AWOE MAGAZINE JMA CONSULTING INTERVIEW

"Our main goal is to get your music heard
by the audience you desire."
Joey Avalos

AWOE: How did you guys get involved in the music industry?

Michael: My youth pastor taught me how to play guitar when I was 14 and I played in the praise group. Soon after I started putting together my own bands. I joined Pillar while in college in Hays, KS. We signed with Flicker Records in 2000, have since sold 600,000 records, and are coming upon our 10th year anniversary.

Joey: I started playing guitar at age 9 and later on started a band called Justifide in 1999. We toured a lot with Pillar and that’s how I met Michael. After Justifide I started playing guitar for Pillar as a touring musician.

AWOE: How has being in Pillar helped you guys understand the behind the scenes of music industry and the importance of the business aspect?

Michael: I learned the importance of business early on and have always tried to learn from every situation. Every band was their own story of how they "made it". Good music and hard work are always part of the equation.

AWOE: What are a couple of things you wish you’d known from the start?

Michael: Contract Law

AWOE: Has there been any experience positive or negative that you look back on and thought, I wish I’d known that then?

Joey: Nothing really sticks out at this time. We both have been really fortunate and are thankful for all of the opportunities we have had.

AWOE: What caused you guys to start your own firm?

Michael: After every (Pillar) performance bands and artsits come up to me asking the same questions, "How do we get signed", "How do we make it", "How do we get on a tour", etc. Most of these bands just don't have access to top managers and agents to help guide them. Using our experience in the business we want to help these groups reach their goals.

AWOE: What are a couple of the main things you guys want to help them prevent, avoid and accomplish as they begin?

Michael: We want to help bands build their "business" as strong as they can on their own while avoiding common pitfalls.

AWOE: How important is a good bio and photo shoot?

Michael: Perception is very important. Most bands can improve in this department without spending a fortune

AWOE: What should every promo/media kit include?

Joey: That’s part of what we do. We help bands on the overall package from image to press kits. We can’t give out all of our secrets.

AWOE: What is a great low budget way to market your music and to make venues aware you’re available for gigs?

Michael: Internet marketing. Its free just time consuming. There are methods to maximize the results.

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AWOE ONSCREEN SCOOP: The Wager is a new film starring Randy Travis, Jude Ciccolella (24), Candace Cameron Bure (Full House), and Nancy Stafford (Matlock). Based on a novel by Bill Meyers, Randy Travis brings to life Michael Steel, a Christian actor who has fought the stigmatisms of Hollywood. He finds himself in a modern day Job experience at the point of having everything one moment and the threat of a loss the next due to his free spirited co-star Cassandra (Cameron Bure). Forinfo visit: www.wager-themovie.com

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