Member Testimonial

“You have to do NACA!” Over the past few years, this phrase became all too familiar to me.  I knew very clearly from early on that one of my ultimate goals would be to tour colleges.  I felt just one step behind the pace as sending conventional press kits was just not going to cut it anymore.  As I completed my degrees at Sacred Heart University (undergraduate class of 2008, graduate school class of 2009), I spent most of my nights and weekends honing my skills; writing, listening and constantly performing live whenever I could.  With the help of my close circle of friends (they also double as an amazing public relations team), I slowly chartered myself out of the ‘hobbyist’ waters and into the professional circuit playing a handful of colleges and dozens of bars, venues, restaurants, coffeehouses and New York City clubs. 

The idea of NACA became a reality in the fall of 2007 as I took my initial steps towards membership and the hopes of getting to the Northeast conference the following fall.  After contemplating with the idea of going in with an agency, we decided the best fit would be self representation as an independent artist.  With this decision, the financial burden instantly became an issue.  The costs were sometimes staggering to a solo musician; a musician paying college tuition for that matter.  However, I recognized quickly that NACA is a long term investment.  Similar to practicing free throws in basketball or scales on your guitar; essentially, you are what you invest.  Having several checkpoints throughout the NACA process is certainly a great idea.  My team and I met several times throughout the summer and early fall to brainstorm booth ideas, gather information and prepare for the conference.  As we embarked on the trip to Hartford, the only thing I had left to worry about was my homework that was due Monday. 

I’ll always remember vividly the first time we stepped foot in the CAMP marketplace; it was certainly a culture shock.  Dozens of artists, performers and agencies all were settling themselves in for the  long weekend ahead.  My booth was simple but to the point, carrying a few tricks up its sleeve as well.  One thing I can certainly stress during the conference is to take the advice from the NACA veterans; especially during the associate member meetings.  Nationally recognized singer-songwriter, NACA volunteer and now friend Jason LeVasseur was one of the team members who helped us on numerous occasions.  I’ll always remember Jason telling me “this conference is about the delegates; make it about them.”  He also suggested that I put my name on the ballot for the on-site showcase selection; a showcase opportunity exclusively selected by the delegates themselves.  With the new knowledge in hand, we were ready for our first marketplace that evening.

Although our booth was not as elaborate as many, as the delegates rushed in, we instantly felt we had an advantage being college students ourselves.  We put Jason’s advice into use right away.  This became a ‘grass roots’ kind of campaign.  The conversations around our booth became more focused on the delegates’ hometown, their hobbies and their college experience rather then giving them a sales pitch for my music.  With multiple listening stations in the booth and plenty of free demos (you can never have enough free material), we surely made sure the music was still heard. 

With the day one jitters out of the way, we began to really settle into our comfort zone.  Many of the delegates, now returning for a second time, began to ask about my name being the on-site showcase flyer.  Knowing it was a long shot, I mentioned that if you’d care to vote for me, that’s cool – but definitely don’t feel any pressure.  As day two came to a close, I received a phone call from an unknown number.  Although I rarely answer an unknown number, being a college kid on a Saturday night, I figured it was a prank or something, so it could be entertaining.  However, this time it was no prank; it was the showcase selection staff letting me know I had just won the voting for the on-site selection!   I was only missing one thing; my gear!  I have to give a special shout out to my dad for driving in a cold pouring Connecticut rain back to my campus and to pick up everything I needed for the evening performance. 

I can’t lie, I was slightly nervous backstage (come on, I’m a songwriter, I’m sensitive?) the showcase couldn’t have gone any better.  The final CAMP on Saturday night was a great close to an incredible weekend; meeting one last time with new delegates and the friends we had met throughout the weekend.  In the beginning of the process, I felt being an independent musician and student would actually work against me.  I felt it was going to be a daunting task having to compete with agencies and extensive levels of national talent.  However, I found being a college student was my best and truly unequaled connection.  While I did slightly break the bank, the ability to have total control over our booth, delegate relations and booking dates was something that lends itself to being an independent artist.  I also had a blast with my best friends. 

For anyone who might be on the fence about going to NACA, especially artists feeling too ‘small’, put your doubts away.  The NACA community was so welcoming to us and helped squash all of my fears coming in as a rookie.  I learned first hand that this IS the way to meet and interact with delegates from a college campus on a level that a press kit just cannot embody.  I’m ready for my next conference and I hope you are as well.

Jeff LeBlanc is an acoustic pop singer-songwriter from eastern Long Island, NY.  He balances a busy tour schedule (including opening for artists such as Matt Nathanson and Jason LeVasseur) and his college education at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.  This past November, Jeff attended his first ever NACA regional conference in Hartford, CT and was selected as the on-site showcase.