Throughout our lives it seems that we always antiquate Summer with the music that we listened to in a particular year. Music seems to have the ability to put a stamp on any year and we can always seem to document our lives by looking back at the hit songs we remember. It’s the vacation times of our lives and the fact that the weather is hot and good (for most parts of the country) that helps to build those amazing summers in our minds. In later years we will hear an old song come on the radio and drift back to one of our best Summer’s ever, the power of music prevails during these special memories.

For many bands and recording artists, they look towards Summer as their time to shine. Again with the weather being at its best, it makes for the very best time for travel and touring. The fact that the kids are out of school and its vacation time for many also opens up the opportunity for concerts from outdoor arenas to those fabulous concerts in the park. Whether you’re a top name artist or band or if you’re just a hard working independent artist, it’s your time to take your music on the road and play for the fans. Nothing is better than a great outdoor  (or indoor) Summer concert series.

Record labels also look towards this time of year to put out the right track for their artists. For many it’s about leaving the ballad behind and keeping the up-tempo tracks out there to keep pace with the excitement and energy of this very special season. Some experts tell us to hold the ballads for the winter time when the weather is cold and the ballads help keep us warm. There are always exceptions to the rule and some that dare to put a ballad out in the Summer can sink or swim. We’ll examine a few of those situations.

Newcomer Sam Smith took no fear in releasing his “Stay With Me” that has become an instant smash hit. The fact that there are so few ballads this Summer also opened up opportunities for Sam to fill slots that might be open for that type of a song. Summer anthems are also open to those that plan ahead. In Country, the Jake Owen song “Beachin’” is set to become that type of record to mark the Country Summer of 2014. It didn’t take Kenny Chesney too long to make his mark with “American Kids”. That song just exploded on the charts and is headed to the top of Country charts from coast to coast in record time.

In the world of Top40 and Hot AC, nobody made a better plan than Calvin Harris. His single of “Summer” was actually released months before the season but gave it enough time to become a Top 5 Hit just as the Summer months started. You can bet that it will be around well into the fall season. No duo released a better Summer record than Nico & Vinz. Their “Am I Wrong” has Summer written all over it as it continues it’s way to the very top of the charts. The biggest winner of the Summer however belongs to Magic. This band hit the mark with “Rude” and their biggest problem may just be with a follow-up.

For many artists it may be too late to take advantage of the Summer opportunities but it’s a good time to make your plans for the next one. Use the examples of good weather conditions and up-tempo relevant songs to set your sight for a year from now. For the smart ones all of the planning should be set in motion by next Spring so that you hit your mark just in time. You can’t go too early with a plan nor can you afford to strike too late. It’s really all about the timing so early planning is the key to having a successful Summer in music. New Music Weekly will continue to offer the best “tools of the trade” for much of this so reach out to us in plenty of time for us to help you name for a very memorable Summer.