In today’s society we cognize that the moral fibre of our communities is in peril. Why then, make we not protect our children? We have got a duty to safeguard our most vulnerable; instead, we prematurely catapult them into a world they are not maturate adequate to manage and destruct their innocence.

Frequently, I am asked by parents and friends of aspirant “stars” to offer my sentiment about getting their kid into show business. Recently my publicist, Marsha Friedman, President of Event Management sent me the following question:

“…After the public presentation I spoke with her ma (who was in crying the whole time) about their unbelievable girl and her future. Their daughter's dreaming is to be on phase vocalizing professionally…I said I would forward some information to you - to acquire your thoughts.”

After much contemplation, I wrote to the parents (excerpt):

“No substance how strong your girl or your dreaming is, delay until she is 18 to seek for stardom. She is already doing what she most wants, and that is to be on stage. Once she is 18 and you are ready for her to sell sexual activity to other adolescents and aged work force in their 20's - 60's, she will be better equipped to manage the response, as you will be also...”

These words may hit you as unnecessarily candid, and perhaps a touching vulgar, but the world is that most parents and children make NOT dreaming of just “being on stage.” If that was the exclusive demand for their happiness, then local phase public presentations (a much safer avenue) would fulfill their dream. Since the kid may already be doing that, there would be no more than inquiries as the end would have got been achieved. Sadly, the purpose as declared is wrong. What the parents and kid really desire is stardom, without knowing the cost.

They concentrate on the Hollywood dreaming and convert themselves that the way to stardom will be a romanticist ride. The phantasy is filled with adoring fans, ageless wealth, eternal celebrity and glamourous travel. This semblance inevitably fades, and what stays is disappointment, heartache, measures and eternal traveling (in less than desirable circumstances). More ominously, some of the “adoring fans” May actually be obsessed with the child, to the point of danger. This should not be entirely surprising as the kid is being sold to look like the American male phantasy of an grownup woman.

Many people reading this article will be convinced that I am wrong, or at least exaggerating. I inquire you to see the last time you saw a kid “star” World Health Organization looked like a kid in their videos? The typical mental images are a 15 twelvemonth old Britney Spears, a 14 twelvemonth old JoJo, or a 13 twelvemonth old Leanne Rimes

When Spears came into the public eye, she was dressed like a Catholic school girl, seducing the audience with, “Ooh, babe baby.” Leanne Rimes was dressed in a black satin outfit singing, “How Bash Iodine Live Without You.” (It should be noted that her ‘look’ would be considered tame by today’s standards.) Why are they dressed this way? Frankly, the music industry sells sex, sexual activity sells.

These misses (although Leanne and Britney are now adults) are talented and beautiful, yet they are strategically packaged to lure aged men. The fans who are immature adolescent misses don’t attention whether the people are sexy when they buy music. However, continually seeing their graven images dressed seductively have made them aware of gender and they desire to get dressed the same way. This lends to the cheapening of children’s values and image, and the rhythm continues.

Recently, I was running on the treadmill at the gymnasium when I was stunned by what I saw on one of the intelligence channels. It was a characteristic about a mold competition for children limited to those twelve and under. The winner would have a 1 million dollar mold contract, which of course sounds amazing! However, as the cartridge holder continued, oral cavities dropped throughout the gym. Three misses (under 12 – competition requirements) dressed in lean two-pieces were being drenched with H2O and gazing at the photographic camera like they wanted to score each adult male watching. If the misses were twenty five, aware of what they were doing and, as adults, making their ain decisions, I wouldn’t believe much about it. However, the engagement of twelve twelvemonth olds is horrifying. Child pornography is universally condemned and paedophiles treated with not only revulsion, but the full military unit of the law. Doesn’t this autumn under the same category, just corporately condoned?

In my opinion, prostituting children in this mode is perpetuating kid pornography in a purportedly “legal” manner. This pattern necessitates to be stopped. While the music industry to date, have not participated in such as an utmost degree of development of children, I still believe that children should be kept out of the music industry on a professional degree until they are at least 18. Even with the strongest household support possible, they are not emotionally equipped to manage the issues that volition inevitably emerge. Realistically, however, I cognize that children will go on to be signed and sold long before their eighteenth birthdays, allow me offer some practical advice.

1. From a fiscal perspective, larn the concern inside and out. You MUST know: Who acquires what, and why? How much was made, or lost? What is the underside line? If you don’t do this a priority, you will fall in the host of celebrated people who have got been forced to claim bankruptcy.

2. Put together a fulgurant fourth estate kit. People receiving the kit must be enticed into gap the package, so you will have got to show your kid in their best light. The demonstration must be well produced and include four of your child’s best numbers. Keep in head that each song will be listened to for about thirty secs before moving on to the adjacent piece. It’s possible to do a pretty impressive demonstration on your ain for about two thousand dollars, including pressing. Don’t autumn victim to the cozenage of person guaranteeing stardom for your kid with a professionally cut demonstration if you simply compose a 10 thousand dollar check.

3. If possible, set up a path record of gross sales BEFORE any contact with recording labels. (Get your cadmium listed on Soundscan.) You’ll have got greater bargaining powerfulness if you cognize your merchandise value prior to negotiating.

4. If a label funds the recording of a CD, it is a loan, NOT a gift, and must be paid back. The recording industry is a business, not a charity. Beware of becoming rivals insurance. If you fall into that trap, you may lose everything. (I item all of this in my book, The Indie Guide To Music, Selling and Money.)

5. The phrase is, accurately, “Show Business,” and your kid must be prepared to set on a “show,” just as you and they necessitate to larn the “business.” Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Mary and Justin Timberlake are great illustrations of how this is done and the work involved to prolong sell-out crowds.

6. Supply acting, vocal and dance lessons for your child, and registry them for authorship classes. Writers currently have 8.5 cents per song on a CD, while the creative person generally have one point per album. Writers do the most money, with small or no initial investment. Brand certain you understand how to legitimately copyrighted music. The aptly named ‘poor man’s copyright’ won’t hold up in court.

7. Avoid anyone stating that for an upfront fee, they can do your kid a star. Managers and agents acquire paid a per centum in the scope of 10-20%. Managers usually have 10-15%, piece agents have 15-20%. You also necessitate to cognize and understand the difference between directors and agents. Similarly, attorneys shopping a trade for your kid on his/her ain will will take a per centum of the contract. (Lawyers that you engage on your ain request, must be paid up front.)

8. Selling and promotion are imperative and can be very expensive. Labels have got entree to promotion capablenesses that most people cannot afford. However, there is no bounds or cost to imagination, so be creative! Low-Cost promotion can be attainable.

9. Develop personal human relationships with contacts at the labels. Once you acquire to cognize people, they may offer you a particular codification to set on the outside of your bundle which signs to the presence desk that your bundle is requested. (simply writing “material requested” on the outside of the bundle will not work) DON’T submit anything without permission; most throw unsought fourth estate kits in the refuse and a few tax return them unopened. Charles Dudley Warner Brothers directs a nice short letter referencing legal concerns, while Walt Disney directs a nicer more than elaborate short letter explaining their policy around right of first publication laws. Don’t waste material valuable merchandise and time.

Currently, many people are considering the ‘American Idol’ route, while forgetting that lone 1 individual in the 22 million that showed up for hearings last twelvemonth actually made it.

One last note: Label mental representation can be an amazing thing, but you must cognize the concern first! There is much more than elaborate and valuable information in my book, “The Indie Guide To Music, Selling and Money” ISBN 978-0-9746229-4-1 ISBN 978-0-9746229-4-1. Additionally, my website incorporates a figure of applicable articles on the music industry which can be accessed free of charge. I wish you the best of fortune in your endeavors.

Copyright 2005 Jaci Rae