Over the past 12 or 18 months, I have been in contact with a person by the name of Kenny Love, who began contributing music industy articles for the benefit of hEARd readers. Recently, Kenny asked if I'd be interested in asking hi some questions on other subjects, so took the chance to get his opinion on subjects a lot of unsigned & indie bands are interested in, the following being the result.

Q: Please introduce yourself for the benfits of our readers.

A: I'm Kenny Love, currently functioning in the music business as a Record Promoter, Press Publicist and internationally syndicated writer of a monthly column for over (80) print and online music business magazines.

Q: How long have you been involved in the music industry?

A: Officially, since 1982, after getting out of the U.S. Army, which is around 17 years now. I began producing and co-producing recording projects in Houston, Texas.

Q: In your time working in the music industry, what have been the biggest problems you've had to get around?

A: (Chuckles) I had two phases of "big" problems... initially as an artist trying to get the proverbial record deal, then attempting to establish and substantiate myself as a music business executive in a volatile industry seemingly filled with dishonesty in many respects.

Q: With the advent of new technology, how have you seen the way musicians work change?

A: Oh, wow! Quality of work now has the opportunity to be top-notch at every level and every degree. From the aspect of affordable recording with state-of-the-art production, to the aspect of promotion and distribution via the Internet. The opportunities have changed dramatically.

Q: The rise in popularity of the Internet has seen a remarkable array of artists & bands getting their own online sites up & running. What do you see as the best way of the bands rising above the heap in getting their sites known & visited?

A: The main thing is to ensure that your site is of the highest quality possible in terms of visual impact, as well as the dissimination of information concerning you, your current project, as well as long-range career goals. Then, promote your site in as many ways as you possibly can... through publications such as "hEARD," fan newsletters published regularly, web site promotion, etc.

Q: Another exceptionally popular new technology is MP3. Although the various authorities are working to rid the format of piracy, do you think there are still benefits to be had or do you think the risks are too high?

A: No, I believe the benefits far outweigh the risks. I believe that the best method in avoiding and eliminating piracy, in regard to a specific recording, is to do what many indie artists and labels are already doing...and that is, to offer only "samples" of your selections from your recordings... just enough to whet your prospective listeners appetites, then still have them order it. Once could even go as far as placing the "lead" single from a debut recording in its entirety, onsite for listening purposes. Just ensure, at this point, that the material is not downloadable.

Q: For someone wanting to get involved in the Music Industry on a business level, how would they best go about it?

A: I believe that depends on what it is exactly that they wish to do within the music business. It would be most helpful to them if they researched the particular area they were interested in getting involved in before delving into it blindly. I recently provided a monthly article to you on this very subject (smiles) whereby I discussed the influx of people who had no prior knowledge of the industry, yet had gotten into it simply to make big money, only to end up disappointing themselves, or worse, their clients. In short, if you are truly interested, learn all you can, then continue to learn because this business changes on a dime. I am always in a learning mode of the music industry.

Q: On the flipside, how do you think a band can best represent themselves to a company for that all important recording contract?

A: (Laughs) Well, as you know, it is almost a given today that you release your initial recording independently. For the most part, the Big Guys (Major Labels), primarily, only pick up successful independents. So, as difficult as it was in the past in getting a Major Label record deal, so to speak, it is significantly more difficult today to get affiliated directly with the Majors...which is good because it not only forces indies to become more business oriented, but it also allows more control for the indie artist or indie label. In today's music business climate, the expected standard protocol is to produce, release, and promote your own recording, then, if it is a commercially viable and acceptable project, in terms of acquiring what the Majors deem as decent exposure through radio airplay, video airplay, press coverage, and sales on an independent level, you can be assured that the Majors will come calling with lucrative offers of greater promotion and distribution.

Q: What hazards do you see for the novice dealing with the music industry?

A: Not being aware of the details, having abnormal expectations, then, investing blindly financially without a "checks and balances" system in place to police them.

Q: Returning to the Internet for a moment, which sites do you see as the most valuable in promoting yourself or a band?

A: Oh, there are actually too many to really name, and I will, invariably, slight someone, however, one that readily comes to mind is one that I utilize in my promotion for my own clients. And, that is the Gebbies Site located at http://www.gebbiesinc.com, a site I value greatly due to its extensive coverage of the major 3 electronic promotion avenues through radio, television, and print media.

Q: In another life, would you become involved in the Music Industry or with your prior knowledge, would you seek a career elsewhere?

A: (Laughs) If I had it to do over again, I would focus exclusively on the music business because in this present life, I have already gone down roads in other unrelated careers, all in the name of attempting to raise funds to operate within the music business at a competitive level.

Q: Lastly, what advice would you give to musicians looking for that break or for people looking at getting invlolved with the business side of the industry?

A: Again, do your homework...research, and resign yourself that you will never "know it all" in order to be able to call yourself an "expert." In this industry, you can forget about becoming a Jedi Knight because the sheer nature of this business is ever-changing and you either change with it, to a large degree, or get left behind in the sand dunes.