Resource of the Day: Digsby....stay connected

One great thing about the internet is the power it gives a group or artist the ability to communicate. The problem is there are many avenues and staying organized and not neglecting a certain segment can become daunting...facebook, myspace, twitter...all your email...instant messaging...it all adds up to a lot of stuff to monitor...

Enter Digsby...

As Digsby puts it:

Digsby is a multiprotocol IM client that lets you chat with all your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber with one simple to manage buddy list.

digsby is an email notification tool that alerts you of new email and lets you perform actions such as 'Delete' or 'Report Spam' with just one click.

digsby is a social networking tool that alerts you of events like new messages and gives you a live Newsfeed of what your friends are up to.

Resource of the Day: Carbonite.com

Being an artist or a band, having pictures, press releases and digital versions of demos and songs is essential. Problem is several hands are in the cookie jar and things can get lost over time. Not only that, but a computer crash can always be a doomsday for photo...as well as losing demos forever. Instead of being in fear, spend 49 bucks for the year and give everybody access that works on all assets related to the project.

Carbonite.com is a company that does this, and they are very reputable. This guarantees that all your information is in a centralized location and in a very safe place.

Expose Yourself: Grammy Time

If you have had the pleasure of releasing a CD with at least 4 songs, it is time to get yourself some street cred and join the Recording Academy. Not only will you have access to purchasing tickets to the big show each year, you get a groovy membership card that goes great with the ASCAP card as well as the chance to vote for who wins.

It also gets you access to Insurance benefits, invitations and access to some great events and speakers and also puts you in the thick of the music industry.
Register Online
or download the PDF and fill it out and fax back.

Expose Yourself - NAMM 2009

Every year around this time the music industry descends upon Orange County, California, just outside Disneyland to hold the annual NAMM Show. The National Association of Music Manufacturers is a great place to be if you can get in. BAck in the glory days when hot chicks and craziness surrounded the show, the public was able to attend for a price. Funny how the second they cleaned up the show, the barred the public from getting access. Fear not, there are several ways to get tickets of you are not on the "inside".

The first an easy bet is to become really good friends with your local music store. On more than a couple occasions we were able to get in via this route. Not always a guarantee, but it has worked. Getting a job at Guitar Center might increase your chances as well. Another thing is to find anyone you may know who is in the music manufacturing business. Say someone who makes a part that is used on guitars or something.

Now let's say you get your passes, next step is how to approach being in the den of musicians. The key thing here is to have a reason for a manufacturer to want o get behind you with a sponsorship. In our case, this year the band d will be filming on a episode of HBOs Entourage. This kind of clout will not always be at your disposal, but you will need a compelling story, other wise the only reason for being at the show is looking at gear and taking photos with famous musicians.

The troops are at NAMM today, and will give feedback on this years adventure. I missed out on going because I checked my text messages a few hours too late...which is definitely a way not to get to go!

NAMM 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Hope this new year is good for everyone and that the music and fun keep getting better!