Very professional-looking Website; good design, no bad grammar or misspelled words. Small catalog, mostly Christian music (wonder which of my songs he *did* listen to?) but says he branched out into secular music a couple of years ago.

Booking agent and promoter, I guess; I assume the 10% fee is still standard for booking agents--it's what I used to pay 25 years ago. And it's not up front, it comes out of my pay (or fee, or whatever they call it), so that part's good.

It's the promoter part that's a little bit of a concern. They supposedly get radio play to enhance the attendance at concerts, which is understandable--and it costs money, which I think I'm supposed to front, with a guarantee (spidey-sense tingling here) that I'll get it back.

And no, we have not talked price--yet. At this point, we've just exchanged e-mails, with me asking questions and Adam answering them. I've warned him I'm going to be really busy for the next month. So I'm kinda keeping him at arm's length for now until I find out more.

Some questions. First, is this outfit legit? Anybody here heard of him/them, or dealt with him/them? Second, is this upfront for radio stuff the way it's s'posed to go? I really don't know. My first inclination is to treat the guy like he was legit, because he's not going all super-salesman on me--but even if he is legit, I still may not be willing to do it.

Oh, and statistics. Fellow's name is Adam Knight, and the firm is Adam Knight Music Group. Out of Kingsport, Tenn. URL is www.adamknightmusic.com.

Anybody know anything? Thanks.

Obviously, since they are not a record label, you can expect to pay for all their services. Some will be up-front, others perhaps based on a percentage of sales which they try to get for you, but under those circumstances, you may have to sign some kind of agreement and then live with the terms. It doesn't mean it's "bad", but you'll have to study the agreement, pricing and terms and see if it's worth it for you. You'll have to understand exactly what "the deal" is between you and them and make a business decision as to how well it might pay off for you.

You can also spend about $300.00 on a "Taxi" membership and get lots of promotion. Like anything else, it may or may not pay off. You're not in a hurry are you?!

Anyway, that's my input based on what you told me and what I've seen at their web site.

Perhaps other's here have had a direct experience with them and can tell you more about them. You might also ask Adam Knight for a list of referrals, meaning, a list of his happy and satisfied customers. Then you can call a few of them and see how they like his services and if it's done them any good!

Regards,
Michael

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The OUTLOOK may often appear bleak, but the UPLOOK is always bright!
Michael Borges
Praiseworthy Productions

He has a booth at Fan Fair most years in Nashville and I see him at various industry functions.

For this or any service, in the music business, or in any other business, my rule of thumb is this:

Don't buy anything you don't need. If you don't know whether you need it or not, don't buy it until you are sure you do. Consult your team (you have a team, don't you? if not...that's what you should do...put together a team. Do a search here on team or teams for more info.)

If you decide you need something, shop around, get references you can verify independantly. (for example, contact villesongwriter and stratpicker, have them write you personally and give verifiable information...if you don't know what verifiable information is or how to get it, never buy anything...not houses, cars, boats, or chewing gum.)

Never buy ANYTHING you can't afford, don't fall for the credit card scam that banks have been selling us for years, I have friends who are still paying for pizzas they bought five years ago. They laugh at me because I don't use credit cards. I have four paid for cars, two kids in private schools, and haven't worried about money in years...and my wife and I haven't fought about money in well over a decade.

I have absolutely nothing against the business in your question, I give the same advice to my kids about ANY purchase.

All the Best,
Mike

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You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Common sense is a missing factor with most people that get themselves in trouble with credit,you can't spend more than you earn on a continuous basis,soner or later it will catch up with you.

Everett

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike Dunbar:

For this or any service, in the music business, or in any other business, my rule of thumb is this:

Don't buy anything you don't need. If you don't know whether you need it or not, don't buy it until you are sure you do. Consult your team (you have a team, don't you? if not...that's what you should do...put together a team. Do a search here on team or teams for more info.)

If you decide you need something, shop around, get references you can verify independantly. (for example, contact villesongwriter and stratpicker, have them write you personally and give verifiable information...if you don't know what verifiable information is or how to get it, never buy anything...not houses, cars, boats, or chewing gum.)

Never buy ANYTHING you can't afford, don't fall for the credit card scam that banks have been selling us for years, I have friends who are still paying for pizzas they bought five years ago. They laugh at me because I don't use credit cards. I have four paid for cars, two kids in private schools, and haven't worried about money in years...and my wife and I haven't fought about money in well over a decade.

I have absolutely nothing against the business in your question, I give the same advice to my kids about ANY purchase.

All the Best,
Mike

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Mike,it's not the fault of the credit cards,it's the lack of common sense of those that ill use them.

http://www.daveramsey.com/

I guess I'm just a wierdo, nothing against anyone who wants to use credit cards. Good luck.

My advice to my kids will not change.

Mike

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You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

As an unsigned band, to be approached by someone ‘in the business’ who seems very impressed with your music and offers you opportunities to help get your music played on radio, tour etc…, is extremely tempting. To be offered the chance for your hard work and enthusiasm to be acknowledged and help in taking steps to make your band a success is what we all want.
So when we received an email from Adam Knight, who apparently saw our EPK after being recommended by a friend, and who wanted to offer us guaranteed airplay, and a US tour, we took the opportunity. He was charismatic and friendly, calling and emailing frequently, keen to answer questions and accommodate what the band wanted. Until he started asking for Western Union payment, alarm bells should have been ringing. He dissuaded us from using paypal (because it charged a fee….what about WU??). In the end, unfortunately, we weighed it up and because the contract said after 3 months if we hadn’t made more money than we paid in, we would get a full refund, we did it. We made sure we got a signed faxed copy of the contract from him. But as soon as he received the money…silence…. After much hounding he assured me it was all going to plan and the final touches to the tour were being made. When pressed for dates to get time off work etc…..silence. After numerous attempts at calling him, when we spoke, he again said everything was fine, and our band were getting a good reponse. Eventually absolutely no contact could be made. The last phone call was Adam assuring us that if we did want a full refund that was no problem……nothing!

We are very disappointed, and distressed that a fraudster like ADAM KNIGHT is still pulling people into his SCAM.

I don't have personal experience with this promotor just passing on that this has been going round the boards and no one has said anything good about it - just the oppposite, in fact.

http://www.sonicbids.com/forum/topic_view.asp?topic_id=40916&page=1

and here

http://www.hellosaltlakecity.com/music/TerryDaun.Cfm

and here
http://cookiecuttergirl.com/musicscamsites_text_iframe.htm

and here
http://www.smokymountaingospel.com/_christ-biz/adam_knight/adamknight_main.htm

and here
http://carolynrichards.net/news.shtml

and here
http://www.country-bea.de/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=576&sid=57d34c2d1eb08f7f30a9225ad141f4e4

and I tried going to the Adam Knight website but it's down. hmmm.

And I did check the claim about the Buyer Beware list with the State of Tennessee and wahtya know he is there.

And I got all that just from a bit of googling, which is one of the things I do when approached with people saing they like my music and want me to give them money so they can 'help' me. The other thing I do is ask for input from music groups that I am members of and then research that feedback for myself, and make my own decision in the matter.

oh wait... I forgot... I'm just here to talk about Adam Knight. Not about how this was a total valid post, one that I've seen on many yahoo musician groups, and sonicbids, and myspace, etc. over the past year, and that just happened to be listed here right out in the open for everyone to see, and free for everyone to comment on to help the person trying to get info on this subject. I guess they thought they were entitled to everyone's input.

For the people that posted the good stuff about Mr. Knight - that is what I'm having trouble finding on the net - perhaps you could share an artist page or link to an article, etc. that would support your good personal reference, not that you need to defend your position, I'm jsut sayin'... I'd be happy to look them up, then the next time someone asks about this cat I could include those links with the rest, if I care to respond to the posting. I don't have any of those myself cause I can't find anything valid on him or his company, and I'm a pretty decent internet stalker.

Well this IS a fun board. So friendly. I'm going back over the lyric forums, at least only the songs get ripped apart, but at least it's for a constructive purpose.

Not sure why you're upset. As I see it the comment wasn't even directed at you in the first place? Often when someone is being exposed for being a scam, we'll suddenly have 3-4 brand new posters come here to "defend" the person as if they are happy customers. Often we later find out it's jus the scam artist (or their cronies) themselves posting the support. The same can happen in reverse. Someone is ticked off (for often valid and occassionally invalid reasons)but they feel the need to also create a bunch of new user ID's to support their complaint, rather than just letting others come on their own. On this post (which is quite old) there's several posters who never came back to post. That's pretty suspicious wouldn't you say?

That said, that didn't apply to you in the first place. You have over 40 posts. So I am not sure why you're so offended?

You're most welome Anna, speak your mind, chill, and have fun. These lot are ascerbic, but only if you don't contribute, and you do..........so welcome, stay awhile...I feel a song coming on.......

welcome....

cheers,niteshift.

Anyway, don't mind me; there are people here who are nice, and I wouldn't want you to be shy of (or around) 'em. Sorry.

If u can forgive my bitchy rant I can certainly accept your gentlemanly apology! Gotta tell ya I just had a lot of fun at yr soundclick page...

DLG & Niteshift - Thx so much for the understanding, I was feelin' kinda raw and seein' ya'lls input felt great.

Hell today is payday - round of beers on me let's call it a day!

Thx guys