The Unsung Heroes

Yes indeed it is another wonderful holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. While you take in as much grub as possible check out a great program airing tonight on TV One. You can watch your marathons during the day but see how TV One salutes Black Music this month. Artist who didn't get to climb the ladder to super star status. This is the concept for the new show "Unsung" series. The show will talk in-depth about Donny Hathaway, the DeBarge Family, The Clark Sisters, and Phyliis Hyman. Tonight viewers will get to preview the DeBarge episode(November 27, 7pm ET). The show is hosted by the old school R&B singer Al B.Sure. If you don't know his catolouge he had the hit back in 1988 No.1 R&B classic, "Nite and Day."

The special is a way to celebrate core urban favorites whose body of work has held through the test of time but whose journeys may be less well-known. The question that the show brings to light is why these particular artist didn't get the spotlight everyone else believed they deserved. The episodes will include reflections by either the artist or their families. The show will have a variety of artist ranging from groups to solo performers, musical styles, gender and living versus deceased. The attraction to the show will be the compelling stories, the core fan base and great music each one shared with us.

If you miss the preview tonight then beginning Sunday, Nov.30 at 10pm ET the first show will air with Phyllis Hyman, followed by the Clark Sisters(12/1), Hathaway (12/2) and the DeBarge Family(12/3).

Once again Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

360 Deals Will Become Mandatory

Guess What! Today we just that 360 deals are going to be mandatory! Thats right (no typo), if you are a new artist you have to sign that deal, according to Edgar Bronfman(CEO of Warner Bros.) as he told attendees at the Web 2.0 summit(of course the crowd was pissed). For those that don't know what a 360 deal is, it basically is a agreement in which a label takes a cut from sales of CD's and Mp3. Not only that, but also provides a slice of event ticket profits, merchandise sales, endorsement deals and anything else that uses the artist’s brand or music.

Well, at the event Bronfman continue to state that, artist should be able to give away music for promotional purposes. With all this he predicted that online music will eventually become free.

What are people saying in lieu of this? Well labels are saying that it protects the artist due to the low CD sales over the years. Some people think it makes the artists industry "slaves".

What do you think?

Important questions to ask a band member.

Much like a job interview, finding a band member can be stressful and fulfilling at the same time. It is very important to go through the elimination process so that you don't come across any "unnecessary problems".

1) Why do you want to join?
This is self-explanatory, this is how you really find out if they're on the same page as yourself. This is also when playing your position starts. There should be clear direction as to who is the leader and follower.

2) What was your influence?
You want to ask this, because you want to find out more about your potential band mate. You want to know what sparks their passion in their music. Maybe this can steer toward the direction of the music, which can also open you and the other band mates to other influences.

3) Are you dependable?
You know what this means. Are they the go-to-guy(or girl)? And you may get the golden answer of "yes" on this question. This is more of an action based question. You will have to actually see the reliability.

4) What do you want from the band?
You really shouldn't expect a certain answer for this question, seeing as everyone in the band may have a certain agenda. However, there needs to be goal in the band that everyone should meet. These goals should be attainable, to the point that it should distract the other member from their own personal journeys.

Tour Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships play an important role in the touring industry. They run around trying to link with artist to make that connection to reaching new potential consumers.

In 2008, approximately $1.04 billion will be spent on live music sponsorship. The IEG Sponsorship Report senior editor Bill Chipps stated this earlier at the Billboard Touring Conference at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York today.

True indeed many recent tour sponsorships have proven to be effective but companies aren't waiting around to just sponsor any acts. Live Nation Alliances president Russell Wallach said, We spend a lot of time with agents and managers trying to help them understand what companies are looking for.

The general idea is to link with an artist that wants to be hands on marketing of a product. This would include more then just meet and greets at concerts and participating in viral marketing campaigns and webisodes.

As an example of partnering brands with artists, GMR Entertainment managing director of global operations Bobby Oppenheim pointed to a recent partnership between rapper Ludacris and men's body spray brand Axe. Since Ludacris didn't want to participate in hands-on marketing for Axe, the rapper instead accepted a tour bus from the company, who branded the inside of the bus with Axe logos. The bus served as the primary spot where Ludacris did most of his press interviews and meet-and-greets, which automatically exposed fans to the brand, Oppenheim said.

Look at your lane of music and find a sponsor people. A nice amount of money is put aside yearly to promote corporate companies but once again they aren't knocking at doors. Seek and you shall find.

Source: Billboard

Music in Videogames???

Video games have reached their all time high in sales since the Atari and Nintendo shipped out year ago. While this form of entertainment has blossomed over the years, that has not stopped marketing to appear in that realm. Also think about popular games like Grand Theft IV, Saints Row as well as other games who utilize indie and major artist. Think about it...Tens of Thousands of people who play games are going to listen to your music....and for those who play games for hours will hear your song numerous times, remembering every word! (A powerful marketing tool wink wink).

A way you could get into the game. Well there are several ways but one of them would be to go to events like the Game Developers Conference so that you can make your presence known. You should make sure that you have a vast majority of contacts. Also networking with the right people, that would be the developers who deal with Music!..... It would be better to deal with them for the simple fact that they need to find music!

How to Avoid Hum

The prime reason for hum is the ground loop, caused when the sound system has two or more different ground points. This is easy to do if, for example, you plug your guitarist's amp into the onstage socket, and your mixer into the socket at the back of the house. These separate points will have different electrical potentials, causing electrical current to flow. The result is easy to hear, but how do you fix the problem?

The best solution is to ensure that all AC power is supplied from one single circuit from the power mains. If that's not enough juice, at least make sure that all your circuits come from the same panel with the same ground.

The ground loop can also be broken by the use of a ground lift adapter, but it's not a very good idea, as this method is potentially fatal—breaking the ground means that the signal could potentially find its way to earth directly through YOU!

Poor or damaged cables can also be a source of problems as hum can be picked up from light fixtures, motors, and other common electrical sources. Avoid cheap molded-head connectors, and take time between gigs to check your cables for good solder joints, clean connectors, and undamaged shielding.

There is another cable-based source of hum induced from power cabling into signal cabling. Briefly, when the two types of cables are running parallel, the AC signal can be picked up by the signal cable, amplified, and broadcast for the world to hear! Keep your power and signal cables well separated; and, if they must cross, always cross them at right angles to each other.

“If you are putting out records on your own - DO NOT Approach the Program Director before approaching the Music Director and DJs first!

There is normally a chain of command in almost all network soliciting. So start with the DJ, then the Music Director. They can then deal with the Program Director. Below are some steps taken from musicpowers.com that outline the real way to get radio play… For the full article: http://www.musicpowers.com/radioplay.html

Step 1. Get feedback in the clubs. Have a ‘club friendly’ song already to go; mixed and mastered ready for the DJ. Offer to buy him a drink; that may the icing on the cake!

Step 2. Take it to the street. If you’ve gotten positive feedback from the club DJ and the club goers, your next step is to do freebies and promos. Get creative and do whatever it takes to get your song exposed to the public and the market you are trying to reach - especially the ones who listen to and request songs on the radio.

Step 3. Create a following. Do free (or paid, if you can find them) live shows in your area. Set up a energetic street team to go around while you are performing and urge everyone that they need to go request your song on the radio

Step 4. Approach the Radio DJ. Once your song starts getting enough requests on the radio, the DJ, THEN has the power to go to the radio’s MUSIC DIRECTOR about breaking the song or including it in his one of his mixes.

Step 5. Finally, it is up to the all powerful PROGRAM DIRECTOR . If you followed all the previous steps successfully you can be sure to have your song on the radio in no time!

Who’s in the Studio?

In Studio 995

At PatchWerks Recording Studios, staff engineers, Kori Anders and Mike Wilson, engineered sessions for many up and comers this past October, mixing and tracking sessions for artists such as Azar, Kook Up Gang, A-1, J Harden, MPHO, Francesca w/ Tiffany Evans (all mixed by Wilson), and Muffy, Diamond , Jessica Tonder (all tracked by Anders). Names you may find more recognizable who were in the studio include, Shondrae “Bangladesh” Crawford , Rocko, and Katt Williams (all mixed or tracked by Anders).

Several Guest Engineers were at the Werk as well including Miles Walker, tracking for Sean Garrett, Nico Solis and Muzzie, tracking for Young Jeezy, Khalifani mixing for Savage, and Cade Cashen tracking for Takashi.

Other sessions in 995 included those for Taylor Wilson Thompson and Bailey.

In Studio 9000

Engineers Leslie Brathwaite, Kori Anders, Mike Miller, and Mike Wilson held down PatchWerk Recordings 9000 studio this past October mixing and tracking for several well-known artists. Brathwaite, assisted by either Justin Trawick or Mike Miller, mixed tracks for Akon, Ludacris featuring Lil Wayne, Charles Hamilton and DTP’s Willie Northpole, while Anders did the tracking for Shondrae “Bangladesh Crawford” and more. Miller tracked for Atlantic Recording Artist, Plies and newcomers Hollyweerd while Wilson worked on mix for Ms. Tiffany Evans. R&B sensation, Usher also stopped by the studio with kids from his Camp New look to shoot a video for a day.

Other sessions in PatchWerk’s 9000 studio included those for Savage, Young Capone, Al Fatz, Bailey, and London.

Banning Lip Synching

Perhaps the United States should take a chapter from the people of China. The Ministry of Culture has decided to name and shame artist who participate in lip synching or other fake acts at commercial concerts. Repeat offenders will have their performance license taken revoked.

The Culture Ministry was seeking public opinion on a draft amendment to existing legislation on commercial performances that would totally ban lip-synching. This means its more then concrete. "Performers must not cheat audiences by lip-synching, and concert organizers must not assist performers to lip-synch. Anyone that chooses to do so will have their name released to the public, and if caught twice in a year would have their performing licenses canceled.

Imagine if the powers that be applied that to the artist here! More then a few individuals would be truly without a check. China is telling artist to step the game up. We should do the same.

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Vocal Health

Being a singer, you voice should be in very good shape. It also has to show in your music...That you took the time to perfect your craft with a consistent routine. This not only shows that you are serious about your music but that you will stop at nothing to perfect it!

Well, here are a few tips to perfect that voice

• Good Posture-I read that pretending that you are puppet is a good way to set up your vocal exercises.


• Proper Breating- Deep breating is essential toward the vocal exercises. Also making sure that you tummy is relaxed is very important as well.


• Vocal Warm-UP- You may sound stupid but a couple of "MEE-MEE-MEEEEEEE'S" will put you vocals in a safe place.

Other Tips

-Keep coffee and tea at a minimum, seeing as these two are know to dry out your vocal cords in an instant

-Drink Plenty of liquids so that you can keep you vocal cords moist.

-Don't strain your voice

Hope this was helpful! Make sure you showcase your talent @ the next I do Music

Sony and Exposure Are One Now!

I just got word that the powerhouse media corp. Sony will link a deal with European Creative firm Exposure. The partnership will result in the birth of SBX, a collective collabo that deals with developing artist endorsements, synch deals, product placement, live performances, ad-funded programming and online marketing for Sony's artists and its products.

Sony COO Richard Story states that "It delivers on our mission to transform Sony Music from a record label into a global music entertainment partner for our artists and brand clients."

Launched in 1993, Exposure's own clients include O2, Levi's, Coca Cola, Emap and Virgin. It has offices in London, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Source: billboard.biz

November's I dO Music was a Sucess!

November's I dO Music brought out the best of the local music community. Apache was packed with industry heavyweights and powerhouses who mixed and mingled with independents on the brink. The dichotomy in the room provided the perfect environment for solid netwerking and breakout performances.

Our theme for the night was Werking Your DJs. Class was in session as DJ Herb (V-103), DJ Cowboy (V-103) and DJ Trauma (Hot 107.9) all kept it "100" during the acclaimed I dO Music panel.

The night's showcase highlighted talent from all across the country. Young Lyxx brought Cali to Apache with his West Coast sound. Representing North Carolina, The Internationalz stayed true to their Hip Hop roots with their eclectic old school sounds. And Kelly Love Jones had the crowd going wild for her skills on the acoustic guitar intertwined with her urban melodic tunes. The night's features included Capitol Records' Dukes Da'ville and recent 106 and Park winners Heed.

The whole city is lit with excitement on every first Thursday of the month. The independent music scene has finally found a spot to learn, netwerk, promote, and perform and it all goes down every at Apache Cafe. Stay tuned to Idomusiconline.com for photos and video footage of the night's festivites. Make sure you come see where stars are born and knowledge is abundant; It's all at PatchWerk Recording Studios' I dO Music. We'll see you on December 4th!

-Miss Juice

I Do Music Tonight!!!

Act like you don't know what time it is around here. Yes we are one more month away from a new year but doesn't this year seem so bright. Indeed we have Barack Obama the new president elect, and what better way to celebrate then by letting the energy move us. The expression that will be put on display this evening will take place at Apache Cafe. This is the destination for the artist, songwriter, producer, future business executives, and engineers to conjugate to achieve their goals in the music industry. Yes folks I'm spelling out I Do Music for you.

As always we have energetic Miss Juice to keep the crowd flowing and a room full of artist taking to the stage. The knowledge will be plentiful as we will have another all star panel consisting of Dj Herb, Dj Trauma, and Dj Cowboy tonight. The topic is the Business of getting your records played and what it means to have the complete package.

No question the whole I Do Music crew will be in the spot facilitating tonight's events so come thru and build with us.

C U There!

Listen to My Demo

I consistently get stopped on a daily basis by artist who just wanna be heard. Throw a demo in my face and hope we can talk about their works. When you rep a powerful movement such as I Do Music that is the business that comes with the territory. I'm having to shake my head as of late though. An associate of mine once said don't confuse activity with achievement. The picture always pops in my head of the hamster in the wheel running just as fast as can be only to realize it has not made any moves.

Allow me to drop 10 simple reasons why Most Demos become money shots in the garbage can. Perhaps I should say the most overlooked errors.

10 Reasons for Demo Rejections

1. No Contact Information on CDR and/or CDR container(put your name, address, email, URL, MySpace address, and your phone number on both)

2. Lack of Originality(You may have a place to record but is it worth evening pressing REC button?)

3. The Music Is Good, But The Artist Doesn't Play Live(Got that Auto tunes in effect but don't have that T-Pain budget so what are you going to perform live with?)

4. Poorly Recorded Material( got Pro tools but don't know how to use it.)

5. Best songs are not identified or highlighted on the CD or the CDR(The 3 to 4 songs are certified hits right? Don't let them have to guess that. Specify!)

6. Sending Videos In Place Of CD Rs( If you wanna hand over a demo keep it light. Got the video to go along with it? Yeah throw that up on You tube and keep it moving. Less is better.)

7. Sending Unsolicited Recordings (you sent them, but they never asked for them...which means they will probably mail them back to you.)

8. Sending The Wrong Music To The Wrong Label(Not gonna be a good look to send your native tongue flow to Rap A Lot! Do your research.)

9. Musicians Can't Play Their Instruments Competently(this is so basic, but you would be astounded at how incompetent most start-up musicians are)

10. The Music is Wack(Yes many just need to never quit their day job. Don't let me be the one to tell you though! A lot of music the industry receives are worse then the first round of American Idol.)

Learn more information tomorrow night as we bring to you live and direct I Do Music @ Apache Cafe! Excuses will not be tolerated folks.

For more information on Do's and Don'ts you can pick up Chris Knab's new book Music Is Your Business @ The Music Biz Academy Bookstore.

Who to sign with? SESAC

Alright, maybe the other Who to sign with? wasn't enough info. Maybe you need more options. Well, take a look at SESAC another publishing company. They also represent other writers and publishers.This publishing powerhouse works with high technology in order for you as a songwriter to gain your worth in royalties, in which they use BDS for(Broadcast Data Systems).For a little backdrop in the history: It was founded in 1930 just like most publishing organization it was once limited to European music but quickly opened up to other genres. SESAC is the smallest of the three publishing organization so that may come to an advantage as far as writing is concerned. Artist past and currently signed with SESAC are Usher, Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake, Pink, Nelly Furtado, Beyonce, Coheed and Cambria, Garth Brooks, Destiny’s Child, Mercy Me, Ludacris, Jim Brickman, Kenny Chesney, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, U2, Luciano Pavarotti, LeAnn Rimes, Mariah Carey, Alan Jackson, Cassandra Wilson, Jagged Edge, Jimi Hendrix, Christina Aguilera, and UB40.

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R.I.P.--Shakir Stewart, Def Jam Executive

Def Jam's former executive vice president of A&R, Shakir Stewart committed suicide this evening. Sources say his body was found in his New York apartment. No further information was given on the situation.

Hailing from Oakland, California Shakir was always a grinder on the promo scene. On the streets hustling various parties he would promote or assist with flier promotions. In order to master the field he enrolled in Morehouse College. He graduated in 1996, with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. He made his name by putting together the best of dirty south shows. He dealt with everyone from Scarface to Luke to Nasty Nas. He was able to form a great promotional company that funded his other projects. The music studio Noontime Music was created and went on to be just as successful. It wasn't long after that Epic Records presented Stewart with a joint venture

All his accomplishments caught the attention of Hitco Music Publishing, signing Shakir as their Creative Director. While working there it was discovered that Shakir A&R talents were rare. Antonio "L.A." Reid, then President of Arista and Hitco's owner, offered him an A&R consultant position with LaFace Records, of which he was the CEO. He was the man responsible for introducing Ciara to the world.

After a successful run at Hitco, Shakir resigned and was hired as Vice President of A&R at Island Def Jam Music Group. It was during this time he brought Young Jeezy and Rick Ross to the Def Jam label. And in October 2006, after only eighteen months on board, Shakir Stewart was promoted to Senior Vice President, A&R, Island Def Jam Music Group, by Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group, Antonio "L.A." Reid, and President of Island Def Jam, Shawn Carter.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Stewart family.