Where do I go/ what do I do to get a record deal?

Question

I really want to become a singer!

Answer 1

okay, you said "become a singer"... you need to already be the best singer you know if you want to think about a record deal...
you should audition for american idol... it's one of your best bets.
otherwise...
if you're a girl you either need to be A- attractive or B- an incredible songwriter. If you have a ridulously good voice and look good, you need to find someone willing to put some money into producing a really good demo (not just you singing on a casette), like $20k so you can get pro players, production and mastering, then you need an agent and/or manager, etc...
proximity does help a bit, if you live in LA, nashville or NY you might be able to crack into background singing... Paula Cole started out as a backup singer... i'm sure others have too.

Answer 2

Wanting to become a singer will NEVER get you a contract. BEING a singer, might give you a very slim chance.
Before you even think about going for the gold, you need to decide what it is you want out of the music industry. If you are looking for the fame and the fortune and the screaming fans and all that comes with it... then just stop now. You are wasting your time, and that of anyone else that you come into contact with. If you want to do this solely so you can be a star, then you will never be happy when you get there.

Being a singer, also has absolutely nothing to do with having a recording contract. There are people I know about locally that sing 5-6 nights a week, and are raising kids, and buying houses, and doing all of that be being in cover bands, and not worrying about recording deals or any of that. I also have a friend of mine who is one of the best singers I have ever met, and she doesn't even perform all that regularly. She performs once or twice a month with a local choral group and she is fine with that... and every much the singer Kelly Clarkson is.

If you are still hell bent on "being famous", then it is all about the promotion. You need to spend your money making the best CD you can, and you need to be able to sell as many of them as possible. The best way to sell your music is to perorm it in front of an audience, and have them buy your CD. Once you get Soundscan numbers into the 10's of thousands, then labels will start looking at you... providing you have a manager that they would be willing to talk to.

Answer 3

You have to make a demo tape first.

Answer 4

It really helps if you can SING.