I just did a podcast about how you should own everything (like your domain name, e-mail list, etc). Today I tried to sign into my gmail account (that I've had for years) and the password was sent to someone that was not me. I've been hijacked. I should've been telling people my email was contact "at" musicianscooler.com (or something). Instead I put my faith in Google. I mean, they are GOOGLE. Well now I've lost all my contacts, and my fate lies in the hands of the Google staff, and who knows what is happening to my email addresses.

If I had used the email that comes with my domain, I could retrieve it with Gmail, abd if Gmail goes down, I could retrieve it in Outlook. I control it. I don't control (especialy now) what happens with my Gmail account.

If you're trying to get in touch with me, the best way is 888-563-3228

Dave

I just found out about a new tool called Corner Stay Ads.  This tool can sit in any corner of your website. You have access to tons of images to get people's attention. Then when people put their mouse on that image you can do ANYTHING. Anything? Yes Anything. So here are some ideas I thought of.

Buy My CD Button or a link to your CDBaby page.

Audio Player

Sign up form form for your newsletter

Special promotion for your next gig

ANYTHING you are promoting for your band (your myspace, your facebook, your reverb nation page, your OurStage page).

The best thing is it's only $37 bucks and it's super easy to install on your website.

I was curious as to why it s was so cheap and yet so powerful. I found out why. When you buy the software they try to get you to sign up for some 4 minute money making membership site.  Well you can do what I did and take the Corner Stay Ads script and pass on the membership site.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I just found out about a new service. It's called Our Stage. It's kind of a Sonicbids (as you get a FREE EPK, and the ability to get gigs) meets Garageband (as you get reviewed by industry types) meets MySpace (as you can have friends). Meets American Idol (as you can enter and win monthly prizes of $5,000. There are also "Channel" prizes where you can win $100.  Here is some text I copied from the website.

How Does Our Stage Work?

As an artist, your first step is to upload your music or video and decide which channel competition to enter. Then, fans judge the work side by side with the work of others. Our unique judging capability (called Peer Relative Ranking, but don't worry about that) makes sure that each piece is judged fairly by the real audience- with no rigging, no cheating, and no celebrity judges. At the end of each month, the top 20 and the top 10 in each channel go head-to-head in a special judging channel to determine the winner of that channel, and then a site-wide judging contest to determine our Grand Prize winner. For more information about that, see the Judging section below! As a fan, all you have to do is listen to some great music and give feedback about just how great you think it is. Find your favorite artists and follow them as they grow!

How Does the Ranking Work?

The ranking or judging is done via two patent pending algorithms that serve up top ranking, middle ranking and relatively new uploaded material in a channel in "somewhat" random fashion for someone to judge.

When we say somewhat, we mean that we take care of serving up the material in a fair and unbiased fashion. We are watching very carefully to make sure that each item in the channel gets equal exposure–we guarantee that. Whether that happens in a particular judging session, though, is another matter.

Depending on how much our users like something (rank it favorably), and how long they want to keep on ranking, the ranking engine will try to get the user to discriminate how much more an item is liked over other ranked items, and thus, the reason why users may see what appears to them as the same item coming up during several battles.

Our site users who judge cannot request what material they will be served to judge. During judging they have to view or play the material served, and at a minimum, they have to screen an item for 15 seconds each before they can rank one item over another.

Then, all of the rankings from all of the users are taken together and the ranking engine bubbles up the best items to the top!

Prizes?

TWO (2) GRAND PRIZES, one for Music and one for Video, for each Contest Period, a check payable to the Music winner in the amount of $5,000, and a check payable to the Video winner in the amount of $1,000.

ONE (1) FIRST PRIZE FOR EACH CHANNEL on the site (one for each Channel winner who is not selected as a Grand Prize winner for each Contest Period): a $100 Online Gift Card. Gift card is subject to the terms and conditions stated thereon. Approximate retail value ("ARV") of each First Prize is $100.

Mojo Ratings?

What is a Mojo rating?

Every artist gets a Mojo rating based primarily on where the fans rank them in our Channels. Other factors that figure into the Mojo rating are: number of Fans, number of Friends and number of media uploads as well as EPK completeness. On Marketplace, venues can use the Mojo rating to help them identify artists with a proven ability to draw a crowd.
(return to top)

How do I get a Mojo rating?

To get a Mojo rating, register on OurStage and activate your account using the link we email you. From there, all you have to do is create a free EPK from your profile page and activate it. To get a positive Mojo rating, just click "View My EPK" from your profile and click the "Activate My EPK" link.

How Much Is It?

OurStage is still a free site for all the services you have right now It's free to join, free to enter competitions, and free to be ranked. The only part of OurStage that will be costing any money is Marketplace, our new site feature for finding gigs around the USA. OurStage Marketplace will be free until Labor Day 2008, and then it will still only cost a small monthly fee, about the cost of buying lunch. So don't worry! You aren't losing any features. The only change is that you can now opt to pay a small monthly fee to access and apply to gigs on the OurStage Marketplace.

I Think It's Worth Checking Out

While I hate things like "It costs as much a lunch" comments this site seems to have alot of potential. The great thing about new sites with competition is it doesnt' take much to be a big fish in a small pond, and when they are handing out prizes I say its worth a shot.  If you're using the service I would love some feedback, and if you're not you can sign up at ourstage.com

My friend David Hooper has put out a free video series for those looking to understand and cash in on music publishing (by getting your music into movies, TV, etc).  You can check out Dave in his sexy bath robe as he shows you how to do this from your home (he pulls back the curtain ALL THE WAY. Check it out http://www.musicmarketing.com/2008/10/behind-the-scenes-of-a-100000-music-publishing-business.html

Back in 2006 I ran battlingbands.com where people would pay to sign up, and they would go up against three other bands of the same genre. We would count votes and the winners got to "battle again for free." The thought was the other band's fans (already owning their band's CD would buy yours). It worked.

However, bands started cheating and stuffing ballot boxes (keep in mind there was almost no entrance fee). It was sad and after searching for months for a system that can't be hacked (it doesn't exist). I'm going to bring back "battling bands" with a new format.

To participate in this free promotion you need to:
1. Have your CD available for sale at CDbaby.com, iTunes, or Amazon.com
2. Be willing to ship 1 CD (if you’re selected) to one lucky voter.
3. Have your music on the Podsafe Music Network (or send an email stating we have the OK to play it on the battlingbands.com podcast).
4. Promote your appearance in your email list, and myspace/facebook pages.
5. Realize that this is a “Contest” but the focus is bringing music to people who like the same style of music. Consequently, you won’t get all “competitive” and find ways to cheat.

Each battle will last a few weeks. At then end, one listener will be chosen out of all the voters to receive a few CD (or download your pick). You agree that if that listener chooses you, you agree to give them the free music.

I'm going to start off with the genres I was using before. These include:

Pop
Rock
Hard Rock
Metal
Country
Blues

If you're interested, please click here to fill out the form.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment on the blog or call 888-563-3228

While there may be times when you hate that the "buck stops here" with your band, and it seems like you have to do everything, that is a good thing. It means you are in control.

Recently, Tim McGraw's record labeled decided to put out another "Hits collection" when he has only put out one album since his latest hits collection. This lead McGraw to say things like, ""I am saddened and disappointed that my label chose to put out another hits album instead of new music," said Tim McGraw. "I've only had one studio album since my last hits package. It has to be just as confusing to the fans as it is to me."

He also stated, ""I had no involvement in the creation or presentation of this record. Sure I love the songs and I don't want to take anything away from all the creative people who were a part of making those records. But the whole concept is an embarrassment to me as an artist. In the spirit of an election year, I would simply say to my fans 'I'm Tim McGraw and I don't approve their message.'"

As an indie artist, you are in control. You get to say what you album cover looks like, what songs you play at a gig, what the t-shirt prices are, when the album will be released. Yes, you are also in charge of contact clubs, booking gigs, etc. You are in charge of it all. So while you may dream of the day when you have a big record deal, you currently are avoiding the day when you have to write a blog post to apologize to your fans.

I'm looking for feedback on my podcast (and or blog). Please enter your name and email (and feedback). At the end of the month one commenter will win a copy of my free ebook "Get Your Band Out of the Basement (and keep them out of the asylum).

If there is no form, go here

Well its fall here in the US, and everyone around me is already getting sick. They are sneezing, they are vomiting, it is the official start of "Cold and flu season." There is nothing worse than playing a gig when you are sick (I once played a gig where I was numb on cough syrup and cold medicine with a fever).

Tips of Avoiding the Common Cold

Wash your hands. How often? If you have to ask - just do it. I just go back from the grocery store. If you sneeze, if you touch your pet,  if you are in between classes at school, when in doubt wash your hands. This goes double important before you eat. Germ are spread through mouth and nasal secretions, so when you go to the grocery store you're not sure who has sneezed on your cart.

Get Some Sleep

While the myth of getting 8 hours a day has been changed to "most people need about 7.5" and some people can get by with 6, the truth is if you are tired your body is not in its top form to fight off infections. Keep some gas in your body's tank, and get some sleep.

If You Fly Stay Warm

We all know that when you are on a flight you are stuck with the air in the plane. Not much you can do about that, but bring some warm outer-layer clothing. Planes can be chilly, and that will weaken your immune system.

Wear a Hat

This is not much of an issue with today's fashion as almost everyone under the age of 25 is wearing some sort of stocking cap, but when it gets cold the heat escapes from the top of your head. Wearing a hat helps keep you warm.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Right

Your immune system runs on water. So if you are chugging Starbucks and beer, both that aclohol and cafine in the coffee will dehydrate you. Instead drink lots of water (this really is important all year round). My favorite is Fruit 20 from Kraft (Strawberry). Different reports say Vitamin C may or may not help battle a cold. I say take a multivitamin and assume one of those vitamins will help boost your energy.

Now would be a good time to quit smoking

If you smoke, stop! Stay away from other smokers; inhaling their smoke will further irritate your throat and make you cough even more. One of the methods that worked for my ex wife (who had smoked for many years was the quick key.

Lastly, stay away from people who are sick. Avoid close contact with these people, especially during the first few days when they are most likely to spread the infection. Wash your hands after touching someone who has a cold, after touching an object they have touched, and after blowing your own nose. If your child has a cold, wash his or her toys after play. Keep your fingers away from your nose and your eyes to avoid infecting yourself with cold virus particles that you may have picked up.

Take Some Time To Remember Last Year

In my band, I sing all the high harmonies via falsetto. When I get a sore throat the first thing to go is my falsetto (and I have 4 guys looking at me wondering why they don't hear my harmony). If you already have a sore throat and someone wants to talk to you during break, take them outside. Trying to talk over the juke box will only kill what little voice you have left. Take the time to do these simple things (maybe throw some hand sanetizer in your gig bag while you're at it) and it can help.