I've been continuing to get in touch with A&R people from a variety of record labels. What I'm doing differently this week is a bit more research to make sure I get in touch with A&Rs who typically look for artists with a style like mine.

I heard back from the VP of A&R for Hollywood Records, Jason Jordan. He is such a pro! Has been in the business as A&R for over a decade, which is a lifetime for A&R. He told me he liked my voice, songs, and production, but I'm not quite what he's looking for at the moment and to get in touch with him if I'm ever performing in NYC. I wrote back and thanked him for his time. I did a bit more research and found out that Jason is actually responsible for breaking Breaking Benjamin and a couple other rock acts. Pretty cool. He's done a lot more than that, of course.

I had a talk with Meridith Valiando, who was the professional artist manager I mentioned in previous posts. She is so on point! Her advice was so invaluable. She's also right now the A&R/Management Director for A&R Select. She's gonna get in touch with some A&Rs for me. She actually knows Jason as well as Omar Grant, Sr. Director A&R from Epic Records that I've been able to get in touch with. She knew them from her days as A&R for Columbia Records in NYC.

This week, I'm getting in touch with people responsible for student activities on college campuses in the DC area in hopes of getting some gigs there and build my fanbase a bit more. Getting gigs is a bit tough right now and, sometimes, frustrating. But, as my mom says, "Be patient. Good things will come." So here I am...actively patient. Thanks for reading. Leave a comment! Would love to hear from you. Catch me in Week 13.

Best,
Minh

Today, I look like Laurence Fishburne. Sorta. I got all four of my wisdom teeth taken out this past Friday. It hasn't been too bad of an experience. But, my face is swollen.

So, last week, I was working on three songs - These Blinds Shut, Broken Lover, and Every Word. They're not quite completed yet. But, I'm very excited about them. I've also been emailing A&R people at different record labels to see if I can work with them. There are a couple of ways you can work with A&R: one, they sign you as an artist to their label; or two, they use you in a songwriting capacity for artists they have already signed.

I got through to the VP of A&R at Hollywood Records, which is home to the likes of Miley Cyrus and Nick Jonas among other acts. He said he'd take a listen to my music over the weekend. I'll follow up in a couple of days. We'll see. I try not to waste these guys' time as they are busy. And I think I've gotten my stuff up to a level where it is worth taking a look at. I've also been emailing online music bloggers to get a write up about my music. No response from any of them yet.

I'll have to keep knocking on doors and selling myself and my music. This week, I'll have to focus on my marketing business quite a bit. But, I'll continue to do what I can to take a step forward in this music business. See you in Week 12!

Best
Minh

I had an absolutely great week. I had a great consultation with a pro artist manager and A&R director. I had to get so much work done, including remixing and remastering my entire Star EP and make it available for sale, update my website, get a new photo shoot done, and begin making some lead way on Youtube to gain new listeners and possible fans. Guess what? I got all of it done! It was a lot of work, including two work-through-the-night sessions.

I had some fun remixing and covering Alicia Keys' song "Un-Thinkable", which just today passed the 1,000 views mark on Youtube. Check it out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2beneKz-6sU.

Right now, my team and I are working to bring some shows to college campuses in the DC area. I'm also focusing on pursuing a publishing deal as well as co-write opportunities so I can establish myself in the industry as a strong, viable songwriter and producer. Things are moving forward. People are beginning to catch on to what I'm doing. Sales are increasing for my music, which is great because I'd like to be able to just focus on making great music every day! Leave a comment or question for me below! Would love to hear from you! See you in Week 11!

Best,
Minh

Sometimes, you just want a sign you're doing good and that you should keep going. Sometimes, you don't care what anybody thinks 'cause you realize you wouldn't want to do anything else with your life anyway. I can honestly say, if you want to be in the entertainment business, you have to able to stomach the emotional rollercoaster you'll surely be on.

This week, once again, haven't been too eventful. My friend told me that his aunt broke down and cried when she heard "This Is Not Farewell". I should tell you a little something about how I wrote and produced that song. I had finished 9 tracks for my album, Dreamgirl's Heart. My plan was to make only a 10-track album. So I needed one more song. I wanted that song to have dual meanings. I wanted to first have it be about the lover having to leave the dream girl in her dream world while he goes back to the real world, but saying "this is not farewell". I wanted to also leave my listeners with a "this is not farewell" to let them know I'm coming back with more.

I had a chord progression I had already been playing with, so I found the sound I wanted and recorded it. Then I wrote the chorus "This Is Not Farewell". That's all I had! At the time, I had a day job at a car dealership aside from running my marketing business (I took a day job so I could hire more people for my business to grow it). So while I was at the dealership, a pretty blue bird flew into the glass window. As it lied there struggling, a few of us was trying to figure out how to help this bird. As we were getting a box and trying to help the bird, it struggled as it took its last breath. It was a pretty sad scene.

I went home that day with that emotion about death. So I thought about people I loved that passed away and what I would've liked to say to them. Particularly my grandmom. You see, my grandmom visited us from France when I was about 14 years old. At the time, I was dealing drugs so I stole some money from her to get some drugs to sell. She found out and was really disappointed. I felt bad. After my life got turned around from going to church at the age of 15, I promised myself I would work and send the money back to my grandmom and make a real good apology out of it. Well, she passed away before I could do that. It was one of the biggest heartbreaks of my life.

So I sat there in front of my computer, needing to finish this track. I started writing. Only this time, with a different twist - an added meaning to the song. I wrote the first verse...

I know it's time to leave now
I don't wanna leave you
What if I forget your smile

...I broke down crying. It was just that. I realized what I just capsulated in words. And, I missed my grandmom. We don't like goodbyes, especially in death...because we fear we'll forget the one we're losing...never seeing in person their smile, never smelling them, never feeling their touch again.  In heartbreak, we hope...one day...we'll see them again. I understood why my friend's aunt cried. That song was packed with emotion when I created it. And I can honestly say that behind every single song I write and produce is a real emotion. They're incredibly meaningful to me...every single one.

Anyway, back to business...I'll be consulting with a professional artist manager next week from A&R Select. I hope something great will come out of that conversation. I'm always a little leary about companies offering services to indie artists because many out there are scams. But, after talking with her a little bit, I think it's safe and that it will be beneficial. Let's see what comes of it.  See you for Week 9!

Best,
Minh