Character Over Chops: Adam Blackstone on What Music Directors Look For (Episode 17)

Everything you do is an audition.

When the guy who music directs stadium shows tells you what he looks for, you take notes. In Episode 17 of The Career Musician, Nomad sits down with Adam Blackstone at Centerstaging in Burbank, where Adam runs a lot of his rehearsals. Adam has been Musical Director for acts such as Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Eminem and Justin Timberlake.

Nomad opens by putting Adam's priorities in order: husband and father first, businessman second, musician third. Adam agrees. It's all about priorities. What follows is a straight answer to the question every player asks: what does a music director look for in a musician?

Character over chops

Adam says it plainly, and it is the line Nomad chose to open the episode with.

"This business is a professional relationship based business. I'm not always looking for the best player. I'm looking for the best character person a lot of times."

Adam Blackstone

Nomad underlined it: it is about character, chemistry, energy and synergy. It is not about chops. It is how you relate to everyone and how you present yourself. Reliability beats virtuosity.

Why he calls the same people

Adam has about 30 people on his team who could get a call at any time. Those artists don't care about first string or fourth string. They just want their music taken care of.

He admits he sometimes gets talked about for using the same people. There is a reason. He doesn't have to worry whether they will learn the music the way it needs to be learned, show up on time, or look the part. They represent him. When someone new comes in and doesn't know the ropes, sometimes it isn't their fault. Most of the time it is, because they just weren't paying attention.

That is how Work begets work. Trust is built gig by gig, and the people who earn it keep getting the call.

Read the room, and don't believe the hype

Every artist runs a different room. Some are private and the band keeps its distance. Others want to hang and bring the band out with them. Adam's advice is to be a chameleon. And the hang is not all it's cracked up to be. You can get fired faster for knowing too much and talking too much. Nomad's version: eyes and ears wide open, mouth shut. That is Low maintenance / no drama.

The same goes for studio etiquette, which changes by city. Adam grew up on the East Coast, where a 10 a.m. session might start with a little hang and some vibes before the work gets done. He has heard that on West Coast film sessions, at 9:59 people have their instruments up, ready for the downbeat. Be ready for either, and remember that early is on time.

Handle problems before the next leg

Adam learned business by watching it done well, coming up with the Roots crew in Philadelphia, and by watching it done badly. Small things mean the world to him: logistics, travel, respecting people's time, a day sheet, per diem.

If something like per diem doesn't happen, he doesn't make a fuss on the gig and he doesn't refuse to walk on stage. He raises it before the next leg: how is this being accommodated?

"That's not really my style... It's my fault if I let it happen again."

Adam Blackstone

As a leader, he also deals with each player as a person. One player is chill, another needs to know what's going on. Same situation, handled differently for each personality. And he stays humble about the title.

"We work for them. I'm an MD, but I'm just still a glorified side man."

Adam Blackstone

Run it like a business

His company is BBE, BASSic Black Entertainment. His wife runs the money side, so he can stay creative and never chase an invoice. Everything is processed through the company's LLC, and he uses that structure to show younger players how checks are processed, when they should arrive, and what a fair standard looks like for a given caliber of gig. He also explained how basing the company in Delaware, where he lives, shapes his write-offs. Your situation will differ, but set it up properly. Make Music Your Business.

The takeaway

Adam's last words for the younger musician: don't get caught up in who's doing what gig, or which gig is yours. The artist can wake up any morning and go a different direction, and you have to respect that. Be nice, be humble, be thankful for where your gifts come from, and it will work out. If you want to be the player who gets that call, start with the free Get the Gig guide, and check out Adam at adamblackstone.com.

Get the gig. Keep the gig. Build the career.

Watch on YouTube or find every episode on the TCM Podcast page.