Guitar Nine Records - Guest Column: Knowing The "Gate Keepers"

Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012

G9 BackStage!

Knowing The "Gate Keepers"

by Christopher Knab

Page added in December, 2006

About The Author

Throughout his fprty year career in the music business, FourFront Media & Music's Christopher Knab has shared his experience at many industry conventions and conferences, including the New Music Seminar and the Northwest Area Music Business Conference.

Knab was owner of a San Francisco music store, co-owner of the 415 Records label, and station manager at KCMU Radio in Seattle.

He currently provides a unique consultation and education service for independent musicians and record labels. His new book is entitled "Music Is Your Business".

Visit FourFront Media & Music's web site.

Send comments or questions to Christopher Knab.

© Christopher Knab

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In order for a musician to expose their music to as many people as possible, several Gates must be opened for them. In the commercial marketplace for music, Gatekeepers control the access to the musician's potential audience.

The following diagram lists the gates that must be unlocked to reach an audience.

The Musician
through
|
Management
gets signed to
|
Record Labels
who send records to
|
Radio Station Music Directors
for airplay consideration
and send records to
|
Writers and Editors
at Magazines and Newspapers
for possible press exposure
while
|
Buyers at Distributors
are persuaded to sell
the records to
|
Retail Stores
while
|
Booking Agents
attempt to secure
live performances
for musicians
to play
in front of their
|
Audience

It has been reported that the proper care and feeding of these Gatekeepers can lead to a mutually prosperous and beneficial career for all concerned.

Additional Columns by Christopher Knab

Excuses Musicians Use For Not Learning About The Music Business (2012)

Building A Successful Radio Airplay Campaign (2011)

Think Like A Music Publicist (2011)

Music Today - It Is What It Isn't (2011)

A Realistic Radio Promotion Plan For Today (2011)

And 60 more in the Guest Columnists series, view the index

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