Please tell our readers who you are and what you do?

What I do is write songs and play theToronto clubs with my band
I am more of a songwriter and an Artist as this keeps me busy.
I have played Las Vegas and the opry and hotel in Nashville.Also the Country Music Hall of fame
I have been played world wide by a lot of radio stations and I write for television,Motion pictures and commercial.
Music is a full time job..I also engineer and produce but only for my own material.

How would you describe your style and genre?

I am country rock for sure
I need some drive in my music but sometimes I get a little on the traditional side
If I am playing live people love the old country songs.Live I do the.
I grew up with Rock and Roll.
Chuck Berry was my biggest influence.

Who are your biggest idols ever? Dead or alive, musician or non-musician.

I would say Dwight Yoakam / Johnny Rivers/Chuck Berry and George Strait to name a few.I lived about 1000 of them LOL
Dwight would be #1 because he writes his songs and does every cover song different

What was the biggest mistake you made when you started making music and what would be the number one tip you could give to a newcomer musician?

The number one thing is get a real job and do music on the side One in every million make it in music. Always make sure people pay you for your songs and watch out for the thousands of crooks out there.I mean a lot..Getting ripped off and being told how great they can make you is bullshit…They fill their pockets and you end up broke.
Example Nashville is full of them
The north American Market is hard to get into and the Europeon Market really listens
I did well in the USA but I met the right promoters The worse place is Canada where I live.
The government controls what is on the play list

How do you get gigs? Can you share any tips?

Go straight to the bar and sell yourself
Once you make one bar happy then you have a reference
Build on that

What has been your biggest challenge right now? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

I have overcome the challenge..Hit high on radio charts,played Vegas,and writing good songs.
Thanks to radio,and most of all fans.
I have fans in over 100 countries I love people. Music brings people together.
Also if you play a place on your break go talk to people.
Is the music to loud etc.
I have friends all over. Remember their names if you can. lol NO drinking ever when you play a gig.You are working..

How do you promote yourself? Do you have any specific promotion tips for other musicians?

Yes do not drink when you play or get stoned
Go play
then and get a real job well you are playing. Learn to read music and know what you are playing how and why.My band and I have never had a practice.
Why..We know our music. If we do not know a song it does not matter We pick it up fast.
I started out not reading music.Later in life I loved reading music and therory It made me 100 times better. Also be a strong rhythm player
Practice a lot..

We meet again in one year. What has happened?

Well
I have a few more publishing contracts and I keep composing songs
I keep sending through the internet my songs and the world keeps playing them
I get 100,000 per day

http://www.doughamiltonmusic.com