Many years ago, I wrote an article for a local magazine. The article was called: "How to get a recording Contract":

So you wanna be a Rock and Roll Star? Well, this month's article is about just that - how do you get a recording contract? It ain't easy, but there are some things you can do to help. There is really only just one reason why a label will sign a band to a contract: The record company believes they will make money. That's the only reason a label ever signs an act.

There are at least a thousand bands in the Metroplex trying to get a recording contract with a major label (that includes country, pop, rap, singer/songwriters, etc.). How many do you think are going to make it by the end of this year? One? Five? Ten? The answers is probably one or two, maybe five, certainly not ten. A few months back, I pointed out what record companies are looking for these days. Here's the list again, in exact order of importance to a label:

1.) Established stars with a track record (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, etc.),
2.) Celebrities that have a curiosity factor built in (Charlie Sheen, etc.),
3.) Acts on smaller labels that have a national or regional hit,
4.) Small label groups with a really big following,
5.) Local groups with a big following and/or national touring,
6.) Other.

Now, which category do you fit into? Welcome to the real world. So, how do you move up to a more desirable category, like number 5, even? Start by taking a look at your demo. How long are the songs? If you want airplay, get them down to under 4 minutes (preferably 3 to 3½ minutes). Save the long shit for your live shows. Either digitally edit what you've got, or go in and re-cut your demo. Then, try to get signed with a local label that has some distribution.

If you're in a band, play, play, play. Try to buildup a following and get on a label - almost any label is better than no label. Why? Most legitimate record companies want a guaranteed hit from their artists, whether it's an established artist or a new artist. Singles sell albums, and albums pay the bills. If you've got a regional hit with an independent label, a big label is more interested in you than if you're a group that just sends a demo tape.

A regional hit with an independent label is one good way to get a major label's attention. Another is a good gimmick, something that sets you apart from other groups, like a girl playing bass (as in Smashing Pumpkins). Make yourselves and your music different than everybody else. Kiss made a fortune being very different from other bands, so did Nirvana.

Make sure your group is leading the way, don't follow. Make people say, "now that's really different." Make your shows something the audience will remember for a long time. Be ready if Fame comes knocking; Does your group have a good picture, a well written bio, and a really good demo? What if a record executive walked up to you after a gig and said, "I'm interested, give me a press kit". Do you have one? Do you carry demos and pictures with you EVERYWHERE you go?

Sending out CDs to record companies is not a hard and fast rule, but make sure that the whole package you send has a pro feel to it - good graphics, eye catching, something that would make a record company executive want to know more about the band.

Don't hype the band in your bio or promo pack to a record company. If you really are the next Pantera, let the record company tell you. They kinda resent being told things like that.

Remember, record companies are NOT in the business of making records. They are in the business of making money. They make money by selling records.

If you can convince them that you can make a lot of money for them, congratulations, you just got a record deal.