Customer Reviews

Tim Sweeney's Guide To Successfully Playing Live

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Tom is very patronizing in this book. He tries to be too hip and cute, I guess to keep your attention, but he is neither. There is some good information, but there is also a lot of wasted space. For example: he talks for about 20 mins and all he really needed to say was: "go make a sample tape with a few songs and hand it out to people in the immediate area surrounding the club you want to play in to promote your show". It takes him almost 1 side of 1 tape to say this ... He also doesn't take into account the costs of everything. He suggests getting 500 or 1000 of these samples tapes made to promote a show, but the cost of this isn't cheap.

There is some good info about getting the proper booking and some resources available, but the real meat of the tapes could have been put on about 1 side of 1 tape instead of listening to his mindless patronizing babble talk and his "just think about it" attitude as though you are supposed to go "WOW, WHAT A GENIUS"

I don't think this tape is worth the [money] for it ... Just get a musicians touring magazine and talk to clubs and other bands and watch what other bands do to get all the real info you need.

I just bought Tim Sweeney's "Guide to Successfully Playing Live". It's a two-hour workshop on making your live gigs rock. I bought the double-tape recording because I admire his idea of giving away album samplers, and also, I remember listening to his "Living Room Sessions" and thinking it was intriguing. Fortunately, I can accept when I make a BIG Mistake.

Tim Sweeney's "Guide to Successfully Playing Live" bites!

Now I must admit, first, I had a bias. I've found many of the ideas Tim presents in his online newsletter seem to be out dated. He really doesn't seem to have a grasp of internet promotion, despite the fact that he's listed as a co-writer of The Complete Guide to Internet Promotion for Musicians, Artists, & Songwriters (which I haven't read). But I did at least overlook the fact that the recording was on two cassettes. I still have a cassette player in my car, so I wasn't too worried about this out-dated bit o'technology.

What bugged me... no irritated me was Tim's incredibly awful speaking skills. I sure as hell hope he's gotten better than he was here, because this was horrenedous. How many times did he say, "This is what I want you to do."
At first, I thought, "Okay that's a nice lead in tool." But before long, I felt nauseous. "STOP telling me what to do you arrogant SOB (no offense, meant)." It was annoying to say the least.

But even worse was the waste of time. Tim spends the first hour beating around the bush. I got three decent ideas out of the first hour. The second wasn't too much better. I sure as hell hope he's a better speaker now when he speaks at conferences than he was when he recorded this sweatshop (more perspiration to get through the recording) back in 1997.

My suggestion, don't waste your time! And money! If you want something inspiring trying, Bob Baker's "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook" or "How to Be Your Own Booking Agent & Save Thousands of Dollars. Tim Sweeney's book

If I still haven't frightened you away, get a copy of Tim Sweeney's "Guide to Successfully Playing Live" and find out for yourself.

Practical knowledge for musicians and managers wanting to learn how to work the music industry to their advantage. Most or all money made in the music industry is made playing live and this book helps learn how to do that! I wish it was available in CD or digital format though.

Tim Sweeny follows up his essential "Guide to Releasing Independent Records" with this audio-book aimed specifically at artists who want to get better gigs, get paid, and actually play to a decent-sized audience.As a vet of 10+ years playing in bands that performed our own original music, I always wondered why often times bands worse than mine succeeded and bands better than mine sometimes failed. I wondered why, show after show, my audience did not grow and I rarely received any financial compensation for doing what I loved. Tim Sweeny answers those questions and presents ways to build an audience, get paid for playing to them, and getting the "good gigs".Of particular note is that he information is not geared strictly for the "rock" audience, but can also benefit acoustic, new-age, and world music performers as well. Highly recommended.

Tim's Guide to Playing Live is very well done. I must admit, I was initially a little skeptical about the $.. price tag for only two hours...but wow! Tim delivered no-nonsense, practical advice in two hours and it was perfectly scoped. I quickly felt like I was getting a personal consultation.

I'm in the training business, but also the lead vocalist in a 11-piece cover band. I had decided to learn about promotion from the seat of my pants...I underestimated the task. The two hours I spent with these tapes were invaluable. I've run into some obstacles Tim addresses and now I feel like I can plan and execute an intelligent promotion and track the results.

The relaxed style and continuity of the audio made it very listenable...and the suggestions are immediately "action-able."

Tim Sweeney's guide contains invaluable information on getting youself heard. Information such as building a fan base, finding the right venues and stage presence once you are there. Tim's approach is realistic and within everyones grasp. A 'must have' for the serious musician.

This is a better resource than you'll realize at first. The author sounds kind of goofy, but if you pay close attention and take notes like he suggests, you'll realize there is a wealth of exciting ideas here. The information is practical for a working band because it is designed to make you more money right away. The material is also well organized. I've read other books of this type, and I found this book immensely more useful and inspiring than the others I have read.

Essential listening for any musician playing live. The ideas in this tape series are priceless and will help you prepare for the show... before, during and after show has ended. SOLID ideas to improve your ability to play live. Tim Sweeney has done it again... made a perfect follow-up to his "Guide To Releasing Independent Records". Just simply great.

This book is a MUST for everyone who even thinks he/she might want to be a music professional. There are so many things here that will save you so much time and money, as well as help you make more of it. You want to get out of the garage and into the best spots at the best times? You want to get noticed? You want the clubs to fill up your answering machine??? GET THIS AUDIOBOOK.