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Volume 1: Issue 7 | The B# Newsletter | August, 2000
Publisher: N.M.A. (National Music Agency)
http://www.kennylove.net
Editor: Kenny Love
P. O. Box 1404
Crockett, Texas 75835-1404
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Copyright © 2000 N.M.A. (National Music Agency)

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"The B# Newsletter" is published exclusively for
unsigned and independent musicians and recording
artists. Its intent is to inform and enlighten artists
through articles, resources, products, and services
that will significantly benefit them in their careers.

We will never rent, sell, or release your private Email
address to any third party. Your discreet privacy in
becoming a subscriber is assured.

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IN THIS ISSUE

1. Editor's Blurb

2. Music Career Stuff

3. "What Are You Waiting For?"

By Sergio Ruiz

4. "10 Ways To Break Through Writer's Block"

By Suzanne Glass

5. "Music and the Business of Music: Thoughts For
the Aspiring Musician"

By Chris Knab

6. "Are The Blinding Leading Those With Vision?"

By Tim Sweeney

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1. Editor's Blurb:

Hi, members! I apologize for getting this out late, but
the new Houston label has been keeping me very
busy. We have finally found our artist for the first
project, and are slated to ink the deal as early as next
week. The act, a female duo that happens to be
identical twins, bills itself as "Full Body," with vocals in
the vein of Brandi, Monique, and Aliyah.

We are very impressed with them, and even more
happy to find a professionally produced product to
this degree. Again, the release date is January and
we are still on schedule and poised for that time.
Needless to say, I am thoroughly enjoying the entire
process, as well as the future possibility this new
venture holds.

A most hearty welcome to all members of this
August issue of the B# Newsletter. It seems like
summer only arrived a couple of weeks ago, and it's
hard to believe it's winding down. Hope yours has
been as great as well.

We would like to also send out a special welcome to
each new subscriber who has joined us since last
month's issue. We sincerely thank you for having
chosen to become a part of this newsletter.

This month, we welcome new writer, Sergio Ruiz.
Sergio serves as Editor-in-Chief of "The Village Buzz."
His debut column is well worth the time of reviewing.
Let's all extend a welcome to him as well.

For "R&B/Urban" members of the list, we are also
in association and promoting an act titled, "C.O.A.,"
which has some very nice material. If you get a few
spare moments, be sure to stop by the MP3 site at
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/143/coa.html and pay
their repertoire a listen. Thanks!

P. S. One final item...we have had some more
great subject matter churning on the B# RoundTable
discussion forum. Everyone is really impressed
with it. The viewpoints are top-level, to say the
least.

It would really be great to see a few more of you
there as well, offering your own advice, assistance,
and experience, as well as participating in the very
hot subject matter that is always coming up. To join,
all you need to do is send a blank Email to
mailto:BSharpRoundTable-subscribe@egroups.com.

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2. Music Career Stuff

* What's so unique about "CDSTREET.COM?"
- No need to give up a HUGE chunk of each sale
- CDStreet.com collects ONLY 15% in service fees
- NO set-up fees
- NO waiting for 3 months to collect your sales
royalties
- You are paid monthly for your CD sales
Check them out at http://www.cdstreet.com and tell
them you learned about them in "The B# Newsletter."

* The Musicians Resource Page is a one-stop
directory for music information. Find information
about Songwriting, Recording, Promotion, Legal
Issues, Festivals, Instrument Instruction, MP3, Radio,
Zines and MUCH more. Read the "Indie Music
News" to stay up-to-date in an ever changing industry.

Submit material for review by The Musicians
Resource Page staff and have two songs added to
The Musicians Resource Page Radio play list.
"Consider us a stepping stone along your path to
greatness." http://www.themusiciansresource.com

* BIG METEOR PUBLISHING offers FREE exposure
for your music site! www.bigmeteor.com -
bigmeteor@...

* Indie Link Exchange: an easy way to increase
traffic - it's FREE!

* INDIE RESOURCELAND: Submit your site today! -
it's FREE!

* bestmusiczines.com: Post a beautiful display - it's
FREE! Indie Contact Bible: Do you qualify for a
listing - they're FREE! bestmusicbooks.com:
HUNDREDS of music books to advance your career!

* New to the music business, or need ongoing
guidance, and can't seem to get qualified managers
interested? For our consulting services, send a blank
Email to mailto:consulting@....

* Super-Charge your Music Career! Enhance
EVERY aspect by sending blank Emails to
mailto:musereport@... and
mailto:muservice@....

* Now, that you're getting your music career on the
fast track, isn't it about time you also visited a
few of those other important areas of your life as
well? Such areas as; you and your family's safety,
your basic financial well being, or perhaps, even
your health? For more details, visit "The Shield"
web site at http://www.kennylove.net/shield.htm.

* Promote your own Music-Related Product, Service,
or Information in this space for only $5 for a whole
month! Deadline is the 25th of each month. We also
reserve the right to reject ads we deem inappropriate
for this publication.

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3. "What are you Waiting For?"

By Sergio T. Ruiz

When I was a kid, dreaming dreams and hoping
hopes, the sugarplums that danced through my
head were thoughts of one day breaking out of my
allotment on the globe, and becoming a world class
restaurant critic. It would be the bomb!

I could eat at all the fanciest restaurants, I could have
the red carpet treatment wherever I went, and I could
call the shots when it came to menus and wine lists.
No longer would I have to just sit and dream about
shrimps and lobsters dancing a jig on my tongue...it
would now be my job!

Now and then, I sometimes wonder what ever
became of this dream. It seemed so real, and so
attainable at the time. And, yet, as I look around,
lobsters and shrimp only occasionally dance across
my palate.

Yet, I had the whole thing visualized! My day's work
was set out, and I knew what I would do in this
wonderful profession. But, alas, the dream had come
and gone, never coming to fruition.

One day while driving, I was thinking about my old
dream when I should have been paying attention to
the road, and it hit me. This was so simple that I
couldn't believe that it never occurred to me before.

It was so simple, yet, I believe that it is a major
stumbling block of many people who never achieve
their full potential in life.

The reason my dream never came true was that I
never did anything about it. Yes, I would think about
it, and daydream about it, but I would never take any
real steps to achieve this goal. This sounds so
simple and trite, but I do feel that there is a lesson to
be learned here in the world of Rock 'n Roll.

For many of you, whose aspirations in the music
business are solely to keep a weekend gig at the
local watering hole and have a good time, you have
found your vocation. And, you are the lucky few.

However, for those of you who would like to make
music their full time gig, their calling, and their life,
then this is a wakeup call of the highest order.

Just as I realized that I never became a world renown
restaurant critic because I did not try, your career in
the music business may be in jeopardy for the exact
same reason.

In the time I have spent in this life watching people
who make things happen, versus people who spin
their wheels in place for a lifetime, I have noticed a
few important differences that bear noting.

A lot of the problem with those who do not achieve
their dreams has to do with fear. There are all sorts
of fears that people must combat, but the most
common ones to impede your Rock n Roll career are:

* fear of the unknown
* fear of failure
* fear of success

Now, over the next several months, I will deal with
each of these, so this month, let's begin with the
"fear of the unknown."

As we wander through life, most things that we
embark upon have some sort of examples...some
good, others bad, and it is relatively easy to tell the
difference.

When it comes to your music career, however, things
are not so easy and, many times, you will be going
out on a limb. If you are not ready to do this, you have
two options: either quit now, or start practicing.

Here are a few things you can try, and these will give
you some practice in going out on a limb. And, fairly
soon, it will become 'old hat'.

One point of note, is that these tips are for bands that
have spent the necessary time cultivating a local
following, and have attained a moderate amount of
success at it.

If you are a young band, you have a lot of work ahead,
but read on, and tuck these tips away in your memory
banks.

1. Call the radio stations in your area, and ask them
what you need to do to get your music on the air.
Ask to speak with the program director, introduce
yourself, your band, and what you would like to do.
What is the absolute worst thing that can happen?

He can say that he's not interested. What have you
lost? Absolutely nothing. If he shows interest, make
sure you keep in touch, and let him know what is
going on with your band. Don't hound him, but build
a working professional relationship. Do this for all
the stations in your area. You are bound to get one
hit.

2. After your conversation, regardless of how well it
went, send a press kit and a personal letter. Send
quality stuff...DON'T send crap. These guys are
used to working with people with much higher
budgets than you can dream of. You can afford to
make your package look nice. If you can't, wait until
you can.

3. Play a gig outside your area. Hook up with a band
that is far outside your area, and a place that has no
idea who you are. This is much easier to do than you
think. Do a regional search on MP3.com for an area
that interests you. Listen to some of the bands, and
find one that would mesh well with your band.

4. Contact that band and tell them you are interested
in a gig swap. Direct them to your MP3.com site.
Work out the details, and set the show up. What?
You have no MP3.com site? Then, direct them to
your website, and make sure it has sound bites and
MP3 content. What? You have no website? Shame
on you!

5. Most importantly, after the gig, reciprocate. Don't
forget that you owe the partnering band a gig as well.
If all goes well, continue to work with them. Don't be
a flake.

6. Advertise! Yeah, it costs a few dollars. Yeah, you
could drop a bunch of flyers in a parking lot
somewhere and let the wind blow them all away.
Yeah, you could also put your flyers under your bed
and get the same results. But, when you are doing
something interesting, publicize it!

7. Submit a press release to the local newspaper,
television stations, and radio stations. Submit
something to us at "The Village Buzz." But, just do
SOMETHING!

8. Take some flyers and CD's out to the mall and
give them away the day of the show. Spread the
word to the unconverted.

If you don't let anyone know what you are up to, you
will never grow. Your fan base will taper, and you will
be pumping gas once more. Don't be afraid to be
enthusiastic about your band, and don't underestimate
yourself. If you do something new and different, and
you really believe in it, let people know.

9. If you think you have something to offer a potential
new fan, let them know. Sure, it may be cool to
downplay what you do, and how you do it. It may
make you look like a cool cat, but it isn't gonna gain
you any fans, and those who might have been
interested, aren't gonna care.

10. By the same token, be realistic. Gauge yourself
against others of the same genre. Don't write a check
your butt can't cash. Be realistic about your band and
its ability. If, in all honesty, you really can't become
enthusiastic about what you are doing, you might as
well do something else.

Well, if you have made it this far in this article, you
are either interested in moving yourself along, or you
are really bored. In either case, I can make no
guarantees regarding the content of this article other
than this:

If you follow through on any of these suggestions, you
will be better off than you, possibly, are now. And, if
you don't, then I am not gonna entertain any bitching.

Until next month, get out and do something different.
Break free from the formula. It can't hurt...it can only
help.
________________________________________

Editor's Note: Sergio so whetted my appetite in the
first few paragraphs, I had to stop in the middle of this
newsletter to pay "Red Lobster" a visit. Ahem, hate
it when that happens. Sergio Ruiz is Editor-in-Chief
of "The Village Buzz. See his web site at
http://www.Village-Buzz.com. Also, contact him at
mailto:Sergio@...

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4. "10 Ways To Break Through Writer's Block"

By Suzanne Glass


Ah, 'Writer's Block'. Most of us have been through it
at one time or another. Those annoying times when
we can't write a song and feel like all of our inspiration
has evaporated. We question our determination, our
talent, and our sanity. Sometimes we even wonder if
we'll ever write another song - as if somehow we've
already said everything important we ever had to say.

Take heart...there are ways to ease yourself back
into creativity. The 10 ideas below are just a few of
the ways you can open up your thinking and break
through the blockage. Try the one that appeals to you
most, or the one you're most resistant to, for best
results.

If you diligently work at this list, you will see results.
Feel free to change or add to the list in any way that
feels most comfortable. Remember, each artist is
unique, and it takes trial and error to find your own
best methods.

1. First, relax. Your talent will return - it always does.
You will write good music again, and you will have
something relevant to say. Stressing out about your
writer's block will only prolong the agony. The older
you get, the more you'll realize that your creativity
always returns, and you'll learn to nurture the process.

2. Change your writing method. If you normally write
only when the inspiration strikes you, try writing a
song everyday (It doesn't matter if the song sucks,
the idea is to get your mind working creatively). Or,
if you tend to write on a regular schedule, be more
flexible and try writing at a different day or time.
Human brains get into ruts, and changing is a good
way to activate free thinking.

3. Get a change of scenery. New visual input
stimulates your brain. If you live in the city, get out in
nature and soak in all its sounds and colors. If you
love the ocean, get to the beach. This can be done
very cheaply if you think it out. Don't think about
writing while you're traveling, just enjoy the scenery,
and soak it all in.

4. Try "Stream of Consciousness" writing. Basically,
this means letting yourself say whatever you want,
uncensored. Writing with pen and paper is best.
Just write whatever comes into your mind, even if it's
"I can't think of anything to write" over and over.

Eventually, you'll begin writing about something. Go
as fast as you can, and don't stop to read what you've
written. One word of caution: don't expect to write a
song in this exercise. It is more about creating a flow
and emptying your mind of junk.

5. Make lists of song titles, subjects, or phrases. The
topics can be related to each other, or not. The list is
a useful tool when you feel sapped of topic ideas.

Just reading your list may spark a song idea. Make
these lists whenever convenient, and keep them with
your songwriting notebook. If you feel blocked, take
a look through your lists for inspiration.

6. Stop "Judging" your writing. You know how it is -
you write a chorus, look back over the words, and
think, "That sounds like a TV theme show, how
hokey," or "That line is crap. Since I can't fix it, I'll
trash the whole song."

This is completely opposed to the creative process,
which thrives on flow. Just write the song, and leave
the "stupid" line in there. Later on, tomorrow, or next
week, you'll think of a great line to replace the bad
one.

7. Get out of your own head. This sounds simple, but
it can be a trap when a songwriter gets too locked
into their own private thoughts. Go walk around the
block, go to a park and watch children, or interact
with someone you love.

Stop thinking about your hang-ups (we all have them)
and soak in what other people are doing. Other
people are an interesting and infinite source of artistic
inspiration.

8. Get some physical exercise. Working up a sweat
brings more oxygen to your brain and eliminates
waste products. Not only will you feel better and have
more energy, the altered consciousness of "runners
high" is conducive to creative thinking.

9. Don't worry that you can't write songs if your life
becomes happy. Many songwriters notice that they
write exquisitely well when they are angry or sad, and
sometimes worry that if they become happy people,
they won't write good songs.

While it is true that some people have less angst as
they age, there are still millions of things to write about.
Political situations, environmentalism, death, other
people's suffering, and the list goes on and on.

You can always draw from situations in your past.
Don't let a good life block you from writing. It's a myth
that artists can't be happy and create brilliant work at
the same time.

10. Listen to different music. Make it radically
different. For instance, if you usually listen to Pearl
Jam, try Bluegrass. Again, we are talking about
changing the impulses your brain is receiving.
(Notice the pattern here??).

Much like a well, your creativity needs to have water
put back into it if you continuously draw the water
out. And your creative brain thrives on diversity.
You'll be firing synapses in your brain you forgot you
had.

These 10 block-busters are just a few ideas for
breaking through your writing blocks. You will
probably come up with your own personalized
methods over time. Since attitude can make all the
difference, the idea is to change or improve your
attitude.

New and different activities help keep your brain
functioning optimally, and allow you to take in new
inspiration through your five senses. This usually
translates directly into increased creative output,
and breaks through your writer's block.
________________________________________

Editor's Note: Suzanne Glass is Pres./CEO of Indie-
Music.com, where you can save time & promote your
music free! 1000's of contacts for musicians, no cost,
no hassles. Download a FREE College Radio
E-Guide at http://Indie-Music.com/radioguide/.

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5. "Music and the Business of Music: Thoughts For
the Aspiring Musician"

By Chris Knab


I have been watching, studying, and analyzing why
some musicians 'make it' and others don't for a long
time, and I have given up trying to come up with some
magic formula that every up-and-coming musician
can follow on some imaginary road to success. It
doesn't work out that way.

Today, more than ever, there are countless advisors
like myself who offer tips to developing acts and
'struggling musicians', and all too often, we try to
inflict some 'step by step' process on musicians that
will help them become tomorrow's superstar.

In fact, I think as Americans in general, we are
addicted to self-help books and formulas for success.
What is missing in our day-to-day lives that demands
such lofty goals from us? Is there a difference
between the attitude of successful, well known acts
and the attitude of upcoming acts?

Why do some musicians make it big, while other
equally talented people, songwriters, and musicians
never get their music heard by the masses? What
specific skills and/or inherent talents do the successful
artists embody that so many 'wannabes do not?

Is it charisma? That special something that many
artists seem to exude the minute they walk into a
room? I think that is part of it, but many successful
acts have as much charisma as a pitcher of milk,
and yet do quite well for themselves.

How about a lot of money? Yeah, that seems to be
the one sure thing behind every star. There are
always major labels with deep pockets who know
how to spend the money to push their acts into the
hearts and minds of the public, right? Well, let's talk
about that for a moment.

Money can only push something out to the public for
their acceptance or rejection...that's all it can do.
Nobody reaches into their wallets and purses and
spends their hard earned money on anything...
unless there is some real value in what is being
offered to them.

Think about it. Today, there is a lot of what some
observers call 'shallow and immature' lyrics and
disposable pop music out there on the charts...and yet,
no one who bought that music would cop to that
criticism. The people who buy the latest sounds on the
pop charts bought that music because it gave them
some kind of pleasure. It meant something to them.

I think we should look at what sells and what is
successful from this standpoint; music fulfills the
needs, wants, and desires of any group of fans
because they identify with it. And, they like a song
because they can hum it in the shower.

The ONE thing that all successful acts have in
common when they cross over to mass appeal, is
great songs! This is true as well for the more edgy
artists who seem to eke out a living from smaller
fan bases. They still write compelling songs that
touch the hearts and minds of their fans.

Whether or not you personally 'like' hit songs, or not,
has nothing to do with it. Enough 'somebody's
coughed up $15 each to prove your tastes are not
always the most accurate barometer for what other
people may enjoy.

What other thing is it that successful artists and
bands have that separates them from those who
struggle? My answer is business savvy. Yup...that's
it. Somebody, somewhere, in every successful act's
history, had enough business savvy people behind
them to make them the stars that they are, or were.

NOW...listen up! It isn't as simple as you think.
Historically, that business savvy may have been
solely the talents and skills of a weasel-like manager,
or record label executive. It may have been the
unscrupulous business practices of shady lawyers
and booking agents, as well as greedy club owners,
or money hungry publishers.

My point is that, no matter what the behavior of a
particular music business gatekeeper may have
been...they got a certain part of the job done...they
broke on through to the other side of the competition,
and got their act's song into the ears of the thousands
of music fans. And to do that, I can assure you they
had a plan.

There are no shortcuts to success, and there just isn't
enough room at the top for everyone who makes
music to make a living from their music. But, there is
balance that can be obtained in ones life.

With the tools available on the Internet, and the
technology of downloadable music now an every day
reality, no musician who writes great songs should
have that much problem realizing modest successes
with their music.

Be careful of the "10 Steps To Musical Success" and
the " What every A&R Rep Is Looking For" articles
and books. I have written some articles with such
titles, only because they are my way of getting the
attention of an ever growing group of music star
'wannabes. Once I get their attention, I try to give
them proven tactics and strategy tips that are
time-tested ways that record labels and industry
professionals work.

In reality, there are no 10 steps to anything! There is
the conscious involvement, and commitment to your
music, and the business of music. That, and
relentless dedication to the art of making music.

Remember that the world of commercial music is a
world of dollars and cents, whether you like it or not.
But that does not mean that Art and Commerce
cannot walk hand in hand...they must do that.

I teach a history of popular music course, and it never
ceases to amaze me how often history repeats itself
when it comes to the question of artistic achievement
and music business savvy. Most 'artists,' in the truest
sense of the world, are narrowly focused people who
never take 'No' for an answer.

No matter what challenge comes their way, they have
no recourse but to turn to their creative side and get
lost in their music as a way of staying alive, in the
truest sense of the term.

Then, along comes a business person who either is,
or isn't, ethical, but knows the music business inside
out, and hears the magic in their music, then does
what it takes to get that music heard. More and more,
as the decades unravel, however, those people are
becoming the artists themselves.

We live in a capitalist, consumer driven society. The
successful musicians of tomorrow will be those people
who either attract dedicated, knowledgeable business
men and women to do the marketing and promotion
for them, or take that responsibility on themselves,
realizing that no artist has to sell hundreds of
thousands of copies of their music in order to make
some money with their music.

Being a musician/business person means you have
to be able to write and perform great songs, and then
produce them with a contemporary sound. AND, you
have to take the time to read Billboard and other
music business trades and tipsheets, as well as find
time to contact club bookers (over and over), read
bad and good music reviews, stay in touch with your
fans on a regular basis, then STILL put on a great
show when you're exhausted or sick.

Do you know what being a professional musician is
really all about? Entertaining people. Entertaining
the public as a life commitment involves getting
yourself into a deep sense of personal commitment to
your art.

It seems to me that artists who are able to do that
have come to grips with the notion that success is
more an internal experience, and not necessarily one
that will be satisfied by a money-hungry music industry
that defines success only in dollars and cents
calculations.

Looking at the work habits of most big stars, I think
they all have an 'Entertainer' inside them. That's what
allows them to succeed in all areas of the business.
That is also what keeps them going during the fifth
press interview of the day, and all the other crap that
has nothing to do with music, and everything to do
with the business of music marketing.

When an upcoming artist finally 'makes it', the
pressure to keep producing salable music is huge.
So, the 'artist' has to be healthy and ready to create
on demand. You may be asked to hit the road for
nine straight months, then make a world class album
immediately following the grueling tour.

What it all boils down to, is that stars have to be on
top of their game, both artistically and business-wise.
It is essential to create a balance between music and
business early on. First make sure your psyche is in
the right place. You know, screw your head on right!
Be honest with yourself regarding what things you are,
and aren't willing to do to be successful with your
music.

Then, make a plan. Map out how you will improve
your skills in both business and art. Put it on paper.
Try living the 50% business - 50% music rule. Make
sure you honor your business commitments and
always act professionally. Make sure you keep your
artist side healthy and creative.

Take days off, take walks in nature, take time to
noodle around that song idea that just popped into
your head. Such activities will help keep the artist
inside you healthy and able to nourish your creative
juices.

Being a famous musician is not a "normal" life. To
survive and thrive requires a special set of skills. The
good news is those skills can be learned and
developed. Every bit you learn now, will benefit your
career plan down the road.

Believe in yourself, and never stop improving. Your
hard work will pay off, if not at the cash register, at
least, with a sense of personal satisfaction for having
done the best work, creatively and business-wise,
that you could.
________________________________________

Editor's Note: Chris Knab is one of the most influential
individuals in the commercial music industry. His
company, FourFront Media & Music, provides a unique
consultation and education service for independent
musicians and record labels that combines advice with
instructions on how to establish a music related career.
See his web site at http://www.knab.com.

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6. "Are The Blinding Leading Those With Vision?"

By Tim Sweeney


This month, I wish to share with you the alternative
insights into companies trying to design new Internet
gimmicks for artists, why Napster is a facade, who are
the "actors" presenting Napster, and why it's not worth
your time or investment.

Almost everyone who has played in a band or, at
least, knows a musician, has run across one of this
type at some point in time. The "musician" who is
more interested in his/her equipment and what it can
"supposedly" do (whether or not they need it), than
the music they are playing, or the song they are writing.

Welcome to the MP3 Summit, Napster, and the future
of music on the Internet. Since it will be unpopular for
me to say, I'll just say it. I am scared for the future of
our music on the Internet.

I'm not talking about the major labels with established
star artists. I'm talking about YOU...the creative and
visionary independent artist who is creating and
performing your own music for the love of it and the
future life it will bring you.

Since the EAT'M convention, nothing has become
more clear to me then the desperate future we are
facing on-line. For example, at EAT'M, I stopped by
a booth in the trade show where the whole company's
pitch was to have "cool psychedelic" graphics moving
around on the screen while your song was playing.

The guy was telling me how "visionary" and ground-
breaking this was. He was not interested in your
music, or in the fact that your fans had to have the
same program installed in all of their computers to
see what you wanted them to see.

More importantly, he was not interested at all in
answering the most important question. "How is this
supposed to help you sell more CDs or downloads?"

His whole interest was that they had developed this
new technology that allowed you to have a cube
bouncing around on your computer screen that
reacted to the beats in the song and how great that
was!

Forget that I said that I thought it was more important
that people could read about you, your music, and
especially where they could buy it, or fill out an email
right there to order it while your song was playing. He
only believed that his dancing cube was more
important, and that it would hold your fans attention
longer than information about you.

Next, I ventured to the MP3 Summit. This featured a
whole trade show of people who just didn't "get it."
Booth after booth, company after company, the
standard response was how cool their new technology
was. Again, no interest in whether or not their ideas
could and would help you and other artists sell more
CDs.

From there, like you, I have been hijacked by CNN
and CNBC continually having the debate about
Napster. My favorite facade or should I say, soap
opera of the new year! It's like a bad new show on
the WB channel. Lets stop and analyze the "actors"
on this continuing drama.

First, Chuck D. who, when interviewed, has a sign
under him, not stating him as an artist, but as CEO of
RapStation.Com. While he pretends to wave the flag
about how helpful Napster is, he looks to the side and
watches the monitor to see how he has to "adjust" his
shirt so this web address can be clearly seen by those
cheering bedroom musicians and music fans at home.

WAKE UP!! He's not pushing Napster! He's
outspoken for Napster for the free advertising he's
getting for his own website.

This is the same man who also takes the opportunity
to complain how major record companies are stealing
the money from the artists and the fans, but last week
signs a record deal for his new band with Artemis
Records, who is headed up by Danny Goldberg, former
head of Atlantic Records!

Oops! Chuck, you are too talented of an artist to stand
in front of Napster. Your ideas are right, but the
company you are defending is not offering what you
are believing in.

Then you have the Metallica camp, whose basic
problems are that no one asked their permission
before their stuff was posted and that college
bookstores and the record stores across the street
from the schools, have pulled or stopped ordering
their CDs.

Why? Because college kids, who are Napster's
biggest audience, don't want to spend $15+ for their
CD when they can hear a crappier version for free.

(Yes, the hidden secret! If your music is posted on
Napster and getting some attention, college
bookstores and stores located near the schools, will
not carry it, or will only order 1 or 2 copies because
this is where Napster is doing the most damage.

Sales by artists previously selling well on college
campus, are down 91%. Good luck if you are
interested in playing at some of these schools.
However, there is good news for most of you --
coming up later).

Anyway, back to our story. Do you ever notice on
these interview programs that Napster never has
anyone there to answer any questions? Probably
because they don't want to have to answer the
biggest one! "How will Napster help my music
career?" The answer is---IT WON'T!

Why not? Because Napster is the new version of
MP3.Com. They have the same old Internet problem
as everyone before them. There are 50 million songs
on Napster. Are you going to spend your time poking
on the files of thousands of bands you have never
heard of? No? What a surprise! Neither are the
college kids.

Now! Napster has changed its "discovery process"
of new talent by making "easier." You just have to
enter in the band's name into their search engine to
find it. That should help eliminate every band that has
grand illusions of someone discovering them on
Napster.

Why? Because they didn't do what they should have
done in the first place to get people to know their
name!

By the time you get done having hundreds to
thousands of people knowing your name, are you
really going to want to send them to Napster, or your
own site? The investment bankers who own Napster,
are just building a big advertising base for car
insurance companies and the phone companies to
pitch to.

Now, my favorite new plot twist! Enter Michael
Robertson from MP3.Com, the man who is the
greatest CD return customer of all time, strikes out
against Napster saying they are ripping people off!
MP3.Com is good and Napster is bad. Has Michael
turned against the people who once supported him?
Will Napster hide around the corner of a dark building
and finish Michael off?

The plot thickens, and all of us in the music community
are swallowed into it by a media community that will
jump onto a new story next week (Isn't it fascinating
how quickly Michael criticized Napster, speaking out
against them when in a previous article, I noted how
similar the companies were?).

Plain and simple. I'm scared! We have thousands of
computer and web guys who have never been artists
or musicians, designing crap you don't need. And that
won't help you sell any more CDs then you are selling
right now (As I write this, I'm getting the vision of the
guy
in Spinal Tap talking about how his amps go to 11).

This legion of computer and web design team's only
interest in you, is that their investment bankers feel
more CDs will be sold through the internet in the future.
Plus, they like Classic Rock!

God knows that I hope the sales of CDs greatly
increase every year on the Internet. I would love to
get rid of some of the record stores throughout the
country. However, I don't believe a dancing cube is
going to make that happen!

Unfortunately, the future of your music career doesn't
lie with your music being placed on a site with 50,000
other bands. It lies on your own site, with your own
domain name, and with you spreading the word of
mouth with your fans that you are out there and that
people should come by to experience what your
music is about.
________________________________________

Editor's Note: Tim Sweeney is author of "The Guide
to Succeeding at Music Conventions," as well as the
best-selling author of "The Guide to Releasing
Independent Records." Contact him directly at
909-303-9506, as well as paying a visit to his web site
at http://www.tsamusic.com.

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