Back to Manhattan…Again!

Whew..talk about busy! One minute i’m communing with nature and all the guinea fowl, deer, birds, squirrels, and other tiny animals in Sagaponack (part of The Hamptons) and the next, I am back in Manhattan on the Upper East Side with a new place to live and some new charity work.

I already miss Sagaponack (I’ll be going back on weekends), but it’s really energizing to be back in New York City! Now that I’m back, I’ll be working with my producer, Tommy Faragher, on getting my voice in shape, booking some shows, and working out at Exhale Spa, taking their Core Fusion and Core Fitness and Core Cardio class so I can get ready..really ready for my album launch!

Officially, the new release date for my debut album “It’s My Time” is July 26, 2010!

Its all preparation now……

And part of that preparation is more blogging!

Jennie Walker

Branding is my new best friend!

It has been a while since I sent out a blog post, but just like Evita, the truth is “I never left you!”

If you could see my To Do list you would understand my lack of posting. That said, i’m MAKING time tonight to post the latest in a series of logos which will be used in my merchandise designs and other promotion materials.

I went back to Elliot Eastman to design a Sub-Logo piece to my JW logo he designed a few months back. This sub-logo design is my name spelled out. We are initially thinking this may be used on the back for hoodies and maybe on the front of t-shirts or down the sleeve. It’s nice having choices and I feel sure more designs, logos and cool images will be needed as I move my brand forward.

I feel in a lot of ways this is a big trial…as I work to determine who I am as a artist aka “brand!” I don’t really know the answer to this question so i think the idea is just to get start and see where it all leads. I am already thinking about other types of images/logos/fonts that i like which I want to test out and see what feels right to me.

As I await word on my new release date, I am working with Sarah-Leigh Wills of Happy Designer. We just drafted a promotional card which will be used to promo my debut CD “It’s My Time.” It’s looking great..just a few more tweaks and we will be all set.

Most of my time these days is spent on administrative tasks and promotion related to my album release. This week, I hope to be getting a promotional CD in production, which will be sent to Journalists and Radio stations. Sarah also designed a great CD cover to coordinate with all my other images. I have also reached out to some sync licensing firms to see if there is any interest in finding placement for the songs on my album in film, tv or advertising.

I’ll keep you posted as things move along. The good news is that they ARE moving along and it’s all falling into place!

Jennie Walker
www.jenniewalker.com
@msjenniewalker – Twitter

Grace Under Pressure, Daughter.

My mom had a favoriate saying…”Grace under pressure, Daughter.”

I need to tatoo that phrase on my forehead and constantly stare into a mirror!

With all that is going on behind the scenes, there are days it is over-whelming….not because of what needs to be done, but because of the build up to what is going to happen.

To say that the process of releasing my album, after all this time, is emotional for me, is a gross understatement. I stay really really busy on Social Media to keep from imploding! It’s intense some days and other days..I feel like nothing is happening at all. Every day I’m making progress and I keep thinking there is going to that one moment when everything clicks and a sonic boom goes off. But, what I am realizing is this…it does not happen that way.

I am not going to wake up one day and feel everything has changed. It is changing gradually every day. Each day I push forward I incorporate my new reality into my regular life. At some point, it will no longer be new..it will be old hat, routine..and just part of the way my life is. It’s sort of like trying to watch grass grow. You can’t..unless you have some special stop motion camera or something.

I’m changing every day and transitioning into what I will become. Some better version of me is trying to get out, but just like the butterfly…it’s not quite time to hatch.

i had a nice talk with my producer, Tommy Faragher, today. He has been where I am..in that mode when you are waiting for an album to be released (just google him, he had a great artist career in his day.) He reminded me that in this Music Business, nothing is ever secure..or for sure. It is always changing.

Grace Under Pressure…..

Jennie Walker
www.jenniewalker.com

Hurry Up and Wait!

I broke my promise to write a blog every day until my album release the day I learned we may change the release date! Which, actually, is a good thing. There is so much coordination that is taking place behind the scenes, that we need a convergence in order for the strategies to get me on the Top 40 UK chart to work.

We have some new strategies underway and that can only work if we allow more time to prepare! So, hopefully I will have more information on this soon.

In the meantime, I have been working with Happy Hopscotch Design -Sara-Leigh Wills on my new Promo CD design, which we will use to send to journalists and radio stations. It is not nearly as sexy as the retail CD will be, but it serves an important purpose! And, it looks sharp! It is sporting my new Jennie Walker Artists logo which Elliot Eastman designed.

Now something really cool I am working on behind the scenes is my Jennie Walker merchandise store! Now, I have been racking my brain to try to come up with something unique. The thought of one of those plain square sleeve t-shirts with my logo on it just won’t do! I want something different. Something unique. Something a person might save over time and cherish. I guess it’s also about how I want to be thought of in people’s minds. Who is Jennie Walker? What does she stand for? And, why do I care? Those are important questions for me to be able to answer. I have to answer those with my music, my website, my interview, my image, my press, and my merchandise store!

So, as it turns out, I forgot I knew someone in the doll business. It’s really specialized and this person, who was 23 years in the business, is someone I met when they were retailing music products. We have stayed in touch and he just happened to call me 24 hours after I had outlined a doll idea i had. So, we are brainstorming on how I can manufacture a Jennie Walker doll affordably for my fans. Can I tell you how much fun this is? I already have the whole thing thought through, complete with hands on research in a Kmart toy department and online as well. So, I am working on this doll idea and hopefully there is going to be a market….in an informal interview with some of my Facebook friends, it seems they are willing to buy it!

I am also working with a jewelry designer on some unique pieces, that will incorporate my new artist logo. The tricky part is creating merchandise for both men and women. Feedback so far indicates men may be interested in Dog Tags with my logo on it.

I will have the obligatory clothing options, but they have to be well made, 100% cotton (organic if I can get that done), and not your typical designs.

So, another day in the life of Jennie Walker….I’m still building.

It’s All About Branding! My New Artist Logo!

Some of the really exciting projects I am working on behind the scenes include the design of my new artist website and logo. I have a lot of interest in branding these days. And, with the launch of my new album, I am working hard and fast to get as many elements in place for branding as possible. Because, apparently, I am a brand! LOL. I know, i know, it’s me….but, this is how it starts. I stake my claim in my brand, my name, and claim it. Brand it. Protect It. Copyright it. Trademark it. Monetize it.

Sarah-Leigh Wills who is a top designer with Happy Hopscotch Design in Cornwall, England….had a great idea. I approached her about my need for a new artist logo, since she had done such an amazing job on my new web site design (which will be up in a bout a week but you can get a sneak peak if you look in the portfolio section on the site). We discussed ideas and price. Then, Sarah got back to me with an amazing idea. As it turns out, Sarah serves as a part time lecturer at Cornwall College and teaches a class on design. She thought it would be an interesting idea to pose my logo design challenge to the students in the class. The winner would receive a cash prize, a signed CD, a signed photo, and i would meet them and thank them personally when I travel to England to promote my album. i jumped at the chance!

Sarah had 7 students in her class participate. We wanted to film it..get the media department involved, but the timing was off. Those 7 students sent in about 12 designs. I went through each design personally. With one look I could determine my favorite..I had an emotional reaction to it. However, there were other logos I loved too….depending on the usage. In the end, I went through each design with Sarah, discussing the merits of each. I decided on the winner, but also second and third prize. The second prize winner provided a design I also wish to use, but not for this purpose. The students did an outstanding job. And, I am able to provide the winner with an opportunity to be part of my branding process on a commercial project. A win-win in my opinion. My US based PR firm, Kington Magna, will be putting out a press release to announce the winners and the project.

So, I present to you with much pride … my new artist logo designed by Elliot Eastman of Cornwall College, Cornwall England! I can’t wait to thank him in person!

Look for this logo on jewelry, hats, t-shirts, and other cool merchandise!

Jennie Walker

www.jenniewalker.com
www.twitter.com/msjenniewalker

20 Days & & Flexibility

This is not my original blog.

Today I received a “we need to talk” email from my record label. We spoke for ages and there are some interesting dynamics a foot. Basically, we are going to make a course correction in the release of my album. Now, i know that could mean anything to someone reading this! But, official word on changes are not yet available.

But, it is a clear indicator of traits i need to master in order to become the artist I intend to be:

flexibility
adaptability
strategic thinking
creative thinking
and open mind
the abiity to turn on a dime
and the ability to jump on a plane at a moments notice!
the ability to accept and make changes
and above all…faith.

Jennie Walker
www.jenniewalker.com

21 Days & The Grammy’s

It’s Sunday and that means the Grammy’s are on tonight!

I have been watching the Grammy pre-show event on the internet tonight as I prepare to see the prime-time show later. I’ve been to the Grammy’s….once, the time I attended it was in New York City. It was interesting, but it was clear to me from my experience that the best way to attend the Grammy’s was as a nominee. So, I have not been back in person, instead, enjoying the show from home and working on my music.

Now, as a little girl, I used to watch the Grammy’s. I remember watching Barbra Streisand, hearing her sing and wondering how to get there from here….here being my living room, sitting with my mother and other family members. This was more than living room entertinment to me. This was my dream unfolding before my eyes on the television screen. To be able to sing, sing for a global audience and also be recognized with that oh-so-cool award, now that was bliss. I would watch the Grammy’s awards every year, unless I just forgot about it. I have enjoyed, over the years, seeing performers like Madonna, Bee Gees, Elton John, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson….I’ve seen them … enjoyed them … wanted to be them..or at least be doing what they were doing.

I have spent my entire life learning the steps necessary to win a Grammy,..First, you need to be nominated, before that you need to be submitted, before that, you need to write and record and distribute an album, before that you need to find a good producer who knows what to do with your music and your voice, before that, you need to try to write some songs, before that you need to be singing and performing all the time, before that, you need to learn what orgnaizations are around to help you, before that, you need to love music and before that, and most important of all, you need to believe you can do it.

i’m a believer.

Jennie Walker
www.jenniewalker.com
www.twitter.com/msjenniewalker

25 Days & Counting Until Album Release

Liner Notes….that oh so important, but not really talked about part of an album. With so many digital releases, where only cover art is required, we need to remember that the old fashioned physical CD is still being manufactured and as is tradition, a section to show gratitude is as important as ever.

At first, I did not want to try to thank everybody, figuring I was sure to forget someone, leave someone off, and make a mess of it. Then, I realized, it was important to try. So many people have influenced me and have been a part of this musical journey, that I have to go all the way back to my childhood to start the list. Even now, after having sent in the second draft, I have thought of two or three more people who should probably be listed. I am going to try not to panic too much about it…my real friends know how important they have been…besides, I’ll have other opportunities to thank people..like when I accept all those forthcoming music awards!

Now today was really interesting. During my daily walk to the beach in Sagaponack, NY, I spoke with a high profile film industry veteran, who I met last year during my time in Culver City, CA (aka Los Angeles). We met early 2009 and have stayed in touch. He was taken by my life’s story and thought it would make a great documentary film. It was just a month or so after we met, when I was approached about a possible record deal through UK based Maddie Records. So, he knew me just before things started to break. He believes my story is one that will inspire others. It’s one of the biggest compliments I have ever received.

So, how this process works is like this…… The filmmaker writes a treatment (2 pages or so) which outlines his vision for the film project…the angle so to speak. Once this is written, the process of finding investors in the project begins, by sharing the treatment with potential investors. Once enough investors have been identified, the filmmaker can begin the process of documenting my career. So, I am going to do my part to alert every person I know that this opportunity exists. And, in my heart of hearts, I know that if it is meant to be..it will be…the right people will be attracted to this opportunity.

Tonight I learned that potential new artist logos have started to come in. Happy Hopscotch Design in Cornwall, England, offered up my need for a new artist logo to students taking a design class at Cornwall College, which one of their top executives teaches. They have until Friday to turn these in! The students were given the drafts of my new artist website to work with. The winner, who signs a work for hire agreement, receive a cash prize, an autographed copy of my music CD, an autographed photo and I will meet them in person to say thank when I travel to England. The logo will be used in all my branding, including website, album, merchandise..you name it! I think this is such a cool project and really was excited with Sarah at Happy Hopscotch presented this to me.

Monday the final proof on the album insert will be sent to me for final approval. So, everything is falling into place nicely…………..

More tomorrow.

Jennie Walker
www.jenniewalker
www.twitter.com/msjenniewalker

26 Days & Counting Until Album Release

it’s not just any Tuesday. It is the Tuesday marking 26 days until my album release!

Today I received some disappointing news from a potential publishing administrator in the UK who was considering my catalogue. They love the catalogue…but……..

So, onward and upward. It’s not like I can’t administer my own categloue, because I can and I am. It’s just that I don’t have legions of relationships with music supervisors for film/tv/advertising/gaming placement, so I really need to find a publisher who can help exploit these copyrights. I am quite sure when my first single starts climbing the charts, these potential partners will start coming out of the wood work, it’s just that I enjoy getting things taken care of on the front end. Otherwise, it’s just an item on the To Do List. That is not to say waiting won’t help me obtain a more favorable deal, because it will. Chart activity will help in obtaining a publishing advance, which is sure to help me sustain myself as I transition to full time recording artist. I don’t think the regular buying public understands that songwriters and performers don’t get royalties sometimes for 9 months after a release. Even then, they trickle in depending on which foreign territory it is coming from. In some cases it can be years…so, this is why you see artists involved in endorsements and other projects…it’s because they have to find a way to derive income from other means while their music finds its natural place in the market.

Today I learned that the album insert for my physical CD will be finalized on Monday. So, still time to get it all printed up for the 2/22/10 release date, but we are in right under the wire! Many sites are already show the album in their music catalogue, like Amazonmp3.com, HMV.com, 7Digital.com – it’s really exciting to see it ready for the release date. But, wait we must. There are no pre-sales except in the United Kingdom. A special texting program is being set up so people can Text a secret word to a special number to pre-order the album! Can’t wait until those details are something I can announce to you!

James Weber, the photographer for my latest professional photos, sent me some retouching work he performed. Yes, it’s necessary. It’s amazing how a professional team can make such a difference in your photos! My makeup and hair person was Kim Baker, who has worked with such starts as Beyonce and Tom Cruise. My hair color was due to the fantastic work of Erik Ilizarov. of Jean Ferre Salon in New York City. The stylist who worked his magic was Wade Blackmon. It has all come together in the best set of photos in my musical career. I could not be more proud.

I’m reworking the liner notes for my album tonight. I do not want to leave anyone out but I have to say it’s really hard to determine all the people who have supported me the most in a project like my album. It’s not just the album, but a life long support of my musical pursuit. Friends, Family, Music Executives, Organizations…goodness The bottom line is I am extremely grateful. And, the world needs to know that.

I have a really fantastic secret project underway that involves the creation of my new artist logo, and Happy Hopscotch Design in Cornwall, England! I expect to be reporting on this secret logo project shortly! Thanks Sarah and Emma for being such pros!

I also have some major web programming taking place on my new artist Web site, designed by Happy Hopscotch. Rich Quick of Squizzle is busy behind the scenes making all this fantastic design work…you know, all the “Clever stuff!” Thanks Rich! The firm aims to have something up by next week! Fingers crossed.

Oh, I should mention I now have my first official Jennie Walker Fan Club on Facebook. I would love it if you would join! I have provided the link: Jennie Walker Fan Club.

Anyway..that is all for now…..Until tomorrow..

Jennie Walker
www.jenniewalker.com

27 Days & Counting Until Album Release

So much of DIY (Do It Yourself) is Doing It Yourself! Even as I transition from unsigned artist to signed artist with Maddie Records and a UK release on 2/22/10 (Universal Music, Ditto Music), there is a lot I am still handling. I thought you might enjoy reading about some of those things.

My Social Media presence is totally self managed at this point in my career. I can’t imagine ever giving this up, but I can imagine using some interns to keep the many sites up to date. With all the cross connections between sites, there is still so much information that needs to be maintained that a daily effort and schedule is going to be needed. Just today I linked in my WordPress Blog to my Reverbnation Artist Page. These social media web sites are constantly improving their service, so you really have to maintain your page and check back often to see what other fun stuff you can do. My attitude is this…It’s not up to me to dictate how others consume or learn about my music. So, I want to go to where they are…on the Social Media Sites….and give them easy access to find my music and my central web site.

Today I have been checking in on all my Social Media Sites one by one. I maintain a spread sheet of all sites where I have a musical presence as well as statistics on those sites, including number of fans/followers/friends, songs posted, photos posted, etc. It was nice to see that in just one month, since I last updated my stats, that I have increased my fan base! There is some over lap between all the sites and email lists, but even with that, stats are trending upward as I move closer and closer to my release date. This is as it should be. And really exciting.

What is totally fun is reading my weekly Google Analytics report, which come to me on Mondays. If you don’t get an analytics report on your website, run don’t walk to your internet browser and set this up through Google Analytics! This is the most telling piece of information availalbe right now (since I have no sales data to factor in) on gauging interest in my music. My analytics report shows a doubling in traffic on my site. The report will detail for you direct traffic and referring traffic, which is so great, because you get to see the point on interest on your website. I get a lot of traffic through Twitter links and links off my blog. It really goes to show how important it is to have a presence and a link in as many places as possible.

Today’s report had some really interesting data. For the first time, visitors from the UK were almost as many as those from the USA. This has been trending upward but it took its largest jump this past week. I can attribute this to my weekly radio show on GU2 Radio out of the University of Surrey, England. I am o the Friday night Alumni show with Panos Fellas. In addition, I have some really wonderful supporters in the UK that have been spreading the word about my upcoming album to friends, family and co-workers.

So, there is a method to all this musical madness and I hope to share that with you each day as I tick down the days until February 22, 2010. Thank you for staying with me during the most exciting time of my life!

Jennie Walker
www.jenniewalker.com
www.twitter.com/msjenniewalker