Video Blog: Rebecca Day Music News

When I announce news, I normally do a write up to let everyone in on the happenings around the studio here in Florida. But today I wanted to do something a bit different because the news is a bit different. I have a few really great announcements that are changing my life musically, and I want as many people to be a part of it as possible. Because after all, if I didn't have my supporters, I wouldn't have much of anything. Thank you guys!

Rebecca Day

Rebecca Day performing tonight at Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island

Photo taken by Andee Shaffer at Walter Jones Historical Park

Rebecca Day Live Tonight

Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island

1800 Towncenter Blvd 

Fleming Island, FL

9pm-12am

Covers and Originals Solo, Acoustic

Start your weekend out right with pizza and live music at Mellow!

This Week's Performances: Aloft Hotel Tapestry Park and Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island

Promo flyer by Aloft Jacksonville Tapestry Park

This Wednesday, I am performing at Aloft Hotel in Tapestry Park. This hotel in Jacksonville, FL(off of Southside Blvd.) is like no other. I will be performing in the lounge area right next to their hotel bar, w xyz, equipped with a bar top that changes colors, and any alcoholic beverage you might like. I am playing tunes solo, acoustic from 5:30-7 pm for the Happy Hour event featuring, Bank of America, the company of the week at Aloft. Swing by for a drink and stay for the happy hour fun and music. Each week, they feature a new company.

One of w xyz's specialty drinks on top of the light-up bar

Setting up for a happy hour performance at Aloft

On Friday, I will be performing solo, acoustic at Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island. This venue is where I held my first CD release for 'Now Here,' my debut EP. Mellow Mushroom has a wonderful staff, a great atmosphere, and of course, amazing pizza. Every time I perform on the patio of this restaurant, I leave with a smile on my face. I will be playing covers and originals from 9 pm-12 am. Come on out and see what this place is all about!

Performing at my 'Now Here' Cd Release Party at Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island on February 25th, 2012

Rebecca Day

Nipper's Beach Grille Performance: A Day In The Sun

Nipper's Beach Grille is the kind of restaurant that generates good times with each meal. While performing solo, acoustic during the afternoon from 2-6 pm this past Saturday, I couldn't help but notice all of the smiles in the crowd during my sets. From the sun and the Bloody Mary's (my sister said they were the best she's had), to the sandy area right outside the restaurant with lounge chairs, who wouldn't have a grin painted on their face while dining at this restaurant?

And did I mention the water? The most beautiful part about this restaurant's scenery is the waterfront view of the Intracoastal Waterway at the beach. With each song I played, I had a sea breeze cooling my back and the sound of water splashing in the background. I was left mesmerized that part of my job consists of hanging out at a beach staple, providing afternoon entertainment.

Performing a set with the calming waves of the Intracoastal in the background

I met amazing people at Nipper's spacious patio on Saturday, equipped with an outdoor bar. The crowd that was there had a genuine appreciation of live music, and were incredibly friendly (Special shout out to those that bought 'Now Here'). Plus, I had a slew of Team Rebecca Day members there that day basking in the ambiance of the venue. A huge shout out goes to each person that dedicates themselves to the Rebecca Day Music brand. You are such a big part of my success; I can not even begin to thank you enough. Having you there that day makes the gig so memorable.

Some of Team Rebecca Day relaxing at an outside table by the pavilion I was performing under

Another exciting aspect of Saturday's performance was reconnecting with someone who was very instrumental in developing my craft in high school. Tom Haller was the drummer of the band performing that night at Nipper's, and I got to chat with him for a bit before my performance. He was the first one to put me in a recording studio at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and the first to put a song of mine on a CD. The Songwriting competition that he coordinates at D.A. was a memorable one for me. I ended up being the only non-music major to place in the competition. I ended the evening placing second.

Tom Haller and I before my performance

I will never forget performing at Nipper's Beach Grille. The day was filled with good people, friendly staff, and beautiful weather. I appreciate all of the support and love I received from the crowd and venue that day. Nipper's is truly a one-of-a-kind place. The sun seems to shine a bit brighter at Nipper's Beach Grille, so you will too.

Catching some rays while listening to the tunes

Rebecca Day

Rebecca Day Live This Evening

Rebecca Day Live

Solo, Acoustic

5:30-7:30 PM

Aloft Jacksonville Tapestry Park

4812 Deer Lake Drive West

Jacksonville, FL

Performing your favorite

Covers And Originals

in the w xyz lounge.

New Video Footage of live performances up at YouTube Channel

One of my favorite things about performing live is getting to watch footage afterward when someone graciously takes time to record some. 'Team Rebecca Day' co-founder Joel Molotzak takes on this role quite often. The footage I'm posting below is all thanks to him.

The first video is of the 'Now Here' CD release party held at the end of February at Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island. We had over 100 supporters there. Though it was a large crowd, it felt intimate because I was connected to each person there in some way.

The second video is live footage of a very special opportunity I had to perform at one of Jacksonville, Florida's only listening rooms. Nashville is full of them, but Ray Lewis decided to bring a little bit of that to the sunshine state. That performance was all original music and also featured two other female singer/songwriters, Julie Durden and Rebecca Loebe. The event was called, 'Ladies With Lyrics.'

I Hope you enjoy the footage. I always love taking an afternoon to put it all together(despite the few headaches my computer never fails to give me). Let me know what you think if you're feeling chatty. :)

'Now Here' CD release party Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island

'Ladies With Lyrics' performance European Street Cafe Listening Room

For more video footage, check out my YouTube channel here.

Rebecca Day

Performing This Evening...

Rebecca Day 

Live This Evening

5pm-6:30pm

Aloft Hotel Tapestry Park

w xyz

Performing a wide variety of songs for a special happy hour event. All are welcome!

Aloft Hotel Tapestry Park

4812 Deer Lake Drive West

Jacksonville, FL 32246

Rebecca Day

The Importance of The Business Plan

I sometimes get questions from other artists asking me for tips and advice on how to break into a music scene and advance their careers (It humbles me that people think of me as a bearer of knowledge on the music industry). I thought I'd take a bit of time today to write about the importance of having a business plan.

When one embarks on any type of career endeavor, generally he/she makes a business plan, simple or complex, so that they do not fall off track while reaching their goals. A business plan not only calms nerves when feeling overwhelmed, but it also offers a clear cut path to success.

Business plans can change and evolve as you delve more and more into your career. Phase II of my business plan for Rebecca Day Music has changed quite a bit since different opportunities have become available. It's important to understand that a business plan is not something that, once it's written, is set in stone. It's more so a written GPS to follow, and occasionally you hit the re-route button by re-writing a portion, or the whole thing if you feel it's necessary.

For a singer, songwriter, performer wanting to kick start their career, I would include different goals such as learning new cover songs, developing originals, recording strong demos, and heavy marketing(when you are ready to perform live), to your plan. And if you make a detail oriented list of these goals, and follow your plan closely, I can guarantee that eventually, you will check off every goal you had on the list.

I would recommend writing up a business plan for any aspect of your career. From album releases to mini tours to promotion, a business plan can essentially only help you.

Here are a few sites to look at that offer advice on business plan writing:

• Small Business Administration
• BPlans
• Entrepreneur.

While many artists love the fact that they have a job that is different from the ordinary, one must always remember that while you get to sing or play guitar for a living, you are actually running a small business that has the potential to be as big as you want it to be. When you look at your music from that stand point, you are setting yourself up for success.

Here is a shortened version of a simple, sample business plan I have written when I was first starting my music career here in Florida:

Rebecca Day Music Business

Singer, Songwriter, Performer

Phase I

I. Promotion

• Set up social media accounts for business: Facebook Artist Page, Reverbnation, Twitter, Youtube, etc.
• Make this social sites as professional and accessible as possible.
• Create professional grade press kits to send out to different local venues
• Start a blog about your journey.

II. Live Performances

• Frequent open mic nights and perform a few songs
• Learn around 40 cover tunes(include best originals)
• Practice, Practice, Practice

III. Original Work

• Work on recording demos- make them strong
• Develop original songs to be the best they can be
• Work on releasing an EP within the next year and a half

Though this is not the full business plan, you can get a general idea of how to write up a simple, goal oriented plan. You don't have to have the most Cadillac, complex model written out, just as long as it's effective.

Rebecca Day

Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island Performance this Saturday, Solo Acoustic

I spent some time over the past two weeks with two charity events I was very honored to be involved with. I performed at a charity event for one of my dear friends in order to raise money for a brain tumor that was successfully removed just a few days ago. The other charity event I had the pleasure of performing at was Relay For Life- Baymeadows. It was a great day full of raising money for those affected by cancer. I enjoyed performing a set for the wonderful people who were participating in the event. I'll have a write up on that coming very soon.

This weekend I am back in a public venue that is dear to my heart, Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island. I can't wait to get out there Saturday and perform from 9 pm to 12 am on their amazing patio. I'll be singing all my favorite covers and originals, and I'll have 'Now Here' Cd's and great merchandise available. Mellow Mushroom is where Team Rebecca Day held the 'Now Here' CD release party so we always look forward to going back.

Spread the word and come on out!

For more details about the Mellow Mushroom Fleming Island performance click here.


Rebecca Day