FastForward: Digital Downloads

From joedai!

	Table of contents: Indie Does Digital Digital Download Glossary IMWS Studio Spotlight Spotlight: Indie-Music.com Sell your music on DigStation IMWS Northeast Winner Crowned Need CDs for the holidays? Get a FREE Catalog!
A recent report indicates that digital download sales are up 106% from last year, represent 11% of music sales worldwide, and add up to $945 million. Digital distribution is big money, and when labels see a loss of revenue from a product they own the rights to, they will try to find ways to recoup and limit their losses. The issue of digital downloads is also a hot topic among independent artists, though the conversation has a different timbre. The indie argument centers more on the value of publicity versus lost revenue. Independent artists, as a general rule, have a grassroots revenue stream: gig revenue combined with CD, t-shirt, and merch sales represent a large bulk of the money an independent musician can hope to earn, and most of these sales come through hand-to-hand sales at gigs. Certainly CD sales through web storefronts and band web sites can play a significant role in sales, but indie artists often have little to lose when it comes to digital piracy. For most indie artists, the goal is to increase awareness, attract fans, and create a buzz. Read the full article here Digital Download Glossary Learn to speak digital DRM or Digital Rights Management: Any of several technologies used by publishers (or copyright owners) to control access to and usage of digital data (such as software, music, movies, etc.) and hardware, handling usage restrictions associated with a specific instance of a digital work. DRM techniques include Microsoft's PlaysForSure, Apple's FairPlay, watermarking, and fingerprinting. Most internet music stores employ DRM to restrict the usage of music purchased and downloaded online. Read the full glossary here IMWS Studio Profile: Northeast '06 Big Sky Audio October 1, 2006 marked Big Sky Audio's 15th anniversary, and finds owner Drew Raison enthusiastic about what's lined up for the future. Prospective Broadway deals have the potential to change the landscape of the studio's business model, and the current spate of projects keeps Raison optimistic and proud of Big Sky's ability to remain a recording facility catering almost exclusively to music production. Read the full profile here Fast Forward Spotlight Build A Buzz at Indie-Music.com Since 1996, Indie-Music.com has been serving the independent music community with streaming audio, podcasts, reviews, a huge industry search directory, and success-building resources. The web site offers a wealth of information to artists trying to survive and thrive in today's competitive music industry. Learn more at Indie-Music.com
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7905 N. Rte 130, Pennsauken, NJ 08110 2006 Disc Makers, 1-866-249-2373, www.discmakers.com

FastForward: Back to School

from joedai:

	Table of contents: What I Learned at Grammy Camp From Indie Rocker to NY Doll IMWS Southeast Studo Sponsor IMWS News Flash Selling downloads just got indie Get a FREE Catalog!
This year marked the second annual Grammy Camp, a 17-day interactive experience held in July in the Los Angeles area. A group of 77 students, ages 15-19, assembled on the campus of Citrus College and other local venues. As the business guy, I presented a seminar called Doing the Numbers: Setting Realistic Personal and Financial Goals in the Music Business. We also did an exercise to set goals in three critical areas: creative, financial, and personal. Here are some memorable examples (paraphrased): I want to write 50 new songs in the next six months I want to make music my career I want to balance my life so I don't get burned out on music That last point struck a chord with me, and it raises a pertinent question: How do you stay involved with music as a career without getting jaded, tired, spoiled, frustrated, or worse? Read the full article here 6 Degrees of Steve Conte From indie rocker to New York Doll A quick glimpse at Steve Conte's musical resume doesn't give him away as a struggling indie artist. He was signed to Mercury Records with Company of Wolves; he's recorded with Maceo Parker, Billy Squier, and Peter Wolf, among others; he's been Paul Simon's rehearsal body double; he's toured with Willie Nile (among others); and he's currently a member of the resurrected and critically embraced New York Dolls, accented with four writing credits on the Dolls' new album. Read the full article here IMWS Studio Profile: Southeast '06 Ledge 7 Studios Tony Copley, who owns and operates Ledge 7 Studios in Dallas, GA, is working to establish more than just a local studio that caters to independent artists. With the Ledge 7 Entertainment Group, Copley is developing an integrated model that combines the studio, a management arm, and a record label. Read the full article here Disc Makers-TAXI Seminar Winner Congratulations to Lee Bailey and Delonso Barnes, winners of the Disc Makers/Taxi Roadshow Giveaway. Lee and Delonso each won airfare, lodging and admission to the 2006 Taxi Road Rally in Hollywood CA.
We've taken the liberty to send this to you at peterjoe@gvsu.edu because you volunteered this address to us. If you have received this message in error, we apologize. To be removed from this mailing list, click here. This is an automated mailing. Responding to this email will result in an error. Please direct any questions or comments to questions@discmakers.com.
7905 N. Rte 130, Pennsauken, NJ 08110 2006 Disc Makers, 1-866-249-2373, http://www.discmakers.com/

Exclusive event invitation from Disc Makers and Taxi

From joedaiwarriors:

Dear Joe , I'd like to personally invite you to the most powerful music seminar in the country – absolutely FREE. It's an evening with Michael Laskow, CEO of A&R company TAXI, and myself, Tony van Veen, Executive Vice President of Disc Makers, discussing what it takes to be successful as an artist in today's world. Read on to learn more, or sign up now. Together, Michael and I will be covering hot topics like: What you should NEVER Say When An A&R Person Calls You What Makes An Artist Or Band Instantly Signable How Good Your Demos Really Have To Be How To Write The Perfect Bio How To Dramatically Improve Your Songwriting Overnight How To Record Better Demos For little or NO Money How To Make Big $$$ Getting Your Songs In Movies And TV Shows We'll also be sharing proven marketing methods to help you promote your music to its max. These are all the things I wish I'd known when I was performing, recording, and selling my own albums, like: How to Double Your Mailing List With Practically No Effort How to Perform at Locations You've Never Thought Of How to Dramatically Increase Your CD Sales How to Create Your Unique Selling Proposition How to Create a Band Name that will Increase Your Sales Radio Airplay: Myth or Reality for Independent Artists? How to Get Distribution and Not Get Burned Michael and I have been doing seminars on our own for years, but this is the first time we're joining forces. This is your chance to learn what we've learned over the past 15 years (in just one night!). We'll take your questions, and promise to stick around until every last one has been answered. This seminar is all about YOU and helping you take your music career to the next level. I've known Michael Laskow for over a decade, and he's one of the sharpest minds in the music business, with three decades of experience in recording, production, and A&R for independent and major artists under his belt. We've never tried this before, and may never do this again, so choose the seminar closest to you, hold the date, and make sure you come see us. Space is limited and we won't be able to accommodate everyone, so please pre-register and guarantee a spot by visiting www.discmakers.com/roadshow. You are guaranteed to leave this seminar with at least one great idea that will allow you to make more money with your music (and folks attending my talks in the past have told me they pick up dozens of nuggets to help them in their music careers). Please join Michael and myself for this powerful FREE seminar that will help you kick your music career into high gear. Bring your musician friends. Bring a note pad and a pen (heck, bring TWO pens!). I look forward to meeting you in Chicago or Atlanta! Again, click here to pre-register. Warm regards, Tony van Veen Executive Vice President Disc Makers P.S. As if the great information we're going to share isn't enough, each evening we'll also be holding a drawing for one lucky artist or songwriter to get free airfare, lodging, and admission to the TAXI Road Rally, held in Los Angeles this November. So visit www.discmakers.com/roadshow to reserve your spot.

We've taken the liberty to send this to you at peterjoe@gvsu.edu because you volunteered this address to us. If you have received this message in error, we apologize. To be removed from this mailing list, click here. This is an automated mailing. Responding to this email will result in an error. Please direct any questions or comments to questions@discmakers.com.

7905 N. Rte 130, Pennsauken, NJ 08110 © 2006 Disc Makers, 1-800-468-9353, www.discmakers.com

FastForward: Benefit Concerts

Submitted by JoeDai!

	Table of contents: Benefit Concerts IMWS Midwest Studio Profile All Things IMWS Song of the Year Contest FFWD Archive: Distribution 10-Day Turn Time Get a FREE Catalog
Benefit concerts have been organized as a means of raising money and awareness for those in need since the 1700s. In more recent years, Live 8, Live Aid, Farm Aid, and Katrina relief concerts have benefited huge numbers of people and have put causes like famine in Africa, the plight of the American family farmer, and third world debt relief in the spotlight. Producing any sort of live event takes operational knowledge and organizational skills, not to mention a lot of time and dedication. Fortunately, there are plenty of successful benefits produced to model yours after. "The event wouldn't be what it is without those live bands on the beach," says Jesse Gray, who helps coordinate the music events for the Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund. "It would still be a great vehicle for raising money and awareness, but the music adds an energy and a life to the event that only a live performance can bring. Especially combined with the beach environment." Read the full article here IMWS Studio Profile: Midwest 2006 Chicago Recording Company Take one look at Chicago Recording Company's catalog of clients and you know it's home to a lot of hit records. Billy Corgan, Cheap Trick, Ice Cube, Kanye West, Pearl Jam… the list is insane. Ask Chris Shepard, CRC's General Manager, what makes the studio home to so many top-notch music icons, and he doesn't hesitate. "It's easy," he says, "it's our staff." Click here to learn more IMWS Sponsors Dewey Beach Music Conference www.dbmc06.com September 28 - October 1, 2006 Ruddertowne Complex 113 Dickinson St. Dewey Beach, DE 19971 NEMO www.nemoboston.com September 28-30, 2006 Boston Center for the Arts 539 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02116 Songwriting Competition Now Accepting Entries Song of the Year is an international songwriting competition with over $100,000 of cash and prizes. Fifty top songwriters each month get their songs sent out to record labels, music publishers, and more. The judging panel consist of many Grammy award winners including Norah Jones, Sheila E., and more. Enter your song or lyrics today at www.entermysong.com
We've taken the liberty to send this to you at peterjoe@gvsu.edu because you volunteered this address to us. If you have received this message in error, we apologize. To be removed from this mailing list, click here. This is an automated mailing. Responding to this email will result in an error. Please direct any questions or comments to questions@discmakers.com.
7905 N. Rte 130, Pennsauken, NJ 08110 © 2006 Disc Makers, 1-866-249-2373, www.discmakers.com