 |
|
|
Original Post By:
Genius J
|
Date: 2/2/2010 11:15:51 PM |
| So I released my first album under the name "Ukulele Jim". I'm starting to wonder if that was a mistake, from a branding perspective. At the time I thought the name was rather fun and lighthearted, like my music. But over time I'm beginning to think that maybe I'm not being taken seriously as a singer/songwriter because of the name, and that maybe I should start going by "James Andrew Clark" instead. Does that sound more 'legitimate' and 'professional'? Or should I leave it alone and keep on as "Ukulele Jim"? I'd like to know what y'all think. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
ed w
|
Date: 2/2/2010 11:25:12 PM |
| I like the change.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
allenhopkins
|
Date: 2/3/2010 2:51:13 AM |
| What's the matter with "Genius J"?
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Boswell
|
Date: 2/3/2010 5:04:44 AM
(Updated: 2/3/2010 5:22:34 AM)
|
To me, James Andrew Clark sounds like it's about to followed by the ominous question: How do you plead?
Jimmy Clark, now there's a good handle with a nice ring to it...
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Phreddcatt
|
Date: 2/3/2010 5:23:41 AM |
| Genius J all the way. It's catchy and impressive!
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
rbeetsme
|
Date: 2/3/2010 9:19:23 AM |
| How about a sample of your music?
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Hilo Greg
|
Date: 2/3/2010 9:55:05 AM |
No doubt there is a certain segment of the population (i.e., Marmaduke fans) who find the word "ukulele" funny. No sense changing your brand to suit them. Instead, why not embrace it and regale in your hipness? (Think Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.) When I do my album (ah, someday) I'll include a PDF of lyrics and tabs so people can play along. Maybe that would be an idea for your next release as a value-added incentive.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Ernie
|
Date: 2/3/2010 10:51:38 AM |
I like James Andrew Clark
or James Clark
(Not Genius J)
And I agree that Ukulele Jim is probably working against you, despite my love for the instrument. It sounds like a kids act, IMO
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
bassfiddlesteve
|
Date: 2/3/2010 11:21:23 AM |
I'd consider the fact that there are lots of people who add the "ukulele" prefix to their first name and use this a stage name, going all the back to the 1920's with Ukulele Ike (even though his first name was really Cliff). Ukulele Bartt and Ukulele Ray promote them selves quite heavily and I'm sure there is a Ukulele Steve out there too, so I think it would be hard to stand out as Ukulele Jim. There are probably a few performers going by James or Jimmy Clark out there too (there's at least one Jimmy Clark in my area), so my vote goes for James Andrew Clark.
- Steve (not Ukulele Steve)
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Neil E Murphy
|
Date: 2/3/2010 11:42:54 AM |
| I vote for James Andrew Clark.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
TRS uke
|
Date: 2/3/2010 12:32:07 PM |
| Have you tried googling the prospective names just to see what comes up? This may not be a decision maker or deal breaker, but it might give some added information to go on.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Genius J
|
Date: 2/3/2010 2:26:22 PM |
Yes, there are a few "James Andrew Clark"s out there. An english professor, a student, things like that. No musicians.
Googling "Ukulele Jim" comes up with results unique to me 99% of the time.
As for samples of my music, my site is http://www.ukulelej.im
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Genius J
|
Date: 2/3/2010 3:51:08 PM |
At this point I think I may stick with Ukulele Jim for a while.
My music resonates well with kids, which is why my next album is going to be a children's album; so the name fits well with that genre already. Someone looking for an "acoustic pop" album might skip past a Ukulele Jim CD, but someone looking in the "children's music" section would likely pick it up.
There's already some level of market penetration as Ukulele Jim, albeit rather small. At least 90% of the Google searches for "Ukulele Jim" actually have something to do with me. For better or worse, it's out there.
And to go back and pull my albums off of iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, Rhapsody, etc, etc, etc, would be a monumental and expensive feat. I'm not sure it's worth it at this stage in my so-called career.
People may hear the name and think of a novelty act like "Tiny Tim", but if I can get them to actually listen to a song or two they'll come around. For now, I'll let the music speak for itself.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
warndt
|
Date: 2/3/2010 6:18:10 PM |
| You can call me James, and you can call me Jay (J.A.)...but you don't got's to call me Genius.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Drewkulele
|
Date: 2/4/2010 4:33:38 PM |
Well, to make the transition from one to the other you could do what John Mellencamp did... he started out as Johnny Cougar, changed to John "Cougar" Mellencamp and then settled on John Mellencamp.
So, you could change to James "Ukulele Jim" Clarke for a while, and then change it to James Andrew Clarke when you're ready.
Good luck!...
Drew
Visit the Fluke Museum: http://FlukeMuseum.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
ChefJeff
|
Date: 2/4/2010 5:38:57 PM
(Updated: 2/4/2010 5:42:31 PM)
|
| You do have a namesake, a Formula 1 driver who many feel was the best of his era. Scottish driver Jim Clark achieved most of his fame while driving for Colin Chapman, founder of sports car company Lotus Cars. Besides his many F1 victories and two Drivers' World Championships, Jimmy Clark won the Indy 500 in 1965. If he'd lived (Jim died in a tragic crash in 1968), he'd be 74 today... and probably playing the ukulele.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
MelTaylor
|
Date: 2/4/2010 6:44:06 PM |
| Being that we live in the age of the hip hop, perhaps a "Rap" name is in order. Maybe "MC Genius J" or "Funky Fresh Jimmy Clark". Maybe not. Just a thought.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
bassfiddlesteve
|
Date: 2/4/2010 7:29:35 PM |
Mel Taylor, I loved your work with The Ventures!
;)
- Steve
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
gitapik
|
Date: 2/4/2010 8:22:09 PM |
Actors use middle names a lot. I find that a simple name in music (other than classical) is very effective. I think "Ukelele Jim" is a cool name and deserves to be put out there with confidence.
As long as the music's good and you market yourself effectively, your name will catch on and people will know who you are.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
ricdoug
|
Date: 2/5/2010 1:58:22 AM |
Ukulele Jim is fine. Take a look at:
http://www.bartt.net
It's more about your music, stage presence and schtick. Ric
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
NinaC
|
Date: 2/5/2010 9:48:11 PM
(Updated: 2/5/2010 9:49:16 PM)
|
In order to be noticed first, before anyone even listens to your music, you have to stand out. Neither name stands out to me. I'd come up with something a little curiosity provoking. After all, I'm sure "Lady Gaga" is a little more intriguing than Stefani Germanotta. Not that you need to go over the top at all, just that especially without widespread reputation, you need to pick a name that intrigues someone to click on "PLAY."
Just food for thought. Yeah, it's ultimately is about the talent, but you want to cut through the clutter and intrigue people, get their attention. The right name can do that for you. Stick your neck out, it's never been so competitive.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Grampie
|
Date: 2/5/2010 10:14:51 PM |
| Just don't use Ukulele Bob. That's mine (and probably 1000 others'). On the other hand, maybe I should change my stage name to Robert Milton Loomis. Hmmmm ... or Elvis Loomis? Hmmm ...
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
MKnut
|
Date: 2/11/2010 5:46:12 AM |
| How about "Jumpin' Jim"?
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Phil Morris
|
Date: 2/12/2010 12:34:26 PM |
I like your music a lot but nothing about it says "Ukulele Jim" to me. I think it comes down to whether you want to be known as an ukulele act or a singer songwriter who happens to play an ukulele.
One telling thing is that even in asking the very small slice of the population that is strongly predisposed toward the ukulele, the majority think Ukulele Jim is the wrong direction to go. Imagine the opinion of the public at large.
|
|
|
|
