Misogyny in Music Inquiry, reflecting..

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING⚠️
It’s taken a while to process what this landmark Misogyny in Music Inquiry means to me and my freedom of movement in the music industry.While I was invited to the Women and Equalities Committee, unfortunately, my anxiety about reliving (or even hearing) some of those experiences got the better of me.

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Sponsorship & Partnership

Sponsorship & Partnership opportunities can connect with CSR goals.Corporate organisations that support creative-based events stand to benefit from growth and visibility to the wider creative community.Even if your organisation is not primarily a 'creative' organisation, showing up in these spaces..

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New Gospel Music Qualification..

RSL Awards and GMIA partnership isn’t just another educational initiative. It’s a narrative-shifting moment, one that brings Gospel music into the mainstream discourse of the UK’s music industry.It provides a stage that gives long-deserved visibility and validation to the artists, educators, choirs, and communities who’ve championed this music for decades.

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Promoting creative & business growth in a pandemic

Created after setting myself the initial goal of encouraging creatives and music/entertainment-based business owners to keep going during the pandemic, the Monday Mentor sessions have received encouraging responses and productivity outcomes.Although the internet has exploded with online resources, content and quick-fix social media attractions..

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When Creatives take a project approach

The most significant benefit of the pandemic for Creatives (and there aren't many!) is that you have the option to pace yourself, do more, and analyse the purpose of what you're doing.The number of online resources, such as courses and forums, has exploded, offering support and expertise that can help grow your music business.

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TOURING ..Are you ready, or is it really you?

Frankly, it's more than being musically ready! Artists who invest and know how to utilise their fan base not only make themselves more viable to Promotional Agents, but it also increases 'bargaining power' when it comes to negotiating performance fees and terms & conditions (T&C).Ask yourself, 'What's my pull power like?'

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Message to Artist Managers View

From artist manager to booking manager to event manager to road manager, you're doing all !! I see you ;)Hats off to the passionate lone rangers and tight-knit teams out there who manage, book, and tour with artists—while also developing and sometimes even producing events.

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Up Your Brand Game

The Spirituals choir gave an in-store performance to Apple customers and staff, while drawing mall shoppers into the sleek, well-branded environment of the shop floor.Marketing like this brings relevance, culture and inspiration to store brands in ways that customers automatically feel an authentic desire to share and connect.

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Travel Essentials & Tips

An overview of the must-have travel products and ones you didn't think you needed to make touring more comfortable for bands and personnel. Prioritising the right essentials ultimately supports productivity and comfort during the rigorous demands of touring. More finds to be added ;)Check out Travel Essential 🛍️ & Tips 💡 for Touring

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CREATING PUBLIC BRAND ENGAGEMENT THROUGH GOSPEL MUSIC

The Spirituals choir gave an in-store performance to Apple customers and staff, while drawing mall shoppers into the sleek, well-branded environment of the shop floor.Marketing like this brings relevance, culture and inspiration to store brands in ways that customers automatically feel an authentic desire to share and connect.How does your marketing creatively incorporate relevance, culture and inspiration into its branding?This Apple Store reopening also marked the launch of an Apple Music and Premier Gospel Radio curated playlist, The Ultimate Choir, which features The Spirituals.

APPLE STORE WESTFIELDS

SUPPORTING CSR & EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

I am excited to work on two projects promoting well-being benefits that engage corporate organisations and the creative community. Even if your organisation is not primarily a 'creative' organisation, showing up in these spaces promotes long-lasting connections and impact.When organisations activate sponsorship and/or partnership with music & singing events and initiatives, they not only feed into the well-being of individuals and communities but also automatically enhance:Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Supporting well-being initiatives demonstrates a company's social commitment to community engagement hashtag#beresponsibleEmployee Engagement and Satisfaction: Involving employees in sponsoring or volunteering boosts morale and team spirit and can improve employee satisfaction and retention #befun

To all Music Managers

From artist manager to booking manager to event manager to road manager, your doing all !! I see you …
…Hats off to the passionate lone rangers and tight-knit teams out there who manage, book, and tour with artists—while also developing and sometimes even producing events. You’re delivering an end-to-end service that often goes unseen, under-appreciated, and rarely fully rewarded… but trust me, I’m all for your support and wellbeing.We know the lack of full recognition is rarely about ill will, it’s simply that most people only witness a slice of what it takes. They enter and exit at different stages depending on their role, and that’s okay. Still, it’s important to remember this as you move through your own management path.I recently delivered a large-scale event in Europe. From the first email inquiry to showtime, the process spanned a year and two months. That’s 426 days of planning, adapting, negotiating, and executing. And through it all, I realised how the high-level output of my AuDHD can be overlooked because what is “normal” for me can be overwhelming for others.

Being prepared for it all!

This time, I was acutely aware of some elements you may identify with :We know the lack of full recognition is rarely about ill will; it’s simply that most people only witness a slice of what it takes. They enter and exit at different stages depending on their role, and that’s okay. Still, it’s important to remember this as you move through your own management path.I recently delivered a large-scale event in Europe. From the first email inquiry to showtime, the process spanned a year and two months. That’s 426 days of planning, adapting, negotiating, and executing. And through it all, I realised how the high-level output of my AuDHD can be overlooked because what is “normal” for me can be overwhelming for others.

Be Prepared To Find Out ..

When it comes to touring and event management, here are some guaranteed truths:

Post tour due diligence

The UK’s first Black Music Export Office, representing the Black music culture and genre representation for global talent.

As a matter of due diligence, we should all be submitting playlists and also considering your future exportability by completing BLACMEX music industry mapping forms. These two forms in particular, you need to make your new habit.- For individual music creators interested in talent export opportunities, please register your interest here:
BLACMEX MUSIC CREATORS
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.- For artist managers and self-managed artists, please register your live performances at the BLACMEX INTERNATIONAL LIVE PERFORMANCE SUBMISSIONS Form.

• Submit Live Performance

• Registering Music Creators

PULL' POWER!

Frankly, it's more than being musically ready! Artists who invest and know how to utilise their fan base not only make themselves more viable to Promotional Agents, but also increase 'bargaining power' when negotiating performance fees and terms & conditions (T&C).
Ask yourself, 'What's my pull power like?'ONLINE STRATEGY ..
One strategy for building marketing viability is to expand your music's international appeal, not just for sales but also to enter new markets. In my work with ArtisteHub, I've seen Artists that are basically ‘big’ in their musical environment but lack the core elements that make them a viable option to booking agents, promoters and tour agents alike.You can be sure that, just as fans are scoping you out online, all types of event personnel are viewing (or not viewing) your profiles online before making that initial contact.’

ONLINE VISIBILITY

Promotional agents lose confidence in Artists or Bands that do not have a good online presence, or an obvious ability to attract numbers and sell tickets. Lacking this type of viability is something that all creatives need to focus on.Promotional Agents often do their online investigation before approaching an Artist or the Artist's booking team. If you're difficult to find online and your social media engagement is poor, they tend to think....

MOVING FORWARD

This type of failure in marketing is more likely to result in the Artists being asked to reduce their booking terms, to make up for the risk the Promotional Agent is taking.Spending time to develop the strategies and campaigns for the right stage of your career, in advance of a tour, can determine the success of your tour.

PROJECT LOCKDOWN

The most significant benefit of the pandemic for Creatives (and there aren't many!) is that you have the option to pace yourself, do more, and analyse the purpose of what you're doing.The number of online resources, such as courses and forums, has exploded, offering support and expertise that can help grow your music business.Music is a business, and therefore your music ministry should have a solid business model that can keep you both relevant and viable. To help support this business model, you should approach your desired outcomes as projects.Using a project approach breaks down your outcomes into bite-sized tasks and activities to avoid expensive mishaps and lessen the chance of burnout. It is also is ealso xcellent for working in timelines and identifying roles and resources or expertise to support your overall vision.

BENEFITS OF A PROJECT APPROACH

As a Creative Projects Manager, I have heard firsthand the frustration of those nearing the finish line, leading to a combination of a complete loss of vision and an attitude of, 'whatever! To be honest, this combination preys on your desire for it to 'just be over and done with'. Not healthy or productive!For music artists, this usually takes the form of a 'drop the track and see what happens' attitude, with no pre-promotion or marketing campaign in place. For events, the feeling may be, we are here already, let's open the doors and hope for the best.

Again, neither are healthy or productive!!.., but without advance preparation, a good understanding of the deliverables for your project and key risk assessment, this is where most Creatives end up. Sometimes this much-needed expertise and guidance are provided by a team throughout the process or by crucial individuals at critical points of the project.

CREATIVE PROJECTS

I would definitely recommend this project-driven prep for any of your upcoming ventures, particularly for independent artists, creators and event managers, be it:

The pandemic has really highlighted the benefits of applying this project approach even in my business structuring and restructuring. I personally have spent my time analysing the services, how they can be repurposed to remain relevant and viable during this season and beyond.

PROJECTS STARTER

Subsequently, I have discovered the importance of adding value to others during this industry downtime with online courses and coaching, as a support platform to share knowledge, train and contribute to the Christian Gospel community, mainly:

I would encourage our industry to resist standing still and keep moving forward with purpose, delivering now while preparing the end of the pandemic.

EXPLORE CREATIVITY

Created after setting myself the initial goal of encouraging creatives and music/entertainment-based business owners to keep going during the pandemic, the Monday Mentor sessions have received encouraging responses and productivity outcomes.Although the internet has exploded with online resources, content and quick-fix social media attractions,
it struck me that some creatives may feel conflicted about the best way to move forward. Besides the ‘what makes sense for now’ question, some of the concerns I have heard from music artists are;

GET PREPARED

For many business owners in the music/entertainment industry, the only constant seems to be, ‘not knowing when this will all come to an end !’ This puts in motion a whole other set of decisions for business owners, some of which include;Although the internet has exploded with online resources, content and quick-fix social media attractions, it struck me that some creatives may feel conflicted about the best way to move forward. Besides the ‘what makes sense for now’ question, some of the concerns I have heard from music artists are;

YOUR MUSIC COMMUNITY

Something that has become apparent to me, after over a decade in the Christian Gospel music market, is that it’s important to foster a culture of relevant, accessible networking and identify personnel who can aid in the building and fill gaps in the music market, with shared expertise, guidance and overall encouragement.In these times, we need each other to break through cycles of frustration, exploring new ways of working is just one way we can do this.

MONDAY MENTOR..
The Monday Mentor, one-on-one online sessions, provide an opportunity to get support towards their upcoming projects, events, and businesses.Open to music creatives, those who work with creatives and those who build and deliver projects that engage with the Gospel Music community.

JUST THINKING

It’s taken a while to process what this landmark Misogyny in Music Inquiry means to me and my freedom of movement in the music industry. While I was invited to the Women and Equalities Committee, unfortunately, my anxiety about reliving (or even hearing) some of those experiences got the better of me.I wondered, ‘how many other women's testimonies go ‘unspoken’ as a direct result of their interaction with industry bullies, high-level gatekeepers, ‘professional’ immaturity, and coercion specialists. I have spoken to women who have needed to consider their mental health in preparation for reading the findings.This inquiry is paramount to women's ability to activate their skills, contribute to the creative sector, and develop their careers. It would be great to get to a place where there is no need to constantly confirm an expectation of safety, where there is diminished or zero need to analyse and live-monitor one's mental health to appear unphased by activities around one. It’s exhausting!!

THE NUANCE OF MISOGYNY?

I have freelanced for over 15 years across the arts, music, and entertainment sectors. Although I could cite incidents scanning the protective characteristics of the Equalities Act, and maybe some that aren’t listed, my focus is on the nuances that chip away at who I am as a woman in male-dominated environments.These devastating behavioural patterns have no cap; although a direct skill attack may be the initial target, other low digs get thrown into the mix to ensure their outcome lands! This means… as well as core tactics like attacking your personhood and matriarchal flexing, doses of ageism, body shaming, sexuality, marital and parental status, disability, and race all become critical ingredients to maximising effect.

IS IT JUST ME?

For me, the coping mechanism for deeper traumas was to launch into survival mode, while the slow integrity jabs that threatened my viability became more of a central target.While I could speak about the demeaning coaching around ‘what I could do to win a deal’ or ‘progress my career in the industry,’ I’ve been examining the stress points and mental health conflicts that almost always led me to therapy.Don’t get me wrong. The big things matter and must be dealt with alongside the continued smaller things that ultimately lead to pushing the, ‘ENOUGH IS ‘ENOUGH’’ button. Here are some short scenarios as examples of those cause-and-effect moments.

PROJECTED, 'PROFESSIONAL' IMMATURITY

For me, the coping mechanism for deeper traumas was to launch into. Often referred to by some as plain ‘ole jealousy, I remember being persecuted for not delivering the same success markers for one artist as I did for another. Anyone who knows the industry, audience marketing, and music trends would have grasped that no cut-and-paste method for artists will yield the same results.
The campaign against me showed up with the classic attempt to discredit and blacklist me among my fellow peers and existing clientele while questioning my overall integrity and zooming in on my marital status.

SKILLS ATTACK

I learnt that attacking my skills is almost always a direct result of being a woman. It reminds me of a conversation with a Promoter in which he openly discredited my ability to close a deal.It centred on an Executive Producer client I worked with for over five years, who trusted me to represent and negotiate on his behalf, and the Promoter knew this.However, I was told that maybe I should directly connect him (the Promoter) with my client because a man-to-man negotiation could get ‘us’ a better deal and further tips on how he could achieve more than my five years of trust and proven track record could.

SUBMITTING TO MISOGYNY

While there are many straightforward and nuanced flags in what is being said here, the irony of this conversation is that I recognised this strategy years before. In fact, I had previously submitted to the ‘putting a man in front’ tactic and actually don’t think it is uncommon for women wanting to meet a goal. The fear of being branded ‘difficult to work with’ or completely sidestepped is real.Ultimately, this misguided ‘coping mechanism’ ends with women operating from a fight-or-flight mode and being surrounded by people who think it’s okay to sacrifice you to get the outcome they want. It can be devastating, and who knows what the long-term health outcomes are!?

Posted : 07/04/2024| IDCIC

CONSULTANCY & ACTION

Although I have achieved much, I never feel accomplished because of the false narrative that minimises women’s work in the industry by those who claim top placements by any means necessary.More consultation and varied methods of collecting lived experiences and studies are needed to understand the long-term effects of Misogyny and the best means of administering corrective outcomes. This further highlights the importance of having a regulatory monitoring organisation,Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), as a pivotal representative of accountability and implementation of the necessary steps toward safety and equality.In addition to these markers, I hope that the music and other creative industries can reach a point where they genuinely acknowledge that no one effort contributes to success and that this doesn’t take away from but adds to innovative outcomes.

Corporate organisations that support creative-based events stand to benefit from growth and visibility to the wider creative community.Even if your organisation is not primarily a 'creative' organisation, showing up in these spaces promotes long-lasting connections and impact.

Why companies need to engage more with creative activities..

When organisations activate sponsorships and partnerships with music & singing events and initiatives, they not only feed into the well-being of individuals and communities but also automatically enhance their: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Supporting well-being initiatives demonstrates a company's social commitment to community engagement.#beresponsible

What your support said about your companies culture..

Employee Engagement and Satisfaction: Involving employees in sponsoring or volunteering boosts morale and team spirit and can improve employee satisfaction and retention.#befun

Posted : 21/04/2024| IDCIC

Improving community relations..

Marketing and Brand Exposure: Sponsorship provides valuable marketing opportunities, increasing brand visibility and recognition among local communities and target audiences.#benotice

Board highlights…..Stakeholder Relations: Partnering strengthens relationships with stakeholders, including customers, investors, and regulatory bodies, meeting board room missions and public perception.#berelevant

Personal goals 😍. .

During my 16-year career in the Gospel Music industry, supporting projects in various roles has been customary. I have always included passing on industry education and upskilling opportunities as a natural part of my identity.I believe that you cannot work unhindered in underrepresented areas without simultaneously contributing to their development. This has been the situation with Gospel Music for too long: it is either unrecognised or forcefully rebranded as ‘urban’ to hide the genre’s roots.

Education goals 🤓. .

In my role as CEO of Gospel Music Industry Alliance (GMIA), I knew from the first discussion with the RSL team that this would be a core project for the organisation for the next three years (and beyond) and a crucial development pillar for the UK gospel community. I am sure I looked like the biggest education geek when I presented it to the Board of Directors because of how this resonated with me and the short- and long-term vision. This new education offering encapsulates GMIA’s core mission: to represent, Resource, promote, Unite, and push the organisation and community to the forefront of Academia and the Music Community.

The launch 🥁. .

After nearly a year and a half of meetings, in-depth discussions, and educational development workshops, the launch came on 16th April 2024, at the Gospel Excellence Honours Night, hosted by RSL Awards and GMIA. This landmark partnership is not just important; it was the legacy moment that set the tone for the revolutionary gospel qualifications. The Gospel Excellence Honours Night celebrated the first selection of recently appointed RSL & GMIA Fellows, denoting their contributions to the UK gospel and wider music industry.The first released music grades are in vocals and keys discipline at level 6. They provide Ofqual-regulated qualifications formally produced and assessed by gospel practitioners. These qualifications carry UCAS points, making them ideal for entering University and Higher Education. Ultimately, employment opportunities will be opened as higher grades, diplomas, and degree qualifications are created.

Landmark adventure 🥹. .

Hailed as ‘the world's first Gospel Graded music examinations,’ this is a significant event, and the added value of it happening in the UK is EPIC!!.Being right in the middle of this project speaks to my passion and advocacy for an industry and genre that has not always been seen as important, relevant or rewarded. I’ve lived to see this landmark by partnering with the right visionaries and teaming up with passionate goals; the results transcend personal, business, and community expectations.

• RSL Website

• GMIA Website

Posted : 23/04/2024 | IDCIC

Board highlights…..#TeamRSLNorton York - FounderTim Bennett-Hart - CEO,Naomi Morris - MarketingAlex Forryan - Education ConsultantRSL & GMIA Honorary Fellows were awarded to: Bazil Meade MBE, Karen Gibson MBE, Audrey Lawrence-Mattis, Ayo Oyerinde, Clinton Jordan, David Copeland, Jerome Brown, John Fisher BEM, Ken Burton, Lawrence Johnson, Nicky Brown, Noel Robinson, Priscilla Jones-Campbell, Ray Prince, Tyndale Thomas MBE, Anu Omideyi and Roger Moore.

About Founder

Audrey Gray is a London-based creative industries professional with over 18 years’ experience working across arts, music, events, film/TV and cultural production. She specialises in project delivery, operations, talent coordination and stakeholder engagement, supporting creative work from concept through to execution.Audrey has collaborated with artists, production teams, cultural organisations and public bodies, bringing together strong logistics, people-centred leadership with an advocacy approach.Through her work as an industry developer and creative producer, she supports sustainable pathways for creatives and organisations, with a focus on equity, access and long-term impact.

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A Creative Community Interest Company Supporting Equity in Music, Arts & Entertainment

Industry Developer CIC is a not-for-profit, creative-led Community Interest Company dedicated to intentionally supporting the underrepresented Black creative community within the music, arts, and entertainment sectors.We work to reduce inequality and foster diversity by connecting, facilitating, and supporting projects, programs, and pathways that enable creatives, practitioners, and organisations to access opportunity, build capacity, and achieve sustainable outcomes within the creative industries.Our work is rooted in collaboration, lived experience, and a commitment to equity — ensuring that creativity is not only celebrated, but fairly supported, resourced, and valued.

Creative Research

INDUSTRY DEVELOPER CIC (ID CIC) is preparing funding applications for two projects designed to support music creatives in practical, sustainable ways. These initiatives aim to:

To ensure these projects truly reflect the needs of the creative community, we’re inviting music creatives to share your experience through a short survey.

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