General Questions

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  • Why isn't the talent portion a showcase? ANSWER: The talent portion is a competition (1) to teach the artists to give 110% to their performances because a professional will have to perform their hit single over and over again at 110% and (2) to give industry professionals a chance to give back to up-and-coming artists by donating prizes/sponsorships that are normally their time and/or their services.
  • What if I don't have all the registration fee for the competition? ANSWER: Call us anyway we have many discount offers such as 50% off to students.
  • Where do I mail the competition or seminar registration fee to? ANSWER: Mail to Uplifting Minds II, P.O. Box 3686, Los Angeles, CA 90036
  • Do you take credit cards? ANSWER: Yes, through out www.PayPal.com account. Use email FreeAssocInc3@aol.com when making payment and indicate in note section what date/city and purpose (seminar or competing) for payment is it.
  • What if I can not afford the seminar fee? ANSWER: Call us anyway we have many discount offers such as our 50% off for those 50 years and older and the first 10 to pre-register gets 50% off.
  • How many people attends the seminars? ANSWER: On the average for the last several years the number of seminar attendees have been under 50, per date.
  • How long is my competition performance time? ANSWER: Each competitor receives 4 minutes, but if more than one song is performed the music must have a smooth transition. (Note: for Songwritters only one song can be performed.)
  • Will there be a sound check? ANSWER: There will be no sound check for competitors.
  • Can bands or instrumentalists compete? ANSWER: All performances must be from CD track, unless performing with instruments that don't require electricity such as a classical guitar or flute.
  • Can we approach the judges? ANSWER: You can certainly network with the judges and seminar hosts, but only before or after the event.
  • Can we film the event? ANSWER: Yes you can as long as you give credit to Uplifting Minds II Entertainment Conference, especially if footage is used for profit.
  • How can I serve as a judge or seminar host? ANSWER: Submit a proposal stating your desire, desired seminar topic and your qualifications.
  • If I am a professional performer, do you think I should compete? ANSWER: Competing is a very fun and a healthy way for artists to stay at 100%, network with each other, form professional partnerships, and it builds the acts' fan/market base. Just look at the advantages the aprevious acts received because they performed (met a major artist and was able to get a song placed on their album - that song going platinum; adding to your resume that you performed as opening act for major artists (such as LL Cool J, India Arie, Trey Songz, Faith Evans) because opening for them was one of the prizes of the winner, and met a judge that was able to place a song of theirs on a major artists' album (Solange's "Solo Star") or was able to hire them as opening act for a tour (Mario opens for Destiny's Child because his mgr Troy Patterson was a judge along with Mathew Knowles, mgr of DC).
  • As a competitor who receives a free seat at the seminars, can I give my seat to someone else? ANSWER: No that free seat is just for the artists' even if that artist is eight years-old, but one of the discounts is 50% off for competitors "entourage members."
  • If I just want to attend one or two seminars can I get a discount? ANSWER: There is no discount for attending less then all the seminars because there is no set schedule for the seminars until the week of. So there is no way for you to know what time the seminar will be until you get there.
  • Do I get any material at the seminar? ANSWER: Attendees receive the Uplifting Minds II Music Business Handbook that has information on the business of entertainment such as "copywrite & trademarks," "choosing a manager & label" etc...from three books written by Los Angeles entertainment attornys, as well as pages of industry contact phone numbers (labels, producers, record distributors, etc...)
  • What if I am a year or two years over the required 25 and uder age to compete in the showcase? ANSWER: Register anyway and send in a picture (or email us in advance a picture) with your exact age, if you look 25ish and under in age your application will be approved especially if you meet all other requirements (Note: if a group, at least one member of the group must be 25 years or under in age, or have that 25 and under age-look).
  • How much does it cost to attend the competition showcase? ANSWER: The showcase is FREE and open to the public.
  • What does the winner receive? ANSWER: There are three categories to be judged: vocal, dance and songwriting. Contestants can be judge for maximum two categories. Prizes vary per year, but all received the ULMII Award, In 2009 the winners recieve radio airtime for 30 days on two radio stations (R&B/Hip-Hop and Gospel/Inspiration formats; free legal advice, free music track, free vocal lessons, opening act slot at the Heritage Festival (Baltimore date only), 2 weeks booking services from an agent; session with a professional photographer, and 50% off marketing and promotional services by an international record and guitar marketing company.
    

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