Indie Musician Guide Part I

In the new world of the independent musician there needs to be
some type of formula to get your music to the masses. Once you
are making 'good' music what will set you apart? What will turn
your passion for music into a money generating career?
From time to time I will add to this formula by giving you book
titles, websites, artists to check out plus work assignments that
may be daily, weekly or less often.

First, in this day and age unless you already generate enough
money through club dates, cd sales, online download sales &
other merchandising then you need to keep your day job.
If you already make a good living I may be able to provide
some ideas to strengthen your cash flow.

Start your journey by signing up for Ariel Hyatt's Band letter and
checking out her video interviews and if you can find the cash her
Web 2.0 Marketing Course will set your career on the right path.
She has a YouTube series that can give you valuable info at no cost!
http://arielpublicity.com/

My next mentor to follow in your journey is Bob Baker. His Guerrilla
Music Marketing is a must for your reading. He also has newsletters
and web insight.
http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/

Always check 'used books' on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com when
purchasing 'Indie Musician' books.

Another great book of invaluable info is Martin Atkins -'Tour Smart'
http://tstouring.com/

Those sources are a start to getting your career jumpstarted.

Next time I will give you some stats on the great internet sites to get
your music played 'free' and worldwide.
If you want to preview my next tips on the industry just look at these
sites:
altsounds.com
reverbnation.com
imradio.com
playlist.com
taxi.com
If you are already familiar with these sites you are ahead of many others.

Put A Smile On Someone's Face

Are there times when it all seems like it's not
even worth getting out of bed? Yeah, we all
have those days. Then we must turn ourselves
around and do something for someone else.

That's when it's time to put a 'Smile on Someone's face'!
I know you can do it! I do it when I don't even know it.
Just sending an email with a sarcastic tone or a story
about grandbaby can do it.

Then there is that someone who puts 'A Smile on my face!'
And it's when I don't expect it but really need it.
A little blessing I think God knows will keep me
moving and energetic.

We all can be a blessing in someone else's life.
Put a smile on their face!

Someone Remembers

The older we get the more we realize we are the
same person we once were but in an older body.
I marvel at the reminders around me of 1969.
The music, the cars, the reference to Easy Rider
and movies of that summer.

The ideals of peace and family back then are still
with me. Whether our nation ever got close to the
idea of living in peace here & abroad still seems
unattainable. Whenever we get near that end some-
one changes the course.

From the '70's I still relate to the same passionate
sense of working with teen-agers but now when I
give advise I laugh to think I am a grandmother.
Going to the grocery store and being carded to buy
beer is a joke after 40 years of being legal drinking
age.

Throughout it all there is still someone who remembers
my heart and my sense of humor.

Someone half my age
just let me know she got the smart ass comeback
comments from me in the office. I feel honored!
They shouldn't change seating arrangements in the
office if they want others to remain professional at
all times.

When I feel lost or in need of a card or letter to lift
my spirits I know someone who remembers my
heart will pull me through in this age of emails.

I recently learned a valuable life lesson about people
who enter our lives because of the attraction they feel
to our personalities. The problem sometimes in being
honest & open to who you are is that some only talk a good
game -they can't walk the walk. I never realized in all
these years that I became disappointed by those who
claimed to be something they were not because they
were attracted to the life I live. I move fast and I move
with purpose as you may realize if you follow my blog.

Someone in my life remembers who I am and is there
always in spirit to support my efforts. I am eternally
grateful for those few moments we share in emails or
in phone conversations to catch up on all that transpires
in our lives.

I hope someone remembers you and the feelings in your
heart. There is the person I remember also and I know
their heart and hope I make them smile too.

I Need Serious Help

While riding with my son & grandson a week ago
I was listening to one of the final mixes of my son
and his band's new cd. The first cut is grandson's
favorite because the chourus is, 'Ashes,ashes we
all fall down.' This is a rock tune not a children's
song.
The next song is my personal favorite. All of a
sudden I shoot grandbaby a look as he sings,
'I have no money to drink with. I need serious help.'

I now tell my son that should be fun on the first day
of kindergarten if he is singing that. 'Call from the school,
huh?' my son says.

Yeah where my parent/teacher conferences ended his
can now start. It will be fun to watch in a few years.

For What It's Worth

Not only is this '60's song part of my weekly playlist-
it is a song I frequently revisit in terms of who I was
as a hippie teenager. I am still that person in terms of
my beliefs.
I was totally against the Vietnam Conflict and today am
in the same frame of mind about the battles our military
faces today. Today the picture is much different as brave
men women face war side by side. Let's not even venture
into the recruiting process when I tried to join the Air Force
in 1969. I was rejected at month's end because the monthly
quota for women was reached. I told my recruiter that was
the one and only chance for my military service. Don't even
know how I would have gotten through boot camp. I have
never used a firearm in my life -how could I then?
Back to 'For What It's Worth'. What ever happened to
those ideals of everyone getting along? When did the
Peace Movement become violent? 'How can anyone be
right when everyone is wrong?'
Take some time to revisit this Classic Rock song by the
Buffalo Springfield and think about where our nation and
its idealistic college students took a wrong turn.
Music always reflects the culture of a certain period.
This song along with Fortunate Son and a handful of
others from the '60's will always raise the same questions.

Unresolved

Sometimes in passing I think there are things that always
remain unresolved. Maybe I can't believe that if words
were spoken and taken as truth many years ago then
that truth remains the same. I feel that you need to revisit
conversations and parting words and reinforce those words.
In my heart I know it's not necessary. If you commit to a
pledge or a vow then you need to stand by those words.
In today's world people speak all kinds of 'truths' to others
because it's what the other person wants to hear. Sometimes
you can be hurt beyond belief if one of those shady characters
just says words that have no meaning because they use them
on you to get their way.
I have always been a person of my word. I say what I mean
and I mean what I say. This is not to say I don't make judgement
errors -oh I do.
Those who know my heart will in time remind
me that the old truths are not unresolved -they still stand and
do not need to be revisited.
I daily thank God for those who have stayed true to their words
and who hold a loving place in my heart & soul. That's resolved.

Heart to Heart Conversation

There are times of small conversation between
my grandson and myself where we discuss our
newsy events that interest us both.
Over the Memorial Day weekend we had such
a chance to chat and catch up on the past week's
events.
I told him that his Dad introduced me to his
daycare provider when we were at the same
club listening to my son's band. I told grandson
that she was a very nice lady. His reply,
'Nana you are a very nice lady too!'
Gosh has he got me wrapped around his finger!