I was just on this site and decided this would be a great place to ask some of you smart people about this guy. I saw an add on Craigslist, called the guy, his name is "Jamaica" Johnson, he says he has connections with A&R guys and can get me a 30 minute meeting with any major out there for $500. I'm skeptical as hell, but what do you guys think? Can't find much on the guy online and I'm not the only one who's dealt with sheisy people before, please express yourselves.

Hey, I got a bridge I wanna sell 'ya...

Hang onto your money. Back in '93, I met with one of those "talent scouts" who promised me that for $350, he could shop my demo to the big record labels in NYC (I'm in New Jersey). He showed me a big bunch of rejection notices by different labels as proof that he could indeed, get in "contact" with these bigwigs. I thought to myself, "heck, I can get rejection notices on my own" and I never set foot in his cubbyhole/office again.

Proceed with caution, my friend...

JesseDezz said:

Thanks man, I will definitely remember that. I've been burned too. So I don't know. Problem is, if the guy who really can do things comes along, we, who have been dogged, won't believe him. As artists I don't even want to think about those things.

Yeah, I hear 'ya...

Also, for any copywriters, beware of those craiglist ads that want you to email a few writing samples. Sometimes, they actually take the samples people send in and use them as their own without paying the sendee...

There's so much to be aware/leery of these days...

I know, it's ridiculous, entertainment is a magnet for wierdos. I've noticed the people who have the most clout seem to be more together and decent while the wannabees are more likely to get jealous, talk shit and try to block you from doing anything. Sometimes those people are the worst because that side won't come out until you start to actually make progress. The business side makes me sick to my stomach, the sooner I can merely delegate it rather than negotiate it the better.

On the other hand, one of the great strengths of youth is that you don't know that these idiots and these things exist. That naievity can be empowering in the right situation. When i get around the young I remember the innocence but also worry about them and just hope they don't get around the wrong people. Hope gets hard when you get old but we have to try.

Of course this isn't for real. The real power here lies with the A&R people at the majors. Their time is scarce and many artist vie for it. Why would they go along with this? What's in it for them?

EuroCinema said:

I don't know, I guess it's a waste of energy, but I'm wondering what the hell this character gets out of this scheme. Wierd, doesn't seem like there is anything for anyone to gain. Even his time trying to get someone to go along with it is not worth 500 dollars.

mozfonky said:

Are you serious? There's people that would have to do manual labor for 80 hours to make that. This parasite needs to be thrown to the curb.

Slave2daGroove said:

The verdict is unanimous my fellow orgers, to the curb he goes.