Five Steps to Protecting Your Music and Your Money
Posted by admin on August 28th, 2008 filed in mp3Comment now »
There are a lot of independent labels out there waiting to use a talented musician to make quick money. The offers may seem hard to refuse, especially if you are a struggling artist or band that has struggled to get a record deal. A little money and exposure may seem great for the moment, but you run a high risk of getting contractually bound to that record label for the rest of your life. If a better deal comes along later, you may not be able to accept it, or you may get robbed of your rightful percentages.
All of this I learned the hard way. I was very fortunate to be able to get myself out of trouble and get a fresh start in the music business. I also took time to educate myself through books and the experiences of others, as well as mys own, to conceive a plan on how to avoid a repeat of what happened once before. This plan I believe will be very helpful for you ambitious artists pursuing your dreams. It is put into five easy steps, but make sure to read the details listed within each step.
1. Copyright your music
This is one of the most important things you can do to protect your music. Take the time, fill out the forms. There have been many instances where a person wrote a song and nothing ever came of it. Years later a signed band steals their song and remakes it. The original artist had it copywritten and sues the other record label for thousands if not millions of dollars. Instant riches! Protect your tunes.
2. Understand what you really want from your music
Figure out whether you are looking to sell your songs to record companies, or be the band and artist who performs the songs. There is good money in just writing songs for other bands. Ask for a percentage if that is your decision, because that will generally make you much more money in the long run than an up front payment. The only thing you sacrifice by writing instead of performing is the fame and exposure. Also, determine how much you stand behind your music. Are you willing to allow the record company to make several changes to your songs and try to mold you into “their sound”? How much do you believe in your product?
3. Get a contract lawyer and agent
You need an agent to represent your band to the record labels. This person doesn’t need to be an established agent in the business. It can be a friend or relative if they can talk assertively and won’t make any quick decisions without consulting the band. The record companies only want to talk to one person, not three, four, or five members of a band. It gets too confusing for them and they don’t have the time. Make sure they are looking out for your best interests and not theirs.
A contract lawyer is especially important. Just call around and find a local lawyer who specializes in contracts. When it comes time to sign the dotted line, make sure the lawyer is by your side. Don’t sign any contracts or documents until you and your lawyer have taken time to read them thoroughly and make a decision. If a record company is rushing you to sign any papers, walk away. Patience should be allowed to you if they are truly interested. If they rush you, they are planning to manipulate you.
4. Promote yourself tirelessly
Artists have been discovered a number of different ways. Every band has a different story. Use every media avenue you can to expose yourself nationally. Unless you live in L.A., New York, or Atlanta, local exposure isn’t going to be enough. Think big with your music!
5. When offers are made, research them well before committing
Don’t take the first offer made to you, only unless it’s a major record label and you researched what they offer very well. Signing bonuses are nice, but long term percentages are most important. Every artist gets a different percent with their label. The longer you have been in the business, the better your percents will get. Don’t get too greedy. Aim high and let them work you down. Twenty-five percent on the total profits on you album is very high. Most bands don’t get that. Remember, the suits and ties are the ones who make the big money. Without them, you are just selling CD’s out of the back of your trunk. If you don’t write your music, your percentages won’t be near twenty-five percent. Singer/songwriters make more money.
Good luck as you venture into the formidable music industry. There are several independent labels that are legit, but there are thousands of them that aren’t. Be careful and try to follow these steps listed above. I hope you can gain good fortune using these five steps.
Jeromie Frost is a singer, songwriter and recording artist. His story and music can be accessed at http://www.jeromiefrost.com
Tags: artist, independent, mp3, music, publishing, record, recording, songwritingEverette Harp In The Moment Smooth Jazz CD Review
Posted by admin on August 27th, 2008 filed in mp3Comment now »
The exceptionally talented Smooth Jazz Artist Everette Harp has released his latest CD entitled In The Moment. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Everette Harp fans, and smooth jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of In The Moment Everette Harp’s artistic excellence is on full display as he has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be his best work to date.
The CD launches with a great track, Monday Speaks, that will definitely be heard on smooth jazz radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. From there Harp proceeds to display why he is considered one the greatest smooth jazz artists of our time as he mixes his signature style throughout the CD.
These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.
In fact I’d go so far as to assert that Harp’s best work has come in his last to releases. Now having distinguished his own unique voice on the saxophone.
Smooth Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Harp on several of the tracks. Artists like Paul Jackson Jr., George Duke and Chuck Loeb just to name a few.
Overall I’d say Everette Harp scores big with In The Moment. Continuing his rise as a top smooth jazz sax player. Definitely a worthy addition to any smooth jazz collection.
Truly an outstanding smooth jazz CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is absolutely superb.
While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are Monday Speaks [track 1], Just As You Are [track 4], and Another Bedtime Story [track 6]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore […as in “Stuck On REpeat”] is track 2, Holla. Very nice!
Release Notes:
Everette Harp originally released In The Moment on May 23, 2006 on the Shanachie record label.
CD track list follows:
1. Monday Speaks
2. Holla
3. Back To Basics
4. Just As You Are
5. In the Moment
6. Another Bedtime Story
7. No Bout a Doubt It!
8. L. V. Shuffle
9. Night Calls
10. Happy Accidental
To listen to samples of each song on In The Moment by Everette go to: Everette Harp CD - In The Moment Samples
Clyde Lee Dennis, a.k.a. “SmoothLee” is an AVID music fan, smooth jazz in particular, and in addition to writing CD Reviews for http://www.ILoveSmoothJazz.com can also be heard during his radio show which airs daily online at http://www.SmoothJazz247.com
Tags: cd review, chuck loeb, everette harp, george duke, in the moment, mp3, music, sax, smooth jazz, smoothleeFree Legal Mp3 Downloads-Is It Possible
Posted by admin on August 26th, 2008 filed in mp3Comment now »
Downloading free mp3 music from the internet are a great thing to do. Mp3 downloads can give you thousands of free mp3 songs and hundreds of hours of listening just by using your fingertips. However, the common way to do download mp3 music is illegal… but there is an other method.
Its a fact that companies and individuals are getting sued for encouraging and downloading illegal music. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and their sister organizations in other countries have recently been passing out large fines trying to prevent illegal mp3 downloads.
A bunch of music download networks, like Napster, Kazaa, Winmx has been stopped, Grokster and Morpheus faces an uncertain future.
So what will the future bring ? Can I still download free mp3 music ?
The answer is YES, you can still keep your mp3 players cookin`. There are tons of websites in various sizes and
shapes that are publishing free legal mp3 music, and they are just waiting for you to start download.
After the close down of the big file sharing networks there are many pay sites that have licensing agreements with the entertainment industry, such as Rhapsody, iTunes and Yahoo Music. Unfortunately these top profile downloading sites often charge a too big fee for their mp3 download access.
Alternatives have arisen that gives you the same amount of content, but for free. Search the net for the free alternatives to Rhapsody, iTunes and Yahoo Music and you will be amazed of what you will find. The huge amount of free mp3 downloads you`ll download will keep both your heart and your wallet happy.
A comprehensive list of websites that gives you access to free mp3 downloads can be found at Legal Free MP3 Downloads
Guro Moy is a swedish music enthusiast and mp3 collector. She is also assisting at Legal Free MP3 Downloads
Tags: free mp3, free mp3 downloads, free mp3 music, mp3, mp3 download, mp3 music, mp3 players, mp3 search