Frisbie’s Mary Frisbie Wood – HuffPost 10.2.12

Mike Ragogna: What advice do you have for new artists?

Mary Frisbie Wood: What remains constant is the need to be great at your craft as a songwriter and musician. That takes years of practice. If you’re a songwriter, write songs, and then write some more. Listen to the greats and learn from them: Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, and contemporaries like Jesse Harris and Benji Hughes. Great writing is a unique commodity that can be applied in any number of musical genres to have success in numerous income streams–from ads to TV shows, soundtracks and video games. If you want to be a recording artist, play live a lot too. Even in today’s digital climate, there is no replacement for the live show. It gives you a feel for what’s working and what’s not in your songs and for growing a dedicated fan base. Surround yourself with the best possible musicians and producers you can find. Collaborate when you need to and respect everyone’s contribution as a vital part of the process.