While driving through Missouri on my way to teach a seminar, I heard a report on National Public Radio about the power of a song. All Things Considered former producer, Marika Partridge, had attended a festival where she heard a song by Pat Humphries nearly one year ago. Her story was about how this one song influenced her, inspired her and stuck with her after all that time.

That, in its self is impressive. To me though, what is more impressive and of importance to this article, is how a single event or performance may influence future results beyond your power of comprehension.

The above-mentioned event took place at a sing-along at a festival. It was not a major performance situation or a high visibility showcase or even a conference. It was not reported to the artists as an event that high-powered industry professionals were attending as they scouted for new talent. It was a sing-along at a festival! Yet, in attendance was the former producer of one of Public Radio's premier news shows. The event, the sing-along, the song, moved Marika Partridge to the point where she decided to do a feature story and submit it. After some interviews, some research and twelve months later, the story aired on All Things Considered. Millions of NPR listeners had the opportunity to hear the story, hear the song, find out about little-known folksinger/songwriter, political and social activist Pat Humphries—and order her CD. Yes! The orders began flooding in right after the story aired and continued over the course of the next couple of weeks. Along with the CD orders--came invitations to perform. Is it a fluke, a miracle, a stroke of luck? Perhaps it is all of the above.

It was something that can happen at anytime in your career. This type of event and the potential resulting boon, exists for every artist every time you perform.

My lesson to you from this story is to perform your best every time you perform. Don't save your best for the industry events and high-powered showcases. Within each audience, someone in attendance may have the potential to offer you an opportunity for future career advancement, whether the audience holds six or six thousand. Ani DiFranco was signed by her booking agency when the principal owner/agent saw Ani perform for six people at the Canal St. Tavern in Dayton, OH.

As you look out into your next audience, be alert, be prepared, be unwavering in your concern that your audience is getting your best performance—always. You never can tell who may be out there and just what keys they may have to unlock some future doors to boost your career.

Jeri Goldstein is the author of, How To Be Your Own Booking Agent The Musician's & Performing Artist's Guide To Successful Touring 2nd Edition UPDATED. She had been an agent and artist's manager for 20 years. Currently she consults with artists, agents and managers through her consultation program Manager-In-A-Box and presents The Performing Biz, seminars and workshops at conferences, universities, for arts councils and to organizations. Jeri has released a 3-hour seminar on CD-ROM, Marketing Your Act. The Seminar is set up in 5 modules with information about Marketing, Creating Effective Promotional Materials, How To Access the Media, A Marketing Template and Niche Marketing. No expensive conferences to attend-learn at your convenience to boost your career. Her book, CD-ROM and information about her other programs are available at are available at Performingbiz.com or phone (434) 591-1335 or email Jeri.

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