Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #12 - June 2nd 2001
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

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THE MUSIC BIZ ACADEMY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com

FEATURING:
Musician's Online Directory:
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory

The Academy (Articles and Tips)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles

The Bookstore
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore

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WELCOME!
Welcome to the June 2nd edition of the Music Biz Academy digest!
The buzz the last couple of weeks has been centered around - what
else - MP3.com. Vivendi Universal's buyout of the net's #1 MP3
site has independent artists worrying about their MP3 future. Is
the buyout the beginning of the end for the freedom of
independent music on MP3.com? In the short term, probably not,
but you can bet MP3.com two years from now won't look anything
like it does today. Of course, this would be case irregardless of
whether Universal entered the picture.

MP3.com still remains an invaluable tool to promote independent
music. With just a little work you can have two or three hundred
listens a day - and that's without using any of MP3.com's so
called promotion auctions. Just using good, old fashioned self
promotion.


HIGHLIGHTS THIS ISSUE
More lawsuits of course, and lots of debate over the future of
music on the internet. The highlight of this issue however is a
letter we received from an instrumental guitarist who's
successfully promoting his music on MP3.com. It goes to show how
good music combined with a compelling song title goes a long way
towards getting airplay... and getting noticed. Don't miss that.

Also of note, your host (David Nevue) was interviewed by Daylle
Deanna Schwartz for the new edition of her book 'The Real Deal:
How to Get Signed to a Record label from A to Z.' It's brief, but
cuts to the chase. If that's of interest to you, you'll find that
at
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/musicpromotion/marketing_interview2.htm

Finally, MusicBizAcademy.com contributor Chris Knab is offering
an 8 week seminar called 'Music Business 101' in Seattle,
Washington. Details on that below.


SUPPORT YOUR HOST!
MusicBizAcademy.com is free, the articles and directory are free,
but please show your support by trying out our music and support
the work of you host, David Nevue: http://www.mp3.com/davidnevue


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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INSTRUMENTAL GUITARIST RIDES MP3.COM TO SUCCESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/musicpromotion/mp3success.htm
Last month I received a great letter from MP3 artist Guy
Thibault, AKA 'Little Bastard.' He shared his story with me, and
now I pass it on to you. For those of you struggling on MP3.com,
be encouraged. There's still room for more success stories at
MP3.com.


MUSIC BUSINESS SEMINAR: MAKING MONEY WITH YOUR MUSIC
http://www.knab.com/workshops.cfm
This 8 week long summer school course starts July 16th, from 7-10
pm in Seattle, Washington. The comprehensive 8 session course
includes 24 classroom hours of information designed to empower
any musician, band, or music industry aspirant who wants to learn
what it takes to prepare, protect, promote, distribute, and sell
independent music. The Instructor, Christopher Knab, has over 30
years of hands on experience with Independent music, ranging from
record label ownership (415/Columbia Records) to music retailing,
and radio station management.


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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GIGAMERICA: FIND-A-VENUE
http://www.gigamerica.com/Band/pages/band_findVenue.asp
Looking for a venue to perform at? GigAmerican's Find-A-Venue
tool will let you search for venues by city, state, or music
style. Once you've located a potential venue, you can click on
the search results to bring up contact information, including
contact name, venue address and a map to the venue.


GLASS HOUSE CD
http://www.glasshousecd.com/index.html
Glass House CD is owned and operated by Suzanne Glass, founder of
Indie-Music.com. It's a small outfit, run by musicians like
yourself, meaning that you as an artist get personal attention.
The site is simple, easy to navigate and understand, and there's
a great Q&A section that will answer most any question you are
likely to have. Prices are reasonable and clearly stated.


SHOCKSOUNDPROMOTIONS.COM
http://www.shocksoundpromotions.com/
Shocksoundpromotions.com is a national radio and media promotion
agency focusing on urban music: Rap, R&B, and Hip Hop. SSP can
introduce artist new singles and albums to over 1000 radio
outlets, as well as focus on 'street' promotion, taking your
music right to the buyers via clubs, concerts or other key
events. It doesn't matter if your artist or group is on a major
or independent label, if you need someone with experience doing
street or radio promotion, SSP can help.


VICKI ROLLIN DESIGN
http://www.kachingrecords.com/vicki.html
If you're looking for professional artwork for your next album
cover, check out the slick work of graphic artist Vicki Rollin.
Vicki is certainly not a fly-by-night designer, in fact, she's
done work for a number of professional organizations, some you
will surely recognize as you browse her portfolio. Vicki will
work directly with your CD manufacturer and her design work
includes a number of other options, including video sleeves,
j-cards and posters. While there's not a lot of detail at the
site, the quality of work is very evident from the portfolio.
Price list available upon request.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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CREATE YOUR OWN MARKETING MACHINE
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=3802
In the past, major record labels have been successful because of
their monopoly on various facets of the music industry. While
their hold is still great, there are now more options than ever
for musicians.


INSIDER SECRETS TO THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=3803
Many people outside of the music industry (and surprisingly many
inside too) do not understand the way the music business really
works. The Internet and lowered costs of CD manufacturing have
made it possible for musicians to be self-reliant, but if you're
interested in getting signed to a major record label, read on…


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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INTERNET MUSIC SALES SET TO SOAR
http://www.netimperative.com/media/newsarticle.asp?ArticleID=10656&ChannelID=2&A\
rticleType=1
The value of music sales via the Internet will reach $9.7bn
(£6.8bn) by 2006, accounting for 20.8% of the total global music
market. A report by Informa Media Group says that while digital
downloads are on the increase, hard copy sales will still
dominate, with CD sales set to account for 60% of total online
music sales by 2006, totalling $6bn.


RIAA TAKES AIM AT LAUNCH, TOO
http://www.thestandard.com/article/0,1902,26690,00.html
In its second legal battle of the day, the Recording Industry
Association of America sued music portal Launch Media on Thursday
for failing to seek proper licenses for its LaunchCast
personalized radio service.


AIMSTER GETS THE NAPSTER TREATMENT
http://www.thestandard.com/article/0,1902,26689,00.html
The major record labels sued Aimster on Thursday, charging the
Albany, N.Y.-based file-sharing startup with copyright
infringement. However, a federal judge in Albany enjoined the
plaintiffs from proceeding with their complaint, filed in New
York City, until a hearing Wednesday.


MP3.COM BUY: THE TAMING OF A GENERATION
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5993067.html?tag=ch_mh
The deal "is a very symbolic nail in the coffin for the concept
of the Internet as a liberating force from the major music
labels," said Aram Sinnreich, a music analyst with Jupiter
Research. "It will probably silence all but the most die-hard
zealots who believe that the Internet makes the record labels
irrelevant in this day and age."


MUSIC EXECS ASK CONGRESS FOR COPYRIGHT LAW CHANGES
http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=31138&pod_id=13
Digital music executives told Congress Thursday that online music
systems could not thrive without an overhaul of the nation's
copyright laws, drawing protests from songwriters and music
publishers who depend on royalty payments for income.


VIVENDI UNIVERSAL TO BUY MP3.COM FOR $5 A SHARE
http://news.excite.com/news/r/010520/14/media-mp3com
French multimedia giant Vivendi Universal Sunday said it will buy
online music firm MP3.com for $5 per share in a cash and stock
deal valued at about $372 million that will help it strengthen
its online music distribution and subscription services. The deal
will bring to Vivendi over 150,000 artists from more than 180
countries who currently make their music available through
MP3.com.


NAPSTER SEEKS TESTERS FOR PAID SERVICE
http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,5083035,00.html
Music-swapping service Napster is calling for people to test its
forthcoming subscription service, tentatively scheduled to launch
this summer. The company posted an appeal for beta testers on its
Web site Wednesday, saying it is looking for people to be "the
first to preview the new membership service." No further details
were available.


MUSIC PUBLISHERS, LABELS DEBATE ONLINE MUSIC
http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=30837&pod_id=13
Record companies face off against music publishers and
songwriters like Lyle Lovett in Washington this week in a growing
dispute over royalty payments that threatens industry plans to
sell music online. The major recording labels and music
publishers, who own music rights, are at odds over on-demand or
interactive music streamed over the Internet. The House of
Representatives Subcommittee on the Internet and Intellectual
Property has called a hearing for May 17.


MP3.COM FOCUSES ON THE MOBILIZATION OF MUSIC
http://www.mp3.com/corporate/b2b/b2b_mobile.html
The cellular phone is evolving right before our ears. No longer
will it just be a communication device as it is fast on its way
to being your portable music player and more. MP3.com is
developing new technologies designed to enable music consumers to
access their personal music collection from nearly anywhere,
whether it is a home audio player, a portable device, a car
stereo or a wireless handset.


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Recommended Resources
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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
Spring 2001 Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/htpromotemusic.htm
If you want to sell your music on the net in any form, this book
will teach you how to design and market a web site that will SELL
YOUR MUSIC and bring in that extra income you need to boost and
financially support your music career! The author is currently
making over $4000 a month selling music related products and
advertising on the internet. 'How to Promote Your Music
Successfully on the Internet' shows you exactly how he did it,
step by step! Download Version Available!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2001 Edition
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm
Created by The Music Resource Group, this 368-page volume
provides access to over 15,000 music businesses and key industry
contacts in more than 25 categories. Current names, phone and fax
numbers, e-mail and website addresses, detailed submission
policies and the styles of music preferred is just some of the
information you'll find on every page of The Atlas.


THE INDIE CONTACT BIBLE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/indiecontactbible.htm
Need to create some BUZZ about your music? Looking for reviewers?
Radio station contacts? Promotion services? Then grab The Indie
Contact Bible. This fantastic new musicians 'black book' contains
350 pages filled with contacts with publications and radio
programmers all over the world. These are people who actively
look for music to review! Download Version Available!


THE GUERRILLA MUSIC MARKETING HANDBOOK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/guerrillamusic.htm
This guide to independent music success features over 175 ways to
thrive and prosper with your own band or record label. Download
Version Available!


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ALSO FROM MIDNIGHT RAIN PRODUCTIONS and RainMusic.com

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THE FREE SHEET MUSIC GUIDE
http://www.freesheetmusicguide.com

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http://www.sheetmusicaddict.com

SOLO PIANO CD SAMPLER SHOWROOM
http://www.rainmusic.com/pianomusic/dnevue/sampler.htm

Thanks for your continued support of RainMusic.com and The Music
Biz Academy!


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ABOUT THE MUSIC BIZ ACADEMY
The Music Biz Academy is brought to you by Midnight Rain
Productions (http://www.rainmusic.com) . It is a resource
designed for musicians promoting or selling music on the
internet. Each week we feature news, articles, and reviews
related to the art of online music promotion and music related
product sales.

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