General Music Chat

No 'squashiness' looking from work with IE. I'd suggest getting some better photos (they are all fuzzy/low res). The writing is in a grey font that is hard to read against the white background.

Don't know how much you are paying per month for the website (bandzoogle is $20/month and has a lot of nice features), but you're unlikely to make it back selling downloads/CDs unless you get out there playing live shows and getting the word out, but good luck.
Hopefully you're not using one of those Indonesian host sites - which offer great starting price, but then they hack your site (some related place doing it) and try to extort more money from you to unhack and protect it. Happened to Tammy (who used to come here) last week.

You can actually hear me sing!! That might be worth a buck!!

Actually it was worth 5 times that....so pay up!



I've always thought of avant-guard as "rich people who can't relate to the rest of us". If you're going that direction, you'll need a lot more money.

If it were that easy to make a living (even part-time) everyone would be doing it. Jimmy is 100% correct in saying that no one is going to find you, or even care to listen, until you're a force in the real world. That will take a lot of paying dues and playing out. Even then there is no guarantee that you will ever connect with strangers, but it's an investment you will have to make before you find out.

The secret to building a loyal audience is in making a spiritual connection to every single one of them. They can get music anywhere, but finding art that understands their unspoken hopes/desires is what makes them a follower. The secret to being known is either lots of travel or an unrelenting media campaign. Or, you could be on the front of a new wave of ideas....like VR. Oh, never mind...

I wish you nothing but the best.



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Jook

That in fact was my plan until I got blindsided by illness. I found out yesterday that insurance will cover a procedure that just might knock me back into the playing field where i belong.

Now in my optimism I begin to consider the age old conundrum, play covers and make a few bucks, viewing it as a part time job, or try to get my own stuff out there. Tentatively I'm thinking money looks good right now. Hopefully I can whistle up something like JimmyD pulls off - where the covers are fun to play.

Talbot

The group that we're getting back together busted up 10 years ago when the bassist passed away. The previous band I was in busted up when the drummer passed away. Needless to say, I was very depressed about this for a long time. But this band is a folk rock band. We do a lot of original material and a few covers. There are a few places that popped up in town over the last couple of years that hire original acts so we are going to explore this. Fun, fun, fun!!

right on jookmensch....glad to hear you're gonna be getting another op to get out there playing in addition to your church gig!

But you have to understand something Teddy. We all have different goals in life and we're all 'wired' differently. I understand why you are doing what you are doing. I also do the same thing (and have for 30 years) but I never made a red cent from it nor do I want to. What I plan to do is have fun and make a little money if it comes my way. Things will always work out for the best, whatever that may be. I think you'll agree w/ that statement.

You seem to keep implying that I do what I do for the money? Nothing could be farther from the truth. I have been performing and writing original music "live" since 1975. It started paying off somewhere around 2005. I accept that some people place a value on what I do, but paid my dues long before that.

If money and position were my goals, why would I be here? Coming up, I always wished there was someone who knew what they were talking whom I could ask questions for those first 30 years of being a songwriter. There are a lot false notions about the music biz, about what its like to be on a label, how to be a full-timer, about what a songwriter needs to successfully make a living while being true to his calling. I come here to help clear up the confusion for anyone who wants to know. I find almost no one who has those ambitions, but I'm still here for the person who is going through the process. I helped Bob avoid the ReverbNation scam, tried to be straight with him (and you) about what it will take for the music to get going outward.

Personally, I'm serving a niche that no one else is willing to serve, creating a network where none existed before, and living 100% on faith and the benevolent gifts of the people whom I serve. I could easily charge a big guarantee like the other leaders in my genre....but instead I've gone to about 20 nations around the world now for an offering and a place to sleep. Does anyone recommend that strategy if you're goal is to make money? I've lived on the edge of bankruptcy a couple of months in every year, and I've been overwhelmed with blessing..... content in all situations.

I can remember the old days, thinking that those who were succeeding as a full-time musician either had an unfair advantage or were selling out. However, now I realize that was pure envy on my part, making me feel better about myself and the challenges of paving the road I took. As I started to find some success (as the world measures it) it gave me more respect for those who had worked hard until there was a breakthrough.

The only difference between those who appear to have success, and those who don't, is a plan with LOTS of determination and elbow grease...

You seem to have a plan. I don't think it's realistically going outside of SW Louisianna without a lot tweaking, but you're happy with it, so I say "mazal tov" (congratulations) and wish you well.



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