Music Industry

How I Got a Meeting With a Record Label (And It Went Nowhere)

12 March 2024 by Gaetano
got a label meeting and nothing happened

Yes, I did get a meeting with a record label… and nothing happened. I’m going to explain how I got a meeting with a major label, and why nothing happened.

EVERYONE WANTS TO GET SIGNED, BUT IS IT STILL WORTH IT?

We all know someone trying to make it in the music business. Thanks to the world of technology we live in, the industry has become over-saturated with millions of aspiring singers, producers, songwriters, musicians, DJ’s, etc.

Literally anyone with a smartphone and a Wi-Fi connection can fill out their social media bio and give themselves whatever title they wish to be called. With too much supply and not enough demand, no wonder so many aspiring artists are getting discouraged while in pursuit of their dreams.

WHY YOU’RE BETTER OFF AS AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST

The new way of thinking is very much in favor of DIY (Do It Yourself). 

It’s all about taking matters into your own hands now. Stop whining, stop complaining, and stop looking for someone to “put you on.”

Unfortunately, artists that are signed to major record labels get significant advantages that independent artists don’t get to enjoy. Such as the financial resources and media connections that come from the power of being backed by a label.

All of that being said, the truth is that you definitely don’t need to be signed to become successful anymore.

Yes of course it helps in some aspects, but there are many pros and cons to either side of being independent versus signed.

One major difference is the mindset. Waiting around to “get discovered” (Yes I was once naive enough to think that was possible) versus GO out there, bust your ass every day, be fearless of rejection, and go make something happen for yourself.

HOW DID I GET A MEETING WITH ATLANTIC RECORDS?

With that being said, I somehow ended up in a situation last year that landed me a meeting at Atlantic Records.

It was completely unexpected and rare. My mental picture of a label office consisted of a bunch of greasy suits sitting around a huge corporate conference table scheming about the best ways of maximizing profits from every angle. Of course, this is the MUSIC BUSINESS – the for-profit monetization of distributing recorded music.

Related Read: Check out the best recording studios in NYC

HOW TO GET A LABEL MEETING: YOU NEED CONNECTIONS

You’ve heard it before, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

That proves to be all true and powerful in the music business, but I would say it even goes a step further than just who you know.

It’s who you know that believes they can PROFIT by helping you. Let that sink in.

Everyone is talented these days, but that’s not enough. Whenever you meet an A&R, manager, music publicist, etc, what they ultimately want to assess is your commercial viability. How likely are you to be commercially profitable?

AN ATTORNEY PLUGGED ME INTO ATLANTIC RECORDS

So, through the wonderful power of the internet, a relative of a high school friend of mine came across my music and reached out.

She believes in me greatly, and wanted to help. She had a connection to some attorneys who were previously successful in entertainment law.

Through a series of emails and introductions, my music package ended up in the hands of a well connected music attorney in LA.

For non-disclosure and legal purposes, let’s just say his name is… Professor X.

After lots of discussion with Professor X, he felt that I had massive potential and said I was a “rare find.” What a compliment.

From there, Professor X set up a meeting in New York between myself and his A&R buddy at Atlantic.

DAY OF THE MEETING WITH ATLANTIC RECORDS

I’ve got my acoustic guitar, press kit, and confidence as I go up the elevator. Slight feeling of knots in my stomach and heart beating fast, but that’s normal.

I get off the elevator and saw those huge glass doors. Those doors that I’ve seen in other people’s Instagram pics so many times before with the overtly corny hashtag #meetings in the caption.

Well it was finally my turn to walk through those doors.

WALKED THROUGH THE FAMOUS GLASS DOORS

I’m greeted by a stand offish dude that looked like he just finished jamming to old 90s Nirvana tunes in his mom’s basement. After 30 minutes of waiting, I’m finally greeted by the A&R.

For non-disclosure purposes, let’s call him Doctor Robotnik.

So, I’m at the conference table sharing my music career history with Doctor Robotnik. We talk about some of my accomplishments, things that have shaped my musical influences, latest shows, production accolades, etc.

Finally, I play him 3 records. Then, I busted out the acoustic guitar and rocked out for about 10 minutes. He was complimenting me up and down about what a unique sound I have, and how he wanted to get me in the studio with Cee Lo Green and Trey Songz.

Following that, we continued talking for another half hour or so. Discussing my potential as a songwriter and producer.

Doctor Robotnik was a fan of my versatility, especially my vocal arrangements and musicianship. I was down for that. I just wanted to build and see where the road could lead.

At the end of a near 2 hour meeting, I had all the reason in the world to be optimistic.

THEY GHOSTED ME 😂

Days, weeks, then finally a month goes by and I haven’t heard from Doctor Robotnik or Professor X.

I tried the usual email and text follow up, but got totally ignored. A complete cold shoulder.

Needless to say, I was confused and disappointed. I was looking forward to getting in the studio with some new people and building. I wasn’t expecting to become the next superstar overnight. I’m a smart guy with realistic expectations, but I was puzzled as to why I was getting snubbed.

Months later, I attended an industry event and ran into the same Atlantic Records A&R who ghosted me. He saw me, looked down at the floor, and passed by with no acknowledgement.

Now, I’m a man of respect and dignity. In my world, there’s no excuse for a grown man being that immature and petty. As an artist, I’m always trying to get better. I would prefer to receive the constructive criticism and learn from it.

I GOT A MEETING WITH A RECORD LABEL AND NOTHING HAPPENED

So that was that. It’s a sketchy industry. It happens. But who cares? Just be you. Continue to work hard, stay humble, believe in yourself and your gifts, because the only person that can deny you is yourself.


To get in touch with Gaetano, follow him on Instagram: @official_gaetano


Gaetano is a Miami, FL 🌴 based songwriter, music producer and growth marketer. As he grinds through the music industry, Gaetano is documenting his experiences and sharing his story through his brutally honest articles.


21 Thoughts on How I Got a Meeting With a Record Label (And It Went Nowhere)
    Paul Pistachio
    2 Nov 2015
    8:18pm

    Fuck Atlantic Records, they pass on a shit load of dope artist, then wana jump on the dick after you made it, thats how Cee Lo got on do to OutKast and Goodie Mob, and Trey Songz, got a good break after his features on numerous rap artist, one was my man Saigon who had Just Blaze as the main albums producer…, so don’t even wet that lil bro, you dope straight up, just keep putting that work in, its coming, believe me ITS COMING

      Gaetano
      3 Nov 2015
      7:28pm

      @Paul – Thanks bro I appreciate your words of encouragement. As you said it, gotta keep putting in that work.

    dorisalonzia
    3 Nov 2015
    12:50am

    Reblogged this on The Pros and Cons of Technology and commented:
    This article is a great read 🙂

      Gaetano
      3 Nov 2015
      7:28pm

      @Dorisalonzia Thanks for reading!

        dorisalonzia
        4 Nov 2015
        2:09am

        You’re welcome , from Chezaree Booker 🙂

        Chezaree
        4 Nov 2015
        3:19am

        You’re welcome 🙂 🙂

    fcukq
    3 Nov 2015
    6:55pm

    but you are a totally nobody who probably isnt that talented…lol

      Gaetano
      3 Nov 2015
      7:31pm

      1 – Learn proper grammar

      2 – If you knew how it actually worked, you would understand that talent has little to nothing to do with it. And you clearly haven’t checked out any of my material so you wouldn’t know.

      3 – Thanks for the ignorant comment, I welcome them because it only exposes you 🙂

    Armarock
    3 Nov 2015
    9:19pm

    Significant blog, brother.

      Gaetano
      4 Nov 2015
      2:21pm

      Thanks my bro, appreciate ya!

    aLgProduction
    4 Nov 2015
    12:44am

    Thanks for sharing your story…… You are definitely unique……
    Gerald Leverson aka Lg of aLgProduction
    official videographer for RnB Spotlight…..

      Gaetano
      4 Nov 2015
      2:22pm

      Hey LG,

      Thanks for taking the time to read my article. I appreciate that, and all you do for RnB spotlight. Be well my friend.

      – Gaetano

    Rich Vision
    4 Nov 2015
    5:30am

    Dude, your story is “IDENTICAL” to mine….Except my meeting was at Def Jam & Arista. Same exact turn out. And MIND YOU that anyone cant just walk thru the doors at the label…..Crazy, I thought i was the only one that experienced this….

      Gaetano
      4 Nov 2015
      2:23pm

      Hey Rich,

      Thanks for reading bro. Shit is crazy how it turns out sometimes. The industry is wack like that, but gotta keep pushing through.

      – Gaetano

    Josh
    4 Nov 2015
    2:07pm

    Sad to say, but you got the “Hollywood No” even though it happened in New York. Hardly anyone in the industry will flat out tell you that they don’t want to work with you cause they’re afraid of being torched by their peers and maybe even the general public if/when you get successful elsewhere with another label all like, “How could you not sign that guy, you big dummy?!”

    This Atlantic suit will just say, “Technically, I didn’t say no to that guy.” Slimy, but hey, that’s how it is with the major labels. Keep your head up and use this as a learning experience for future dealings with other labels. You got one meeting; you’ll probably get some more just based on the suits thinking, “This guy is talented, so I wonder why that Atlantic suit passed on him?”

    I’m glad you have an attorney friend/contact, because you’re gonna need their help deciphering any contract thrown your way to at least discover and contest some the most garbage terms they’ll start with in a contract to see if you’ll sign like a desperate eager beaver.

    Anyway, cheers and good luck with your future on this journey we know as “making it” in the industry. I’ve been through some of this and seen friends/colleagues deal with all this too, so I can relate to your story.

    -Josh

      Dave Alexander
      16 Nov 2015
      11:14pm

      THIS IS AN AMAZING ARTICLE BRO!YOUR THE REAL DEAL!!ITS UNFORTUNATELY THIS INDUSTRY IS FULL OF “FAKES”. WE CANT EXPECT THEM TO GET REAL!!KEEP DOIN WHAT YOU DOING BRO..#BEAST

      Gaetano
      17 Nov 2015
      2:30am

      @Josh – Thanks for your comment and positive words of encouragement bro. Appreciate you!

    Dave Alexander
    16 Nov 2015
    11:17pm

    THIS IS AN AMAZINH ARTICLE BRO!FUK WHAT THAT NIGGA TALKING ABOUT KEEP DOING YOU YOUR ONE OF THE BEST VOCALIST I KNOW. YOUR THE REAL DEal YOU CANT EXPECT THE FAKE TO GET REAL!!

      Gaetano
      17 Nov 2015
      2:31am

      Facts bro, thank you!

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    4 Jul 2016
    8:41pm

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    Q&A with Revenue Marketing Leaders: Gaetano Nino DiNardi, Director of Demand Generation at Nextiva - InfiniGrow
    13 Sep 2022
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    […] kinda got into marketing through blogging about music and my experiences as an up and coming songwriter/producer in New York and through writing a lot of in-depth music company […]

    Sara Beth Yurow
    15 Jul 2023
    2:02pm

    Omg that sounds low key like my story…I got a xall back from a guy from Atlantic too who told me he wanted to make me the next Meghan Trainor and then…nothing.

      Gaetano
      29 Sep 2023
      2:17pm

      Sad, but true – and all too common. The industry has totally gone to shit.

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