Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #29 - February 18th, 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 18th edition of the Music
Biz Academy Digest!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
The news has been mighty slow over the last couple of weeks, but
this morning we got wind that GarageBand.com, one of the
Internet's most innovative independent record labels, is very
close to permanently shutting it's doors.

What made GarageBand.com so special was that it put the
possibility of success truly in the hands of it's artists, as
well as it's site's visitors and listeners. Every month, the band
finishing with the #1 track in the rankings (based on visitor
reviews) received an automatic invitation into ‘The New Deal’.
New Deal artists had an opportunity to meet very specific sales
goals which, if attained, could eventually lead to a $250,000
recording contract.

GarageBand.com was promoted and supported by such well known
producers as Brian Eno, George Martin (The Beatles) and Jerry
Harrison (Talking Heads).

For those of you that missed the site, it was something special.
We will miss it.


MOVERS AND SHAKERS...
As we mentioned in our last issue, we've been working on some
changes to improve MusicBizAcademy.com. These include the
formation of partnerships with a few of our favorite contacts
within the online music industry.

Here are a few of the latest...

RADIO & RETAIL PROMOTION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/radiopromo.htm
If you're looking to promote your music either via radio or
through retail, we've teamed up with a big-time radio promoter
who has quarterbacked campaigns for RadioHead, Lit, and others.
Our contact will help arrange on-air interviews, CD reviews, and
create a custom campaign custom designed for your music.


ART DESIGN - CDs, Posters, One-Sheets, and Web Sites
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/artdesign/
In this business of music, image means everything! You know it,
we know it, the music industry knows it. Our hand-picked graphic
designers will help you make a powerful statement about your
music! Whether you need art design for your CD package, or just a
quick logo, it's all here. Check out the very cool one-sheet
designs, the perfect item to make your press kit stand out!


WEB SITE HOSTING
http://www.cdstreet.com/signup/musicbizacademy/
We've partnered with CDStreet to offer one of the best deals on
the net for musicians looking to sell their music via the web.
There are NO set up fees or hidden charges. CDStreet simply takes
20% of your CD price. If you need to ecommerce enable your web
site (as in, you need a shopping cart), you can use CDStreet to
do that as well. Visitors can rate your music, post reviews, get
news and information and listen to and purchase your music. Very
highly recommended, with lots of buzz on the ‘street’.

We'll keep you updated as we continue to branch out.

David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/index.htm
http://www.mp3.com/davidnevue


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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!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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10 'REALITY SANDWICHES' FOR THE INDEPENDENT MUSICIAN
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/reality.htm
The term ‘Reality Sandwiches’ appeared in a poem by the late Beat
poet Allen Ginsberg. I adopted it years ago to explain that there
are certain realities about the music business that must be
chewed and digested in order to rid ourselves of any naïve
concepts and beliefs about breaking into the industry. Article by
Christopher Knab.


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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ALT.MUSIC.INDEPENDENT
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&group=alt.music.independent
Dedicated to Independent music and musicians, this newsgroup gets
it's fair share of spam and like any newsgroup, receives numerous
posts from many self-serving visitors. But, there's good material
amidst the clutter, with interesting discussions, newsletters,
and service recommendations posted. Worth checking out, even if
just for a chuckle at some of the inane posts.


FRONT PORCH CD
http://www.frontporchcd.com/
Front Porch CD takes the 'guy next door' approach to CD
manufacturing and duplication - their web site is very simple,
but peppered with testimonials from very happy clients. The
overall feeling one comes away with as a visitor to their site is
as that Front Porch CD takes very good care of their customers.
The general consensus, from the clients quoted, is that Front
Porch CD treats them like royalty. "It was good to finally find a
company that treated us like real people," is one typical
example. Front Porch's services include manufacturing,
duplication, graphic design, and promise quick turn-around times.
Their prices are very competitive. A large client list is
available for references. Based on what we've seen here, Front
Porch gets a very high recommendation.


GO-DISC
http://www.go-disc.com/
Hate traditional CD jewel cases? Want something a little more
eye-catching for your short-run demos? Check out GO-disc's unique
CD packaging, a virtually indestructible CD package for people
who hate jewel cases.


OASIS CD DUPLICATION
http://www.oasiscd.com/
Oasis is one of the most highly respected independent music CD
manufacturing plants in the business, and for good reason. You'll
find competitive prices, as well as a very service oriented team
ready to assist you with your project. Oasis offers a number of
great incentives for their clients. First, Oasis includes one of
your tracks in their OasisSampler CD which is then sent to radio
stations nationwide. Secondly, Oasis clients participate in their
national distribution program which gets your CD at Amazon.com,
and a free web site at CDBaby.com (which Oasis pays for). They
will also finance your project. There's a lot to like at Oasis.
One of the best of the best.


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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.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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GENTLEMEN, START YOUR BURNERS!
http://news.dmusic.com/article/4424
One year ago, the obsessive bleat of the RIAA was that Napster
destroyed the world of music as we knew it, sending recording
artists into the gutters, destitute, and forcing songwriters and
record producers home to wither away. This year, the record
companies want to give up the lawsuit without even figuring out
how much money Napster owes? Commentary by Dave Marsh.


AUTHOR TO VH1 AUDIENCE: "INDEPENDENT MUSICIANS EARN MORE"
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=32541
Author Joe Taylor Jr. appeared on VH1's "Wax Tablets" interview
show this week. He told host Maria Chambers that independent
musicians regularly outperform their major label counterparts
when it comes to earning steady income and developing a lasting
career.


MANUFACTURING AND MARKETING YOUR OWN CD
http://www.audioamigo.com/articles/shelleyjacobson1.html
If you're looking to cut your own CD for the first time, here's
an overview of the process by Shelley Jacobson. Shelley takes you
step by step through the manufacturing process, walking you
through her experience when cutting her own CD. Very good
summation with suggestions for avoiding common pitfalls.


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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GARAGEBAND.COM GOES OFFLINE
http://www.garageband.com/
Innovative online distributor and record label Garageband.com
pulls the plug on it's web site while it seeks a new distributor.
The future of the artist-drivin record label remains uncertain.


JAVAMUSIC TO PROVIDE INDIE CONTENT TO XM SATELLITE RADIO
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=32776
JavaMusic in a continuing effort to provide Independent artists
who utilize JavaMusic services with the best in promotional
opportunities is now, accepting artist submissions for airplay
consideration on XM Satellite Radio. XM Satellite Radio is a new
audio experience on your radio dial with the unmatched clarity of
all-digital sound from coast to coast.


SHELVES HOLD 10 MILLION COPY-LOCKED CDS
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-836054.html
Israeli security company Midbar said Tuesday that it has released
more than 10 million copy-protected CDs in the United States and
Europe, highlighting the company's ongoing endeavor to combat
digital piracy.


MUSIC FIRMS LOSING DIGITAL PIRACY FIGHT
http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,7496,646960,00.html
The record industry's campaign to wrest consumers away from
pirate internet music services has been a failure, with
increasing numbers of technology-savvy fans turning their back on
legitimate sales and downloading singles and albums free.
A report to be published today reveals that sales of legitimate
downloads brought in only $1m last year, despite expectations
that music would lead the way in recouping the $4bn invested
across the entertainment sector to capitalise on the expected
boom in digital content.


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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
sites to see what we're doing.

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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