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Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Sites Where You Can Get Your Music Reviewed 3. Radio Shows that will Play Your Music 4. Online Services that will Help to Sell Your Music 5. Sites Where You Can Upload Your Band's MP3s or Videos 6. Helpful Music Resources 7. "Baby Steps and the Road to Success" by Chris Standring, A&R Online 8. "How to Overcome Age Discrimination in the Music Business" - PART 1 by Bobby Borg author of "The Musician's Handbook" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THIS MONTH'S PRIZE WINNERS This month's winner of the Sennheiser E835 microphone (visit http://www.sennheiserusa.com ) - Graeme Sutherland, Inverclyde, Scotland This month's winner of a pair of Sennheiser HD280Pro headphones (visit http://www.sennheiserusa.com ) - Matt Bachrach, Queen Creek, AZ This month's winner of full mastering of your CD by Rare Form Mastering (visit http://www.RareFormMastering.com ) is: - Timothy Furstnau, Berkley, MI This month's winners of the A&R Directory (for more information visit http://www.musicregistry.com ) are: - Ray Misiti, Coconut Creek, FL - Jason Webb, Dayton, OH - Maithri Goonetilleke, Mt. Waverley, Australia The winner of "100 Miles to a Record Deal" by Bronson Herrmuth (for more information on this book, visit http://www.songrepair.com ) - Boaz Sachs, London, UK The winner of "How To Successfully Promote Your Music on the Internet" e-book by David Nevue (for more information on this book, visit http://www.promoteyourmusic.com ) is: - Lucy-Sian Clark, Surrey, UK The winner of the musicSUBMIT music promotion and publicity service (for more information visit http://www.musicsubmit.com ) is: - Kerry Hill, Hughesdale, Australia The winner of a shirt/jersey from Enjoy Music (for more information visit http://www.enjoymusic.com ) is: - Daniel Greenwald, Bronxville, NY ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HAS YOUR MUSIC BEEN FEATURED IN NEW YORK TIMES? Beat Wire will deliver your press release directly to the desk tops of over 5000 music editors at daily newspapers, magazines, news agencies, top Web sites, radio stations--every place you need to be promoted. Whether it's a new CD, upcoming tour, charity concert, or any other music-associated event you want to announce, there is hardly anything more potentially rewarding than a positive response to a well-written press release. Our clients have had their music featured in major media outlets like New York Times, CNN, Entertainment Weekly and USA Today to name just a few. In addition to press release distribution, Beat Wire can also write a press release for you. For more information, please got to http://www.beatwire.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do your records rock? Do they sound huge like the big names? Punchy, warm, loud? Better than the competition? If not, Rare Form Mastering is the answer. Our experienced engineers, mastering grade processing and reference monitoring can bring that major label sound to your music. From your original mixes to the final delivery master, from our engineer's hands to your fansfan'sreo or surround system. Whether CD, DVD or vinyl, we have the experience to make your music sound the way your audience wants it to sound. Put our 2,500+ albums of mastering experience to work for you. http://www.RareFormMastering.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. INTRODUCTION Welcome to the April Indie Contact Newsletter. Our first article this month is called "Baby Steps and the Road to Success" by Chris Standring, owner of A&R Online. Chris keys in on how important it is to keep moving forward towards your goals, while keeping your expectations in check. Bobby Borg is back with another great article. This month Bobby gives his take on age discrimination in the music business. It's a very touchy subject, and Bobby goes into great detail on how to overcome this industry prejudice. I am happy to announce that we have a new sponsor this month. Rare Form Mastering has the experience to make your music sound the way your audience wants it to sound. They have over 2,500 albums to their credit. Let their experience to work for you! Every second month a lucky prize winner will receive free mastering of their CD, DVD or vinyl record. This prize is worth approximately $700 US. You can find out more about Rare Form Mastering at: http://www.RareFormMastering.com I'm also pleased to announce that Sennheiser USA has committed to another year of sponsorship. That means an E835 microphone and pair of Sennheiser HD280Pro headphones will continue to be given away each month. Thanks to Karl Winkler of Sennheiser for his continued support! http://www.sennheiserusa.com As is the case every month, there is a large group of new contacts listed that can help you to gain more exposure for your music. So dig in, and enjoy the April issue of The Indie Contact Newsletter! David Wimble Editor The Indie Contact Newsletter newsletter@indiebible.com ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Below are the contacts that were submitted to me in March. The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections. 1. Publications that will review your music 2. Radio stations/shows that will play your music 3. Services that will help you to sell your music 4. Sites where you can upload your band's MP3s or videos 5. Helpful resources and promotional sites for recording artists ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the new InterMixx DIScPLAY! Now indies can sell more CDs at live events with this durable mobile listening station! Comes complete with integrated CD player. Easily portable, it closes to contain and protect all items neatly. Simple, quick and easy to use... just open it and set it on your merch table. Purchase price includes one set-up fee for IndieGate.com. http://www.DIScPLAY.net ----------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 2. SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ CaliforniaBands.com Rodney rodney@cabands.com http://www.cabands.com 29679 Eagle Crest Ave. Murrieta, CA 92563 PH: 909-719-5905 Free reviews, links, and much more! Rock Dummy Craig Lyndall craig@rockdummy.com http://www.rockdummy.com 1728 Brainard Rd. Lyndhurst, OH 44124 PH: 4406661087 My site covers news, releases and concerts of indie bands in all indie genres. Inside Metal Sam Humphreys inside_metal@hotmail.com http://www.insidemetal.tk PH: 03-93302920 Metal/Hardcore webzine that reviews, promotes independent bands and labels. AngryCountry.com Michael Allison mike@angrycountry.com http://www.angrycountry.com 1205 Rose Lynn Lane, Birmingham, AL 35215 PH: 205-853-2106 Country Music news site that openly reviews indie projects. Rock World Online Dwain Watkins Dwain@rockworldonline.com http://www.rockworldonline.com PH: 586-675-6633 A web zine that is looking to help showcase new and up and coming artists. IndiePerformer.com Carla Archuletta info@indieperformer.com http://www.IndiePerformer.com PO Box 3721, Brentwood, TN 37024 Enables artists to be recognized and to be heard in a venue for worldwide exposure. Equal Music Danielle Moskowitz Danielle@equalmusic.com http://www.equalmusic.com PO Box 456, Marlboro, NJ 07746 Interviews/reviews of todays most talented up and coming artists. Covers all genres. Mindset Magazine http://www.mindsetmagazine.com 20 Brookside Dr. Paola, KS 66071 If you would like a review go to the contact page on our site and submit a request! I Ate Your Microphone.com Chris Williams chris@iateyourmicrophone.com http://www.iateyourmicrophone.com We provide the latest information on the artists you desire to know about already, while endeavouring to introduce new names and original sounds to your ears. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DISC MAKERS Announces NEW LOWER PRICES - 1,000 CDs in jewel boxes as low as $1,390! Package includes: - a free UPC barcode - worldwide distribution through CD Baby - free digital audio distribution with Disc Makers' DAD program - a free review of your music by TAXI - 300 11"x17" posters for only $99 Learn more at http://www.discmakers.com/hl Also visit this site to get a FREE "Musician's Guide to the Web" http://www.discmakers.com/imbible ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ROCK / HEAVY METAL BANDS: Try Our Satellite Ads! Advertise At Blistering.com & Blabbermouth.net: -> Our Satellite Ads are virtual jukeboxes that play music on command -> Give your fans immediate access to sound and information from an ad -> Let our massive audience of 375,000 monthly visitors discover your music -> We GUARANTEE 750 downloads per month-long campaign! See and feel our Satellite Ads: http://www.blistering.com/satellite ----------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 3. RADIO SHOWS THAT WILL PLAY YOUR MUSIC @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ KSER Ann McCoy/Music Director annkser@aol.com KSER.org 2623 Wetmore Ave., Everett, WA 98201-2926 PH: (425) 303-9070 FX: (425) 303-9075 Independent, non-com broadcasting from Seattle to the Canadian border, playing World mixed with all other genres. SaveSURGE Radio Eric Karkovack webmaster@karks.com http://www.savesurge.org/radio/ 35 Winchester Gardens, Carlisle, PA 17013 With a focus on alternative rock, SaveSURGE Radio is always on the lookout for indie artists to play in our rotation. Unsigned Online Radio Chris chris@unsigned-online.com http://unsigned-online.com PH: 903.223.7205 An online radio station that plays all unsigned artists all the time! Audiodependence.com Wesley Clark boylstonclark@worldnet.att.net http://www.Audiodependence.com A New Orleans based internet radio station that features a new independent artist each week for a one hour show. We select 5 to 6 songs for that one show and it runs on demand for the week. The artists photos and bio are posted on the Audio Dependence website, when available We play pop, rock, jazz, folk, new age and country. The Independent Recording Group Radio Steve Harris irgradio@classicnet.net http://www.irgradio.com IRG Radio, 109 Poe Ave. Poteau, OK 74953 IRG is an Internet radio station that does a Top 5 requested show Monday through Friday. We are looking for music in the rock genre for airplay. Indie Radio Live John Horner admin@indieradiolive.com http://indieradiolive.com 16837 64th Place North, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 PH: 561-422-3662 Indie internet radio station promoting bands for FREE. The SMALLZ & ILL Show SMALLZ & ILL info@thesmallzandillshow.com http://www.smallzandill.com The SMALLZ & ILL Show, 2707 S. Cooper St. Suite 119, Arlington, TX 76015 PH: 817-846-1150 Artists interested in getting national radio play, and national television exposure, please send EDITED MATERIAL to us. If you don't have edited material, contact us about editing it for you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Get started selling your CDs at IndieGate.com for only $30.00 Have you wanted to get involved with the online indie pioneers at the InterMixx IndieGate, but those pesky $$$ were holding you back? Well, not any more! Sell your indie CD through the InterMixx IndieGate and get started right now for an all-time low set-up fee of only $30.00. It's never been this affordable to get involved with InterMixx, so let the company that's been helping the indie market grow for over 15 years help YOUR market to grow as well! Please visit http://www.IndieGate.com and become a Merchant Member right now! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Charging into its eighth year, The NEMO Music Festival & Conference is one of North America's premier music industry events. NEMO takes place in Boston, a city renowned for being a hotbed of new talent, breaking new acts, and the home of The Berklee School of Music. With three nights of music featuring nearly 250 artists from around the world performing in the areas premiere nightclubs and the prestigious Boston Music Awards. For more information and a showcase application form, please go to: http://www.nemoboston.com/nemo/index.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 4. ONLINE SERVICES/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ TwoShepsThatPass Vera Sheps TwoShepsThatPass@aol.com http://www.twoshepsthatpass.com PO Box 380, New York, NY 10276 PH: 646-613-1101 FX: 786-513-0692 Our strong relationships with online and offline retailers, non-terrestrial radio stations, publications, and special interest groups put us in a unique position to give you a presence on and off the net. Indie4Ever.com Laban Johnson info@indie4ever.com http://www.indie4ever.com Free Independent Music Distribution and Promotion, non-exclusive, forever. CD Army Nic Climer Nic@cdarmy.com http://www.cdarmy.com PO Box 225023, Dallas, TX 75222 PH: 214-943-7550 FX: 214-943-7550 Artist hosting and online indie music sales. Fighting for independent music one CD at a time! TRP/NME Wreckidz Mr. Dilligence mrdilligence@aol.com http://www.NMEwreckidz.com 32 Brooks Rd. Gloucester, MA 01930 PH: 978-394-0751 Indie Record Label/grass roots distributor for Massachusetts (and beyond) rappers/R+B singers. LiveWireRecordz.com Khalid Price khalid@livewirerecordz.com http://www.livewirerecordz.com 503 Bullocks Point Ave. Apt #1, Riverside, RI 02915 PH: 401 4331753 Versatindependentdant record label. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- YOU NEED BETTER SALES AND DISTRIBUTION FOR YOUR CD. If your CD isn't for sale in CD Baby, you're losing sales! CD Baby has been featured in the NY Times, MSNBC, Wired, CNET and more. 10,000 CUSTOMERS A DAY go through cdbaby.com looking for CDs like yours. Such a popular online store, you HAVE to make sure your CD is there. They pay $20,000 a week to musicians like you (over $1 million so far!) ALL YOU HAVE TO DO TO START SELLING is go to http://www.cdbaby.net Takes 5 minutes. Send them a box of CDs. They'll sell them and pay you. Real cool people. Total first-class treatment. Great CD distribution. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DAD (Digital Audio Distribution) http://www.discmakers.com/dad Launched by DISC MAKERS the DAD service gives independent bands and artists the opportunity to sell their songs online on sites like Apple's iTunes Music Store, Listen.com's Rhapsody, AOL's MusicNet, Emusic, and newcomer BuyMusic.com. The DAD service is FREE with all new CD orders with DISC MAKERS. The service is also available to artists who do not make their CDs with DISC MAKERS for only $75. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 5. SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s OR VIDEOS @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Motagator Music Paul Asher paul@motagator.co.uk http://www.motagator.co.uk PH: 44-0-115 928 5091 Based at Nottingham, in the heart of the UK. Open to all genres of music, but specialising in Cajun, Zydeco, Folk, Roots and Blues. Automatic account creation and free webspace for artists to upload and promote their music. Weedfiles.com http://www.weedfiles.com/ib You get paid to listen to music and turn your friends on to hot new tunes by independent artists from around the world. What are you waiting for? The revolution has already begun.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SELL THE INDIE BIBLE FROM YOUR WEBSITE AND MAKE SOME EXTRA CASH!! The Indie Bible is one of the most popular resource for Independent Recording Artists in the world. As an affiliate, you will receive $10 US for each sale of the Indie Bible generated through your site! Visit http://www.indiebible2003.com/whole.shtml for details. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Music-Tech.Net Indie Artist Showcase artistshowcase@music-tech.net http://www.music-tech.net/submissions/indiebible.htm PH: 800 278 4931 FX: 404-795-0821 An Award of Distinction is given to the independent artist who sells the most units through our showcase during a twelve week period. In addition to the award, the winner receives a gift certificate from Music-Tech.Net and sponsors...anticipated up to $6,000.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 6. HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Bands Thriving On Fans NDMuse ndmuse@bandsthrivingonfans.net http://bandsthrivingonfans.net PH: 903.223.7205 Provides free promotion and support for unsigned bands. Scorpion Promotions Inc. Oliver Riley oliver_scorpion@yahoo.com http://scorpionpromotions.cjb.net A service that provides touring bands with shows in the Omaha/ Lincoln, Nebraska area, and we can also help book local/regional/ national bands in other midwest cities that are having trouble booking themselves. eMusicBlast.com Rick Moore rmoore@emusicblast.com http://www.emusicblast.com 501 Astor Ct. Franklin Park, NJ 08823 PH: 609-406-0774 An online community that brings artists, the industry and fans together. Nashville Rounds Dennis Eggers info@nashvillerounds.net http://www.nashvillerounds.net PH: 615-977-3069 Independent Performing Songwriters network. We promote independent performing songwriters and the services/products that help them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BOOST TRAFFIC TO YOUR WEBSITE WITH THE INDIE LINK EXCHANGE! The Indie Link Exchange is a list of music sites that wish to exchange links with other music related sites. With over 600 current listings, it's a great way to get some FREE exposure It's a simple one-to-one exchange of text links or banners. ALL styles of music sites are welcome! http://www.indielinkexchange.com/ile ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SONICBIDS is an online service that connects musicians and music promoters. Instead of mailing out traditional, bulky press kits, Sonicbids' members email Sonicbids Electronic Press Kits (EPKs). Soncbids EPKs - which contain the MP3 files, pictures, press reviews and contact information - can be easily emailed to anyone, anywhere! In addition, members can directly submit their EPKs to some of the world's biggest festivals, clubs, and conferences for free. Members are also eligible for exclusive Sonicbids spots at some of the hottest conferences around the world. Promote your band in a powerful new way, for only $49.95 a year. Go to http://www.sonicbids.com/default.asp?pID=1435 today! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 7. BABY STEPS AND THE ROAD TO SUCCESS by Chris Standring, A&R Online ? 2004 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ "If you can achieve one successful thing a day to help your music career on the right path then you are on the right track". It's very easy to sit at home and get frustrated with the apparent lack of forward movement in your music career. Especially when you know in your heart that you have what it takes to succeed. It's very easy to get discouraged, for the simple reason that it seems "you are only as good as your last event". Musicians and actors are similar in that we like the highs that our performances give us. We thrive on the exhilaration. It's like a drug. When it goes away we want it again. Gearing up to a live event is exciting. We can talk it up to friends and fans, promote it the best way we know how and enjoy the thrill of the performance itself. Then it is over and there may be a lull between events. It can seem like your career is going nowhere. It's very easy to feel that. However, other people's perception may be entirely different and probably is. The music business is all about perception. It is based on hype and salesmanship ability. I wish it was different but it is not and will never ever be. If your band is perceived to be doing well then people will talk. If your band is perceived to be on the way out then people will also talk. If your band is doing nothing, nobody will talk! It is therefore extremely important that you keep the hype factor up! This is one of the things you need to be focusing on between events. Sit back and think about what you clearly have achieved so far in your career. Think about the things that were absolutely in your control. We are constantly bombarded with new creative marketing ideas, most of them excellent, inventive and effective. However, the ideas that you personally will primarily adopt are those ideas that you are totally comfortable with. These are the things that you will make a priority. It's too easy to get overwhelmed with new promotional ideas so we put them off and resort to the things we know we can do. I have two words to give you. BABY STEPS. It's just too damn hard to do every new promotional idea to get your band to the next level at the same time. Especially if you don't have a team of people working with you. But you can start by doing just one thing today. If you can achieve one successful thing a day to help your music career on the right path then you are on the right track. The only way you can get successful as an independent artist is by letting people know you exist. So ask yourself for example, "What can I do today to expand my fanbase?" Well, there are infinite possibilities. Pick one thing, just one and do it today! Let's say you want to increase your e-mail database. Think about the most effective ways you can do that. The most effective ways to build a database, (but more importantly get those people to be fans and come to shows), is to personally get to know them. So start with friends, have them refer their friends, and so on. Hand out flyers and sample CD's or tapes to everyone you know. (Make sure you have a good stack in your car.) Grab business cards of all the people you meet and get their e-mail addresses. Send them a very personal e-mail asking them if they would be interested to know about your band. Be creative. But DO something that you know you can personally do to expand other people's awareness of you. It takes a good amount of time but you can help yourself by really being active and productive. Read everything you can about promoting your own shows and do the things that you are most comfortable doing, the things that you know you can be effective at. Then, step out and try something new. Do one thing a day to help get to where you want to be, and at the end of each week think about what you have achieved. There is nothing that fuels drive more than drive itself. And there's nothing that fuels lethargy more than sitting at home wishing you were successful and doing little about it! It can be extremely overwhelming when there seems such a long way to go. Take it one step at a time. That's all truly successful people ever did. ============================================= Chris Standring is the CEO and founder of A&R Online http://www.aandronline.com). He is also a contemporary jazz guitarist presently signed to Mesa/Bluemoon Records. The music is marketed at NAC and Urban AC radio. For more info on Chris' recording career go to his personal website at http://www.chrisstandring.com ============================================ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- MECA Music Conference ? May 12-15 ? Chicago, USA An acronym for Musician?s Education and Career Advancement, MECA is a major music conference in the Midwest. This four-day Chicago-based event will offer forty panels, workshops and performance clinics, mentoring sessions, 250 live music showcases, and numerous networking events. http://www.mecaconference.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- We wanted to make you aware of a very special industry event that we are a part of and are sponsoring. It's the Global Entertainment and Media Summit and it is one of the largest pro-active events dedicated to helping artists and industry promote their projects and make valuable connections. At last years Summit, three artists secured national tours, labels secured distribution deals, and songs were chosen for films and television. Los Angeles GEMS: June 12-13 Website: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Indie-Music.com - Where Serious Musicians Surf One of the original musician resource websites, Indie-Music.com offers thousands of contacts - venues, studios, media, radio, labels, and more. Plus, an extensive archive of how-to's for the music business, and up-to-date commentary on the industry. The Indie News newsletter provides a free tip sheet with listings for radio airplay, record label submissions, gig opportunities, and more. https://www.bookingagentsdirectory.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 8. HOW TO OVERCOME DISCRIMINATIONTION IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS - PART 1 by Bobby Borg author of "The Musician's Handbook" ? 2004 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ AGE DISCRIMINATION is a sensitive and real issue in our society. After a certain age you can't become a police officer, join the military, or become a flight attendant. In the music business, artists often find it difficult to get a record deal after age 25-and after that big break, it's even difficult for the established artist to sustain a career into their later years. As ridiculous as these rules may or may not be, you can always find success in the industry as long as you're open minded, proactive, and creative in finding new ways to survive and thrive. SIGN WITH A MAJOR? Major labels make up the majority of commercial recordings sold in the United States. As of this writing, the five largest record companies (or five majors) are Sony, Universal, BMG, EMI, and WEA. Each major is also part of larger corporations that run a system of distribution channels, regional offices, international divisions, and other music business companies. Therefore, bottom line profits and corporate reporting are of primary concern-and reps most typically seek younger more "commercially viable" artists who can theoretically ensure a faster return on their investment. Additionally, the benefit of seeking younger acts is that if successful, they could potentially reap a return on the label's investment for several years to come. "It's a young man's game," said one A&R representative who wishes to remain anonymous. "We look for artists from age 15 to 25. It may seen harsh, but it doesn't makes sense to invest an older race horse when you can get the younger thoroughbred crossing the winner's line for years to come." Unless a dramatic shift takes place in the industry in the next few years (which is very possible-more on this later), then seeking a major label deal may obviously not be the wisest focus for more adult artists: plan and simple. GO INDEPENDENT Independent record companies (also called indies) are usually not owned or controlled by the majors, and are generally distributed by smaller regional distributors. With less overhead and investment risk, indies are more open to signing less mainstream and perhaps more adult artists than the major record companies. Said one indie rep in a recent music connection A&R poll conducted in 2003, "We tend to stay away from age discrimination. I look to the music first and people who have maturity and a strong business sense. Of course they must still have a marketable image even when they're older-but it's the professional performer who keep their health and image a priority and can convince the masses they're younger than their years. If they have talent and look the part, then who cares how old they are." Indies may not just be more open to signing more adult artists, but also older "brands" or "genres" of music. Indies are known to be the sanctuary (literally) for veteran artists are were once successful and no longer can find a home on a the majors. Case in point, Sanctuary records (formerly CMJ) made a name for themselves by signing several of the hard rock bands that were once very popular in the 1980s. Surely, labels like Sanctuary aren't trying to market to the masses nor do they have the budgets, but by signing artists who still have a modest (albeit dwindling) fan base and who are still willing to get out on the road and tour, a potential profit can be made for all parties involved. DO IT YOURSELF If you're still not having much luck with getting a record deal after several years of trying, then perhaps you're long over do for taking a more proactive approach and resorting to a DIY (do it yourself) method-a situation where you can make all of your own business decisions and you don't have to let the record companies or any one else dictate what you can and cannot do or be-whether it be age or anything else. Home recording equipment has become more assessable than it was in the recent past and the number of opportunities to manufacture and sell your own CDs are plentiful. Create a buzz! Build a following. You may even make a decent living. Singer/songwriter Ani DeFranco is the classic example of someone bypassedssed the record companies altogether by starting her own label out of her parent's garin 19901990. She was only twenty years old then when she launched Righteous Babe Records. And at the time of this writing-at age 34, sales of her albums are still known to reach up to 30,000 copies per month. This brings the old saying to mind"You ever notice how fast firewood burns when you cut and then chop it yourself?" Though Defranco is a rare example, it shows what you can accomplish over time when you take the initiative yourself. So get busy! *** Part 2 Next Month *** ============================================= Bobby Borg is the author of "The Musician's Handbook: A Practical Guide To Understanding The Music Business," now available by Billboard Books on-line at Amazon.com, or in a store near you. mailto: bborg@bobbyborg.com ============================================ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THREE RESOURCES FOR CHRISTIAN ARTISTS 1. Take the Gospel to the Streets at: http://HolyHipHop.Com 2. Join the DJ Lace Mix Club at: http://DJLace2004.Com 3. Support the Urban Gospel Alliance: http://UrbanGospelAlliance.Com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subscribe to the award-winning free ezine/webzine MUSIC MORSELS - the music industry's monthly publication featuring self-help for musicians and songwriters including interviews with national and unsigned recording artists, industry profiles, CD reviews and much more. Just send an email to MusMorsels@aol.com with the word "Subscribe" in the subject field. MUSICIANS & LABELS: Send your press kits (must send complete press kit (photo, bio, clippings), not just a CD) to us for possible upcoming reviews or interviews in Music Morsels. We cover all genres. Mail to: Sandy Serge, Editor, Music Morsels, PO Box 672216, Marietta, GA 30006-0037 USA URL - http://www.serge.org/musicmorsels.htm Published since 1995 targeting musicians, songwriters and music industry professionals serving over 35,000 readers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE MAD HAND ARTS GRAPHICS & DESIGN GIVES 25% DISCOUNT TO INDIES on CD cover graphics & all music graphics needs. Digital design & fine arts savants, a killer design, sound technical execution, and painless business experience are our standard package. http://www.themadhand.com 718-544-8901 info@themadhand.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- WE HAVE THE A&R CONTACTS YOU NEED! The A&R Registry, Publisher Registry, Music Attorney, Legal & Business Affairs Registry and the Film & Television Music Guide are the four directories no Professional or Musician should be without if you are serious about your career. Each directory covers the US, Canada and UK markets and comes complete with direct dial phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, assistant names and company websites. For more information, sample listings or to place an order, go to our website at http://www.musicregistry.com or call us at 800-377-7411 or 818-995-7458. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ARE YOU an unsigned act, songwriter or producer?? Looking for a Record, Publishing, Management and Licensing deal worldwide, especially in the UK and USA? Each month the BANDIT A&R NEWSLETTER publishes features on Labels, Publishers, Managers etc looking to sign acts, songs or masters. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USA INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION Songwriters, bands & artists! Enter to win a grand prize of over US$50,000 in cash, merchandise and more! This the largest prize package in any annual songwriting competition. Also, winners' songs will be featured on a nationally syndicated radio program serving over 60 cities in the US and Canada. Judges include A&R Managers from Major Record labels and publishers. BONUS: Early bird entrants receive a FREE gift. Hurry, visit: http://www.songwriting.net ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE MAD HAND ARTS GRAPHICS & DESIGN GIVES 25% DISCOUNT TO INDIES on CD cover graphics & all music graphics needs. Digital design & fine arts savants, a killer design, sound technical execution, and painless business experience are our standard package. http://www.themadhand.com 718-544-8901 info@themadhand.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== ADVERTISE IN THE INDIE CONTACT NEWSLETTER AND REACH OUT TO OVER 90,000 MUSICIANS AND SONGWRITERS EACH MONTH! AD RATES: Regular Placement Ads are $250 each. If you advertise for 3 consecutive issues, you will receive a $100 discount ($650 total). Premium placements (the first 2 ad spots) cost $300 per month (with no discount for multiple placements). This newsletter goes out to over 90,000 music people each month! Contact: newsletter@indiebible.com or (613) 596-4996. ====================================================================== Past issues of this newsletter can be viewed at: https://www.indiebible.com/newsletter |