Members Of Backstreet Boys Open Music Workshop

(LOUISVILLE, May 6th, 2004, 6 p.m.) -- With two Kentucky natives, the Backstreet boys are back in the studio cutting a new album. But one block of Backstreet has moved on to Main Street in downtown Louisville. WAVE 3's David McArthur explains.

As classwork goes, math at the music workshop is music. Recording artist Keith McGuffey has always lived by the numbers. He's now sharing his insider's track to reveal the recording reality.

Part of the education is to let prospective artists know that, "even if you sell a million albums what you walk away with, after taxes, is about $25,000-$30,000."

Classwork runs the gamut, covering everything from the business of royalties, contracts and copyrights to recording, editing, and producing.

The Music Workshop is located on Main Street in Louisville, but it carries a huge Backstreet connection.

Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson was born and raised in Estill County, Kentucky. "Eventually, we'd like to run a label out Louisville," he says. "That's our dream."

Richardson and McGuffey are best friends, dating back 15 years when they toured together. Now they plan to teach together.

"To achieve success in this business," Richardson says, "you have to an equal amount of talent, desire, work ethic, and a little bit of luck. If I can do it, anybody can."

For now McGuffey handles the hands-on instruction. "They (students) actually have six hours to write, produce, compose, arrange, and perform a song."

Richardson is busy again with Backstreet Boys, preparing another album and tour.

The workshop is designed to help your music if you can survive the math.

The Music Workshop is now an accredited academic school and hoping to expand its curriculum to eventually add undergraduate degrees.

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