Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #28 - February 4th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

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

The 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, subscribers to the February 4th edition of the Music
Biz Academy Digest!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
It's been a big couple of weeks for Napster. Just when you though
it couldn't get more interesting, the judge presiding over the
case notified the suing record labels that she would closely
scrutinize their online practices to help her determine the
merits of the case. One day later, the majors asked the judge for
a one-month stay in their lawsuit so they could aggressively seek
a settlement out of court. The majors didn't appear too excited
about having their online practices examined that thoroughly. I
wonder why?

For more on this development, see the full story at
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-827680.html


CHANGES IN PROGRESS...
We've been doing a lot of work at MusicBizAcademy.com with an
improved, better organized, selection of articles and tips to
teach you more about the business of music. In addition, we are
working on finding more partners to help direct you to the
services you need quickly, including our own consultant to help
get you set up with not only manufacturing your own CDs, but
taking care of all the graphic design elements you'll ever need.
More on that coming up in the next month or so!

Also, within the next few weeks we intend to begin taking your
questions on Internet promotion and the music business. We will
feature one question and answer in each new edition of this
newsletter! Obviously, we won't be able to answer every question,
but at the very least, we can begin to build a significant
knowledge base to include at the Academy!

Finally, on a personal note, now that I've left my day job I
intend to write more articles specifically geared to helping you
promote your music more effectively on the Internet. My latest
article, SELLING MORE CDs ONLINE, is now available at
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/sellmorecds.htm

Keep an eye out for more great things from us! 2002 is looking to
be a very productive year!


MUSIC BIZ ACADEMY teams up with RADIO & RETAIL PROMOTION
Looking for radio or retail promotion? We've teamed up with a
big-time radio promoter who has quarterbacked campaigns for
RadioHead, Lit, and others. Need help arranging on-air
interviews, pre-promotion, CD reviews, college radio or retail
promotion? All campaigns are custom designed for your music. More
info at http://www.musicbizacademy.com/radiopromo.htm


THE MUSIC BIZ ACADEMY
Editor, David Nevue
http://www.mp3.com/davidnevue

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MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS - PDF Now Available!
This great offering from music biz consultant Christopher Knab is
now available in PDF format! Find out why so many musicians fail
and how you can get the 'edge'. Learn how to attract
distributors, radio play, and how to create a demand for your
music. Music Is Your Business includes excellent flowcharts and
graphs, demonstrating in simple terms how the industry operates.
Sample artist bio, fact sheet, and checklists for jump-starting
your career and/or running your own record label!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciyb.htm


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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SELLING MORE CDS ONLINE: A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/sellmorecds.htm
Recently, a visitor to the Music Biz Academy asked me a very
common question; "How can I sell more CDs on the Internet?" Good
question, though very open-ended. How you go about marketing your
music successfully depends on a great many factors. This article
contains some suggestions where to start.


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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AUDIO CONSTRUCTION KIT
http://www.audioconstructionkit.com/
The A.C.K. is a unique tool that lets you combine your sound,
image, web and contact information all into a single, executable
file. Imagine allowing your visitors to download one file and get
not only your entire album, but the sound player, cover art,
other images, track notes, web site info, in one file. Not only
that, but the listener can send you song feedback directly from
the player, as well as recommend your music to friends. An
innovative tool that creates some interesting marketing
possibilities.


HOMERECORDING.COM
http://www.homerecording.com/
Dedicated to do-it-yourselfers who dream of recording in their
own studio, HomeRecording.com offers advice for those interested
in the art. HR.com features a vast amount of content, with
articles on everything from recording & mixing to FAQ's on how to
get started. In addition, the site contains helpful equipment
reviews, an active Home Recording forum, a detailed glossary and
numerous tutorials. This fantastic resource should not be missed.


STANDARD DESIGN COMPANY
http://www.standard-design.com/
Standard Design's designs really stand out! Whether you need
flyers, postcards, posters, business cards, web design or CD
artwork, SD's portfolio looks outstanding. Highly professional,
stunning artwork that's sure to impress and make YOU look good!
Highly recommended.


SUPERDUPER DISC
http://superdd.com/
This CD Manufacturer, based in Manhattan, specializes in fast
service, and offer a wide array of services from Multimedia
Design to Flash Animation to Video Production to CD-ROM
Duplication & Replication. They can also provide graphic design
options, printing... the works. Small or large quantities are no
problem. Free shipping on all overs over 1000 CDs. Past clients
include a few big names - David Bowie, Bela Fleck and the
Flecktones, Branford Marsalis, and Columbia Records. Great
prices, nice site, good service.


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Contests & Competitions
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101 ONLINE MUSIC PR SOURCES - FREE TO TWO WINNERS EVERY MONTH
http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/onlinepr.html
Bob Baker is giving away copies of his new music publicity
resource. "Some professionals hide their secrets, but not Bob,"
says Jeffrey P. Fisher, author of Ruthless Self-Promotion in the
Music Industry. Fisher is referring to Bob Baker's "Online Music
PR Hot List," a new downloadable book that reveals 101 places to
submit press releases, get reviewed, uncover PR connections and
promote your music on the Internet. Every month, Baker will give
away two copies of this new online music PR directory.


NATIONAL 'INDIE BAND SEARCH 2002'
http://www.indiebandsearch.com/
ModMusic Records is proud to announce the Indie Band Search 2002.
The Indie Band Search is a national contest that gives
independent musicians, artists, songwriters, and bands a chance
to be heard by entertainment industry professionals and compete
for prizes worth over $10,000. *Deadline for entries is February
14, 2002.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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INDIE ARTIST SURPASSES ONE MILLION SONG DOWNLOADS
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=32367
After ranking consistently as one of the most popular and most
downloaded artists on mp3.com with over 1,000,000 downloads,
Independent artist Ryan Farish has gained national exposure in a
big way! Ryan’s Internet popularity has led to success beyond the
net including licensing opportunities and national television
exposure.


READJUSTING THE POWER IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/28/business/media/28TUNE.html?ex=1012885200&en=9e\
8eee6786a60e41&ei=5040&partner=MOREOVER
At roughly the same hour last Wednesday that the pop star Mariah
Carey was being dropped by her recording company with a $28
million payout, an odd collection of music legends was
complaining to California state legislators that recording
executives treat musicians like indentured servants. These are
unsettled times in the music business, and many executives in the
clubby industry are rethinking old habits, cutting costs and
dropping high-priced artists who do not deliver quick hits.


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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MP3.COM FOUNDER LAUNCHES LINDOWS, MICROSOFT SUES
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/printedition/chi-0202040006feb04.story?co\
ll=chi%2Dprintbusiness%2Dhed
Michael Robertson's last start-up, MP3.com, helped ignite the
digital music revolution, attracting a big buzz and lawsuits from
major record labels. Robertson's latest gig is no less ambitious:
an operating system called Lindows that runs programs designed
for Microsoft Windows, but on the Linux operating system.
Lindows.com Inc. is fighting its first lawsuit, from Microsoft,
for alleged trademark infringement.


TABLES TURNED ON LABELS IN NAPSTER CASE
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-827680.html
A day before the major record labels asked for a one-month halt
in their lawsuit against file-swapping start-up Napster, a
federal judge told them she would turn close scrutiny on their
online practices. According to transcripts of a Jan. 16 meeting,
released Wednesday, Judge Marilyn Hall Patel was about to open a
process examining whether the big record labels had "misused"
their copyrights in their dealings with online rivals. One day
later, the labels asked for a 30-day halt to the case to pursue
settlement talks more vigorously.


JUDGE DELAYS NAPSTER LAWSUIT AS SETTLEMENT TALKS CONTINUE
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/01/24/BU1\
13083.DTL&type=tech
A federal judge in San Francisco has placed the recording
industry's copyright infringement lawsuit against Napster Inc. on
hold until Feb. 17 to give both sides time to work out a
settlement. In an order signed last week, U.S. District Court
Judge Marilyn Hall Patel granted a temporary stay requested by
both Napster and all but two of the record companies -- Capital
Records Inc. and Virgin Records -- that sued claiming the Redwood
City firm allowed online music piracy.


DOOR OPENS ON PRESSPLAY, CLOSES ON AIMSTER SITE
http://www.bizreport.com/article.php?art_id=2827&PHPSESSID=d3d2db57e2974ce575451\
ee030a7e0e1
Pressplay, the online music distribution platform operated by the
record-company arms of Sony and Vivendi Universal, announced its
wide release this week after about a month of public testing.
And just as the music-by-subscription service became available to
all members of such affiliates as MSN, Yahoo, Roxio and MP3.com,
the renegade outfit formerly known as Aimster - among the music-
sharing services that forced major record companies to respond
with offerings like Pressplay and the similar MusicNet - has been
reborn with a new moniker: Madster


ONLINE MUSIC INDUSTRY STEPS INTO UNCERTAIN FUTURE, LEADERS SAY
http://www.siliconvalley.com/docs/news/ptech/077542.htm
The heads of the leading online music subscription services,
still looking for a smooth segue into the pocketbooks of music
fans, said Thursday it will take time before their businesses
fully tap into the nascent market. Analysts already have scaled
back growth projections for the digital music market. MusicNet
and pressplay each launched last month, later than analysts had
expected and with download restrictions that turned off many
music fans accustomed to free MP3s online.


PRESSPLAY SERVICE HITCHES A RIDE ON MP3.COM
http://investor.cnet.com/investor/news/newsitem/0-9900-1028-8564663-0.html?tag=a\
ts
Pressplay said Tuesday that it has launched its online music
subscription service on MP3.com, whose technology division
provides a blueprint for the Pressplay service. Vivendi, which
said in August that it had acquired MP3.com and would use the
online music company's technology to digitally distribute various
content, has long been expected to offer Pressplay on the MP3.com
site. People pay a monthly subscription fee to access Pressplay's
online music library, with songs from Sony, Universal, EMI
Recorded Music and independent labels. People can stream,
download and burn the music onto CDs.


LABELS ASK FOR TIME-OUT IN NAPSTER BATTLE
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/23805.html
Something seems amiss in the Recording industry's copyright
battle with Napster, as the labels have sought and been granted a
30-day time-out in the action, the Associated Press reports.
According to the report, the labels will seek a settlement during
the cease-fire. "Only Capitol Records and Virgin Records America
didn't join in the request to US District Judge Marilyn Hall
Patel," the wire service says. The industry has not yet commented
on the unusual turn of events, but one is tempted to wonder if
the plaintiffs have lost confidence in their case.


AUSTRALIAN COMPANY BUYS KAZAA, RESTARTS SERVICE
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/01/22/BU126150.DTL
An Australian firm said yesterday that it has purchased and
restarted KaZaA, the Dutch-born Internet file-sharing program
that the world's biggest media companies have sued for becoming
the new Napster. KaZaa stopped all downloads of the free Media
Desktop program last week pending a Dutch judge's ruling in a
copyright infringement case filed against the company in the
Netherlands. But Sharman Networks resumed downloads yesterday
morning.


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Recommended Resources
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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2002 Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/htpromotemusic.htm
Learn the marketing and promotion methods that one musician uses
to bring in over $4000 a month in income from the Internet! There
are no 'pipe dreams' sold here. The author details step-by-step
how he finally said good-bye to his day job and starting spending
more time on his music. Download Version Available for only
$14.95!


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! The PDF version of this great book is now only
$29.95!


101 MUSIC BUSINESS CONTRACTS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/101contracts.htm
Can’t afford a lawyer? That’s OK. We’re here to help, with 101
Industry Standard Contracts available for instant download, or on
CD, or printed in a binder just for you. All for less than what
you would pay an Entertainment Lawyer for 15 minutes worth of his
time.


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2002 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. Available in
hard copy for only $24.95!


THE INDIE 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
Bible. This fantastic new musicians 'black book' contains pages
filled with contacts with publications and radio programmers all
over the world. These are people who actively look for music to
review! Download or Hard Copy Version Available for $24.95!


MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciyb.htm
This great offering from music biz consultant Christopher Knab is
now available in PDF format! Find out why so many musicians fail
and how you can get the 'edge'. Learn how to attract
distributors, radio play, and how to create a demand for your
music. Music Is Your Business includes excellent flowcharts and
graphs, demonstrating in simple terms how the industry operates.
Sample artist bio, fact sheet, and checklists for jump-starting
your career and/or running your own record label! PDF Edition
only $19.95!


INSIDE SESSIONS: LEARN FROM THE PROS
http://www.qksrv.net/click-1043288-5834908
Brought to you by the Universal Music Group, the largest record
company in the world, InsideSessions is an Internet-based program
that teaches you everything you need to know to transform your
passion for music into a successful career as a recording artist
or industry professional. The online 10 session course features
instruction from artists Sting, Sheryl Crow & Nelly, record
executives Jimmy Iovine and Russell Simmons, producer Glen
Ballard and many others. Once you sign up, Universal guarantees
their A&R executives will listen to your demo, and even provide
you written feedback if you select that option.


RADIO / RETAIL PROMOTION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/radiopromo.htm
Effective radio and retail promotion comes from knowing the
stations and CD stores personally. That means knowing what kind
of music their staff is into. Our consultants have been dealing
with our stations and retailers for years! Your radio/retail
campaign will be custom designed to get the biggest bang for the
buck! All stations are hand-picked, to ensure your campaign
perfectly fits the audience you are targeting. We'll arrange
on-air interviews, pre-promotion, CD reviews, college, public and
commercial radio, retail promotion and more.


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ALSO FROM MIDNIGHT RAIN PRODUCTIONS

If you like this newsletter, please do drop by our network of
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THE FREE SHEET MUSIC GUIDE
http://www.freesheetmusicguide.com

THE SHEET MUSIC ADDICT
http://www.sheetmusicaddict.com

WHISPERINGS: SOLO PIANO RADIO
http://www.mp3.com/stations/whisperings

Thanks for your continued support of The Music Biz Academy!

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The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by The Music
Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.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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