!! She has been singing all her life and finally had the opportunity to sing background for the phenomenal vocalist Alicia Keys. Whitney Keaton was born and raised in Champaign IL. She has come from a family of singers, so it was only destine that she sing. Whitney has perform in several talent shows and events around town and really made a name for herself. She was opening up for local acts as well as some celebrities. She then began to take her career more seriously and started doing competition. That is when she found out about the tryouts for background with Alicia Keys. The whole town was praying for her and she came back with great news. She made the cut and would be traveling and singing all over for Alicia Keys. Since that time she has met and networked with other industry guru’s and have really made a name for her self.

During her time accomplishing her dreams, she also grew closer to an old vocalist friend and eventually they got married. He also did some singing and has travel all over the United States and over seas. They are now today sing background and traveling with Estelle. I am very proud of the advancements she has made and she really is representing my hometown quite well. They say that it is good to be in the background, but now I think its time for her to step out and shine.

If you were lucky enough to score tickets to Alicia Keys' the Freedom Tour then chances are you heard background vocalist Whitney Keaton's powerful voice. The Industry has an ear for talent and there is only a matter of time before this singer becomes a superstar! Listen to her sing "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone and "Lions, Tigers and Bears" by Jazmine Sullivan. Don't forget to let me know what you think about this rising star.

If you would like to know more about this artist or any up coming shows she may be doing please click the link below and please push the " LIKE" button and support her!!!

https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyKeaton

Next check out Whitney singing "Lions, Tigers and Bears" by Jazmine Sullivan!!! She is amazing

The Value of My Business Plan

After conducting research on experts views on the value of business plans, I became more aware of why it was so important. Brain Hill and Dee Powers are people that specialize in helping companies take their business to the next level. In one of their articles that they wrote, they state that it is very important to write a very detailed business plan. When I first started writing my business plan I did not have a clue of where to start. I was not sure on the actual concept of what I want my business to do. I also did not have an idea of how it would generate revenue, but I knew I loved music and working with the artist.

After doing some research and seeing what other experts had to say, it really helped me have a clearer understanding of what is needed. I started focusing on how my business and its services would be beneficial to my clients and community. Then I started to look more at how I could market my products and services. I took the time out to learn my market and how exactly I was going to target. After learning some of these things, I had to go in and redo my whole business plan and ideas. I had to get it more focused and see how it would grad the attention of my audience and possible investors.

My now updated business plan is more focused on who my company is, what we have to offer and how we will market the product and services to get revenue and cliental. I have change my marketing plan and also updated and focused on the sales and profit margin for each month. Hopefully after doing these necessary changes to my plan it will be more attractive to investors and also I can get started on building a strong following and client base.

The most important part of the part of my business plan to an investor is the financial part, which includes sales, and profits. They want to know that if they invest their money how long will it take for me to pay them back and still make a profit. Also what kind of services and products I offer and the way I marketing will be just as important. I have to make my company stand out and if it doesn’t then I could be in for some issues. 

Overall after reading articles from experts on business plans, it gave me a better understanding on how to research for funding and how to prepare to present my business. I also learn that I must understand how my business is different and how I can get my ideas to produce money and continue to be successful and beneficial to my clients and the community.

Sources:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Business-Plans-Goals,-Objectives-and-Strategies&id=2406175

Steps to creating a successful Business Plan

These two “experts” Brian E. Hill and Dee Powers, give some great information on how to create a great business plan.

About the experts:

Brian E. Hill is a successful educated man that helps many people turns their dreams into a reality! He has an MBA with a specialization in Finance and has held several position not to include he worked for a financial institute where he forecast and established planning and analysis functions. He also founded Profit Dynamics Inc and has 20 plus years experience in strategic planning and business planning.

Brain also has been recognized for his written articles and has been interviewed as an expert in the venture capital industry for numerous publications including Smart Money, Business Week online, and Business Journals in several major cities.

Dee Powers also has her MBA degree and have worked in several position including finances for the government, a retail firm and also in hospitality. She also has worked to develop financial reports, strategic planning, cash flow management and marketing planning. Dee Powers is also a founding partner in Profit Dynamics Inc, and have over 20 years experience in business planning, mergers and acquisitions, and marketing.

Dee has accomplished so much throughout her life including being interviewed as an expert on the publishing industry, from the author's point of view by The New York Times, Washington Post, the Associated Press and various local publications.

The company that these two started is called Profit Dynamic Inc, which is located in Fountain Hills, AZ. This is a research and consulting firm that focuses on entrepreneurs, small and mid-sized companies that prepares and reviews their business plans. The company is based out of Phoenix, AZ the do work all over the United States and other countries.

 Advice:

After researching I came across some articles that Brian and Dee gives advice on what you need in your business plan and how to completed it. One main thing that stood out to me is that he said you must have a well written and thought out business plan before anyone would want to invest.

They also give out three key points when creating your business plan, First you must:

• Write a business plan that gets the attention of investors or lenders.
• Figure out the process of finding capital, and how to get started
• Also prepare to meet with investors and know what to expect

Once you began to focus on these things above, you will have an idea of what direction you want to take your ideas. Another important thing Brain said was that you must narrow down what it is your business will actually be offering and know your target audience.

Overall in their article on fo4funding.com Dee and Brain emphasized on how you must create a business plan that will appeal to investors. My goal is to get investor so interested in my company that they are will to put up as much money to see my dream happen. The article also talks about how you have to be clear in your management, executive summary and financial section how the company can make money and appeal to the audience. If you cannot get this done then the business plan still needs work. Finally you must have a great management team and have goals set or the company could fail based off of leadership. If you want to know more about how to create an effective business plan please read some of the Brain and Dee’s articles.

Source:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Business-Plans-Goals,-Objectives-and-Strategies&id=2406175

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brian_E._Hill

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Having-Action-Plans-In-Your-Business-Plan&id=6263982

http://go4funding.com/Articles/

Beyonce: 4-Night Stand at Roseland Ballroom!!!

According to billboard.biz Beyonce has made her mark again! On last Tuesday Beyonce did her 4-night-stand at New York Roseland Ballroom. Beyonce has taken many by surprise and once gain sold out each show within minutes. During this 4-night-stand she did singing, dancing and some story telling. She really dedicated this show to her fans, label executives and her old manager, her father Matthew Knowles.

More importantly not many artist today that I k now of can do a full 90 minute set full of dancing and singing, One thing that really made this show special was how she told stories of different situation she went through before she got to where she was. She began to giver her father Matthew Knowles recognition for supporting and doing things for the late group Destiny Child. She explain how he cancel one show the group had because Beyonce had went swimming and her nose was stopped up, and that really save them that night. She also gave credit to her father because he sent the groups song “Independent Women” to the producers of the movie Charlie’s Angel, without there permission but it was a success.

Beyonce was doing such an outstanding job with the 4-Night Stand tour that she sparks the attention of new Sony Chairman and CEO Doug Morris. She also had several other outstanding artists come to the show because her show drew so much attention due to being sold out every night. Beyonce is taking over the R&B, and pop, which is not a shock!

Overall Beyonce put on a great show for her fans and did not miss one beat with her dancing. She had her amazing all female band back her up and she as always performed in nothing but fierce wardrobe and shoes. Beyonce came in this tour full-throttle and did not stop until it was over. She graced the stage with her presence and she still has more to come. If you did not get a chance to go you really missed a great show.

Check out this clip from her show at Roseland Ballroom :

Please help me out and give feedback on this blog!

Effects Of Social Media Marketing In The Music Industry!

According to most, many would say that the new digital landscape has cause a major disaster in the music industry. With all the reports and articles being published about the issue of digital downloading, many would believe that the music industry is declining. As of today many companies have not adapted to the new model of marketing and distribution online. However many companies including recording labels, publishing companies and such are embracing the digital technology. This change was covenant for many artists because it allowed them to distribute and market their music online.

My artist Ebonee and I utilize different social sites to do marketing and promoting to draw attention to her. Social media marketing was the best way for us to connect with a big group of people and get her music heard. We have also utilized certain key words so that we someone tries to search her in different search engines that she would be in the top searches.

After conduction some research, I came across an article on searchengineland.com. This article gave some great numbers on how the social media marketing has made an effect on people in different age groups, races and websites. Greg Finn states, that “the leading increase in social networking usage were those over the age of 35, which grew nearly twice as fast as those 18-35 in the same period”(Finn, 2011). This shows that many are adapting to the drastic change in digital landscaping. Everyone is utilizing different avenues of marketing through online technology. Not only does it save time but you can also target a certain market and gain a broader audience.

Lastly, in the same way that digital music for artists has allowed artist to connect and sale more music then ever before. The decline in purchasing CD’s physically has increased the sales on buy music through avenues like ITunes. Internet marketing, specifically social media marketing, allows an artist to target not only the local scene, but also an international base of fans.

If you want to know more about social media marketing you can check out the article below and get more detail information.

http://searchengineland.com/a-portrait-of-who-uses-social-networks-in-the-u-s-and-how-social-media-affects-our-lives-81653

Antonio “L.A.” Reid is official head of Epic Records!!!!!

According to BET, Antionio “L.A.” Reid is officially named the CEO of Epic Records!! I am not surprised about this at all! After all, he was president/CEO of Arista Records, which generated a half billion dollars annually. He is one of the most powerful Black men in the music industry.

While he commands a difficult music empire that includes some of the best-known and best-selling artists in the business, he also stays true to his producer roots by being intricately involved in the process. He has lead some of the biggest companies to success, like LaFace Records, Arista, Island Def Jam, The X Factor and Epic records. Not only does he succeed in executive roles, but he also is a great song writer, producer and A&R. I personally have no doubt in my mind that Epic Records will go to the next level. The oil drips from the top and the success of the company depends on its leadership. It was also stated that various artist from Jive Records will be brought to the new company, while others will be moved to RCA. Sony Music Entertainment has really made a great decision to have Mr. Reid lead their company. He will reunite with many artist he have worked with and also help push new artist. The company is bound to grow and do well but, I also wonder what major changes will he make with the company. Do you think this is a good idea to that he came to Epic Records? If you would like to know more about this please click on the link below.

http://www.bet.com/news/music/2011/07/19/la-reid-officially-named-head-of-epic-records.html

Also check out the video about this amazing opportunity below!