Stage Names

[Topaz]

I'm curious as to what you guys think of stage names. Do you think singers should go by their given names or create stage names? If you had a stage name, what would it be? And what do you think a good stage name for me would be? (By the way, my given name is Topaz.) I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Edited February 22, 2013 by Topaz

[LayneGreene]

I think there's definitely situations where a stage name is beneficial. I do some acting as well as music, and I know a lot of guys who use stage names for privacy reasons. George Canyon is from the town I grew up in, his given name was Fred Lays, changing his name obviously helped solidify his career and his place in country music. I have no ideas for you! But Topaz is a pretty cool given name, I'd roll with it personally!

[Rudi]

The whole notion seems a bit of laugh to be honest, but I'm sure an iconic name can one way to help people notice you. I have created more than one name for my recordings other than Rudi (not a stage names of course but the idea is the same).

I agree with Layne, Topaz is a great name. There are obvious visual ways to reinforce the name on artwork and on stage.

A certain person on this board once claimed his stage name was Jesus Martini (you know who you are!).

[Just1L]

I agree Topaz is a name that really doesn't need changing. My name's Randy Drilingas. Not gonna see that up in lights ever! (Even if I was good enough to have my name in lights) I go by Just1L because people ALWAYS mis-spell my name with two L's instead of one. My wife and I were talking about this just the other night actually. I came up with a new one "Little Chihuahua" or 'Lil Hua Hua' pronounced Lil Wa Wa. Ah, we're still laughing at that one.

[Topaz]

Haha, thanks guys!

Just1L - LOL That made me laugh SO hard.

[Steve]

Stage names don't always work! Just think about Dillbert Scumage?

[Just1L]

Or Engelbert Humperdinck.

[Rudi]

The inference (question) is:

Could you achieve success with a dull or unpronouncable name?

The answer is yes. Just1L is quite right 'Engelbert Humperdinck' is a good example. In movies, the studios were always creating names for thier stars.

But a some of them were having none of it; like Arnold Schwarzenegger for instance.

Whether it makes it harder or not is a different question. I dont know.

Rudi Plaguefoot has never held back my career as a Chicken Sexer though.