Dawn Reese Industry Interview

with Mr. RITCH ESRA, owner Music Business Registry

I work with the World Championships of Performing Arts, and was talking to a producer the other day I've worked with for a few years now. He's preparing a show for Industry Pros, and a Documentry or Short Film for Producers who would like to get their Film or Video out. Ritch has a video out named How to Cut a Record Deal. You'll learn all about this person, yet another Winning Edge Connection, to get you to the next level. This is terrific!

DR: Hello Ritch. Thank you for taking my call the other day. I wish you much success with the Connection I gave you for your Video, and all the talent to know your the Right Connection they have been looking for. Tell us now. Just how did you start out in the Music Business?

RE: Thank you very much Dawn. I started out as an intern at A&M Records in 1980. An intern is someone who works for no money, but gets the experience.

DR: I was so busy two years ago with the Judges & working the Go-See Room at the World Championships that I did not have a chance to meet you. I was in the VIP Party with my Camera Crew at the time working on Interviews for Around & About Orange County News, and even then I remembered you are an Honorary Member of the Performing Arts Hall of Fame. That IS really great, Ritch!

RE: It was very generous of Griff O'Neil to give me a Hall of Fame award.

DR: How did you meet Mr. O'Neil, president of the World Championships? Tell talent how awesome this event is for those that want to make it to the Next Level. You were a Judge this past October's event, right?

RE: I met Griff three years ago in Los Angeles, CA. I had been called by someone in his organization asking if I would come down and be a judge for the vocal catagory. It's really a great opportunity for young singers to be exposed to the industry and to have such a great showcase vehicle for their talent.

DR: Now you are with the Music Registry. Tell all my readers about the Registry!

RE: The Music Business Registry is the Music Industries # 1 directory source.  If you are an aspiring singer, songwriter or recording artist, we publish the directories that gives you all of the names of the Record Labels, Music Publishers, and Music Attorneys in the Industry. We just celebrated our 8th year in business.

DR: Your website is incredible. It is so needed, as so many people get the wrong information and it is so great to have an Industry Professional like yourself to really care and help talent. Can you let them know your Website, and what to look for with How to Cut a Record Deal?

RE: Our Site is musicregistry.com. If artists are looking to get a record deal the most important thing they need to do is to educate themselves about the music business. That is priority # 1. Today, with the internet, there are so many sites out there that can help the aspiring artist with information and education about a career as a recording artist such as tonos.com, zactus.com, starpolish.com, getsigned.com, hitquarters.com, buzzfactor.com. All of these wonderful sites provide valuable insight to the beginning singer/artist on how to get their career started.  There's also a wonderful newsletter thats devoted to singers called Angel City Voice. They can be reached at 818-980-5556. These are all wonderful resources for your readers that can really make a difference.

DR: Do you have Talent sending you Demo tapes, if so what do you look for? Also Ritch, do you think talent should have a Manager or Agent in the Record Industry?

RE: I don't have talent sending me demos, because I'm not in that area of the industry anymore. I think you need a manager ONLY when there is a career there to manage. Good Managers are few & far between. One of the things they look for in an artist is What is this singer doing for themselves, career wise? How far have they TAKEN Themselves? As far as an agent goes, I think if you have a strong live act, then you need an agent to get you bookings for a lot of live appearances. Remember, an agent's job is to book Concert Appearances. If you're not at the point in a career where you perform live, then I don't feel you need an agent.

DR: This is so important. Many people from Florida and around the US ask me, Should I go to LA?  I speak to so many Singers that have worked State Fairs, Events, Malls, etc. What is your advice for them if they really want to make it in this Business, as to keep performing?

RE: My advice on this is to keep performning at State Fairs, Event Malls, Charity Functions, etc. It helps on 2 major levels. First of all, it helps give you the training of live performing. This is a very important distinction Dawn. There's a world of difference between someone who has a great voice and someone who's a great performer. It's often a live performance that people tend to remember above and beyond even recordings. I don't think it's necessary to go to LA, or to NY unless you're invited to showcase for label executives.

DR: Very special question, Ritch. From a professional like yourself, since you know what it takes to make it in this Industry, can you say something to talent to keep them going, something from the Heart to keep them going for their Goal?

RE: My feeling is that in order to succeed in this industry, it has to become a way of life. It has to become the most important thing in your life. You have to eat, breath and sleep it. You can never lose sight of what's most important to you. You have to really ask yourself & decide IS this the MOST Important Thing in my Life? If the answer is yes, then you have a committed life and career ahead of you.

DR: What is your favorite Saying?

RE: "In the Music Business, sometimes the difference between success and failure is information"

DR: I work with many beauty pageants. I run Hawaiian Tropic Little Miss & Mr., and Teen events in Florida, and I give seminars around the U.S. at various pageant & talent events. I have Directors calling me all the time for judges, as most have talent areas of competition. Are you interested in judging beauty pageants across the United States?

RE: I would be very interested in judging, Dawn.

DR: It was a pleasure talking with you. I look forward to seeing you again. I will put you on the VIP List at the Pre-Grammy Party in Hollywood, February 19th. Hope to see you in the Press Room. If you're busy on that date, I'll see you at the World Championships of Performing Arts in L.A. in October, Ritch.

DR: Until next time, this is Dawn Reese. Reporting from Dawn 'til Dusk, simply because that's me! That is why I call myself The Winning Edge. Pageant Gals really need to bring Headshots and Demos to Pageants. Not leave them at home. This is so Important. If anyone is interested in the Demo Tape of the World Championships of Performing Arts, send $5 for postage. I can send it to you, and you will see this Awesome Event in Hollywood, California. Send $5 to: Winning Edge, P.O. Box 33722, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, 33420

Dawn's Interviews . .

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