After years of hard work, you just landed your first record deal. Amazing. Now the record label sends over the contract and it’s thirty pages long. Yikes. Here are the main points to look for in a record deal and what to avoid. 1) How Long is the Term? This is a good starting point: how long will you be … Read More
5 Things to Look for in a Music Producer Agreement
So, you’ve found the perfect producer for your upcoming recording project. Great news. Now the producer sends over a 10-page contract full of legalese regarding record royalties, songwriting splits, SoundExchange revenues, producer advances and more. Before you enter the studio, here are some key points to look for and understand: 1) Who Owns the Masters? First and foremost, you should … Read More
100 Episodes of KD and Me!
Two years ago my friend Gary from my local rock station had a little idea to call me and chat on-air about what was happening in my world. Very casual. We had a load of fun so he called me the next week and we did the same thing. Then listeners started sending in questions and requests and next thing … Read More
My first NPR Interview!!
Words you don’t say very often: I just did an interview on NPR to five million listeners!! Chatted about the hurdles facing Canadian musicians touring the USA. Celebration time in Chicago
We’re touring the USA with Sebastian Bach!
The biggest tour of our career kicks off in a few months with Sebastian Bach!!
Wow. Handwritten Letter from Fred Gretsch
It’s not every day you get a letter from a legend. No, not Taylor Hawkins (that would be cool), but Fred Gretsch, whose name was on the front of my drums for over a decade. Mr. Gretsch had been reading articles on my website (!) and then up & called me the other day (!!). I gave him some impromptu … Read More
Can You Copyright a Drumbeat?
In light of the many high profile plagiarism cases making headlines in the music business over the last few years (Lana Del Rey, Led Zeppelin, Robin Thicke, Sam Smith, etc.), it felt like the right time to examine the topic of songwriting from where we all sit: the drum throne. All of the above instances of alleged plagiarism involved similarities … Read More
OBS Plays to 5000 Screaming Hometown Fans
Last night I was led to the stage by my son, to play for 5000 screaming hometown friends, and I think it was the greatest feeling in the world
We’re Touring Arenas With Shinedown!
We just found out we’re doing our third arena tour of the last three years (first two being Def Leppard and Judas Priest). We’ll be touring western Canada with Shinedown!! Dates to be posted soon. STOKED