VJ King Jr | HeartBeat Australia - News Article by Artistopia Music

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Interview with VJ King Jr – HeartBeat Entertainment Australia

Published on 6/12/2005

By AUTHOR: Artistopia

Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why? At age six I was a member of Bellingen Golf Club (NSW, Australia) and working hard to obtain an official handicap. I loved golf and wanted to be a professional golfer. My grandma died suddenly and my father’s understandable preoccupation with her estate matters meant no golf for 6 months; at the end of which, my dad – himself an old time musician – took me to a Lee Kernaghan concert at the nearby Vinegar Hill Woolshed. Lee Kernaghan was a top line guitar-picking country singer, and I was impressed with both his ability to play the guitar and move an audience to its feet. Driving home that night I told my dad that I, too, wanted to be a guitarist like that. A few months later, in about March 1998 and after learning some guitar basics from my dad, he decided to call in professional tutor, Peter Andrews. Q. Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business? As far back as I can remember, my dad was always playing guitar or keyboard in the music room at our Glenhaven home – encouraging my sister, Chantelle, and I to join in singing songs and tinkering with notes and sounds. Those were happy times, sharing the miracle of music, and were a major influence that I remember with great fondness. Q. In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why? From the outset I was intentionally tutored in a number of different genres and not trained in any particular style, or even exposed to any particular artist. As a result, the music I play is a fusion of many styles…. Pop, Classical, South American, Finger picking, Rock, Blues, and Easy Listening – and utilizing acoustic, electric or classical guitars. It would be true to say, however, that in early times I found motivation in the music of BB King, Hank B Marvin (The Shadows) and Tommy Emmanuel (himself, greatly influenced by the late Chet Atkins) and, in more recent times, by Luther Allison. Phil Emmanuel, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Q. With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition? I do not believe I have been blessed by God with a musical gift for the purpose of ‘competing’. I play from the heart … to the heart; and, so I am told, my music has a positive impact on people. That makes me very happy. If I do ‘stand out’, this is incidental to my passion of sharing the miracle of music and enriching people’s lives as I continue, along with my fans, friends and family, to experience life’s commonly shared yet often troubled pilgrimage. Q. Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door? “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” (William Shakespeare). I love music … I love playing music … and don’t care much about feet, doors, and opportunism. If necessary, I will create my own marketable niche and fan base rather than “be something [I] am not”. The day I allow someone else determine the something I should be, rather than deal with what I am, is the day I surrender personal growth and inner development, and sacrifice personal integrity on the altar of fickle opinion. Q. Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use in promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professionals? Concern about my music being heard “by the proper professionals” is not a present priority. Today’s focus is on expanding my international web presence and fan base, and playing feature/guest spots with established artists at concerts and festivals where I can hone performance skills and work at raising my profile and image. In this way I am content to promote my artistic work. Q. In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache? Understanding business and commerce is critical, whatever one’s profession. The music profession is no different – just look at the high profile casualties of recent years. Recently, my dad has had me reading Shane Simpson’s book, Music Business – A Musicians Guide to the Australian Music Industry (Omnibus Press, UK, 2002). I highly recommend its reading. Informed decisions go a long way to avoiding much of the heartache. Q. Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists? Be different. Be determined. Be undaunted. Believe in yourself… for, if you don’t, you cannot expect someone else to do so – and you should be seriously considering your alternative career options. To the believers …. Never, ever, give up! Q. Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why? Firstly, Kids for Cancer Foundation – because I hate the thought of some kid’s not having a chance to live a full life and I want to help change that. Secondly, Make A Wish Foundation – for the very same reason _________________________________________________________________ Thank you, VJ, for taking the time to conduct this interview with Artistopia and we wish you the best in your future professional music career. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, an inside look into the mind of independent artist and instrumental guitarist VJ King Jr - HeartBeat Entertainment Australia.



Article Credits and References

Acknowledgements [1] The KING Family biographer, Ian Harris [2] Music Busimess, by Shane Simpson, is distributed in Australia by Music Sales Pty Limited, 120 Rothschild Avenue, Roseberry NSW 2018 [3] Make A Wish Foundation, PO Box 5006, 383 Swan Street, BURNLEY VIC 3121 Australia [4] HeartBeat Entertainment Australia, PO Box 408 ROUND CORNER NSW 2158 Australia [5] Chantelle Marie KING : www.heartbeatentertainment.com.au



Press Release Follow-up Notes and Amendments

Errata: Credits and References section - item "[2]" : delete "Busimess" and insert "Business"

Submitted on 12/20/2006

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VJ King Jr | HeartBeat Australia

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Interview with VJ King Jr – HeartBeat Entertainment Australia