I’m going to take my time and accurately tell this story. I want to be transparent and clear in my thoughts to give you some deep insight on a series of events that literally changed my musical life.

I am a proud alumnus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. It was there that I pledged into the Iota Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in Fall of 2008. I have a very close bond between my frat brothers, especially my line brothers who also crossed into the fraternity with me. To celebrate 10 years of brotherhood and service, we all decided to go on a trip together and reminisce of the “good ole days.”

The destination would be the Dominican Republic. I’m talking beautiful beaches, amazing food and a historic and revered culture. I had my heart set on a much-needed trip! After booking my airfare and Airbnb reservations, we had about two weeks before everyone was to meet up in the DR.

About to week before the trip, I received a phone call from Bamm Davis, a well accomplished musician who lived in Atlanta. I missed the call initially, but I called back after about 4 minutes. (food for thought: When musicians call, do your best to answer the first time around. You might be missing out on a gig!) So, he asked me a series of questions. “Are you in town next weekend, because I may have a gig for you?” Like I told y’all before, I already booked my ticket to GO. I told him I would be out of the country on a vacation. He then proceeded to tell me that he’s looking for a sax player to cover 3 shows at The Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA with 8-time Grammy Award-winning artist Anita Baker. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I asked him to give me 10 minutes then I would call back. So, I immediately told my brothers I wouldn’t be making the trip (lol). They understood and called Bamm back with the news that I was available. Yes, it was only 3 shows initially, but success comes when opportunity meets preparation. And the opportunity knocked right on my door. My advice to you is stay ready so you don’t have to get ready, and possibly miss what God has for you.

MY FIRST SHOW AT THE FOX

My instructions were simple. Listen to “The Best of Anita Baker” and have the songs prepared to perfection. Simple enough right? I was more than familiar with her repertoire of music. On Saturdays, Anita Baker (AB), along with the O-Jays, Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, EWF, and Stevie Wonder was our clean up music around the house! My parents loved the classics, so by nature I grew up to be an old soul at a young age. Me actually learning “Same Ole Love” and Caught Up in the Rapture” to perform with Anita Baker was both nerve racking and an opportunity that I fully embraced.

The date and time were set. We were to play in ATL on Mother’s Day Weekend at the Fox. Not to mention that this was my first show performing with AB, but everyone ATL that I knew was going to see me!

After arriving to the Fox, I got a chance to meet the band, tour manager, and amazing BGV’s (background vocalists). Everyone was so nice and welcome. But there was a big problem. Everyone had their designated spots behind a wall where they would be performing, and I saw no room for me. I’m like, “did they forget I would be playing??” I asked the music director where I would be performing, and he pointed just past the center of the stage. I was confused. I saw Anita’s mic, but I just saw empty space just past that. He was like, “that’s going to be your area to operate!”. “Don’t be nervous Trey, just be you. You got the call for a reason.” If you’ve ever seen me perform, I cannot keep still. I love to move around, dance and feel the energy of the music. Because of me being true to I am and my distinct musicianship, there was a tailor-made job that was waiting on me.

I want to encourage and remind you that you are your biggest competition. Use the gifts that you were given to the best of your abilities and dominate your industry! Be fearless in your approach to be a more advanced YOU. To make a long story short, those 3 shows turned into a 2-year tour. Once which allowed me to see the world and meet some amazing people during the process.

Life on the Road

The frequent hotel, airport runs, and early lobby calls can take a toll on your body, but I enjoyed every moment of it. I’ve heard horror stories about other musical camps talking about their touring experience, but AB’s experience was one of joy and genuine good feels. I learned a lot about union representation, per diem, and mainly the do’s and don’ts of how to carry yourself on the road that will set you up for future success down the line.

I forget which city it was in, but as AB called my name after a solo, the crowd gave a huge uproar. She then said on the mic, “Trey you might have some fans out there!” We all got a kick out of that. She always pushed me to be an artist as she mentioned many times “you don’t need to be playing behind me.” At her farewell/sellout shows, she gave me a platform to sell my merchandise and personally endorsed me on her Twitter. I’m grateful.

ENDORSEMENTS

Being on a major tour afforded me the chance to connect with some amazing companies that I am now endorsed with. Dante Neckstraps, MARCA Reeds, and Silverstein Ligatures have been amazing to me and I’m grateful for our working relationship. I want to do a separate blog later about the how to’s for endorsements that might help position your branding differently and make you more marketable to companies that you may be interested in.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post “The Songstress & TD” appeared first on Trey Daniels.

Imagine going to a live concert and all of the music was muted. Or imagine going to a movie theater but there was no sound.

Imagine paying money for a plumber to come and fix your toilet but instead, you get a history teacher. Now we’re going to shift directions.

There is a distinct correlation between the right person and the right job. No?

People may not remember what the cake tastes like or the flower colors, but they will remember the fun they had…or didn’t have! When it comes to wedding entertainment and music at your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception, you have to make sure that the right people are called for the right job. So, in essence, I want to give you some tips that will save you time, money, and effort to ensure that the musical entertainment for your special event is seamless and will create lifelong memories that you will tell your grandkids about!

Wedding Entertainment Options:

So, I like to look at the wedding day in 3 phases:

1 – Prelude/Wedding Ceremony

2 – Cocktail Hour

3 – Reception (Dinner and Party Time )

Prelude/Wedding Ceremony Wedding Entertainment

Now, this is the first glance that your guests will see/feel/smell when they arrive for the BIG DAY. Of course, it’s the ambiance, flowers, décor, and all of that. But what are they hearing?? You don’t want there to be awkward silence and everyone looking around at each other. Make sure a nice playlist is in the background to help create that inviting atmosphere for the guests. Side note, a little “All of Me” by John Legend of “Rendezvous” by Trey Daniels never goes wrong!

 

Cocktail Hour Wedding Entertainment

Ok. The ceremony is over, and the I-dos have been said. It’s time to party! Not too much because we’ve got a long night to go!! Let’s play a little mid-to-moderate tempo music that’s upbeat and a few people might be dancing because of it! For wedding entertainment, some wedding parties will have either live musicians or a DJ here, but generally, a small 2–3-piece live band that’s ducked in a corner somewhere and people can hear the music amongst the conversation and drinks. The time period of this event is only 45-60 minutes, so make it count! You don’t want to hire entertainment that is dry and boring, and now it’s a drag to get people to come into the reception area where the ultimate party will start! Don’t overlook the importance of having a great musical experience for the cocktail hour/party!

Reception Wedding Entertainment (Dinner and/or Party Time )

Everyone is now seated and the DJ echoes over the speakers, “NOW LET’S INTRODUCE AGAIN THE NEWLYWEDS!!” From that point on, your music HAS TO be on point! From the Special Dances (First Dance, Parents Dance, In-laws Dance, etc.) to the dinner portion everything needs to flow. Here’s something that a lot of people miss!! Make sure the DJ/audio company you’re using has the right equipment for the job and the venue supports it! If you’ve got 350 people at the wedding and your DJ is only playing through a Bluetooth speaker, you will be at the center of every joke for the next 25 years. If you’re using a live band, make sure you have sufficient audio needs met as well!! This is so important so don’t overlook it. The last part of the reception is……. you guessed it. PARTY TIME. The music has to get everyone to the dance floor so you can line dance, do the Wobble, or do anything else your family and friends love to do. If you have certain songs that you want your live band or DJ to play, make sure to give them months ahead of time so there are no last-minute shenanigans! Remember, this day can’t be repeated so all musical moments need to be accurately calculated and captured.

If you follow this guide, you’ll have a successful, non-stressful way to have great wedding entertainment on your big day. I hope this helps and answers some questions that you might have had. Take it from a professional musician, good music is essential to the soul! Peace!

Food For Thought

This goes for the DJ also!! Don’t hire your Uncle Earl just because he has free audio equipment and you’re trying to cut costs! Lol. You need to make sure the DJ can rock the crowd and play the appropriate music that you and your guests will enjoy! If they only have a Pandora channel that they are playing from, just know that you are in trouble!

If you’re hiring a Saxophonist or instrumentalist, they should know all of their music and come prepared. Their #1 priority is client satisfaction so make sure you’re hiring the right person for wedding entertainment!

The post Wedding Entertainment Guide For Your Day appeared first on Trey Daniels.

I always got that “itch” when it came to having to work for someone to be honest. I hated the feeling of asking someone if it was ok that I used the bathroom or went on a lunch break. Those literally were the two things that irked me to no end.

I first felt that sensation in high school. I got a job, like any other kid that wanted to make some money, at Winn-Dixie Grocery Stores. I worked when I got out of school and scheduled those work hours outside of my extracurriculars. The uniform was a plain one: black pants with a white-collared shirt with a black W.D. apron. I was the stock, bag, and cart boy.

I’m talking sweltering heat in Tampa, FL during the summer y/all. Mean a** customers who it seemed like made it their personal job to make sure you didn’t enjoy yours. I knew there was more in life than what I could see!! (lol).

To put it into perspective, when I got my first job, I was playing the saxophone for about three years. I made little to no money with music and only dreamed about when that day would come that I could up-and-leave my job to tour around the world. But it seemed like I was always a dollar short and a day late. I practiced often and was starting to be known in my hometown, but I couldn’t see how notoriety could translate to a 2 week notice to my boss that I was out of there!

I continued to work for someone else during college (2007-2011) and through 2012 after my first year of moving to Atlanta. At the time, I played at all the open mic spots in the city. I hustled like I never had before when I moved to the “A.” Simultaneously, I was then working at Office Depot unloading freight trucks at 6 a.m. Stop to think about that. Open mic nights usually ended around 1 a.m. and I had to get up at 4 a.m. to catch a bus to get to work. The struggle was real.

I remember my parents visiting me in the fall 2012 and that was my turning point/come to Jesus moment. My mom was emotional, and my Dad blatantly said, “Son, I need to see a return on my investment.” At that point I’d been playing the saxophone for 11 years. Gigs here and there but nothing consistent. It was time that I made a life change.

The first step for me to gain steady income from music was to be clear at the direction I wanted to go. Let me be specific. I made it paramount that I reminded myself I wanted to be an artist. I wanted to be in the spotlight. I knew that would come, but I had to speak it to see it. All of a sudden things started to change.

I picked up consistent work in a corporate band and started to play every Sunday at a church in Atlanta that put me on payroll. Those two events alone surpassed what I made at my 9-5 job. But before I quit, I lived off of music solely for 6 months straight and DID NOT TOUCH the money I was making at Office Depot. I wanted to see if I could truly balance my lifestyle/spending habits to make this thing finally work. And it did. At the end of 6 months, I was able to cushion myself for life to happen, and I finally resigned in 2013 from my retail job and never looked back.

I grinded. Worked my tail off to start a band, increase exposure, and eventually became that Artist the I dreamt of being. It wasn’t easy and most things that are worth having will not be. But if I quit at any point during the beginning stages just because I couldn’t see when or didn’t know how/when my breakthrough was coming, I would have missed out on the ability to touch lives through music. From releasing a hit single that was on the Billboard Charts, to opening for professional sports teams to being on a world tour, it wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t have a plan and more importantly the execution to get it done.

If you are wanting to follow your dreams and quit your 9-5, trust me no one WANTS to be a starving artist. I would recommend before leaving your job, test living off of that dream financially for 6 months and grind like there’s no tomorrow to make it happen! All the while, you are still working that job to save money for when you can walk into your purpose. There’s no ONE WAYto make the transition to be a full-time entrepreneur, but this way worked for me and I  wanted to share my story to encourage, uplift and maybe inspire someone to find a plan that works for you!

The post Becoming a Full Time Musician appeared first on Trey Daniels.

The most powerful tool one can have is the ability to create. When I compose a song, I allow the world to be my muse. I gather inspiration from everything around me. When it gets tough to put things into words, music allows me to go to a place of vulnerability and organically express the deepest depths of my emotional and spiritual state.

Alchemy in its original form was a medieval forerunner of chemistry, used as a method to transmute base metals into gold. Similarly, music transmutes emotion into melodies. A masterpiece is the end goal! I mean think about it. When you are sad, you listen to the blues. When you are excited and energetic, you can turn to to pop or rock! When you want to mellow out your day, you can play jazz or R&B. And when you want to seek inspiration, Christian music or gospel is the way to go. Each genre of music, in conjunction with minor or major chord structures,  coupled with tempo and frequency allows the listener to FEEL that which they seek. That’s the connection between the artist and audience. It’s a magnanimous responsibility that the creator of music holds. It’s why I do my best as an artist not just to create, but to put my best effort forward into producing excellence.

Miles Davis once said, “It’s not about standing still and becoming safe. If anybody wants to keep creating, they have to be about change.” Music is a change agent for change. My debut album, Evolve, spoke to this principle. I saw a transformation from when I first picked up the saxophone almost 20 years ago, to the man you see before you today. Music gave me a way to talk about love, struggle, loss, freedom and finally the ability to overcome any obstacle that’s set before me! When people finished listening to the album, so many told me they felt empowered and uplifted by simply hearing the emotion behind each song which lead to them wanting to take on the unbelievably and beautiful task to be their own alchemist.

I live by a motto: touching lives one note at a time. I’m so grateful for the gift that I have through music and look forward to sharing it with as many people as possible while I can on this Earth. You might forget names or even faces. But you’ll never forget who someone or something made you FEEL. That’s what we have to remember to treat people with love, compassion and respect. My music will always include those same ideals.

The post What Music Means to Me appeared first on Trey Daniels.