It seems like every time I have ever played on a recording session there is always a bunch of extra people hanging around.  Most of the time I don't even know who they are.  These folks may have been invited by the artist we are recording, they may be the financial backer of the session, a door to door salesman, or someone stopping by to sample the free pizza.  The point is, you don't know who these extra people are unless you stick your hand out and introduce yourself and ask them what they do for a living.  


Many years ago while recording a few demos in Rhode Island (my home state) I noticed an elderly gentleman sitting in the corner.  He was not what you would call the model or movie star type in appearance but for some reason I approached him and we struck up a conversation.  He was reading a copy of the New York Times.  He showed me an advertisement for auditions being held in NY for a theme park in Nashville, TN called OPRYLAND.  It would take far more space than we have here to explain what took place between this man and my career but the bottom line is with his encouragement I auditioned and got the job which I was re-hired for a total of 4 seasons before moving on to other interests.  

On another occasion, my friend who ran a huge talent agency in NY and myself were two of the extra people observing a recording session by one of the stars at the Grand Ole Opry.  My friend wanted to book this artist for the 6 fairs for which he was the talent coordinator. When we approached the artist he quickly informed us that it was a closed session and we would have to leave.  We left as instructed and that artist never played those 6 fairs and I doubt if he ever will.  The Music Business, YA GOTTA LUV IT.


Keith Bradford