C大调的创业交响曲

    范•戴克•帕克斯

    帕克斯最出名的作品是他的《Song Cycle》专辑，他也曾为海滩男孩（The Beach Boys）的《微笑》（Smile）专辑作词。现在他也有了自己的唱片公司。前不久，出于个人需要，这位前华纳公司音乐人创办了Bananastan Records唱片公司。

    “我在美国找不到一家称心的唱片公司来发行我的作品，”帕克斯说。“所以我自己创办唱片公司发行唱片，比如将要（在5月份）发行的《Songs Cycled》专辑。”

    他是个精明的生意人，知道有些事情不必亲力亲为。

    “我雇了一个会计师负责做账，”他说。“另外我的妻子萨莉也在帮忙。最后我决定发行单曲，因为单曲花费更少。

    “记住，你必须有个办公的地方！考虑到和我共事的人的个性，我决定用‘巧劲’管理他们。那就是找到一群你欣赏的人，然后让他们按照自己的想法去干吧。如果没有Bananastan唱片公司，我就不能发行新音乐。现在我的唱片可以完成并出售，因为一切都是我自己说了算。”

    斯隆•温赖特

    她是劳登的姐姐（也是鲁弗斯的婶婶），是个优秀的词曲作家。她经营自己名为德比音乐（Derby Disc Music）的唱片公司，最近还雇佣了一名助手。她以前有过从商经验，这为她的日常决策提供了帮助。

    “我是个企业家，”温赖特说。“我开过一家叫贝克餐馆（The Baker's Cafe）的饭店，那让我在商业方面获益良多。尽管我自己当老板，但矛盾的是，它意味着我要依靠更专业人士的帮助。我什么都不了解。所以我从那些懂得怎样安排日程、签合同的人那里寻求帮助。你说我的助手？他负责我办公室和社交媒体方面的工作。我则负责录音和演唱会。但是一个好的老板应该愿意和内行合作。”

    温赖特也知道什么时候该把工作外包出去。

    “最近我和一家公共关系公司签了合同，让它帮我重新发行一张唱片。我来决定如何使用资金。最重要的是你要谨记这是一项工作。每天进步一点，总有一天会得到回报。”

    马歇尔•克伦肖

    克伦肖最有名的是他的上榜单曲“Someday Someway”，他现在俨然达到了一个优秀CEO的水平。他的经营方式多种多样。粉丝们可以在他的网站上预订单张唱片，也可以接受克伦肖提供的一年订阅服务，订阅内容包括3张10寸黑胶唱片。

    另外，克伦肖还有值得信赖的员工——他的家人。

    “和我给唱片公司录唱片的日子相比，现在最大的不同就是要干体力活了。比如唱片的包装、运送等。我、妻子和两个孩子一起做这些事。我们已经形成了一条流水线。但是，订单有时候非常大，办公室里的人都拼命赶进度。所以我也自愿去多帮点忙。”

    他对刚开始自己开公司的人有什么建议呢？

    “身为一个老板，要保证商品不会脱销。我自己就遇到过好几次这种情况。然而，如果你真的遇到了什么问题，我倒希望会是这个问题。”

    Van Dyke Parks

    Parks, best known for his masterpieceSong Cycle and writing lyrics for The Beach Boys' Smile, can now add label head to his CV. This former Warner artist recently founded Bananastan Records, by necessity.

    "I couldn't find a reputable record label in the States to distribute my product," says Parks. "So I created my own to release my records, like (May's) Songs Cycled."

    He also got business-smart, knowing when to get professional help for certain tasks.

    "I found myself a CPA, who does the books," he says. "Plus, my wife, Sally, has her input. Ultimately, I decided to release and sell singles, because they're less expensive.

    Remember, you must have a site! Regarding the people who work with me, I believe in 'delicate strength.' Surround yourself with people you admire. Then let them have their way. Without Bananastan, I wouldn't be able to get my music out. But this stuff will come out and is actually selling. Because now I'm in charge."

    Sloan Wainwright

    Loudon's sister (and Rufus's aunt) is one fine songwriter herself. She runs her own label, Derby Disc Music, and recently hired an assistant. She has previous business experience, which helps with making day-to-day decisions.

    "I'm an entrepreneur," Wainwright says. "I once owned a restaurant, The Baker's Cafe, which was great business training. Being in charge, paradoxically, means I also rely on experts. I don't know everything. So, I get help from people regarding itineraries, contracts. My assistant? He does my office and social media stuff. I make the decisions about recording and gigging. But a good boss should be willing to collaborate with someone who knows more."

    Wainwright also knows when to outsource.

    "I recently signed with a PR firm, who'll help with the re-release of a record. I make decisions about how to spend money. Most importantly, you have to remember this is a job. Work on it every day. You'll definitely see results."

    Marshall Crenshaw

    Best known for his hit "Someday Someway," Crenshaw's done what any good CEO might do. He's diversified. At his website, fans can either order individual EPs or join Crenshaw's subscription service for one year. Which gets you three 10-inch vinyl EPs.

    Plus, Crenshaw has some trustworthy employees: his family.

    "The biggest change, compared to my major label days, is there's labor involved now. Packing, shipping of the product. I've done it with my wife and two children. A real assembly line. Also, the orders have been so big, that people from my office are struggling. So I'll volunteer to help out more."

    His advice to label owners starting out?

    "As the boss, make sure you don't run out of stock. I have, several times. Still, if you're gonna have a problem? That's not a bad one to have."