| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Stage Name or Ghost name | |
| Mike -- 08/20/2006, 17:09:34 -- #29397 | |
| I am thinking of starting to use one. Curious if any one has experience using a Stage name or a Ghost name performing or recording. I have not done it before. | |
| jwv76 -- 08/21/2006, 00:54:25 -- #29397 | |
| Only when I work in porno flicks. | |
| 7 -- 08/21/2006, 08:28:00 -- #29397 | |
| And the witness protection program. | |
| pphilip -- 08/21/2006, 09:29:03 -- #29397 | |
| Make sure you tell the bank so you can cash the checks. | |
| Scot -- 08/21/2006, 09:46:07 -- #29397 | |
| It depends on what you want. I use my own name because people in my area know it. I've had band names for the groups I bring out, but people don't necessarily associate the band with me which means less work in the long run (in my case). Now days I do everything musical under my own name and it seems like it's much better for business. | |
| 7 -- 08/21/2006, 21:45:23 -- #29397 | |
| Of course if you've already burned your bridges behind you and been blacklisted from all the clubs in the area (like me - LOL), not only should you change your name, you should also wear a wig and sunglasses so the guys who've fired you last year won't recognize you and have the bouncer immediately kick you to the curb. | |
| SolArt -- 08/22/2006, 03:35:02 -- #29397 | |
| If you've got a decent act AND are also fun to watch I feel a stage name can only help. Your real name may be too "ho-hum" for example, most actors' names aren't their real names either, or they tweaked them to their resulting benefit. Mike, by all means seek a more creative name! | |
| 7 -- 08/22/2006, 09:11:41 -- #29397 | |
| Mike, Why not have a contest to see who can come up with the best stage name for you, and then give the one who comes up with the best name for you a prize (like a free CD or a pack of gum). How about "Mike Rich"? It sounds just like your real name, and (admit it) you've always wanted to be rich, haven't you? Or maybe "Mike Famous" Or maybe "Rich Famous" (hey, THAT'S got a ring to it!) | |
| Mike -- 08/23/2006, 00:25:59 -- #29397 | |
| Well thanks guys, but actually I was not wondering if anyone had any real practical experience with it. | |
| Mike -- 08/23/2006, 00:41:10 -- #29397 | |
| I mean i was wondering if anyone had real experience with it. If anyone had actually done it before. Roland Wiggins for example the pedagogue/pianist who taught music theory to John Coltrane, Archie Shepp and Billy Taylor did all his recording with ghost names. I always assumed he did it for Tax purposes. Whether or not he was purposedly trying to avoid fame I do not know, butI do know he used different ghost names on different recordings. I have my own reasons for wanting to experiment with it which are personal. It is not becuase I have burned bridges or been blacklisted. Nor I am looking to add a gimmick in a name to increase sales. But I am wondering if anyone has done it and what they may have run in to? It sounds like none of you have actually done it? | |
| sid -- 08/23/2006, 00:51:31 -- #29397 | |
| I once played in a band called Incognito and the Tax Evaders. sid | |
| 7 -- 08/23/2006, 09:13:26 -- #29397 | |
| If your recording is a "work for hire", the payor has no legal obligation to list any of the payees in the credits (unless a prior agreement has been signed). The same is true for ghost writers (autobiographies, etc). | |
| sdm -- 08/23/2006, 12:26:42 -- #29397 | |
| Didn't a lot of guys do this to get around contracts with other labels? Seems to me I've read that somewhere. | |
| Copyright © 2005 by Scot Ranney. All rights reserved. | |
| Click Here for more information about performances and clinics. Click Here to sign up for Scot's music announcements. | |