Exactly 365 days ago, I threw myself whole-heartedly into an industry I knew nothing about.

Don’t get me wrong; I knew a good bit about playing the guitar and writing songs, and I knew in my heart that playing music for people is one of the greatest jobs in the world. But I didn’t know squat about how the industry really worked. It’s terribly glamorous, until you dig a little deeper.

Nevertheless, you’ve seen me shamelessly broadcast my plans to the world. You’ve seen me learn how to build a website, how to develop a mailing list and build a following of interested fans. As of today, 07-07-07, nearly 120,000 of you have logged in to see what this crazy pipe dream was all about.

I learned how to edit video, and you’ve seen me drag my camcorder around the U.S. with me for the majority of the year. I gave you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into me, my life, and my mission to make it as a singer/songwriter in the crazy mixed-up world of the modern music industry. More than 3,000 of you have seen my silly “Nick’s Journey” videos on YouTube, MySpace, Revver, LiveVideo, Google, and on this very site.

On top of that, you’ve seen me write (and re-write) 10 of the best songs of my life. With the help of music producer Mandi Martin (who I met in August of last year), I’ve put together an A-list band and also built a team around me to help create, market, and promote this record once it’s complete. I have put countless hours into this project, not to mention my own money, blood, sweat, and tears.

No, I don’t sleep much.

After a year of hard work, I’m proud to announce that a record is on the way, with a major release planned for early September. Having said that, I’m announcing today that I’m officially ending my search for a record deal. I’ve had a great time, met some incredibly devoted people, and I’ve learned so much about the music industry, but a major label deal is not in the cards for me.

Thank you all for your support over the past year. I would never have made it this far without you, the fans.

I want you to know that my love for good music has not wavered a bit, and I certainly intend to keep writing and playing. But there are no major label deals anymore. Sony/BMG, EMI, Universal, and Warner are all struggling to keep their balance sheets in the black. The glamorous idea of “getting signed” has gone away to be with the dinosaurs and the dodo bird. Don’t believe me? Just ask Bob Lefsetz.

It truly is an indie market right now. That’s why the entrepreneur in me has firmly spoken. With the tools available today via MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, Discmakers, Wordpress, CD Baby, Online Gigs, Indie Band Manager, and independent music consultants, there is almost no need to sell your soul (and your publishing) to Clive Davis.

Today is 07-07-07, and I’d like to invite you to join me tonight for a live concert to showcase a year’s worth of hard work. My band and I will be playing a benefit concert in Hermosa Beach, CA, and webcasting the whole thing live at www.nickdaugherty.com/webcast.

Also, as of today, I will re-focus this site to support and give credence to all the independent musicians out there trying their best to make it. We’ll call it “How To Make A Gold Record Without A Record Deal.”

I hope you’ll stay tuned, as this site is about to get even more interesting.

This is only the beginning…

See you tonight,

Nick Daugherty