Martin Atkins on current technology at Rock Your Way to the Top 2009

HUGE NEWS— Martin’s about to embark on a full blown, 10-day Tour:Smart summer tour in the U.K.! He’ll be making stops all across the United Kingdom, spanning two countries - England and Scotland - while bringing his seminars and music know-how to universities, music festivals, venues, pubs, clubs and radio stations, alike.

Stay tuned for video blog postings and lots of updates from across the pond. If you have friends in the U.K., please let them know that Martin will be coming to a city near them!

About the Tour:Smart Seminar:

A distillation of Martin’s 30+ years in the music business, the book and Martin’s Tour:Smart presentation contains not only valuable insight into his methods, but an unusually candid discussion of mistakes and failures.  It covers routing strategies, strategies to sustain a career, sponsorships, geography, guerilla marketing and entrepreneurial activity in the music industry. See all the dates after the jump.

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After years in the making it has finally happened. Martin Atkins and partners are starting their own school. We are holding an informal brain-storming and planning session at Invisible Records Offices in Chicago on Friday, May 8 at 7pm. RSVP to attend (space limited!)  Come share your ideas, thoughts, and input!

Make your own job, own your education, participate, re-invent, question everything, know yourself.

Ever wish there was a school ……that collapsed the gap ……between action and education ……reality and theory ……academia and the job market ??  Martin Atkins and partners announce ……

REVOLUTION NUMBER 3: Learn in the biz, not about the biz…..

For more information: www.revolultionnumerthree.com

A month after we started the Ultimate  Tour:Smart contest it has now come to an end. With more amazing advice than we could have ever asked for a winner is finally here

Congratulations Jason Gates of Darkside Entertainment you are the winner of our very first Tour:Smart Contest.

In Jason’s post he gives 25 essential pieces of equipment that need to be on your gear checklist, a couple tips for the band AND tips for when you’re in the studio.

Here’s a small excerpt from his article:

“The road….Be Prepared! Those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail! I see a lot of bands that I deal with get out on the road and fall apart. You are obviously ready to have people see your show and hear you music but at you ready to capitalize on the moment? How are the 20 people that did see you going to know if and when you are coming back if you dont interact with them and get their contact info?

Gear Checklist

1. Oil- Got an extra quart or two? You usually don’t find you need one until its too late. Remember its ok to have an oil leak as long as you know you have an oil leak.

2. Water- It’s a good idea to have a couple of extra gallons for the vehicle but why not have it prepared so that it could be used to drink or wash something off?

3. Pocket Knife- There’s a bunch of good reasons to have everyone in the band have their own. If nothing else to not ask me for one all the time. My personal opinion is that everyone in and/or with the band during load-in and out especially needs to have their own “crew kit”. Mark all your gear with the same color tape or symbol. I’ll be glad you did when you get to the next gig and you still have it.”

To read the entire post go here

For more information on how the winner was choosen go here