Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #39 - July 8th, 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 July 8th edition of the Music Biz
Academy Digest!


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
In the last two weeks we've seen a major offensive launched by
the recording industry against song-swapping and file-sharing
services. The most interesting development is the recent report
that major record labels are uploading thousands of 'fake'
versions of popular songs onto popular file-swapping services
like Morpheus and KaZaA. The goal, of course, is to pollute the
file-swapping services to such an extent that frustrated users
find them useless and return to the stores to purchase music.
From the major label perspective, this 'spoofing', as it's
commonly called, is a simple, legal, short-term solution to its
pesky digital music file-sharing problem.

Morpheus, the Internet's most popular file-swapping service, is
not standing still, however. According to sources, Morpheus is
planning to include a new rating system to make it easier to
identify fake files in its next release. This would enable
network users to quickly discern fake song files from real ones.

On another battle front, the RIAA, which represents the big five
record labels, is considering a new approach to controlling
individual file-swappers: suing them directly. These proposed
lawsuits would target those individuals who collect and upload
the largest share of music. According to a recent study, 10
percent of file-swappers provide 90 percent of the content
available through networks such as KaZaA and Morpheus. The RIAA's
proposed legal action would focus on that 10%. News of the
proposed lawsuits against individuals was leaked to the Wall
Street Journal by the RIAA last Wednesday, perhaps as a 'warning'
to swappers.

All of this really goes to show just how desperate the recording
industry has become. Sales are down, and online song-trading has
become the scapegoat. The RIAA has been careful to state that
they have not YET taken the road of suing individuals, but the
story has certainly got people talking. Some nervous record
executives are already distancing themselves from the story.

Of course, the RIAA is already going after large corporations
that allow file-swapping among employees. In April, the RIAA
settled with an Arizona company that let employees trade MP3
files over an internal network. The case was settled for $1
million. More companies will be facing similar charges, according
to the RIAA.

On yet another battle front, Listen.com's 'Rhapsody' digital
music service has become the first to license music from ALL FIVE
of the major music labels. That means that unlike its competitors
MusicNet and PressPlay, Listen.com can claim a complete music
catalog. This gives Listen.com a definite edge in it's pursuit to
dominate the online music subscription market. The question is,
can Listen.com keep that edge? In terms of both content and
service, Listen.com is, in this reviewers mind, far superior to
it's competitors. However, neither MusicNet or PressPlay appear
to be going anywhere soon. Perhaps the heat of increased
competition will work to the benefit of consumers.

In other news, and I just have to report this because it is so
asinine, a music publisher is claiming copyright infringement
against a composer who included a one-minute 'silent track' on
his album. Yes, believe it or not, the publisher claims they own
the royalties to the 'silence'. So all of you with those really
long pauses between song tracks on your CDs, watch out. For more
info on this really strange story, see the link below.

More information on these happenings at...

MUSIC LABELS PLANT ONLINE DECOYS
http://shorl.com/jevifrusograbra

RECORD INDUSTRY 'SPOOFS' NET PIRATES
http://shorl.com/guvostogrukasto

THE RECORD LABELS' NEW TARGET--JOE BLOW?
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-941590.html

FILE-TRADING FUROR HEAT'S UP
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,53662,00.html

COMPANIES CRACK DOWN ON MP3s
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-939797.html

LISTEN.COM
http://www.listen.com

MUSIC PUBLISHER CLAIMS COPYRIGHT ON SILENCE
http://www.cbc.ca/artsCanada/stories/silencea020702

---

In other news, I just released the new Summer 2002 edition of my
book 'How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet'.
Those of you who purchased the first 2002 edition should have
received information on your free PDF update via email already.
If you have not, let me know.

For those of you relatively new to this list, the book covers all
of the strategies I myself have used to promote my music and
online music business via the Internet. I'm now doing online
music full-time, having quit my day job. The book covers just
about everything you would want to know about promoting music
online, including the technical side of things. All in a simple,
easy-to-read fashion.

More information on the new edition of the book at
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/htpromotemusic.htm

For testimonials from happy readers, see
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/htptestimonials.htm

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


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THE INDIE MUSICIAN'S PDF POWER PACK!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/index.htm
Get three of our best-selling books for one low price! Set
includes 'How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the
Internet', 'The Indie Bible' and 'Music is Your Business' - All
for only $49.95 emailed to your inbox!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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A MUSIC BUSINESS REVOLUTION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/mbizrevolution.htm
The evolution of the music business over the last hundred years
or so has been filled with innovation, exploitation, and
opportunities for everyone who had an investment in music.
Songwriters, musicians, recording studios, producers, record
labels, radio broadcasters, distributors, and retailers, as well
as live performance venues and music publicists, have all
struggled to find a way to get the public’s attention for their
products and services. Today however, they are all being
challenged by a recording industry in turmoil. Article by Chris
Knab.


DIGITAL MUSIC IN A CHANGING DIGITAL WORLD
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/digitalworld.htm
Will digital technology ever truly "level the playing field" for
independent musicians? Or will the disparity we see today between
struggling musicians and the corporate music industry continue
for the foreseeable future? Does it even really matter? Article
by David Nevue.

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MUSICDISTRIBUTION.COM
http://www.musicdistribution.com/
MusicDistribution.com aims to help you find the best places to
promote, sell, and distribute your music on the Internet.
Includes our top 10 list, music promotion tips, and
recommended resources.


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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BUZZPLANT
http://www.buzzplant.com/
The Buzz Plant is an Internet marketing and promotion company
that focuses on the Christian Music industry. BuzzPlant makes use
of grassroots promotion as well as partnerships with Christian
and music marketing web sites to promote its clients. The
emphasis at the BuzzPlant is investing in relationships with
potential buyers by building a rapport with them, and then
offering them the music they are looking for. BuzzPlant Clients
include some huge names - Sonic Flood, Mercy Me, Michael Card,
Ginny Owens, Charlie Peacock, The Choir and many others. Visit
the web site for examples of current promotions.


GOODNIGHT KISS MUSIC
http://www.goodnightkiss.com/
Songwriters, check out Goodnight Kiss Music, a music publisher
based in Hollywood, California. GKM specializes in placing songs
within the film, television, and recording industry and they have
a very impressive list of credits. Goodknight Kiss is open to
considering material from unknown songwriters for their projects,
but they do have a strict list of requirements for submissions.
Interested songwriters should check their daily updates to see
what they are currently working on, and then contact them
directly before submitting any material. A subscription based
newsletter is also available which outlines their current
projects. Check out their excellent Song Critique Checklist.


MIXONIC CD DUPLICATION
http://www.mixonic.com/
The digital age is definitely here! At Mixonic you can create
your entire CD from start to finish online - upload your audio
files then use the CD Designer to add your music to a CD.
Finally, use the label editor to upload graphics, text, and/or
clipart to be printed directly on your CD surface in full color.
By the time you are done using their wizard-like interface,
you've created a CD, which you can save (to finish later), or
order for manufacturing. Guaranteed 2 business day turnaround on
CD orders. Short run orders, or big orders, it doesn't matter.
Currently, Mixonic only offers CDs in paper sleeves or slim/thin
jewel cases. But custom j-cards and inserts are coming soon. Very
cool.


THE MUSE'S MUSE - SONGWRITERS COMMUNITY
http://www.musesmuse.com
The Muse's Muse has, over it's many years, become one of the mose
enduring and useful independent songwriter communities on the
Internet. Songwriters will find a lot to peruse here, but we
especially recommend checking out the 'Interactivities', where
you'll find chat rooms, as well as an active message board. We
also highly recommend the writings of their columnists,
especially their excellent Copyright and Publishing Q&A column.
Be sure to subscribe to the free monthly newsletter.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
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B.E.A.M. GRANT PROGRAM HELPS UNSIGNED MUSICIANS
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=33162
Making a living in the music world can be a tough goal to
achieve. Many talented musicians go unnoticed because they don't
have the resources needed to display their talents. To help make
some of these life-long dreams come true, Jim Beam® Bourbon will
award another $100,000 in grant money in 2002 to unsigned artists
through the B.E.A.M. (Benefiting Emerging Artists in Music)
program. Final grant deadline is August 30th.


THE INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
Enter YOUR SONGS now to WIN over $50,000 in prize money and
merchandise and have your music heard by the music industry's
top professionals! Categories include: Pop, Rock, Country, Folk,
R&B, Hip-Hop/Rap, World Music, and Lyrics Only. Entrants may
submit multiple songs in as many categories as they wish. $54,000
in cash and prizes will be shared by 27 winners. There is a $30
entry fee. All entries must be postmarked by September 30, 2002.


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.


U.K. BROADCASTER SEEKING MUSIC VIDEOS FOR SKY TV
http://www.waterfall-studios.com/
Waterfall Studios is seeking seeking interesting or unusual music
videos from around the world to feature in a SKY TV series. The
series, 'Showcase TV' is broadcast throughout Europe. Artists
seeking exposure for their videos are welcome to submit their
material to Waterfall Studios, 2 Silver Road, Wood Lane, London
W12 7SG. They require Digibeta or BetaSP formats, (NTSC, PAL or
SECAM) although they can also accept U-MATICS. Further questions?
email James Weston at james@...


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Articles From Around The Net....
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THE INTERNET DEBACLE - AN ALTERNATE VIEW
http://www.janisian.com/article-internet_debacle.html
When I research an article, I normally send 30 or so emails to
friends and acquaintances asking for opinions and anecdotes. I
usually receive 10-20 in reply. But not so on this subject!
I sent 36 emails requesting opinions and facts on free music
downloading from the Net. I stated that I planned to adopt the
viewpoint of devil's advocate: free Internet downloads are good
for the music industry and its artists. I've received, to date,
over 300 replies, every single one from someone legitimately "in
the music business." What's more interesting than the emails are
the phone calls. I don't know anyone at NARAS (home of the Grammy
Awards), and I know Hilary Rosen (head of rhe Recording Industry
Association of America, or RIAA) only vaguely. Yet within 24
hours of sending my original email, I'd received two messages
from Rosen and four from NARAS requesting that I call to "discuss
the article." Huh. Didn't know I was that widely read.


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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YAHOO'S ROLE IN WEBCASTING FEES ATTACKED
http://www.mediapost.com/dtls_dsp_news.cfm?newsID=125829
After the Librarian of Congress set Webcasting fees on June 20,
Yahoo was assailed as being responsible, since the fees were
based on a Webcasting deal Yahoo made with the Recording Industry
Association of America. Then Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas
Mavericks and founder of Broadcast.com, which Yahoo purchased,
said the Yahoo/RIAA deal was made to "shut out small Webcasters
and decrease competition."


MUSIC PUBLISHER CLAIMS COPYRIGHT ON SILENCE
http://www.cbc.ca/artsCanada/stories/silencea020702
When British composer and producer Mike Batt put a one-minute
silent track on an album he was putting together, he didn't
expect to get a notice of copyright infringement. But
representatives of John Cage, an avant-garde composer who died in
1992, are claiming that Batt violated the copyright on Cage's
1952 silent composition 4'33''. Batt said he received a letter on
their behalf, claiming royalties on the track. Batt said he was
"in hysterics" when he read the letter. When Batt told his
mother, he says her reply was, "Which part of the silence are
they claiming you nicked?"


RIAA TO GO AFTER INDIVIDUAL SONG SWAPPERS
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=11343
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is planning
to go after file-sharing users who provide high volumes of
copyrighted music over peer-to-peer (P2P) systems, the Wall
Street Journal reported. The top music labels are to step up
their campaign against individual song swappers, moving away from
their strategy of trying to shut down the P2P programs
themselves. The suits would also tackle “supernodes,” or people
who operate centralised directories of unauthorised files.


NET RADIO GOES UNDERGROUND
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-941405.html
Inspired by Britain's iconoclastic history of pirate radio
broadcasting, Iain McLeod wants to save Internet radio.
The 39-year-old McLeod, a game designer who works out of his home
in England, is the author of Streamer, a new software program
designed to let people create online radio stations that are
difficult for the authorities to trace. Like many a Net rebel
before him, McLeod says he's fighting what he sees as the big
record labels' desire to control online music.


LISTEN.COM: KING OF ONLINE MUSIC
http://siliconvalley.internet.com/news/article.php/1379641
Crowning itself the new king of online music, Listen.com Monday
added the last major record label to its Rhapsody service:
Universal Music Group (UMG), a division of Vivendi Universal
(NYSE:V). Listen CEO Sean Ryan said he was tickled pink because
he now has a more complete selection of titles than similar music
download sites like MusicNet and pressplay. In addition to the
UMG digital catalog, Listen.com has full digital catalogs from
BMG, EMI, Sony Music and Warner Music Group, as well as music
from more than 50 independent labels.


LABELS INUNDATE FILE-SWAPPING FANS WITH FAKE SONGS
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=11272
Major record labels have been inundating file-swapping services
with fake copies of hit songs in hopes of frustrating the
millions of users illegally downloading copyrighted music,
Mercury News reported. The newspaper said sources at three top
labels admitted they’re sending fake versions of almost every new
major release to peer-to-peer (P2P) services like Morpheus and
KaZaA to force impatient downloaders back into the music stores.


NAPSTER APPROVED FOR $5.1M LOAN
http://www.bizreport.com/article.php?art_id=3554
Napster Inc., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
early this month, won final approval Tuesday of a $5.13 million
debtor-in-possession agreement with Bertelsmann AG, its
prospective purchaser. Napster, which stirred controversy as the
provider of a free Internet music service, will use $4 million of
the loan to fund business operations. The remaining $1.13 million
will fund a key employee retention plan, the terms of which were
also approved Tuesday.


MUSIC INDUSTRY COULD GET GREEN LIGHT TO HACK P2P SITES
http://tinyurl.com/lhp
The US may introduce radical legislation to allow music companies
to hack peer-to-peer (P2P) networks they suspect of distributing
pirated material. US senator Howard Berman has proposed new laws
which would give the green light for copyright holders to employ
decoys, re-direction, file-blocking and spoofing technologies to
stop the P2P sites working. However the legislation will have to
overcome existing US law which makes such behaviour illegal under
the country's version of the Computer Misuse Act - the Computer
Fraud and Abuse Act.


MUSIC INDUSTRY GETS HEAT FOR ADS TO YOUTHS
http://tinyurl.com/lhq
The music industry still advertises albums with explicit lyrics
on TV shows and in teen magazines, while movie and video game
companies have significantly curtailed the marketing of violence
to young people, according to a new Federal Trade Commission
report. The report is the third in a series examining
entertainment industry advertising practices -- and the third to
chastise the music business. In 1999, President Bill Clinton
directed the FTC to make the first study after the shootings at
Columbine High School in Colorado.


MTV ANNOUNCES HIGHEST RATED QUARTER IN HISTORY
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=38548
MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION announces that 2Q'02 will rank as the
highest rated quarter in history and is pacing to become the
network's most watched second quarter among all its key demos,
according to Nielsen Media Research. MTV also maintains its
position as the #1 cable network for the coveted 12-24 year old
demographic for more than 10 years (to date).


COMPANIES CRACK DOWN ON MP3s
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-939797.html
Stash those headphones and trash that file-swapping software:
Companies are cracking down on employees who use streaming media
and swap MP3s at work. The trend is a result of two developments:
media usage hogging enormous amounts of corporate bandwidth and
threats of legal liability as the entertainment industry
aggressively pursues copyright scofflaws.



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Recommended Resources
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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
Summer 2002 Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/htpromotemusic.htm
Learn the marketing and promotion methods that one musician uses
to bring in over $5000 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!


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!


THE INDIE MUSICIAN'S PDF POWER PACK!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/index.htm
Get three of our best-selling books for one low price! Set
includes 'How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the
Internet', 'The Indie Bible' and 'Music is Your Business' - All
for only $49.95 emailed to your inbox!


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Services
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GET REPRESENTATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/representation.htm
The Music Biz Academy has partnered with NOMA music, a very
well-established song placement and promotion agency, to help you
get your music heard. The mission statement of NOMA Music is
threefold:

1) Placing bands, songwriters, instrumentalists, and solo artists
with established record labels.
2) Placing and licensing songs and music into television, film,
commercials, video, and animation projects.
3) Representing up and coming film and TV composers.

NOMA works with a large network of over 400 production companies.
Recent successes include client song placement in MTV's 'The
Osbournes', FX's 'The Shield', an NHL Hockey video, and three
songs in the upcoming film 'Employee of the Month' starring John
Doe from the band X. NOMA provides an aggressive program to get
your music into the right hands.


GET YOUR MUSIC ONLINE!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdstreet.htm
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.
CDStreet simply takes 20% of your CD price. If you sell a CD for
$12.99, you keep $10.39. 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’. There is a
one-time $29.95 set up fee, but no recurring or hidden charges. A
fantastic deal on a high-visibility, high-class web site.


MUSIC CAREER CONSULTING
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/consulting.htm
If you'd like some help getting your music career off the ground
or preparing for that next step, contact our expert music
consultant, Christopher Knab. Chris has been called "One of the
Most Influential People in the Northwest Music Industry." by
Seattle's Rocket Magazine. He is owner of FourFront Media and
Music, a consultation service based in Seattle that helps
musicians develop marketing and career plans.


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 radio promoter who has
quarterbacked campaigns for RadioHead (before they were stars),
Lit (Malicious Vinyl), 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!


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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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