Today we interview Bobby Owsinski who has authored many books on the Music Business. He has a great blog that he updates on a daily basis. Check out 7 tips for a better rehearsal. Today we are talking to him about “How to Make Your Band Sound Great.” Here are some topics covered in the book:

• The answer to, “Why doesn’t my band sound as good as (fill in the blank)?
  The secrets to making your band play tighter
• How to get the most out of every rehearsal
• What a promoter or booker looks for when hiring a band
• How following the “3 P’s” will make you a better singer
• How to build your set list for maximum impact
• The steps to resolving conflicts in the band
• The arrangement techniques of the pros
• How to improve your stage presence

Tales From The Road
Bobby explains why mixing gun powder and flash power is NOT a good idea

More Books From Bobby
You can find Bobb’y book and blogs at www.bobbyowsinski.com Titles of his books include:

The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook

The Recording Engineer’s Handbook

The Mastering Engineer’s Handbook

The Studio Musician’s Handbook

The Music Producer’s Handbook

Music 3.0: A Survival Guide for Making Music in the Internet Age (which will be featured next week on the Podcast).

The Drum Recording Handbook

The Musician’s Video Handbook

You might remember Fantasy Island. Every week you would hear “Smiles everyone smiles.” Well I started the new year with Buddy Guy at the House of Blues in Cleveland (front row). Buddy is 72 years old (ish) and has won 5 grammys, and is in the rock and roll hall of fame. He has inspired Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan to name just a few. I had never seen him before.

He blew me away. One of the best thing about Buddy and his band is the SMILE on stage. They have FUN. That fun and smiles spills into the audience and that feeds the band.

I also talk about how I quit the band I just joined, and some tips on planning 2010.

Music:  Someone Else is Slippin in By Buddy Guy from Buddy’s Baddest Great Hits Collection

Bob “the buzz Factor” Baker has done it again. First of all he is diversifying his audience. He is the Godfather of Music marketing, and now is taking the success he has experienced in books and teaching other authors how to be successful with his new book “55 Ways to Promote Your Book on the Internet.” I know what you’re thinking, “But I’m a musician – not an author.” We can learn how to market our music by seeing how he launched his book.

He let people buy it before it was printed. You got one chapter at a time and were encouraged to read it and supply feedback. (so you get to better the book before its even printed).

You got you put YOUR NAME in his book. (making it a very special circumstance, and for me a chance to get my URL in a Bob Baker book).

You get a signed copy of the physical book when it came out. Making it a one of a kind opportunity.

In total “Bob” fashion he then through in a surprise bonus CD to listen to. This is good old fashioned “under-promise and over deliver.”

APPLY THIS TO MUSIC.

Bob sent out chapters ahead of time foe feed back. Why sell a CD up front, and then send out songs in advance. Get feedback on the first 15. Use the top 10, and let the early adopters keep 5 unreleased songs?

You could have sponsors for each song. Then list their name on the liners notes. Something like ” 1. Wishing Well written by Dave Jackson – sponsored by Bob Baker.”

By selling the CD up front you can raise money to record the CD. Then you have a few copies generated for the early adopters and start gigging. Sell a few at shows and now you’ve got money to do a mass production (or just use kunaki.com )

SPONSORS

This show originates at www.musicianscooler.com and is sponsored by Budget Rental Car. Budget.com/musician saves 30% on weekly rental or $10 off any time rental. Godaddy.com where you can get a .com domain name for $7.49 using the coupon code cooler10. Need some great clothes for the stage? Check out www.stageclothes.net becuase they see you before they hear you. And you should buy Dave’s Book “Get your band out of the basment and keep them out of the asylum” at www.musicianlibrary.com

Today we have a chat with Miata Edoga the President of Abundance Bound a great website that teaches artist how to manage their money. It’s got great free resources, as well as many different packages and best of all Payment plans to make them all affordable. Unlike other “financial gurus” who provide a “one size fits all” Abundance bound features financial advice specifically for musicians/artist.

Today Miata talks about taking that first step and the thrill of discovering exactly where you are (so you can figure out how to get to “there” (financial prosperity) from where you are (not financial prosperity). She also discusses how “co mingling” your money can muddy the waters of your financial picture.

Save 10% with Abundance Bound Coupon Code Cooler10

If you’re interested in their free reports like their “Five Things Every Actor Must Do: Critical Steps Towards Success” Report or webinars check out Abundance Bound.com be sure to use the coupon code cooler10 to get 10% off your purchase. They have online classes, take home studies, boot camps, and one on one coaching. One of the great things about their programs, is they have payment plans. In some cases you are done taking the classes before you’re done paying for it. That is how much they know you’re going to love the information presented. You will also find the skills you learn will more than help pay for the class.

Don’t forget to use THIS LINK, and use the coupon code cooler10 to save 10% off your order (or just check out their free reports).

Sponsors and Support

Godaddy coupon code cooler10 gets a .com domain name for $7.49

Budget.com/musician saves 30% off a weekly rental or $10 off any rental.

Buy Dave’s Book “Get your band out of the basement – and keep them out of the asylum” available at musicianlibrary.com Order now and get the bons ““10 Stupid Things That Bands Do”

iStockPhoto Adds Audio

iStock Photo is now selling audio. I listened to a track that was two minutes. If this sold, you would make 7 dollars (or $14 if you are exclusive to istockphoto). While I realize that there are all sorts of talented musicians, not everybody can be in a band. This a way to be creative and make some money.

Free Play Along Track for Drummers

I found out about this from www.brianstephens.com there is a cool free “Drum along” track available at http://www.hudsonmusic.com/site/features/the-woodshed/66-woodshed/151-messin-wid-da-bull

Free Book from the “Indie Guide”

The indie guide has links to all sorts of musicians specific tools (much like out links section – which is having technical issues) . There is a free indie survival guide, as well as a free ebook about reverb nation, and eventfull. Check it out at www.indieguide.com

Today I vistied a site that once again had me wanting to poke out my eyes. I went there looking for a descriptoin of what the band sounded like. Not only was the front page a train wreck, but there is no phone number, no email list, no audio. NO FRICKIN AUDIO! ARE YOU KIDDING ME. The only way I could hear the band was to go to their you tube page where the band was recorded on a camcorder from about 79 feet away. I think two cans and some string would’ve sounded better. Watch the video, and you’ll see what I mean.

Why band’s do this I don’t know. However, the cure is to go to www.marketingmusican.com and learn how you can make a website using FREE tools that is easy to navigate, looks great, loads fast. You will also learn the dos and don’ts of web design.

Today I talk about how I discovered Matthew West. He is a Christian artist that I heard on the radio, found his website, and purchased his music. However it doesn’t stop there. Matthew has a bunch of marketing going on in a very subtle way to help promote his CD Something to Say

1. He has bonus tracks that showcase acoustic versions of some of the songs on his Something To Say album, but they also showcase acoustic songs from previous albums. I didn’t know he had previous albums.

2. There are bonus videos for those who buy the physical CD.

3. He has a “hidden track” that showcases Matthew and his daughter Lulu who is just adorable. I challenge you not to go “Awwww” when you listen. This makes you feel like you know Matthew. He see he is an awesome father, and you have no problem supporting such a nice guy.

4. He has a page on his website about the song “The Motions” and is turning his song into an ahtme of change.

5. He spotlights fans on his website.

6. He uses twitter to give road updates.

7. He blogs to keep his fans up to date, and to give them a reason to come back to his website.

Oh yeah, and Matthew “has the chops.” He has some great songs.
Get his CD here.

or at Amazon.com

Get Dave’s Free Book “Promoting Your Band With Podcasting” at www.promotingwithpodcasting.com

Sponsor: Godaddy.com Get your own .com domain name (or renew an old one ) at www.godaddy.com using the coupon code cooelr3.

Today we get a great tip from Dave King of www.davekingmusic.com who has been playing with different videos on youtube.com. It turns out there is a great tool to give you demographics, and LOTS more on the people who watched your video.

Alesis ProTrack Released

Alesis has launched a new portable recoding device that works with your iPod. Here is the verbage from their website.

Record stereo audio directly to your iPod with ProTrack. Capture live sound on your iPod anywhere and anytime without a single cable, and with one hand free! Just dock your iPod and cover it with the protective clear shield, and you’re ready to roll.

You can record detailed, 16-bit, 44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo digital audio without connecting any additional equipment using ProTrack’s onboard pair of cardioid condenser microphones. The on-board mics are fixed in XY configuration for optimal stereo imaging. ProTrack also has a pair of combo XLR-1/4″ inputs enabling you to connect any professional sound source, including condenser and dynamic microphones and mixer outputs. Whether you are running on plug-in or battery power, ProTrack supplies 48V phantom power to its inputs for operation with external condenser microphones.

ProTrack has LED-level metering for instant visual indication, even in a dark club. You can monitor or play back recordings on the 1/8″ stereo-headphone output. Controls for phantom power, limiter, and volume are easy to access.

ProTrack records on four AAA batteries or AC power using the included adapter. A 1/4″-20 threaded mounting point enables you to mount ProTrack on a mic stand with the optional ProTrack Adapter, on a table with the optional ProTrack Tripod table stand, or on a camera tripod for hands-free tracking.

ProTrack automatically dates and time-stamps files so it’s easy to identify which track was the recording of the acoustic-guitar folk duo last Tuesday at happy hour, and which was the flailing hard-rock drummer from Friday night. And speaking of that percussive dynamo, you’ll appreciate ProTrack’s switchable limiter which ensures that your recordings are distortion-free.

ProTrack is the most convenient way to capture sound effects, recitals, jam sessions, speeches, interviews, rehearsals, performances, meetings, lectures, notes-to-self, and anything else you can thing of… directly to your iPod.

You can get one tax free with free groudn shipping at Same Day Music

Sponsors:

Go to www.budget.com/musician and get 10% discount off any order, or $30 off a weekly rental at Budget Rental Car.

Get your own .com domain name using Godaddy promo code cooler10 this works on new domains, and on renewals as well.  Go to www.godaddy.com today!

This show originates from www.musicianscooler.com

Are You Releasing a CD  in 2009?

Do you know what the following bands have in common?

Heaven and Hell
Ace Frehley
U2
Prince

They are all releasing CDs in 2009, and they alerted the media in late 2008.

By letting your fans know you are working on a CD it can build anticipation, and make them excited about your CD.  How do you build the buzz? By telling them about it in your newsletter, your blog, your podcast. Give them quick samples of it. Let them vote on it. Make a contest and let them design the album cover.  Make the release of your CD in 2009 AN EVENT!

Make sure you have a solid plan so that your CD WILL be released in 2009. There is nothing worse than building up our fans and then letting them down (Guns and Roses anyone?).

Show Promo

“Sessions with Slau” for more information about this behind the scenes look at a recording studio go to www.sessionswithsalu.com

Sponsors

www.budget.com/musician save 10% off any rental or $30 off a weekly rental.

www.godaddy.com get a .com domain name for $7.49 using the coupon cooler10

This show originates from www.musicianscooler.com

Are You Ready to Promote Your Band?

If you have a car, a wallet, a purse, do you have something in those items to promote your band?

CD

Promo CD

Flyer

Bio

Sample CD

Business Card

ANY item so that if someone asks about your band, you can hand them something (in theory it would have your band’s website). Don’t be caught without it. You never know when an opportunity will come up. Wouldn’t it be great to say, “I’ve got a CD in my car let me go get you one” instead of “No, I’m sorry.”