The Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #65 - October 2006
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com .

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
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THE MUSIC BIZ ACADEMY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com

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

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

The Directory:
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory


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Hello everyone,

I hope you are all doing well. I am currently in the midst of a
two week concert tour of the Midwest, so I'm experiencing a nice
stretch of concert performances - half of them house concerts -
my favorite kind! Over the last three years, one of my most
unexpected and happy achievements has been using the Internet to
create and book my own concert tours. What an adventure! There's
a link to fine article on house concerts below called HOUSE
CONCERTS: BUILDING YOUR FAN BASE ONE LIVING ROOM AT A TIME. Read
that. I also cover the topic in my book, "How to Promote Your
Music Successfully on the Internet." You can read about that at
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com

But first, here are a few headlines from recent weeks that I
thought that would be of interest to you, my fellow independent
artists.


MYSPACE: MEET THE BAND, BUY THE SONG
http://tinyurl.com/lownn
Technology is taking the middleman out of the music business,
giving artists a bigger array of tools to get their songs in the
MP3 players of potential fans around the world. Now MySpace is
adding a music-store feature that will allow artists, labels and
the site itself to cash in on the popularity of those songs. The
new feature will allow musicians -- whether they are backed by a
record label or not -- to sell songs directly from their MySpace
profile pages. The service is in trial and will be available
broadly by the end of the year.


MUSIC INDUSTRY GOES AFTER GUITAR TAB SITES
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060814-7498.html
First it was services that provided music, then it was sites that
offered lyrics. Now the music industry has trained its legal guns
upon guitar tablature, and several of them have already been
shuttered.


THE RIAA VS. JOHN DOE,
A LAYPERSON'S GUIDE TO FILESHARING LAWSUITS
http://tinyurl.com/emchs
Ray Beckerman of Recording Industry vs. The People put together
an article that explains how the RIAA's legal team find, obtain
records on and sue ISP account holders who may or may not have
ever been users of P2P applications. I decided to take a stab at
rewriting it in something closer to English than lawyer. In hopes
that it would be more accessible. So, with thanks to Ray
Beckerman, let's take a look at The RIAA vs. John Doe, in what I
hope serves as a layperson's guide to filesharing lawsuits.


NY SINGER BUILDS BIG FOLLOWING WITH WEB EXPOSURE
http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/6-8-8/44695.html
Inside a disheveled Long Island beach cottage on a muggy summer
day, Jamie Kristine Seerman sings into a microphone, strumming a
battered guitar, recording on a computer a song that she hopes
will be a hit. She has no financial backing or marketing plan,
but with the help of new technology, the 25-year-old who performs
as Jaymay has quickly graduated from Manhattan open-mike nights
to become a folk music darling. "I've been offered conventional
contracts from major record labels and very indie-friendly,
unconventional contracts," Seerman said during a break from
recording. "They have offered me everything I could want." But
with the music industry in flux because of the Internet, iTunes
and inexpensive recording, she said that for now she would rather
maintain control of her work.


MUSICIANSCAST.COM: INTERVIEW WITH DAVID NEVUE
http://www.musicianscast.com/Episode/155
MusiciansCast.com recently recorded a two part phone interview
with David Nevue, the founder of MusicBizAcademy.com and the
author of How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet.
Listen here.


And I can't NOT share this - I made the Wall Street Journal!
Check out the New Media Power List at http://tinyurl.com/g9ghj


More great articles, web site reviews and resources below!

David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
Author, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Musician, Recording Artist & Composer
http://www.davidnevue.com
Program Director, Whisperings: Solo Piano Radio
http://www.solopianoradio.com
An Overall Really Busy Guy
http://tinyurl.com/o4gdy


---Don't Miss This...--------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION 2006 - DEADLINE
APPROACHING!
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/entry.htm
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual
songwriting contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity
for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs
heard in a professional, international arena. ISC has the most
prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting contests in
the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your
songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music
industry. The overall Grand Prize Winner wins $25,000 cash and
$20,000 in prizes. Entry fee is $30 per song. Music accepted in
18 different categories. Deadline October 16th, 2006.


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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FINDING TRUTH THROUGH STAGE PERSONAS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gm_stagepersonas.htm
Developing an "act" is more than just putting a good CD together.
It's about the way the musicians play (live), the clothes they
wear on stage, the way they relate to the audience, how they
stand on stage, the patter in between songs,.. the whole "live
stage persona." Article by Gilli Moon.


GOING POSTAL ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/bb_goingpostal.htm
"Dear Bob, I am sooooo tired of the music industry as it stands
now. Everywhere my band goes and performs, people flock to our
shows. They love us and they all have the same feeling: 'Ya'll
should be on radio and TV,' etc. However, the powers that be
continue to force feed that garbage that's out there to people
and it frustrates me. What am I supposed to do? I can't even get
"industry" folks to return my phone calls. I'm about to go postal
on the music industry!" This question addressed by Bob Baker


HAVING TWO EARS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/eb_twoears.htm
As a record producer and A&R man on the French music scene, I
always wonder why artists hardly ever think about why they have
two ears. Obviously, it has a lot to do with successful
communication, but communicating what? Article by Eric Barouti.


HOUSE CONCERTS: BUILDING YOUR FAN BASE ONE LIVING ROOM AT A TIME
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_houseconcerts.htm
House concerts are predicated on the notion that the most
intimate listening-room on the planet might just be home, sweet
home. A fan invites friends to attend the show, requests a modest
donation to the artist and maybe makes an offer of alcohol or
food to the collective pot. People eat. People drink. People sit
down to hear some great live music. And because the Artist eats,
drinks and shmoozes with the audience, merch sales and fan
mailing lists increase dramatically. Go figure. Article by Mike
Grebb.


HOW TO "FIX" THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/bb_fixit.htm
Changing the music industry is not unlike trying to change where
and when the sun rises every morning. You can expend all the
anger and energy you can muster, but the sun is still going to do
its thing -- blissfully unaware that you're even unhappy with it.
Article by Bob Baker.


INDIE ARTISTS MEET CLEAR CHANNEL EXECS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gman_clearchannel.htm
"What does it cost to get a record on the charts?" The question
was directed to Mike McVay, programming consultant to about 400
radio stations owned by media giant Clear Channel. A hush fell
over the audience, as this was a piece of information that could
determine the fate of independent artists everywhere... Article
by The G-Man.


MAKE A MUSIC VIDEO IN 5 EASY STEPS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_makeavideo.htm
Music videos don't need to be expensive or glitzy these days. In
fact, fans often appreciate an underground feel that makes them
feel closer to the artist. "I don't think for an independent
artist that it's practical to spend a boatload of money to
compete with the majors," says big-time producer Marcus "DL"
Siskind, In fact, Siskind says artists are sometimes better off
going beyond the traditional music video... Article by Mike Grebb


MUSIC BIZ FUTURE SHOCK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/bb_futureshock.htm
You know the story. There are huge cultural and economic shifts
taking place in the music business. One of the biggest changes
involves the evolution of the tech-savvy, modern music consumer.
This is crucial to your future success with music, so read
carefully:... Article by Bob Baker


MUSIC FOR FILM AND TV: CAN YOU TALK THE TALK?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/sf_filmtvtalk.htm
I've worked in film and video for the last several years and have
always been the one to place most of the music in commercials and
TV shows I work on. What's surprised me throughout my career is
discovering some musicians who know how to talk the talk, and
some who don't. So how can I tell? What do I hear? Article by
Susan Finch.


SELLING YOUR MUSIC ONLINE - A REALITY CHECK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/101_realitycheck.htm
I am often asked how much money a person can really make selling
music online. I hear both extremes, both from artists who think
they'll use the Internet to make it rich, and others who don't
believe anyone can make any money online selling music. The truth
is somewhere in between. Article by David Nevue.


SMART MARKETING: BUILDING A FANBASE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/cs_fanbase2.htm
"Once I have a subscriber in my database, it is like gold dust,
and provided they really want to be on that list, the chances of
converting them into a sale when a new album comes out are pretty
high. And with this in mind I started thinking, "Gotta get more
on my list, gotta get more on my list...but how do I do
that?".... Article by Chris Standring.


THE POWER OF TOOTING YOUR OWN HORN
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/dn_poweroftoot.htm
I know that the average musician want's nothing to do with the
business side of the music. But hey, it's called the "music
business" for a reason you know. So I'm gonna show you some ways
to make it fun, instead of it seeming like work. I'm going to
show you a perfect way to get other people to do most of the work
for you. Article by Don Newton.


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MYSPACE MUSIC MARKETING
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/myspace.htm
With tens of millions of registered users, MySpace.com has become
a godsend for countless independent artists. MySpace is now one
of the most popular web sites on the planet -- right up there
with Google, Yahoo and Ebay in total visitors. If you're not
promoting your music on MySpace yet, you need to start - right
away. Everything you need to know, including tips and tricks,
interviews with successful MySpace bands, and how to fine-tune
your MySpace profile for maximum punch. Just $24 for the report
in PDF format.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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THE BUSINESS OF LIVE PERFORMANCE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/liveperf.htm

HOW TO BECOME A 'PRIORITY' ACT AT A RECORD LABEL
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/priority.htm

25 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT RECORD DISTRIBUTION
http://musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/recorddistribution.htm

PLANNING YOUR RADIO PROMOTION CAMPAIGN
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/radiocampaign.htm

GUERRILLA MUSIC MARKETING SUGGESTIONS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/gmm_suggest.htm


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ARE YOU an unsigned act, songwriter or producer?? Looking for a
Record, Publishing, Management and Licensing deal worldwide,
especially in the UK and USA? Each month the BANDIT A&R
NEWSLETTER publishes features on Labels, Publishers, Managements
etc looking to sign acts, songs or masters. Get yourself a FREE
SAMPLE COPY from:  bandit.196@...


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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BANDZOOGLE
http://www.bandzoogle.com/
Need a web site fast? Bandzoogle will let you build a snazzy web
site in minutes (no design skills needed), complete with news,
photos, videos, messageboard forum, a music player, mailing list,
guestbook  - the works. You can even sell your digital music,
CDs, and band merchandise with no fees attached. Plans start at
$14.95 per month and you can try it for 30 days free. Don't miss
their sample websites page.


BROADSKY: NEW YORK'S LOWEST PRICED LAW FIRM
http://www.lawyer79.com/music/
Having never used their services, we can't necessarily vouch for
these guys. However, the price is right, and if you're in need of
legal services, here's someone worth researching. To quote the
web site, "No suits & ties. Real low fees. Great legal rep. A
different kind of music law firm. We know that young musicians
and new business people can't afford to blow their limited funds
on a lawyer. Not when there are videos to shoot, equipment to
buy, merch to produce, and parties to throw. That's why our fees
are about 70 to 80% lower than the average at only $79 per hour.
With us you get the same experience and better service without
any pretense.


CONCERTS IN YOUR HOME
http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/index.html
There's nothing quite like a house concert - especially as a
performer. They're simple to play, easy to set up, and the
intimate setting makes an audience very enthusiastic about your
music. "Concerts in Your Home" is where you can go to find local
house concert venues, or venues in areas where you'll be touring.
House concert hosts are always looking for new talent to bring
in, and unlike many venues, they're just normal folks who like
good music. Check out the site to sign up as a house concert
performer or to browse the house concert host listings.


LAWLOR & RELLA LLP: ATTORNEY'S AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
http://www.lawlorrella.com/
Located in New York City, Lawlor and Rella focus on serving the
legal needs of musicians and other professionals in the
performing arts community. To quote them, "We are experienced
attorneys who are also extremely affordable, as we are cognizant
of the financial constraints many emerging artists are under. In
fact, we started the firm with the idea of using our legal
talents and our unique artistic perspectives to doing everything
can to assist artist with the legal matters." In fact, founder
Anthony Rella is a professional musician and artist as well as a
outstanding Columbia educated attorney.


MUSIC FORTE
http://www.musicforte.com/index.php
Here's another place to put your music on the web. One unique
feature of Music Forte, however, is its promotion to Japanese
audiences. They translate your page from English to Japanese,
provide distribution in Japan, as well as Japanese radio
promotion and tour booking. Japan is the world's second largest
economy, so this is a good idea. Other features of Music Forte
include Inclusion of your digital media at Froogle (Google's
storefront) and Music Mart. You keep 100% of the sales. Plus, all
your forums and blogs are instantly syndicated through newsfeeds
to Yahoo, Google MSN and more.


MUSIC SUBMIT
http://www.musicsubmit.com/
Music SUBMIT is a service that, once you sign up, will match your
music to genre-related blogs, Internet radio stations, web
resources, online music magazines and podcasts and submit your
music and information to them in a bulk email blast. It's a nice,
clean way to instantly publicize your music to a large number of
people who may potentially be interested in you. In short, it's a
highly targeted press release service for artists. You can pay
for one bulk submission (starting at $34.95) or opt for a monthly
approach, where your music is submitted to 50 resources a month.


MYSONGSTORE.COM
http://www.mysongstore.com/
Ever wanted to sell your digital downloads directly from your web
site? MySongStore.com provides a checkout counter mechanism which
will allow you to sell any digital media seamlessly from your web
site. You can sell unreleased singles, released singles, and
concert recordings, and you earn 71% of all download revenues.
There's a $9.95 setup fee and then for less than $4 per month,
you can rent 100megs of storage space on our server. Need more
space? Rent only as much as you need. Your checkout counter page
now looks and feels exactly like your web site. Have a MySpace
account? Use one of their pre-built templates to instantly build
a checkout counter page. The long and the short of it is, if you
want to sell downloads from your own web site, and figure you can
sell at least a few a month, you'll come out ahead on this deal.


OCEANBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
http://www.oceanbound.ca/index_en.php
Want a job playing on a cruise ship? Oceanbound is constantly
looking for solo musicians, 2 to 4 piece bands, string ensembles,
individual musicians to be a part of the ships orchestra, and
even entertainers that have their own variety acts, such as
jugglers, magicians, comedians, instrumentalists and singers. All
the details at the web site.


PLANETARY GROUP RADIO PROMOTION
http://www.planetarygroup.com/index.html
The Planetary Group has been promoting music to radio 1996,
specializing in helping bands and musicians get radio airplay
around the country. Depending on your goals, they can develop a
targeted radio campaign for you with either a national or
regional focus. They'll target specific stations for you and set
up radio interviews in your touring markets wherever possible.
Planetary has worked with some big names and has a good
reputation. Check out their impressive client list at
http://www.planetarygroup.com/01radio_artists.html


PODCASTING LEGAL GUIDE: RULES FOR THE REVOLUTION (U.S.)
http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Podcasting_Legal_Guide
Thinking of setting up your own Podcast? It would be wise to know
your legal boundaries. This guide covers copyright issues,
special rules, using your own content, incorporation of others'
audio recordings, interviews, licenses you'll need and more.


SPACE 380 MUSIC PROMOTION
http://www.space380.com/
What does space 380 do? Space 380 helps you gain public &
industry awareness, develop your ideal touring circuit, and sell
CDs by integrating radio airplay, press coverage, tour promotion,
retail awareness & TV commercials. Essentially, they can manage
all your press, radio and promotional campaigns for you. They've
got quite a client list (including a couple of big names), and
plenty of artists to ask for references from.



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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/opportunities.htm
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The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunities. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*

THE INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/entry.htm
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual
songwriting contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity
for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs
heard in a professional, international arena. ISC has the most
prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting contests in
the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your
songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music
industry. The overall Grand Prize Winner wins $25,000 cash and
$20,000 in prizes. Entry fee is $30 per song. Music accepted in
18 different categories. Deadline October 16th, 2006.


2005 INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS
http://www.inacoustic.com/
Acoustic artists in various genres can gain radio airplay and web
exposure through this competition on Acoustic Cafe radio program
and XM Satellite Radio! Win prizes in 8 different categories:
Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Open,
Bluegrass, Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo.
IAMA is open to all independent artists and labels. IAMA focuses
on developing new markets for Acoustic artists. Submission
deadline is November 9th. $35 submission fee.


THE 14TH ANNUAL BILLBOARD SONG CONTEST
http://www.billboardsongcontest.com/
The Billboard Song Contest offers unparalleled exposure among
some of the music industry's most influential professionals. The
top three winners in each of the 11 categories win great prizes
as well as placement on the 14th Annual Billboard Song Contest
Winners' CD, which is distributed to Billboard's exclusive
contacts in the music industry. $30 Entry fee. Submission
deadline November 15th, 2006.


PODCASTERS LOOKING FOR NEW ARTISTS TO PLAY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/podcasters.htm
As a co-host (along with my wife, Sara) of The Alternative Music
Show, I'm constantly looking for great alternative music to
feature on our weekly podcast. We enjoy helping great
under-appreciated and indie bands get the exposure they deserve,
and to be honest, we just love finding new music....Article by
Eric Skiff.


"FEEDBACK" TV SHOW SEEKS INDEPENDENT MUSIC VIDEOS
"Feedback" is a TV show about the enhancement of independent
music artists careers'. Many shows entertain, but Feedback
entertains and enlightens simultaneously. Feedback is currently
seeking artists that have VIDEOS for the show, which airs Fridays
from 2:35 to 3:35 p.m. in El Paso, Texas, cable access channel
15. Please send material on DVD or VHS formats to Freddie Veltz
III, 510 W. Missouri Street #B7, El Paso, Texas 79901.
915.799.2180. Email questions to Hurricaneone@.... Please
include the bands name and any important contact information. ALL
genres of music are accepted, including comedy.


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Recommended Resources
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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2006 Edition - http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Learn the promotion methods one musician uses to bring in over
$5000 a month from the Internet! You can get radio play, grow a
fan base, create a distribution channel and sell your CDs and
downloads all online. Imagine how much music you'd sell if
*thousands* of people heard your music every single day? You
could use the Internet to sell 100, 200 or even more CDs (not to
mention downloads) every single month! Yes, this is possible! The
author has accomplished this and more, and in this book, he
details step-by-step how he finally said good-bye to his day job
and starting spending more time on his music.


MYSPACE MUSIC MARKETING
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/myspace.htm
With tens of millions of registered users, MySpace.com has become
a godsend for countless independent artists. MySpace is now one
of the most popular web sites on the planet -- right up there
with Google, Yahoo and Ebay in total visitors. If you're not
promoting your music on MySpace yet, you need to start - right
away. Everything you need to know, including tips and tricks,
interviews with successful MySpace bands, and how to fine-tune
your MySpace profile for maximum punch. Just $24 for the report
in PDF format.


THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A RECORD COMPANY
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/recordlabel.htm
This wonderful book guides you step by step through the process
of starting up your own independent record label. It includes
vital advice on how to retain lawyers and accountants, construct
budgets, sign artists, navigate artist contracts, find a
distributor and how to develop and execute an effective marketing
plan. A great book! 243 Pages. Available in print or PDF version,
starting at $29.95


MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS - The Second Edition
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 $24.95!


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
$24.95!


THE MUSIC PHONE BOOK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/phonebook.htm
After receiving a copy of the Music Phone Book for review, I just
had to add it to our at the Music Biz Academy. If you're looking
for places to gig across the country (or even just regionally),
the Music Phone Book is definitely for you. It contains detailed
contact information for over 10,000 Live Music Venues across the
United States (covering all 50 states). It contains the largest
directory of places to gig at that I've seen in print. Offered in
three regional editions, each for $35 (retail price is $39)


LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiccontracts.htm
This book covers virtually any question you might have about
contracts and agreements you are likely to encounter in the music
business. Over 500 sample contract provisions are listed,
examined, and explained in plain English. In other words, you can
take any kind of music contract or agreement you might receive
and compare the details of your contract to what this book says
to find out what it is you're really signing before you sign it!
$34.95 for this massive volume of information.


I DON'T NEED A RECORD DEAL!
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/recorddeal.htm
Your Survival Guide to the Indie Music Revolution! Musicians are
waking up to the realization that record deals don't
automatically create careers. Independent artists are proving
that in today's music market they no longer need a record label
to enjoy a successful music career. Find out how other indie's
are booking their own tours, licensing their music, marketing
their own products, and making a living from their music. A
FANTASTIC value at only $19.95 for the print edition.


WHAT EVERY MUSICIAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SELF PROMOTION (CD)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/selfpromotioncd.htm
Owning this CD is like having your own music marketing expert by
your side. Anytime you need a refresher course or renewed
motivation on how to get the word out about your music, just take
the CD in your car with you and listen. What could be easier?
You'll learn a lot about marketing your music, and with repeated
listening you'll absorb the information until it becomes second
nature. Just $11.95


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Recommended Services...
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These are friends and partnerships we've created though the
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


FREE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR ARTISTS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
CD Baby is now be offering its members FREE digital distribution
to services like iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, MusicNet and more.
There are NO setup fees for this additional service, period. Once
you sign up to sell your music at CD Baby, digital distribution
is included at no extra charge.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with NW Media to bring you
quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very reasonable
price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we ourselves
use. We have partnered with them because we know how very hard it
is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer that offers
both great service and a high quality product. We have been VERY
satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us. You simply
cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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/artintro.htm
In this business of music, image means everything! You know it,
we know it, the music industry knows it. Let our hand-picked
graphic designer help you make a powerful statement about your
music! Whether you need art design for your CD package, posters,
logos, or your web site, our design partners can make you look
like a pro!


MUSIC LICENSING
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/representation.htm
NOMA Music is a multi-credited music licensing company and song
publisher. They represent worldwide bands, songwriters, and
composers who are interested in licensing, and of course, earning
money and royalties from having their original music used in
feature and indie motion pictures, television, and other multi
media projects. Some of their represented acts have songs
currently heard in television shows airing on HBO, Warner
Brothers, FOX, UPN, Touchstone, Paramount, Showtime, Sci Fi
Channel, and FX Networks, as well as in motion pictures and
commercial DVD releases. NOMA offers tremendous opportunities for
the indie and established artist from the hundreds of production
companies, directors and producers they have working
relationships with, and as a client of theirs, your music will be
made accessible to them. There are NO up-front fees, period. NOMA
Music earns its money through licensing on a commission only
basis. Thus, the only way NOMA benefits financially is when YOU
benefit financially.


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The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by David Nevue and
The Music Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) .

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The Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #64 - May 2006
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
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THE MUSIC BIZ ACADEMY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com

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

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

The Directory:
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory


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Hello everyone,

Are you keeping as busy as I am? Music promotion is an ongoing,
never-ending effort. For the last two and a half years, a good
deal of my time has been devoted to developing my own Internet
radio broadcast. Imagine having your own radio station to promote
your music on - one that thousands of people tune into every day.
That's what I set out to do.

The result is Whisperings: Solo Piano Radio, and it's been a huge
success. We're the #1 program on Live365.com right now, and the
show is serving well over a half-million listeners a month. On
average, 20,000 people a day tune in. You can tune in yourself at
http://www.solopianoradio.com if you like.

How did I do it? I started small and just kept growing it. Word
of mouth was a strong driving force (and still is). If you have a
great radio station, people get hooked, and they share it with
others. Most of my promotional work was on the front end, when I
first started the broadcast. Once I reached a certain point, the
momentum and enthusiasm of Whisperings listeners kept it going
and growing. Now most of my time is devoted to maintaining the
broadcast and to improving it.

While the success of the broadcast is obviously a good thing, it
has created some major challenges. For one, the station has grown
in popularity faster than I can keep up with financially. It
costs a lot of money to support all that bandwidth. I've had to
cap the station at 1500 simultaneous listeners in order to keep
the costs from spinning out of control. However, limiting the
number of simultaneous listeners means that once all those
listening spots are taken, it's much harder for new listeners to
tune in. In fact, they can't tune in until someone else has
dropped off. It's been a frustrating problem for both listeners
and myself.

The good news, however, is that I've found a solution - at least
for our devoted listeners. I've begun the process of setting up
my own servers for the broadcast, rather than using just
Live365's. This will keep my costs down in the long run. The
first server I'm setting up will be for a subscription-based,
commercial-free version of the broadcast. There's been a big
demand for this - listeners have been e-mailing me almost every
day asking for it, saying they'd be willing to pay to eliminate
the "commercials" that run asking for listener donations. Once
that is set up, for a small donation of $5 a month, listeners
will be able to tune in whenever they want from wherever they
want, get a commercial-free stream of music *and* a wider
selection and variety of music, too. If all goes well, I should
have this all in place by the end of the month. If you'd like to
help me beta test this system, you can tune in at
http://www.solopianoradio.com/pro_beta.htm . That version is
running off a test server and is free. When it goes live, it will
be a password protected, subscription-based stream.

At any rate, the ongoing development of Whisperings: Solo Piano
Radio is what has been consuming my time for the last many
months. It's why you haven't heard from me in so long via this
newsletter. However, despite my "busy"-ness with all this, I have
continued to add articles and resources to the
MusicBizAcademy.com web site. Links to a few of those are
included below.

I also just released the 2006 edition of my book, "How to Promote
Your Music Successfully on the Internet." In that, I devote an
entire chapter to the process of how to create your own online
radio broadcast. You can read all about it at
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com .

MARKETING YOUR MUSIC on MYSPACE.COM
I have also dived into the MySpace culture. I have found it to be
an exceptional way to build up my fan database. Did you know that
MySpace.com gets more page views than Amazon.com, eBay, and AOL?
It's amazing how big and popular this web site has gotten in its
short time of existence.

While I do cover the basics of MySpace in my book, I don't go
into as much detail as Bob Baker does in his terrific new report
on MySpace Music Marketing. He devotes 65 pages to the topic! I
just worked out a deal with Bob to offer his wonderful MySpace
Music Marketing guide to our visitors. If you're not promoting
your music on MySpace yet, you should seriously think about
starting. I have found it to be worthwhile. Read more about Bob's
report at http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/myspace.htm

And here's my space on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/davidnevue

In terms of music industry news, here are a few headlines that I
wanted to call out that I thought that would be of interest to
you as an independent artist.

First...

CD BABY SIGNS ARTIST DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH SUPER D
You might have missed seeing this news, because I nearly did
myself. If you're a CD Baby artist, this is GREAT news because it
means that shortly your CD will be available by special order
at virtually any CD store in the country. Super D sells to over
1,300 retailers on a weekly basis and if you're a CD Baby artist,
your CD will be available for order from their catalog. Now when
a fan contacts you to ask if they can buy your CD in a local
store, you can give them the option of asking their local CD
retailer to order the CD straight from Super D. The news article
is at http://tinyurl.com/pzfxw and you can sign up for CD Baby at
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm

Did you read about the singer who set up her own webcast - a
"virtual world tour" - in her basement, and got a record deal
with RCA as a result? This is definitely a right place, right
time, right idea, right promotion kind of success story....

SINGER REACHES 70,000 VIA WEB CASTS, SIGNS WITH RCA
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/6018.html

And finally, by the end of this year,
AMAZON.COM PLANS TO ENTER THE DIGITAL MUSIC MARKET
Read more about that at http://tinyurl.com/l8ypj

More great articles, web site reviews and resources below!

David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
Author, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Musician, Recording Artist & Composer
http://www.davidnevue.com
Program Director, Whisperings: Solo Piano Radio
http://www.solopianoradio.com
An Overall Really Busy Guy
http://tinyurl.com/o4gdy


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desktops of over 10,000 music editors at daily newspapers,
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want to announce, there is hardly anything more potentially
rewarding than a positive response to a well-written press
release. Our clients have had their music featured in major media
outlets like New York Times, CNN, Entertainment Weekly and USA
Today to name just a few. In addition to press release
distribution, Beat Wire can also write a press release for you.

For more information, please got to http://www.beatwire.com


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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10 TIPS TO KEEP YOU ON THE MUSIC CAREER-BUILDING PATH
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/10careertips.htm
If there are any guarantees in the music business, you can bet
that stumbling blocks to success abound. Knowing that problems
will arise and finding solutions is half the challenge. The other
half is implementing your strategies and tactics consistently and
professionally. Article by Chris Knab.


HOW TO PROMOTE CDS AT GIGS YOU NEVER PLAY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/klovepromotecd.htm
How much would it be worth to you to learn how to promote your CD
at gigs you never even play, but create a large number of sales
from these gigs just the same? This possibility explained by
Kenny Love.


MANNERS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS? (AUDIO)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/mp3/manners050106.mp3
The first in this new series of audio commentaries by Christopher
Knab, author of "Music is Your Business."


START A LABEL AND BUILD AND EMPIRE, PART 1
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_startlabel1.htm
The traditional goal for many aspiring artists has always boiled
down to two words: Get signed. These magical words conjured
visions of stretch limos, screaming fans, endless bags of money…
but today's artists are a lot smarter. They now know that
"getting signed" seldom equals eternal bliss and security.
Artists have gradually realized in recent years that the
do-it-yourself model of putting out records and managing a career
from the grassroots can yield certain advantages. Article by Mike
Grebb


START A LABEL AND BUILD AND EMPIRE, PART 2
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_startlabel2.htm
There’s nothing more difficult, time-consuming, frustrating and
masochistic than starting your own record label. Believe me, I
know. In addition to my job as resident mouthpiece here at Atlas
Plugged, I’m also a partner in BOS Music, a label that I started
with a few buddies about five years ago. Keeping BOS in the game
hasn’t been easy. But having all walked over hot coals together
at this point, we’ve become kindred survivors in the
small-business battlefield... Article by Mike Grebb


THE NEW RULES OF WRITING PRESS RELEASES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_pressreleases.htm
When do you write a press release? All the time. Press releases
have evolved. They are no longer the static tool sent via fax to
specific editors. They can go out to tens of thousands of readers
worldwide with the click of a button.... Article by Marc Gunn


PODCASTING MY TASTEBUDS INTO YOUR MIND
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gm_podcasting.htm
It has been said recently that Podcasting is growing faster than
anything in history. To think that each and every one of us can
become a radio programmer and people can subscribe to our taste
in music is just simply amazing. One night, at about 2am when I
should have been asleep, I began setting up my own podcast, not
even knowing what it was, but ever so curious. Here's how I did
it. Article by Gilli Moon.


PREDICTING THE FUTURE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/kh_predictions2006.htm
A great deal has happened during the first five years of this
decade that has had an impact on the music business. So I thought
I'd take this opportunity to look into my somewhat hazy crystal
ball and attempt to predict the future and how it may have an
effect on our industry... Article by Keith Holzman


THRIVING ON CHAOS: INDIE MUSIC 2006
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_chaos2006.htm
With 2006 breathing down our necks and the music industry in its
continued state of turmoil and uncertainty, it’s time for us to
make some predictions about what the New Year will bring. Article
by Mike Grebb


WEB DESIGN 101 FOR RECORD LABELS (AND ARTIST'S TOO!)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/kh_webdesign.htm
Websites have a very basic task -- to educate the public on just
what it is your company or your record label is all about, and
perhaps more important, it may also be a way of selling them
something. And if you're selling, you must be clear just what it
is you have for sale -- whether it's music, a service, or
something else. Article by Keith Holzman.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR FANS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/knowyourfans.htm
Studying the lifestyles of your fans will give you a passport to
making money with your music. Why? Because when you discover who
they are in great detail, their habits and lifestyles will
inspire ways of reaching them you never imagined. Article by
Chris Knab.


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MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS - The Second Edition
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 $24.95!


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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THE BUSINESS OF LIVE PERFORMANCE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/liveperf.htm

HOW TO BECOME A 'PRIORITY' ACT AT A RECORD LABEL
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/priority.htm

25 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT RECORD DISTRIBUTION
http://musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/recorddistribution.htm

PLANNING YOUR RADIO PROMOTION CAMPAIGN
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/radiocampaign.htm

GUERRILLA MUSIC MARKETING SUGGESTIONS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/gmm_suggest.htm


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ARE YOU an unsigned act, songwriter or producer?? Looking for a
Record, Publishing, Management and Licensing deal worldwide,
especially in the UK and USA? Each month the BANDIT A&R
NEWSLETTER publishes features on Labels, Publishers, Managements
etc looking to sign acts, songs or masters. Get yourself a FREE
SAMPLE COPY from:  bandit.196@...


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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1-2-3 MUSIC STORE
http://www.easybe.com/
Want to sell digital downloads of your music from your own web
site? 1-2-3 Music Store, published by Easybe software, might do
the trick for you. The software is installed on your web server
and lets your customers sample your music before buying. They can
then buy your digital "singles" or "album" packages and download
them instantly after purchase. All transactions are done through
PayPal. 1-2-3 offers a lot of great features. Check out the web
site for details.


CD COUNTER DISPLAYS
http://www.counterdisplay.com/
Looking for that perfect counter display for your CDs at gigs?
Here you’ll find one the best selections I’ve seen of CD Counter
Display options. Also available are counter displays for DVDs,
videos, brochures and books. The only negative is that the
minimum order is 100 displays.


CD UNSIGNED
http://www.cdunsigned.com/
For those of you in the UK in need of an online solution for
selling and distributing your CDs locally, check out CD Unsigned.
It's the leading online retailer for independent music in the UK
and it's just bursting with UK music energy! Registration costs £
19.99, and that's a one-time fee, no matter how many CDs you want
to put in the store. After that, they take just £ 2.00 from each
CD sale and they ship out your CDs to your customer for you when
a sale comes in. You are paid immediately when a CD is sold.


INDIE-MUSIC.COM
http://www.indie-music.com/
Founded by Suzanne Glass, Indie-Music.com is a cornerstone of the
online independent music community. The web site is full of
excellent ‘how to’ articles. For example, you’ll find 10 Useful
Personality Characteristics for Musicians, Creative Drumming,
Acoustic Guitar Amplification, and Studio Versus Home Recording.
In addition to being well stocked with helpful articles, you’ll
find an A-Z listing of bands, an industry directory, and a very
active classified ads section. Indie-Music.com also offers
promotional services for musicians at a number of different
levels, everything from free promotion of one song to more
expansive, fee-based promotion. An excellent, well-rounded
resource.


MAGNATUNE: A RECORD LABEL THAT ISN'T EVIL
http://www.magnatune.com/
Magnatune is probably the only record label we'd ever recommend
you consider submitting your music to. Forward thinking, artist
friendly, and totally aware of how music lovers prefer buying
their music, Magnatune is making good use of the Internet to
expose artists to new listeners and buyers. Having observed
Magnatune for the last two years, we believe they're for real.
Their unique business model has been featured in USA Today, the
BBC, Time Magazine and others. View the Magnatune plan, key
attributes, and what's in it for musicians at the web site for an
overview of this fascinating music business model.


MUSIC THOUGHTS
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/musicthoughts/
This very active discussion group was created by CD Baby founder
Derek Sivers as “A popular, open place for musicians to talk to
other musicians.” Derek posts often, and while I don’t often
post, I’m always lurking. It’s a great place to hang out and get
a vibe for what other musicians are thinking and talking about.
If you need a place to get advice, receive feedback on your
music, or find out whether or not a company is reputable, this is
the place to ask.


MYMUSICJOB.COM
http://www.mymusicjob.com/
Looking for work in the music business? Join MyMusicJob.com to
get access to job listings and internships, as well as post you
resume. There are quite a few offerings here and all jobs are
posted by the employers themselves. If you want a sampling of
what's available, the best way to go about that is to use the
free "Search Job" option to view "All Categories" and "All
Locations." The cost for a 60-day membership is only $14.99,
though you can still apply for any job posting over three days
old if you're not a member.


MYXERTONES
http://www.myxertones.com/tags/default.aspx
Here's an easy way to make your songs available to your fans as
ringtones. Just pick your song, give MyxerTones the source link
(the URL to the file), and the tool builds HTML you can put on
your web site, MySpace, or your blog for visitors to get the
ringtone. Once the HTML is on your web site, your visitor just
clicks on it, enters their mobile phone number and clicks on
"send to phone" to receive the ringtone. You can edit the
ringtone length up front or let the receiver do the editing on
their end.


THE PODSAFE MUSIC NETWORK
http://music.podshow.com/
Podcasting is all the rage on the Internet right now and one of
the many challenges facing podcasters today (and there are
millions of them) is finding royalty-free music to use in their
programs. Enter the Podsafe Music Network (PMN). Podcasters can
go to this web site to find music to use in their programs that
is guaranteed to be free of licensing restrictions. Here’s where
you enter the picture – if you sign up for the PMN, you can make
your music available to thousands of podcasters all in one place.
While this means you are giving your music away for free use, the
exposure potential is very good. If you have already been
offering fans and visitors to your web site a few free music
downloads to hook them on your music, you might as well make
those available for use here as well.


STUDIO SLIPS
http://www.studioslips.com/
If you need a custom cover or gig bag for any of your musical
equipment, look no further. Studio Slips can cover anything --
Amps, Speakers, Pro Sound, Medical Equipment, Lighting,
Computers, and more. If you can measure it, they can cover it.
They only the finest quality fabrics, the most durable zippers
and hardware, and the strongest thread to hold it all together.
From Clamshell Gig Bag's to dust covers, they can do it. By the
way, not only do we at the Music Biz Academy recommend them,
we're a client too. Great service!


TICKETPRINTING.COM
http://www.ticketprinting.com/
Want to print up some quick tickets for your upcoming concert?
Look no further. Just pick a template, enter your concert info
and you'll have ready to use tickets in your hands in just a few
days. Provide your own art design to create custom tickets.


TOTALBAND.COM
http://www.totalband.com/
TotalBand.com is one of the more impressive web hosting companies
designed for musicians where virtually all you have to do is
point and click to create your own band site. Packages include
your own domain name, a web player and CD store to showcase your
songs, a DIY SiteBuilder plus GigBook, and auto e-mail flyers to
keep your fanbase informed! Plus, you get a custom designed flash
intro welcome page and personal SiteBuilder template to match
your band's identity! Prices are remarkable, starting just under
$7 a month for basic hosting. A really nice, inexpensive
solutions for musician's looking for a quick start online.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/opportunities.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunities. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*


USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net/index.htm
Celebrating their 11th consecutive year, 2006 USA Songwriting
Competition is now accepting entries. Winning songs will receive
radio airplay in United States and Canada. Winners will be
selected by a committee of music industry judges including record
label publishers, producers from Sony Music and Universal Music,
Warner. Grand prize is $50,000 in cash and merchandise. To enter,
click on the link above. $30 entry fee per song. Submission
deadline May 31st, 2006.


BODOG BATTLE OF THE BANDS
http://www.bodogbattleofthebands.com/about/
Founder and CEO of Bodog Entertainment Calvin Ayre, is on a
country wide search to find America’s best unsigned Indie Band at
any cost. If you’re the best Indie band in America, Calvin Ayre
wants to make you famous. The winning band will receive a
$1,000,000 contract with Bodog Entertainment, including
international distribution, touring, promotion, and marketing
services. There’s No Gimmicks and No sign up fees, just a States’
wide axe grinding showcase to find the Nations best. Upload all
of your media, music, and band vitals so the masses can vote on
your LIVE performances! Sign-up now for free, and build your
online profile. Deadline July 31st, 2006.


6TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS
http://www.musiciansatlas.com/pages/awards.asp
Established in 1999, the 6th edition of the Independent Music
Awards (IMAs) honors excellence within the indie artist and music
business community. In addition to music honors in a variety of
music categories, the IMAs also recognize achievements in several
design categories including Album Packaging, Album Photography,
Artist Website, Indie Record Label Website, Merchandising and
Poster design. Co-sponsored by Border's Books & Music, winners
of this year's program are promoted to more than 7 million music
fans and industry professionals via print, radio and online
promotions. The IMAs recognizes excellence in Music, Music
Promotion, Packaging and Merch Design. The programs year-long
marketing campaigns, partnerships and distribution alliances put
IMA Winners and Finalists in front of millions of music fans and
industry decision makers around the world. Multiple submissions
are accepted. Entry fee $30. Submission deadline: September 1st,
2006.


INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION 2006
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/entry.htm
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual
songwriting contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity
for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs
heard in a professional, international arena. ISC has the most
prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting contests in
the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your
songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music
industry. The overall Grand Prize Winner wins $25,000 cash and
$20,000 in prizes. Entry fee is $30 per song. Music accepted in
18 different categories. Deadline October 16th, 2006.


2005 INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTI MUSIC AWARDS
http://www.inacoustic.com/
Acoustic artists in various genres can gain radio airplay and web
exposure through this competition on Acoustic Cafe radio program
and XM Satellite Radio! Win prizes in 8 different categories:
Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Open,
Bluegrass, Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo.
IAMA is open to all independent artists and labels. IAMA focuses
on developing new markets for Acoustic artists. Submission
deadline is November 9th. $35 submission fee.


THE 14TH ANNUAL BILLBOARD SONG CONTEST
http://www.billboardsongcontest.com/
The Billboard Song Contest offers unparalleled exposure among
some of the music industry’s most influential professionals. The
top three winners in each of the 11 categories win great prizes
as well as placement on the 14th Annual Billboard Song Contest
Winners’ CD, which is distributed to Billboard's exclusive
contacts in the music industry. $30 Entry fee. Submission
deadline November 15th, 2006.


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Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2006 Edition - http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Learn the promotion methods one musician uses to bring in over
$5000 a month from the Internet! You can get radio play, grow a
fan base, create a distribution channel and sell your CDs and
downloads all online. Imagine how much music you’d sell if
*thousands* of people heard your music every single day? You
could use the Internet to sell 100, 200 or even more CDs (not to
mention downloads) every single month! Yes, this is possible! The
author has accomplished this and more, and in this book, he
details step-by-step how he finally said good-bye to his day job
and starting spending more time on his music.


MYSPACE MUSIC MARKETING
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/myspace.htm
With tens of millions of registered users, MySpace.com has become
a godsend for countless independent artists. MySpace is now one
of the most popular web sites on the planet -- right up there
with Google, Yahoo and Ebay in total visitors. If you're not
promoting your music on MySpace yet, you need to start - right
away. Everything you need to know, including tips and tricks,
interviews with successful MySpace bands, and how to fine-tune
your MySpace profile for maximum punch. Just $24 for the report
in PDF format.


THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A RECORD COMPANY
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/recordlabel.htm
This wonderful book guides you step by step through the process
of starting up your own independent record label. It includes
vital advice on how to retain lawyers and accountants, construct
budgets, sign artists, navigate artist contracts, find a
distributor and how to develop and execute an effective marketing
plan. A great book! 243 Pages. Available in print or PDF version,
starting at $29.95


MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS - The Second Edition
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 $24.95!


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
$24.95!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2006 Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm
Created by The Music Resource Group, this 368-page volume
provides access to over 30,000 music businesses and key industry
contacts in 25 categories. Current names, phone and fax numbers,
e-mail and web site 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 to Music Biz
Academy visitors for only $46.95! (retails for $49.95)


THE MUSIC PHONE BOOK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/phonebook.htm
After receiving a copy of the Music Phone Book for review, I just
had to add it to our at the Music Biz Academy. If you're looking
for places to gig across the country (or even just regionally),
the Music Phone Book is definitely for you. It contains detailed
contact information for over 10,000 Live Music Venues across the
United States (covering all 50 states). It contains the largest
directory of places to gig at that I've seen in print. Offered in
three regional editions, each for $35 (retail price is $39)


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Seventh Edition!
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 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 print edition for $27.95!


LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiccontracts.htm
This book covers virtually any question you might have about
contracts and agreements you are likely to encounter in the music
business. Over 500 sample contract provisions are listed,
examined, and explained in plain english. In other words, you can
take any kind of music contract or agreement you might receive
and compare the details of your contract to what this book says
to find out what it is you're really signing before you sign it!
$34.95 for this massive volume of information.


I DON'T NEED A RECORD DEAL!
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/recorddeal.htm
Your Survival Guide to the Indie Music Revolution! Musicians are
waking up to the realization that record deals don't
automatically create careers. Independent artists are proving
that in today's music market they no longer need a record label
to enjoy a successful music career. Find out how other indie's
are booking their own tours, licensing their music, marketing
their own products, and making a living from their music. A
FANTASTIC value at only $19.95 for the print edition.


WHAT EVERY MUSICIAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SELF PROMOTION (CD)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/selfpromotioncd.htm
Owning this CD is like having your own music marketing expert by
your side. Anytime you need a refresher course or renewed
motivation on how to get the word out about your music, just take
the CD in your car with you and listen. What could be easier?
You'll learn a lot about marketing your music, and with repeated
listening you'll absorb the information until it becomes second
nature. Just $11.95


HOW TO BUILD A MUSIC WEB SITE THAT SELLS
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musicwebsite.htm
This book was written by one of my own clients (Mihkel Raud), who
bought my book "How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the
Internet" and applied it successfully to his music career. He
sold over 3000 CDs on the Internet in just 9 months! He's a
perfect example of what happens when someone really WORKS at
promotion. His book is a fun and informational read. For those of
you who may be wondering, Mihkel's book does not conflict with my
own. Mihkel's book focuses *specifically* on creating a web site
designed to sell, whereas my book focuses on promotion and
distribution to the Internet at large. Together, the two books
make a great one-two punch. $19.95, instant download.


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Recommended Services...
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are friends and partnerships we've created though the
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


FREE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR ARTISTS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
CD Baby is now be offering its members FREE digital distribution
to services like iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, MusicNet and more.
There are NO setup fees for this additional service, period. Once
you sign up to sell your music at CD Baby, digital distribution
is included at no extra charge.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with NW Media to bring you
quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very reasonable
price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we ourselves
use. We have partnered with them because we know how very hard it
is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer that offers
both great service and a high quality product. We have been VERY
satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us. You simply
cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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/artintro.htm
In this business of music, image means everything! You know it,
we know it, the music industry knows it. Let our hand-picked
graphic designer help you make a powerful statement about your
music! Whether you need art design for your CD package, posters,
logos, or your web site, our design partners can make you look
like a pro!


MUSIC LICENSING
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/representation.htm
NOMA Music is a multicredited music licensing company and song
publisher. They represent worldwide bands, songwriters, and
composers who are interested in licensing, and of course, earning
money and royalties from having their original music used in
feature and indie motion pictures, television, and other multi
media projects. Some of their represented acts have songs
currently heard in television shows airing on HBO, Warner
Brothers, FOX, UPN, Touchstone, Paramount, Showtime, Sci Fi
Channel, and FX Networks, as well as in motion pictures and
commercial DVD releases. NOMA offers tremendous opportunities for
the indie and established artist from the hundreds of production
companies, directors and producers they have working
relationships with, and as a client of theirs, your music will be
made accessible to them. There are NO up-front fees, period. NOMA
Music earns its money through licensing on a commission only
basis. Thus, the only way NOMA benefits financially is when YOU
benefit financially.


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The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by David Nevue and
The Music Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) .

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #63 - August 2005
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

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

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

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

The Directory:
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory


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Hello everyone,

I hope you have been enjoying your summer. It started out very
slow here in Oregon (lots of rain which is very unusual for this
time of year), but really kicked into gear in July and it's been
hot, hot, hot!

I have a lot to share with you, including some great new articles
and reviews at the Music Biz Academy web site. But first,

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Apple iTunes has been such a wonderful place to sell music. I've
enjoyed some nice checks as a result of selling of my own music
in the iTunes store. And now it's going to get even better!
iTunes just opened their Japan store and sold 1 million downloads
right off the bat - in nearly HALF the time it took Apple to sell
a million downloads in the U.S.

ITUNES BREAKS 1 MILLION IN JAPAN IN JUST FOUR DAYS
http://tinyurl.com/c9lv9

This bodes well for indies, as it bring us a whole new iTunes
audience to promote to. More iTunes users means more potential
sales, the opportunity to reach more people with our music!

Speaking of the EXPANDING Internet audience, Yahoo just
released a new audio search tool. Check out
http://audio.search.yahoo.com/ and search for your artist/band
name to see where your music is available on the Internet.

The interface is clunky, in my opinion, but as this is the beta
release I imagine it will improve. I can hardly believe Yahoo
beat Google to the punch with this tool, but you can bet Google
is at work on something similar.

Wow.

Just when I think the Internet is done "evolving" for awhile,
everything changes again. The year 2005 looks a whole lot
different than 2004, doesn't it? Imagine where we'll be in five
years? Some experts predict that in five years downloads will
make up 40% of all music sales. I don't know about that, but
digital music sales certainly are increasing. There were more
download purchases made in the first half of 2005 than for the
entire year of 2004.

PAID DOWNLOADS GROW UP
http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/yesterday/july2005#071405parting

DIGITAL MUSIC: 40% OF U.S. MUSIC SALES IN 5 YEARS?
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=b7a0e030c1002c19

Some independent artists are already forgoing CD releases and
going straight to digital only album releases.

WHY RELEASE A DIGITAL ONLY ALBUM?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/edf_digitalonly.htm

So many things happening...

AOL is offering subscribers FREE music downloads of major label
artists - http://tinyurl.com/d24jc

XM RADIO has a deal with Napster to make a co-branded store so
that XM Radio listeners can buy tracks they like after hearing
them on XM: http://tinyurl.com/cf2ky

And another first - a major label is experimenting with WEED as a
means of digital distribution. http://tinyurl.com/clf7r

A lot is happening.

I'm doing my best to stay on top of it - I'm working right now on
the 2006 edition of my book, "How to Promote Your Music
Successfully on the Internet." I've got some major changes to
write about in the next edition  - podcasting, ringtones,
expanded info on iTunes. Technology isn't slowing down at all.

For more on the latest news that matters to you and me, see
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/newsfeed.htm

BTW....

CD BABY JUST PASSED $17 MILLION IN INDIE CD SALES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
If anyone tries to tell you independent music is unimportant, has
no significance, and no market of any value - just them that CD
Baby has now sold over $17 MILLION in independent CDs. That's $17
million in CD sales from 1998 to present. In addition to retail
sales, CD Baby distributes the music of its artist members to
services such as  iTunes, Rhapsody, BuyMusic, MSN Music and Sony
Connect at no additional charge.

So sign up for CD Baby and get your music on iTunes and about
thirty other digital music stores at no additional cost.

More great articles, web site reviews and resources below!

David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
Author, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Musician, Recording Artist & Composer
http://www.davidnevue.com



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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Learn the promotion methods one musician uses to bring in over
$5000 a month from the Internet! You can get radio play, grow a
fan base, create a distribution channel and manufacture and sell
CDs all online. Imagine how many CDs you’d sell if thousands of
people heard your music every single day? You could use the
Internet to sell 100, 200 or even more CDs every single month!
Yes, this is possible! The author has accomplished this and more,
and in this book, he details step-by-step how he finally said
good-bye to his day job and starting spending more time on his
music.


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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A GLANCE AT NEW MEDIA DEALS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/dl_newmedia.htm
It seems as though music is now available everywhere - through
digital download services such as iTunes and Napster; streaming
interactive subscription services like Rhapsody and MusicNet, as
well as non-interactive subscription services via MusicChoice,
Sirius, and XM Satellite as well as video games and cell phones.
In this article, attorney Dina LaPolt examines some of these new
formats as well as the income paid to the artists and
songwriters.


DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_distribution.htm
The digital music revolution has changed the distribution game
significantly in the last few years. Getting your CD into
brick-and-mortar retail outlets is not as vital to your success
as it once was. In today's new music landscape, artists look to
digital distributors such as iTunes, MusicMatch, Napster, America
Online and others for revenue opportunities. Article by Mike
Grebb.


HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CD MANUFACTURING COSTS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/kh_manufacturingcosts.htm
Keeping down the costs of printing and manufacturing makes lots
of sense at any time, but particularly now that most labels are
selling fewer CDs per title. To use Nicholas Negroponte's
metaphor from his "Being Digital," sales of atoms (manufactured
goods) are declining, partly because of illegal downloads, while
sales of bits (legal downloads) are increasing due to the success
of such online retailers as Apple's iTunes Music Store. Article
by Keith Holzman.


NON-COMMERCIAL RADIO: WORTH PROMOTING TO?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/noncommercial.htm
Non-commercial stations are comprised of three groups: College,
community, and "NPR" stations. College radio is by far the
biggest non-commercial group, with about 1,000 stations in the
U.S. and Canada. The biggest advantage of college radio is that
it is the easiest and fastest way to get airplay, and with it,
the comments, favorite tracks, interviews, and reports in CMJ and
other magazines, all of which become great tools to market your
band with. Article by Bryan Farrish.


RE-THINKING YOUR IMAGE: CREATING A SIGNATURE STYLE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/jb_image.htm
Many talented emerging artists are confused by the issue of an
image and don't have a sense of their own style. So, they either
copy things from other people, or are just bland. Few artists
actually have a true, distinct style. In today's entertainment
environment, however, the first impression is as important as
ever. Article by John Battaglia.


SELLING YOUR MUSIC ONLINE: DESIGNING YOUR WEB SITE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/websitedesign.htm
Okay, you want to create a web site from which to sell and
promote your music. Now what? Here are some tips from by David
Nevue, author of How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the
Internet.


SHOULD YOU TRADEMARK YOUR BAND'S NAME?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/klovetrademark.htm
The question: "My lawyer says that if I fail to trademark my band
name, another band with the same name could trademark it and
stop me from using it. What's more, the other band could even sue
me for punitive damages. But the costs for a trademark are quite
high. Should I do it?" Consultant Kenny Love provides an answer.


THE ROLE OF THE MUSIC PUBLISHER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/kh_musicpublisher.htm
A key adjunct, and potentially considerable asset, of a record
label is it's own music publishing company. Not every label
establishes one, either through lack of expertise and experience,
or insufficient time to deal with it. But failure to establish a
publishing division could be a lost opportunity and a very costly
mistake. Article by Keith Holzman.


WHY RELEASE A DIGITAL-ONLY ALBUM?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/edf_digitalonly.htm
There has been increasing discussion over the Net regarding the
role of digital-only album releases as part of an independent
artist's goal of maximizing the opportunities offered by the
online music world. Does this trend suggest that the CD is an
increasingly antiquated option for independent artists? Article
by Mi2N editor Eric de Fonteney.


YOUR MUSIC: A BUSINESS OR HOBBY?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/businesshobby.htm
We all want to make a living doing something we enjoy. For most
artists, making money isn't the central goal, and running a
business isn't even a concern. However, success in creating and
disseminating your work requires certain business-like
considerations. The first question for yourself (and the first
thing the IRS will be interested in knowing) is whether or not
your art is a business or a hobby. Article by Mark Fox.


YOUR SPEAKING SKILLS CAN MAKE YOU A BETTER PERFORMER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_speaking.htm
Speech writers know that you have to grab the audience's
attention in 30 seconds. That's where you make your biggest
impact. If you ever see a musician get up on stage and fumble a
"Hi. Um. We're the Barnyard Owls," you know what I mean. As
musicians, we can grab the audience's attention with a song. But
it helps to think about other ways to captivate your audience
too. Article by Marc Gunn.



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THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A RECORD COMPANY
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/recordlabel.htm
This wonderful book guides you step by step through the process
of starting up your own independent record label. It includes
vital advice on how to retain lawyers and accountants, construct
budgets, sign artists, navigate artist contracts, find a
distributor and how to develop and execute an effective marketing
plan. A great book! 243 Pages.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

10 REASONS WHY DEMOS ARE REJECTED
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/10demosrejected.htm

PLANNING YOUR MUSIC CAREER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/careerplanning.htm

MUSIC BIZ INTERNSHIPS: DO'S AND DON'TS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/careerplanning.htm

PROMO KIT PHOTOS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/promokitphotos.htm

HOW LABELS AND RADIO STATIONS WORK TOGETHER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/radiolabels.htm


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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ARE YOU an unsigned act, songwriter or producer?? Looking for a
Record, Publishing, Management and Licensing deal worldwide,
especially in the UK and USA? Each month the BANDIT A&R
NEWSLETTER publishes features on Labels, Publishers, Managements
etc looking to sign acts, songs or masters. Get yourself a FREE
SAMPLE COPY from:  bandit.196@...

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THE BANDIT A&R NEWSLETTER
http://www.banditnewsletter.com/
Bandit is a monthly publication (in business for over 17 years)
designed to help musicians target their demos and press kits to
music businesses (labels, publishers, managers and producers)
actively searching for new talent. Every month, the newsletters
feature 24 companies, both in the UK and in the US and the
information in the newsletter comes directly from the people
named, immediately prior to publication, to ensure the highest
possible accuracy. The newsletter is $30 (US) per year, and based
on the testimonials, a good investment. A free sample copy of the
newsletter is available be sending an email to
bandit.196@....


THE BARDS CRIER
http://www.bardscrier.com/
This highly recommended, free guerrilla music marketing ezine for
the working musician comes from Marc Gunn, a working musician
himself. The newsletter contains some fantastic articles about
promoting your music, both online and at performances. The Crier
also includes reviews of music biz books, as well as worthwhile
freebies on the net.


BRANDERS
http://www.branders.com/index.jsp
Put your band logo on tons of cool products; mouse pads, lava
lamps, calculators, hats, shirts, clocks, games, toys, magnets,
notepads, chocolate bars, and more. You'll find more
merchandising options at Branders than just about anyone else.
You can even preview merchandise with your logo on it to see how
it looks before you buy.


CAFE PRESS: ONE-OFF CDS
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/sell/products/audio/
Cafe Press is known for their one-off merchandise printing,
specifically, you upload your artwork and fans can buy t-shirts,
mugs, hats and more with your band logo or picture on it. Now
Cafe Press also offers one-off CD printing services. How does it
work? Choose and design your CD package on their web site (with
full-color inserts), specify your track listing and provide them
with your music content, and they will create a CD for you that
customers can purchase one at a time and have mailed to them. You
keep whatever money you charge above their "base price." See the
web site for further details.


COLORS
http://www.colors.co.uk/
This UK based design company has been creating original content
for the music and entertainment industry for 14 years. Services
include CD design as well as logos, flyers, press kits, displays
and much more. Their impressive client list includes Sony Music
and Universal as well as smaller labels, bands, recording
studios, management, and individual artists. The design portfolio
ranges from classical to blues, contemporary to jazz, rock to
country, tv albums, compilations and collections.


DIGITAL MUSIC NEWS
http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/
This has been my favorite ezine of late, with news sent out every
day as it related to the digital music industry. Sign up for the
free newsletter and stay right on top of new technologies as they
are happening.


DIY BOOKINGS
http://www.diybookings.com/
DIYBookings holds one of the largest music venue databases in the
world (7287 venues as of this writing). Musicians, promoters,
managers and talent buyers utilize DIYBookings.com to automate
the way they do business. Find venues, track contacts, promote
and publicize your music. Search venues by State, Genre, Zip
Code, City and Venue Name. Once you find a venue that suits your
project DIYBookings.com tracks your contacts with the venue and
once you book a show it helps with publicity. A fabulous service
for the touring musician. Highly recommended.


FOX TAX SERVICE
http://www.foxtaxservice.com/index.html
Here's a tax preparation service devoted to artists and
musicians. So when that time of year comes around and you need
help figuring out your taxes, determining what to deduct, how to
file, whether you files as a "business" or anything else, check
in with Fox for assistance. They can provide anything from simple
advice to doing the entire preparation and tax filing for you.


FLYADISC
http://www.cdflyerstore.com/
How about flinging your demo CDs and/or other CD media safely
into crowds at concerts, festivals and sporting events - just
about anywhere people are gathered. Here's a cool idea that will
have curious strangers checking out your CD.


HOME STUDIO RECORDING SOLUTIONS
http://www.home-studio-recording.com/index.html
There's no shortage of home recording websites out there, but
many of them lack a lot of info in certain areas. For people who
are new to recording, it can be like piecing a complex puzzle
together. This site bridges the gap between home recording
novices and experienced home recordists. New articles are added
frequently, and cover topics from initial studio design to
creating the final master. A very nice "how to" resource for
those wanting to record at home.


JUST PLAIN FOLKS SONGWRITING/MUSICIAN COMMUNITY
http://www.jpfolks.com/
JPF is a community of over 26,000 Songwriters, Recording Artists,
Music Publishers, Record Labels, Performing Arts Societies,
Engineers, Producers, Journalists, Retailers and about every
other type of member of the Music Industry. The idea,
essentially, is that thousands of 'just plain folks' share ideas
on touring, manufacturing, promotion favorite web sites, and
organizations friendly to musicians. The entire community is
centered around the idea of working together for the benefit of
all. The forums, which are very active, are fantastic. Members
include Grammy and Emmy winners, staff from BMI and ASCAP, TAXI,
AFM, right along side plain old street musicians trying to find a
break.


THE MUSE'S MUSE - SONGWRITERS COMMUNITY
http://www.musesmuse.com
The Muse's Muse has, over its many years, become one of the most
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. Be sure
to subscribe to the free monthly newsletter.


MUSICPRO INSURANCE
http://www.musicproinsurance.com/
Founded by Phil Crosland, ASCAP's senior vice president of
marketing, MusicPro provides insurance coverage for the music
professional. Coverage includes instrument and equipment, studio
liability, tour liability, travel accident, health, life and long
term care. Other insurance options are available depending on
your state of residence. For more information, read this
interview with Phil Crosland about MusicPro.


MUSIC THOUGHTS DISCUSSION GROUP
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/musicthoughts/
This very active discussion group was created by CD Baby founder
Derek Sivers as “A popular, open place for musicians to talk to
other musicians.” Derek posts often. It’s a great place to hang
out and get a vibe for what other musicians are thinking and
talking about. And, if you need a place to get advice, receive
feedback your music, or find out whether or not a company is
reputable, this is a great place to ask.


ONE WAY MAGAZINE
http://www.onewaymagazine.com/
One Way is a free bi-monthly magazine targeted to music fans in
Los Angeles County. Circulation is 30,000, and the magazine is
available in record stores, music stores, bookstores,
restaurants, clubs and bars, spas and health clubs, and college
campuses. Each issue includes a free CD sampler, of which you can
be part. One Way offers competitive advertising packages to
musicians looking for quick exposure. A 'Mini-Showcase', their
entry-level advertising option, includes a song on their CD, a
quarter-page ad in the magazine, a web site feature and Song
streamed on ONE WAY Magazine Online.


ROCK BAND SITES
http://www.rockbandsites.com/
If you want a GREAT looking web site that's super easy to update
but you don't know a thing about creating one, check out
RockBandSites.com . They'll design a terrific looking site for
you that you can update easily through an admin tool without
having to touch code at all. They'll also host the site for you.
The price for a web site is $499.00, plus $29.99 a month for
hosting. These sites look great - better than your standard
"template" driving web sites.


ROCK STAR IMAGE CONSULTANT
http://www.rockstarimage.com/
John Battaglia is an image and performance coach who's worked
with some of the biggest names in the business; Usher, Beyonce,
Jessica Simpson and others. He coaches emerging artists on how to
build a Rockstar image to better attract industry attention. If
you're uncertain about your "image" or the "style," feel the need
to reinvent yourself, or just need advice on how to better
connect with your audience, John's your man.


SAME DAY MUSIC
http://www.samedaymusic.com/
Same Day Music offers a huge catalog of gear, instruments and
accessories with several guarantees. First, "Same Day Shipping,"
secondly low-cost shipping (usually free) and finally, 60-Day
low-price guarantee and return policy. Visit their web site to
request a free catalog.


TWIG ONE STOP
http://www.twigonestop.com/
Twig One Stop is a full service 4 color printer and direct mail
house providing a broad spectrum of full color printed products
(postcards, brochures, tickets, catalogs), direct mail services
(mailing lists and fulfillment), a full line of promotional items
(your logo on promo items) as well as complete graphic design
services. They are a virtual one-stop shopping center for all of
your printing and promotional needs.


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MUSICIAN'S FRIEND - ALL THE GEAR YOU COULD EVER WANT (AND MORE)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/musiciansfriend.htm
Musician's Friend is the worlds largest direct mail music gear
company - and one of the most respected and trusted companies of
it's kind. With a huge catalog featuring over 900 manufacturers
you can find pretty much anything you want. Check out their
'scratch and dent' specials which include their 100% satisfaction
guarantee. Order their free catalog online or enter their free
weekly $2500 gear giveaway



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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/opportunities.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunities. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*


THE JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST
http://www.jlsc.com/
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is open to amateur and
professional songwriters who submit entries in any one of 12
categories: Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, World, Rhythm & Blues, Hip
Hop, Gospel/Inspirational, Latin, Electronic, Folk, and
Children's. Instrumental compositions are encouraged. 24 Grand
Prize winners receive $5,000 in Project Studio Equipment from
iGuitar, Roland, Edirol and Audio-Technica and more. The JLSC is
open year-round and features two sessions - with 72 Finalists, 24
Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners, and 1 Maxell Song
of the Year. Submission deadline: August 15. $30 entry fee per
song.


THE POSITIVE POP SONG CONTEST
http://www.positivepopsongcontest.com/
This contest promotes songs with a positive impact. The grand
prize winning songwriter gets a full master quality production
package of one song [over $4,000 value], membership to TAXI,
digital distribution of winning song, a Fender acoustic guitar
and more. The singer/songwriter award winner gets live
performance opportunity plus professional services to help their
career. Not sure if your song fits? Take the "is my song positive
pop" quiz. All entrants will receive written evaluations from
industry pro judges. Contest deadline August 19th, 2005. $25
entry fee.


THE NEXT HIT SONG
http://www.nexthitsong.com/
Unsigned artists in six categories will compete for the chance to
showcase LIVE in front of music industry insiders and executives
to win a dream package worth over $50,000 in studio time, online
distribution, ring tone production/distribution, online
promotion, CD manufacturing, web site design, photo duplication,
and other services and memberships! Auditions through August. $30
entry fee.


THE 2005 INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
One of the largest songwriting competitions in the world, ISC
offers entrants a chance to compete for over $100,000 in cash and
prizes, including an Overall Grand Prize package of $10,000 (US)
in cash and $20,000 in merchandise. Winners benefit from
extensive press and publicity, giving exposure and recognition to
an international music market of industry professionals and fans.
ISC's panel of judges for 2005 include Monte Lipman (President,
Universal Records); Michael McDonald (President, ATO Records);
Tara Griggs-Magee (Executive VP, Gospel/Urban Music Sony
Records); Chris Parr (VP Music Programming & Talent Relations,
CMT); Loretta Lynn; BeBe Winans; Darrale Jones (VP A&R - Urban,
Atlantic Records); Danny Epstein (Music Supervisor, Sesame
Street); Barbara Sedun (VP Creative, EMI Music Publishing Canada)
and many others. Early bird deadline for submission is July 15,
2005. Final deadline for submission is October 14, 2005. $30
Entry Fee. Submit via link above.


MTV WANTS YOUR MUSIC
http://tinyurl.com/8mfxj
"Here at MTV we are constantly craving new music for our shows
and we don't always have giant budgets to license what we want.
So we are offering something that is priceless in the end, and
that is promotion for the artists! We have begun doing this in
shows like Laguna Beach and PowerGirls already, it is a great way
to get your music heard, not to mention a credit in the show and
the MTV website." See link above for details.


TELEVISION EXPOSURE ON ROSARITO WEEKEND
The television show Rosarito Weekend is accepting submissions for
free television exposure and will provide a free ad-card with
artist CD cover. The show will air later this year in niche
markets in New York, Los Angeles, San Diego and possibly others.
The show has already test-aired in Los Angeles on KTLA (The WB)
and KDOC. Artists can receive an info sheet with further details
on the show by sending an email to rosaritoweekend@.... Or
mail CD submissions directly to: Attn: Carolyn Homan, Rosarito
Weekend, PO Box 1184, Youngsville, NC, 27596.


GET ONLINE FOR AMERICAN IDOL SUPERSTARDOM
http://www.idolunderground.com/index.html
Fluid Audio Networks and FremantleMedia, co-producer and licensor
of American Idol, announced today the launch of the first ever
online incarnation of American Idol – American Idol Underground.
The American Idol Underground website, which will launch later
this year, will be powered by Fluid Audio’s proprietary
self-publishing software. Musicians will directly upload their
music to one of thirteen genre specific music channels for review
by internet listeners and celebrity judges. Programming is based
on listener ratings and every song is guaranteed airplay - the
better songs get played more, and the best songs win record
contracts and other awards.


2005 INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTI MUSIC AWARDS
http://www.inacoustic.com/
Acoustic artists in various genres can gain radio airplay and web
exposure through this competition on Acoustic Cafe radio program
and XM Satellite Radio! Win prizes in 8 different categories:
Folk/Americana/Roots, AAA/Alternative, Instrumental, Open,
Bluegrass, Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Group/Duo.
IAMA is open to all independent artists and labels. IAMA focuses
on developing new markets for Acoustic artists. Submission
deadline is November 9th. $35 submission fee.



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Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2005 Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/htpromotemusic.htm
Learn the promotion methods one musician uses to bring in over
$5000 a month from the Internet! You can get radio play, grow a
fan base, create a distribution channel and manufacture and sell
CDs all online. Imagine how many CDs you’d sell if thousands of
people heard your music every single day? You could use the
Internet to sell 100, 200 or even more CDs every single month!
Yes, this is possible! The author has accomplished this and more,
and in this book, he details step-by-step how he finally said
good-bye to his day job and starting spending more time on his
music. Available in PDF format for just $18.95, print edition
$28.95.


THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A RECORD COMPANY
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/recordlabel.htm
This wonderful book guides you step by step through the process
of starting up your own independent record label. It includes
vital advice on how to retain lawyers and accountants, construct
budgets, sign artists, navigate artist contracts, find a
distributor and how to develop and execute an effective marketing
plan. A great book! 243 Pages. Available in print or PDF version,
starting at $29.95


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2005 Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm
Created by The Music Resource Group, this 368-page volume
provides access to over 30,000 music businesses and key industry
contacts in 25 categories. Current names, phone and fax numbers,
e-mail and web site 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 to Music Biz
Academy visitors for only $36.95! (retails for $39.95)


MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS - The Second Edition
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 MUSIC PHONE BOOK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/phonebook.htm
After receiving a copy of the Music Phone Book for review, I just
had to add it to our at the Music Biz Academy. If you're looking
for places to gig across the country (or even just regionally),
the Music Phone Book is definitely for you. It contains detailed
contact information for over 6,000 Live Music Venues across the
United States (covering all 50 states). It contains the largest
directory of places to gig at that I've seen in print. Offered in
three regional editions, each for $25 or $60 for all three!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fifth Edition!
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 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 print edition for $27.95!


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
$24.95!


LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiccontracts.htm
This book covers virtually any question you might have about
contracts and agreements you are likely to encounter in the music
business. Over 500 sample contract provisions are listed,
examined, and explained in plain english. In other words, you can
take any kind of music contract or agreement you might receive
and compare the details of your contract to what this book says
to find out what it is you're really signing before you sign it!
$34.95 for this massive volume of information.


WHAT EVERY MUSICIAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SELF PROMOTION (CD)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/selfpromotioncd.htm
Owning this CD is like having your own music marketing expert by
your side. Anytime you need a refresher course or renewed
motivation on how to get the word out about your music, just take
the CD in your car with you and listen. What could be easier?
You'll learn a lot about marketing your music, and with repeated
listening you'll absorb the information until it becomes second
nature. Just $11.95


THE CREATIVE TAX PLANNER FOR MUSICIANS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/creativetaxplanner.htm
Subtle differences make this day planner perfect for the
traveling musician. It includes a built-in tax planner, expense
categories for production, equipment, props, advertising, space
rental (and more), and a really nice, zippered compartment for
receipts. This is a very durable, compact day planner, designed
with the artist in mind. Just $34.95.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Some of our Service Partners...
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


FREE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR ARTISTS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
CD Baby is now be offering its members FREE digital distribution
to services like iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, MusicNet and more.
There are NO setup fees for this additional service, period. Once
you sign up to sell your music at CD Baby, digital distribution
is included at no extra charge.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with NW Media to bring you
quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very reasonable
price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we ourselves
use. We have partnered with them because we know how very hard it
is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer that offers
both great service and a high quality product. We have been VERY
satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us. You simply
cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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/artintro.htm
In this business of music, image means everything! You know it,
we know it, the music industry knows it. Let our hand-picked
graphic designer help you make a powerful statement about your
music! Whether you need art design for your CD package, posters,
logos, or your web site, our design partners can make you look
like a pro!


GET REPRESENTATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/representation.htm
NOMA Music is a multicredited music licensing company and song
publisher. They represent worldwide bands, songwriters, and
composers who are interested in licensing, and of course, earning
money and royalties from having their original music used in
feature and indie motion pictures, television, and other multi
media projects. Some of their represented acts have songs
currently heard in television shows airing on HBO, Warner
Brothers, FOX, UPN, Touchstone, Paramount, Showtime, Sci Fi
Channel, and FX Networks, as well as in motion pictures and
commercial DVD releases. NOMA offers tremendous opportunities for
the indie and established artist from the hundreds of production
companies, directors and producers they have working
relationships with, and as a client of theirs, your music will be
made accessible to them. There are NO up-front fees, period. NOMA
Music earns its money through licensing on a commission only
basis. Thus, the only way NOMA benefits financially is when YOU
benefit financially.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Classifieds...
-----------------------------------------------------------------


WANT TO GET MORE GIGS AND SELL MORE CDS?

It doesn't get any easier than this...

Discover Thousands of Places to Promote your Music
and get the contacts you need in the music industry with
The Galaris Musicians Directory 2005 Edition!

Amazing! Just point and click to email or visit the site of the
contact you need - right from your computer desktop!

"The most complete, intuitive and updated directory I've ever
seen. Highly recommended" - Derek Sivers - founder, CD Baby.

You owe it to yourself!  Click below and get started now.
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service in this
newsletter at rates starting at just $50 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by David Nevue and
The Music Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) .

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Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #62 - May 2005
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

The Directory:
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory


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Hello everyone,

I hope you are doing well. I just got a very exciting email from
the Harry Fox Agency this morning - well, exciting to me at
least. Let me explain.

One of my biggest frustrations as an independent musician in
today's high-tech, digital world is the lack of a sensible way to
license cover songs for digital sales and distribution on the
Internet. Sure, I can go through the documental headache of
reporting each and every sale of a music download to each
individual publisher on a monthly basis. That's what the law
requires, but who has time for that? As it is, I can barely find
time mow my lawn.

I can hear some of you saying already, why don't you just report
on a quarterly basis or once a year? Well, because the publisher
has got to give you the OK to do that, and so far, the publishers
I've talked regarding my own cover songs won't. They want MONTHLY
statements.

I have been longing for a simple process to come into being that
would work just like the HFA's current method for getting a
mechanical license for the physical distribution of cover songs
on CDs. You just go over to SongFile.com, search for the song,
click a couple of buttons and all your licensing fees are paid
for. You're legally covered.

Oh, if only licensing cover songs for digital distribution could
be as easy!

And now comes the payoff, the little email I received from the
Harry Fox Agency this morning that just made my day. It all comes
down to two sentences...

"Regarding the online setup, we are in the process of upgrading
www.songfile.com to include the capability to issued DPD licenses
in limited quantity just as we do currently for regular
mechanicals. We hope to make that available in the next few
months..."

At last! I can breathe easy. It's coming.

Now, having spent many years in the software industry,
specifically in support and quality assurance, I know what "a few
months" really means, especially when it's proceeded by the
phrase "we hope." It means that I probably shouldn't expect
anything by the end of summer. But at least a system is in
development.


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Aside from some cool technological advances, news from the music
industry over the last few months has been mostly uninteresting.
However, some recent stories did capture my attention, including
this article about the artist once again known as Prince...

IS PRINCE THE PROTOTYPE?
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-6027793-1.html?tag=nl.e501
When he died in 1991, genius Miles Davis was convinced that the
best hope for the future of music rested in the diminutive hands
of one man: Prince. Fourteen years later, Prince's music is still
going strong, and there's still no one else like him.

Ever wonder what you're going to do when people know longer want
to buy CDs at live performances preferring instead to buy
everything digitally? Just say "Beam it."

'BEAMING' MUSIC TO COMPUTERS, STEREOS, PDAS, & MORE.
http://tinyurl.com/5fdbj
MP3TUNES, A new San Diego-based music company, today introduced a
new music appliance called MP3beamer, which organizes an entire
music collection in one convenient location and then makes the
music accessible from almost any device or location. Once stored
to MP3beamer, the music is universally accessible from computers,
home stereos, PDAs, and portable devices including iTunes
software and iPod players via iTunes.

And here's another reason why I'm anxious to get my "cover tunes"
out there on digital music services...

ONLINE SONG SALES TOP 200 MILLION
http://business.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=248&id=69822005
Online music stores broke into the mainstream in 2004, with more
than 200 million tracks sold in the United States and Europe, a
tenfold increase from the previous year, according to data
released Wednesday. The IFPI said research firm Jupiter expects
the $330 million online music market to double in 2005.

And another...

IPOD'S COMING TO YOUR CAR
http://i-newswire.com/pr12739.html
Apple announced it has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz USA, Volvo,
Nissan, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari to deliver iPod integration with
their car stereo systems in 2005. "Almost every car company in
the world is working to integrate iPod into their cars in 2005,"
said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide
Product Marketing.

And this is obvious, for more reasons than one....

ITUNES ASIDE, WEB IS CHANGING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://tinyurl.com/6ml2c
In one measure of their success, chart-topping rockers The
Darkness have sold enough song downloads, T-shirts and thongs on
their official Web site to nearly finance their next recording.
British rock band Marillion has gone a step further. Since
striking off on its own in 2000, the band has used its site to
raise more than $913,200 (500,000 pounds) from fans to finance
its last two albums and support its first North American tour
since 1995. "The Internet is our savior. Without it, we wouldn't
be what we are today. It's really turned the business around,"
said Lucy Jordache, the band's marketing manager.

And always my favorite story...

CD BABY PASSES $13 MILLION IN INDIE CD SALES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
If anyone tries to tell you independent music is unimportant, has
no significance, and no market of any value - just them that CD
Baby has now sold over $13 MILLION in independent CDs. That's $13
million in CD sales from 1998 to present. In addition to retail
sales, CD Baby distributes the music of its artist members to
services such as  iTunes, Rhapsody, BuyMusic, MSN Music and Sony
Connect at no additional charge.

For more on the latest news that matters to you and me, see
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/newsfeed.htm

More great articles, web site reviews and resources below!


David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
Author, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Musician, Recording Artist & Composer
http://www.davidnevue.com



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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Learn the promotion methods one musician uses to bring in over
$5000 a month from the Internet! You can get radio play, grow a
fan base, create a distribution channel and manufacture and sell
CDs all online. Imagine how many CDs you’d sell if thousands of
people heard your music every single day? You could use the
Internet to sell 100, 200 or even more CDs every single month!
Yes, this is possible! The author has accomplished this and more,
and in this book, he details step-by-step how he finally said
good-bye to his day job and starting spending more time on his
music.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------


SELLING YOUR MUSIC ONLINE: STARTING FROM ZERO
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/gettingstarted.htm
The nice thing about selling your music on the Internet is that
you can get started with very little cash up front. If you
already have a computer and Internet access, you can get going
for as little as $50. Article by David Nevue.


PODCASTING: THE ART OF FEEDING THE BEAST
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_podcasting.htm
As we all know, the Internet is an uncertain world of endless
possibilities and peril. For this generation of artists and
music-industry execs, one paradox reigns supreme: Change has
become a constant. Just when you thought you had seen it all,
along comes something else to turn everything upside down again.
Enter the emerging art of "podcasting." Article by Mike Grebb.


SO YOU WANT TO QUIT YOUR DAY JOB?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mara_dayjob.htm
You’re slaving away at your day job, playing your music at night
and on the weekends, and it seems you’ll never have enough time
to write, record and tour when 40 hours of your week are cashed
in for that steady paycheck. You can’t help but think, “If only I
could quit my job to work on my music full time, I’d be able to
make it.” Last year, I had a chance to do just that, and I
learned a few things during my exciting, though sometimes
heartbreaking year of freedom. Article by Mara.


USING PEER TO PEER TO LAUNCH A MUSIC CAREER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gman_p2pcareer.htm
The "G-Man" offered all the music on his first album for free. In
fact, he went even farther than that: he contacted thousands of
DJs and remixers, established peer-to-peer filesharing
relationships with them, then offered to send them individual
tracks (bass, synth, vocals, drums, guitar, etc.) if they wanted
to mix new versions of his songs. The results have been
spectacular, involving reviews, remixes, club play, radio play, a
record deal, publishing and licensing agreements, and awards. How
did he do it? Read this article by Janis Amy.


P2P: BOON OR BOGEYMAN?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_p2pboon.htm
Once upon a time, the band Ten Mile Tide was living a fun but
relatively low-key existence playing local clubs in the San
Francisco area. But by the summer of 2003, something happened.
Their fan base exploded, allowing band members to quit the day
jobs and go out on the road full time. Since then, the band has
sold nearly 6,000 song downloads over the Internet and some
10,000 CDs through all channels. They now each collect a good
salary from the band and just bought a tour bus. How did they do
it? Find out in this article by Mike Grebb.


HOW TO EARN $30,000 WITH YOUR MUSIC BY YEAR'S END
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/klove30grand.htm
"As an independent musician and/or recording artist, if you did
*NOT* earn $30,000 (or more) with your music alone last year,
let's jump right in and get you started with doing so this
year..."  Article by Kenny Love.


SONGWRITING TIPS - WRITER'S BLOCK BLUES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/songwritingtips3.htm
Ken Hill from Torchlight Creek Music shares more of his very
popular (and humorous) songwriting tips - this time on how to
combat writer's block.


THE LOST ART OF ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/dp_artistdevelopment.htm
It's an all too familiar scenario. I open the mail to find a
professional looking, five color printed CD with lyrics and
clever artwork. It looks like product from a major label. I peel
off the shrink wrap and put it on. The same problems are there
over and over again; mediocre songwriting, inconsistent music
style, middle of the road musicianship and production. Article by
David Polemeni.


WHICH RADIO STATIONS TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC TO
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/whichstations.htm
Radio promoter Bryan Farrish takes a look at which stations you
should choose to promote your music to, and what factors help you
make that decision.


SELLING YOUR MUSIC ONLINE: A REALITY CHECK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/realitycheck.htm
I am often asked how much a person can really make selling music
online. I hear both extremes, both from artists who think they'll
use the Internet to make it rich, and others who don't believe
anyone can make any money selling music online. The truth is
somewhere in the middle. Article by David Nevue.



-----------------------------------------------------------------


THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A RECORD COMPANY
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/recordlabel.htm
This wonderful book guides you step by step through the process
of starting up your own independent record label. It includes vital
advice on how to retain lawyers and accountants, construct
budgets, sign artists, navigate artist contracts, find a
distributor and how to develop and execute an effective marketing
plan. A great book! 243 Pages.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

INSIDE RECORD LABELS: ORGANIZING THINGS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/insidelabels.htm

RELEASING YOUR OWN RECORD: A LEGAL CHECKLIST
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/legalchecklist.htm

A RECORD DISTRIBUTION TEST
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/distributiontest.htm

WHAT'S A RECORD DEAL ALL ABOUT?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/recorddeal.htm

HOW TO WRITE AND SEND A PRESS RELEASE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/pressrelease.htm


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

ARTISTPRO.COM
http://www.artistpro.com/
ArtistPro.com is an online resource designed for the recording
professional. Monthly features include interviews and tips from
professional producers and engineers with such big names as Alan
Parsons, Al Schmitt and Bob Welsh. Don't miss the message forms
on recording, mixing, mastering and producing.


ARTISTOPIA
http://www.artistopia.com/
Artistopia strives to be a one-stop resource for independent
musicians, and from what I've seen, it's one of the best on the
web. Not only do they host your music, they provide you with a
huge number of marketing, productivity and community tools
including a fan list and contact manager, a press kit builder,
newsletter builder, gig calendar and so much more. The basic
service, which includes a whole lot of stuff, is free, and a
professional service with more advanced tools is available for a
one time fee of $99.95. Here's a plan comparison. Highly
recommended.


BLUEBERRY INK
http://www.blueberryink.com/
Blueberry Ink offers an amazingly large number of items to put
your band logo on. Everything from the basics (t-shirts, caps,
keychains) to more unconventional (electronics, note pads, tools,
journals, personal care and trade show items.) Really nice web
site, and a great place to browse for new promotional ideas.


COOLER STUBBIES
http://www.coolerstubbies.com/
Here's a really "cool" promotion item - unique drink coolers with
your logo or brand, particularly handy for those club gigs. A
wide range of cooler styles is offered, including beer mats and
coasters.


GET ME MUSIC
http://www.getmemusic.com/
For those of you in the UK in need of an online solution for
selling and distributing your CDs locally, check out Get Me
Music. It's the leading online retailer for independent music in
the UK and it's just bursting with UK music energy! Registration
costs £ 29.99, and that's a one-time fee, no matter how many CDs
you want to put in the store. After that, they take just £ 2.00
from each CD sale and they ship out your CDs to your customer for
you when a sale comes in. You are paid immediately when a CD is
sold.


GUITAR NINE RECORDS
http://www.guitar9.com/
Guitar 9 Records is a hosting service/online store/monthly ezine
for independent artists/bands that feature the guitar as their
dominant instrument. If you're not already familiar with Guitar
9, we urge you (particularly if you're a guitarist with a CD to
market) to take a look at Guitar 9's fine site. Guitar 9 Records
has been around for years, and they have consistently stayed true
to their purpose - promoting independent guitar music on the
Internet (now over 1500 guitar artists). Some of the finest
undiscovered guitar players in the world can be found here, and
you'll find lots of articles on the music business from a
guitarists perspective.


MUBIZ.COM
http://www.mubiz.com/
We here at the Music Biz Academy are big fans of Kenny Love's B#
Newsletter, which you can subscribe to here from MuBiz.com.
Kenny's newsletter is always full of great ideas on how to get
your music noticed. In fact, we think Kenny is one of the best,
all-around, "idea people" we know. Sign up - you'll love it.


MUSIC-JOBS.COM
http://www.music-jobs.com/
As a job seeker in the music industry, you can post your resume
here or view the jobs board. There are quite a lot of job
listings here, and you can browse a list of them without becoming
a member. However, to view job details you need to subscribe to a
membership, which is either $10/month or $50 annually. As of this
writing, listed jobs include field marketing reps, music
teachers, PR marketing, sales, promotion reps, managers and
assistants. And that's just jobs posted in the last week.


MUSIC GORILLA
http://www.musicgorilla.com
Music Gorilla has put together a very interesting talent
screening concept. While it offers the same features as many of
the other music hosting services listed here, what sets them
apart is their relationship with music supervisors for film/tv
and representatives from record companies, including Geffen,
Jive, RCA, Lava, Reunion/Essential, DreamWorks, Miramax, Sony and
many others. Each record company representative is given their
own custom page from which they can review talent within the
genres of music they are looking for. Anyway, the point is that
if it is your desire to "be heard" by a music industry
professional, this is, perhaps, one way to do so. Music Gorilla
charges $24.95 a month for their service and they "guarantee"
your music to be heard or your money back.


RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
http://www.riaa.com
The RIAA represents the trade organization whose member companies
create and/or manufacturer 90% of all sound recordings in the
United States. Why is this of use to you, the indie musician?
Because although a few independents view the RIAA as the 'enemy'
representing big money and big business, they do in fact provide
a wealth of information on what's happening in the industry. The
RIAA site is regularly updated with information on new
technologies, copyright law, freedom of speech, licensing,
royalties, market data and more. Hanging out at the RIAA site you
definitely get a different perspective - the business perspective
- and that's a perspective you ought to know.


STRETCH THE SKIES
http://www.stretchtheskies.com
STS makes an impressive effort to take all the needs of
independent artists and put those services under one roof.
Services provided include a free, searchable "handbook" of music
industry info, press kit evaluation and development, a management
plan, graphic and web design, an email management tool, recording
services, bar code creation, soundscan reporting and they'll even
help you get your music on digital services such as iTunes. It's
free to sign up for STS, but there are some costs for some
services that are quoted individually. Really worth a look.


U.S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE HOMEPAGE
http://www.copyright.gov/
The U.S. Copyright Office's web site is surprisingly user
friendly. You'll find all the forms you need, plus all the
information you could want on basic copyright law.


WOODSONGS OLD TIME RADIO HOUR
http://www.woodsongs.com/wotrh.html
If you're an independent, folk/acoustic artist listen up! The
Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour is a folk Americana radio program
dedicated to grassroots and independent artists and includes
feature segments on folk radio shows and venues around the world,
plus a Folk/Americana/Bluegrass newscast each week. Woodsongs has
a large list of 400 affiliated radio stations across the US, as
well as Canada, and Europe. New artists are invited to submit
material to appear on national broadcast of the show.


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MUSICIAN'S FRIEND - ALL THE GEAR YOU COULD EVER WANT (AND MORE)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/musiciansfriend.htm
Musician's Friend is the worlds largest direct mail music gear
company - and one of the most respected and trusted companies of
it's kind. With a huge catalog featuring over 900 manufacturers
you can find pretty much anything you want. Check out their
'scratch and dent' specials which include their 100% satisfaction
guarantee. Order their free catalog online or enter their free
weekly $2500 gear giveaway



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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/opportunities.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunities. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*


MARKETING INTERNSHIP WITH HI FREQUENCY MARKETING
http://www.street-freq.com/app
Hi Frequency Marketing, Inc. specializes in developing and
executing unique and edgy marketing campaigns that utilize
under-the-radar approaches, including our street team, online
e-teams, guerrilla-style publicity and other methods of
connecting directly with today’s media-savvy consumer. We are
contracted by record labels, film companies, video game creators,
and consumer product companies to create a buzz on the street and
tap into a carefully chosen demographic group. Clients Include:
Staind, Finch, The Ataris, Radiohead, Nelly Furtado, Pink, Avril
Lavigne, and many more. Duties of a Hi Frequency field
representative include Lifestyle & Retail Marketing, Competitive
Event Coverage, Event and Tour Marketing Coverage, Online
Marketing, Radio & Video Request, and Recruitment and Management
of other Field Representatives for Tour Events. This is a part
time, paid entry level internship position. Interested applicants
can apply online. For more information on Hi Frequency please
visit http://www.hifrequency.com. JOB QUALIFICATIONS: A car,
daily Internet access, a phone, a passion to work in the music
business, and 10-12 flexible hours a week. A digital camera and
previous experience is a plus. Internships available in most
markets including Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Philadelphia,
Los Angeles, New York, Cleveland, Orlando, Pheonix, Dallas,
Seattle, Boston, and Washington, DC.


THE GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA SUMMIT
http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/
The Global Entertainment And Media Summit (GEMS) returns to New
York City on May 14th and 15th. Join them for two days of
incredible opportunities as executives from the music, film,
media, new media, and gaming worlds gather to create new
opportunities and relationships! GEMS features more than 25
seminars, workshops, clinics and keynotes presented by industry
visionaries and leaders who are helping to shape and create the
future of the entertainment industries. Bring your CDs, demos,
press kits and business cards! Special keynotes from Producer Bob
Ezrin (Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd's "The Wall", etc.), Director Hal
Hartley, XM Radio's Lee Abrams, and Damon Williams of Music
Choice. Panelists include executives from HBO, Santuary Records,
AFTRA, ABKCO, Q104, NBC, the RIAA, AOL, Yahoo!, New On The
Charts, and many more. WHERE: Times Square Arts Center, Home of
the world famous Laugh Factory, 303 West 43rd Street, New York
City. Summit tickets are $99.00. For more info, see the web site.


USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net/index.htm
Open to all amateur and professional songwriters submitting
original work. Songwriters may submit in 15 categories and enter
as many songs as they desire. Winning songs will receive radio
airplay in the U.S. and Canada.  A Top Prize of over $50,000 in
cash and merchandise is being offered. Contest deadline May 31st,
2005. $30 entry fee.


THE POSITIVE POP SONG CONTEST
http://www.positivepopsongcontest.com/
This contest promotes songs with a positive impact. The grand
prize winning songwriter gets a full master quality production
package of one song [over $4,000 value], membership to TAXI,
digital distribution of winning song, a Fender acoustic guitar
and more. The singer/songwriter award winner gets live
performance opportunity plus professional services to help their
career. Not sure if your song fits? Take the "is my song positive
pop" quiz. All entrants will receive written evaluations from
industry pro judges. Contest deadline July 31st, 2005. $25 entry
fee.


THE JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST
http://www.jlsc.com/
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is open to amateur and
professional songwriters who submit entries in any one of 12
categories: Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, World, Rhythm & Blues, Hip
Hop, Gospel/Inspirational, Latin, Electronic, Folk, and
Children's. Instrumental compositions are encouraged. 24 Grand
Prize winners receive $5,000 in Project Studio Equipment from
iGuitar, Roland, Edirol and Audio-Technica and more. The JLSC is
open year-round and features two sessions - with 72 Finalists, 24
Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners, and 1 Maxell Song
of the Year. Submission deadline: August 15. $30 entry fee per
song.


THE NEXT HIT SONG
http://www.nexthitsong.com/
Unsigned artists in six categories will compete for the chance to
showcase LIVE in front of music industry insiders and executives
to win a dream package worth over $50,000 in studio time, online
distribution, ring tone production/distribution, online
promotion, CD manufacturing, web site design, photo duplication,
and other services and memberships! Auditions through August. $30
entry fee.


MTV WANTS YOUR MUSIC
http://tinyurl.com/8mfxj
"Here at MTV we are constantly craving new music for our shows
and we don't always have giant budgets to license what we want.
So we are offering something that is priceless in the end, and
that is promotion for the artists! We have begun doing this in
shows like Laguna Beach and PowerGirls already, it is a great way
to get your music heard, not to mention a credit in the show and
the MTV website." See link above for details.


TELEVISION EXPOSURE ON ROSARITO WEEKEND
The television show Rosarito Weekend is accepting submissions for
free television exposure and will provide a free ad-card with
artist CD cover. The show will air later this year in niche
markets in New York, Los Angeles, San Diego and possibly others.
The show has already test-aired in Los Angeles on KTLA (The WB)
and KDOC. Artists can receive an info sheet with further details
on the show by sending an email to rosaritoweekend@.... Or
mail CD submissions directly to: Attn: Carolyn Homan, Rosarito
Weekend, PO Box 1184, Youngsville, NC, 27596.


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Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2005 Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/htpromotemusic.htm
Learn the promotion methods one musician uses to bring in over
$5000 a month from the Internet! You can get radio play, grow a
fan base, create a distribution channel and manufacture and sell
CDs all online. Imagine how many CDs you’d sell if thousands of
people heard your music every single day? You could use the
Internet to sell 100, 200 or even more CDs every single month!
Yes, this is possible! The author has accomplished this and more,
and in this book, he details step-by-step how he finally said
good-bye to his day job and starting spending more time on his
music. Available in PDF format for just $18.95, print edition
$28.95.


THE MUSIC PHONE BOOK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/phonebook.htm
After receiving a copy of the Music Phone Book for review, I just
had to add it to our at the Music Biz Academy. If you're looking
for places to gig across the country (or even just regionally),
the Music Phone Book is definitely for you. It contains detailed
contact information for over 6,000 Live Music Venues across the
United States (covering all 50 states). It contains the largest
directory of places to gig at that I've seen in print. Offered in
three regional editions, each for $25 or $60 for all three!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2005 Edition!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm
Created by The Music Resource Group, this 368-page volume
provides access to over 30,000 music businesses and key industry
contacts in 25 categories. Current names, phone and fax numbers,
e-mail and web site 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 to Music Biz
Academy visitors for only $36.95! (retails for $39.95)


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fifth Edition!
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 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 print edition for $27.95!


MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS - The Second Edition
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 COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING A RECORD COMPANY
http://musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/recordlabel.htm
This wonderful book guides you step by step through the process
of starting up your own independent record label. It includes vital
advice on how to retain lawyers and accountants, construct
budgets, sign artists, navigate artist contracts, find a
distributor and how to develop and execute an effective marketing
plan. A great book! 243 Pages. Available in print or PDF version,
starting at $29.95


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
$24.95!


WHAT EVERY MUSICIAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SELF PROMOTION (CD)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/selfpromotioncd.htm
Owning this CD is like having your own music marketing expert by
your side. Anytime you need a refresher course or renewed
motivation on how to get the word out about your music, just take
the CD in your car with you and listen. What could be easier?
You'll learn a lot about marketing your music, and with repeated
listening you'll absorb the information until it becomes second
nature. Just $11.95


THE CREATIVE TAX PLANNER FOR MUSICIANS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/creativetaxplanner.htm
Subtle differences make this day planner perfect for the
traveling musician. It includes a built-in tax planner, expense
categories for production, equipment, props, advertising, space
rental (and more), and a really nice, zippered compartment for
receipts. This is a very durable, compact day planner, designed
with the artist in mind. Just $34.95.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Some of our Service Partners...
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


FREE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR ARTISTS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
CD Baby is now be offering its members FREE digital distribution
to services like iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, MusicNet and more.
There are NO setup fees for this additional service, period. Once
you sign up to sell your music at CD Baby, digital distribution
is included at no extra charge.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with NW Media to bring you
quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very reasonable
price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we ourselves
use. We have partnered with them because we know how very hard it
is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer that offers
both great service and a high quality product. We have been VERY
satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us. You simply
cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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/artintro.htm
In this business of music, image means everything! You know it,
we know it, the music industry knows it. Let our hand-picked
graphic designer help you make a powerful statement about your
music! Whether you need art design for your CD package, posters,
logos, or your web site, our design partners can make you look
like a pro!


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. NOMA Music is a multicredited music
licensing company and song publisher. They represent worldwide
bands, songwriters, and composers who are interested in
licensing, and of course, earning money and royalties from having
their original music used in feature and indie motion pictures,
television, and other multimedia projects. Some of their
represented acts have songs currently heard in television shows
airing on HBO, Warner Brothers, FOX, UPN, Touchstone, Paramount,
Showtime, Sci Fi Channel, and FX Networks, as well as in motion
pictures and commercial DVD releases. NOMA offers tremendous
opportunities for the indie and established artist from the
hundreds of production companies, directors and producers they
have working relationships with, and as a client of theirs, your
music will be made accessible to them. There are NO up-front
fees, period. NOMA Music earns its money through licensing on a
commission only basis. Thus, the only way NOMA benefits
financially is when YOU benefit financially.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Classifieds...
-----------------------------------------------------------------


WANT TO GET MORE GIGS AND SELL MORE CDS?

It doesn't get any easier than this...

Discover Thousands of Places to Promote your Music
and get the contacts you need in the music industry with
The Galaris Musicians Directory 2005 Edition!

Amazing! Just point and click to email or visit the site of the
contact you need - right from your computer desktop!

"The most complete, intuitive and updated directory I've ever
seen. Highly recommended" - Derek Sivers - founder, CD Baby.

You owe it to yourself!  Click below and get started now.
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service in this
newsletter at rates starting at just $50 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by David Nevue and
The Music Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) .

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #61 - November 2004
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

The Directory:
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory


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Hello everyone! My goodness, it's been a LONG time since I sent
out a newsletter! Well, despite the silence, I can assure you
I've been very much "here," and working very hard too, I might
add.

Here's what I've been up to...

Just over a year ago I launched an Internet radio station to
promote my music called "Whisperings: Solo Piano Radio."
(you'll find it at http://www.solopianoradio.com if you're
interested.) Since the launch, the broadcast has taken off. We're
doing over 100,000 listening hours a month now, and we've already
signed our first syndication deal. On top of all this, I've been
organizing (and performing at) concerts to promote the
Whisperings broadcast across the country. All of this has taken
up a good deal of my time.

I must say, however, that it's been fantastic! We have over 50
piano artists involved in this joint effort, including some names
you might have heard of (David Lanz, Suzanne Ciani, Wayne Gratz).
I'll be performing a Whisperings showcase with David Lanz and
several other artists in January.

All of this just goes to show how you can use the Internet to
promote your music not only to thousands of people every day
ON-line, but also to many, many people OFF-line. When you get
your Internet presence working together with live performance,
they tend to feed off each other.

So as you can see, I've been a bit busy.

Despite all of this, I am hard at work on the next edition of my
book (How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet)
which I hope to have ready by the years end.

I have also been making a lot of updates over at the Music Biz
Academy web site. There are TONS of new articles on the site.
I've included links to the most recent in this newsletter.


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

First off, you GOTTA read this article, called THE LONG TAIL.
It's from Wired Magazine. It's long article, but is perhaps one
of the most in depth commentaries I've seen on the future of the
music business:

THE LONG TAIL
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html

Also, check out this article in PC WORLD magazine about recording
and promoting your own music. It's pretty basic, but they mention
yours truly in it, so I can't help myself:

THE HUMAN ELEMENT: RECORDING AND PROMOTING YOUR OWN MUSIC
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117926,00.asp

And beyond these, here are a few other hand-picked news stories
I thought worth passing on...


MUSIC INDUSTRY FACES US RADIO PLAYLIST PROBE
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200410/s1226377.htm
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who has already taken on
the investment banking, mutual funds and insurance sectors, has
served subpoenas against Universal Music, Sony BMG Music, EMI and
Warner Music requesting information on the companies'
relationships with independent promoters who serve as middlemen
between music companies and radio stations.


EDONKEY OVERTAKES KAZAA
http://tinyurl.com/4x6hf
Kazaa, once a top nemesis of record companies and movie studios,
appears to have lost its role as the world's most popular
file-swapping software, network watchers have said. According to
BayTSP, a California firm that monitors file-swapping networks on
behalf of entertainment companies, Kazaa rival eDonkey was the
most widely used peer-to-peer application last month. Kazaa's
lead on rivals has been sliding for more than a year.


APPLE ITUNES DOMINATES PAID DIGITAL MUSIC DOWNLOADS
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=72499
More and more companies are working to gain a foothold in the
paid music download category; however, according to new data
released today by The NPD Group, Inc., early entry Apple iTunes
continues to dominate this market. Nearly 70 percent of music
files downloaded legally between December 2003 and July 2004 were
downloaded from iTunes. Napster's share for the same time period
was 11 percent, while MusicMatch, RealNetworks and Wal-Mart each
reached a six percent share.


CD BABY PAYS $10 MILLION TO MUSICIANS FOR CDS SOLD
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
In case anyone tries to tell you that independent music has no
value, is small potatoes, is just "garage bands", or anything
else like that - you can tell them that CD Baby has now sold over
$10 MILLION in independent CDs. Have you signed up yet?


For more on the latest news that matters to you and me, see
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/newsfeed.htm

More great articles, web site reviews and resources below!


David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
Author, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Musician, Recording Artist & Composer
http://www.davidnevue.com



PAID ADVERTISMENT -----------------------------------------------


RAINMAKER PUBLICITY
http://www.rainmakerpublicity.com/
Rainmaker is the premier public relations firm for independent
musicians & labels. Specializing in print, broadcast, and
electronic media since 1996 , way before indie was cool!
Call us @ 1-617-889-4122 or visit  www.rainmakerpublicity.com .


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------


THE CLEAVERS AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/de_computertech.htm
The melding of science and art has created vast new opportunities
for the independent artist. One band, The Cleavers takes time out
to discuss how they've used modern technology to record,
manufacture and promote their new CD on a budget. Article by Dick
Eastman.


ARE YOU OVERLOOKING LIVE SHOW OPPORTUNITIES?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/bb_liveshows.htm
Let me ask you ... What has to happen for a person to be
converted into being a fan of your music? There are a number of
possible answers, but at the most basic level, one thing has to
happen: The person must hear your music. Let's focus on that,
because even with all of the advancements in technology, live
performance continues to be one of the best ways to connect with
fans, sell CDs and prosper as an artist. Article by Bob Baker.


MUSICIANS AND VENUE OPERATORS: HISTORICALLY, AT ODDS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/aw_venues.htm
Venue operators and musicians have historically been at odds. It
seems we have a love/hate relationship and each, at times, wants
to bite the hand that feeds us. After conducting interviews over
the last year online, in person and over the phone, I have come
to a basic understanding of what the rift is between musicians
and venues. Article by Annette Warner.


THE 6 RULES OF COMMERCIAL MUSIC SUCCESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gf_6rules.htm
Over the years I have had many conversations with music artists
about commercial music, which usually leads to them disclosing
their disdain and hatred of it. Some refer to pop music (pop, as
in what’s popular now) as commercial music. Others think of
anything that is receiving heavy rotation on radio as commercial
music. Whatever their definition, one thing is often overlooked:
commercial music is the heart of the music industry which pumps
the blood that keeps it alive. Article by Gian M. Fiero.


THE X FACTOR: WHAT IS IT AND DO YOU HAVE "IT"?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gf_xfactor.htm
What exactly is the “X factor?” You hear professionals and
artists alluding to it, but you rarely hear anyone defining “it.”
If you are an aspiring music artist or an entertainer, it’s
important to know what "it" is because in the mind of the most
seasoned and powerful industry professionals, having “it” is what
determines if you are worth the investment of endless amounts of
time and money. Article by Gian M. Fiero.


THE "CREATIVE" YOU AND THE "BUSINESS" YOU
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/creativeyou.htm
I have been watching, studying, and analyzing why some people
'make it' and others don't for a long time. Here are some
thoughts on the subject... Article by Chris Knab


THE NUMBER OR RADIO STATIONS IN THE U.S.
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/stations.htm
No conversation about music marketing would be complete without
the word RADIO rearing its ugly head time and time again. Few
songs sell well at retail without it. None sell millions without
it. You've got your CDs manufactured...now what can YOU do about
it? Article by Bryan Farrish.


CAN YOU HELP? AND PLEASE, NO HYPE!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/hype.htm
A recent letter: "Can you help? Please, NO HYPE. Either yes or no
is fine. Would you GUARANTEE your success to me?" Response by MBA
founder, David Nevue.


ARTIST / BAND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/artistinterview.htm
These questions are useful for any artist or band serious about
conducting their music careers as a business. Thoughtful, honest,
and detailed answers to these questions NOW will prepare you for
the questions when they come up in interview situations LATER and
will also aid you in writing bios, fact sheets, and press
releases. Article by Chris Knab.


I GET SO MANY CLUELESS LETTERS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/clueless.htm
I have been writing this and other columns for over 10 years now.
I post my email address on my website for potential clients to
reach me, so, I am not surprised that I get a lot of email
messages every day. Most of them are very polite ‘thank-you’
messages letting me know how much they appreciate all the free
articles and columns I have written, but I have a problem with
some of the messages I get, and the problem is getting worse
every day. Commentary by Chris Knab.



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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Learn the promotion methods one musician uses to bring in over
$5000 a month from the Internet! You can get radio play, grow a
fan base, create a distribution channel and manufacture and sell
CDs all online. Imagine how many CDs you’d sell if thousands of
people heard your music every single day? You could use the
Internet to sell 100, 200 or even more CDs every single month!
Yes, this is possible! The author has accomplished this and more,
and in this book, he details step-by-step how he finally said
good-bye to his day job and starting spending more time on his
music.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO WRITE AN ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/artistbio.htm

MASTERING YOUR MUSIC: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gman_mastering.htm

STARTING YOUR OWN MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/biz/startbusiness.htm

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PRESS KIT
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/presskits.htm

PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/perfcontracts.htm


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

CREWPRO.COM
http://www.crewpro.com/
How would you like to find work as a "roadie," giving you the
opportunity to network and make connections behind the scenes?
That's exactly the service CrowPro provides, providing bands with
hard workers to help out as they travel. Past clients include
Guns N' Roses, Paul McCartney, Indigo Girls, Vince Gill, Nine
Inch Nails and more. You can get a one year subscription with
your name in their database for $30.


LAZYCATS RECORDS - SHORT RUN REPLICATION
http://www.lazycatsrecords.com/index.htm
Short run CD replication starting at 50 CDs for just $132.50. A
Top-notch service where you can actually call and talk to
somebody. LazyCats can provide spectacular graphic CD jacket
design, done in-house, along with mastering and other production
services. All the little details will be handled so you can have
peace of mind.


GET YOUR MUSIC ON XM SATELLITE RADIO
http://www.xmradio.com/programming/channel_page.jsp?ch=52
Yes, XM plays unsigned music! To submit your music for
consideration, send to the address below. Note, XM cannot follow
up on your submission (they simply have too many coming in), but
if your music is selected, you will be notified. Send your music
to:

Billy Zero
XM SATELLiTE RADiO
1500 Eckington Place NE
Washington DC 20002-2194


NATIONWIDE CDS, DVDS, POSTERS, PROMO CARDS
http://www.nationwidecd.com/
Nationwide CD offers a wide variety of printing and manfucturing
services for the musician at very attractive prices. Throw in
1000 4x6 full color postcards for as little as $79 or 1000 full
color posters for $159. A very appealing all-in-one service,
nationwide also offers printing for booklets, flyers, business
cards and more. Very impressive web site.


DIGITAL VISTA: VISUAL PROMOTIONS FOR THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.d-vista.com/music/
Rich DiSilvio specializes in what he calls "Visual Promotions"
which includes web design, CD cover art and multimedia. The
artwork presented all has a very personal, unique touch, with a
visually stunning presentation. Those of you looking for a
fantasy art/otherworldly look for your CD covers, don't miss
this.


MP3MACHINE.COM
http://www.mp3machine.com/
MP3Machine.com has long been one of my favorites. Need some MP3
tools? Encoders? CD Rippers? Playlist managers? For just about
whatever you need in terms of sound tools, you can find it at
MP3Machine.com. As of this writing, MP3Machine contains over 900
software titles to help you get the job done. Bookmark this one
for sure.


INDIECENTRE
http://www.indiecentre.com/
IndieCenter is a nice compendum of information on everything from
starting a record label, to recording, mastering, touring and
where to find bulk supplies. Each category contains company
listings, information, and articles on the topic of your choice.
A great start-up resource for musicians who are just getting
their car



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MUSICIAN'S FRIEND - ALL THE GEAR YOU COULD EVER WANT (AND MORE)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/musiciansfriend.htm
Musician's Friend is the worlds largest direct mail music gear
company - and one of the most respected and trusted companies of
it's kind. With a huge catalog featuring over 900 manufacturers
you can find pretty much anything you want. Check out their
'scratch and dent' specials which include their 100% satisfaction
guarantee. Order their free catalog online or enter their free
weekly $2500 gear giveaway



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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/opportunities.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunities. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*


THE GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST
http://www.greatamericansong.com/
Amateur and professional songwriters everywhere are invited to
participate in the Great American Song Contest, now in its 6th
year. There are nine categories, including Instrumental and a
Lyric Writing category for lyricists. Winners receive a mix of
prizes, awards and cash prizes. Every songwriter who participates
will receive a written evaluation from the contest judges. The
Great American Song Contest is sponsored by Songwriters Resource
Network, a trusted news and education resource for songwriters
everywhere. All entries must be postmarked by Nov. 5th, 2004. $25
entry fee.


THE INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS
http://www.inacoustic.com/
Acoustic artists in various genres can gain radio and web
exposure through this competition as participating sponsors
include Acoustic Cafe and XM Satellite Radio. In addition to
radio exposure, winning songs will also be included on a CD
compilation that will go out to Acoustic/AAA/Folk radio stations
in the United States and overseas. Prizes are offered in 8
different categories, including Folk, Americana/Roots/AAA,
Instrumental, Open, Bluegrass/Country, Best Male Artist, Best
Female Artist, Best Group/Duo. An Overall Grand Prize will also
be awarded. All songs submitted must be original and submitted on
CD. All entries must be postmarked by November 9th, 2004 or
earlier. $35 entry fee.


SING AMERICA INTERNATIONAL
http://www.sing-america.com/
Sing! America International is a 90 minute retrospective of
American music from the 1920s through today's music that will
tour internationally in 2005. One of the tour stops will be the
China International Youth Art Festival in Beijing. This is
expected to be the largest music festival ever held in China, and
you could be a part of it! To find the best talent America has to
offer we are hosting two talent competitions, a Vocal Competition
and a Songwriting Competition. There will be three top prizes for
vocalists, with $5,000 going to each of the three winners and the
three will star in an All-American revue tour of China and the
United States in 2005. Enter online by December 15, 2004. From
entries, 11 finalists will be chosen to compete in a live
performance competition in Nashville, Tennessee no later than
March 15, 2005. $25 entry fee.


2005 MICHIGAN SONGWRITERS CONTEST
http://www.michsongs.com/
The 2005 Michigan Songwriting Contest is now open to current and
former residents of the state. Grand Prize is $1000. Two
first-place winners will each get a $500 gift certificate for
Elderly Instruments, four second-place winners will each get a
$200 Elderly Instruments gift certificate, and six third-place
winners will get $100 Elderly Instruments gift certificates.
Unlike other contests, we have no age restrictions and don't make
you pick a music category for your entry: Rock, folk, blues,
jazz, country, Christian, hip-hop, instrumental, alt-anything --
we're looking for Michigan's best original songs. Deadline March
31, 2005. $25 entry fee per song.


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Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2004 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
$18.95! Includes one free PDF update!


THE MUSIC PHONE BOOK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/phonebook.htm
After receiving a copy of the Music Phone Book for review, I just
had to add it to our at the Music Biz Academy. If you're looking
for places to gig across the country (or even just regionally),
the Music Phone Book is definitely for you. It contains detailed
contact information for over 6,000 Live Music Venues across the
United States (covering all 50 states). It contains the largest
directory of places to gig at that I've seen in print. Offered in
three regional editions, each for $25 or $60 for all three!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2004 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm
Created by The Music Resource Group, this 368-page volume
provides access to over 30,000 music businesses and key industry
contacts in 25 categories. Current names, phone and fax numbers,
e-mail and web site 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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $36.95! (retails
for $39.95)


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fifth Edition!
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 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 $27.95!


MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS - The Second Edition
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 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
$24.95!


INTERNET MUSIC MARKETING PDF POWER PACK!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/index.htm
Get the PDF editions of 'How to Promote Your Music Successfully
on the Internet' and 'How to Build a Music Web Site That Sells' -
Both for only $31.95 - Instant Download!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Some of our Service Partners...
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


FREE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR ARTISTS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
CD Baby is now be offering its members FREE digital distribution
to services like iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, MusicNet and more.
There are NO setup fees for this additional service, period. Once
you sign up to sell your music at CD Baby, digital distribution
is included at no extra charge.


SELL DIGITAL DOWNLOADS FROM YOUR OWN WEB SITE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mediapal.htm
Most independent musicians realize the time is soon coming (and
perhaps has already arrived) when you simply MUST offer your
customers a digital download version of your CDs and singles from
your web site. But how do you go about setting this up? The
solution is simpler than you might think. That solution lies in
MediaPal.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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/artintro.htm
In this business of music, image means everything! You know it,
we know it, the music industry knows it. Let our hand-picked
graphic designer help you make a powerful statement about your
music! Whether you need art design for your CD package, posters,
logos, or your web site, our design partners can make you look
like a pro!


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. NOMA represents worldwide bands,
songwriters, instrumentalists, and composers seeking song
licensing for motion pictures, television, commercials, and video
releases. NOMA's recent song placements include licensing with
"The Shield..Season 3 (Fox Television); "Roswell" (Home Video);
"Party of Five" (Home Video); "Hatchetman"; "Street Fury Onyx"
(DVD release); "Indian Fish - The Movie"; "Dorm Daze" (National
Lampoon) starring Tatiana Ali; "Going Greek"; "Latin Dragon"
starring Gary Busey; "Freshman Diaries" (Showtime); and "Road To
Ironman" (Bravo). NOMA offers tremendous opportunities from
the hundreds of production companies, directors and producers
they have working relationships with, and your music is
aggressively pushed on a day to day basis. There are NO up-front
fees, period. NOMA Music earns its money through licensing on a
commission only basis. Thus, the only way NOMA benefits
financially is when YOU benefit financially.


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.


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Classifieds...
-----------------------------------------------------------------


RAINMAKER PUBLICITY
http://www.rainmakerpublicity.com/
Rainmaker is the premier public relations firm for independent
musicians & labels. Specializing in print, broadcast, and
electronic media since 1996 , way before indie was cool!
Call us @ 1-617-889-4122 or visit  www.rainmakerpublicity.com .


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WANT TO GET MORE GIGS AND SELL MORE CDS?

It doesn't get any easier than this...

Discover Thousands of Places to Promote your Music
and get the contacts you need in the music industry with
The Galaris Musicians Directory 2004 Edition!

Amazing! Just point and click to email or visit the site of the
contact you need - right from your computer desktop!

"The most complete, intuitive and updated directory I've ever
seen. Highly recommended" - Derek Sivers - founder, CD Baby.

You owe it to yourself!  Click below and get started now.
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service in this
newsletter at rates starting at just $50 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by David Nevue and
The Music Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) .

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #60 - March 2004
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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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Hello everyone! Welcome to the March, 2004 edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!


During this last week I added a dozen or so new articles to the
Academy archives. One common theme between many of them is that
you, as the artist, should not be duped. Not by a record label,
not by American Idol, and not even by your own ego. Here are some
of the most tasty morsels from the last batch...


MUSICIAN, SIGN THYSELF!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/signthyself.htm
This wonderful exposé by L.A. music lawyer Dina LaPolt uses real
life examples to demostrate why independent musicians might wish
to avoid pursuing a major label deal.


WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICAN IDOL?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/bb_americanidol.htm
This article is already widely circulated on the Internet, but I
include it here in case you've missed it. If you're waiting for
someone to come along and "discover" you, this article might be
for you.


"GUM AT THE WALL" MUSIC MARKETING: WHY IT DOESN'T WORK!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gummarketing.htm
Simple and to the point. Don't put the cart before the horse.
Long-term growth and success as an independent artist almost
demands you be as passionate and knowledgeable about the music
business as you are about the music itself.


14 WAYS MUSICIANS CAN INCREASE THEIR TIPS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_increasetips.htm
Because tips on getting more tips is something we can all use.



IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Here are some hand-picked stories from the last few weeks:


ITUNES MUSIC STORE DOWNLOADS TOP 50 MILLION SONGS
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=64067
iTunes users are now downloading 2.5 million songs per week,
which is an annual rate of 130 million songs per year.


COUNTRY STARS FIND SECOND HOME ON INDIE LABELS
http://tinyurl.com/3hgwa
Dolly Parton and Dwight Yoakam go indie? Sort of. The major
labels don't want'em anymore. "I couldn't get a decent deal with
a good big label," Parton said.


MP3 GETTING ANTIPIRACY MAKEOVER
http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-5167841.html
The MP3 music format, the technology most widely associated with
unrestricted file swapping, is getting a makeover aimed at
blocking unauthorized copying.


CD BABY PASSES $10 MILLION IN CDs SOLD
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
In case anyone tries to tell you that independent music has no
value, is small potatoes, is just "garage bands", or anything
else like that - you can tell them that CD Baby has now sold over
$10 MILLION in independent CDs. Have you signed up yet?


For more on the latest news that matters to you and me, see
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/newsfeed.htm

More great articles, web site reviews and resources below!


David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
Author, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Musician, Recording Artist & Composer
http://www.davidnevue.com



PAID ADVERTISMENT -----------------------------------------------


RAINMAKER PUBLICITY
http://www.rainmakerpublicity.com/
Rainmaker is the premier public relations firm for independent
musicians & labels. Specializing in print, broadcast, and
electronic media since 1996 , way before indie was cool!
Call us @ 1-617-889-4122 or visit  www.rainmakerpublicity.com .


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------


MUSICIAN, SIGN THYSELF!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/signthyself.htm
This wonderful exposé by L.A. music lawyer Dina LaPolt, Esq.
demonstrates several reasons why independent musicians no longer
need a major label deal to find success. In effect, you can start
your own label and "sign" yourself.



HOW AND WHY MAJOR LABELS AND INDEPENDENT LABELS WORK TOGETHER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/majorindie.htm
Major and Independent Labels have a legacy of exposing and
discovering the great music of the last century, but the role
these two types of record labels have played over the decades has
changed as much as the music itself has changed. Defining the
roles these labels have in today’s marketplace is important for
anyone who wishes to start or develop their own label. Article by
Christopher Knab and Bart Day.



THE OVERALL PICTURE OF MUSIC MARKETING
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/overall.htm
There are two options for your independent music in the music
business: You can either try to be your own record label (and/or
PR firm, music company, entertainment agent, etc.), or you can
partner with others who will do the work for you if you pay them.
Either way, you need to know who does what. Article by Bryan
Farrish



WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICAN IDOL?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/bb_americanidol.htm
Four music business experts say the popular talent show is
misleading tens of thousands of aspiring musicians... and the
public at large. Are YOU one of them? Article by Bob Baker.



"GUM AT THE WALL" MUSIC MARKETING: WHY IT DOESN'T WORK!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gummarketing.htm
Many artist's egos are well-served by hiring radio promoters so
that their CDs gain airplay and even show up on radio charts.
This is all fine and good. But what happens if the artists is
actually successful in such a campaign? Article and advice by
Robin Spielberg.



ENTERTAINMENT LAWYERS: AN INTRODUCTION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/elawyers.htm
The Golden Rule regarding lawyers: ‘Never use anyone but an
Entertainment Law attorney.’ Don’t use Uncle Bill, the real
estate lawyer. Don’t hire your next door neighbor who is a public
defender. Don’t hire an attorney who works in the medical
profession. Entertainment Law is a specialty field... Article by
Christopher Knab.



HOW TO OFFER MECHANICAL LICENSES FOR YOUR MUSIC
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/licensing.htm
Are you confused about how to make your music available for
licensing to other people? You're not alone. I recently received
the below email from a visitor confused about this issue. Here's
the advice I gave him... Article by David Nevue.



RIAA EMAIL HOAX FOR GUILTY DOWNLOADERS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/riaahoax.htm
Feeling guilty about downloading all that music illegally? Well,
if you are, you SHOULD. However, don't fall prey to this e-mail
hoax circling the Internet right now. AGAIN, THIS IS A HOAX. The
e-mail you receive will look something like this



14 WAYS MUSICIANS CAN INCREASE THEIR TIPS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/mg_increasetips.htm
Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards has compiled this list
suggesting ways you can increase the amount and number of tips
you receive when playing live. 14 tips on getting more tips.


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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
September 2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!



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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

THE MUSICIAN'S ACTION PLAN
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/kb_actionplan.htm

CAN YOU AFFORD MUSIC DISTRIBUTION?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/cs_distribution.htm

10 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR MAKING A LIVING WITH YOUR MUSIC
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/10makealiving.htm



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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

ENTERTAINMENTCAREERS.NET
http://www.entertainmentcareers.net/
EntertainmentCareers.net is a one-stop shop for industry job
listings. You'll find a very well stocked (and regularly updated)
directory of jobs and internships for companies like the E!
Entertainment Network, EMI Music Marketing, DreamWorks, Clear
Channel and many others. Listings are free to view, but if you
buy a membership ($9.95/month), you get first shot at new
listings, as well as have them emailed to you.



DISKFACTORY: SHORT RUN CDS
http://www.diskfaktory.com/mf/enter/home/default.asp
DiskFactory came highly recommended to us for musicians who need
a short run of CDs at really great prices and FAST. 100 CDs with
full-color 2-page inserts just $199, or choose 100 CDs with
4-page, full-color inserts for just $299. 7-10 day turnaround
time.



MCLANE & WONG - ENTERTAINMENT LAW
http://www.benmclane.com/
Mclane & Won is a full service global entertainment law firm
specializing in music law, the music business and the music
industry. At their web site you'll find a wonderful selection of
articles on some of the legal topics that concern musicians most:
royalties, agents, distribution, endorsements, film/tv licensing,
group partnerships, publishing, and so much more. Their client
list is quite impressive, and their consultation rates very
reasonable too. Great content.



NIMBIT WEB SERVICES
http://www.nimbit.com/index.php
Nimbit provides "self-managed web sites for musicians," which are
essentially plug n' play web sites for the non-technical. Nimbit
offers some very cool template sites, from which you can update
your text content, images, sound files, calendar, mailing list
manager, and news without knowing any HTML. It's all very slick,
and you can get it for just $19.95 per month, including hosting
(or $12.95/month without hosting). If all you want is web design,
Nimbit can provide you with that too. See our list of hosting
services also.



STRINGS AND BEYOND...
http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/
Looking for a good, quickie place to buy your guitar strings?
Have them delivered to your door at prices that are very
competitive with your local retail store. Free shipping on orders
over $35. I loved the simplicity of this site. Just buy and go,
no worries.


-----------------------------------------------------------------

MUSICIAN'S FRIEND - ALL THE GEAR YOU COULD EVER WANT (AND MORE)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/musiciansfriend.htm
Musician's Friend is the worlds largest direct mail music gear
company - and one of the most respected and trusted companies of
it's kind. With a huge catalog featuring over 900 manufacturers
you can find pretty much anything you want. Check out their
'scratch and dent' specials which include their 100% satisfaction
guarantee. Order their free catalog online or enter their free
weekly $2500 gear giveaway



-----------------------------------------------------------------
Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/opportunities.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunities. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*


INDIE BIBLE LOOKING FOR BAND FOR COVER PHOTO
"My distributor has kindly asked me to ditch the cover "theme"
from the last three Indie Bible's, which was psychedelic artwork
from the famous poster artist, Bob Masse. They want to really
start pushing the book to libraries and music departments, so a
more toned down look that says "music" when you look at it is
required. My graphics person and I are looking for a live band
photo (no solo artist shots) for the next cover (Fall of 2004).
If you are interested, please send "sample" photos to Jane Denny
at themadhand@.... Please make sure that your sample
photos are 500K or less. If you are sending more than one, please
send them in separate e-mails. If your photo is chosen, we can
work out the compensation. You will, of course, be credited with
the intro section of the book."


TV SHOW SEEKING INDIE ARTISTS WITH VIDEOS
"Feedback," a television show designed to instruct independent
musicians on varying aspects of the music business, is seeking
independent artists with performance videos they wish to have
broadcast on the show. All genres are welcome. Feedback will be
aired on Cable access channel 10 in Corpus Christi, Texas and
other cable systems throughout the US, Europe and Australia.
Contact Freddie Veltz III at (361) 857-2488 or via email at
Hurricaneone@....


12TH ANNUAL BILLBOARD SONG CONTEST
http://www.billboard.com/bb/songcontest/index.jsp
Billboard, the world's leading authority on music, is looking for
songs. Whether your style of music is Pop, Rock/Alternative,
Rap/Hip Hop, Country/Folk, Jazz, World, Gospel/Contemporary
Christian, Latin, R&B/Blues, or Dance, the 12th Annual Billboard
Song Contest could offer you unparalleled professional exposure
among some of the music industry's most influential names. There
are over $30,000 in prizes, including musical equipment, song
placement on the 12th Contest Winners CD, a subscription to
Billboard Magazine, and more. Final deadline: Midnight, March 20,
2004. $30 Entry fee.


2004 USA INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net/
Enter to win a grand prize of over US$50,000 in cash, merchandise
and more! This the largest prize package in any annual
songwriting competition. Also, winners' songs will be featured on
a nationally syndicated radio program serving over 60 cities in
the US and Canada. Judges include A&R Managers from Major Record
labels and publishers. Entries must be postmarked by May 28th,
2004. $30 entry fee.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
September 2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2004 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm
Created by The Music Resource Group, this 368-page volume
provides access to over 30,000 music businesses and key industry
contacts in 25 categories. Current names, phone and fax numbers,
e-mail and web site 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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $36.95! (retails
for $39.95)


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fifth Edition!
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 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 $27.95!


MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS - The Second Edition
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 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
$24.95!


INTERNET MUSIC MARKETING PDF POWER PACK!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/index.htm
Get the PDF editions of 'How to Promote Your Music Successfully
on the Internet' and 'How to Build a Music Web Site That Sells' -
Both for only $31.95 - Instant Download!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Some of our Service Partners...
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


FREE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR ARTISTS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
CD Baby is now be offering its members FREE digital distribution
to services like iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, MusicNet and more.
There are NO setup fees for this additional service, period. Once
you sign up to sell your music at CD Baby, digital distribution
is included at no extra charge.


SELL DIGITAL DOWNLOADS FROM YOUR OWN WEB SITE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mediapal.htm
Most independent musicians realize the time is soon coming (and
perhaps has already arrived) when you simply MUST offer your
customers a digital download version of your CDs and singles from
your web site. But how do you go about setting this up? The
solution is simpler than you might think. That solution lies in
MediaPal.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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. Let our hand-picked
graphic designer help you make a powerful statement about your
music! Whether you need art design for your CD package, posters,
logos, or your web site, our design partners can make you look
like a pro!


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. NOMA represents worldwide bands,
songwriters, instrumentalists, and composers seeking song
licensing for motion pictures, television, commercials, and video
releases. NOMA's recent song placements include licensing with
"The Shield..Season 3 (Fox Television); "Roswell" (Home Video);
"Party of Five" (Home Video); "Hatchetman"; "Street Fury Onyx"
(DVD release); "Indian Fish - The Movie"; "Dorm Daze" (National
Lampoon) starring Tatiana Ali; "Going Greek"; "Latin Dragon"
starring Gary Busey; "Freshman Diaries" (Showtime); and "Road To
Ironman" (Bravo). NOMA offers tremendous opportunities from
the hundreds of production companies, directors and producers
they have working relationships with, and your music is
aggressively pushed on a day to day basis. There are NO up-front
fees, period. NOMA Music earns its money through licensing on a
commission only basis. Thus, the only way NOMA benefits
financially is when YOU benefit financially.


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.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Classifieds...
-----------------------------------------------------------------


RAINMAKER PUBLICITY
http://www.rainmakerpublicity.com/
Rainmaker is the premier public relations firm for independent
musicians & labels. Specializing in print, broadcast, and
electronic media since 1996 , way before indie was cool!
Call us @ 1-617-889-4122 or visit  www.rainmakerpublicity.com .


-----------------------------------------------------------------


WANT TO GET MORE GIGS AND SELL MORE CDS?

It doesn't get any easier than this...

Discover Thousands of Places to Promote your Music
and get the contacts you need in the music industry with
The Galaris Musicians Directory 2004 Edition!

Amazing! Just point and click to email or visit the site of the
contact you need - right from your computer desktop!

"The most complete, intuitive and updated directory I've ever
seen. Highly recommended" - Derek Sivers - founder, CD Baby.

You owe it to yourself!  Click below and get started now.
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service in this
newsletter at rates starting at just $40 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by David Nevue and
The Music Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) .

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - More reliable, more storage, less spam
http://mail.yahoo.com

Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #59 - February 2004
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hello everyone! Welcome to the February, 2004 edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!

I've added quite a few new articles to our archive over the last
few weeks. I want to direct your attention to two, in particular.

The first is:

CAN YOU AFFORD DISTRIBUTION?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/cs_distribution.htm

I get a lot of questions about distribution at the Academy. This
article focuses on retail distribution, and is an excellent
overview of some of the obstacles independent artists face.

The second article is:

MASTERING YOUR MUSIC: WHY YOU NEED IT, WHERE TO GET IT, AND HOW
TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gman_mastering.htm

This is perhaps the finest overview of the mastering process I've
read. Best of all, it's NOT overly technical. You can no nothing
about mastering and still get something out of it, which is
pretty much the point.



IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Here are some hand-picked stories you shouldn't miss:


PETER GABRIEL, BRIAN ENO UNVEIL DIGITAL "MANIFESTO"
http://tinyurl.com/yv37q
Rock veterans Peter Gabriel and Brian Eno are launching a
provocative new musicians' alliance that would cut against the
industry grain.


ALMOST HALF OF KAZAA DOWNLOADS CONTAIN VIRUSES
http://tinyurl.com/2zlvx
Just in case you didn't know...


MTV'S LITTLE SECRET: EXCLUSIVITY
http://tinyurl.com/yu4yg
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=19142
From the 'no surprise' department.


STEVE JOBS: THE ROLLING STONE INTERVIEW
http://www.rollingstone.com/features/featuregen.asp?pid=2529
A little insight into the man behind iTunes.


MUSICIANS TURN TO WEED AFTER DEMISE OF MP3.COM
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=60045
Weed. The next big thing? Certainly the next BEST thing.


For more on the latest news that matters to you and me, see
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/newsfeed.htm


THE 2004 MUSICIAN'S ATLAS
One other announcement, I've got the 2004 edition of the
Musician's Atlas now in stock. It's selling in the stores for
$39.95, but I'm selling it for just $36.95. You can even get it
as low as $32.95. Read all about it at
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm


More great articles, as well as web site reviews and resources
below!


David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
Author, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Musician, Recording Artist & Composer
http://www.davidnevue.com



PAID ADVERTISMENT -----------------------------------------------

Do you need music marketing for your website?  Get exposure and
traffic from 200+ music specific resources.

Visit http://www.musicSUBMIT.com

"I just wanted to say that MusicSubmit.com is fantastic. Quite
simply, you guys do exactly as advertised. I've had a whole lot
of opportunity sent my way because of you. Thank you for a great
service. I will spread the word." Marc Douglas Berardo,
MarcDouglas.com

"Every musician who has a website should be using this service!!"
Nick Stamoulis, VisionMusicUSA.com



-----------------------------------------------------------------
Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------


10 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR MAKING A LIVING WITH YOUR MUSIC
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/10makealiving.htm
While there are a million ways to get to any intended
destination, from my observations over the years, this list of
professional habits are shared my most successful musicians who
truly have what it takes to succeed in this totally unpredictable
business of music. Article by Christopher Knab.



MASTERING YOUR MUSIC: WHY YOU NEED IT, WHERE TO GET IT,
AND HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gman_mastering.htm
Mastering is widely misunderstood, often mangled, and sometimes
mistaken for mixing. So, what is mastering? Mastering is what
gives depth, punch, clarity and volume to your tracks. It is part
science, part craft, and part alchemy... just like songwriting,
singing, performing and recording. It's a crucial step, and this
is the essential guide. Article by the G-Man.



LICENSING YOUR MUSIC OVERSEAS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/foreignlicensing.htm
If you are an artist or indie label, one way to significantly
expand your universe is to license your master recordings to
record companies outside the United States. Article by Bart Day.



CAN YOU AFFORD DISTRIBUTION?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/cs_distribution.htm
I get many e-mails from artists and groups asking me about
distribution. They say "We have a band and we're playing locally
and getting good crowds and we sell our CD at gigs. We started
our own label and need to get distribution so we can sell in all
the stores. How can we do that?" The answer is more complex than
you might think. Article by Chris Standring.



ASSEMBLING AN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY TEAM
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/ab_industryteam.htm
Technology today allow artists of all types to be relatively
self-contained. Nevertheless, for many artists, assembling a
"team" is still a crucial step in building a long term career in
the industry and successfully developing, marketing and
exploiting the fruits of the creative process. This article, by
entertainment attorney Anthony Berman is an overview of the
various members that may form the team.



USING COVER SONGS TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC ONLINE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/covertunes.htm
Can a singer or band find a 'niche' marketing their music on the
Internet using old tunes and cover songs? That was a question
recently put to David Nevue, the Music Biz Academy founder.



HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR FRIENDS FOR HELP LATELY?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/bb_friends.htm
Your biggest networking resource might be right under your nose.
Article by Bob Baker.



2004 MUSIC CAREER INVENTORY SHEET
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/inventory.htm
There is no better time than the beginning of a new year to set
new goals and objectives for your music career. Christopher Knab
has created this Career Inventory Sheet as a guide to help you
organize your goals, activities, business needs, and marketing
strategies- all in one easy-to-use form.


-----------------------------------------------------------------


HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
September 2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!



-----------------------------------------------------------------
Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

DO YOU NEED A BARCODE?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/barcode.htm

SENDING CDS ACROSS THE BORDER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveqa5.htm

21 SONGWRITING TIPS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/songwritingtips.htm



-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

WEED
http://www.weedshare.com/index.html
Weed is an innovative digital music distribution system that not
only gives you, as an artist, a means by which to distribute your
digital music, it also pays people to distribute your music for
you. Once you "Weedify" your song files, you can promote them
however and wherever you like. People who download your files can
listen three times for free, and after that, they're prompted to
purchase the song. You keep 50% of your song price, 15% goes to
Weed, and the remaining 35% is distributed to people who share
your music with others. This is the really cool thing about Weed.
Your fans will actually make money distributing your music for
you. Weed is a great idea who's time has come. It rewards people
who both share files AND respects artist’s rights to be paid for
their music. Best of all, it costs you, the artist, nothing to
participate.


KAZAA: THE EMERGING ARTISTS CHANNEL
http://eac.cornerband.com/eac/Channel.asp
If you’ve done any file trading on the Internet, you’re familiar
with Kazaa Media Desktop. It’s the most popular desktop file
sharing utility in the world. Over 250 million people (and
counting) have downloaded this software and use it to search for,
trade, and burn music by countless popular artists. How cool
would it be if, when someone searched Kazaa for a popular artist
such as the Dave Matthews Band (or any other artist whose music
is similar to yours), your song was recommended to them? What if
every time a Kazaa user listened to your song, a window popped up
with information about you and gave the listener the option to
purchase your music?  This is all stuff you can do by promoting
your music via the Emerging Artists Channel. The initial set up
fee, however, is $49.95. After that, you’ll have to pay $9.99 per
month for each song you wish to promote on Kazaa. It’s a hefty
price tag, but if you have a single with a snazzy title and a
catchy twist, you might have a hit on your hands.


HERATY HALL: ATTORNEY'S AT LAW
http://www.heratyhall.com/
Heraty Hall is a law firm that specializes in serving the needs
of artists and professionals in the entertainment industry.
Clients include musicians, record labels, artist management
companies, writers, composers, licensing companies, a PR firm,
and more. They draft and negotiate contracts, form LLCs, consult
on business issues, advise clients of their legal rights, and
help companies organize and define themselves. They pride
themselves on" providing quality low-cost legal representation to
those who would otherwise not have access to it."


KYMTRA DESIGN
http://www.kymtra.com/index.asp
Excellent, cutting-edge design for CDs, packaging, brochures,
posters and more. Really, really nice work.


MUSIC SPECIALIST: FREE CONTRACT EXAMPLES
http://www.asha.com/20034.htm
Music Specialist offers a large number of free sample contracts
to its visitors, including a recording agreement, audio and video
license, management agreement, co-publishing agreement, location
release forms, songwriters agreements and many more. Click on the
"Contracts" button in the left menu.


SHOWBIZJOBS.COM
http://www.showbizjobs.com/dsp_jobsearch.cfm
Although not exclusive to the music business, jobs from within
the industry are certainly included here. Some of the companies
posting job listings here include EMI Music, MTV, Universal and
Warner Bros. Post your resume or view the jobs currently
available for submission. The cost is $35 for 6 months access.


-----------------------------------------------------------------

MUSICIAN'S FRIEND - ALL THE GEAR YOU COULD EVER WANT (AND MORE)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/musiciansfriend.htm
Musician's Friend is the worlds largest direct mail music gear
company - and one of the most respected and trusted companies of
it's kind. With a huge catalog featuring over 900 manufacturers
you can find pretty much anything you want. Check out their
'scratch and dent' specials which include their 100% satisfaction
guarantee. Order their free catalog online or enter their free
weekly $2500 gear giveaway



-----------------------------------------------------------------
Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/opportunities.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunities. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*


INDIE BIBLE LOOKING FOR BAND FOR COVER PHOTO
"My distributor has kindly asked me to ditch the cover "theme"
from the last three Indie Bible's, which was psychedelic artwork
from the famous poster artist, Bob Masse. They want to really
start pushing the book to libraries and music departments, so a
more toned down look that says "music" when you look at it is
required. My graphics person and I are looking for a live band
photo (no solo artist shots) for the next cover (Fall of 2004).
If you are interested, please send "sample" photos to Jane Denny
at themadhand@.... Please make sure that your sample
photos are 500K or less. If you are sending more than one, please
send them in separate e-mails. If your photo is chosen, we can
work out the compensation. You will, of course, be credited with
the intro section of the book."


TV SHOW SEEKING INDIE ARTISTS WITH VIDEOS
"Feedback," a television show designed to instruct independent
musicians on varying aspects of the music business, is seeking
independent artists with performance videos they wish to have
broadcast on the show. All genres are welcome. Feedback will be
aired on Cable access channel 10 in Corpus Christi, Texas and
other cable systems throughout the US, Europe and Australia.
Contact Freddie Veltz III at (361) 857-2488 or via email at
Hurricaneone@....


12TH ANNUAL BILLBOARD SONG CONTEST
http://www.billboard.com/bb/songcontest/index.jsp
Billboard, the world's leading authority on music, is looking for
songs. Whether your style of music is Pop, Rock/Alternative,
Rap/Hip Hop, Country/Folk, Jazz, World, Gospel/Contemporary
Christian, Latin, R&B/Blues, or Dance, the 12th Annual Billboard
Song Contest could offer you unparalleled professional exposure
among some of the music industry's most influential names. There
are over $30,000 in prizes, including musical equipment, song
placement on the 12th Contest Winners CD, a subscription to
Billboard Magazine, and more. Final deadline: Midnight, March 20,
2004. $30 Entry fee.


2004 USA INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net/
Enter to win a grand prize of over US$50,000 in cash, merchandise
and more! This the largest prize package in any annual
songwriting competition. Also, winners' songs will be featured on
a nationally syndicated radio program serving over 60 cities in
the US and Canada. Judges include A&R Managers from Major Record
labels and publishers. Entries must be postmarked by May 28th,
2004. $30 entry fee.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
September 2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2004 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/musiciansatlas.htm
Created by The Music Resource Group, this 368-page volume
provides access to over 30,000 music businesses and key industry
contacts in 25 categories. Current names, phone and fax numbers,
e-mail and web site 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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $36.95! (retails
for $39.95)


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fifth Edition!
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 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 $27.95!


MUSIC IS YOUR BUSINESS - The Second Edition
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 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
$24.95!


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 $55.95!


INTERNET MUSIC MARKETING PDF POWER PACK!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/index.htm
Get the PDF editions of 'How to Promote Your Music Successfully
on the Internet' and 'How to Build a Music Web Site That Sells' -
Both for only $31.95 - Instant Download!


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Some of our Service Partners...
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These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


FREE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR ARTISTS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm
CD Baby is now be offering its members FREE digital distribution
to services like iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, MusicNet and more.
There are NO setup fees for this additional service, period. Once
you sign up to sell your music at CD Baby, digital distribution
is included at no extra charge.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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. NOMA represents worldwide bands,
songwriters, instrumentalists, and composers seeking song
licensing for motion pictures, television, commercials, and video
releases. NOMA's recent song placements include licensing with
"The Shield..Season 3 (Fox Television); "Roswell" (Home Video);
"Party of Five" (Home Video); "Hatchetman"; "Street Fury Onyx"
(DVD release); "Indian Fish - The Movie"; "Dorm Daze" (National
Lampoon) starring Tatiana Ali; "Going Greek"; "Latin Dragon"
starring Gary Busey; "Freshman Diaries" (Showtime); and "Road To
Ironman" (Bravo). NOMA offers tremendous opportunities from
the hundreds of production companies, directors and producers
they have working relationships with, and your music is
aggressively pushed on a day to day basis. There are NO up-front
fees, period. NOMA Music earns its money through licensing on a
commission only basis. Thus, the only way NOMA benefits
financially is when YOU benefit financially.


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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Classifieds...
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Do you need music marketing for your website?  Get exposure and
traffic from 200+ music specific resources.

Visit http://www.musicSUBMIT.com

"I just wanted to say that MusicSubmit.com is fantastic. Quite
simply, you guys do exactly as advertised. I've had a whole lot
of opportunity sent my way because of you. Thank you for a great
service. I will spread the word." Marc Douglas Berardo,
MarcDouglas.com

"Every musician who has a website should be using this service!!"
Nick Stamoulis, VisionMusicUSA.com


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WANT TO GET MORE GIGS AND SELL MORE CDS?

It doesn't get any easier than this...

Discover Thousands of Places to Promote your Music
and get the contacts you need in the music industry with
The Galaris Musicians Directory 2004 Edition!

Amazing! Just point and click to email or visit the site of the
contact you need - right from your computer desktop!

"The most complete, intuitive and updated directory I've ever
seen. Highly recommended" - Derek Sivers - founder, CD Baby.

You owe it to yourself!  Click below and get started now.
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm

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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service in this
newsletter at rates starting at just $40 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by David Nevue and
The Music Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) .

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online.
http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html

Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #58 - November 2003
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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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Hello subscribers, and welcome to the November edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

I've received emails from a few of you wondering where I've been.
After all, it's been *FOUR MONTHS* since the last issue of the
Music Biz Academy Digest. What's going on? One of you even wrote
to ask me if I was still in business!

You bet I'm still in business! I'm all about business! That's
all I do all day (and a good deal of the night, too!)

In any business, there are times you've got to set aside the
'daily routine' stuff (like newsletters) to work on projects
you've been putting off for awhile. That's exactly what I been
doing.

Most of the projects I've been working on are things you, as my
readers, could probably care less about - like my setting up a
new payment gateway, switching merchant account vendors,
researching shopping cart systems, redesigning web sites for
dynamic content and working on a new CD release. I won't bore you
with the details of those.

However, one of the projects I've been working on is extremely
cool, and I just have to share it with you.

On August 1st, I launched a radio broadcast to promote my music
on Live365.com. The program is called "Whisperings: Solo Piano
Radio" (http://www.live365.com/stations/pianoradio). In just
three months time, I've taken the station from obscurity to one
of the most popular radio broadcasts on Live365.com. Right now,
it's in the Top 10 for Classical music, and on the brink of the
Top 10 for the Easy Listening and New Age genres.

Check out these numbers:

"Whisperings: Solo Piano Radio" has accumulated 17,705 listening
hours in just the last *30 days*. In the last week, "Whisperings"
been generating nearly 1000 listening hours *per day*.

1,948 Live365.com listeners have added "Whisperings" to their
station presets.

and 102 listeners have voted "Whisperings" their *favorite*
broadcast on all of Live365.com

For three months of promotion, this is just astounding.

As many of you know, I used to be a big proponent of MP3.com (for
all the good that does now!). At Live365.com, I'm getting more
exposure for my music than I *ever* received at MP3.com. While I
managed between 2 and 3 thousand song listens a day at MP3.com,
I'm doing almost *twice* that at Live365.com.

And, as a result of the broadcast, I've had the great pleasure of
corresponding with a number of 'name' solo piano artists who are
now participating with me on the Whisperings Radio project.

I tell you all this for one reason: to encourage you.

For those of you looking for another venue to promote your
music, particularly now that MP3.com as we know it is history,
invest some time in marketing yourself to Internet Radio. It's a
wide open market. Literally anyone can set up their own radio
broadcast to promote their music.

And while you ponder that, think about how many *existing*
Internet broadcasters might consider your music for their
broadcast. Most broadcasters on Live365.com are normal folk, not
ClearChannel clones. They are people you can actually talk to,
people you can email from their station.

So get on Live365.com, find your genre, listen to a few stations,
and contact the DJs where appropriate. There are a whole lotta
listeners out there looking for new music.

I know, because their finding me.

I cover the topic of Internet Radio in my book, 'How to Promote
Your Music Successfully on the Internet.' In the 2004 edition,
which I hope to have out in January or so, I'll be addressing the
issue in much more detail based on my recent experiences. So keep
an eye out for that.

Until next time,

David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
Author, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Musician, Recording Artist & Composer
http://www.davidnevue.com


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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
September 2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO WRITE A MUSIC-RELATED PRESS RELEASE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/pressrelease.htm
All the basics, straight and to the point. How and when to write
a press release, what the print and broadcast media need, layout,
essential information, and press release structure. Article by
Christopher Knab.


INTERVIEW WITH AN INTERNET MUSIC MARKETING PIONEER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/interview1103.htm
This interview with Music Biz Academy founder David Nevue is
courtesy of Louise Hall, Vertigo, student magazine of Sydney
Australia's University of Technology. Get David's take on being
an flourishing independent musician in today's digital world.


TOP 10 FREE MUSIC PROMOTION NEWSLETTERS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/top10ezines.htm
Our good friends at The Bard's Crier have updated their list of
the top ten music marketing and promotion newsletters available
on the net. We totally agree with them... with one exception. In
their humility, they didn't include their own newsletter, which
should definitely be there!


MONEY FOR YOUR MUSIC: THE FACTS ABOUT MUSIC LICENSING
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/gman_money.htm
Where music meets licensing, there's money to be made. How much
money? "I have synched quite a few thousand songs into
productions over the years," states Peter Jansson of Janssongs,
Inc., "and have charged anywhere between US$1.00 and US$250,000
for each one." That's correct: he said a quarter of a million
dollars. And there are a great many places to earn money from
music... Article by the G-Man.


HOW RETAIL AND RADIO WORK TOGETHER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/retail_radio.htm
"...if a label gets to where it has at least four or five acts,
and EACH one is charting in their respective airplay chart, and
is doing 100+ gigs per year, and is getting 50+ articles/reviews
per year, then it MIGHT be time to consider real retail promotion
and distribution." Article by Bryan Farrish


AUTOMATING YOUR CAREER INTO GEAR
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/klovemanage.htm
Most musicians deplore working the business aspects of their
careers, only doing so as a necessary evil and, usually, as a
means to an end. Like it or not, most musicians are relegated to
serving as their own manager. How can an artist keep their act
progressing until they attract interest from a real manager?
Article by Kenny Love


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

PLANNING YOUR RADIO PROMOTION CAMPAIGN
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/radiocampaign.htm

GUERRILLA MUSIC MARKETING SUGGESTIONS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/gmm_suggest.htm

COPYRIGHT AND SONGWRITING BASICS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/copyright.htm


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MUSICIAN'S FRIEND - ALL THE GEAR YOU COULD EVER WANT (AND MORE)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/musiciansfriend.htm
Musician's Friend is the worlds largest direct mail music gear
company - and one of the most respected and trusted companies of
it's kind. With a huge catalog featuring over 900 manufacturers
you can find pretty much anything you want. Check out their
'scratch and dent' specials which include their 100% satisfaction
guarantee. Order their free catalog online or enter their free
weekly $2500 gear givaway


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------


ABOUT.COM: MUSICIANS' EXCHANGE
http://musicians.about.com/
About.com's Musicians' Exchange is a great place to just drop by
and surf for awhile. There are some cleverly written articles,
along with the usual slew of useful links, resources, and
reviews. You'll find information on promotion, legal, gear,
labels, producers, and organizations. Lots to look at.


BANDNAME.COM
http://www.bandname.com/
Bandname.com, 'The Worldwide Band Name Registry' is much more
than that. It's an information hub containing data on thousands
of resources of interest to independent musicians. You'll find
databases for booking agents, venues, publishers, management and
a great selection of articles on the business as well.


BANDPASSES.COM
http://www.bandpasses.com/index.html
At BandPasses.com, you can have some very cool laminated security
and promotional backstage passes made for your concert or other
event. The basic package, 12 passes with 1 side printed in color
and neck cords, just $39. Also available - laminated mini key
chains, baggage tags, tickets and clips, printed guitar picks and
buttons. Actually, all in all, a unique, creative service idea.
Check out the sample gallery.


FESTIVAL FINDER
http://www.festivalfinder.com/
At FestivalFinder.com, you'll discover the latest details on more
than 2500 music festivals in North America. Festivals are
categorized by genre, or use the search feature to locate
festivals by date, location, performers or festival name. A quick
browse of each category tells you what's coming up in the next
couple of months. A simple design that provides you the info you
want very quickly.


GIGORAMA: GIG TRACKING SOFTWARE
http://www.gigorama.com/
"The incredibly easy to use gig tracking software for musicians."
Do all this and more: book gigs and appointments, produce
ready-to-sign contracts in seconds, generate and print financial
reports, build and save your favorite song/set lists, create
musician/contacts databases, develop an equipment inventory
database, fill out and print real copyright forms, import over a
thousand clubs and venues, use customizable business letter
templates, auto-copy and calculate repeat gigs and more...
available for as low as $69.95. *Note*: this is not an
endorsement from the MBA. It just looked interesting to me, so
I'm passing the info on to you.


LIZ KALLOCH GRAPHIC DESIGN
http://www.lizkalloch.com/pages/graphic.html
Liz does some very nice design work for CD packaging, as well as
calendars, books, logo design and mixed media. Very stylistic,
and definitely NOT your typical cookie-cutter art design.


RECORD LABELS ON THE WEB
http://www.rlabels.com/
An excellent, no frills, searchable database of record labels on
the web. Contains over 5000+ links, searchable by location or
category.


TALENTMATCH.COM
http://www.talentmatch.com/
The Music Biz Academy remains very skeptical about services such
as TalentMatch, however, with success stories from the likes of
Annie Minogue, it's hard to discard them entirely. TalentMatch
resembles a 'dating service' for artists seeking work - you can
create your online portfolio, search job and showcase postings,
and hope you hook up with someone in need of your services. There
is a 'free' membership option, but the real guts is in the 'pro'
service, which is only $8.99 per month. In reality, this
membership gets you some cool stuff - a fan club manager, event
calendar, an ePortfolio, on-site email and more. All in all, not
a bad package.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/opportunities.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*


DIY MUSIC FESTIVAL - CALL FOR ENTRIES
http://www.DIYMusicFestival.com
The 2004 DIY Music Festival is now accepting entries for its
annual awards ceremony and showcase, which teams top independent
talent with nationally-recognized acts as part of the 2004 DIY
Convention in Los Angeles. This year, for the first time, we are
holding year-round showcases in various cities, including
Nashville, New York and Los Angeles. Entries to the DIY Music
Festival are eligible for consideration for all dates,
culminating in our grand finale in February, 2004 that will team
winning entries with national acts in a major concert showcase.
Submissions to the 2004 DIY Music Festival must have been
released after Jan. 1, 2001 and created using recording equipment
and other tools generally available to anyone. Deading for
entries is January 25th, 2004. $25 registration fee.


12TH ANNUAL BILLBOARD SONG CONTEST
http://www.billboard.com/bb/songcontest/index.jsp
Billboard, the world's leading authority on music, is looking for
songs. Whether your style of music is Pop, Rock/Alternative,
Rap/Hip Hop, Country/Folk, Jazz, World, Gospel/Contemporary
Christian, Latin, R&B/Blues, or Dance, the 12th Annual Billboard
Song Contest could offer you unparalleled professional exposure
among some of the music industry's most influential names. There
are over $30,000 in prizes, including musical equipment, song
placement on the 12th Contest Winners CD, a subscription to
Billboard Magazine, and more. Final deadline: Midnight, March 20,
2004. $30 Entry fee.


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News and Articles From Around The Net....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/newsfeed.htm
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MP3.COM ACQUIRED BY CNET
http://tinyurl.com/vksj
The web site as we know it will cease to exist on December 2nd,
2003. CNET will introduce a new MP3 service in its place.


CD BABY ANNOUNCES FREE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION FOR INDIES
http://members.cdbaby.com/about/rainmusic
CD Baby will now be offering its members free digital
distribution to services like iTunes and Listen.com’s Rhapsody.
Once you’re a member of CDBaby you can elect to make your music
available to these services, as well as eMusic, AOL's MusicNet,
MusicMatch, the new Napster and more for FREE.


"NEW" ORCHARD LAUNCHES WITH NEW INVESTORS, MANAGEMENT TEAM
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=58179
Orchard Global Media Group (GMG) announced today that it has
finalized a high seven-figure equity investment by a private fund
investing exclusively in independent music. In addition, the
company has selected Greg Scholl as its new president & CEO. "Our
first order of business is getting right with the artists and
labels that have patiently stuck it out with us despite the
challenges The Orchard faced over the past several years," said
Scholl "After receiving funding, we paid out a substantial amount
to our artists and labels. We are in the process of implementing
clearer policies about payment terms, along with making
technology investments that will allow artists who use our
service complete transparency into their accounts – what is
where, what sold when, and what was paid when."


YOUR 99c BELONGS TO THE RIAA - STEVE JOBS
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/33850.html
Wasn't the Internet, this weightless kingdom of bits and bytes,
supposed to make distribution costs just vanish? Apparently not.
At an Apple financial analyst conference on Wednesday CEO Steve
Jobs admitted that Apple makes no revenue from the online
download service, the iTunes Music Store, that he launched in
April. As iTMS is the leading download service, with 80 per cent
market share (or so Jobs claimed), where's your 99 cents per song
going? "Most of the money goes to the music companies," admitted
Jobs. "We would like to break even/make a little bit of money but
it's not a money maker," he said, candidly. So now we have it on
record: the music store is a loss leader. Jobs said Apple would
pay its dues to the RIAA, then seek to make money where it could,
from its line of hardware accessories.


THE GROWTH OF SATELLITE RADIO
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=58994
A couple of years ago, investors and radio listeners alike
wondered if a satellite subscription service could compete with
so-called 'free radio.' Today, that question has been answered as
XM Satellite Radio celebrates a milestone -- its one-millionth
customer.


DIGITAL SINGLES CLOSE TO ECLIPSING HARD COPIES
http://tinyurl.com/vktf
Digital tracks are outselling physical singles by a growing
margin, a sign that consumers increasingly are embracing the
brave new world of Internet downloading. Digital download sales
outpaced physical singles 857,000 to 170,000, according to
Nielsen SoundScan figures for the week ending Oct. 26. That's
slightly more than a 5-to-1 ratio. Sean Ryan, VP of music
services at RealNetworks, says that the rise of digital track
sales carries a "symbolic significance," illustrating the music
industry's shift to online delivery options. He also says it
indicates a real opportunity for the music business: "Selling
individual songs as an offline strategy wasn't working all that
well, but online it can be a huge hit."


DREAMWORKS TO EXIT THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://tinyurl.com/vktq
Chalk up one more vote of no confidence in the music business:
David Geffen's. The music mogul turned deal-maker and his
DreamWorks SKG partners, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg,
have agreed to sell their company's small music label to Vivendi
Universal for less than $100 million, according to people
familiar with the deal. The sale means DreamWorks, originally
envisioned as a multifaceted entertainment company, is now purely
a live-action and animated-films studio. Vivendi's Universal
Music Group, meanwhile, will add a small number of artists, most
notably country star Toby Keith, to its roster, bolstering its
title as the world's largest music company.


NAPSTER 2.0 GOES LIVE
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/33655.html
Napster goes live today, segueing from the beta release launched
earlier this month into a fully fledged version 2.0, whose only
real connection with the infamous file swapping service of yore
is the headphoned cat logo. Like Apple's iTunes Music Store,
which provided the template for the new service, Napster 2.0
offers downloads for 99 cents a song or $9.95 for a whole album's
worth, with 30s previews of each song available for punters who
want to try before they buy.


1 MILLION COPIES OF ITUNES FOR WINDOWS DOWNLOADED IN 3.5 DAYS
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=58354
Apple today announced that Windows users have downloaded more
than one million copies of its new iTunes for Windows digital
jukebox software in just three and a half days since its launch
last Thursday, and over one million songs have been purchased and
downloaded by iTunes users in the same period. "We're off to a
great start, and our competition isn't even out of the starting
gates yet," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. An astounding 14
million songs have been purchased and downloaded since the
original iTunes Music Store launch in April, solidifying the
iTunes Music Store's position as the number one download music
service in the world.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
September 2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fifth Edition!
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 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 $27.95!


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 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
$24.95!


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 $52.95!


INTERNET MUSIC MARKETING PDF POWER PACK!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/index.htm
Get the PDF editions of 'How to Promote Your Music Successfully
on the Internet' and 'How to Build a Music Web Site That Sells' -
Both for only $31.95 - Instant Download!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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. NOMA represents worldwide bands,
songwriters, instrumentalists, and composers seeking song
licensing for motion pictures, television, commercials, and video
releases. Recent song placements include licenses with "Freshman
Diaries" (Showtime); "The Shield" and "Hatchetman" (Fox
Television), "Initial D" (animated DVD series), "Paris" starring
Karen Black (CBS Television), "Dorm Day Crazy" starring Tatyana
Ali and Randy Spelling, "Latin Dragon" starring Gary Busey; and
"Street Fury Inferno". NOMA offers tremendous opportunities from
the hundreds of production companies, directors and producers
they have working relationships with, and your music is
aggressively pushed on a day to day basis. There are NO up-front
fees, period. NOMA Music earns its money through licensing on a
commission only basis. Thus, the only way NOMA benefits
financially is when YOU benefit financially.


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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Yes, you can advertise your web site or service in this
newsletter at rates starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by David Nevue and
The Music Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) .

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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #57 - July 2003
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
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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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Hello subscribers, and welcome to the July edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

I have some big, big news for my fellow independent musicians.
CD Baby announced over the weekend that members can now submit
their music for inclusion Apple's iTunes Music Store. That means
you'll be able to sell, and make royalties from digital downloads
of your music to anyone who has access to iTunes.

If you haven't heard about iTunes (time to wake up), it
represents the biggest consumer leap to digital music in years.
The launch of the iTunes store was an event of *huge* magnitude,
resulting in the sale of millions of songs at .99 cents each -
and that's just on the Mac platform. iTunes is soon coming to a
Windows PC near you.

IPOD, ITUNES PUT APPLE AT CORE OF MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://tinyurl.com/hd08

At any rate, I'm so impressed by what CD Baby has been doing for
indie artists. Derek Sivers, CD Baby founder (and a musician
himself) has represented us all very well. And it doesn't stop
there. When you sign up for CD Baby's digital distribution
service, you're music is automatically considered for inclusion
in Listen.com's Rhapsody service as well as any other digital
music distribution opportunity that comes along. CD Baby's charge
for setting you up for digital distribution is a one-time fee of
$40 per CD. They then keep only 9% and pay you 91% of all income
from your music.

Derek has asked me, in announcing this, to make clear that Apple
reserves the right *not* to include certain CD titles in the
iTunes store. It's unclear exactly what that means, but very
probably it's just Apple's way of having an 'out' if, for any
reason, they feel they need to refuse someone.

Are you a member of CD Baby? If not, you're missing out. Sign up
for CD Baby at http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdbaby.htm or, if
you want to read more about CD Baby, visit the Music Biz Academy
at http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory/musichosting.htm for
my just updated review.

By the way, I met with Derek at CD Baby HQ last week and we plan
on putting together a music business seminar for folks in the
Oregon/Washington area. I'll keep you posted.

In other news...

While CD Baby's stock is rising, MP3.com's is dropping rapidly.
You might recall my somewhat recent article 'Is MP3.com on its
Last Leg' (http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/mp3p4p.htm).
Well, that 'last leg' is starting to cramp up.

Vivendi Universal has closed the European arm of MP3.com, and
will 'go silent' on August 8th. The 'U.S.' arm of MP3.com is
still alive and kicking, but Vivendi's looking for a buyer.

If you're a regular reader to this column, you know what a big
fan of MP3.com I am. With over 1.5 million song plays, I've been
able to use MP3.com to sell a lot of CDs and send floods of
traffic to my 'official' artist web site. If MP3.com goes down, I
know I, for one, will very much miss it.

I am hoping, truly, that someone will pick up MP3.com and bring
it back to what it initially set out to be - a comfortable, cozy
home for independent artists everywhere to share their music.

VIVENDI CUTS LOSSES WITH MP3.COM
http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/story/0,7497,994876,00.html

OK, there's plenty of other stuff you should know. The RIAA's
launched their campaign to sue hundreds of individuals for
illegally swapping music online. I don't have much to say on this
topic other than if you're downloading music illegally, it's time
to pause and consider the possible ramifications. There are
plenty of ways you can get all the music you want at an
affordable price using legal means (such as iTunes & Rhapsody).
You can no longer say "I didn't know."

RIAA ISSUES 871 SUBPOENAS AGAINST MUSIC TRADERS
http://tinyurl.com/hlcg

RIAA 'SHOCK AND AWE' MOVES TO ISPS
http://tinyurl.com/hcyy

LEGAL LOSS OPENS UNIVERSITY NETWORKS TO MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2137777,00.html

BILL WOULD PUT INTERNET SONG SWAPPERS IN JAIL
http://tinyurl.com/hd0k

ARE YOU IN RIAA'S CROSS HAIRS?
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,59392,00.html

Also in the news, Roxio is going to spend $20 Million to relaunch
Napster as a legal online music service. Be watching for that:

ROXIO TO SPEND $20 MILLION ON NAPSTER RELAUNCH
http://tinyurl.com/hd1u

Billboard Magazine has started charting Internet music downloads:

BILLBOARD TO CHART INTERNET MUSIC DOWNLOADS
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2136992,00.html

And a group representing small webcasters is threatening to sue
the RIAA on Antitrust grounds:

WEBCASTERS THREATEN TO SUE RIAA
http://tinyurl.com/hd11

And here's my list of 'way cool articles' for this month. First,
check out how recording artist Liz Phair intends to turn her
major label situation to do her advantage. To quote "If this
record goes, I can do things on my own. But if this record
doesn't go, then Capitol will drop me because of the amount of
money they've spent on it, and I can go to an indie."

PHAIR PLAY: LIZ INDULGES IN THE MAJOR LABEL GAME
http://tinyurl.com/hd0t

And don't miss this amazingly creative promo campaign for solo
artist Rachel Farris that's going to net her exposure to over 3
million people...

BIG3 RECORDS LAUNCHES SINGER/SONGWRITER ON LIDROCK
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=53702

Gibson will be the first to introduce a digital guitar.....

GIBSON DARES TO MAKE ELECTRIC GUITARS DIGITAL
http://tinyurl.com/fux1

And finally,

HOW LABELS AND ARTISTS DIVVY UP YOUR MP3 DOLLAR
http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/0,1640,49472,00.html

Phew! That was a lot.

By the way, don't miss my new article, 'A Better, Braver World
for Independent Musicians.' If you'd like to use it on your own
web site, just ask.

A BETTER, BRAVER WORLD FOR INDEPENDENT MUSICIANS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/betterworld.htm

Until next time,

David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
Author, How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com
Musician, Recording Artist & Composer
http://www.mp3.com/davidnevue


----SPONSORED ADVERTISING----------------------------------------

--<<>>---<<>> ATTENTION ALL MUSICIANS! <<>>---<<>>-----
Learn practical ways to promote your music that you can
put into practice today! PLUS expose your music to a
whole new crowd of music lovers around the world! All
you need is a FREE subscription to Culture Shocker!
Get yours: mailto:cultureshocker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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A BETTER, BRAVER WORLD FOR INDEPENDENT MUSICIANS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/betterworld.htm
What kind of opportunities await independent musicians today as
opposed to, say, ten years ago? That was the question posed to
Music Biz Academy founder David Nevue in this interview for Henry
Hutton, Internet Media Director for Lulu.com.


COMPARING INDIE RESOURCES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/dj_indiereview.htm
A side by side comparison of The Indie Bible, The Musician's
Atlas, Billboard's Guide to Touring and Promotion and the Galaris
Music Directory. "As a musician I see these resources listed all
over the place and I always wondered about the differences
between them. I sat down with my documents and tried to compare
'apples to apples.' By David Jackson.


MAKING YOUR FANS YOUR CLOSEST ALLIES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/klovefans.htm
Are you keeping your fans at an arms' distance? Or are you
treating them like family? If you're neglecting your fans, you're
missing out on one of your biggest promotional assets. Article by
Kenny Love.


A MUSICIAN'S ACTION PLAN (WITH FREE WORKSHEET)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/kb_actionplan.htm
Check out this amazing 'Action Plan' worksheet by Kathy Brackley
of Artists Studio Magazine


10 REASONS WHY MOST DEMOS ARE REJECTED
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/10demosrejected.htm
"Getting a deal" has long been the goal of many would-be artists
and bands. For mostly naive reasons, most new talent feel that by
securing a recording contract success will be guaranteed. (talk
about naivete). To get this 'belief system' up and running, many
musicians figure all they have to do is send off their music to a
label, and a recording contract will come their way shortly....
Article by Christopher Knab.


18 MORE SONGWRITING TIPS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/songwritingtips_more.htm
Making something out of nothing can be a challenge. Here are more
great tips from songwriter Ken Hill to get your creative juices
flowing.


SETTING UP RADIO INTERVIEWS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/interviews.htm
"After your airplay for your song/album is progressing, radio
interviews are a great way to make use of the fact that the
stations are liking your material. Also, as opposed to touring,
interviews can be done on the phone, which means a lot of ground
can be covered... even in a single day." Article by Bryan Farrish


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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THE BUSINESS OF LIVE PERFORMANCE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/liveperf.htm

HOW TO BECOME A 'PRIORITY' ACT AT A RECORD LABEL
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/priority.htm

25 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT RECORD DISTRIBUTION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/recorddistribution.h
tm


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MUSICIAN'S FRIEND - ALL THE GEAR YOU COULD EVER WANT (AND MORE)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/musiciansfriend.htm
Musician's Friend is the worlds largest direct mail music gear
company - and one of the most respected and trusted companies of
it's kind. With a huge catalog featuring over 900 manufacturers
you can find pretty much anything you want. Check out their
'scratch and dent' specials which include their 100% satisfaction
guarantee. Order their free catalog online or enter their free
weekly $2500 gear givaway


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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AR PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
http://www.arpromotionalproducts.com
AR offers a large supply of promotional products upon which you
can imprint your logo, text or design. Apparel, bags, caps,
keychains, magnets, mugs and much more. Lots and lots of goodies
to promote your band or image.


CHEAP TV SPOTS!
http://www.cheap-tv-spots.com/
Want to make that 'As Seen on TV' spot for your band or CD? Now
you can do it for less than $500. Cheap TV Spots will help you
come up with a concept, and even help you get your ad on
television if you like. Promote your album, support distribution,
or advertise your direct sales web site with inexpensive TV
spots. Local, regional, national, international and multilingual
service available.


FOCUS MARKETING
http://www.focusmarketing.us/music/
Dedicated to artists, artists management and labels executive,
Focus Marketing offers a unique expertise in building effective
bridges between data analysis and practical marketing and
promotion. In other words, Focus helps you target your fanbase
with direct marketing, gig optimization, or creating an
entertainment experience your fans won't soon forget. If you're
looking for someone to help you refine your marketing plan, focus
here.


INDIE BAND MANAGER
http://www.indiebandmanager.com/
"Organize, manage, promote, book, and jumpstart your own band (or
any number of bands) with Indie Band Manager, database software
specifically for independent professional musicians, performers,
managers, publicists, and record labels. Available for Macintosh
or Windows PCs, Indie Band Manager is an all-in-one tool to
manage your Contact Lists, Bookings (with performance contract),
To Do Lists, Directories (with 1000s of industry contacts),
Calendars, Invoices (for direct sales or consignment sales),
Income/Expenses, Travel Itineraries, Set Lists, and More. It also
has a built-in Personalized Mass Email Tool, quick links to
MapQuest or YahooMaps, everything you need to step up and run
your band like a true professional. No internet connection is
required and there are no monthly subscription fees."


REAL LIFE MARKETING
http://www.reallifemarketing.com/
Real Life Marketing focuses on taking your music directly into
the stores and venues your target audience frequents - cafe's,
art galleries, church youth groups, skate and surf shops,
alternative clothing stores and more. The RLM network, in total,
exceeds over 4,000 locations nationally, and in 2002, RLM
distributed over 150,000 compilation CDs and 2.5 million
magazines. Clients include some pretty heavy talent, such as Amy
Grant, Ani DeFranco, Arvil Lavigne, B.B. King, Barenaked Ladies,
and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Some impressive stats.


RECORDING CONNECTION
http://www.recordingconnection.com
How would you like to work in a recording studio?
Recording connection provides on-the-job training for those
looking for full or part time employment in the music industry.
Your 'school' is an actual recording studio in your town! Courses
include basic studio operating procedures, mic and instrument
setup, recording console parts and functions, audio theory,
mixing, acoustics and much more. Get exposure to job
opportunities as a recording engineer, mixer, digital workstation
operator, mastering engineer, and more. Check out the very
impressive alumni credits.


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 an artist's 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.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/opportunities.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*


THE 2003 WINDRIFT MUSIC SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.windriftmusic.com/2003/index.htm?mba
Over $30,000 in cash and prizes to be won!!! Fabulous Sponsors
and Industry Professional Judges. Open now till July 31st, 2003
deadline. FREE e-Book, & Music Industry Discounts with every
entry! Monthly spot-prizes, Early Bird Bonuses & FREE entries
available! Enter online or by mail. $20 entry fee.


'MUSIC BIZ 101' CONFERENCE
http://www.deftenterprises.biz/
Music Biz 101 is the powerhouse conference in South Florida that
represents all facets of the music entertainment industry
including labels, producers, publicists, managers, financial
planners, attorneys, songwriters and publishers. Learn from key
industry people about strategies, meeting challenges and seizing
opportunities in the music industry. The conference is Friday,
August 29th through Sunday, August 31th, 2003 at Radisson Mart
Resort in Miami, Florida. Attendies include representatives from
BMI, ASCAP, The Harry Fox Agency and others. For more info, call
305-259-8453 or visit the web site.


INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
$100,000 in cash and prizes to be given away. 68 winners in 13
categories. Overall Grand Prize Winner - $10,000 cash and $25,000
merchandise. Judges include Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Monte
Lipman - President of Universal Records, Tina Davis - Sr. VP of
A&R Def Jam, Rose Noone - Sr. VP of A&R at Epic Records and more.
All entries must be postmarked on or before September 15, 2003.
$30 entry fee.


JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST
http://www.jlsc.com/
This Contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters who
submit entries in any one of 12 musical categories.  Entries will
be judged based upon originality, melody, composition, and lyrics
(when applicable). Instrumental compositions are encouraged. Over
$225,000 in cash awards and prizes, $20,000 for the "Maxell Song
of the Year," $60,000 in EMI Music Publishing contracts, $60,000
in Yamaha Project studio equipment, 12 Grand Prize Winners
receive 1000 CD's from Discmakers. One winner’s band will be
selected by WARPED TOUR ’04 organizers to tour and perform for
one week on WARPED TOUR ’04. A total of 120 Winners!!!!  Contest
Deadline is September 28th. $30 entry fee.


SHOWCASE ON TV IN NASHVILLE
http://www.nashvilleconnection.com/countrytalentsearch1.html
Talent Search TV (TSTV), a monthly competition, is giving artists
a chance for much needed exposure in Music City. The last weekend
of each month, starting March 29, TSTV will begin the first of
eight competitions that will run through October. Contestants
will compete for the $100 monthly winner position and advance to
the Grand Finals in November. The Grand Prize includes $1000
cash; a two song recording session; a music video to be aired on
Travlin' Music Television's American Music Showcase shown to
536,000 homes; A photo shoot; an Epiphone acoustic guitar; a
showcase at THE TRAP & Nashville's Legendary Hall of Fame Lounge
and Hotel accommodations in Nashville For 4 nights on Music Row.
Deadline for entry, October 31st 2003. $35 entry fee.


DIY MUSIC FESTIVAL - CALL FOR ENTRIES
http://www.DIYMusicFestival.com
The 2004 DIY Music Festival is now accepting entries for its
annual awards ceremony and showcase, which teams top independent
talent with nationally-recognized acts as part of the 2004 DIY
Convention in Los Angeles. This year, for the first time, we are
holding year-round showcases in various cities, including
Nashville, New York and Los Angeles. Entries to the DIY Music
Festival are eligible for consideration for all dates,
culminating in our grand finale in February, 2004 that will team
winning entries with national acts in a major concert showcase.
Submissions to the 2004 DIY Music Festival must have been
released after Jan. 1, 2001 and created using recording equipment
and other tools generally available to anyone. Deading for
entries is January 25th, 2004. $25 registration fee.



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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Tonos Opportunities
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
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R&B/POP ARTIST WANTED FOR PRODUCTION DEAL
A multi-platinum German producer, who has successfully developed
a dozen artists for many major labels, seeks a female R&B/Pop
artist for a production deal. The artist will be developed for
the European market. Since they will be recording in Florida, the
producer prefers Florida-based artists or artists willing to
relocate. After recording, the artist will have to move to Europe
to promote the album. They are looking for artists with strong
vocals in the range of 2+ octaves. You must have your own
personal style, a la J-Lo, Beyonce Knowles or Alicia Keyes. Some
studio and live performance experience strongly preferred.
Deadline is August 8th, 2003


SONGS FOR TV/FILM/DVD PROJECTS WANTED
A music publishing company that supplies source and background
music to clients primarily in network daytime television, feature
film promotion and DVD re-release is looking for songs in the
following genres:

Male Pop/Alternative
Female Pop/Alternative
Dance (all styles from techno to Dirty Vegas and beyond)

All selections need to be full-length songs with vocals, good
production values, and composers must also have full rights to
the sound recordings. Their license with the composers is not
exclusive, and composers retain all rights to the copyright. All
composers need to be affiliated with either ASCAP, BMI or SESAC.
Deadline is August 15th, 2003.


MAJOR NASHVILLE PUBLISHER WANTS SINGER-SONGWRITERS FOR DEALS
A&R rep of a major Music Publisher, is looking for country
singer-songwriters to sign to publishing deals. This music
publishing company is a major Nashville presence, and they
seeking unique country singer-songwriters with material that is
outside the box, but still accessible enough for contemporary
country radio. This publisher is interested in artists who are
gigging regularly and have a following and/or some label
interest. They're also prepared to put together a three-year
commitment for more of a development deal. Deadline is August
30th, 2003


For more info on these and other opportunities, please visit
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm


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Articles From Around The Net....
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WHAT'S HOLDING BACK ONLINE MUSIC?
http://tinyurl.com/hd0y
How do you sell snow on the North Pole? That's the type of
problem confronting music companies that want college students
and other Internet users to pay to download music instead of swap
it for free. If music is available for nothing, why pay? The
music industry believes that it loses $3.5 billion a year to
pirating through sites like the now-shuttered Napster and its
successors, such as Kazaa, Morpheus and Grokster. Music sales
have fallen 25 percent since Napster was launched four years ago,
and the industry has had three responses: erecting technological
barriers to downloading; filing lawsuits against downloaders and
their enablers; and creating legal, alternative sites that charge
downloading fees that flow to record companies and artists. But
according to Wharton marketing professor Peter Fader, who studies
online businesses, another promising approach is getting too
little attention.


HOW LABELS AND ARTISTS DIVVY UP YOUR MP3 DOLLAR
http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/0,1640,49472,00.html
The going rate for downloading songs from online music services
like Apple's (AAPL) iTunes Music Store, MusicNet, Pressplay, and
Rhapsody is about $1 a pop. Yet the economics of recorded music
sales haven't changed much since the vinyl era -- despite the
fact that digital files cost very little to produce and
distribute. So how much of your buck makes its way back to the
artists? Not much, though it's clearly a better deal than they
get from piracy.


IS DOWNLOADING KILLING ALBUMS ONE SONG AT A TIME?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,90814,00.html
Video didn't kill the radio star, but downloading could very well
spell the end of the album. With the monster success of Apple's
iTunes, in which 5 million songs were legally downloaded in eight
weeks, the big question in the music industry is, will full 10-
to 15- song albums become extinct? The answer, according to some
experts' best guess, is yes and no. “Albums for people like
Britney Spears are over, but for other people it means more
opportunities,” said Ian Rogers former president of new media for
the Beastie Boys' company Grand Royal.


BEYOND KAZAA, A GRAND PLAN
http://tinyurl.com/fazb
Nikki Hemming, who runs the world's most popular service for
sharing online music and other files, has a message for the
people who hate her most: Kazaa, infamous for enabling users to
swap music and videos without paying for them, wants to be the
official online distributor for the entertainment industry.
"Realize that this technology is inexorable, and come to the
table" is what Hemming said she would say to chief music-industry
lobbyist Hilary B. Rosen and Jack Valenti, head of the Motion
Picture Association of America.


IPOD, ITUNES PUT APPLE AT CORE OF MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://tinyurl.com/hd08
If Steve Jobs is indeed King Arthur come to remake the
stuttering, slumping record business into a musical Camelot, the
new iPod is his Excalibur. Sharp? As a Gillette Mach 3 blade.
Sexy, like Antonio Banderas in Broadway's "Nine." Snow white and
silver, the colors of purity. Sufficiently hip to make the
redesigned iPods - despite their premium prices - the No. 1 MP3
music player in the United States. If Apple's new iTunes Music
Store, combined with the appeal of the iPod, isn't the Great
White-and-Chrome Hope of the labels, it's the closest, best thing
they've got.



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MUSICDISTRIBUTION.COM
http://www.musicdistribution.com/
Taking Independent Music to the Next Level...


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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MUSIC INDUSTRY CRUSHED BY 1.1 BILLION FAKE CDS
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,995979,00.html
The music industry is bracing itself for another battering from
rampant piracy as global sales of illegal CD recordings surge
through the one billion barrier. Figures yesterday from the
International Federation of the Phonographic Industry showed
worldwide sales of illegal CDs last year had jumped 14% to 1.1bn
in 2002, raking in $4.6bn for pirates. The growth of CD copying
and online file sharing is expected to damage growth prospects
for the $32bn industry over coming years. The market shrank 7%
last year and faces a decline of up to 8% this year.


NAPSTER FOUNDER DEVELOPING NEW FILE-SHARING TECHNOLOGY
http://tinyurl.com/hd13
Napster creator Shawn Fanning is looking for backers of
technology he's developing that would let file-sharing networks
distribute music without violating copyrights, people familiar
with the project said. Fanning's technology would recognize
copyrighted songs on a network and let the copyright owners set a
price for downloading them. That's quite a departure from the
original Napster service, which let users copy songs from each
others' computers free.


JUDGE: KAZAA CAN'T PURSUE ANTITRUST LAWSUIT
http://tinyurl.com/ghqf
Sharman Networks, the company behind the popular Kazaa
file-swapping software, cannot pursue a suit accusing record
labels and movie studios of antitrust violations, a federal judge
has ruled. In the ruling, dated July 2, U.S. District Judge
Stephen Wilson dismissed Sharman's argument that major
entertainment companies have colluded to drive potential online
rivals out of business, saying the company lacks any standing to
make such a claim. Sharman does not provide movies and music
online but rather distributes software that allows individuals to
swap digital files, the judge said.


MUSIC INDUSTRY YET TO SOLVE MONEY PUZZLE
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2137131,00.html
The music industry may have begun to figure out how to sell
digital downloads, but making money from them is another story.
As the 99 cent (59 pence) digital singles model begins to take
root across the industry through services like Apple's iTunes
Music Store, Liquid Audio, Rhapsody and a host of others set to
launch for the PC this autumn, industry executives and artist
representatives are questioning whether the pricing model makes
sense financially. With all parties involved angling for nickels
and dimes in the average download sale, labels, artists and
service providers all agree on at least one thing: no one is
getting rich from singles sales at this point.


METALLICA, PEPPERS, SPURN APPLE
http://tinyurl.com/hd17
Rock bands The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica are refusing
to make their music available as individual downloads on Apple
Computer Inc's iTunes online music store, a representative for
the bands, said Wednesday. That move comes in response to Apple's
decision to allow users to buy single tracks and is intended to
protect the future of the long-playing album, the format that has
dominated the music industry for decades, an agent for the bands
said. "Our artists would rather not contribute to the demise of
the album format," said Mark Reiter, with Q Prime Management Co.,
which manages the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica and several
other artists. Green Day and Linkin Park, according to a source
familiar with the situation, have also refused to make their
songs available as individual downloads on the Apple service,
which has already sold more than 5 million songs since launching
this spring.


XM SATELLITE RADIO EXCEEDS 692,000 SUBSCRIBERS
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=53888
XM Satellite Radio, the nation's leading satellite radio service,
today announced it has 692,253 subscribers. The company closed
the 2nd quarter of 2003 with an addition of 209,178 new
subscribers. In April 2003 the company announced it had a total
of 483,075 subscribers after adding more than 135,000 subscribers
in the 1st quarter. "XM's subscriber base continues to grow
rapidly," said Hugh Panero, XM President and CEO. "The popularity
of the Delphi XM SKYFi Radio and the XM PCR combined with the
strong rollout in new General Motors vehicles provide a great
foundation for growth as we head into the second half of 2003."


RHAPSODY STREAMS 11 MILLION ON-DEMAND SONGS IN JUNE
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=53840
Listen.com today announced that it streamed more than 11 million
on-demand songs to RHAPSODY subscribers in June, a rate of more
than 350,000 songs per day. This news, which represents an
important benchmark in the service's continuing growth,
demonstrates that RHAPSODY is quickly becoming one of the Web's
leading providers of paid music content. Today's news comes one
month after Listen.com launched a new distribution relationship
with RealNetworks, Inc., which began offering the popular service
to its customers as RealOne RHAPSODY. In the past four weeks,
RHAPSODY has seen a nearly 100% increase in subscribers' CD
burning activity and a 45% increase in on-demand streaming.


AOL, BERTELSMANN MULL MUSIC MERGER
http://tinyurl.com/hd1e
The music business looks poised for more consolidation. When this
game of musical chairs is over, the world's major companies could
dwindle to two or three from the current Big Five, financial
analysts say. The latest move in the troubled industry: AOL Time
Warner (AOL) and Bertelsmann are in exclusive talks to merge
their music units, Warner Music and BMG, people familiar with the
talks say. A union of the world's fourth- and fifth-biggest music
companies would create a giant rivaling No. 1 Universal Music and
boast artists such as Madonna, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera
and Whitney Houston.


BMG TINKERS WITH CD COPY CONTROLS
http://tinyurl.com/hd1f
Music label BMG said Monday that it has licensed new technology
from SunnComm Technologies aimed at preventing legal music buyers
from making unlimited digital copies of songs from its CDs.
The Bertelesmann AG division, which produces contemporary artists
including Norah Jones, Avril Lavigne and No Doubt, said it plans
to begin selling CDs in the United States protected with
SunnComm's MediaMax CD-3 product. The software lets listeners
transfer music from a CD to a computer but prevents them from
then distributing that music to file-sharing services. BMG music
CDs using MediaMax will be available immediately in the U.S.
market.


YAHOO! UNVEILS PLANS TO BE 'MTV OF THE WEB'
http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,7496,984726,00.html
Internet giant Yahoo! has announced ambitious plans to become the
"MTV of the online world" after unveiling a European version of
its successful US music site Launch. Just a week after it teamed
up with BT to launch high-speed internet service BT Yahoo! and
premium content portal Yahoo Plus, the company is continuing its
expansion with a new music site that will offer more than 1,500
music videos free to users. Yahoo! said the US version of the
site already has 9 million regular users after launching earlier
this year and was proving successful in bringing in advertising
revenue and attracting new users to the service.


ROSEN DEPARTS RIAA ON AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-06-23-rosen_x.htm
The self-described "lightning rod" of the music industry wants to
have a life again. For five years, Hilary Rosen, 44, has been the
public face and voice in the industry's battle against digital
piracy. CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America,
which represents the major record companies, Rosen leaves her $1
million-a-year in-the-hot-seat post today to spend more time with
the two children she shares with her partner. "It's been an
extremely rigorous job, as it needed to be, because of what the
industry is going through," Rosen says over coffee on a recent
Southern California visit. "But I really feel we're poised for a
recovery in the next 18 months. I'm optimistic." In August she'll
begin working for CNBC as an on-air commentator, and also will
consult for the RIAA.


ONLINE MUSIC STORE SELLS MILLIONS
http://cooltech.iafrica.com/technews/247680.htm
Apple Computer said on Monday it has sold five million songs from
its online music store in the eight weeks since its launch. Apple
jumped into the controversial online music business on April 28
with the new venture called the iTunes Music Store that allows
customers to download for 99 US cents per song, without
subscription fees. Apple said in a statement that 46 percent of
the songs have been purchased as albums, and 80 percent of the
200 000 songs available on the online store have been purchased
at least once. "The iTunes Music Store is changing the way people
buy music," said Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive.


SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE APPROVES MEDIA OWNERSHIP CAP BILL
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=53474
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today
approved by voice vote, S. 1046, the Preservation of Localism,
Program Diversity, and Competition in Television Broadcast
Service Act of 2003. Senator Stevens (R-AK) introduced the bill
on May 13, 2003. The bill restores the 35% national audience
reach cap for broadcast television station ownership by
establishing a statutory cap that supercedes the Federal
Communications Commission's (FCC) June 2, 2003 decision to raise
the cap from 35% to 45% of the national audience share.


TOP ARTISTS BALKING AT A LA CARTE DOWNLOADS
http://tinyurl.com/eyo8
Despite the major labels' success in clearing hundreds of
thousands of tracks for purchase online through services like
Apple's iTunes Music Store, some top artists continue to resist
authorizing the dismantling of their albums for Internet
consumption as a la carte singles. Some acts are requiring that
their music be sold exclusively in album bundles. For example,
Linkin Park recently pulled its music as a singles offering from
digital services. Sources say the band has expressed concerns
about undercutting album sales. Other acts with similar
stipulations about their work include Radiohead, Madonna, Jewel
and Green Day, sources say.


POCKET JUKEBOX SHAKING UP THE WORLD'S MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://news.independent.co.uk/digital/news/story.jsp?story=415292
Weighing little more than a tube of toothpaste and fitting easily
inside the palm of the hand, an innocuous British-designed gadget
is leading a revolution in the music industry. The iPod, slickly
designed in Apple's trademark style, heralds a new generation of
digital music players and is swiftly becoming the consumer
phenomenon of the year. Since January, tens of thousands of
Britons have bought MP3 players, which enable owners to download
tracks from the internet and store them in their pocket.
The trend confirms industry predictions that the days of the
humble CD are numbered and that the future (or for many, the
present) lies in the online world of digital music.


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Recommended Resources
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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2003 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $26.95!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
$24.95!


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 $52.95!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


MUSIC DISTRIBUTION
http://www.musicdistribution.com
We've teamed with a major player to help bring your music to
dozens of online stores plus create a unique opportunity for
taking your music places its never been before.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, NOMA provides an aggressive program to get your
music into the right hands.


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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Advertise....
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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service in this
newsletter at rates starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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The Music Biz Academy Digest is brought to you by David Nevue and
The Music Biz Academy (http://www.musicbizacademy.com) .

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Music Biz Academy  - Special Announcement
from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Hello subscribers,

As you know, normally I don't send out special announcements like
this, but as this is a music marketing seminar I am co-hosting with
Chris Knab of FourFront Music & Media (http://www.knab.com), I
thought it wise to get the word out as much as possible. The web
address for the below info is
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/workshops.htm

David Nevue
Midnight Rain Productions
The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
http://www.mp3.com/davidnevue

--

How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com

--

Hello. Chris Knab here. I am writing to let you know about a very
special music business workshop I am doing August 2nd and 3rd in
Cannon Beach, Oregon as part of Portland State College’s "Haystack
Conference". I will be joined by Internet music promotion wizard
David Nevue, author of "How To Promote Your Music Successfully on the
Internet" for the two day intensive workshop called "From the Studio
To The Street; Marketing Your Music In A Digital Age."

We will be working 8 hours each day with you, giving you solid
information and tips on how to prepare, promote, distribute and sell
your music over the Internet and through time-tested traditional
methods. If you are tired of conferences and workshops that only give
you an hour’s worth of clichéd information, than this event is just
for you. David and I have planned out a series of talks and
demonstrations on how to get your music ready for the marketplace,
and take charge of your own career.

Everybody that registers before June 30th will get 2 FREE books as a
special bonus and incentive for you to come to this unique workshop.
You will get a personally autographed copy of my book, "Music Is Your
Business: A FourFront Music Marketing Handbook," and David’s book
"How To Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet."

If you have never been to the glorious Oregon Coast, this is your
chance to spend a weekend at the beach, and treat yourself to an
in-depth workshop on the business of music, at the same time.

Topics to be discussed over the weekend are:

- Who is your fan/customer, and how can you most effectively reach
them?
- What is necessary to record, design, and manufacture your own CD?
- What kind of airplay, online and offline, is available to you these
days?
- Where can you sell your music on the Internet and through other
music retailers?
- Can live performance enhance your chances for success?
- What should an effective press kit contain, and how do you write a
Bio, and a Fact Sheet about yourself?
- How to build a web site designed to maximize CD sales
- How to take credit card orders from your site - in just 15 minutes!

- How to optimize and register your web site for search engines
- How to build a street team of fans, put them to work, and keep them
energized!
- Little known marketing secrets that will easily double your CD
sales!
- 10 things to do right now to improve your Internet sales

The cost of the two-day event is $220. For more information, or to
register contact Elizabeth Snyder at 503-725-4186 or email her at
snydere@... You can also get more information from their website.


BONUS incentive: A walk on the beach is guaranteed after each
hard-working day!

Hope to see you there!

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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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Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #56 - June 2003
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hello subscribers, and welcome to the June edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest! Thank goodness summer is finally here.


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

It really is amazing to stand back and watch how 'file sharing'
technology, and all the controversial issues surrounding it, is
transforming the music industry. It's not unlike watching a great
experiment in chemistry come to boil: we see the chemical
reactions occurring, we watch the sparks fly with glee, but we
don't know exactly WHAT monstrous creature - or beautiful
creation - might come of the concoction.

We all know the negative impact of file sharing on the Internet.
We're being told via the press all the time. Some are saying the
music industry as we know it won't exist in a mere decade. Just
this week, John C. Dvorak, contributing editor for PC Magazine,
stated "...the game is over. The music industry, as it now
exists, cannot continue."

Is that really such a bad thing? Let's take a look at the
positive...

If you are an independent artist, you should celebrate the many
changes occurring in the industry. The reality that you can be a
successful artist without selling your soul for a record deal is
becoming more the 'norm' and less the 'exception' all the time.
Opportunities abound on the Internet. Through Internet radio,
Kazaa Desktop, MP3.com and dozens of other online venues, your
music can heard by literally *thousands* of people every day, and
that translates to CD sales. I just received an email from a
producer who told me that using the methods he learned from my
book (http://www.promoteyourmusic.com), he sold over 3,000 CDs
from his web site (http://www.sabbatum.com). Thanks to the
Internet, and in some ways 'file sharing', you don't need a major
label record deal to find an audience for your music anymore.

I tell you this to emphasize my point: If you are an independent
artist, I believe the music industry is changing in your favor.
In last month's column, I outlined how iTunes, in very short
order, has created a platform for digital music distribution that
everyone, including the RIAA, is getting behind. This past week
there was another interesting development: Apple, the maker of
iTunes, began to reach out to independent artists. Derek Sivers
of CDBaby.com met with Apple at their request to discuss ways to
include independent artists in the iTunes store. For details on
this meeting, see http://tinyurl.com/ebg2 . A few points from the
meeting:

1) Independent artists will get the same deal as major label
artists.
2) Independent artists will get the same treatment as major label
artists.
3) iTunes will not charge independent artists anything to have
their music included in the store.
4) iTunes will pay participating artists every month for sales of
their music.

As it appears now, CDBaby.com will be the sole representative for
unsigned artists, so if iTunes is something you want to be a part
of, sign up at http://www.cdbaby.net to sell your CDs at CDBaby.
That's something you should be doing anyway.

I'll continue to provide you more information on iTunes and
CDBaby as this story develops.

CDBABY ITUNES REPORT
http://www.gnutellanews.com/article/6830

ITUNES IS CHANGING EVERYTHING
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/itunes.htm

APPLE ITUNES
http://www.apple.com/itunes/

RIAA DECLARES WAR (Dvorak's Column)
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1118692,00.asp

Here are a few other stories from recent days that have caught my
interest:

Roxio, who purchased the remains of Napster, acquired the
PressPlay music service in May. The acquisition included not
only PressPlay's existing distribution structure, but all 300,000
tunes in its catalog as well as the license agreements already in
place with all five major record labels. Roxio, who hired Napster
founder Shawn Fanning as an adviser earlier this year, plans to
revive Napster as a rejuvenated - and legal - digital
distribution system for music.

IT'S OFFICIAL: PRESSPLAY TO BECOME NAPSTER
http://siliconvalley.internet.com/news/article.php/2208791

ROXIO PREPARES FOR RELAUNCH OF NAPSTER
http://www.roxio.com/en/company/news/archive/prelease030519.jhtml

How popular is file-sharing? So popular that by the end of May,
Kazaa Media Desktop became the top downloaded software *ever* on
the Internet with over 230 million downloads. Kazaa receives an
average of 366,000 downloads *per day*, compared to an average of
only 50,000 downloads per day for ICQ, which previously held the
title of 'most downloaded software.'

KAZAA BECOMES TOP DOWNLOADED SOFTWARE - EVER
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t272-s2135127,00.html

KAZAA MEDIA DESKTOP
http://www.kazaa.com/

The RIAA filed suit against 19-year-old Jesse Jordon, a student
at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., for designing
a campus search tool called ChewPlastic.com. Jesse designed the
system to function as a convenient search utility for the campus
network. But guess what? Kids on campus used the tool to search
for more than just PowerPoint presentations and physics notes -
they used it to download music from the campus network. The RIAA
sued Jesse, stating that in creating a tool that enabled
'widespread music thievery', Jesse himself is, basically, a
thief. Jesse handed over his $12,000 life savings to settle with
the RIAA.

RIAA WRATH HITS TEEN
http://tinyurl.com/dutz

CHEWPLASTIC.COM
http://www.chewplastic.com/

And finally, one of the most widely distributed stories this
month involved the FCC's new media rules. The 'relaxed' FCC rules
allow a single media company to own enough television stations to
reach as much as 45 percent of the U.S. television market. Thus,
a single media entity could own both television stations and
newspapers in most every major market.

The new FCC rules have set off a firestorm of debate, and for
good reason. Do you really want one company controlling most or
all of your news? There's a huge effort in Congress to block the
new rules, so they may never come to fruition.

FCC EASES RULES ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103_2-1012027.html

DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS JOIN IN PROTEST OF NEW FCC RULES
http://www.tvweek.com/topstorys/060903democrats.html

US HOUSE MAY KILL ROLLBACK OF NEW FCC MEDIA RULES
http://www.forbes.com/business/newswire/2003/06/05/rtr992402.html

One last note. If you would like to join me at the Oregon Coast
for a two-day workshop on music marketing, you need to sign up by
June 30th!

The workshop will be given August 2-3 through Portland State
University, and it features Christopher Knab (of FourFront Music
and Media) and myself. You'll basically be given a live
presentation of my book, plus the opportunity to ask any
questions you wish. Workshop participants get free copies of both
my book, 'How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the
Internet', and Chris' book, 'Music is Your Business.'

Get details on the workshop at
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/workshops.htm

Until next time,

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

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and enter to win prizes (Valued up to $700) every month!
http://www.galaris.com/friends
Twice monthly you will receive FREE, direct to your email box,
articles containing: Promotion tips, Career advice, Recording
tips, Practicing tips, Legal advice, Musician's health, Radio
promotion and much more.  For more info visit
http://www.galaris.com/friends

To view the last issue of the newsletter visit
http://www.galaris.com/lastissue.html


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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MAKING A MUSIC VIDEO: HOW'S YOUR TIMING?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/videos.htm
Many times, beginning bands that get a hold of some money
($100,000+) try to put out a video. There is nothing wrong with
the intent, it's just that their timing is off. So, when is the
timing right? Here are some words of wisdom from promoter Bryan
Farrish.


NOLO'S LEGAL TIPS FOR SONGWRITERS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/nololegaltips.htm
You may have written a song with huge potential -- a fabulous
melody, great lyrics and memorable hooks. But that, by itself, is
not enough to fill your mailbox with royalty checks. Here are ten
legal-ish tips that may help.


SONGWRITING TECHNIQUES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/songwritingtechniques.htm
"In the last article I wrote (21 Songwriting Tips), we explored
many different ways to expand our musicianship as a whole.
Songwriting Techniques takes us a step inward, focusing on the
art of welding a song that used to exist only in our minds."
Another really excellent article by Ken Hill. Highly recommended
for songwriters.


RADIO SPECIALTY SHOWS: MORE SPECIAL THAN YOU THINK
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveradio.htm
Radio specialty shows are gold mines, yet, few artists are aware
of them, or take advantage of their power. Read this article to
learn how you can put them to great use. Article by Kenny Love.


WHAT 'A&R' REPS DO
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/aandr.htm
What exactly is an 'A&R' rep anyway? We hear the term all the
time, and most of us have a certain picture in our mind. But it
is correct? Here's a short job description.  Article by
Christopher Knab.


BUILDING YOUR FANBASE AND THE POWER OF PERSONAL PERSUASION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/cs_fanbase.htm
"Even though I am signed to Mesa/Bluemoon records, I am under no
illusions that one day my contract with this label will come to
an end....who's to say I might not want to take advantage of a
situation I have created, and go all the way indie? Why not make
$14 per CD instead of $1 (approx). There's a great deal more
money to be made selling direct, opposed to being a small cog and
selling through a corporate system." Article by Chris Standring.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

MUSIC BIZ INTERNSHIPS: DO'S AND DON'TS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/careerplanning.htm

PROMO KIT PHOTOS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/promokitphotos.htm

HOW LABELS AND RADIO STATIONS WORK TOGETHER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/radiolabels.htm


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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT - ZZOUNDS.COM
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/zzounds.htm
zZounds is a premier source of recording equipment, guitars,
pianos, keyboards, software, mics, tuners, and music more.
zZounds guarantees to beat any price, and there is a 30 Day price
protection program - so if you find a lower price AFTER you
purchase, zZounds will refund you the difference! zZounds also
offers very low shipping costs on equipment and in many cases
shipping is absolutely free. zZounds also ships your product
immediately - no waiting! Finally, almost every product in the
easy-to-browse catalog has user reviews from previous buyers so
you can be confident of the quality of what you're buying. Very
highly recommended. A great place to buy, or even just get info
on equipment you are interested in.


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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AUDIO KINGDOM
http://www.audiokingdom.com/
Looking for a way to take credit cards and sell your CDs from
your own web site without a merchant account or paying monthly
fees? Check out what Audio Kingdom has to offer. You get a
storefront customized to the look and feel of your web site which
allows you to sell your CDs, as well as MP3 singles from those
CDs. Your visitors can also preview your music before they buy
and post album reviews. You can sell t-shirts and other
merchandise, take payments via Visa, MC, money order, check, or
PayPal, AND accept payments via a toll free 800 number. Once
you're set up at AudioKingdom, you insert a single line of HTML
on your web site and your storefront is up and running. The cost
for all this? Audio Kingdom takes 25% of your sales - you get the
rest. No setup fee!


GIGAMERICA
http://www.gigamerica.com/
GigAmerica is built around the idea of putting musicians from
across the country in touch with each other for the purpose of
cross-promotion. GigAmerica's Gig-Swapping Network creates a
means for local groups to expand their fan-base to others regions
by playing with an out-of-town band in their hometown and visa
versa. Simply put, it's the concept of "you open for us in our
town and we'll open for you in yours." A GigAmerica band can
check out songs, pictures, bios and tour dates of different
artists, determine whom they want to play with, and then send a
Gig-Swap Request Form directly to the group via E-mail. Looking
for a venue to perform at? Check out the very cool 'Find-A-Venue'
tool, and 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.


MUSIC LAW: FREE LEGAL ADVICE
http://law.freeadvice.com/intellectual_property/music_law/
Here you'll find answers on nearly every aspect of music law -
including copyrighting your music, royalties, protecting your
band name, music publishers, recording contracts and agreements,
getting perimission to use a song, and many other topics. Very
useful.


MUSICIANS AVAILABLE
http://www.musiciansavailable.com/
MusiciansAvailable.com is massive database of singers,
songwriters, music professionals, instrumentalists... you name
it. If you're looking for musicians or singers for your band, or
you're looking to join a band, MusiciansAvailable.com is a great
place to start looking or add your own information. The database
itself is searchable by a multitude of options, including skill,
location, and music genre.


MYMUSICJOB.COM
http://www.mymusicjob.com/jobseekernew.php
Looking for work in the music business? Join MyMusicJob.com to
get access to job listings and internships, as well as post you
resume. All jobs are posted by the employers themselves. Want a
sampling of what's available? Use the free "Seach Job" option to
view recent openings. Cost? A 60-day membership is only $9.99.


TURNBOX STUDIOS
http://www.turnbox.com/
Turnbox is an innovative design and technology firm that
specializes in Flash programming. If you're looking for a
high-tech designer to create a dynamic web site that will WOW
your visitors, Turnbox's work is impressive. Clients include
Pearl Jam, Rhino Records, Sony Music, Quincy Jones, and many
others.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
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The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. *Participate at your own
risk.*


THE COCA COLA NEW MUSIC AWARD
http://www.newmusicaward.com/
The Coca-Cola Company, The American Music Awards (AMA), dick
clark communications (DCC), and The CMJ Network (CMJ) are
announcing a call for entries to the third annual "The American
Music Awards Presents The Coca-Cola New Music Award" competition.
The winner of this nationwide competition for unsigned bands will
perform live on the 31st Annual "American Music Awards" telecast
in November on ABC-TV. To enter "The Coca-Cola New Music Award"
competition, individual artists and bands are asked to submit
three original songs along with a biography, photo and lyrics.
Submissions may be sent either digitally to www.newmusicaward.com
or by mail on audiocassette or CD. Online entries must be
received by June 23, 2003, and mail-in entries must be received
by June 30, 2003. NO ENTRY FEE.


1 800 CALL ATT 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
http://www.consumer.att.com/callatt/music.html
1 800 CALL ATT for Collect Calls is inviting America's best new
bands and solo artists to enter their 'Battle of the Bands'
Contest for a chance to get the exposure of a lifetime - touring
and opening for a major recording artist. Danny Goldberg, CEO of
Artemis Records along with other music professionals will judge
finalists on musical ability, musical composition and lyrics.
Accepted genres include R&B/Hip Hop, Modern or Hard Rock. Three
finalists are eligible to win professional studio-recording
time valued at $2000 each. One grand prizewinner will be selected
in mid-September, and will win the chance to tour and open for a
major recording artist during a future tour. Enter by June 27th,
2003.


THE 2003 WINDRIFT MUSIC SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.windriftmusic.com/2003/index.htm?mba
Over $30,000 in cash and prizes to be won!!! Fabulous Sponsors
and Industry Professional Judges. Open now till July 31st, 2003
deadline. FREE e-Book, & Music Industry Discounts with every
entry! Monthly spot-prizes, Early Bird Bonuses & FREE entries
available! Enter online or by mail. $20 entry fee.


INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
$100,000 in cash and prizes to be given away. 68 winners in 13
categories. Overall Grand Prize Winner - $10,000 cash and $25,000
merchandise. Judges include Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Monte
Lipman - President of Universal Records, Tina Davis - Sr. VP of
A&R Def Jam, Rose Noone - Sr. VP of A&R at Epic Records and more.
All entries must be postmarked on or before September 15, 2003.
$30 entry fee.


SHOWCASE ON TV IN NASHVILLE
http://www.nashvilleconnection.com/countrytalentsearch1.html
Talent Search TV (TSTV), a monthly competition, is giving artists
a chance for much needed exposure in Music City. The last weekend
of each month, starting March 29, TSTV will begin the first of
eight competitions that will run through October. Contestants
will compete for the $100 monthly winner position and advance to
the Grand Finals in November. The Grand Prize includes $1000
cash; a two song recording session; a music video to be aired on
Travlin' Music Television's American Music Showcase shown to
536,000 homes; A photo shoot; an Epiphone acoustic guitar; a
showcase at THE TRAP & Nashville's Legendary Hall of Fame Lounge
and Hotel accommodations in Nashville For 4 nights on Music Row.


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Tonos Opportunities
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
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UPBEAT R&B SONGS NEEDED FOR MAJOR LABEL FEMALE ARTIST!
A Major label is looking for songs for their new R&B artist. The
A&R manager is looking for urban upbeat songs for this 22 year
old female, who has a degree in music and a very adult sound. She
also plays the piano, but the songs do not necessarily have to be
piano driven. They are looking for songs similar to songs that
Patti LaBelle would perform. Strong songs that tell a great story
for a very strong vocalist. Deadline is Monday June 30th, 2003


THE BLUE MAN GROUP LOOKING FOR GUITARISTS!
The Blue Man Group, who became an international phenomenon with
their television commercials for Intel, are looking for
guitarists to become part of their shows throughout the U.S.
Deadline is Monday July 14th, 2003


MAJOR PUBLISHER ACCEPTING SONGS FOR "THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS"!
The manager of the Film Soundtrack Division of a major music
publisher has agreed to listen to submissions from the Top Picks
of our A&R Department for this Industry Opportunity in
consideration of placement in the third installment of The Matrix
trilogy. Deadline is Tuesday July 15th, 2003.


For more info on these and other opportunities, please visit
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm


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Articles From Around The Net....
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THE RIAA'S DILEMMA
http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=175
The RIAA's battle against the P2P networks seems to be bogged
down. Networks such as eDonkey, FastTrack, Piolet, and others are
stronger than ever, as the lashes the P2P community received from
the blows of the RIAA have strengthened their resistance to
attack. Now, while the RIAA contemplates what to do with the
recently gained identities of alleged copyright infringers, they
are faced with the crisis of how to convince a major portion of
the population that what they are doing is wrong.


RIAA DECLARES WAR: CHANGE NEEDED
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1118692,00.asp
Recent revelations predict that the music industry is going to
resort to dirty tricks to halt music piracy. These include but
are not limited to (do I sound like a license agreement?)
planting Trojan horses, disabling individual computers, causing
Internet slowdowns through hacking, sending out bogus files
posing as real files, and going into your PC to erase files. You
can read about this in a recent exposé in The New York Times as
well as on many Web sites. Madonna has already taken action by
sending a recording to MP3 sites purporting to be her new song
but actually containing a mean message. Hackers immediately
targeted her site. And with the RIAA gauntlet tossed to the
ground, the wrath of hackerdom will certainly be focused on music
industry Web sites and servers until they beg for mercy.


RIAA GOING THE WAY OF THE DODO?
http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=172
The RIAA continues to turn up the legal pressure on just about
everybody to combat falling CD sales, blaming the explosion of
downloaded music for plunging revenues, but another, more
plausible explanation lies in industry data. While downloading
music may contribute to the trend of falling CD sales, the
failure of the RIAA business model in the face of a changing
market bears most of the responsibility. The days of big industry
monopolizing the market, giving us a few 'chosen' bands to select
from, charging higher and higher prices for only 'CD quality'
music are numbered. Evolution continues, maybe the RIAA model
will go the way of the Dodo.


WHY THE FCC IS WRONG ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP
http://tinyurl.com/dzfb
On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission is expected to
dramatically ease current limits on media ownership. The move is
supported by FCC Chairman Michael Powell, a majority of FCC
commissioners, and the handful of megacorporations--Disney, AOL
Time Warner, Clear Channel Communications, and Viacom, among
them--that already dominate what we see on TV, hear on the radio,
and read in print and online. Who's against it? Dozens of
groups--from Common Cause and the Consumers Union to the Family
Research Council and the National Rifle Association--representing
tens of millions of members and spanning the political spectrum.
Because, in a democracy, the media isn't just another business.
Instead, it's what we turn to for the ideas and information that
make it possible for us to perform our duties as citizens, such
as voting and being involved in community issues.


TIME TO FACE THE MUSIC
http://tinyurl.com/db16
For the record business, there's bad news, worse news and even
worse news still. The bad news is that sales of CDs are in a
freefall, representing a $250 million loss over the last two
years. This is where the even worse news comes in. The industry
as it is now — the one that started in the 1890s when the first
commercial recordings hit the market — may simply not be around
in a decade or even less. As music downloading continues to soar
— KaZaA's online file-sharing service leapt by a staggering 1,500
per cent between the summers of '01 and '02 — layoffs are
widespread across the recording industry. Entire divisions — such
as Sony's classical division in Canada — are being pared back.
Such high-priced stars as Mariah Carey are getting dumped. And
the vicious backbiting has begun.


ENTHUSIASM RULES!
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=7968
There is one simple skill you should master that can often have a
surprisingly positive effect on your music career. What is it,
you may ask? Enthusiasm. Article by Jeffrey Fisher


MUSIC INDUSTRY TRIES GOING MOBILE
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20950~1416516,00.html
Hip-hop star Nelly did it. Madonna is doing it. And British rock
group Radiohead has plans to boost music sales by reaching out to
fans through mobile phones. With sales of CDs on a three-year
slide, the music industry sees mobile phones as powerful outlets
for promoting artists and a new way of distributing music for
profit -- something it failed to do in the early days of Internet
music-swapping. In recent months, record companies have entered
deals with wireless carriers and other companies to tap into a
growing U.S. mobile market.


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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.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

RIAA TAKES TEENS LIFE SAVINGS
http://tinyurl.com/dutz
On April 3, 19-year-old Jesse Jordan received a call that changed
his life. The freshman at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in
Troy, N.Y., learned he was being sued by one of the most powerful
trade groups in the United States, the RIAA. Jordan, an
information technology major, created ChewPlastic.com, the second
most popular search directory on the RPI campus. "You go to the
site, you type in a search term, and it finds files on the
network," Jordan said. Jordan compares his site to Google, the
popular Internet search engine. "I never promoted piracy," Jordan
said. "What I did was ran a search engine on a campus network
[where] the network already existed," Jordan said. But Jordan did
agree to pony up $12,000, his entire savings account, to the
RIAA. Jordan and his father, Andy Jordan, felt the settlement was
their best option. "They agreed to allow Jesse to deny their
allegations. They agreed to dismiss the case and all allegations
against him," Andy said. "Basically they agreed that he didn't do
anything wrong, but [they're] taking his 12 grand."


SPEEDS 6,000 TIMES FASTER THAN BROADBAND?
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103_2-1013969.html
A research team has unveiled a new system to turbocharge the
Internet, claiming to be able to achieve speeds so high an entire
movie can be downloaded in mere seconds. According to the journal
New Scientist, the breakthrough was achieved by a team from the
California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The team is already
talking to Microsoft and Disney to look into using the system to
deliver high-quality video over the Web. The new system, coined
Fast TCP, can boost download speeds dramatically while using the
existing Internet infrastructure.


VERIZON TO HAND NAMES OVER TO RIAA
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-1013154.html
Verizon said Wednesday that it will turn over to a recording
industry trade group the names of four anonymous subscribers
accused of illegal file swapping after an appellate panel denied
the company's request for a delay. In a victory for copyright
holders, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia refused to intervene in the case and protect the
subscribers' identities while the case moves forward. However,
final victory for the recording industry is still a ways off,
with a pending appeal scheduled for a hearing in September that
could vindicate Verizon.


NONCOMMERCIAL WEBCASTERS REACH ROYALTY RATE DEAL
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/6009842.htm
The recording industry and operators of educational and
noncommercial Web sites have settled on royalty rates for
broadcasting music over the Internet, circumventing a looming
arbitration battle. The deal covers six years, 1998 to 2004, and
sets the range of annual minimum fees webcasters must pay to
broadcast copyright music over the Internet. Depending on the
year, how many broadcast channels a webcaster transmits on and
the type of Web site, the noncommercial webcasters will have to
pay from $200 to $500 annually.


RECORD LABELS SUE MORPHEUS MAKER
http://rss.com.com/2100-1027_3-1012908.html
The recording industry has filed a new copyright infringement
suit against the makers of Morpheus, a move that comes only a
month after suffering a setback in its legal fight against the
file-sharing service. The new suit involves a Web radio service
never launched by Streamcast Networks. Record labels allege in
the suit that in preparing to launch the radio service,
Streamcast bought thousands of CDs with thousands of songs and
then transferred the music onto a digital database without the
permission of the copyright owners. Streamcast CEO Michael Weiss
called the lawsuit frivolous.


FCC EASES RULES ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103_2-1012027.html
The Federal Communications Commission on Monday voted 3-2 to
relax rules limiting ownership of TV stations, radio stations and
newspapers, saying that decades-old regulations are obsolete in
part because of the rise of the Internet and other new
technologies. Under the new rules, broadcast networks may own TV
stations that reach 45 percent of the national audience, an
increase of 10 percentage points, and in most cases a company may
now own both a newspaper and a radio station in the same area.
Media mergers still must be approved by the FCC and the Justice
Department.


FCC SETS LIMITS ON MEDIA CONCENTRATION
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=52623
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today adopted new
broadcast ownership rules that are enforceable, based on
empirical evidence and reflective of the current media
marketplace. Today’s action represents the most comprehensive
review of media ownership regulation in the agency’s history,
spanning 20 months and encompassing a public record of more than
520,000 comments. The FCC stated that its new limits on broadcast
ownership are carefully balanced to protect diversity, localism,
and competition in the American media system. The FCC concluded
that these new broadcast ownership limits will foster a vibrant
marketplace of ideas, promote vigorous competition, and ensure
that broadcasters continue to serve the needs and interests of
their local communities.


ALTNET TO PAY KAZAA USERS FOR FILE-SWAPPING
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t278-s2135436,00.html
Later this week, Kazaa parent Sharman Networks and marketing
network Altnet will jointly release a new bundle of file-swapping
software that will include a programme that will pay users to be
a part of it. The idea, says Altnet chief executive Kevin
Bermeister, is to harness the computing resources of the tens of
millions of Kazaa users to distribute authorised files such as
games, songs and movies. Giving people an incentive to host and
trade paid files could create a powerful medium for distributing
authorised content and could diminish file-trading networks' role
as hubs of online piracy, he said.


THE ONLINE MUSIC PRICE WAR HAS BEGUN
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/5957169.htm
Listen.com, which offers Internet radio broadcasts and other
programming for $9.95 a month, is lowering the price for burning
digital music onto compact discs to 79 cents per song, the
company said Wednesday. The move comes just one month after Apple
Computer Inc. launched an online music store, in which Macintosh
users can download a song for 99 cents with few restrictions -
and no monthly subscription fee. The announcement also reflects
how companies are casting about for effective strategies to lure
customers in the nascent business of selling songs online.


KAZAA BECOMES TOP DOWNLOADED SOFTWARE - EVER
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t272-s2135127,00.html
Sharman Networks on Thursday said its Kazaa file-sharing software
was on track to set a record in the next few hours, as it becomes
the most-popular free program on the Web with more than 230
million downloads. By hitting that total, Kazaa would surpass the
popular ICQ instant messaging program, Sharman said. A Sharman
spokeswoman said Kazaa has been receiving an average of 366,000
downloads per day, whereas the ICQ application has been receiving
an average of 50,000 downloads per day, as measured by
Download.com.


WOOLWORTHS TO SELL DIGITAL ALBUMS PRIOR TO 'OFFICIAL' RELEASE
http://www.newmediazero.com/nma/story.asp?id=242021
Woolworths has launched an online music preview service that
offers legitimate downloads of albums weeks before their release.
For a small premium, customers can purchase digital copies of
pre-release albums which will be replaced with a copy of the CD
on the day that the album reaches the shops. The digital tracks
will expire once the customer has received their hard copy of the
album.


MUSIC INDUSTRY LAUNCHES ANTI-PIRACY WEBSITE
http://tinyurl.com/dzfr
The music industry has launched a new website as part of its
latest initiative to fight the spread of unauthorised music on
the internet. The Pro-Music.org website, which was created by the
International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), is
designed to promote legitimate paid-for music sites such as
Pressplay, MusicNet, and Apple's recently launched iTunes Music
Store. It also features viewpoints on the piracy debate from a
cross-section of artists, the media and the public, and answers
to frequently asked questions about copyright laws for online
music.


IT'S OFFICIAL: PRESSPLAY TO BECOME NAPSTER
http://siliconvalley.internet.com/news/article.php/2208791
Less than two years after going live as a legal alternative to
the rogue file-sharing program Napster, the Pressplay digital
music service has been acquired by Roxio and will be relaunched
as Napster. Roxio, known mostly for CD and DVD recording
software, announced Monday it would shell out about $40 million
in cash and stock to acquire Pressplay's distribution
infrastructure and music licensing, which was previously a 50-50
joint venture between Universal Music and Sony Music
Entertainment. For Roxio, the acquisition proves the company is
serious about is stated plans to add legitimacy to the
controversial Napster brand.


DEAL MAY RAISE NAPSTER FROM ONLINE ASHES
http://tinyurl.com/dzfs
Napster, the online music service that unleashed an era of music
piracy before filing for bankruptcy last year, may be about to
make a legitimate comeback. The Universal Music Group and Sony
Music Entertainment are close to a deal to sell Pressplay, their
joint online music service to Roxio, the company that bought
Napster's name and assets last November. Under the proposed deal,
Universal and Sony would take an equity stake in Roxio. Roxio,
would get access to more than 300,000 tracks from the music
libraries of the major labels, and the Pressplay distribution
system. Roxio, which hired Shawn Fanning, the founder of Napster,
as an adviser earlier this year, is expected to revamp the
service with some of Napster's technology and capitalize on the
extraordinary name-recognition the Napster brand still enjoys.


APPLE MUSIC DOWNLOADS HIT 2 MILLION
http://tinyurl.com/dzfu
Apple has sold over two million songs from its new music
downloading service in just over two weeks since its debut.
"Response to the iTunes Music Store has been phenomenal. We've
clearly hit a chord with users," said Apple chief executive Steve
Jobs. "We're adding new songs every day, giving music lovers even
more reasons to legally download their favourite music." Apple
jumped into the controversial online music business on April 28
with the new venture that allows customers to download for 99c
per song, without subscription fees. The move makes Apple an
alternative to the free music-swapping services that the industry
has been trying to shut down and those operated by the major
labels, so far with little success.



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Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2003 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $26.95!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
$24.95!


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 $52.95!


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Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, NOMA provides an aggressive program to get your
music into the right hands.


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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And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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THE GALARIS MUSICIANS DIRECTORY: 2003 Edition
DISCOUNTED 10% for MUSIC BIZ DIGEST subscribers!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm
The ultimate tool for the connected musician. Booking Agents,
Clubs, Disc Manufacturers, Legal Services, Magazines, Retailers,
Photographers, Promoters, Publicists, Radio Stations, Record
Labels, Music Schools, Studios, Producers, Engineers, and much
much more!


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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #55 - May 2003
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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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Hello subscribers, and welcome to the May edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest! Another month, another action-packed
issue!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Everyone, and I mean everyone, is talking about the new iTunes
Music Store (http://www.apple.com/music/store/) just opened by
Steve Jobs and Apple Computing. I don't think Apple has gotten
this much good press since... well, maybe even before anyone
heard of the Internet.

I can almost feel the collective sigh of relief coming from
even the most remote corners of the online music industry. The
euphoric feeling is that maybe, just maybe, a means has been
found to sell and deliver digital music to consumers that *both*
consumers and the recording industry can live with.

So, what's the big deal? The big deal is this: iTunes has been a
HUGE financial success, much more so than anyone anticipated. In
just its first week of operation over one million songs were
purchased and downloaded at a cost of 99 cents each. That's a
million buckaroos in a week. For a project designed just to 'test
the water', iTunes is making big waves.

Here's the amazing part: iTunes is currently only available to
Mac users, and *only* those Mac users running the most current
version of the operating system. That makes up less than 1%
of the PC market! So just 1% of all PC users generated enough
interest to make a million bucks.

Now, extrapolate that out. If iTunes was available to the other
99% of computer users, Apple could *theoretically* bring in 100
million a week. That's over 5.2 billion in cash a year.
Cha-ching! OK, that's quite an unscientific exaggeration, but the
point is, people are using the service by the boatloads and
there's definitely money to be made. The record industry is
taking notice.

On paper, the iTunes service doesn't look like something that
should be anywhere near this popular. iTunes has a limited
catalog of only 200,000 tunes, and there are no streaming
options. It's strictly a download service.

So why has iTunes done so well? Maybe it's just plain easier than
stealing. You can get a high quality download of your favorite
songs fast. And the files you download are much smaller than your
usual MP3's, but still sound amazingly good. A smaller file size
means you can get a LOT more music on your iPod.

In addition to ease of use and it's utter simplicity, iTunes
doesn't set a whole lot of limitations on what you can do with
the music you've purchased. You can play your music on up to
three computers, enjoy unlimited synching with your iPods, burn
unlimited CDs of individual songs, and burn unchanged playlists
up to 10 times each.

Perhaps best of all, there's NO monthly subscription fee, and
believe it or not, all of this has all been OK'd with the
RIAA. So you can enjoy your digital music downloads without fear
of legal action.

OK, so Mac fans are happy. What about the rest of us? We're in
luck! Apple hopes to extend the iTunes service to Windows-based
machines by the end of the year. Until then, I'm sure we'll be
seeing a lot of imitations pop up.

A PLATINUM DEBUT SHOWS ITUNES HAS HIT POTENTIAL
http://tinyurl.com/brg5

APPLE'S ONLINE MUSIC COUP IGNITES A BUDDING INDUSTRY
http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/3875317.html

HOW APPLE GOT MUSIC DOWNLOADING RIGHT
http://tinyurl.com/brg8

APPLE: 'LARGEST ONLINE MUSIC COMPANY IN THE WORLD'
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=16187

Aside from the stunning debut of iTunes, there was other news of
note during the last month. Here's a rundown what were, in my
view, some of the more interesting stories:

Speculation is growing that record companies are researching new
'countermeasures' to fight piracy, including outright sabotage.

MUSIC INDUSTRY MAY TURN TO ZAPPING THE PIRATES
http://www.iht.com/articles/95218.html

The RIAA settled their lawsuit against four college students who
ran file-sharing networks. The settlement will see each student
making payments to the RIAA totaling between $12,000 and $17,000.

RIAA WINS SETTLEMENT FROM CAMPUS PIRATES
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-999332.html

Morpheus - remember Morpheus? - is back. Streamcast Networks
released a new, highly-touted 3.0 version of their file-trading
software. Will Morpheus reclaim its position as king of the
file-trading software hill? User reviews of version 3.0 at
download.com say no.

MORPHEUS FINDS ITSELF BORN AGAIN
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-999026.html

One good thing, file trading software companies no longer have to
worry about lawsuits from the RIAA. A federal judge ruled that
software companies could not be held liable for what users did
with their software.

JUDGE: FILE-SWAPPING TOOLS ARE LEGAL
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-998363.html

And on another positive note, Real.com bought Rhapsody's
Listen.com subscription-based music service. As a Rhapsody user
myself (I love it), I'm glad to see that it has a future.

REAL BUYS LISTEN.COM FOR $36 MILLION
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/5688485.htm

I also thought I'd pass along a couple of articles that should be
a big encouragement to independent artists everywhere. Business
is booming for indies:

WHAT RECORD INDUSTRY SLUMP?
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0411/p13s02-almp.html

NO LABEL, NO PROBLEM
http://tinyurl.com/brgi

Finally, I'm happy to announce my participation in a workshop to
be given August 2-3 through Portland State University. The
workshop is entitled, "From the Studio to the Streets: Music
Marketing in a Digital Age". The workshop will feature
Christopher Knab (of FourFront Music and Media) and myself.

FROM THE STUDIO TO THE STREETS: MUSIC MARKETING IN A DIGITAL AGE
http://www.haystack.pdx.edu/music.shtml#marketing
Learn how new and traditional music marketing techniques can be
used to help your CD release stand out from the competition.
Discussions will include live performance, getting airplay,
creating a buzz around your music, Internet marketing, physical
and online distribution, and business and legal issues. For more
information, visit the above link or contact Elizabeth Snyder
at 503-725-4186.

Until next time,

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


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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!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

RADIO AIRPLAY 101: COMMERICAL RADIO MYTHS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/myths.htm
Many independent musicians, particularly those just starting in
the business, have no real idea what goes on at a commercial
radio station. In this article, promoter Bryan Farrish dispels
many commonly held beliefs about the business of radio.


LABELS: MAKE THEM COME TO YOU!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/cs_labels2u.htm
"Everyone knows how hard it is getting signed to a record label.
With the present state of the business, Internet piracy and lack
of record sales in the music industry, it has never been harder
and seemingly impossible for artists to get signed. Well let me
try to uplift one or two spirits if if I may..." Article by Chris
Standring.


$1000 GIGS: HOW TO MAKE 'EM
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/klove1000gigs.htm
Want to learn how to turn *each* of your future live performances
(starting with your very next gig) into $500-$1,000 profit-makers
(minimum), regardless of what the gig is actually paying you to
perform? Article by Kenny Love.


21 SONGWRITING TIPS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/songwritingtips.htm
Making something out of nothing can be a challenge. Here are some
great tips from songwriter Ken Hill that will get your creative
juices flowing.


35 TIPS FOR SELF-MANAGEMENT AS A MUSICIAN
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/selfmanage.htm
35 tips are suggested for any musician who wants to manage their
careers as a business. Article by Christopher Knab.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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HOW TO WRITE AND SEND A PRESS RELEASE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/pressrelease.htm

10 REASONS WHY DEMOS ARE REJECTED
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/10demosrejected.htm

PLANNING YOUR MUSIC CAREER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/careerplanning.htm


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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT - ZZOUNDS.COM
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/zzounds.htm
zZounds is a premier source of recording equipment, guitars,
pianos, keyboards, software, mics, tuners, and music more.
zZounds guarantees to beat any price, and there is a 30 Day price
protection program - so if you find a lower price AFTER you
purchase, zZounds will refund you the difference! zZounds also
offers very low shipping costs on equipment and in many cases
shipping is absolutely free. zZounds also ships your product
immediately - no waiting! Finally, almost every product in the
easy-to-browse catalog has user reviews from previous buyers so
you can be confident of the quality of what you're buying. Very
highly recommended. A great place to buy, or even just get info
on equipment you are interested in.


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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THE CELEBRITY CAFE
http://thecelebritycafe.com/interviews/Music/
One of the best ways to learn and understand your craft is to
take note what successful professionals in your line of work have
to say about it. At the Celebrity Cafe, you'll find interviews
with over 200 artists in the industry including David Crosby,
Mick Fleetwood, Bruce Hornsby and others. Good reading and life
experience from those who have gone before us.


ECLIPSNOW!
http://www.eclipsnow.com/
eClipsNow! webcasting solutions specializes in developing media
presentations for the internet, and has much experience working
with musicians. They can record performances live or in studio
and help you provide On-Demand programming, pay-perview, free
streams, or create a video for broadcast distribution. Artists
using their technology include Bush, Third Eye Blind, David
Crosby, and about three dozen more you've no doubt heard of. Lots
of sample footage on their web site for your enjoyment.


IDENTITY LINKS: LIGHT UP PROMO PRODUCTS
http://www.identity-links.com/light-up/
Check out these light up promotional products, including
necklaces, key chains, 'rock glasses', glow wands, fiber-optic
hats, straws, pens and even ice cubes. Imagine the possibilities!
Turn your club gig into a dazzling light show - worn entirely by
your audience!


INDIEMUSICBEAT
http://www.indiemusicbeat.com/
IndieMusicBeat (formerly Gajoob.com's DIY Report) has been
reviewing and publishing collective indie music resources for
about ten years now. Now offered in a downloadable PDF format,
new resources for independent musicians are published every
month. Each issue contains new CD reviews (submit your CD for a
free review), lists of festivals, publications, compilations,
articles and more.


THE MUSICIAN'S PLACE
http://www.themusiciansplace.com/index.phtml
For just a bit more exposure, add your band to the Musician's
Place database for free. Search the database for clubs, venues,
studios, and stores. Register and get free use of a way-cool Gig
Calendar and Recording Log.


TAXI
http://www.taxi.com
TAXI has been around forever (well, since 1992), helping unsigned
bands, artists and songwriters get their demos to A&R people at
major record labels, publishers, and into film and TV projects.
Every month, TAXI lists dozens of opportunities for musicians to
get connected with labels, publishers, and producers seeking new
talent. Once signed up, you can submit your songs for
consideration for the listings offered. TAXI will review your
material, and if they feel it's right for the listed project,
forward it to the appropriate contact. Whether your song is
accepted or rejected, TAXI will provide you with written feedback
about your song. TAXI works with over 600 major companies
including Arista, Atlantic, Capitol, Columbia, Disney, Dreamworks
SKG, EMI, Epic, MCA, RCA, Universal, Virgin, Warner Brothers and
many others. There is a yearly membership fee of $300, plus small
submission fee ($5) for each song.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. Participate at your own
risk.


THE 2003 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net/
It's back! Entries for the 2003 USA Songwriting Competition are
now being accepted. Overall Grand Prize winner will receive
$50,000 worth of cash, merchandise and services. Overall 2nd
Prize winner will receive $7,000 worth of cash and merchandise,
Overall 3rd Prize winner will receive $5,800 worth of cash and
merchandise. First 1,000 entries will each receive a FREE
subscription from Singer magazine. Entries must be postmarked by
May 30th, 2003.


THE COCA COLA NEW MUSIC AWARD
http://www.newmusicaward.com/
The Coca-Cola Company, The American Music Awards (AMA), dick
clark communications (DCC), and The CMJ Network (CMJ) are
announcing a call for entries to the third annual "The American
Music Awards Presents The Coca-Cola New Music Award" competition.
The winner of this nationwide competition for unsigned bands will
perform live on the 31st Annual "American Music Awards" telecast
in November on ABC-TV. To enter "The Coca-Cola New Music Award"
competition, individual artists and bands are asked to submit
three original songs along with a biography, photo and lyrics.
Submissions may be sent either digitally to www.newmusicaward.com
or by mail on audiocassette or CD. Online entries must be
received by June 23, 2003, and mail-in entries must be received
by June 30, 2003. NO ENTRY FEE.


THE 2003 WINDRIFT MUSIC SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.windriftmusic.com/2003/index.htm?mba
Over $30,000 in cash and prizes to be won!!! Fabulous Sponsors
and Industry Professional Judges. Open now till July 31st, 2003
deadline. FREE e-Book, & Music Industry Discounts with every
entry! Monthly spot-prizes, Early Bird Bonuses & FREE entries
available! Enter online or by mail. $20 entry fee.


INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
$100,000 in cash and prizes to be given away. 68 winners in 13
categories. Overall Grand Prize Winner - $10,000 cash and $25,000
merchandise. Judges include Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Monte
Lipman - President of Universal Records, Tina Davis - Sr. VP of
A&R Def Jam, Rose Noone - Sr. VP of A&R at Epic Records and more.
All entries must be postmarked on or before September 15, 2003.
$30 entry fee.


SHOWCASE ON TV IN NASHVILLE
http://www.nashvilleconnection.com/countrytalentsearch1.html
Talent Search TV (TSTV), a monthly competition, is giving artists
a chance for much needed exposure in Music City. The last weekend
of each month, starting March 29, TSTV will begin the first of
eight competitions that will run through October. Contestants
will compete for the $100 monthly winner position and advance to
the Grand Finals in November. The Grand Prize includes $1000
cash; a two song recording session; a music video to be aired on
Travlin' Music Television's American Music Showcase shown to
536,000 homes; A photo shoot; an Epiphone acoustic guitar; a
showcase at THE TRAP & Nashville's Legendary Hall of Fame Lounge
and Hotel accommodations in Nashville For 4 nights on Music Row.


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Tonos Opportunities
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
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XM RADIO LOOKING FOR GREAT SONGS FOR AIRPLAY!
XM satellite radio has 101 coast-to-coast digital channels and
has a emerging artist radio show called Radio Unsigned. Radio
Unsigned is the first, and only, national audio platform
dedicated to unsigned, independent and emerging artists and plays
music across all genres. They are accepting performances of all
genres. Deadline is Friday May 23rd, 2003


MAJOR PUBLISHER SEEKING SONGS FOR MAJOR MALE ARTIST!
Major music publisher will accept songs for a major label male
artist with Top Ten successes in the past two years. The
publisher executive is looking for R&B/pop hits ONLY!! Deadline
is Monday May 26th, 2003


HITMAKER BYRON GALLIMORE LOOKING FOR SONGS FOR TIM MCGRAW
Top country music producer Byron Gallimore is currently reviewing
songs for Tim McGraw's next album. The actual recording sessions
aren't slated to begin until the fall, but the search for songs
is currently underway. Deadline is Friday May 30th, 2003


ROCK BANDS, SINGER-SONGWRITERS WANTED BY L.A. PRODUCTION COMPANY
A Grammy-winning engineer/mixer, whose credits include Carlos
Santana, Guns N' Roses and Adam Cohen, is seeking new bands
and/or artists (a la Beth Orton and Jeff Buckley) for production
deals. Deadline is Friday June 6th, 2003


MAJOR LABEL LOOKING FOR FEMALE POP/R&B ARTISTS FOR GROUP
Wisdom Entertainment is looking for female singers between the
ages of 15-23 years old for two different groups they are
forming; one is a Pop/R&B group and the other is an R&B group.
All ethnicites are welcome. Deadline is Friday June 13th, 2003


For more info on the above opportunities, please visit
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm


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Articles From Around The Net....
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A PLATINUM DEBUT SHOWS ITUNES HAS HIT POTENTIAL
http://tinyurl.com/brg5
When Apple opened its online iTunes Music Store last month with
200,000 digital album tracks for sale at 99 cents each, the
company said it expected to sell a million songs in its first
month. Instead, customers downloaded a million tunes in the first
week. That's an astounding figure, considering that Macs with the
latest version of Apple's operating system - the only computers
that can access the store - account for less than 1 percent of
the nation's PCs.


APPLE'S ONLINE MUSIC COUP IGNITES A BUDDING INDUSTRY
http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/3875317.html
Allen Evans of Middlesex, Vt., is no stranger to digital music.
About two-thirds of his music collection comes from free copies
on file-swapping networks. The remainder was ripped from CDs he
and his family already owned. Recently, Evans downloaded four
songs -- and gladly paid for them. The 19-year-old's purchases,
along with 1 million other tracks sold in the first week of
business for Apple Computer Incorporated's online music store,
mark a refreshing turn of events for the ailing music industry.
Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO and the closest thing Silicon Valley has
to a rock star, has succeeded in an important coup, forcing
tectonic change in an industry notorious for its dinosaur pace
and dragon tactics.


RECORD INDUSTRY CUTTING OFF NOSE TO SPITE FACE
http://www.silicon.com/news/500019/1/4071.html
New research has confirmed what many already suspected - music
download services such as Napster and KaZaA are a major factor in
driving CD sales. Many music fans use services such as KaZaA, and
previously the now defunct Napster, in a 'try before you buy'
capacity - finding out what new music they like before going out
and buying a CD. Critics of the Recording Industry Association of
America and its hard line of file sharing have long suggested
this to be the case and now research from Nielsen/NetRatings
supports the claim.


ONLINE MUSIC'S HIDDEN ENDGAME?
http://www.msnbc.com/news/767146.asp
Apple and Steve Jobs have clearly made a usability breakthrough
with iTunes 4 and Music Store and the music industry should be
grateful. The press, as usual, has treated Music Store as the
Second Coming, which is part of that old black magic that Steve
Jobs weaves so well. Mac enthusiasts, having something that no
one else does, are in heaven. Now, however, some quibbles about
selection and pricing are emerging, and Slashdot has a lengthy
thread that includes some mixed reviews and even some speculation
about piracy possibilities.



HOW APPLE GOT MUSIC DOWNLOADING RIGHT
http://tinyurl.com/brg8
After nearly a week of playing with Apple's new iTunes Music
Store and downloading dozens of songs, I've come to the
conclusion that I'm creeping toward bankruptcy, one buck at a
time. Apple's new online store provides what I think many people
have been looking for: a legal way to buy music over the
Internet, with few restrictions over what can be done with those
tunes. At 99 cents a song, the price is right, even if it will
lead susceptible people like me to financial ruin.


WHY THE RECORDING INDUSTRY LOVES TECH
http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/0,1640,48752,00.html
As head of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA),
I've been the public face for an industry that's endured
significant -- some would say tumultuous -- changes during the
last few years. It seems widely assumed that we at the RIAA revel
in our role in stamping out music pirates. True, it's a necessary
part of the job, and also the right thing to do -- if you
believe, as I do, that misusing someone's copyrighted property is
wrong. But here's something that may surprise you: I'm every bit
as passionate about music as you are.


RECORD LABELS' LATEST NAPSTER SUIT UNNERVES VENTURE CAPITALISTS
http://tinyurl.com/brgc
Venture capitalists didn't need another reason to avoid high-tech
investments — but two major record labels have given them one
anyway. Still seeking retribution for Napster's online
file-swapping system, industry giants Universal Music and EMI
broke are trying to break new legal ground by suing the venture
capital firm that helped finance the revolutionary Internet
service. Napster failed last year, but the discord about the
service and all the free music that it distributed is far from
over. The music industry's latest legal assault would push the
boundaries of blame by holding investors liable for the actions
of a company and its management. It's a showdown venture
capitalists have long dreaded.


APPLE: LEADER OF THE DIGITAL MUSIC PACK?
http://tinyurl.com/brgg
Steve Jobs has just created what is easily the most promising
legal digital music service on the market. Now that Apple has
gotten the music industry to support its pay-per-download iTunes
Music Store, nearly all of its Wintel PC-based rivals say they
will augment their subscription businesses with similar
offerings. "Steve's pushing the ball forward here," concedes Rob
Glaser, CEO of RealNetworks, which owns nearly 40% of MusicNet
and plans to purchase Listen.com's well-regarded Rhapsody
subscription service. But Glaser insists that Apple is ignoring a
significant part of the digital music market by offering just
downloading. He says Rhapsody users spend 72% of their time
listening to streaming music. Only 13% pay $1 to burn cuts onto
CDs. "if you make a really cool playlist of 200 songs on
Rhapsody, you pay only $9.95 a month," he says. "If you use
Apple, it's $200. Maybe guys like Steve and me can afford that,
but I'm trying to run a service for everyone else too."


WHAT RECORD INDUSTRY SLUMP?
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0411/p13s02-almp.html
While executives at major labels wail about the industry's
imminent collapse, indie labels and artists are singing a much
happier tune. Profits are up - in some cases by 50 to 100
percent. That's in contrast to overall album sales, which dropped
about 11 percent in 2002. "We don't do too much crying over
here," Cameron Strang, founder of New West Records, admits
proudly. The home of artists like Delbert McClinton, the
Flatlanders, and John Hiatt has doubled its business for the past
three years and is projecting a $10 million income in 2003. You
won't hear many of these labels' artists on pop radio - and
ironically, that's one of the secrets to their success.


NO LABEL, NO PROBLEM
http://tinyurl.com/brgi
The struggle for autonomy in the pop world has broken out all
over the map. While the corporate music machine grinds on, too
big for what was once considered a street art, musicians of all
types are shipping out to parts unknown to produce and market
their own albums. In the old days, the goal of most would-be
music stars was to enlist with one of the dozen or so major
labels that sold popular music to the masses. But with just five
money-losing global corporations dominating mainstream music,
self-sufficiency has become the mantra of performers who find
they can live just as well or better setting up shop on the
Internet, at gigs or through independent distributors.



WEB MUSIC GETS ITS ACT TOGETHER
http://tinyurl.com/apzy
Pay-to-play digital music services aren't perfect, but they're
improving. Here's how Business Week Online rates the best -- and
the rest...


DIGITAL MUSIC: STILL SCORES LEFT TO SETTLE
http://tinyurl.com/brgn
Randall Wixen represents some of the biggest names in music --
and he's not shy about defending their copyrights. Wixen the
services are a ruse by the labels to give artists and publishers
a smaller piece of the profits: "I'm all in favor of new delivery
systems," he says, "but it shouldn't change the relationship so
that we get less and the labels get more."


MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – A 2ND EDITION OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=7776
I am a serious movie fan, and so the other night I had a bizarre
dream: I was catapulted into the opening scene of my own sequel
of 'Mission: Impossible', and the mission – should I chose to
accept it - was to rebuild the music business from scratch. The
industry we know was "Gone with the Wind," and it was my job to
reassemble it.  The next morning I awoke and felt that I had to
try to deliver what I promised, dream or not. So, here is my
10-step program for the Impossible Mission of restructuring the
music business, 'Men in Black' notwithstanding.


UNLIKE NAPSTER, KAZAA CAN RUN AND IT CAN HIDE
http://tinyurl.com/brgz
Kazaa Media Desktop, the new king of Napster-like Internet
file-sharing programs, is proving as hard to ignore as it is to
destroy. With 60 million users worldwide, 22 million of them in
the United States, advertisers are dumping millions into
Kazaa.com coffers. Meanwhile, the Recording Industry Association
of America is shelling out similar amounts to decipher Kazaa's
labyrinthine corporate structure and stop unauthorized trading in
copyrighted music, games, software, and movies. Stopping Napster
was a no-brainer by comparison.



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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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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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RIAA SENDS OUT ERRONEOUS LETTERS
http://www.msnbc.com/news/913204.asp
The music industry’s antipiracy efforts took an embarrassing turn
Tuesday when the Recording Industry Association of America
acknowledged it has erroneously sent dozens of copyright
infringement notices. The RIAA said on Tuesday that a temporary
worker was responsible for firing off legal notifications last
week that invoked the Digital Millennium Copyright Act without
confirming that any copyrighted files were actually being offered
for download. “We have sent two dozen withdrawal notices — all
appear related to this particular temp,” the RIAA said in a
statement. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have
caused.”


APPLE: 'LARGEST ONLINE MUSIC COMPANY IN THE WORLD'
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=16187
Following reports that Apple’s online iTunes Music Store had sold
an estimated 275,000 tracks during its first 18 hours of
operation, Apple has announced it has now reached another major
milestone – over 1m songs sold by the end of the first week.
Significantly, over half the songs sold online were purchased in
the form of albums, helping to alleviate concerns that
facilitating music being sold on a per-track basis would be the
death of album sales. Also interesting was that over half half of
the the 200,000 songs offered on the iTunes Music Store were
purchased at least once.


MUSIC INDUSTRY MAY TURN TO ZAPPING THE PIRATES
http://www.iht.com/articles/95218.html
Some of the world's biggest record companies, facing rampant
online piracy, are quietly financing the development and testing
of software programs that would sabotage the computers and
Internet connections of people who download pirated music,
according to industry executives. The record companies are
thinking about new countermeasures, of varying degrees of
legality, to deter online theft: from attacking personal Internet
connections, so as to slow or halt the downloading of pirated
music, to overwhelming the distribution networks with potentially
malicious programs that masquerade as music files.


RIAA WINS SETTLEMENT FROM CAMPUS PIRATES
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-999332.html
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sued four
students separately last month for running services that searched
computers connected to their college networks for MP3 song files.
The students also shared copyrighted music from own machines. The
lawsuits marked the first time that the RIAA directly sued
students, as opposed to companies, associated with peer-to-peer
piracy. The settlements will see each student making payments to
the RIAA totaling between $12,000 and $17,000, split into annual
installments between 2003 and 2006. The lawsuits as filed could
have entailed damages (in theory) of up to $100 million.


APPLE TAKES BIG BITE INTO DIGITAL MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=16161
Apple Computer is describing the launch of its digital music
service iTunes Music Store as a trmedous success – and with an
estimated 275,000 tracks sold at almost a buck apiece in the
first 18 hours of operation, who’s going to disagree with them?
The figure was first released on Billboard and has been compiled
by the major record labels who have selling their wares through
Apple’s new service. The number of transactions has been
considered especially impressive given the limited customer base
Apple can reach through the Mac universe. The race is now on to
replicate Apple’s success in the much more extensive
Windows-based PC market.


MORPHEUS FINDS ITSELF BORN AGAIN
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-999026.html
StreamCast Networks' Morpheus, once the Net's most popular
file-swapping software, is being reborn yet again with new
technology, and StreamCast also has a new CEO: Former Chief
Executive Michael Weiss. StreamCast said Wednesday it would
release a wholly new version of its file-trading software May 1.
The announcement came just days after a federal judge made a
surprise ruling that StreamCast was not liable for copyright
infringement that took place using its software, giving the
struggling company a new lease on life. "It's a new day for us,"
Weiss said. The ruling "allows us to expand the company, and
perhaps reach out to artists who would like to directly connect
with users. It really allows us to come out of the shadows and
move the way we'd always wanted to."


RIAA TO FILE SWAPPERS--WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-998825.html
The recording industry is turning file-swappers' own tools
against them with a new campaign that is sending warnings to
people who are offering copyrighted materials online. Tapping
into the chat functions built into software programs such as
Kazaa and Grokster, the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) on Tuesday started sending automatic messages to people
who are providing copyrighted songs online, warning them that
they're breaking the law. About 200,000 users of the Grokster and
Kazaa file-sharing services received the warning notice on
Tuesday and millions more will get notices in coming weeks, said
Cary Sherman, president of the Recording Industry Association of
America, the trade group for the music companies.


APPLE LAUNCHES THE ITUNES MUSIC STORE
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=51045
Apple today (April 28th) launched the iTunes Music Store, a
revolutionary online music store that lets customers quickly
find, purchase and download the music they want for just 99 cents
per song, without subscription fees. The iTunes Music Store
offers groundbreaking personal use rights, including burning
songs onto an unlimited number of CDs for personal use, listening
to songs on an unlimited number of iPods, playing songs on up to
three Macintosh computers, and using songs in any application on
the Mac, including iPhoto, iMovie and iDVD.


MUSIC INDUSTRY ACCEPTS APPLE'S ONLINE SERVICE
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/5739215.htm
-Two years after angering the recording industry with its "Rip.
Mix. Burn" ad campaign, Apple Computer Inc. has won its
cooperation in creating the Internet's least restrictive
commercial music service yet. The iTunes Music Store announced by
Apple chief executive officer Steve Jobs yesterday draws from all
five major labels in offering more than 200,000 songs at 99 cents
a download - and includes some big-name artists who previously
shunned online distribution. Unlike its competitors, the service
has virtually no copy-protection - a major concession to consumer
demand.


XM INTRODUCES FIRST SATELLITE RADIO RECEIVER FOR A PC
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=51026
XM Satellite Radio, America's #1 satellite radio service, today
announced the introduction of the first satellite radio receiver
designed for personal computers. The XM PC Receiver, or "XM PCR,"
makes the tremendous breadth of XM's 101 digital music,
entertainment and news channels available to computer users at
home, work, school and on the go without the need for an Internet
connection.


JUDGE: FILE-SWAPPING TOOLS ARE LEGAL
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-998363.html
A federal judge in Los Angeles has handed a stunning court
victory to file-swapping services Streamcast Networks and
Grokster, dismissing much of the record industry and movie
studios' lawsuit against the two companies. In an almost complete
reversal of previous victories for the record labels and movie
studios, federal court Judge Stephen Wilson ruled that
Streamcast--parent of the Morpheus software--and Grokster were
not liable for copyright infringements that took place using
their software. "Defendants distribute and support software, the
users of which can and do choose to employ it for both lawful and
unlawful ends," Wilson wrote in his opinion, released Friday.


PRIVACY GROUPS ASSAIL RIAA V. VERIZON RULING
http://boston.internet.com/news/article.php/2196891
If the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
ultimately prevails in its legal effort to force Verizon to
reveal the names of customers suspected of illegally downloading
music, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) says alleged
copyright infringers will be deemed guilty until proven innocent.
The EFF is leading a group of 28 consumer and privacy groups,
including the Consumers Union, ACLU and the Competitive
Enterprise Institute, along with a number of Internet service
providers (ISPs) and ISP organizations, in support of Verizon's
position that the RIAA is unfairly using the subpoena power
provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
So far, though, it has been losing battle for Verizon and the EFF
coalition.


VERIZON VOWS TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT SUBSCRIBER PRIVACY
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=50899
Verizon today said it would immediately ask a U.S. Appeals Court
for a stay of a lower court ruling forcing the company to reveal
the identity of an Internet subscriber accused of music piracy.
Verizon is seeking to protect a subscriber's privacy following a
decision today by U.S. District Court Judge John Bates to deny
the company's original request for a stay. The case stems from a
subpoena filed last summer by the Recording Industry Association
of America (RIAA) demanding that Verizon Online turn over the
name of a customer whom the RIAA alleges possesses illegal copies
of copyrighted music files on the customer's personal computer.


POLICE CLOSE DOWN MAJOR ONLINE PIRATE SITE IN AUSTRALIA
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=50898
Federal police in Australia have raided one of the biggest
suppliers of infringing music files on the Internet. An
Australian-based website, MP3 WMA land, was the hub of a massive
exchange of music and other digital files across the world. The
site attracted over 7 million visitors, placing it among the top
10% of infringing Internet sites worldwide, and is the largest
instance of online music piracy ever detected in Australia.


EMI TO SELL 200,000 MP3 TRACKS ONLINE
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2133775,00.html
Songs from artists such as Lenny Kravitz and Pink Floyd will be
available online after a deal between EMI and music distributors
EMI says it has signed deals with 20 digital music distributors
to sell its music on the Internet, in the most wide-ranging
online push by a major music company in Europe. Songs by Norah
Jones, Pink Floyd and David Bowie will be among 140,000 tracks
made available for downloading through 20 European Web sites
including Wanadoo, MSN, music channel MTV and retailer HMV. Under
the EMI deal, consumers will be able to make permanent copies of
songs and transfer them to recordable CDs, portable music players
and their computer hard drives.


REAL BUYS LISTEN.COM FOR $36 MILLION
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/5688485.htm
Streaming media giant RealNetworks said Monday that it will
acquire independent music service Listen.com in a stock and cash
transaction valued at $36 million. RealNetworks said the
acquisition brings it Rhapsody, an acclaimed Internet music
service that would augment RealNetwork's own premium news and
entertainment offering, and distribution deals with key
high-speed access providers including Time Warner Cable, Charter
Communications and Verizon Online.


FEDS FAVORS RECORD LABELS OVER VERIZON
http://news.com.com/2100-1027-997568.html
The U.S. government positioned itself with the recording industry
in its dispute with Verizon Communications on Friday, saying a
digital-copyright law invoked by record labels to track down
Internet song-swappers did not violate the U.S. Constitution. The
move, while expected, came as a blow to the Internet access
provider as it struggles to shield its customers. "We would have
expected they would have recognized there are important privacy
and safety issues beyond the narrow copyright claims here," said
Verizon Vice President Sarah Deutsch, who is also associate
general counsel.


CLEAR CHANNEL CUTS TIES WITH INDEPENDENT PROMOTERS
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=50241
Clear Channel announced today that its radio stations would no
longer work with independent promoters after several prominent
members of Congress expressed concern over the longstanding
industry practice. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Orrin Hatch
(R-UT) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) each have raised questions about
whether radio station contracts with record company "middlemen"
affect the amount of airplay given to particular songs. "We heard
Senator McCain and Senator Hatch loud and clear," said Clear
Channel President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Mays. "And we
now recognize that these relationships may appear to be something
they're not. We have zero tolerance for 'pay for play,' but want
to avoid even the suggestion that such a practice takes place
within our company."


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resources
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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
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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #54 - April 2003
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Hello subscribers, and welcome to the April edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest! Another month, another issue...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

The news making the biggest waves of late is the Recording
Industry Association of America's lawsuit against four college
students who, combined, offered more than a million copies of
songs to other students, staff and administrators via university
file-sharing networks. The RIAA is asking to be paid maximum
damages of up to $150,000 per song.

Wow. 150K per song. 150,000 x 1,000,000 songs = a whole lot of
money!

Imagine what the poor students must be feeling. Or, should we
feel any pity for them? They ARE criminals, right?

The four students named in the suit were "randomly targeted" by
the RIAA because of their file-sharing habits. To quote Jonathan
Lamy of 'The Joint Committee of the Higher Education and
Entertainment Communities' (which includes members if the RIAA),
one point of the lawsuit "is to communicate a message of
deterrence to others who may already be operating one of these
networks or considering operating one of these networks."

The colleges themselves (Princeton University, Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute and Michigan Technological University) have
not been named in the lawsuit. Even so, they aren't too pleased
on how this has played out. The president of MTU, who had been
partnering with the RIAA to educate its students about copyright
laws, commented that the RIAA has been completely
non-communicative on this matter. "I am very disappointed that
the RIAA decided to take this action in this manner. As a fully
cooperating site, we would have expected the courtesy of being
notified early and allowing us to take action following
established procedures, instead of allowing it to get to the
point of lawsuits and publicity."

In other words, rather than working with the university to solve
the problem, the RIAA side-stepped it's 'partner' and went right
after the students. The president of MTU hinted that the RIAA was
more interested in the publicity generated by the suit than
anything else. If it's publicity they wanted, they sure got it.
This story has dominated the wires.

MUSIC INDUSTRY SUES FOUR COLLEGE STUDENTS
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/5553034.htm

RECORDING INDUSTRY SUES FOUR STUDENTS FOR PIRATING MUSIC
http://tinyurl.com/98lb

MTU PRESIDENT IRKED BY RIAA LAWSUIT
http://siliconvalley.internet.com/news/article.php/2179281

By the way, according to a report released April 9th, music sales
have fallen for the third year in a row, down 10% this year in
the United States, and 7% globally.

MUSIC INDUSTRY: PIRACY IS CHOKING SALES
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-996205.html

GLOBAL SALES OF RECORDED MUSIC DOWN 7% IN 2002
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=50227

In other news, the RIAA and Internet broadcasters came to an
agreement in their battle over how much webcasters should have to
pay to broadcast music online. This agreement, however, was made
between the RIAA and large webcasters like Yahoo!, America
Online, MusicMatch and RealNetworks. Smaller webcasters haven't
had much say in the deal, though to be fair they operate under a
different agreement that allows them to pay less. Still, many
state plainly that they cannot afford the rates. Said Kevin
Shively, VP of Beethoven.com, "[The deal] means absolutely
nothing in terms of settling the issue for small
webcasters....we're in the same boat that we were before, except
there are fewer bigger ships to hide between."

RECORD INDUSTRY, WEBCASTERS AGREE ON ROYALTY RATES
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/5558520.htm

DEAL LEAVES SMALL WEBCASTERS IN LIMBO
http://tinyurl.com/98o1

And finally, in a cool technological leap, both Sony and Philips
have developed recording systems that will allow people to record
between 30 and 100 hours of music onto a CD!

100 HOUR MUSIC CDS INCUR WRATH OF MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=15497

Naturally, the music industry isn't too pleased. More lawsuits
coming?

Until next time,

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


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THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

GUERRILLA MUSIC MARKETING SUGGESTIONS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/gmm_suggest.htm
Looking for some fresh ideas for promoting your act? Here are
some suggestions from music consultant Chris Knab.


MAXING YOUR MUSICAL MASTERY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/mastery.htm
Every musician has, at least, two methods he (or she) can use to
proactively earn an income, yet, most only utilize one method.
So, in an effort to apprise you of more areas that you may (or
may not) have considered for producing more income from your
local market, here are a list of avenues artists can utilize to
gravitate to a higher tax bracket. Article by Kenny Love.


RADIO AIRPLAY 101: COMMERICAL RADIO RATINGS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/ratings.htm
When working a record to commercial regular-rotation radio, one
thing and one thing only will help your career move forward:
Helping the stations get ratings. Stations are not in the music
business... they are in the ratings business... Here's how to
impact their listeners. Article by Brian Farrish.


HOW TO CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS
AND PROPEL YOUR MUSIC CAREER FORWARD!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/cs_relationships.htm
"The music business is littered with over inflated egos and
insecure artists who seem to think that the world somehow
revolves around them....Stop and think for a moment what your
reputation is. How do you think others perceive you?" Article by
Chris Standring.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

RELEASING YOUR OWN RECORD: A LEGAL CHECKLIST
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/legalchecklist.htm

A RECORD DISTRIBUTION TEST
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/distributiontest.htm

WHAT'S A RECORD DEAL ALL ABOUT?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/recorddeal.htm


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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT - ZZOUNDS.COM
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/zzounds.htm
zZounds is a premier source of recording equipment, guitars,
pianos, keyboards, software, mics, tuners, and music more.
zZounds guarantees to beat any price, and there is a 30 Day price
protection program - so if you find a lower price AFTER you
purchase, zZounds will refund you the difference! zZounds also
offers very low shipping costs on equipment and in many cases
shipping is absolutely free. zZounds also ships your product
immediately - no waiting! Finally, almost every product in the
easy-to-browse catalog has user reviews from previous buyers so
you can be confident of the quality of what you're buying. Very
highly recommended. A great place to buy, or even just get info
on equipment you are interested in.


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

CORNERBAND.COM
http://www.cornerband.com
How would you like to get your music onto the Kazaa file sharing
network (which boasts over 185 million users) and use it as a
means to promote, distribute and sell your music? How cool would
it be if, when someone searched Kazaa for a popular artist such
as the Dave Matthews Band (or any other artist whose music is
similar to yours), your song was recommended to them? What if
every time a Kazaa user listened to your song, a window popped up
with information about you and a link to your online store where
they could buy your CD? This is all stuff you can do by signing
up with Cornerband.com. Cornerband is the exclusive, official
provider of independent music content to the Kazaa Media Desktop
program. As a member, you have complete control over the
distribution and security of your song files. You can upload your
files in MP3 or WMA format, prevent users from burning your
songs, set the songs to time out after a certain number of
listens and associate your songs with a variety of keywords such
as “hip-hop” or popular artist names. Other benefits of
Cornerband include the ability to create streaming radio stations
of your music, which you can link to directly from your official
artist site. You can also link from Cornerband to your official
site, upload your photo and tour dates, create a band profile and
view song statistics. Cornerband offers some incredible
opportunities for targeting new customers searching for music
related to yours on the Internet. Don’t pass this one up.


FOLEY ENTERTAINMENT
http://www.foleyentertainment.com/
Dr. Eugene Foley of Foley Entertainment offers numerous services
for musicians, including consulting, CD shopping, marketing and
promotion. Foley's clients have contributed to projects involving
most of the major record labels and his clients have earned
dozens of gold and platinum records as well as three Grammy
awards. Foley has contributed to music-related features on NBC,
MTV, VH-1, PBS, Fox and others. Check out Dr. Foley's 'Your Dime,
My Time' program, where you can get a free 15 minute consultation
for the cost of a phone call. The company is licensed and a
member of the Better Business Bureau. We worked with Foley
Entertainment several years ago and it was a very pleasant
experience. Check out the 'endorsements' for a few examples of
his contacts.


THE MUSICIAN'S GUIDE THROUGH THE LEGAL JUNGLE
http://www.legaljungleguide.com/
This is the official web site for this excellent audiobook series
on the legalities of the music business. The site also features
excellent and easy-to-understand articles for the musician trying
to grasp the legalities of the music business, including How to
Copyright Songs and Sound Recordings, a quick guide to
registering copyrights, What Exactly is a Music Copyright, a
description of the rights a copyright owner holds in his songs
and sound recordings, Music Publishing: How Your Songwriting
Generates Income, a descriptive review of the major licenses and
Music Agents, a brief look at how talent agents can assist the
professional musician in his career.


MUSICIANS INTELLECTUAL LAW AND RESOURCES LINKS
http://www.aracnet.com/%7Eschornj/index.shtml
A very complete directory containing not only links, but general
information on the basics of copyright and music law. You'll find
notes on trademarks, mechanical royalties, an analysis of
recording contract clauses and more. Also, written in plain
English, so little guesswork involved. A great place to find
basic music law information quickly.


ULINE SHIPPING SUPPLY SPECIALISTS
http://www.uline.com
If you are looking for packaging supplies for your CDs or other
products, ULINE is the place to shop. They have the coolest, most
professional CD mailers we've ever seen and we've been using
their products for several months now. We highly recommend the
self-sealing multi-depth mailers for 1-4 CDs or the 10 CD tab
locking box for large CD orders. Excellent customer service and
fast shipping times.

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MUSICALPLANET SONG COMPETITION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/musicplanet.htm
1st prize $25,000, 2nd prize $5000, 3rd prize, $2000. Proceeds
from this competition go toward conservation of the environment.
Entries must be postmarked by April 30th, 2003. $25 Entry fee.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no connection with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. Participate at your own
risk.


UNISONG INT'L SONGWRITING CONTEST
http://www.unisong.com/
Over $50,000 in cash and prizes for songs in 10 categories, plus
win a trip to L.A., N.Y., Nashville or London to write with the
pros. Past UNISONG Grand Prize winners have had the opportunity
to write with the likes of Burt Bacharach, Peter Buck, Jimmy
Buffet, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Stewart Copeland, Rodney
Crowell, Lamont Dozier, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, Indigo
Girls, Montell Jordan, Gladys Knight, Lisa Loeb, Me'Shell
Ndegeocello, Joan Osborne, Lee Roy Parnell, Bonnie Raitt, Brenda
Russell, Andy Summers, David Was, Don Was, and many others.
Entries must by postmarked on or before April 30, 2003. $25 Entry
fee.


THE 2003 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net/
It's back! Entries for the 2003 USA Songwriting Competition are
now being accepted. Overall Grand Prize winner will receive
$50,000 worth of cash, merchandise and services. Overall 2nd
Prize winner will receive $7,000 worth of cash and merchandise,
Overall 3rd Prize winner will receive $5,800 worth of cash and
merchandise. First 1,000 entries will each receive a FREE
subscription from Singer magazine. Entries must be postmarked by
May 30th, 2003.


THE 2003 WINDRIFT MUSIC SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.windriftmusic.com/2003/index.htm?mba
Over $30,000 in cash and prizes to be won!!! Fabulous Sponsors
and Industry Professional Judges. Open now till July 31st, 2003
deadline. FREE e-Book, & Music Industry Discounts with every
entry! Monthly spot-prizes, Early Bird Bonuses & FREE entries
available! Enter online or by mail. $20 entry fee.


SHOWCASE ON TV IN NASHVILLE
http://www.nashvilleconnection.com/countrytalentsearch1.html
Talent Search TV (TSTV), a monthly competition, is giving artists
a chance for much needed exposure in Music City. The last weekend
of each month, starting March 29, TSTV will begin the first of
eight competitions that will run through October. Contestants
will compete for the $100 monthly winner position and advance to
the Grand Finals in November. The Grand Prize includes $1000
cash; a two song recording session; a music video to be aired on
Travlin' Music Television's American Music Showcase shown to
536,000 homes; A photo shoot; an Epiphone acoustic guitar; a
showcase at THE TRAP & Nashville's Legendary Hall of Fame Lounge
and Hotel accommodations in Nashville For 4 nights on Music Row.


INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
$100,000 in cash and prizes to be given away. 68 winners in 13
categories. Overall Grand Prize Winner - $10,000 cash and $25,000
merchandise. Judges include Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, Monte
Lipman - President of Universal Records, Tina Davis - Sr. VP of
A&R Def Jam, Rose Noone - Sr. VP of A&R at Epic Records and more.
All entries must be postmarked on or before September 15, 2003.
$30 entry fee.


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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HIGH-TECH FAILS TO STOP THE MUSIC GOING ROUND
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3350632
I've got to admit this - I broke the law researching this story.
But it was done to verify facts. The web was crawling with
stories of how easy it had become to crack EMI's "copyright
control protection", the brains the company embeds in its CDs to
stop people copying them. Side-stepping EMI's controls is not
illegal, but copying the music of its artists to a digital device
or blank CD is. New EMI discs will carry the blocking technology,
but a simple test done by the Herald shows how easy it is to beat
EMI's controls.


INDIE ARTIST SURPASSES OVER 1.4 MILLION DOWNLOADS!
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=49783
When Ryan Farish uploaded his music to mp3.com a little over 3
years ago, he had no idea that the fan base and listeners he
would attract would one day turn his love of music into a full
time professional career, eventually leading his music into
products from some of the world's most prominent companies such
as IBM, The Weather Channel, COX Communications, Amazon.com, and
Sun Microsystems to name a few.


MTV KIDS NEED TO TUNE IN TO LIFE
http://tinyurl.com/98mu
I gave a pop quiz this week in the college journalism class I
teach. As a bonus question, I asked: Who is Tommy Franks? Not one
student out of 30 could identify the U.S. Army general in command
of the war in Iraq. These are average Americans from differing
backgrounds, mostly between the ages of 19 and 25. While my
survey is hardly a scientific picture of what America's youth is
paying attention to, it may be a good snapshot. It reminded me of
the National Geographic survey taken last year that showed only
13% of 18- to 24-year-olds could find Iraq on the map; 11%
couldn't identify the United States, and half had no idea where
New York is.


MUSIC INDUSTRY MEETS ITS FUTURE
http://www.nypost.com/business/71542.htm
Ever since the MP3 format was widely adopted, the major recording
labels have been scrambling to get a piece of the action online.
While the major labels have done battle with the digital music
terrorists, musicians from around the world have appropriated new
technology and created avenues of distribution and marketing.
Be it the ability to sell records through Amazon.com or a simple
Web site to promote upcoming shows, artists have been empowered
like never before. Their reliance on the traditional industry
players and managers, lawyers and booking agents is no longer a
given.


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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.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

MTU PRESIDENT IRKED BY RIAA LAWSUIT
http://siliconvalley.internet.com/news/article.php/2179281
The Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) decision
to slap lawsuits on file-swappers at three U.S. universities has
been met with an angry retort from the president of the Michigan
Technological University (MTU). In a letter to RIAA boss Cary
Sherman, MTU's Curtis Tompkins accused the association of turning
a blind eye to the school's efforts to curb illegal file-sharing
within its network and hinted that the RIAA was more interested
in lawsuits and publicity.


MUSIC INDUSTRY: PIRACY IS CHOKING SALES
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-996205.html
Worldwide sales of music CDs, records and cassettes fell for the
third year in a row, hit largely by rising Internet piracy in the
United States, according to an international recording industry
group. Last year saw the steepest fall yet, with a 7 percent drop
in global music sales and a 10 percent fall in units sold in the
United States, according to figures for 2002 released Wednesday
by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry
(IFPI). News of falling music sales has become a recurring
refrain from an industry beset on all sides by an anemic economy,
by changing consumer consumption patterns and by high-tech piracy
competition.


SONY REVISITS ONLINE OFFER OF CUSTOM CD'S
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/07/technology/07SONY.html
In a venture similar to the custom compact disc sites that looked
promising during the early years of the dot-com boom, Sony Music
Entertainment has started a Web site where online shoppers can
buy CD's containing songs of their choosing. But rather than
appealing to casual consumers with a broad mix of music, the site
is designed to promote particular artists. Currently the site
offers only songs by Bob Dylan and the alternative-rock quintet
Train.


RECORD INDUSTRY, WEBCASTERS AGREE ON ROYALTY RATES
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/5558520.htm
The recording industry and Internet music broadcasters hope a new
agreement will prevent a repeat of their recent battle over
online music royalties, allowing them to focus instead on
providing better music services for consumers. The two sides
agreed Thursday on how much big webcasters like Yahoo!, America
Online, Microsoft and RealNetworks must pay to broadcast songs
over the Internet during 2003 and 2004. The new deal, if approved
by the U.S. Copyright Office, will allow the two industries to
avoid a lengthy arbitration process to set the royalty rates.


MUSIC INDUSTRY SUES FOUR COLLEGE STUDENTS
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/5553034.htm
The recording industry is expanding its fight against illegal
Internet content swapping by suing four college students for
allegedly offering more than 1 million copies of popular music.
In lawsuits filed Thursday in federal courts, the Recording
Industry Association of America asked that the sites be shut down
and that it be paid maximum damages of $150,000 per song.
The RIAA said the file-sharing systems were being run by students
at Princeton University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and
Michigan Technological University.


MACROVISION PROTECTED MUSIC CDS SURPASS 100 MILLION
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=49914
Macrovision Corporation, the world's leading developer and vendor
of content protection and security technologies announced today
that the number of Music CDs encoded with Macrovision copy
protection now exceeds 100 million units. Macrovision's CDS
technology prevents the ripping of the audio files and inhibits
unauthorized file sharing and CD burning.


RIAA WINS PIRACY SUIT
http://www.stereophile.com/shownews.cgi?1609
Alleged unauthorized copying of compact discs will cost
Technicolor, Inc. approximately $2.3 million. On March 26, the
Southern California disc replicator agreed to settle a case
brought against it last year by the Recording Industry
Association of America (RIAA), in which the RIAA charged that
workers at one of Technicolor's disc plants had made and
distributed batches of illegal copies. The total of the
settlement was less than 10% of the amount originally sought by
the RIAA.


LEGISLATION VS MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.stereophile.com/shownews.cgi?1601
In California, state senator Kevin Murray has made good on last
year's promise to return to his battle for artists' rights. The
Los Angeles Democrat has introduced four bills that will alter
contract law for musicians and music labels. Murray claims that
his legislation addresses longstanding resentment by artists
about oppressive contracts and questionable accounting
procedures. Murray's bills would overturn a music industry–backed
exemption to California's general seven-year limit on employment
contracts that can prevent artists from seeking better deals or
becoming free agents. The present exemption can keep artists tied
to a record label for 20 years or more. Murray's bills would also
modernize the industry's accounting practices.


RIAA WANTS MORE NAMES FROM VERIZON
http://dc.internet.com/news/article.php/2116721
With a court victory in its pocket but no names in hand, the
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is ratcheting up
the legal pressure on Verizon to provide the identity of alleged
music pirates operating on the Verizon network. Citing provisions
in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), U.S. District
Judge John D. Bates ruled in January Verizon must comply with an
RIAA subpoena requesting the name of a Verizon Internet
subscriber who allegedly downloaded more than 600 copyrighted
music files in a single day. The RIAA, though, has insisted that
Verizon not only immediately turn over the name of the alleged
infringer but has also issued two more subpoenas demanding
Verizon finger more accused infringers.


100 HOUR MUSIC CDS INCUR WRATH OF MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=15497
Sony and Philips have both developed separate recording systems
that will let people copy between 30 and 100 hours of music onto
a CD, according to a report in New Scientist. The news has
reportedly not gone down well with the music industry which views
the companies as adding to the resources available to music
‘pirates’. Sony’s technology is based on the compression
technology system used in MiniDiscs, whereas Philips system uses
a computer DVD recorder. Sony, which itself owns a music
division, said the move made sense and it was the record
companies that need to adapt their business models.


RIAA'S ANTI-PIRACY LETTER DRAWS PROTEST
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20950~1253396,00.html
Major record labels have targeted about 300 companies whose
computers were allegedly used by employees to feed file-swapping
networks, in the latest attempt to crack down on Internet music
piracy. Letters sent out in the past week by the Recording
Industry Association of America informed the companies of the
alleged piracy and warned that employees and employers might be
subjected to "significant legal damages." However, the letters
made no explicit threat to sue. The RIAA's action drew protest
from the Information Technology Association of America, a trade
group representing Microsoft Corp., IBM Corp., and more than 400
other software and service companies. "When corporations are
trying to protect themselves from major hackers and terrorists
... trying to do serious damage to their networks, I don't know
that they want to spend their time chasing down a half-dozen
employees who like to trade old Rolling Stones songs," said the
group's president, Harris Miller. "It's a matter of
prioritization."


EMI 'FACES BUYOUT'
http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/story/0,7497,915779,00.html
EMI, the UK music giant, is being targeted by private equity
groups after a dramatic slump in its share price during the past
three months. It is understood venture capitalists such as
Britain's Cinven, and Thomas H. Lee, and Blackstone in the US,
are working on plans involving financial backing for a management
buyout of the company. EMI's stock market value has dropped to
just £730 million since the turn of the year, representing a
decline of 40 per cent since December. And yesterday, industry
sources said a bid could now be just weeks away.


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Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2003 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $26.95!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
$24.95!


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 $52.95!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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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And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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THE GALARIS MUSICIANS DIRECTORY: 2003 Edition
DISCOUNTED 10% for MUSIC BIZ DIGEST subscribers!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm
The ultimate tool for the connected musician. Booking Agents,
Clubs, Disc Manufacturers, Legal Services, Magazines, Retailers,
Photographers, Promoters, Publicists, Radio Stations, Record
Labels, Music Schools, Studios, Producers, Engineers, and much
much more!


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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #53 - March 11th, 2003
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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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Hello subscribers, and welcome to the March 11th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
There's a lot to tell you about this issue. First and foremost,
the 2003 edition of my book, 'How to Promote Your Music
Successfully on the Internet' has been released. For those of you
who purchased the Summer 2002 edition, you should have already
received your free PDF update.

For those of you who don't know, this book essentially documents
my own journey marketing and selling music on the Internet. I've
been doing this since 1995, and in November of 2001, I was
finally able to quit my day job. The book essentially details
my music marketing strategies - how I got from there (practically
no online income) to here (supporting my family and the continued
development of my art) using the Internet.

I'm not going to include a big sales pitch here. I figure by now
most of you are familiar with the book. If you have any questions
about it, you can email me at dnevue@... . Details on
the book can be found at http://www.promoteyourmusic.com .

There's been a lot of other news that I should pass on to y'all.
I don't think I'm going to spend too much time on all of this,
but here are the highlights:

A new online music subscription service has entered the playing
field. It's called StreamWaves.com, and while it doesn't have all
the features of Listen.com, MusicNet, PressPlay and others, it's
still pretty cool. In fact, I like the layout more than some of
its competitors....

AN INTERNET MUSIC SERVICE WITH A DIFFERENCE: IT'S LEGAL
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/5325623.htm
http://www.streamwaves.com

And since I'm on this topic, I have somewhat of a confession: I
finally took the plunge and subscribed to Listen.com's Rhapsody
service. I have to say I absolutely love it. I feel like I'm
getting quite a deal - for $9.95/month I can listen to most any
CD I want. I don't even have to get out of my chair to pick a CD
out of my collection anymore. Best of all, I can try out pretty
much any new CD on the market for free (well, there's that $10 a
month fee), but I've been really enjoying the ability to try out
new music to my heart's content. It's been a long time since I've
enjoyed listening to music this much.

OK, moving on, I ran across an article this month that I think
every struggling musician should read. It's a music industry case
study. While the information in it is generally common knowledge,
if you are still waiting to have your music 'discovered' so you
can be rich beyond your wildest dreams, this article is a
must-read:

A MUSIC INDUSTRY CASE STUDY
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/60991p-57008c.html

The music biz is harsh, and not near as financially lucrative, as
most people think.

In other news, Napster is coming back. The company that purchased
Napster (Roxio), intends to relaunch Napster as a
pay-for-download service before the end of 2003. Roxio has even
brought in Shawn Fanning, the creator of Napster, as a consultant
on the project. Roxio is pursuing licensing deals with all the
major record labels so that when it goes 'live', it has a
complete catalog from the get-go.

NAPSTER RISES FROM THE GRAVE... AGAIN
http://media.guardian.co.uk/dotcoms/story/0,7521,900540,00.html

In other major news, which I won't delve into detail on,
RealNetworks has invested money in Listen.com, giving the
Rhapsody service a much needed financial boost; AOL signed a deal
with MusicNet and is now offering the music download service to
its 27 million subscribers; File sharing, CD burning, and
Internet listening rates all continue to rise on the Internet (no
surprise there); and the industry is developing a digital ID tag
for music files called the "Global Release Identifier" (GRid) to
track music distributed electronically via the web.

For more news, see the detailed stories below in the featured
news and articles sections....

Until next time,

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


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THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2003 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $26.95!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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HOW YOUR RECORD LABEL KEEPS YOU BUSY WHILE YOU TOUR
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/busy.htm
This is what a professional major label Marketing Itinerary looks
like for an Urban act who is doing a two week tour of the U.S. As
you can see they have the act doing a lot more than just
performing at clubs. They keep the act busy while on the road
visiting radio stations, doing press interviews, and in-store
visits. Hey, who ever said it was going to be easy? Article by
Chris Knab.


RADIO AIRPLAY 101: REPORTING VS. CHARTING
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/reporting.htm
As you start doing more radio, you'll get more opportunity to
choose between "reporting" and "non-reporting" stations, and also
between "charting" and "non-charting" campaigns. Should you pick
one over the other? Article by Brian Farrish.


Q&A: SENDING CDS ACROSS THE BORDER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveqa5.htm
"We recently sent our CD out to a Canadian station, but it was
returned.  When we contacted the station, the MD informed us that
the postal service had told them that the CD was valued at $100,
and that in order to receive it, the station would need to pay an
$18 fee.  Weird, don't you think?" Answer by Kenny Love.


NURTURE YOUR FANS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/nuturefans.htm
"I have learned many things over the years in this business of
music, but it has taken me a majority of those years to come to
terms with what I feel is the most important aspect of being an
artist....the fans.  Fans are precious. Article by Chris
Standring.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PRESS KIT
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/presskits.htm

PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/perfcontracts.htm

INSIDE RECORD LABELS: ORGANIZING THINGS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/insidelabels.htm


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THE GALARIS MUSICIANS DIRECTORY: 2003 Edition
DISCOUNTED 10% for MUSIC BIZ DIGEST subscribers!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm
The ultimate tool for the connected musician. Booking Agents,
Clubs, Disc Manufacturers, Legal Services, Magazines, Retailers,
Photographers, Promoters, Publicists, Radio Stations, Record
Labels, Music Schools, Studios, Producers, Engineers, and much
much more!


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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AMPCAST
http://www.ampcast.com/artists/
Ampcast is one of the Internet's better-known hosting sites for
independent musicians looking for ways to promote and distribute
their music online. At Ampcast, you get unlimited storage space
for your MP3 files and graphics, detailed album pages to promote
each or your CDs, the ability to customize the HTML of your
'artist page', and you can sell both digital singles and CDs from
your Ampcast page. Ampcast has a reputation for taking a vested
interest in supporting it's members.


THE HARRY FOX AGENCY, INC.
http://www.nmpa.org/hfa.html
Want to use a copyright protected song but you're confused about
who to contact and how to go about it? The HFA licenses the
largest percentage of music in the United States for CDs and
digital services. The HFA's easy to use licensing system takes
you step by step through the process of licensing songs for use
in recording, performance, film, or media and tells you exactly
what you need to do and what it will cost you.


NEGATIVELAND: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ISSUES
http://www.negativland.com/intprop.html
This music copyright resource provided by industry-rogue
Negativland is interesting to say the least, with articles
covering both copyright and anti-copyright issues. You'll find
essays and suggested links to information on copyright, fair use,
trademarking, and intellectual property. Fascinating reading.


PUBLIC DOMAIN MUSIC
http://www.pdinfo.com/
Need to find out if a song you want to perform or record is in
the public domain? Then check out this public domain information
project. You'll find numerous articles on public domain works and
copyright information as well as public domain song lists,
research resources, tips, and a well documented FAQ.


PUBLICITY INSIDER
http://www.publicityinsider.com/
Bill Stoller's Publicity Insider newsletter is designed for
people who are - well - wanting to generate a lot of publicity.
Mr. Stoller has worked with some notable clients, including
Coca-Cola, Hasbro, and Colgate-Palmolive. His public relations
firm, Stoller & Bard Communications, has helped make some great
products very famous, including Pictionary, which as you know has
become a household name (or is it 'household game?'). At
PublicityInsider.com, Mr. Stoller is selling subscriptions to his
magazine, 'Free Publicity', which offers a regular dose of hot
opportunities, 'insider' information, Internet publicity tips and
more. But aside from that, there's lots worth parusing at the web
site, including 'Killer Publicity Resources,' frequently asked PR
questions, and a free Publicity Insiders e-zine which you can
subscribe to. Also, don't miss the free reports available at the
web site. Well worth visiting.


MISSING LINK MUSIC: YOUR ROYALTY RESCUE UNIT
http://www.missinglinkmusic.com/index.html
Ever get the feeling your songs are being used without your
permission, or without your getting paid for their use? Missing
Link Music is a royalities research, negotiation, and
investigation firm, who will research the copyright and licensing
status of your songs abroad, negotiate with companies who have
recorded your songs, and enter into licensing agreements on your
behalf. Missing Link Music also licenses songs on a worldwide
basis for use on CDs, cassettes, LPs, DVD, home videos, video
games, as well as music used in commercial movies. Missing Link's
clients include songwriters, producers and artists who have
written for: Boyz II Men, James Brown, Mighty Mighty Bosstones,
Public Enemy, Ce Ce Winans, Warren G, Joe, and many more.

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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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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no affiliation with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. Participate at your own
risk.


UNISONG INT'L SONGWRITING CONTEST
http://www.unisong.com/
Over $50,000 in cash and prizes for songs in 10 categories, plus
win a trip to L.A., N.Y., Nashville or London to write with the
pros. Past UNISONG Grand Prize winners have had the opportunity
to write with the likes of Burt Bacharach, Peter Buck, Jimmy
Buffet, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Stewart Copeland, Rodney
Crowell, Lamont Dozier, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, Indigo
Girls, Montell Jordan, Gladys Knight, Lisa Loeb, Me'Shell
Ndegeocello, Joan Osborne, Lee Roy Parnell, Bonnie Raitt, Brenda
Russell, Andy Summers, David Was, Don Was, and many others.
Entries must by postmarked on or before April 30, 2003. $25 Entry
fee.


THE 2003 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net/
It's back! Entries for the 2003 USA Songwriting Competition are
now being accepted. Overall Grand Prize winner will receive
$50,000 worth of cash, merchandise and services. Overall 2nd
Prize winner will receive $7,000 worth of cash and merchandise,
Overall 3rd Prize winner will receive $5,800 worth of cash and
merchandise. First 1,000 entries will each receive a FREE
subscription from Singer magazine. Entries must be postmarked by
May 30th, 2003.


THE 2003 WINDRIFT MUSIC SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.windriftmusic.com/2003/index.htm?mba
Over $25,000 in cash and prizes to be won!!! Fabulous Sponsors
and Industry Professional Judges. Open now till July 31st, 2003
deadline. $20US/$30CDN entry fee. FREE e-Book, & Music Industry
Discounts with every entry! Monthly spot-prizes, Early Bird
Bonuses & FREE entries available! Enter online or by mail.


SHOWCASE ON TV IN NASHVILLE
http://www.nashvilleconnection.com/countrytalentsearch1.html
Talent Search TV (TSTV), a monthly competition, is giving artists
a chance for much needed exposure in Music City. The last weekend
of each month, starting March 29, TSTV will begin the first of
eight competitions that will run through October. Contestants
will compete for the $100 monthly winner position and advance to
the Grand Finals in November. The Grand Prize includes $1000
cash; a two song recording session; a music video to be aired on
Travlin' Music Television's American Music Showcase shown to
536,000 homes; A photo shoot; an Epiphone acoustic guitar; a
showcase at THE TRAP & Nashville's Legendary Hall of Fame Lounge
and Hotel accommodations in Nashville For 4 nights on Music Row.

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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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NET PIRATES OUTSMART RECORD LABELS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2826111.stm
Slowly but surely the music industry seems to be losing its grip
on its most precious asset as illegitimate online services
continue to attract millions of its consumers. New generation of
music lovers get it for free Music is now not just a packaged
commodity to be bought with well-earned pocket money on a
Saturday morning, but a 24-hour service, available free from
hundreds of online sources at the touch of a mouse, albeit
illegally. And when a self-confessed "accused, international
internet pirate," such as Wayne Rosso, head of file-sharing firm
Grokster is invited to a conference hosted by the Financial
Times, then it would seem the music industry's greatest bete
noire has definitely gone mainstream.


GROKSTER: LEGAL BATTLE 'GOOD FOR BUSINESS'
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=15267
The head of peer-to-peer file-sharing service Grokster has said
that the lawsuit filed against his company by major music labels
and Hollywood studios has actually been good for business.
Speaking at an industry conference, Grokster president Wayne
Rosso told delegates that "Every time they attack file-sharing
software in any way, users rush to download the program, just to
see what's going on, and become hooked. As a result, we prosper
and revenues grow.”


ONLINE MARKET FOR MUSIC EXISTS, CLAIMS RESEARCH
http://tinyurl.com/7a6r
"Little progress" was made in the online music market last year
but a "clear demand" for content paid for online exists among
consumers, according to new research. The study by Jupiter
Research will encourage the record industry, which is grappling
with how to make money from the web, by claiming that some 37% of
European digital music fans are ready and willing to pay for
online music services. But the group said operators of digital
music services need to differentiate between distinct consumer
groups if they are to attract subscribers and offset the impact
of "illegal" file-sharing networks such as Kazaa.


AN INTERNET MUSIC SERVICE WITH A DIFFERENCE: IT'S LEGAL
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/5325623.htm
Three doors down from the Gypsy Tea Room, Jeff Tribble is
hatching his plot for world domination. Inside a former furniture
showroom, the chief executive officer of Streamwaves.com stands
in front of a giant mural of American recording artists. "This
will be a focal point of the music scene," Tribble, 39, says,
sweeping his hand above a vacant expanse of concrete floor. He is
not talking about the local grunge and rave halls that line the
Deep Ellum section of Dallas. Tribble has crafted a business that
he hopes will become a leading supplier of popular music streamed
over the Internet.


BUSINESS MODELS EMERGE IN WORLD OF ONLINE MUSIC
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=15242
Business models are beginning to emerge as the music industry
begins to seriously engage with the phenomenon of online music
services, according to a new report. Almost all licensed
distributors of digital audio tracks have settled on a rate of
99-cents to download and copy a song onto CD. In addition, paid
music services overwhelmingly charge between USD9 and USD10 a
month for customers to listen to a pool of around 250,000 songs
online using streaming audio technology. Figures in the music
industry still dispute whether allowing individual online
downloads or providing access to full music catalogues will
dominate. However, with music distributors more willing to
license their catalogues, a growing realism is beginning to
undercut the shrill rhetoric still being screeched by bodies such
as the Recording Industry Association of Americia (RIAA).


WHATEVER SOME SAY, THE INTERNET WILL DEVALUE MUSIC
http://tinyurl.com/7a6v
Given the music industry's current woes, it is no wonder so many
artists are beating the drums of peace these days. In the same
way that aspiring missile-sharers believe that the best way to
"liberate" Iraq is to thoroughly destroy it, millions of music
fans believe that unauthorised file sharing is actually helping
miserable label-slaves break the bonds of oppression that have
kept them in mansions, cocaine, and fancy cars for much of the
past century. Of course, with Iraq, apocalypse is only one of
many possible outcomes, and thus, for the likes of Sheryl Crow,
Ms Dynamite and the many other artists who have expressed
anti-war sentiments, it offers a more viable outlet for optimism
than their own situation. Indeed, the music industry apocalypse
is already well under way, the casualties are mounting, and the
carnage is not about to end any time soon.


WHAT NAPSTER HAS SPAWNED
http://tinyurl.com/7a6w
It's been nearly two years since Napster was sued to death. But
if you think free music from the Internet went the way of dial
telephones and eight-track tape decks, think again. The new
Napsters have names like Qtraxmax, iMesh, Morpheus and KaZaA.
They are helping people download more music than Napster ever
moved. People are still not paying for it, either. But all that
free music comes at a price...


IS IT CLOSING TIME FOR THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
http://tinyurl.com/7a6y
When the head honchos of Canadian music gather this week in
Toronto to discuss their industry's outlook, there won't be many
big smiles. Thanks in part to the Internet, CD sales are in free
fall, and record-company revenues along with them. Many analysts
are predicting the current companies will be replaced by a new
industry within five years. At the current rate, within 18 months
there will be virtually no stores selling only CDs. But if you're
a music lover or musician, life looks fantastic. Thanks to that
same Internet, consumers have unprecedented access to a treasure
trove of tunes.


IS PAY-FOR-PLAY FINALLY FINISHED?
http://tinyurl.com/67iv
Amid a flurry of topics covered at the Senate Commerce
Committee's recent hearing on radio consolidation and the rise of
industry behemoth Clear Channel Communications, one issue in
particular seemed to pique the interest of several senators:
"pay-for-play." This refers to what some critics have called a
modern-day payola scandal, the murky system by which record
companies pay influential independent promoters to get songs on
commercial radio. It seems Congress is sending a bipartisan
message about pay-for-play: Clean up the funny business.


A MUSIC INDUSTRY CASE STUDY
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/60991p-57008c.html
A look at a mythical rock band's earnings, with actual figures
compiled from industry sources: New York City's hottest new band
is Grunthead, a four-piece hard rock group from Maspeth. Because
they've got buzz, the band gets a 15% royalty rate, a few points
above the usual amount for a new artist. Its debut, "Gruntastic,"
goes gold – only 128 of more than 30,000 records reached that
level in 2002. The Gold Record Gross: 500,000 albums sell at
$16.98 = $8,490,000 The Grunts' royalty is 15% of retail. That's
$1,273,500. Is the band rich? Nope....


WHY IS THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN SUCHDIRE STRAITS?
http://tinyurl.com/7a73
Tonight is the British music industry's official party night.
Dozens of strutting artists accompanied by perma-tanned record
company bosses will attend the one-night festival of corporate
backslapping that is the Brit Awards. Or at least, that is how it
used to be. Hiding behind the on-stage pyrotechnics, slick dance
routines and fixed grins of the winners will be an industry
facing its worst loss of confidence – and income – for more than
20 years.


PERSPECTIVE: THE NEW JAILBIRD JINGLE
http://news.com.com/2010-1071-982121.html?tag=fd_nc_1
If you've ever used a peer-to-peer network and swapped
copyrighted files, chances are pretty good you're guilty of a
federal felony. It doesn't matter if you've forsworn Napster,
uninstalled Kazaa and now are eagerly padding the record
industry's bottom line by snapping up $15.99 CDs by the cartload.
Be warned--you're what prosecutors like to think of as an
unindicted federal felon. I'm not joking. A obscure law called
the No Electronic Theft (NET) Act that former U.S. President Bill
Clinton signed in 1997 makes peer-to-peer (P2P) pirates liable
for $250,000 in fines and subject to prison terms of up to three
years. (You may want to read it, since you'll likely be hearing
more about it soon.)


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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VERIZON, RIAA TO SPAR ON APRIL FOOLS DAY
http://zdnet.com.com/2110-1105-991899.html
Verizon Communications and the major record labels will face off
again before a federal judge on April 1. That's when U.S.
District Judge John Bates will hear arguments over a second
subpoena the Recording Industry Association of America sent to
Verizon under the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Bates ruled the first subpoena seeking the identity of a Kazaa
user was valid, but Verizon has appealed. The case pits the reach
of copyright law against Internet users' right to privacy.


RIAA WEBSITE ON THE MOVE AGAIN
http://techfocus.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3018
The RIAA's travelling "Hide The Website" gameshow rolled into
Virginia this week, with a new hosting company given the
privilege (or curse) of looking after one of the world's most
reviled web destinations. But this strange story gets even
stranger. A few minutes after we reported on Monday that the
RIAA's website had flickered back to life, it was down again. The
RIAA had given the job to a first-time hoster, a 'Small
Disadvantaged Business' whose owner was maintaining the site from
his home in Rockville, Maryland. The following day a new company
was given the responsibility of Hiding The Website.


VIVENDI RUMOURED TO KEEP HOLD OF MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=15220
Vivendi Universal might not be about to dispose of its music
business after all, according to widespread rumours that have
circulated in the press over the last few days. Directors of the
media group are said now to favour a reorganisation of assets
that would enable it to keep hold of its largest music company,
Universal Music. Though Vivendi had been contemplating oil tycoon
Marvin Davis’ E20bn offer for all of its entertainment assets –
including Universal Studios and theme parks – it is now thought
the company seek to retain its music business whilst
collaborating with alternative investment partners for its other
entertainment assets.


LISTEN.COM BUYS TIME WITH REAL DEAL
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/5274717.htm
Struggling independent online music service Listen.com received
an infusion of cash Wednesday from streaming-media giant
RealNetworks to sustain it as it waits for paid services to take
hold. One of the few surviving Internet music firms in San
Francisco's once-crowded Audio Alley, Listen.com earlier this
month laid off one-third of its staff, surrendered most of its
trendy, post-industrial office space and confirmed it was
actively seeking outside investors.


AOL OFFERS ONLINE MUSIC TO ITS BIGGEST AUDIENCE YET
http://www.msnbc.com/news/877605.asp?0cv=BA00
It may be a baby step, but perhaps an important one in the
transition from piracy to legit downloading services online.
America Online Tuesday said it would offer MusicNet to its 27
million U.S. subscribers, the broadest appeal yet to a mainstream
audience by an online commercial music service. The service
allows AOL’s subscribers to listen and even download music from
the Internet legally, ad free, virus free, and with parental
controls.


NAPSTER RISES FROM THE GRAVE... AGAIN
http://media.guardian.co.uk/dotcoms/story/0,7521,900540,00.html
Controversial song swapping site Napster, the former nemesis of
the music industry, is set to relaunch before the end of the year
with whizzkid founder Shawn Fanning back on board. Roxio, the US
software company that bought the Napster brand in a fire sale
late last year, has revealed it plans to relaunch the site as a
paid-for download service before the end of the year. Confirming
the plans, Elliot Carpenter, the chief financial officer of
Roxio, said that the company, which specialises in CD copying
software, was in advanced negotiations with major record labels.


MUSIC INDUSTRY FACES NEW THREATS ON WEB
http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/030221/72/382au.html
Pieter Plass, and others like him may pose a serious threat to
big record labels and other entertainment companies. Mr. Plass is
about to go into business as an enabler of Internet peer-to-peer
services. He wants to provide software, legal advice and other
help to anyone who wants to start up the next Morpheus or Kazaa,
the renegade online bazaars where users can swap copyrighted
songs and movies for free. The twist is that his clients would
launch their companies in the Netherlands, where a court ruling
last March appears to provide legal protection for such
operations.


FILE-SHARING AND CD BURNING REMAIN STEADY IN 2002
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=48020
Americans continued their file-sharing and CD burning activities
last year, and teens continued to download music from
file-sharing networks in record numbers, according to Ipsos, the
global marketing research firm. Despite ongoing efforts to curb
unauthorized peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing and further declines
in the sales of pre-recorded CDs, half of all teens and one-fifth
of all Americans age 12 and older report having downloaded a
music or MP3 file from a file-sharing service.


INTERNET BROADCAST AUDIENCE SURPASSES 100 MILLION
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=48025
An estimated 103 million Americans age 12 and older have used
Internet audio or video broadcasts, according to a new study by
Arbitron Inc. and Edison Media Research. The new study, "Internet
& Multimedia 10: The Emerging Digital Consumer," reveals that the
percentage of all Americans who currently use Internet audio or
video (44 percent) is nearly twice the size of what it was three
years ago (24 percent).


BERTELSMANN SUED OVER NAPSTER
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2130872,00.html
Music publishers behind hits like "Jailhouse Rock" and "Unchained
Melody" have slapped Bertelsmann with a $17 billion lawsuit,
alleging the giant German media firm played a part in pirating
their songs by funding Napster. In a new twist to the legal
battles against now-defunct Napster, the one-time cult
song-swapping service, songwriters and publishers in the
complaint filed on Wednesday in a Manhattan federal court alleged
that by investing in Napster, Bertelsmann perpetuated the Web
site used by millions of fans to swap songs for free.


MPAA, RIAA AGAIN TARGET FORTUNE 1000 FIRMS
http://siliconvalley.internet.com/news/article.php/1584081
The major trade associations representing the motion picture and
recording industries plan to distribute a brochure to Fortune
1000 companies warning them of the potential legal liabilities of
employees using company computers and networks to download
copyrighted music and movies. The brochure says research has
shown that numerous corporate computer systems are presently
hosting databases of music, film and other unauthorized copies of
copyright material, or transmitting copyright material on
peer-to-peer services.


SKY THREATENS TO PULL PLUG ON MTV
http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,895681,00.html
BSkyB chief Tony Ball has threatened to throw US giants MTV and
Paramount off the network if they refuse to agree to massive cuts
in the fees they charge the satellite network to provide their
channels. The broadcaster is in the process of renegotiating its
contracts with Viacom channels MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount
Comedy and AOL Time Warner children's channel Cartoon Network. If
carried out, the move could prove disastrous for MTV which is one
of the oldest satellite broadcasters in the UK. Not only would it
lose out on the estimated £20m a year it receives from Sky to
broadcast, but it would also lose advertising revenues.


VERIZON, RIAA TRADE CLAIMS OF HARM
http://boston.internet.com/news/article.php/1583621
U.S. District Judge John D. Bates heard arguments Thursday
morning on Verizon's latest legal maneuver to avoid complying
with a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) subpoena
requesting the name of a Verizon Internet subscriber who
allegedly downloaded more than 600 copyrighted music files in a
single day. Citing provisions in the Digital Millennium Copyright
Act (DMCA), Bates last month ruled Verizon had to turn over the
name to the RIAA, a decision Verizon immediately appealed.
Verizon also asked Bates to to stay the ruling in hopes of
maintaining the status quo until the appeal process is resolved.
The RIAA, however, is insisting Verizon immediately comply with
the court order regardless of the appeal process.


MUSIC INDUSTRY TARGETS WORKPLACE DOWNLOADERS
http://tinyurl.com/7a77
The recording industry directed its anti-piracy campaign at large
companies in the United States, Europe and Asia on Thursday,
warning them that employees are illegally downloading music on
company time. The International Federation of the Phonographic
Industry (IFPI), a global trade group representing the major
music labels, said it had begun issuing brochures to thousands of
companies spelling out the legal and technological dangers of
giving employees access to online file-sharing networks.


DISCLIVE AIMS TO SELL POST-CONCERT LIVE CDS
http://tinyurl.com/7a7a
Seeking to create a new revenue source for artists and labels
from live performances, the new company DiscLive says it will
soon begin selling CDs of just-completed concerts at the venue,
Billboard Bulletin reports. New York-based DiscLive says it will
send technicians to concerts to record them; some discs may come
in special editions with autographs, backstage passes, or other
material. The CDs will be sold at kiosks in the venues for an
undisclosed price, according to a spokesperson. Concertgoers will
also be able to pre-order the discs online.


RECORD INDUSTRY TO TRACK MUSIC ONLINE
http://tinyurl.com/7a7c
The music industry today launched its latest bid to legitimise
downloading from the web with new identity tags to keep track of
content distributed online. The Global Release Identifier (GRid),
launched today by the trade body the International Federation of
the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), is the music sector's new
standard for identifying singles, albums, groups of tracks and
multimedia releases that are distributed electronically. The
system is effectively an online version of the Universal Product
Code (UPC) that is assigned to all CDs that are sold in shops.


PRESSPLAY EXPANDS MUSIC LIBRARY
http://tinyurl.com/7a7d
Online subscription music service pressplay says it has reached
agreements with a number of independent record labels that will
add artists like Frank Zappa, Nirvana and Nelly Furtado to its
catalog. Pressplay, a joint venture of the music arms of Japan's
Sony and France's Vivendi Universal, said it signed deals with
DreamWorks, Palm, Ubiquity, Rykodisc/Ryko Label Group and Sub
Pop, bringing its total of available songs to about 250,000.
The company also said that, starting with the February 14 launch
of version 2.5 of its service, it will offer an interactive radio
service and 47 years' worth of music chart data from industry
magazine Billboard.


SENATE HEARS RADIO CRITICS
http://tinyurl.com/7a7f
Consolidation in the radio business kills local voices, harms
consumers and musicians, and it needs to be stopped, activists
told a Senate committee Thursday. Activists including musician
Don Henley pointed to radio monolith Clear Channel Communications
as the worst offender in an industry now dominated by four large
companies. The hearing came as federal regulators consider
relaxing the rules governing media ownership. The Federal
Communications Commission is reviewing six rules, including one
that bars radio owners from also owning TV and newspaper
companies, and one that limits radio ownership to eight stations
in one market.


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Recommended Resources
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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
2003 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
$16.95! Includes one free PDF update!


THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2003 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $26.95!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
$24.95!


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 $52.95!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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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And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!

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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #52 - February 7th, 2003
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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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Hello subscribers, and welcome to the Febrary 7th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....

It seems everywhere we turn these days, we are being told the sky
is falling right on top of the music industry. Fresh in my mind
is the recent interview with Jack Valenti, President of the
Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA), stating with some
confidence that the music industry is dead. To quote, "The music
industry now is suffering nine, ten, fifteen percent losses in
revenue. When you compound that over the next three or four
years, the music industry is dead. I don't see a future for it.
After awhile, who's going to produce it?" Good point, Jack. He
makes it sound so simple, and in a way, perhaps it is. Revenue is
the bottom line, and what corporation is going to continue
producing records when it's a guaranteed financial loss?

VALENTI'S VIEWS: "THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS DEAD"
http://www.hpronline.org/news/347207.html?mkey=628413

But, you know, I'm not sure it really is that cut and dry. The
music industry will come around, won't it? Yes, I think it will,
but we will also see a transformation in how the industry does
business. There HAS to be a change. Whether that means current
industry leaders make adjustments, or whether new companies tuned
into the realities of our connected world enter the scene, the
industry will survive. There *is* a better business model out
there, and some future millionaire is going to find it.

Still, there is going to be serious pain associated with this
transformation. Lee Black, a music industry analyst with Jupiter
Research, was right on track when he stated that "It's pretty
difficult to kill a multibillion-dollar industry." Still, as U.S.
News reported in their article "Singing the Blues,", 2003 is
going to be a bloodbath. It's going to be a pivotal year in the
music business.

SINGING THE BLUES
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/030210/biztech/10music.htm

Even now, the industry is experimenting with new approaches to
marketing music. Six large record store chains, including Tower
Records, Virgin Entertainment, and Hastings, are to soon offer
customers digital music downloads in their stores. They're
calling this joint venture "Echo" (http://www.echo.com) and
hoping the service will bring customers into the stores to burn
music.

But will customers really go for that? Who is going to bother to
go to a store to burn music? Echo has a few other obstacles to
overcome as well, namely getting music licenses from record
labels who might see Echo as a competitor to its own online
ventures, PressPlay and Rhapsody.

SIX RETAILERS JOIN TO OFFER DIGITAL MUSIC DOWNLOADS
http://tinyurl.com/5g88

NOT THE ECHO THEY WERE LOOKING FOR
http://www.business2.com/articles/web/0,1653,46833,00.html

On other fronts, you just can't talk about industry news without
covering the latest from the RIAA. The RIAA web site was hacked,
yet again, which at this point happens so frequently it isn't
really news anymore. So I'll leave that alone.

However, the RIAA did win a key battle against Verizon, which
would force it (as well as other Internet Service Providers,
potentially) to reveal the identities of subscribers using their
connection to trade music files over peer-to-peer networks.
Verizon, of course, appealed the judges decision.

VERIZON APPEALS RIAA VICTORY
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-982809.html

The RIAA is also continuing to go after universities whose
students trade music on the Internet. 175 students at Indiana
University were told to delete music and movie files from their
computers or they would have their Internet access shut off and
be reported to a judicial board.

RIAA TRAINS ANTI-PIRACY GUNS ON UNIVERSITIES
http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article.php/1577101

The RIAA also wants Internet Service Providers to pay up for
giving their customers access to free song-swapping sites.
Hillary Rosen (who just stepped down from her position as RIAA
Chairman) stated: "We will hold ISPs more accountable. Let's face
it. They know there's a lot of demand for broadband simply
because of the availability (of file-sharing)"

RIAA: ISPS 'SHOULD PAY' FOR MUSIC SWAPPING
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2128958,00.html

Finally, we're still seeing a lot of buzz about Kazaa, and I
expect that to continue for some time. The entertainment industry
at large sees Kazaa as one of it's biggest threats, as the
file-swapping service now boasts over 185 million downloads of
its software, far more than now-defunct Napster ever had. The
industry has been attempting to shut Kazaa down, and recently a
judge approved a lawsuit against Kazaa aimed to do exactly that.

Now, Sharman Networks, owner of Kazaa, is filing a countersuit
against the entertainment industry, stating that though the
owners of Kazaa have made every effort to go 'legal,' the
industry at large refuses to cooperate with them. Sharman is
asking the judge to declare the copyright holders guilty of
antitrust violations, and to bar them from enforcing any of their
copyrights. What an interesting twist!

KAZAA STRIKES BACK AT HOLLYWOOD, LABELS
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-982344.html

KAZAA LOOKS TO LEGITIMATE ARM TO SURVIVE
http://tinyurl.com/5c9c

FOR KAZAA, BAD PRESS IS GOOD PRESS
http://tinyurl.com/5g80

There you have it.

Until next time,

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


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THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2003 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $26.95!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

THEN AND NOW: THE CHANGING BUSINESS OF MUSIC
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/changes.htm
Over the decades labels, distributors, and music retailers have
adapted to demographic changes in the youth population, advances
in recording techniques, and adjusted to the profound impact
digital technology has had on old analog business practices. This
comparison chart summarizes some of the significant changes that
have affected how records are being sold and distributed today as
opposed to 30 years ago. Article by Chris Knab.


RADIO AIRPLAY 101: WHY CLEAR CHANNEL IS IRRELEVANT FOR INDIES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/clearchannel.htm
After endless concerns in the indie community about radio
consolidation and Clear Channel, I'm here to tell you that it
should be of no concern to you. Regular rotation on large
stations (Clear Channel or otherwise) in major or medium markets
is not available now ... nor has it ever been ... (for over 30
years) to small indie releases and artists any more than
McDonalds is available to you to market your indie toys. Article
by Brian Farrish.


HOW TO BENEFIT FROM A BENEFIT
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/benefit.htm
I took part in a benefit last week. A charity event for the red
cross 911 disaster relief fund. Turned out to be a very
successful show. Lots of TV stars, comedians from Saturday Night
Live, day time soap actors, pop stars new and old. Every body
threw in their two cents for a great cause. The spirit was
wonderful. But it also got me thinking... Article by Chris
Standring.


Q&A: A QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP - FALLING OUT WITH OLD BAND MATES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveqa4.htm
"I composed and performed all the instruments' parts in the songs
we recorded. I have since had a falling out with my old band and
now I am being approached by some interested promoters and
producers that say my music has commercial merit. Is there any
legal precedent against me using my material "As Is" and
replacing the lyrics with my own?" Answer by Kenny Love.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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SELL MORE CDS ONLINE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/sellmorecds.htm

PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/perfcontracts.htm

DO YOU NEED A BARCODE?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/barcode.htm


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THE GALARIS MUSICIANS DIRECTORY: 2003 Edition
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/gmd.htm
The ultimate tool for the connected musician. Booking Agents,
Clubs, Disc Manufacturers, Legal Services, Magazines, Retailers,
Photographers, Promoters, Publicists, Radio Stations, Record
Labels, Music Schools, Studios, Producers, Engineers, and much
much more!


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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AR PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
http://www.arpromotionalproducts.com
AR offers a large supply of promotional products upon which you
can imprint your logo, text or design. Apparel, bags, caps,
keychains, magnets, mugs and much more. Lots of goodies to
promote your band or image.


CALIFORNIA LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS
http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/index.html
Founded in 1974, CLA provides lawyer referrals, dispute
resolution services, and a resource library to artists of all
disciplines and arts organizations. Their lawyer referral service
can provide you with a brief half-hour consultation for $30 (for
non-members) in numerous areas of law, including copyright,
contract drafting, incorporation, mediation and arbitration. CLA
also holds a number of workshops focusing on the music business
available throughout southern California. If you need an
entertainment lawyer, and quick, CLA is a good place to start.


GETAMENTOR.COM
http://www.getamentor.com/
GetAMentor.com provides one-on-one on-the-job training for
careers in radio broadcasting, the recording industry, and film
and video production. Essentially, GetAMentor matches you up with
a professional in the field of your choice (they have contracts
with radio and TV stations, recording studios, record companies,
and film production companies) and you become an apprentice. The
program is designed specifically for people just starting out in
their field, so no prior experience is necessary. You can work
part-time, nights and even weekends to match up with your own
schedule. These are not paying jobs, but apprenticeships -
essentially an opportunity to get your foot in the door and learn
your trade on the job working side by side with the pros.


WHAT SONG LICENSE DO YOU NEED?
http://www.nmpa.org/hfa/licensing.html
Want to use a copyright protected song but you're confused about
who to contact and how to go about it? This easy to use licensing
FAQ from the Harry Fox Agency takes you step by step through the
process of licensing songs for use in recording, performance,
film, or media and tells you exactly what you need to do and what
it will cost you.

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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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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no affiliation with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. Participate at your own
risk.


THE MP3.COM 3000 SCREAMING FANS CONTEST
http://www.usmusictradeshow.com/screamingfans/index.htm
Talented bands that want to be part of U.S. Music Tradeshow
Artist Showcase Festival can enter to win super performance
prizes by entering our 3000 SCREAMING FANS ARTIST TALENT SEARCH.
Over 250 Artists will be chosen through a selective jury process,
to win a spot in our Music Showcase. From our 3000 Screaming Fans
Contest, one grand prize winning band/artist will be given the
chance at the performance of a lifetime to put on a concert live
at the U.S. Music Tradeshow! Plus, perks like First Class,
Round-Trip Airfare, Private Limos, $25,000 Cash, Media Promotion,
Personal Chefs, and tons of other perks worth an estimated
$250,000! All Submissions must be received by Feb. 15th, 2003.
$20 entry fee.


UNISONG INT'L SONGWRITING CONTEST
http://www.unisong.com/
Over $50,000 in cash and prizes for songs in 10 categories, plus
win a trip to L.A., N.Y., Nashville or London to write with the
pros. Past UNISONG Grand Prize winners have had the opportunity
to write with the likes of Burt Bacharach, Peter Buck, Jimmy
Buffet, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Stewart Copeland, Rodney
Crowell, Lamont Dozier, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, Indigo
Girls, Montell Jordan, Gladys Knight, Lisa Loeb, Me'Shell
Ndegeocello, Joan Osborne, Lee Roy Parnell, Bonnie Raitt, Brenda
Russell, Andy Summers, David Was, Don Was, and many others.
Entries must by postmarked on or before April 30, 2003. $25 Entry
fee.


THE 2003 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net/
It's back! Entries for the 2003 USA Songwriting Competition are
now being accepted. Overall Grand Prize winner will receive
$50,000 worth of cash, merchandise and services. Overall 2nd
Prize winner will receive $7,000 worth of cash and merchandise,
Overall 3rd Prize winner will receive $5,800 worth of cash and
merchandise. First 1,000 entries will each receive a FREE
subscription from Singer magazine. Entries must be postmarked by
May 30th, 2003.


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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VALENTI'S VIEWS: "THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS DEAD"
http://www.hpronline.org/news/347207.html?mkey=628413
"The music industry now is suffering nine, ten, fifteen percent
losses in revenue. When you compound that over the next three or
four years, the music industry is dead. I don't see a future for
it. After awhile, who's going to produce it?" - Jack Valenti,
President of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).


AS CD SALES TANK, THE MUSIC INDUSTRY CHANGES ITS TUNE
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/030210/biztech/10music.htm
With the annual Grammy Awards just a few weeks away, the heavy
betting has begun. But this year it's focused not on which rap
and rock stars will walk away with the most awards, but on who in
the industry will still be standing by the time those little gold
phonographs are handed out. Not surprisingly, the music industry
regards reports of its death as greatly exaggerated. "It's pretty
difficult to kill a multibillion-dollar industry," says Lee
Black, a music industry analyst with Jupiter Research. But while
Black, and most in the music business, agree that it will
eventually right itself, they also acknowledge that 2003 is going
to be a bloodbath. "We are in for a giant upheaval," says one
record company CEO. "All our business practices need to change."


NOT THE ECHO THEY WERE LOOKING FOR
http://www.business2.com/articles/web/0,1653,46833,00.html
The leading American music retailers are doing a lousy job of
selling CDs in their stores. Maybe they can do a better job
digitally. That seems to be the idea behind this week's move by
six large record chains to form a consortium to sell music
digitally. Their new company, Echo, takes its name (and its URL,
www.echo.com) from Echo Networks, a now-defunct streaming site.
Echo is not going to work. Monday's announcement did not even
hint that Echo is anywhere near securing licenses from the major
labels. Even more important, none of the industry execs were part
of the announcement. And why should they be? Echo is positioning
itself as a competitor to the major labels' own
far-from-successful digital-distribution endeavors, MusicNet and
Pressplay.


THE RACE TO KILL KAZAA
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.02/kazaa.html
The servers are in Denmark. The software is in Estonia. The
domain is registered Down Under, the corporation on a tiny island
in the South Pacific. The users - 60 million of them - are
everywhere around the world. The next Napster? Think bigger. And
pity the poor copyright cops trying to pull the plug.


FOR KAZAA, BAD PRESS IS GOOD PRESS
http://tinyurl.com/5g80
Could the recording industry’s crusade against free music
swapping sites be backfiring? The site the music bigwigs want
most to shut down, Kazaa, the Napster descendent, is getting more
popular by the week. The Recording Industry Association of
America, along with the Motion Picture Association, is suing
Kazaa's parent, Sharman Networks of Australia, for copyright
infringement. All the publicity apparently has been working in
Kazaa’s favor. The site showed its sixth-straight week of user
increases for the week ended Jan. 12, according to
Nielsen//NetRatings data.


WHY MUSIC STAYS FREE
http://www.clickz.com/design/freefee/article.php/1568751
What happens when the difference between the prices sellers want
and what buyers are willing to pay is too different? A
malfunctioning market.



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MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
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one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
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of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

BUONGIORNO TAKES OVER VITAMINIC
http://www.newmediazero.com/news/story.asp?id=239812
Mobile services firm Buongiorno is taking over online music site
Vitaminic in an all share deal which should be wrapped up by
mid-July. The two companies have signed a binding agreement but
the deal is still dependent on a due diligence process and the
approval of their shareholders. Buongiorno, which is the much
larger company, will control up to 90% of the combined entity,
which will be known as Buongiorno Vitaminic.


WEB HELPS MUSIC STARS CLAIM LOST ROYALTIES
http://tinyurl.com/5g83
Musicians are in line for a cash windfall following the launch of
a new website that helps you claim record royalties.
Royalties Reunited lets users search an online database to see if
they are one of over 5,000 performers who have royalties owed to
them. Stars including Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, the
Sex Pistols' John Lydon and actor Neil Morrissey, who sang on the
chart topping Bob the Builder track, feature in the database.
The site, launched by royalties body PPL (Phonographic
Performance Limited) and music unions, is free to use.


VERIZON APPEALS RIAA VICTORY
http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=67
Verizon is appealing the court decision that would force it to
identify an alleged peer-to-peer pirate. Verizon's senior vice
president, John Thorne, was quoted as saying: "Verizon will use
every legal means to protect its subscribers' privacy. If this
ruling stands, consumers will be caught in a digital dragnet, not
only from record companies alleging infringement of their
copyright monopolies, but from anyone who can fill out a simple
form."


KAZAA LOOKS TO LEGITIMATE ARM TO SURVIVE
http://tinyurl.com/5c9c
Two Guy Trio's singer, Evan Gamble, doesn't mind that bootleg
copies of his band's ''Shelby Sugarcane'' are spreading on the
Internet through the Kazaa file-sharing system. A half-million
fans have downloaded legal copies of the song through Kazaa, the
Internet's leading bazaar. Illicit trading by a few million
others is a minor nuisance. ''Whether it's licensed or
unlicensed, it's a fan,'' said Gamble. ''We want people to hear
the music, so they'll buy the album, so they will come to the
show and request songs on the radio.'' Kazaa's owners at Sharman
Networks Ltd. are trying to build a business out of giving stuff
away on the Internet, so artists like Two Guy Trio can flourish.
If only the major music labels would cooperate.


CODER FINDS NEW WAY TO SWAP TUNES
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,57482,00.html
Like Daniel entering the lions' den, programmer Jim Speth is
about to release some new music-sharing software that could land
him in a world of legal pain. Unlike Daniel, Speth doesn't have
divine protection. But he does have faith that his software is
the digital equivalent of something like a private lending
library, which may or may not shield him from the entertainment
industry's legal eagles, according to experts.  But unlike most
other music-sharing applications, the software isn't an open box
that lets anyone on the Internet copy files. Rather, iCommune
users decide with whom they want to share files, using the
equivalent of a buddy list.


RIAA TRAINS ANTI-PIRACY GUNS ON UNIVERSITIES
http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article.php/1577101
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has stepped
up its initiative aimed at college students in an attempt to make
some impact on illegal file-sharing and downloading. The RIAA has
been "informing universities" about the problems of illegal file
sharing and "encouraging them to take steps to do something about
it." The Indiana University (IU) digital campus newspaper on
Thursday reported that about 175 students were told by university
officials to delete music and movie files from their computers
after receiving word from the RIAA and the Motion Picture
Association of America that users of IU's network were illegally
distributing copyrighted material. Sudents were reportedly told
that if they refused to comply, they would have their Internet
access shut off by the university and would be reported to a
judicial board.


KAZAA CASE A 'FOOL'S ERRAND'
http://tinyurl.com/5g85
US-based legal counsel for owners and developers of peer-to-peer
(P2P) Kazaa software, Sharman Networks, are warning plaintiffs
representing copyright holders such as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
studios that their claims may be in vain, given the vagaries of
international copyright law. "Before a US judgement can be
enforced against any company in Australia -- the plaintiffs have
to establish whether or not the US-courts have any jurisdiction
in Australia," Dorman said. "In many respects this lawsuit
represents a fool's errand." Dorman also went on to point out
that the enforceability of any trial outcome would be further
hampered by the decentralised nature of the Kazaa P2P software.


BLANKET HACK MUFFLES RIAA SITE - AGAIN
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2129412,00.html
Hackers have once again disabled the Web site of the Recording
Industry Association of America, a group of record labels that is
leading the charge in the crackdown on online music piracy.
The attack, which began on Friday, has caused the site to be
unavailable for three days, an RIAA representative confirmed on
Monday. It follows several other malicious attacks on the site
last summer.


KAZAA STRIKES BACK AT HOLLYWOOD, LABELS
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-982344.html
Sharman Networks, owner of the popular Kazaa file-swapping
software, has launched a legal counterstrike against the major
record labels and Hollywood studios, asserting that they have
“obscenely” abused their copyright powers. In a lawsuit filed
late Monday in federal court in Los Angeles, Sharman claims that
major entertainment companies have colluded to drive potential
online rivals out of business. The conduct should preclude the
industry from being able to defend its copyrights in court, at
least until the behavior is corrected, Sharman contends.


PEER-TO-PEER FILE-SHARING WEB SITES GROW 300 PERCENT
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=46871
In the wake of Napster, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks have moved
beyond trading MP3s into swapping anything from the latest
episode of the "Sopranos" to popular video games, reports
Websense Inc. This diversity of content is not only driving the
creation of new P2P Web sites and applications, but also creating
bandwidth, legal and security issues for corporations worldwide.
In fact, the number of P2P file sharing Web pages has increased
more than 300 percent in the last 12 months, totaling more than
89,000 Web pages. In addition, there are more than 130 unique P2P
applications, such as KaZaa, Grokster and others, according to
Websense, the world's leading provider of employee Internet
management (EIM) software.


SIX RETAILERS JOIN TO OFFER DIGITAL MUSIC DOWNLOADS
http://tinyurl.com/5g88
Six retail record store chains -- hurting from competition from
CD burning, online music and large discount stores -- are teaming
to offer consumers digital music downloads in their stores and
over the Internet. The stores have formed a joint venture called
Echo that will provide technology and allow them to offer
individual tracks for downloading to portable devices and
computers. The stores are Best Buy, Tower Records, Virgin
Entertainment Group, Wherehouse Music, Hastings Entertainment
Inc. and Trans World Entertainment Corp., operator of FYE,
Strawberries and Coconuts stores.


LIQUID AUDIO ASSETS SOLD
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20950~1131970,00.html
In a move that could make it easier for record labels to widely
sell and promote songs online, the music distributor for Wal-Mart
has agreed to buy some of the assets of Liquid Audio, the
troubled digital music pioneer. The new company, which has not
been named, will be run by a Liquid Audio co-founder, Gerry
Kearby, who said the company had licenses to distribute more than
350,000 songs. The acquisition, which is expected to be announced
today, signals that recording companies, distributors and
retailers are taking the first steps toward working together to
come up with new ways to combat declining music sales.


ROSEN TO STEP DOWN AS RIAA CHAIRMAN
http://tinyurl.com/4s0t
Hilary Rosen has announced that she will step down as
chairman/CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) at the end of 2003. "I have young children, and I want to
devote more of my time to them," she says in a statement. "This
has been an extremely difficult decision, but I know it is the
right one for my family." Rosen joined the Washington, D.C.-based
trade group 17 years ago and was named to her current post in
1998. The RIAA board will conduct a formal search for a
replacement over the next several months.


VERIZON ORDERED TO HAND OVER IDENTITY OF FILE SWAPPER
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2129110,00.html
A federal judge on Tuesday ordered Verizon Communications to
disclose the identity of an alleged peer-to-peer pirate in a
legal decision that could make it easier for the music industry
to crack down on file swapping. In what is widely viewed as a
test case, US District Judge John Bates said the wording of the
1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) requires Verizon to
give the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) the
name of a Kazaa subscriber who allegedly has shared hundreds of
music recordings. Bates said, "The court disagrees with Verizon's
strained reading of the act," and ordered Verizon to comply with
the DMCA request from the record labels.


MAJOR LABELS BRING BACK NET MUSIC GIVEAWAY
http://tinyurl.com/4qtd
Major music and technology companies announced on Monday they
will bring back a promotion they tried six months ago involving
the give-away of free music to attract customers to their nascent
Internet music businesses. In an effort to curtail the global
outbreak of online piracy, a phenomenon that is chipping into CD
sales, the major music labels have launched their own
subscription services in the United States and partnered with
third parties in America and Europe, including the UK's OD2.


MUSIC PIRACY FACING NEW WEAPONS
http://tinyurl.com/5g8b
The ailing music industry is poised to make a new push to
copy-proof its music CDs in hopes of slowing the raging epidemic
of Internet piracy. Microsoft and Macrovision each announced new
copy-protection initiatives at Midem, the record industry's
biggest international conference. The new versions of locked-down
discs are intended to strike a better balance between the labels'
desire to keep their songs off unauthorized file-swapping
services like Kazaa and consumers' expectations of flexibility
and portability. They come after two consecutive years of falling
CD sales.


RIAA: ISPS 'SHOULD PAY' FOR MUSIC SWAPPING
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2128958,00.html
A top music industry representative said on Saturday that
telecommunications companies and Internet service providers will
be asked to pay up for giving their customers access to free
song-swapping sites. The music industry is in a tailspin with
global sales of CDs expected to fall 6 percent in 2003, its
fourth consecutive annual decline. A major culprit, industry
watchers say, is online piracy. Now, the industry wants to hit
the problem at its source -- ISPs. "We will hold ISPs more
accountable," said Hillary Rosen, chair and chief executive of
the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "Let's face
it. They know there's a lot of demand for broadband simply
because of the availability (of file-sharing)," Rosen said.


BERTELSMANN AND EMI CONSIDER DUET
http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/story/0,7497,878370,00.html
German media giant Bertelsmann is in talks to spin off its music
division BMG into EMI in a move that would create a global record
industry giant. Following weeks of speculation that EMI is about
to fall to a predator, it has emerged that the two companies, who
were thwarted in a previous attempt to link up, are attempting a
'merger of equals'.


LISTEN.COM SET TO ENTER THE LOUNGE
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=14446
Listen.com has announced that its intention to “go beyond the
desktop” by working with some of the world’s leading consumer
electronics companies, bringing its RHAPSODY music subscription
service to the place consumers are most used to hearing music: on
their stereo. "Today's news makes RHAPSODY the first music
subscription service to give subscribers the flexibility to enjoy
high quality digital music anywhere in their house,” said Sean
Ryan, president and chief executive officer, Listen.com.
Companies working with Listen.com include Motorola, the Rockford
Corporation, and Thomson's RCA brand.


MUSIC INDUSTRY MAKES PEACE ON PIRACY
http://cooltech.iafrica.com/technews/201381.htm
The music industry and high-tech organisations - long at odds
over piracy - reached agreement on Tuesday on principles to
protect copyrighted materials without technical mandates to
prevent copying. Although Hollywood's motion picture industry was
not involved in the agreement, the organisations involved agreed
to end any lobbying efforts in Congress that would force
electronics manufacturers to install technology to stop consumers
from copying music and other materials.


A CHALLENGE TO MTV
http://tinyurl.com/5g8e
The people who run the MuchMusic USA cable channel believe they
can build a solid business by following the model essentially
abandoned by MTV about 15 years ago. The danger is: An MTV
offshoot may have beaten them to the punch. Seen now in nearly 30
million homes in the United States (out of 107 million with TV),
MuchMusic USA is trying to become MTV's first serious
competition. It claims to be about music, nothing else, and will
take its direction from its 12-to-24-year-old audience.



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Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

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
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how he finally said good-bye to his day job and starting spending
more time on his music. Download Version available for only
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THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS - 2003 Edition! - DISCOUNTED!
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 to Music Biz Academy visitors for only $26.95!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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Need to create some BUZZ about your music? Looking for reviewers?
Radio station contacts? Promotion services? Then grab The Indie
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filled with contacts with publications and radio programmers all
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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
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Sample artist bio, fact sheet, and checklists for jump-starting
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THE GUERRILLA MUSIC MARKETING HANDBOOK
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This guide to independent music success features over 175 ways to
thrive and prosper with your own band or record label. Download
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THE INDIE MUSICIAN'S PDF POWER PACK!
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Get three of our best-selling books for one low price! Set
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Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
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These are partnerships we've created though channels and
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CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
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MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
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You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


GET REPRESENTATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/representation.htm
The Music Biz Academy has partnered with NOMA music, a very
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1) Placing bands, songwriters, instrumentalists, and solo artists
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2) Placing and licensing songs and music into television, film,
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NOMA works with a large network of over 400 production companies.
Recent successes include client song placement in MTV's The
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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
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MUSIC CAREER CONSULTING
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/consulting.htm
If you'd like some help getting your music career off the ground
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Music, a consultation service based in Seattle that helps
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RADIO & RETAIL PROMOTION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/radiopromo.htm
If you're looking to promote your music either via radio or
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ART DESIGN - CDs, Posters, One-Sheets, and Web Sites
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In this business of music, image means everything! You know it,
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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
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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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #51 - January 13th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
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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

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http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore

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Hello subscribers, and welcome to the January 13th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest! I hope you had a wonderful, wonderful
holiday season! Here we are already into 2003. Doesn't it just
seem like last year we were sitting around waiting to see if Y2K
was going to end civilization as we knew it? Can you believe it's
been three years?

How time flies...


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
Here are some of the more interesting developments in the music
industry during the last two to three weeks:

First, due to recent advances in Internet and digital technology,
the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has been
brainstorming ways to implement better protections on digital
data, among other things. They are considering, for example,
whether or not to require manufacturers to incorporate copy
protection technology into digital TVs.

The decisions the FCC makes now may effect how, and to what
degree your music is heard and broadcast in the future. For more
info, read the transcript from a speech recently made at the
Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit.

THE LAST DJ? FINDING A VOICE ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP
http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Adelstein/2003/spjsa301.html

You all probably know by now (it would be hard to miss with all
the press on the subject) that in 2002, CD sales continued to
decline worldwide. Yes, the generation that made Britney Spears a
household name is tiring of her. CD sales from 2002 show that
kids just aren't buying sugar-coated pop like they used to. Only
three albums sold more than 4 millions copies in 2002, as
compared to eight in 2000. For the second year in a row, blank,
recordable CDs outsold prerecorded albums. For an interesting
breakdown, read...

HIT OR MISS
http://www.msnbc.com/news/857711.asp

To make things worse for the industry, classic rock 'n' roll
albums are moving into the public domain in Europe. In Europe,
you see, copyright protection only lasts for 50 years. That's the
case even if the record was made in the U.S. The result is that
recordings released by artists in the early 1950's - like Elvis,
for example - can now legally be re-released by any label in
Europe.

EXPIRING COPYRIGHTS IN EUROPE WORRY U.S. RECORD LABELS
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/4862672.htm

On other legal fronts, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) announced
that he is moving forward with legislation to investigate alleged
anti-competitive behavior by radio and concert giants, including
Clear Channel...

SENATOR MOVES AHEAD WITH BILL TO PROBE RADIO GIANTS
http://tinyurl.com/4eo3

And, in a *really* interesting twist, the judge preceding over
the recording industries case against Kazaa for music copyright
infringement has given the go-ahead for the suit. The defendant,
Sharman Networks, who owns Kazaa, thought themselves exempt from
U.S. law since they are a foreign company. Not so, said the
judge, who stated the that since most Kazaa users are in the
U.S., the lawsuit can go forward.

Kazaa, in case you don't know, is the world's most popular
file-sharing network. Over 163 million people have downloaded the
software, primarily to trade music over the Internet. At any
given time more than 3 million people are running the program.
That's twice the number Napster could boast in its prime.

KAZAA SUIT GETS JUDGE APPROVAL
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t278-s2128548,00.html

Finally, though the RIAA has received its share of negative
press, there's been even more than usual lately. The UK's Net
Industry nominated the RIAA for the 2002 'Internet Villain Award'
for "supporting 'right to hack' proposals and other unworkable
solutions to curb copyright abuse." The RIAA will find out on
February 20th whether they actually won. I wonder if they will
put that in their trophy case?

RIAA NOMINATED FOR INTERNET VILLAIN AWARD
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/28668.html

THE UK INTERNET INDUSTRY AWARDS
http://www.ispaawards.org.uk/categories/villain.htm

Also, since the last edition of the Music Biz Academy Digest the
RIAA web site has been hacked twice. The first time hackers took
over the RIAA press release page and announced it wished to be
"an Oscar Meyer Weiner." The second time, just this week, the
site was defaced to include a list of 'recommended' file-sharing
tools, including Kazaa.

RIAA SITE HACKED
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/28702.html

RIAA DEFACED AGAIN!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/28817.html

WHY THE RIAA KEEPS GETTING HACKED
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,57048,00.html

Until next time,

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


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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
$24.95!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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INCOME AND EXPENSES FOR DEVELOPING YOUR MUSIC CAREER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/incomeexp.htm
To start the new year out right, I want you to think about money.
Where does it come from, and what will you do with it, if you get
any. In case you ever forget that it takes money to make money
with your music, here is a summary of some general income and
expense categories that may factor into your business/budgeting
forecasts. Article by Chris Knab.


CAPITALIZING ON HIGH PROFILE GIGS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/highprofilegigs.htm
Gigging musicians can become so caught up in the normal "work"
syndrome that, when a highly publicized and well paying
performance opportunity comes along, they become so concerned
with the performance aspect that they completely forget about
doing their part to promote it. Columnist Kenny Love offers 10
steps to avoid doing that.


Q&A: THE ELUSIVE PRESSING AND DISTRIBUTION DEAL
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveqa3.htm
"I'm confused as to whom to approach regarding a possible
P&D licensing deal. Could you help?" Answer by Kenny Love.


IS MP3.COM ON ITS LAST LEG?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/mp3p4p.htm
I have been really surprised at the lack of press on the most recent
changes over at MP3.com. Of course, it may be that many in the
industry consider MP3.com irrelevant today, but I myself, as an
independent artist, take some exception to this. Article by David
Nevue


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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25 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT RECORD DISTRIBUTION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/recorddistribution.htm

PLANNING YOUR RADIO PROMOTION CAMPAIGN
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/radiocampaign.htm

COPYRIGHT AND SONGWRITING BASICS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/copyright.htm


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MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
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I WRITE THE SONGS: SONGWRITERS RADIO SHOW
http://www.iwritethesongs.com/
Here's an Internet broadcast that songwriters might find useful.
Each show includes interview segments (past interviewees have
included Willie Nelson, Carol Bayer Sager, Janis Ian and others),
an instructional segment, stories from successful songwriters,
and on-air critiques of original songs. The site also features a
'question of the week,' and articles. Services offered include
seminars, critiques, consultation, as well as links to
songwriting tools and products


MUSICCONTRACTS.COM
http://www.musiccontracts.com/
This site, an extension of the Law Office of J. Scott Rudsenske,
offers an assortment of contracts for the artist, record label,
manager, producer and publisher. Contracts are available in
packages, or individually. One you select, and pay for the
contract (most run $19.95), you may immediately download it.


MUSICIANSMERCH.COM
http://www.musiciansmerch.com
Looking to get your band logo on shirts, caps, matchbooks, guitar
pics, stickers, or beverage holders? MusiciansMerch.com is a
start-up company that provides screen printing on a variety of
products for bands. Excellent prices, and their company motto is
"your music is more important that our profit." Worth at least
getting a quote if you are looking for some promotional
merchandise.


ONLINE ROCK
http://www.onlinerock.com/
Online Rock offers a variety of hosting services for musicians,
from free hosting for smaller web sites (under 10 MB), all the
way up to the 'All Access' service, which includes 200 MB of
storage for $14.99/month. Online Rock members also enjoy
promotion via 'Online Rock Radio.' Finally, you'll find a library
of music related articles written by experienced musicians and
guest columnists, as well as links to equipment, software and
books.

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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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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
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The Music Biz Academy has no affiliation with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. Participate at your own
risk.


THE MP3.COM 3000 SCREAMING FANS CONTEST
http://www.usmusictradeshow.com/screamingfans/index.htm
Talented bands that want to be part of U.S. Music Tradeshow
Artist Showcase Festival can enter to win super performance
prizes by entering our 3000 SCREAMING FANS ARTIST TALENT SEARCH.
Over 250 Artists will be chosen through a selective jury process,
to win a spot in our Music Showcase. From our 3000 Screaming Fans
Contest, one grand prize winning band/artist will be given the
chance at the performance of a lifetime to put on a concert live
at the U.S. Music Tradeshow! Plus, perks like First Class,
Round-Trip Airfare, Private Limos, $25,000 Cash, Media Promotion,
Personal Chefs, and tons of other perks worth an estimated
$250,000! All Submissions must be received by Feb. 15th, 2003.
$20 entry fee.


UNISONG INT'L SONGWRITING CONTEST
http://www.unisong.com/
Over $50,000 in cash and prizes for songs in 10 categories, plus
win a trip to L.A., N.Y., Nashville or London to write with the
pros. Past UNISONG Grand Prize winners have had the opportunity
to write with the likes of Burt Bacharach, Peter Buck, Jimmy
Buffet, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Stewart Copeland, Rodney
Crowell, Lamont Dozier, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, Indigo
Girls, Montell Jordan, Gladys Knight, Lisa Loeb, Me'Shell
Ndegeocello, Joan Osborne, Lee Roy Parnell, Bonnie Raitt, Brenda
Russell, Andy Summers, David Was, Don Was, and many others.
Entries must by postmarked on or before April 30, 2003. $25 Entry
fee.


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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HIT OR MISS
http://www.msnbc.com/news/857711.asp
Ten-year-old Hallie Wilson used to be a Britney fan, but that was
eons ago, when she was a kid of 8. Now, instead of dancing around
her house in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Spears’s syncopated beats, the
fifth grader listens to pop punkster Avril Lavigne and makes fun
of Britney. “Brittney Spears is such a nut head,” explains
Hallie. “She’s so fake, not even the fourth graders like her
now.” Hallie and her friends aren’t the only ones discarding
Britney. Pepsi recently dropped Spears as its spokesgal. Her
peers are doing no better: the Backstreet Boys are all but over;
Christina Aguilera’s sunk to baring her underwear in her “Dirrty”
video, and half of ‘N Sync are embarking on solo careers. O-Town
may soon be playing the local mall—or looking for jobs there.


MUSIC INDUSTRY BRACES FOR A SHIFT
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/13/business/media/13TUNE.html
The resignation last week of one of the music industry's most
powerful figures, Thomas D. Mottola, the chairman and chief
executive of Sony Music Entertainment, and his subsequent
replacement by an outsider, Andrew Lack, a top NBC executive, has
brought to the surface a growing sense of fear within the
industry. The record business is bracing for a seismic shift and
is increasingly reconciled to the fact that the current
priorities of senior executives are outmoded.


THE LAST DJ?: FINDING A VOICE ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?ej=md&press_nb=46039
"Musicians face big challenges in this age of new technologies
and media consolidation. I know it is tough to make it as a
musician. That is why I plan to keep my day job. I am not sure
that I am the first FCC Commissioner who plays rock n' roll, but
I hope I am not the last. Today, I want to encourage other
musicians, and every artist, to make your voices heard to your
Government and especially at the FCC. As I will discuss, the FCC
is about to make some major decisions that will affect all of our
lives...."


RIAA STATISTICS DON'T ADD UP TO PIRACY
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=7343
The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) has a real
funny way of looking at things. Not funny - "ha ha", Funny -
"odd."


WHY THE RIAA KEEPS GETTING HACKED
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,57048,00.html
The Recording Industry Association of America may not want people
to share digital files, but the organization certainly seems to
be in favor of open access to its website. On Monday, the RIAA
site was hacked for the sixth time in six months. This time, the
defacement resulted in bogus press releases on the front door,
touting the joys of cheese and interspecies romantic
relationships. Some security experts said in no uncertain terms
that the latest defacements indicate the RIAA is clueless about
technology. "It's obvious that they don't get the Web, and they
don't get technology, or they'd understand how to protect their
own website," said Wall Street systems administrator Anthony
Negil.


CD INDUSTRY LACKS FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0102/p02s01-usgn.html
Did you get a CD in your Christmas stocking this year? The
recording industry sure hopes so. But even if you purchased some
of the 624.2 million CDs sold in the United States as of Dec. 22,
record labels and retailers are not happy with you. Not happy at
all.  Holiday numbers notwithstanding, the industry saw album
sales drop at least 9 percent in 2002 - following a 2.5 percent
drop the year before. These are the first years in which sales
drops have been recorded since Soundscan began tracking in 1991.


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MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
packaged CDs made without any upfront costs. Order your own CDs
one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
through your own web page. When an order is placed we take care
of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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KAZAA SUIT GETS JUDGE APPROVAL
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t278-s2128548,00.html
A federal judge has given record companies and movie studios the
go-ahead to sue the parent company of Kazaa, a popular online
file-swapping service. U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson
refused to dismiss a copyright infringement lawsuit against
Sharman Networks Ltd., which had argued that it could not be sued
in the United States because it is based in Australia and
incorporated in the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. In a 46-page
ruling issued Friday, the judge said Sharman is subject to U.S.
copyright laws because it has substantial business dealings in
California and its actions are alleged to contribute to
commercial piracy within the United States.


RAIDS RECOVER ORIGINAL BEATLES TAPES
http://tinyurl.com/4en6
Police appear to have recovered about 500 original Beatles tapes,
including some never-released tracks, that were stolen in the
1970s, during raids that took place on January 10th on members of
a piracy racket in England and the Netherlands. British police
said the tapes were "priceless." Dutch police, who found the
tapes in the Netherlands, agreed, but said analysis of the
material was ongoing.


RIAA DEFACED -AGAIN!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/55/28817.html
Reader reports are flooding in that the RIAA.org has been defaced
- again. At time of writing, the site appears to be down, and
several readers have been kind enough to include screen grabs.
Underneath the greets, there is a list of RIAA 'recommended'
file-sharing tools, such as KaZaA and eDonkey. Downloads from
these sites are 'sponsored by www.riaa.org'. The RIAA site has
been hacked four times in recent months. Surely, they should have
figured out how to put a stop to this by now?


MUSIC LABELS LOSE BID TO DISMISS CD DEFECT SUIT
http://tinyurl.com/4en9
Sony Corp., Vivendi Universal SA's Universal Music and other
music labels lost a bid to dismiss a suit alleging the companies
conspired to sell defective compact discs that don't play on
personal computers. The record labels sought to dismiss the suit
under a California law intended to prevent the suppression of
free speech. The companies claim product labels and advertising,
including any alleged failure to warn, are protected by the First
Amendment.


SENATOR MOVES AHEAD WITH BILL TO PROBE RADIO GIANTS
http://tinyurl.com/4eo3
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) told attendees of the Future of
Music Coalition policy summit in Washington, D.C., that he is
moving forward with his legislation that would investigate
alleged anti-competitive behavior by radio/concert giants,
including Clear Channel Communications, Billboard Bulletin
reports. Feingold said artists, small promoters, and independent
radio stations have convinced him that Clear Channel has used its
holdings to stifle competition and evade ownership rules,
resulting in the loss of "localism" in programming, soaring
ticket prices, shrinking playlists, and a "shakedown system" of
money demands to have new recordings even considered for airplay.


FEW CLAIMING CD SETTLEMENT MONEY
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/4888777.htm
Suppose someone was handing out $20 bills and almost nobody
wanted one? That's roughly what's happening with a massive
price-fixing settlement involving states and compact disc
companies. The deal calls for payments of as much as $20 for
customers who bought CDs between 1995 and 2000. But so far, only
a few people have signed up, and officials fear the money will go
begging.


SALES SHOCKER FROM EMI
http://www.thisislondon.com/news/business/articles/timid57458
Music publisher EMI's CD sales in the world's most important
market, the United States, slumped by 28% last year according to
figures released last night. The company had warned of a fall but
it was much worse expected. EMI was the only one of the world's
big five music companies to lose significant market share.
Universal Music Group, a division of Vivendi Universal,
reinforced its position as the number one album producer,
increasing its share of the US market from 26.4% to 28.9%.


EMINEM ENDS YEAR ON TOP, BUT ALBUM SALES TUMBLE
http://tinyurl.com/4eox
Eminem's "The Eminem Show" was the top-selling U.S. album of 2002
with sales of 7.6 million copies, according to year-end figures
released by Nielsen SoundScan. The soundtrack to the rapper's
film "8 Mile" placed fifth on sales of 3.5 million units. Still,
total CD album sales were down 10.7% in 2002, marking the
sharpest sales decrease from the previous year in Nielsen
SoundScan's 11-year tracking history.


EXPIRING COPYRIGHTS IN EUROPE WORRY U.S. RECORD LABELS
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/4862672.htm
European copyright protection is expiring on a collector's trove
of 1950s jazz, opera and early rock 'n' roll albums, forcing
major American record companies to consider deals with bootleg
labels and demand new customs barriers. Already reeling from a
stagnant economy and widespread downloading of copyrighted music
from the Internet, the recording companies will now face a
perfectly legal influx of European recordings of popular works.


RIAA SITE HACKED AGAIN
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/28702.html
According to an official statement issued by the Recording
Industry Association of America today, "I wish I were an Oscar
Meyer Weiner … do you eat cheese?" Which is pretty bizarre even
by the standards set by the RIAA's recent communications.
Of course, this hasn't been issued by the RIAA at all. It's a
defacement, only a slightly more creative one than usual. In a
novel twist the hackers created a form allowing submissions to
feed directly into the RIAA's own press release page.


RIAA NOMINATED FOR INTERNET VILLAIN AWARD
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/28668.html
Oftel, the Home office and the Recording Industry Association of
America (RIAA) are among this year's shortlist for the Internet
Villain Award being dished out by the UK's Net industry.
As ever, there are two hotly-contested gongs that always seem to
court controversy. However, the Internet hero and villain
shortlists reflect the people and organisations that have helped
- or hampered - progress in the Internet industry.



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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! Includes one free PDF update!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
$24.95!


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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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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And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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INSIDE THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/insidethebusiness.htm
Learn how the music business works first-hand from those who are
already successful in it, and receive personal coaching on your
path to success in the music industry!


MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!

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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #50 - December 20th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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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Hello subscribers, welcome to the December 20th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest! I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful
Christmas and New Year!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
I have been really surprized at the lack of press on the most
recent changes over at MP3.com. Of course, it may be that many in
the industry consider MP3.com irrelevant today, but I myself, as
an independent artist, take some exception to this. Perform a
search at Google for 'music' and MP3.com is the #2 site listed.
Search for 'mp3' and it's the #1 site listed. In terms of pure,
cyber-traffic I'm not sure how much more relevant a web site can
be. Maybe MP3.com doesn't have the traffic of Amazon.com, but for
a web site that willingly plays host to thousands of independent
artists, there isn't much out there that's more visible.

You may recall that a few weeks ago I wrote a commentary on
'MP3.com's Halloween Treat,' that is, the new 'look and feel' of
the web site. In addition to these changes, MP3.com dropped hints
that there were some big changes in store for its 'Premium
Artist' Program. Last week, MP3.com announced those changes.

The most notable change, which I must admit I dreadfully
expected, is that as of January 15th, 2003, MP3.com is
discontinuing their Pay for Play (P4P) program. The P4P program
paid independent artists 'royalties' every time their songs were
listened to or downloaded. It was a wonderfully cool idea that,
unfortunately, cost MP3.com more than it was worth to keep going.
To quote MP3.com, "It's our goal to offer Premium Artists the
best service for their money and tools that benefit all members.
But this (P4P program) was getting more difficult given the
enormous accounting, engineering, research and fulfillment costs
that went into both the P4P promotion and regrettably, the
monitoring of individuals gaming the system."

I, for one, am really going to miss the P4P program, and not just
because of the drop in personal revenue. I'll miss it more
because, using the earnings it generated, I was able invest
heavily into MP3.com's promotion programs, all of which I applied
with much success. This success lead not only to a ton of
exposure for my music - over 1.2 million plays since I joined
MP3.com - but to a continuing flow of CD sales from my own
'official' web site.

So, you might ask, "David, why don't you just drop MP3.com and
move on?" Actually, many independent artists are doing just that
(and have been for some time), but I'm not ready to bail out yet.
Why? Because there is one thing MP3.com offers that most other
services can't quite match: pure, Internet traffic.

Imagine having your CDs on the shelves of one of the world's
largest music stores, sitting side-by-side with CDs by artists
like Madonna, Linkin Park, and Pink. Imagine the exposure
potential, especially if you could, through careful placement,
get your music directly in front of the people most likely to buy
your music. Any of these potential customers, with a click
of a button, can preview your music right on the spot.

That's what MP3.com *still* offers independent artists. In
this regard, especially considering the volume of traffic they
generate from people looking for new music while listening to
'popular' artists, no one else I know comes close to offering
this opportunity.

With the P4P program dead, however, I can only speculate what the
future might look like for independent artists promoting their
music on MP3.com. I won't get any clarity on that issue until
long after the new changes go into effect. MP3.com states with a
great deal of conviction that they are still dedicated to helping
and serving the independent music community. I truly hope this is
the case, but I wonder, with the financial demands of the
coporate music realm, will MP3.com really be able to keep us
'indie's' hanging around?

MP3.com has found itself in a very awkward position, I think.
It's a strange experiment gone haywire, a
once-totally-independent web site that has been genetically
grafted into the corporate music family. In some ways, MP3.com
now resembles a free, but handicapped, version of Listen.com's
Rhapsody service. MP3.com started out like a child with big
dreams and ideas, now it seems more like a confused teenager,
trying to find its place in the changing digital world. Will it
survive its adolescent years?

The future of MP3.com as a web site even seems uncertain.
According to rumblings on the MP3.com Artists Boards, even
'SOPHIE,' a mysterious MP3.com employee and 'spokesperson for
independent artists,' is being 'downsized.' Her last day at the
company, rumor has it, is today, December 20th.

You may also recall my report from October, in which I mentioned
that Universal Music Group has been in the process of reviewing
which of its assets, including MP3.com, they can dump to reduce
their debt. Would it suprize anyone to find one day that typing
http://www.mp3.com in your web browser forwards you to Rhapsody,
PressPlay, or MusicNet?

For those of you who, like me, are still MP3.com artists, there
are other alternativies around. MusicDistribution.com
(http://www.musicdistribution.com) lists a number of services
that host independent music, including JavaMusic
(http://www.javamusic.com), and AmpCast (http://www.ampcast.com),
both of which offer royalties for artists for downloaded songs.

I'm not ready to give up on MP3.com, though. I suppose in a way,
I feel that after all I've invested in it, both in writing as
well as financially and with my time, I've become a part of the
MP3.com 'family.' As such I'll stand beside it through its
victories, and perhaps even to its eventual deathbed, if that's
where all this leads.

Still, I hope beyond hope, that we are not seeing the beginning
of the end of MP3.com, and that, for the independent artist, the
best is yet to come.

LIST OF CHANGES GOING INTO EFFECT AT MP3.COM
http://help.mp3.com/help/article/pas_changes.html

IS MP3.COM ON ITS LAST LEG?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/mp3p4p.htm

UNIVERSAL TO REVIEW WEB ASSETS, INCLUDING MP3.COM
http://tinyurl.com/2awm

Until next time,

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


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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!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Q&A: "DIY MAKIN YOU CRY?"
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/diycry.htm
"It is a great time to be an independent musician in the Music
business, but it can also feel like a Catch-22 curse for those of
us who must wear several hats; artist, businessperson, promoter
and, in limited cases, distributor. Please explain how we can,
not only find success with our recordings, how we can even hope
to grow our labels beyond our debut release, or even hope to
carry other artists on our labels in the future?" Answer by Kenny
Love.


25 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT RECORD DISTRIBUTION
http://tinyurl.com/3pun
A simple summation by music consultant, Chris Knab, author of
Music is Your Business.


2 VITAL PHASES ARTISTS *MUST* NOW IMPLEMENT
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/2vitalphases.htm
Trying to operate in today's unrequited Music industry feels like
watching an espionage cat-and-mouse chess game played out by
Bond, James Bond (independents) and Dr. No (RIAA et al). "Bond"
makes a move, then "Dr. No" counters by blowing something
up...anything...and always out of proportion. Therefore, I am
stepping in even closer to the game, and portraying one of those
little pip squeak guys who is on Bond's team and so readily
provides him with all of the neat little gadgets for
counterintelligence and, ultimately, escape.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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HOW LABELS AND RADIO STATIONS WORK TOGETHER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/radiolabels.htm

THE BUSINESS OF LIVE PERFORMANCE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/liveperf.htm

HOW TO BECOME A 'PRIORITY' ACT AT A RECORD LABEL
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/priority.htm


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MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

AXEACE: MUSIC-RELATED CLASSIFIED ADS
http://www.axeace.com/index.php
Axeace is a web site dedicated to music related classified ads.
It's free and you don't have to register or become a member to
view, search, or place ads. Not only can you advertise goods, but
you can post opportunites, 'seeking' or 'wanted' ads. A good
selection, with new ads posted each day.


FEMMUSIC: MAGAZINE
http://www.femmusic.com/
FEMMUSIC is "The Place for Emerging Women in Music." You'll find
interviews with up and coming musicians as well as concert
reviews, demos, book reviews, and festival information. FEMMUSIC
is the ideal place for women with a passion for music to find
others with like interests.


SUMADEK PORTABLE LISTENING STATION
http://www.sumadek.com/
A cool way to set up listening stations at gigs or showcases,
SumaDek serves as both a promotional billboard, and a CD display.
Slick, clean, and groovy.


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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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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Music Biz Academy has no affiliation with the below contests
or opportunies. They simply looked interesting to us, so we
thought they'd be interesting to you. Participate at your own
risk.


THE MP3.COM 3000 SCREAMING FANS CONTEST
http://www.usmusictradeshow.com/screamingfans/index.htm
Talented bands that want to be part of U.S. Music Tradeshow
Artist Showcase Festival can enter to win super performance
prizes by entering our 3000 SCREAMING FANS ARTIST TALENT SEARCH.
Over 250 Artists will be chosen through a selective jury process,
to win a spot in our Music Showcase. From our 3000 Screaming Fans
Contest, one grand prize winning band/artist will be given the
chance at the performance of a lifetime to put on a concert live
at the U.S. Music Tradeshow! Plus, perks like First Class,
Round-Trip Airfare, Private Limos, $25,000 Cash, Media Promotion,
Personal Chefs, and tons of other perks worth an estimated
$250,000! All Submissions must be received by Feb. 15th, 2003.
$20 entry fee.


UNISONG INT'L SONGWRITING CONTEST
http://www.unisong.com/
Over $50,000 in cash and prizes for songs in 10 categories, plus
win a trip to L.A., N.Y., Nashville or London to write with the
pros. Past UNISONG Grand Prize winners have had the opportunity
to write with the likes of Burt Bacharach, Peter Buck, Jimmy
Buffet, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Stewart Copeland, Rodney
Crowell, Lamont Dozier, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, Indigo
Girls, Montell Jordan, Gladys Knight, Lisa Loeb, Me'Shell
Ndegeocello, Joan Osborne, Lee Roy Parnell, Bonnie Raitt, Brenda
Russell, Andy Summers, David Was, Don Was, and many others.
Entries must by postmarked on or before April 30, 2003. $25 Entry
fee.


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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THE FUTURE OF MUSIC AND IT'S ENEMIES 2002
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=7242
Year's end is our time to reflect on the past and look forward to
the future. It's fun to predict the future, even if you're wrong
about a few things. It keeps the brain tuned and strengthens your
powers of observation. This is my bi-annual report on predictions
for the future of the music biz. I'm going to divide this into
two parts. The first part below will respond to the predictions
of several others, mostly, Gerd Leonhard of LicenseMusic.com, who
published his predictions for the future of music on MusicDish
this past month.


THE FUTURE OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS: AN ALTERNATE VIEW
http://musicdish.com/mag/?id=7256
"If I can't get at least $7 or $8 a copy, why should I even
bother to ever make a record? Why would any major artist? Sure,
I'll sell you a $5 CD, with the CD, jewel case and insert. But at
that price, you get a blank CD. Hope you like the melody...."


MUSIC INDUSTRY SHOWS SIGNS OF ADAPTING AMID TUMULT
http://tinyurl.com/3puv
Sales of compact discs are sliding, down 10 percent this year, as
CD burning and file-sharing proliferate. Legislators who have
criticized the industry, saying it has a perception problem, are
considering regulations to end some long-held practices, like
paying independent promoters to persuade radio stations to play
hits. And some people are concerned that disgruntled artists may
stage a public protest at next year's Grammy awards, as they did
last February, in a bid for greater autonomy. Still, in the midst
of one of the most tumultuous times in the music business since
the payola scandals of the 1950's and 1960's, the industry is
showing signs of adapting.


ONLINE MUSIC SERVICES READY FOR SHOWDOWN
http://tinyurl.com/3pux
After a long struggle marked by false starts, frustration and fan
indifference, commercial online music services see this year as
the crucial second act of a hit show in the making. Since
launching a year ago, subscription music services headed by the
major label-backed ventures Pressplay and MusicNet have taken
heat from music fans who compared them unfavourably with free
peer-to-peer networks like now-idled Napster. But after expanded
licensing deals and platform upgrades, these services and rivals
Listen.com's Rhapsody and FullAudio, are better armed to take on
free services like Kazaa and Morpheus, which emerged in the wake
of Napster's legal demise.


TOWER RECORDS: ON THE ROPES
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=7221
Tower Records is out of sight. Almost literally.
Owned by MTS Inc, which in turn is 99% owned by Russ and Mike
Solomon, a father-and-son team, Tower is yet another example of a
specialty music retailer which, like the RIAA and MPAA, couldn't
tell which way the digital media wind was blowing. It's a,
"tottering giant inside a stumbling music industry," as a
November 30 Associated Press story described it. Tower's typical
CD can cost up to $18.99, compared with $13.99 or $14.99 at Best
Buy, Wal- Mart and Amazon.com, says the article, entitled Tower
Records Hopes Holidays Will Save It.


RECORD LABELS GRAPPLE WITH CD PROTECTION
http://tinyurl.com/3abo
For three holiday seasons, record executives say, Internet piracy
has been the Grinch of the music business, undercutting album
sales and labels' year-end profits. So how did the labels open
the biggest music-buying period of the year? By shipping an
estimated 250 million albums to retailers without any protection
against digital piracy. Music and technology executives vow that
this will be the last holiday season without widespread use of
technology that prevents songs from being transferred from CDs to
the Internet. Of course, they've made that prediction before.


RECORD LABELS DON'T LIKE TO SHARE
http://tinyurl.com/3puy
The entertainment industry's war against digital file-swapping
resembles the ancient arcade game Whack-A-Mole. Every time the
industry's SWAT team of high-priced lawyers manages to kill or
maim one file-sharing network, such as Napster, Aimster or
AudioGalaxy, another one pops up. In a twist to the continuing
copyright war, four Microsoft researchers released a white paper
recently arguing that such legal battles — including high-tech
copyright protection schemes — are doomed to fail, because users
of what they called the "Darknet" will always find some way of
avoiding the rules.


CRANKING IT UP IN THE MUSIC SPACE
http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/10793_1503301
The volume has been cranked up in the Internet music space
recently and some of the action is even being taken into the real
world as Loudeye inked a deal with Fullplay Media Systems to let
bricks-and-mortar merchants offer in-store sampling of 3 million
songs from more than 250,000 CDs.


HOW PEER-TO-PEER FILE SHARING IS LIKELY TO CHANGE BIG MEDIA
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20021128.html
Maybe you saw the story this week about a paper from Microsoft
Research analyzing peer-to-peer file sharing networks with the
conclusion that they can't be stopped -- not by the law, not by
the movie studios and record companies, not even by mighty
Microsoft and its Palladium initiative for trusted computing.
Swapping songs and maybe movies is about to reach some critical
mass beyond which it simply can't be stopped, or so the kids in
Redmond think. The story is interesting, but this all pales in
comparison to the implications of their conclusions.


FEE-BASED ONLINE MUSIC SERVICES SING THE BLUES
http://tinyurl.com/3pv1
In the 12 months since MusicNet and the other subscription music
services were launched to counter the file-swapping frenzy that
Napster ignited, none has managed to attract more than 100,000
paying subscribers, label sources and analysts say. Meanwhile,
unauthorized music and movie swapping continues to flourish.
Despite the recording industry's best legal and technological
efforts, the free file-swapping service Kazaa remains the most
popular music destination on the Internet in the wake of
Napster's collapse, attracting nearly 13.7 million visitors a
month from the United States alone.

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MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
packaged CDs made without any upfront costs. Order your own CDs
one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
through your own web page. When an order is placed we take care
of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

OVER 10% OF USA NOW USE KAZAA
http://www.slyck.com/news/200212Dec/121902a.html
New research by Nielsen has shown the extent to which KaZaA 'has
gone pop'. The sheer popularity has also been endorsed by 2 other
reports this week, as KaZaA has become one of the most popular
search terms of 2002. Lycos rated KaZaA as one of the top 3
search terms of 2002 as Google's report on popular search terms
also rated this P2P client highly. KaZaA is now used by
14,095,000 American's each month and the figure is estimated to
be as high as 70 million on a global basis (and growing). Only
AOL instant messenger and Yahoo! Messenger are used for longer
periods.


RIAA CRACKS DOWN ON STORE CD COPYING
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-978096.html
The trade association that represents the major record labels
said Monday it is launching a new anti-piracy campaign against
small businesses, threatening to file lawsuits against gas
stations and convenience stories that sell counterfeit compact
discs.


MUSIC INDUSTRY FACES A BLEAK CHRISTMAS
http://tinyurl.com/3pv2
Holiday stockings this year will be stuffed with plenty of CDs,
though not necessarily the kind you can buy in a record store.
The music industry is finding itself increasingly in discord with
fans who prefer to burn songs onto blank CDs or rip off tunes
from unauthorised online file-sharing services. In the critical
holiday period, the world's biggest record labels had hoped to
reach a sales crescendo with a heavy slate of new releases by
big-name artists. But, while several new records -- like country
pop diva Shania Twain's album "Up!" -- are selling well, the
overall trend seems to be heading in the opposite direction.


STRUGGLING LIQUID AUDIO TO DISSOLVE
http://tinyurl.com/3pv3
Internet music company Liquid Audio may sell or liquidate its
assets now that its board of directors has voted unanimously in
favour of a US$57mil stockholder cash payout, the company’s chief
executive confirmed. Under the approved cash distribution,
shareholders of record yesterday would receive US$2.50 per share
on Dec 20, the company said. Liquid Audio produces software and
provides a proprietary method for delivering music over the
Internet.


NAPSTER REMNANTS ON AUCTION BLOCK
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/12/11/tech/main532576.shtml
Computers, laptops and a slew of T-shirts with a grinning cartoon
cat logo will go up for auction as the now defunct song-swap
company Napster cleans out its remaining physical assets.
The smattering of tech goodies represents all that's left of the
company dreamed up by a few college students, primarily Shawn
Fanning.


RIAA TEAMS WITH SECRET SERVICE TO BUST PIRACY RING
http://tinyurl.com/3pv4
Stop! In the name of the ... recording industry?!
The RIAA, which has long been policing the Internet for
copyright-infringing file-sharers, strapped on its real-life
gumshoes and assisted in one of the largest busts of pirated CDs
ever. Several investigators from the RIAA helped a team of U.S.
Secret Service agents seize hundreds of CD burners and thousands
of pirated CDs and DVDs Monday morning from a Queens, New York,
building.


GATEWAY DELIVERS PRESSPLAY SERVICE ON PCS
http://www.ispworld.com/Reuters/BreakingNews/120602_js04.htm
Computer maker Gateway Inc. on Friday aimed to "jazz" up a ho-hum
Christmas season by announcing a deal with online music provider
Pressplay to load its PCs with 2,000 songs from hit pop stars
from Eminem and Bruce Springsteen to the Dixie Chicks and Frank
Sinatra.


COMPANY BUYS NAPSTER, MAKES SHARING LEGAL
http://www.uwire.com/content//topnews120602002.html
Napster is back with a new name, but now for a price.
The software company Roxio purchased the famous file-sharing
program for about $5.2 million dollars last week. The Recording
Industry Association of America is satisfied that Napster's old
ways of allowing the illegal downloading of copyrighted material
are no more. Roxio will now be a subscription-based service, and
a percentage of its profits will go to artists and record labels.


BUSH SIGNS NET RADIO ACT
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1954
President Bush Wednesday approved a reprieve for a clutch of
Internet radio stations facing extinction under
government-mandated music royalty rates. The legislation that
Bush signed is designed to resolve a longstanding dispute over
how much money Internet radio stations should pay for the
privilege of "webcasting" copyrighted music.The legislation does
not establish specific royalty rates for webcasters. Instead, it
authorizes the music industry's principal royalty collector,
SoundExchange, to negotiate binding royalty contracts with small
webcasters on behalf of all artists and record labels.


MADSTER GIVEN COURT ORDER TO CLOSE
http://tinyurl.com/3pv5
Controversial file sharing site Madster, formerly Aimster, has
been ordered by a Chicago federal judge to unplug its computers
from the internet in an extreme last ditch attempt to stop the
trade of illegal songs and other files over its network.
Federal judge Marvin Aspen last month ordered Madster to prevent
trades of copyrighted music on its service, but in papers filed
with the court, Madster owner Johnny Deep called the order
"impractical," and the service has since stayed online.


AMAZON AND CDNOW RELAUNCH CDNOW.COM
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y02/m12/i05/s01
CDnow and Amazon.com announced the relaunch of the CDnow.com Web
site on Amazon.com's e-commerce platform. CDnow sells CDs, DVDs
and videos through the site. Under the terms of the agreement,
Amazon.com will provide inventory, fulfillment, site content and
customer service, and CDnow.com customers will have access to
Amazon.com features.


FILE TRADERS, STUDIOS SPAR IN COURT
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-975801.html?part=dtx&tag=nhl
Attorneys for the record industry and the movie studios sparred
with lawyers for file-swapping services Morpheus and Grokster in
federal court Monday, as each side sought a quick resolution to a
pending copyright suit against the popular Internet companies.
Both sides are seeking a so-called summary judgment, or pretrial
ruling, in their own favor. If federal Judge Stephen Wilson rules
in favor of the file-swapping companies, it could enable them to
avoid going to trial altogether, or shield them from parts of
copyright infringement claims that could end up costing tens or
hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Wilson showed little
inclination to rule immediately on either side's request.


UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP LEADS THE INDUSTRY
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=44925
Universal Music Group, the world's largest music company,
continues to lead the industry, closing in on the end of the year
with unprecedented chart success and market share dominance. UMG
has an impressive year-to-date current album market share this
week of 30.88%, according to SoundScan. UMG holds the #1 spot on
more than 30 charts, including SoundScan Top Current Albums, R&B
Current Album, Top Catalog Albums, Top Soundtrack and YTD Top Rap
Album, among others.


INTERNET ANYWHERE - ON A SINGLE CHIP
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=44876
Flint is to help UK designers connect any office or industrial
equipment, consumer electronics device or household appliance to
the Internet, based on an open implementation in a single chip.
According to Flint, eDevice SmartStack(tm) can bring truly open
Internet connectivity to any device, on any infrastructure,
anywhere, without using proprietary hardware and protocols,
gateways or specific ISPs.


POLICE REPORT LARGEST-EVER PIRATE CD SEIZURE IN EUROPE
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=44906
Police in Luxembourg have made the largest-ever seizure of pirate
CDs in Europe, uncovering what is thought to be a huge,
international illegal bootlegging ring. Luxembourg police,
assisted by anti-piracy personnel from the international
recording industry, raided two warehouses and report having
seized around one million infringing CDs, with an estimated value
of over ten million Euros at pirate prices.



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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! Includes one free PDF update!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
$24.95!


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 available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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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And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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INSIDE THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/insidethebusiness.htm
Learn how the music business works first-hand from those who are
already successful in it, and receive personal coaching on your
path to success in the music industry!


MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!

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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


-----------------------------------------------------------------

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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #49 - November 29th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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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Hello subscribers, welcome to the November 29th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest! I trust you had a wonderful
thanksgiving holiday! I certainly did, and I now look forward to
many days of leftovers!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
The biggest news of recent days is the 'revitalization' of what
once was Napster, the Internet's one-time premier file-swapping
service. The court cleared the way for Roxio, a company that
makes CD and DVD burning software, to purchase what is left of
Napster for a mere $5 million dollars. The deal has given Roxio
all of Napster's intellectual property rights, including the
right to use it's trademark, name and technology. Best of all for
Roxio, they don't inherit any Napster's legal and financial
obligations resulting from lawsuits.

NAPSTER'S ASSETS GO FOR A SONG
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,56633,00.html

The newswires have also been a-buzz with stories on file-swapping
service Kazaa. The The Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) has been wanting to sue Kazaa for it's part in encouraging
the file-swapping and downloading of copyrighted works online.
The trouble is, Kazaa isn't located on U.S. soil. It's parent
company is headquartered in Australia, and the business is
incorporated in the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu. Recent
comments made by the court judge have led some to speculate the
court is leaning toward judging in favor of the RIAA, which would
allow them to sue. That would extend the court's jurisdiction
*beyond* U.S. borders and over foreign-based companies. What's
ironic about this is that a U.S. court just ruled that foreign
powers are not allowed to sue U.S. companies in a French case
against search directory Yahoo!

WILL JUDGE RULE IN FAVOR OF RIAA
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=13899

KAZAA LIKELY TO FACE US LAWSUIT
http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article.php/1548811

In an effort to stop file-trading at it's source, many Internet
service providers in the U.S. and Canada are considering putting
bandwidth limits on subscriber services. If people know they have
only a limited amount of bandwidth available, the thought goes,
they may be less likely to download as many files or to allow
people to upload songs and music from their computers.

INDUSTRY MOVES TO BLOCKADE PIRATES
http://tinyurl.com/33ls

In the meantime, record companies are beginning to benefit from
file download technology. Universal Music has announced that it
will make more than 43,000 songs available for download at retail
outlets such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Tower Records, and
MP3.com. These songs will be available for purchase for .99
cents per track or $9.99 for an entire album. This comes on the
heels of our report last month that PressPlay, a joint venture of
Sony and Universal Music, would become the first online music
subscription service to allow consumers to buy and burn songs
from all five major recording labels. Record companies are
*finally* catching up to customer demands.

UNIVERSAL MUSIC KICKS OFF DIGITAL DOWNLOAD PLAN
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/4559936.htm

MUSIC GIANTS ARE GOING FOR THE BURN
http://www.msnbc.com/news/835019.asp

Finally, is the future of satellite radio in doubt? XM Radio,
considered by many to the the 'HBO' of radio, laid off 80
employees last week. The service has been losing money since it's
inception and XM is hoping the cash-saving layoffs, along with
other cost-cutting measures, will help attract new investors.

XM RADIO CUTS 80 JOBS TO SAVE MONEY
http://tinyurl.com/2tsn

Until next time,

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


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THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
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DECLINING ONLINE MUSIC $ALES
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/decliningsales.htm
We keep hearing about how sales are declining on the Internet.
How does this translate to you, the independent artist? Does it
matter? Promoter Kenny Love suggests how to compensate for
declining sales.


Q&A: "WE SIMPLY CAN'T SURVIVE AS AN INDIE BAND"
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveqa2.htm
"We can't survive independently - it would turn into a hobby if
we continue this path. As much as we would love to remain indi,
it's simply unrealistic. Certain styles of music can definitely
be promoted successfully independently - but not Adult
Alternative (pop/prog/jazz). We need the exposure of a wider
audience & opportunities a label can provide." Answer by Kenny
Love.


PUBLISHING DEALS MADE EASY: A THUMBNAIL SKETCH
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/publishingdeals.htm
People often speak of “publishing deals” in a generic way, which
implies that there is only one kind of publishing deal. In fact,
there are a number of different kinds of publishing deals, as
described in this fantastic article by attorney Bart Day.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

PLANNING YOUR MUSIC CAREER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/careerplanning.htm

MUSIC BIZ INTERNSHIPS: DO'S AND DON'TS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/careerplanning.htm

PROMO KIT PHOTOS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/promokitphotos.htm


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MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

COMPACT DISC REPAIRMAN, INC.
http://www.cdrepairman.com/
Is your CD master suddenly skipping a beat? Desperate to repair a
CD that is simply irreplaceable? Contact the folks at CD
Repairman for help. Don't miss their quiz, 'How much do you know
about compact discs?' The answers might surprise you.


GRAND MASTERS OF FLASH
http://www.grandmastersofflash.com/
Want to integrate Flash into your web site? Check out Joe
Sweeney's 'Grand Masters of Flash' service. Some very cool
designs here, a huge client list, and plenty of sample projects
to check out.


MPA'S DIRECTORY OF MUSIC PUBLISHERS
http://www.mpa.org/agency/pal.html
Looking for a publisher's contact information? The Music
Publishers' Association's directory contains contact information
for publishers, both domestic and foreign, and copyright
administrating offices. A very complete listing and an an
excellent resource.


PACIFIC TECH IMAGING
http://www.cosmicwave.com/index.html
If you're playing around with a layout idea for your new CD
release, you may wish you had the ability to design the layout on
your computer AND print it out on a pre-formatted, ready to
insert paper. PTI provides you with exactly that; perferated,
professional quality paper for the printing of your CD folders
and booklets as well as cassette J-Cards and ZIP case inserts.
PTI also offers companion software for their templates that
prints and saves liners for your CDs and cassettes. Templates for
the inserts are available for immediate download after purchase.

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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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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

JEWEL ANNOUNCES SOUL CITY CAFE, MUSIC QUEST 2003
http://tinyurl.com/2pmb
Want to open for Jewel? Enter Soul City Cafe Music Quest by
submitting your 3-song demo and you could win an opening slot on
Jewel's 2003 tour and other prizes that will give you the
exposure you deserve! Enter as either a band or solo artist (see
definitions in rules). Could there be a better way to launch your
career? Submissions accepted November 4 through December 31!


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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RIAA PUNISHING NAVY CADETS 'BECAUSE IT CAN'
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/28293.html
The RIAA may be shocked by our satirical treatment of the US Navy
Academy's confiscation of PCs containing MP3s, but Register
readers are just as shocked that the RIAA has gone for a soft
target. Many military staff past and present have written to us.
The difference between the Navy academy and other colleges is
clear: the academy is obliged to investigate and punish
miscreants. So an MP3 could end a career...


MUSIC LABELS: STREAMING IS SWELL
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,56419,00.html
If the recording industry has its way, the day of the music
download may soon be dead. Or at least on life support.
Record companies continue to use their financial muscle to slow
the growth of file-trading networks and to acquire digital-rights
management technologies that limit what people can do with MP3s
and other files. To meet the growing demand for digital music,
labels have turned to streaming services because they offer the
one thing entertainment conglomerates want most: control.

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MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
packaged CDs made without any upfront costs. Order your own CDs
one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
through your own web page. When an order is placed we take care
of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

NAPSTER'S ASSETS GO FOR A SONG
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,56633,00.html
Napster will rise again -- sort of -- thanks to a software
company that makes CD-and DVD-burning software. The company,
Roxio, purchased the company's intellectual property for $5
million on Wednesday, rescuing it from bankruptcy court, where it
had languished since June. Roxio's plan is to create a
subscription music service that can be combined with its
software. "Roxio has received ... all of Napster's intellectual
property including but not limited to the name, trademarks,
domain name and their extensive technology portfolio," the
company said in a release.


KAZAA LIKELY TO FACE US LAWSUIT
http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article.php/1548811
A US federal judge has hinted that he is likely to allow US
record companies and movie studios to sue the Australia-based
parent company of Kazaa, a popular online file-swapping service.
Because Kazaa's parent company maintains headquarters in
Australia and incorporation in the island of Vanuatu, lawyers
argued it should not be subject to a lawsuit in the U.S. but, if
Judge Wilson's statements in court provide any hints, he is
leaning towards the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA).


RIAA PROMPTS SEIZURE OF U.S. NAVY COMPUTERS
http://www.officialspin.com/
Officials at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland have
seized nearly 100 midshipmen's computers that allegedly contained
illegally downloaded music and movies. Sources close to the
investigation, said the raid occurred Thursday while students
were in class. Amanda Collins, aspokesman for the Recording
Industry Association of America (RIAA), said that the Naval
Academy was among the colleges and universities around the
country that were sent two letters from entertainment industry
and educational associations asking them to address Internet
piracy and establish policies against it.


MP3.COM ADDS IT'S 250,000TH ARTIST
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=44773
To further celebrate its fifth anniversary as an online music
pioneer, MP3.com today announced the addition of its 250,000th
musical artist -- making it by far the largest musician community
on the Internet.


AIMSTER FACES CONTEMPT CHARGES
http://www.curlio.com/new_showarticle.php?id=2954
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), on behalf
of its member companies, and the music publishers, filed a motion
late Wednesday afternoon for a hearing to find Aimster (a.k.a.
Madster) in contempt on the grounds that it has willfully
disregarded an order issued on November 4, 2002. In that order,
the court directed Aimster to immediately prevent its users from
uploading and downloading copyrighted works or shut down its
operations until it can do so.


LIQUID AUDIO CEO QUITS AFTER MERGER FAILS
http://tinyurl.com/33m8
Liquid Audio Inc. Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Gerald
Kearby has resigned, less than two weeks after dissatisfied
shareholders blocked a merger with Alliance Entertainment Corp.
The Redwood City firm also said Friday that co-founder Robert
Flynn resigned as senior vice president of business development.


AMAZON.COM TO TAKE OVER 'BACK OFFICE' OF CDNOW
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t278-s2126523,00.html
Internet retailer Amazon.com is set to take over the running of
German media group Bertelsmann's online music store CDnow, the
Financial Times has reported. Amazon will run the back-office
activities of CDnow in return for a share of profits while
Bertelsmann will retain ownership of the brand and its site, the
newspaper said on Tuesday.


U.S. LIABILITY LOOMS OVER KAZAA
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-971086.html
A Los Angeles federal judge heard arguments Monday as to whether
record companies and movie studios can sue the parent company of
Kazaa, the most popular online file-swapping service, in the
United States. Much of Kazaa's future, from a business and legal
perspective, hangs on the judge's decision. The parent company,
Sharman Networks, is headquartered in Australia and incorporated
in the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, and has tried to keep
business contact with the United States to a minimum in order to
decrease its legal risk.


INTERNET RADIO LISTENING UP 172 PERCENT SINCE JANUARY
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=44671
Arbitron Inc. announced today that the index of total time spent
listening to a spectrum of online radio stations measured by
Arbitron's MeasureCast Ratings grew 172 percent since January.


BMG PLANS TO SIMPLIFY ROYALTY DEDUCTIONS
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/21/business/media/21MUSI.html
BMG announced an overhaul of its accounting practices for
royalties yesterday, a move that it said would assuage concerns
that performers are being shortchanged on their earnings.
But while some artists and their representatives applauded BMG
for its lone stand among the music labels, they said the industry
still needed to change other accounting methods and better
compensate performers for their work. BMG said that beginning
next year it would eliminate contract deductions it typically
takes off the retail price of a CD for items like packaging, new
technology and free goods for retailers. Instead, BMG will
calculate the royalty rate on the lower wholesale price.
The new method will not change the amount of the royalties.


UNIVERSAL MUSIC KICKS OFF DIGITAL DOWNLOAD PLAN
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/4559936.htm
Universal Music Group, the world's largest music company,
Wednesday announced it would make more than 43,000 song tracks
available for download at retail outlets and music Web sites,
opening a new front in the marketing of digital music. The
initiative is aimed at attracting fans who may want to buy songs
or albums on a one-off basis online rather than through monthly
Internet subscriptions. Universal said the digital tracks will be
available for purchase by consumers in the U.S. for 99 cents for
individual tracks and $9.99 for albums. The downloads will be
available through over 25 retailers and music sites, including
Best Buy Co. Inc., Circuit City Stores Inc., MP3.com, Rolling
Stone, Tower Records and others.


SMALL WEBCASTER ROYALTY RELIEF BILL PASSES IN SENATE, HOUSE
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1928
The Small Webcaster Settlement Act (SWSA), a revised bill that
would give small and noncommercial webcasters a break on the
royalties they have to pay artists and record labels to stream
music online, passed in the Senate and House late Thursday, and
now awaits President Bush's approval to become law. The language
of the bill does not actually set lower rates, but provides that
small webcasters and SoundExchange, the recording industry entity
that collects such royalties, may negotiate their own agreements
independent of the Librarian of Congress' determination of rates.
It also places a six-month stay on payment of any royalties by
small webcasters while an agreement can be negotiated.


XM RADIO CUTS 80 JOBS TO SAVE MONEY
http://tinyurl.com/2tsn
Washington's XM Satellite Radio Inc. laid off 80 employees this
week, the company announced yesterday, as the critically
acclaimed but money-losing subscription-radio service attempts to
conserve its cash. The layoffs are designed to satisfy current
investors and lure new ones, said a source familiar with the
cuts. XM has been hailed by music and electronics critics as a
sort of HBO for radio that provides music not heard on AM or FM.
As a business, however, the company still has a long way to go
toward profitability, and it is struggling with enormous start-up
costs.


NEW LIGHT SHED ON UNBREAKABLE ENCRYPTION
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-965957.html
Scientists at Northwestern University say they have harnessed the
properties of light to encrypt information into code that can be
cracked only one way: by breaking the physical laws of nature.
This high-speed quantum cryptography method allowed the
scientists to send encrypted data over a fiber-optic line at
250mbps (megabits per second), which the researchers said was
more than 1,000 times faster than what was achievable with
existing quantum technology. "What makes the system so secure is
that an eavesdropper can't tap into it without disturbing the
photons," said Paul Kwiat, a professor of physics at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a leading
authority on quantum cryptography. "If an eavesdropper disturbs
the photons, then they're gone."


MUSIC GIANTS ARE GOING FOR THE BURN
http://www.msnbc.com/news/835019.asp
A flurry of Internet music licensing deals this week gave a big
boost to the legal side of online music, with two major record
labels for the first time allowing consumers to permanently keep
music they pay to download. Warner Music Group announced separate
deals Thursday with MusicNet and Pressplay that would allow
consumers to buy, download and transfer songs from artists such
as Linkin Park and Matchbox 20 to compact discs and portable
devices like MP3 players. With the Warner agreement, Pressplay, a
joint venture of Sony and Universal Music, becomes the first
service to allow consumers to buy and “burn” songs from all five
major recording labels.


NAPSTER POISED FOR ANOTHER COMEBACK
http://media.guardian.co.uk/dotcoms/story/0,7521,840815,00.html
Napster, the controversial online song-swapping service, is set
to rise from the grave yet again after US software company Roxio
revealed it was close to winning an auction for the bankrupt
company's assets. Roxio will pay $5.3m (£3.6m) for Napster's
brand name, technology and logo and will be free of all the
bankrupt company's liabilities, including unresolved copyright
claims, when it emerges from Chapter 11 protection early next
year. Roxio refused to comment on its plans for Napster but it is
expected to relaunch as a service that allows users to purchase
tracks and download them to CD, automatically sending payment to
rights holders.



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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! Includes one free PDF update!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
$24.95!


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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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INSIDE THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/insidethebusiness.htm
Learn how the music business works first-hand from those who are
already successful in it, and receive personal coaching on your
path to success in the music industry!


MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #48 - November 14th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hello subscribers, welcome to the November 14th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
BMG and EMI received some unwanted attention in the news last
week due to their rather interesting responses to customers on
the issue of copy protection technology used on retail CD
releases in Europe.

In BMG's case, their response stated matter-of-factly that if
your copy protected CD won't play in your CD player, it's because
their copy protection technology is reacting to a 'special new
technology' included with CD burners. The problem is, this
'special new technology' is also apparently used on stereos that
don't have CD burning capabilities. BMG's advice if you have
problems playing the CD? Use another CD player. To quote BMG,
'our copy protection is according to the Red Book Standart,'
(spelling theirs). In other words, it's not their problem.

While BMG's response simply minimized the issue, taking little,
if any, responsibility, EMI's response was quite different. EMI's
customer service rep came right out and, well, in a round-about
way called it's customer a pirate. To quote (this is translated
from German):

"The case you are reporting that even multiple players refuse to
function can, in our experience, only originate from the realm of
fairytales."

(Ouch!)

"...we fear that these facts don't interest you at all. Because
these measures mean the end of free music, something that must
cause you much grief..."

(So what are you saying?)

"If you plan to continue protesting about future audio media
releases with copy protection, forget it; copy protection is a
reality, and within a matter of months more or less all audio
media worldwide are copy protected....In order to make this
happen we will do anything within our power - whether you like it
or not."

Nice, huh?

I would like to say the reason the EMI representative responded
so curtly was because the customer was being argumentative,
irritating, unreasonable, or just plain aggravating. But, in
viewing the original exchange, I saw that was not the case.

If you'd like to view the original exchange (in German), visit
http://tinyurl.com/2jlh . To translate from German to English,
use http://babelfish.altavista.com/ on the URL. As you will
plainly see, the customer was not being unreasonable at all. They
were simply, and quite calmly, expressing their frustration.

BMG: 'NO MORE MUSIC CDS WITHOUT COPY PROTECTION'
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/27960.html

ALL CDS WILL BE PROTECTED AND YOU ARE A FILTHY PIRATE!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/28009.html

In New York, lawmakers proposed a bill that could open the door
on free-agency contracts for recording artists. The bill would
limit recording contracts to seven years, and "establish time
limitations on the enforcement of contracts with the aim of
protecting the artist's freedom of expression from unreasonable
and unduly restrictive covenants." The RIAA dismissed the bill,
stating lawmakers should not do "anything to further harm an
industry that is experiencing difficult business times,
particularly if it means creating a new law to regulate contracts
between private parties."

'ARTISTIC FREEDOM ACT' PROPOSED IN N.Y.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A11926

RIAA OPPOSES NY ARTISTS' BILL
http://www.stereophile.com/shownews.cgi?1488

Everywhere we look, we see the music industry fighting tooth and
nail to protect copyrighted works, prevent piracy and stop
illegal distribution of copyrighted music. With all this going
on, it's fascinating to see President Bush sign H.R. 2215 into
law. This bill, which covers wide variety of unrelated issues,
also includes an amendment (S. 487) that allows educators to use
online music, movies and other copyrighted materials for
"mediated instructional activities," without permission from or
payment to copyright holders.

NEW COPYRIGHT LAW FREES EDUCATORS TO USE COPYRIGHTED WORKS
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1909

While not exactly newsworthy (but still interesting), a recent
poll conducted by Billboard revealed that 42% of respondees
stated they would be more willing to purchase a CD if it
included additional perks such as unreleased songs or concert
ticket offers. Is this really any surprise? The Christian music
industry, one of the few markets making a profit these days, does
this very thing. Buy a contemporary worship CD and with it you
will commonly receive free lyric sheets, guitar tablature, and
alternate, acoustic versions of songs in MP3 format - all
included on the disc. This is one area where the Christian music
industry is truly ahead of the secular market.

POLL: CD PERKS ENCOURAGE BUYERS
http://tinyurl.com/2pj5

Fascinating stuff. Until next time,

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


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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
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! Includes one free PDF update!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

PUBLISHING DEALS MADE EASY: A THUMBNAIL SKETCH
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/publishingdeals.htm
People often speak of “publishing deals” in a generic way, which
implies that there is only one kind of publishing deal. In fact,
there are a number of different kinds of publishing deals, as
described in this fantastic article by attorney Bart Day.


SELL YOUR MUSIC ONLINE, PART 2
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/sellonline2.htm
This month I am wrapping up my survey of sites on the web where
you can sell and promote your independent music. I visited each
site listed, and cut and pasted THEIR OWN descriptions of what
they have to offer you. So, this is becoming a very large
directory of what is out there, and what these companies say they
can do for you. Article by Chris Knab.


Q&A: UNDERMINING YOUR RADIO PROMOTER
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveqa1.htm
"I recently hired a record promoter for my new recording, but
later decided to contact stations personally. The promoter didn't
like me calling the stations, and said it was going to hurt the
campaign. What's your opinion?"


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT'S A RECORD DEAL ALL ABOUT?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/recorddeal.htm

HOW TO WRITE AND SEND A PRESS RELEASE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/pressrelease.htm

10 REASONS WHY DEMO TAPES ARE REJECTED
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/10demosrejected.htm


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MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

ARIEL PUBLICITY
http://www.arielpublicity.com/
If you're struggling in your effort to generate publicity for
yourself or your band, you ought to stop by Ariel's place and see
what she can do for you. Ariel's web site and credentials are
most impressive. The list of bands they've worked with is as long
as your arm, and include some big name acts. Services include
press kits, tour booking, as well as CD release events and press
management. Check out the long list of virtual press kits for
Ariel's clients.  A new addition to Ariel Publicity includes
'Rock Girl Marketing', a national street team that can help you
set up grass roots promotion in your market. Check out the menu
of detailed street team services available. Top notch stuff.


FINDLAW.COM
http://www.findlaw.com/
Need an entertainment attorney, but have no idea where to turn?
At FindLaw.com you can search for attorney's by practice
(entertainment law), state, and city. It's a quick way to find
legal help fast. You can also browse the 'Industry Center' for
media entertainment to see the latest news, litigation in
process, associations, government resources, laws, web sites, and
more. It's all quite interesting.


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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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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

JEWEL ANNOUNCES SOUL CITY CAFE, MUSIC QUEST 2003
http://tinyurl.com/2pmb
Want to open for Jewel? Enter Soul City Cafe Music Quest by
submitting your 3-song demo and you could win an opening slot on
Jewel's 2003 tour and other prizes that will give you the
exposure you deserve! Enter as either a band or solo artist (see
definitions in rules). Could there be a better way to launch your
career? Submissions accepted November 4 through December 31!


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Articles From Around The Net....
-----------------------------------------------------------------

RIAA TRIES TO REBUT OXFORD DEBATE STORIES
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=6982
Deeply stung by chairman Hilary 'Reach Out' Rosen's ignominious
defeat at the recent Oxford University 'Free Music' debate, the
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) emailed Declan
McCullagh of Politech fame in an attempt to re-align reality.
According to the RIAA, "Reach Out Did Good," all appearances to
the contrary notwithstanding.


ALL CDS WILL BE PROTECTED AND YOU ARE A FILTHY PIRATE!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/28009.html
One mad consumer relations team might be an isolated incident,
two begins to look like a trend. The dismissive response
Bertelsmann Music Group's copy protection team recently issued to
a consumer's query essentially boiled down to, 'all Cds will be
copy protected, it's not our problem that they won't play on some
devices, so tough.' But apparently, it's a competition. EMI
Germany is taking pretty much the same attitude, and its
humorously-tagged Consumer Relations team is calling the
customers pirates while it's about it.


IS MTV GETTING TOO GROSS?
http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/07/ew.hot.mtv/index.html
MTV has never exactly been a model of decency. Years of "Beavis
and Butt-head" and Madonna (oh my!) have taught us to expect
little more than innovative ways to shed clothing and act stupid.
The spring break specials deserve special recognition for getting
people to act dumb and get naked AT THE SAME TIME. To paraphrase
P.T. Barnum, no one ever went broke underestimating the class of
MTV.


JONI MITCHELL 'ASHAMED' TO BE IN MUSIC BUSINESS
http://tinyurl.com/1zj1
Hell hath no fury like Joni Mitchell (news) on the subject of the
music industry. The veteran singer/songwriter, on the promotional
trail for a new album, says she is "ashamed" to be part of the
music business and may stop recording. "I just think it's a
cesspool," the 58-year-old folk-rock icon said in the latest
issue of Rolling Stone magazine. "I would never take another deal
in the record business, which means I may not record again, or I
have to figure out a way to sell over the Net or do something
else."


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MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
packaged CDs made without any upfront costs. Order your own CDs
one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
through your own web page. When an order is placed we take care
of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

PRESSPLAY ADDS WARNER TO COMPLETE CATALOG
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-965767.html?tag=cd_mh
Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group's Pressplay
music subscription venture on Wednesday said it had reached a
deal to provide content from Warner Music Group, giving the
online service music from all five major labels. "Today is a
momentous day. We've accomplished what we set out to do and,
while it took a little longer than we expected, we've managed to
get all five labels by year-end," said Michael Bebel, chief
executive officer of Pressplay.


EMI LICENSES MUSIC CATALOG
http://tinyurl.com/2pj2
EMI announced Wednesday it has expanded its online music
distribution program to offer more CD burning options and song
downloads. In the past, EMI's online music selection, sold
through distributors such as MusicNet, pressplay and Listen.com's
Rhapsody service, was somewhat restricted in that the music only
could be listened to as long as the service subscription was
active or as streamed audio content tethered to the desktop.
Beginning Dec. 1, online music buyers will be able to burn songs
from EMI's catalog up to three times to blank CDs or transfer
them to a limited number of portable digital music players that
can play the files.


LIQUID AUDIO ENDS MERGER PLAN
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-965246.html?tag=cd_mh
Those trying to shut down Liquid Audio scored another win in
their battle Monday. Bowing to shareholders, the company said
it's ending a proposed merger agreement with Alliance
Entertainment. The companies said they mutually agreed to end the
merger plan after a large number of Liquid Audio shareholders
opposed the proposal. Dissident shareholders have been fighting
to shut down Liquid Audio and liquidate its assets for some time.


THE SONG'S OVER FOR CDNOW: LAST EMPLOYEES SET TO GO
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/4478715.htm
CDNow, we'll see thee later. The online music retailer that was
born in the Philadelphia suburbs in 1994 is set to vanish from
the local landscape. CDNow's parent company, BeMusic Inc., a unit
of the German media giant Bertelsmann AG, has notified the
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry that it will lay
off the last 33 workers at the cavernous CDNow facility in Fort
Washington on Dec. 27. BeMusic spokeswoman Melinda Meals said,
however, that there is no plan to shut down the popular CDNow.com
Web site, which still gets millions of visits per month from
music and video shoppers.


POLL: CD PERKS ENCOURAGE BUYERS
http://tinyurl.com/2pj5
CDs that are enhanced with extra content such as access to
private Web site, unreleased music, and ticket offers make buyers
more willing to purchase the album, according to a recent
Billboard.com poll. 42% of 5,000 voters said such extras prove
the artist is making a further committment to fans who purchase
their music, while another 15% said the bonus features help
offset the price of CDs.


BMG: 'NO MORE MUSIC CDS WITHOUT COPY PROTECTION'
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/27960.html
Faced with adverse publicity to copy protection on CDs, a year
ago Bertelsmann Music Group bravely gave in and promised to
replace a clutch of Natalie Imbruglia CDs which were protected by
Midbar's Cactus Data Shield. But a year is a long time, BMG is at
it again, this time apparently set on applying copy protection to
all its music products.


NEW COPYRIGHT LAW FREES EDUCATORS TO USE COPYRIGHTED WORKS
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1909
The U.S. Copyright Office announced on Tuesday that President
Bush on Saturday signed into law the 21st Century Department of
Justice Appropriations Authorization Act (H.R. 2215), which
includes the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization
(TEACH) Act. The amendment allows professors to use online music,
movies and other copyrighted materials for "mediated
instructional activities," without permission from or payment to
copyright holders. It also re-establishes this particular "fair
use" of a copyrighted work -- still preserved for non-digital
copyrights -- that was made illegal under 1998's Digital
Millennium Copyright Act.


NAPSTER GETS FINAL APPROVAL FOR LOAN
http://tinyurl.com/2pk3
Napster Friday won final approval of a $250,000 loan that the
debtor company will use to cover expenses while it negotiates a
sale of substantially all of its assets in a proposed $5 million
deal. Napster, the bankrupt Internet music provider, projects
$200,000 in costs through Nov. 22 and $50,000 through Dec. 24,
according to a budget submitted to the court. Without the loan,
the company would have to liquidate its assets.


ONLINE MUSIC SALES PLUMMET
http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=51173
Online sales of recorded music have plummeted 25 percent through
the third quarter, dropping even faster than the overall U.S.
music market, according to a survey to be released today.
The survey appears to lend support to the contention by record
labels that free, online music-swapping networks such as Kazaa
and Morpheus are undercutting music sales. In the first half of
the year, online sales of music fell to $424 million, a drop of
20 percent from the same period last year, according to data
collected by ComScore Networks, which electronically monitors
consumer habits.


RIAA SEES NO FUTURE FOR N.Y. ARTISTS' BILL
http://tinyurl.com/2pk4
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) expressed
doubt yesterday (Oct. 31) that artists' rights legislation
introduced Monday in the New York State Assembly will garner the
support it needs to pass into law. The proposed Artistic Freedom
Act, which is being supported by the American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists, the American Federation of
Musicians, and the Artist Empowerment Coalition (AEC), would
limit to three years the length of recording contracts for
artists without qualified legal counsel and seven years for those
with representation.


LISTEN.COM SECURES CD BURNING LICENSE FROM BMG
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=43803
Listen.com today announced a new agreement with BMG, the
worldwide music division of Bertelsmann, AG, that will enable
Rhapsody subscribers in the United States to purchase and burn
tens of thousands of tracks from BMG's extensive digital catalog
of titles. This license builds on Listen.com's existing
relationship with BMG, which earlier this year announced an
agreement to offer its recordings through Rhapsody.
BMG joins Warner Music and Universal in providing Listen.com
subscribers with burning capability.


'ARTISTIC FREEDOM ACT' PROPOSED IN N.Y.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A11926
New York lawmakers have proposed a bill that could open the door
on free-agency contracts for recording artists. The Artistic
Freedom Act was introduced Monday by New York State Assembly
Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat, with the backing of powerful
unions such as the American Federation of Television and Radio
Artists and the AFL-CIO. New York State Assembly members Roger L.
Green, Joe Morelle and Catherine Nolan, all Democrats, also
signed on to the bill, which would limit recording contracts to
seven years.


INDUSTRY CLAIMS ONLINE PIRACY VICTORY OVER MADSTER
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2125121,00.html
The US recording industry has claimed a victory in one round of
its legal assault against online piracy after a federal judge
granted a preliminary injunction against file-swapping service
Aimster, which recently changed its name to Madster. The
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said judge
Marvin Aspen of the US District Court for the Northern District
of Illinois on Wednesday night ordered Madster to implement
filtering technologies so that it does not infringe on
copyrighted works over its network.


EMI TRACKS SONGS USING 'AUDIO FINGERPRINTING'
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-963756.html
EMI Recorded Music on Tuesday agreed to use audio fingerprinting
technology from Audible Magic to identify and track licensed and
unlicensed online usage of its song catalog. Audible Magic's
technology aims to get around the problem of matching digital
copies of songs that do not use a universal naming convention or
format. Audio fingerprinting captures characteristics of a song
that can be compared to files found on peer-to-peer networks and
elsewhere regardless of the file name or type. The companies said
they expect to begin implementing an audio fingerprint system by
the end of the year.


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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! Includes one free PDF update!


THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
$24.95!


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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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INSIDE THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/insidethebusiness.htm
Learn how the music business works first-hand from those who are
already successful in it, and receive personal coaching on your
path to success in the music industry!


MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #47 - October 29th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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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Hello subscribers, welcome to the October 29th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
Last issue, I briefly mentioned that the U.S. Senate failed to
pass a mutated version of Bill HR 5469. The original draft of
that bill would have given small-company Webcasters making less
than $1 million a year a break on digital performance royalties
which were to have been due on October 20th. The mutated version
of the bill, which was reported to have expanded from one
paragraph to 28 pages, offered no such hope, apparently, for many
webcasters. To quote Jon Jeffrey of Live365.com, "Live365 and its
thousands of personal webcasters will not be impacted at all or
provided any relief from the .007 per performance royalty rate,
if HR 5469 passes in its current form."

The bill is now in limbo until the Senate returns after the
November elections. So, what's the future of webcasting?

Well, in an gesture of goodwill, SoundExchange, which is the body
set up by the RIAA to collect webcasting royalties, has said it
will delay the collection of fees until after the Senate returns.

Perhaps we CAN all just get along after all. Let's hope?

INTERNET RADIO LEGISLATION DELAYED
http://tinyurl.com/2avi

Another tidbit that caught my attention this week was news that
Listen.com's Rhapsody service has been making some advances in
the online music subscription market. Back in July I reported
that Listen.com's 'Rhapsody' digital music service was the FIRST
to license music from ALL FIVE of the major music labels. Last
issue I reported that MusicNet and PressPlay are both very close
to securing catalogs of music from all five of the major music
labels as well.

One advantage PressPlay had over it's competitors in the past was
a price and service structure giving users unlimited music
downloads from its library of over 150,000 tracks. The 'unlimited
plus' service PressPlay offers, which costs $17.95 per month,
includes a 10-pack of 'portable downloads', which essentially
means you are allowed to burn a CD of up to 10 songs a month.

Now Listen.com has joined the club. Listen.com's latest service
update, which includes music from all five major record labels,
gives you unlimited streaming (not downloads) and unlimited (sort
of) burns...for a price. Your basic subscription service, the
'All Access' streaming plan, will run you $9.95/month. After
that, you may burn as many songs as you want direct to CD for
$.99 per track on a pay-as-you-go basis. The only limitation? You
can only 'burn' music from two of the five major record labels.
One of those labels, however, is Universal Music, which is the
largest. Of the 250,000 total songs now in Rhapsody's database,
about 75,000 of them are available for burning. I suspect it's
only a matter of time before EMI, Sony and BMG join in.

It's really good to see these online music services becoming more
'music on demand' friendly. The industry finally seems to be
coming up with viable, legal alternatives to Napster that music
lovers can afford.

LISTEN.COM'S ONLINE MUSIC UNIT OFFERS CD BURNING
http://tinyurl.com/2awg

Speaking of the Universal Music Group, they plan to decide in
coming weeks which of it's web music properties are worth
keeping, and which they may want to dump. Universal is looking to
downsize, and intends to sell about $12 billion in assets to
reduce it's debt! Some of Universal's web properties include
MP3.com, GetMusic.com, and RollingStone.com.

Hmm. I wonder which will go?

UNIVERSAL TO REVIEW WEB ASSETS, INCLUDING MP3.COM
http://tinyurl.com/2awm

And, speaking of MP3.com, did you see that crazy new look, feel
and design? Yikes! One thing is for sure, the fact that they
released this new look around Halloween is appropriate. It's
so...dizzying. They've broken my #1 rule of web design - keep it
simple! There's so much stuff on the home page it has my
eyes doing somersaults! Where do I go? What do I do? Who am I?

Since the design switchover, MP3.com artists in the artist forums
have been reporting a few little problems, like songs
disappearing from the charts. MP3.com is still working these and
other kinks out.

One real shocker is that MP3.com has created two chart systems,
one for 'downloadable' music, and one for 'streaming' music. So
now, as an MP3.com artist, you've got to choose your chart
preference and decide which promotional approach you are going to
take. This single aspect of the new MP3.com seems to be causing a
good deal of confusion in the artist forums.

As you all know, however, I'm a big fan of MP3.com. MP3.com has
been very good to me. As as big fan, I must say I am very curious
to see how all this effects independent artists who actively
promote their music through the MP3.com Promo Auctions. So long
as MP3.com provides an avenue for self-promotion, I'll stay in
their corner.

One thing SOPHIE (MP3.com's forum spokesperson) said does make me
worry a bit, however...

"We will, however, be redesigning and relaunching the Artist
Services and Admin early next year. All the details for this
launch are expected to be confirmed in late November. At that
time, we will communicate the changes to you preceding an early
2003 launch."

Relaunching Artist Services? There's much more implied here than
just a look and feel change. In fact, in posting to the Artist
Boards, SOPHIE has confirmed that changes are definitely planned
for the Premium Artist Service. I wonder what surprises MP3.com
has in store for us?

Trick or treat, I'm on the edge of my seat.

Until next time,

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


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THE INDIE BIBLE - The Fourth Edition!
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 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!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

PLANNING YOUR MUSIC CAREER: ONE STEP AT A TIME
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/careerplan.htm
How to you begin planning for a serious career in the music
business? What are the steps you need to take to 'make it?'
Article by David Nevue.


CAN A ONE-MAN RECORD LABEL BE SUCCESSFUL?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/onemanlabel.htm
I know that many of you are one-man record labels. You do it all:
write your music, produce your music, engineer your music,
promote your albums, and get your own gigs. Whether this is by
choice, or out of necessity, I’m here to tell you that you can
have success. Article by Derek Felton.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

RELEASING YOUR OWN RECORD: A LEGAL CHECKLIST
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/legalchecklist.htm

A RECORD DISTRIBUTION TEST
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/distributiontest.htm

PLANNING A RADIO CAMPAIGN
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/radiocampaign.htm


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MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

ASA: CONCERT PRODUCTION, TOUR MANAGEMENT
http://www.concertmanagement.com/
ASA offers complete audio and video productions services as well
as concert production and tour management. They can provide
everything you need to make your event run like clockwork,
including sound, lighting, backline, labor, security, catering,
public services and even merchandising. Web services, including
creation of live streaming video, available to clients as well.


THE BANDIT A&R NEWSLETTER
http://www.banditnewsletter.com/
Bandit is a monthly publication (in business for almost 15 years)
designed to help musicians target their demos and press kits to
music businesses (labels, publishers, managers and producers)
actively searching for new talent. Every month, the newsletters
feature 24 companies, both in the UK and in the US. The
newsletter is $30 (US) per year, and based on the testimonials, a
good investment. A sample copy of the newsletter is available on
at the site.


GRIFFITH PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING
http://www.griffithpr.com/
If you're looking for a PR specialist to help you create a media
buzz about your act, consider the services of Griffith PR and
Marketing. Services include (but are not limited to) marketing
campaign planning and execution, production materials for media
kits, press releases, publicity programs, radio promotion,
broadcast appearances, sync license placement, image consulting
and more. A quote from the site, 'We go above and beyond what
other publicity firms will do for you. Let us help you gain the
music industry recognition and consumer awareness you deserve by
tailoring a public relations campaign to fit your monthly
budget.'


MOSES AVALON
http://www.mosesavalon.com
Want to avoid music business rip-offs? One way to start is to
visit 'Moses Avalon - Confessions of a Record Producer.' Mr.
Avalon has produced and engineered records for several major and
independent record labels. His work with Grammy award winning
recording artists has earned him five RIAA Platinum record
awards. His site offers an inside look at the business from
someone who's been there. You'll find Scam of the Month and
Industry News, An eye-opening Royalties Calculator, The Good
Guys, a list of great producers, studios and lawyers, and of
course Ask Moses, where for $10 bucks you can ask that burning
question you have about the music business. Moses also provides
in-depth consultation for unsigned artists. Moses' first book,
Confessions of a Record Producer: How To Survive the Scams and
Shams of the Music Business in September in 1998 is currently the
top selling non-fiction book on the music industry. Moses
Supposes, his newsletter, features informed editorials on the
inner workings of the music business.


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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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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

INDEPENDENT MUSIC WORLD SERIES
http://discmakers.com/mp3/imws/
This is your chance to showcase in front of a slew of top A&R
folks and win up to $35,000 in prizes. Billboard Magazine will
choose the top six artists to perform at each showcase including
New York City, LA, Chicago and Nashville. Sponsors include Disc
Makers, MP3.com, Billboard Magazine, Fender, Shure, Alesis,
Zildjian, DW, Mars Music, Gemini DJ, REMO, TAXI and CD Baby. $20
Registration fee. Deadline November 15th.


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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RIAA CHIEF ROSEN LOSES OXFORD DEBATE ON P2P
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/27796.html
http://tirian.magd.ox.ac.uk/~nick/UnionDebate/
RIAA chairmam* and CEO Hilary Rosen suffered a heavy defeat at
the Oxford Union last week, when the motion she was proposing,
"This House believes that the free music mentality is a threat to
the future of music," was rejected by 256 votes to 72. The Oxford
Union is the debating club that produces top politicians, and
where once upon a time toffs voted against fighting for King and
Country.


BAND CAN'T SELL OWN MUSIC ON EBAY
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,55926,00.html
George Ziemann didn't have delusions of grandeur when it came to
selling his band's CD. He just wanted to promote the album -- and
hopefully sell a few copies -- on a higher-traffic site than his
own. So he turned to eBay, the Net's largest marketplace. The
reason? He used recordable CDs (CD-Rs) to distribute his albums.


HILARY ROSEN RESPONDS TO JANIS IAN
http://www.riaa.com/PR_story.cfm?id=579
Janis Ian’s USA TODAY column (Oct 23rd, “Music industry spins
falsehood”) so blatantly mischaracterizes both the RIAA position
as well as that of most record company executives that I know on
several different issues that a response is merited. All of the
enforcement efforts that the RIAA has engaged in over the years
have been focused on two goals: to foster the development of a
new, legitimate on-line music business to serve fans and to give
artists and copyright owners a choice about how their music is
distributed. If Janis wants to give her music away because, in
her view, it furthers her career goals, more power to her. But
artists deserve the choice. And under the current scenario of
so-called “file sharing” P-2-P networks, they don’t have that
choice. The music is just taken freely.


'MUSIC INDUSTRY DOES NOT INNOVATE'
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=43367
At next week's MusicWorks conference it will be stated that the
problems the music industry are facing are self-imposed.
Sholto Ramsay and Futurologist with the Union Advertising Agency
today stated: 'We all know the big music companies are suffering,
but their diagnosis that it is simply their customers downloading
MP3s that is to blame is incorrect. They are in their present
situation because they stopped innovating twenty years ago. They
have relied on the same tired business model since the 1960s,
living off a set of mythologies and narratives well past their
sell-by date.


WHAT WILL THOSE CRAZY RECORD LABELS DO NEXT?
http://tinyurl.com/2az1
Despite the neutering of Napster, online piracy of music
continues unabated. And we all know who the culprit is: rock
critics. At least that's the assumption behind a series of moves
that makes it more difficult for reviewers to hear new music in
advance without jumping through increasingly unwieldy hoops. The
latest tactic: Epic Records has taken to sending selected members
of the press advance CDs of Tori Amos and Pearl Jam glued into
Walkmen. That's right: Even as we speak, record company interns
are getting Superglue all over their collegiate hands making sure
personal CD players stay shut.


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MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
packaged CDs made without any upfront costs. Order your own CDs
one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
through your own web page. When an order is placed we take care
of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

LISTEN.COM LICENSES UNIVERSAL, WARNER CD BURNS
http://digitalmass.boston.com/news/2002/10/24/listen_com.html
Online music company Listen.com will announce on Thursday that it
has signed licensing deals with Warner Music Group and Universal
Music Group, enabling fans to burn songs from both companies'
catalogs on Listen's Rhapsody music subscription service.
As of Monday, more than 75,000 tracks will be available for
burning for 99 cents per track, including songs by artists like
Bon Jovi, Nelly and Eminem.


P2P HACKING BILL MAY BE AMENDED
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-963087.html?tag=cd_mh
A proposal to let copyright owners hack into and disrupt
peer-to-peer networks will be revised, a congressional aide said
Wednesday. Alec French, an aide to bill author Rep. Howard
Berman, D-Calif., defended his boss' ideas but acknowledged that
some critics had made reasonable points about the controversial
proposal. "He plans to significantly redraft the bill to
accommodate reasonable concerns before reintroduction in the
108th (Congress)," French said during an afternoon event at the
conservative Heritage Foundation.


LISTEN.COM TO OFFER LEGAL CD-BURNING
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2124388,00.html
As it readies a new version of its online music subscription
service, Listen.com plans to announce on Thursday agreements to
allow consumers to burn CDs from digital files. It won't be the
digital free-for-all seen in the popular file-swapping arenas,
however. The company will charge consumers 99 cents (about 64
pence) per song, which means a full album of songs will cost only
a few dollars less than the retail price. However, the deals are
a sign that the major music labels are increasingly loosening
their licensing policies for digital music.


JUDGE APPROVES NAPSTER LOAN
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2124273,00.html
As the collapsed song-swapping network's bankruptcy proceedings
continue, some of its assets have been sold to Napco Acquisition
A Delaware bankruptcy judge has approved a $200,000 loan to
Napster, the failed online song-swapping service, from a company
called Napco Acquisition to keep the company afloat until the
sale of its assets is completed, according to court filings.
Napco also signed a letter of intent to buy some of Napster's
assets, the court papers said. Napco attorney Suzzanne Uhland at
O'Melveny & Myers could not be immediately reached for comment.


SENATE FAILS TO PASS WEBCASTER BILL
http://tinyurl.com/2az3
The U.S. Senate failed to pass a bill supported by record
companies and artists groups that would have given small-company
Webcasters making less than $1 million a year a break on digital
performance royalties that are due on Sunday. As such, the bill
is in limbo until the Senate returns after the November elections
for possible reconsideration, and small Webcasters will have to
pay higher fees retroactive to 1998 based on the rate set in June
by the Librarian of Congress.


UNIVERSAL TO REVIEW WEB ASSETS, INCLUDING MP3.COM
http://tinyurl.com/2awl
Universal Music, the music arm of Vivendi Universal and the
world's largest record company, will decide in coming weeks which
of its Web music properties are worth keeping as the French media
giant seeks to downsize, sources said Thursday. Vivendi's
chairman and chief executive officer Jean-Rene Fourtou's has
issued a mandate to sell about $12 billion in company assets to
reduce debt. An arm of Vivendi's struggling Internet division
known as VUNet, has focused on building businesses around online
distribution of music and video, with sites like MP3.com,
Getmusic.com and Rollingstone.com.


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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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 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 - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
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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
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for only $49.95 emailed to your inbox!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
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These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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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And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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INSIDE THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/insidethebusiness.htm
Learn how the music business works first-hand from those who are
already successful in it, and receive personal coaching on your
path to success in the music industry!


MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!

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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #46 - October 18th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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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Hello subscribers, welcome to the October 18th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!

TAKE A DEEP BREATH...
WhoooWeeee.... It's been absolutely crazy nuts around here. As I
mentioned last week, I was invited to participate on a panel at
the New Nashville Music Conference (2NMC) last weekend. I had a
GREAT time, but as always, there's a price to be paid for leaving
the office - and that's coming back. Over 1300 emails were
waiting for me when I got home. I'm still sorting through them
all. My general rule of thumb is this - for every day I'm out, it
takes two to get back to the 'normal' pace of things, which is
only slightly less frantic.

Due to this fact, I'm going to forego my usual lengthy commentary
on the latest industry news. However, I will want to point out a
few interesting stories from the past two-three weeks.

Remember the HR 5469 Bill? The one introduced into the U.S. House
of Representatives that would postpone the payment due date for
new webcasting royalty rates by six months? Well, I don't know
the whole story yet, but apparently the bill went from one
paragraph to 28 pages, and contains much more now that was
originally intended. Frankly, this whole issue has gotten to the
point that it's hard to sort out truth from fiction. View the
following article for one opinion on how new version of the bill
is 'a disaster for the U.S.':

RIAA-BACKED WEBCAST BILL 'A DISASTER FOR THE U.S.'
http://www.theregus.com/content/35/26675.html

Now, according to the most recent news I found in 'The Register'
(link below) this afternoon, the bill, which passed in the House
earlier this week, just died in the Senate. I am still trying to
confirm if this is fact. Based on my understanding of the new
version of the bill, which is an RIAA-negotiated settlement, this
may indeed be a good thing. But, which side you take on that
issue depends on who you listen to.

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE PROMISED AFTER NET RADIO ROYALTY BILL FALLS
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/27668.html

In other news...

Some have declared satellite radio dead on arrival after the FCC
gave commercial radio stations the go-ahead to broadcast digital
signals. Will this make XM Radio redundant?

WAS SATELLITE RADIO A BIG WASTE?
http://www.wired.com/news/mp3/0,1285,55706,00.html

In a surprise move, MusicMatch Jukebox, one of the most widely
distributed third-party digital music players, dropped support
for the Macintosh version of its product and is focusing solely
on Windows. This is a really startling move in light of the
general perception (or at least, *my* general perception) that
the Mac has been regaining some of it's popularity.

MUSICMATCH DROPS THE MAC
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/cnet/stories/962120.htm

But hey, on a positive note, MeasureCast reported that for the
week of August 19th, MusicMatch surpassed Clear Channel as the #1
Internet Radio Network! At least someone is giving Clear Channel
some competition somewhere.

MUSICMATCH UNSEATS CLEAR CHANNEL AS #1 NET RADIO NETWORK
http://www.mediapost.com/dtls_dsp_news.cfm?newsID=184440

Ever hear about those quarter-sized CDs being developed to
replace the current CD format? Well, that idea has been
dropped, at least for now...

SCRATCH OFF THIS CD REPLACEMENT
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103-962131.html

Remember the weeks I spent talking about and comparing
Listen.com, MusicNet and PressPlay, the Internet's three
competing online music subscription services? Back in July I
reported that Listen.com's 'Rhapsody' digital music service was
the FIRST to license music from ALL FIVE of the major music
labels. Well, no more. MusicNet and PressPlay are back in the
news, and are both very close to securing catalogs of music from
all five of the major music labels as well.

MUSICNET AND PRESSPLAY CLOSING IN ON LABELS
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-962179.html

The music industry is going after colleges AND students for
file-swapping on the Internet...

RIAA, MPAA GO AFTER COLLEGES OVER STUDENT FILE SHARING
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458094/20021011/index.jhtml

WARNER BROS THREATENS CANADIAN GROKSTER USER
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=6771

But, in spite of that, the number of people swapping music on the
Internet continues to rise...

MUSIC SWAPPING ON THE NET RISING
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2309671.stm

OUR DYING MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=6676

NAPSTER OR NOT, FILE SWAPS CONTINUE
http://www.msnbc.com/news/820292.asp

Finally, in what is HUGE, but relatively unreported news, Liquid
Audio sold it's digital rights management patents to Microsoft.
Think about the possibilities if Microsoft uses Liquid Audio's
technology to try and *standardize* the secure distribution of
music and media via the Internet. Liquid Audio's technology, or a
variation of it, would be built right into your future Windows
operating system. Ponder that for awhile. And Microsoft only paid
$7 million for the rights.

ANTI-PIRACY BILL MIGHT SILENCE SINGING FISH
http://www.eweek.com/article2/1,3959,599187,00.asp

LIQUID AUDIO'S MERGER PUTS IT IN FLUID SITUATION
http://tinyurl.com/22ji

LIQUID AUDIO UNLOADS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSETS
http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/1472401

So much for keeping the commentary short.

On one final note, I want to announce that we now have in stock
the all NEW fourth edition of THE INDIE BIBLE! It was just
released, sells for $24.95 and is available in hard copy or PDF
format. See http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/ for info.

Until next time,

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


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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!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

D-I-Y: BLESSINGS, CURSES AND LIMITS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/klovediy.htm
The do-it-yourself approach to marketing and promoting music that
began back in the 1970's and, perhaps, as early as the 1950's as
an experiment that was often an exercise in futility, but has,
ironically, become the standard by which we all exist, also comes
with its own sets of blessings, curses and limitations. Article
by Kenny Love.


SELL YOUR MUSIC ONLINE, PART 1
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/sellonline1.htm
This month and next month you will read about websites that help
you sell your music. I spent hours researching this data so that
you can have one reference source for the dozen plus sites that
help. Over a dozen websites will be presented to you, so you can
examine which sites are best for your circumstances when it comes
to getting your music to the people.


ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU *REALLY* READY?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/kloveready.htm
As much as I herald the cause of independent music and its
recording artist residents, in all honesty, I must say that there
are numerous artists, many in fact, who are simply not ready for
the professional end of the music industry. The worst part is,
they don't yet realize it and, when they finally do, it is often
too late. Are you really ready to take the next step? Article by
Kenny Love.


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Popular Archives From The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PRESS KIT
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/presskits.htm

PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/perfcontracts.htm

INSIDE RECORD LABELS: ORGANIZING THINGS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/insidelabels.htm


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MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

EVOLUTION PROMOTION
http://www.evolutionpromotion.com/
Sting, R.E.M., Steward Copeland, Jane Siberry - these are just a
few of the many artists who have made use of one of the the many
services provided by Evolution Promotion. Services include radio
promotion, tour promotion, direct customer marketing, Internet
radio and marketing, web design and consulting. The Evolution
Promotion team creates custom campaigns for clients designed to
achieve breakthrough success at radio, on the net and in the
market place. The founder of Evolution, Karen Lee, was a national
promoter for Elektra and IRS Records, where she promoted The
Cars, Motley Crue, Metallica, 10,000 Maniacs, The GoGo's,
Concrete Blonde, and others. Need a promoter? Get one with
experience. Here's one place to start.


MUSICLEGALFORMS.COM
http://www.musiclegalforms.com/
Here's another resource for those of you searching for templates
for music contracts and legal forms for the music business.
Purchase complete contract packages, or purchase each form
individually. Band/Artist contract pages includes and Artist
Management Contract, Band Performance Contract, General
Partnership Agreement, Recording Artist Contracts, Tour
Sponsorship Agreement and many others. All forms are provided in
HTML and Word formats.


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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.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

$4000 VS-2480 STUDIO GIVEAWAY!
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Enter today to win a Roland VS2480HD and a Roland VSCDR3 (usually
sold separately), and have a professional 24-track studio with
you wherever you need it! The VS2480 is the favorite of
professionals all over the world, including, Beat Pharmacie
(Black Eyed Peas, Nikka Costa), Engineer Alan Sparks (Destiny's
Child, Tyrese)and Semisonic's Dan Wilson. Contest ends October
25th, 2002.


INDEPENDENT MUSIC WORLD SERIES
http://discmakers.com/mp3/imws/
This is your chance to showcase in front of a slew of top A&R
folks and win up to $35,000 in prizes. Billboard Magazine will
choose the top six artists to perform at each showcase including
New York City, LA, Chicago and Nashville. Sponsors include Disc
Makers, MP3.com, Billboard Magazine, Fender, Shure, Alesis,
Zildjian, DW, Mars Music, Gemini DJ, REMO, TAXI and CD Baby. $20
Registration fee. Deadline November 15th.


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MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
packaged CDs made without any upfront costs. Order your own CDs
one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
through your own web page. When an order is placed we take care
of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


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Articles From Around The Net....
-----------------------------------------------------------------

RIAA-BACKED WEBCAST BILL 'A DISASTER FOR THE U.S.'?
http://www.theregus.com/content/35/26675.html
"This bill is a disaster to the Congress for passing it, to the
independent artist and label movement, and to the webcasters as a
whole. The passage of this bill will irrevocably damage the
Internet and all its potential in the United States - yet the
rest of the world will carry on with reasonable controls and
rewards."


JUPITER CONSUMER SURVEY REPORT: MUSIC 2002
http://www.jup.com/sps/research/reportoverview.jsp?doc=mus02-v02
In August 2002, Jupiter designed and fielded an extensive survey
on music consumers' behavior and attitudes. This study explores
the results, including comparisons with last year's survey and a
segmentation of online users by their online and off-line music
behaviors. Registration required.


WAS SATELLITE RADIO A BIG WASTE?
http://www.wired.com/news/mp3/0,1285,55706,00.html
Satellite radio was hyped as the answer to tired commercial
stations that play the same, limited music. It promised crystal
clear, commercial-free music and talk shows tailored to
individual tastes and delivered with digital signals. Both Sirius
Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio launched aggressive
campaigns starting in the late '90s, spending hundreds of
millions of dollars in an attempt to capture listeners.
That didn't happen. Now, wallowing in debt, the companies face a
new challenge: The FCC gave commercial radio stations the
go-ahead to broadcast digital signals -- a move that could
prematurely snuff satellite radio's short-burning flame.


NAPSTER OR NOT, FILE SWAPS CONTINUE
http://www.msnbc.com/news/820292.asp
The music industry succeeded in shutting down Napster, but it has
failed to even slow free song swapping, new research shows. Some
41 million people traded music online during the first half of
2002, according to San Francisco-based Odyssey research. Worse
yet, the increasing popularity of CD burners and portable digital
music devices like Apple’s iPod has given consumers yet another
way to swap music for free, opening up another hole in the music
industry’s leaky copyright dam.


THE MUSIC INDUSTRY'S NEW WEBSITE
http://www.slyck.com/news/200210oct/101302a.html
P2P users beware: the music industry wants to change your mind
about using KaZaA and other P2P applications. The newly
established Musicunited.org seems a lot like those commercials
that have parents trying to act "cool" to relate to their kids.
Sporting phrases like "It’s illegal and it’s a drag!" and "Real
Fans Get The Real Thing", the site almost oozes with a sense of
desperation.


KAZAA OUT OF U.S. ANTI-PIRACY GRASP?
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1870
The New York Times recently reported on the geographic factors at
issue with the entertainment industry's lawsuit aiming to shut
down Sharman Networks' Kazaa file-sharing service. While Sharman
is incorporated in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu,
its offices are in Australia and its servers are in Denmark,
making applying U.S. copyright laws a difficult matter. The
article goes on to point out that even if the entertainment
industry is victorious in its litigation, "enforcement of any
judgment may rely entirely on legal authorities in other nations,
and their cooperation is not assured."


YOUNG BAND, DERAILED DREAM
http://tinyurl.com/22ke
It was a moment few young musicians get to savor. Dry Cell had a
recording contract with Warner Brothers Records, which had spent
$325,000, by its account, on the group. The group's first single,
"Body Crumbles," was playing on radio stations across the
country, and its debut album, "Disconnected," was slated to hit
stores in August. But within 48 hours, the euphoria disappeared.


CLEAR CHANNEL'S DOMINANCE HAS SOME IN AN UPROAR
http://tinyurl.com/22kf
It's a given that popular music is in a rut. Radio listenership,
concert attendance and record sales are all down from boom-year
peaks. The teen-pop mania that knocked grunge rock aside has
itself stalled out, with no new phenomenon rising up to replace
it and re-energize music fans. Slumps such as these are nothing
new; punk and new wave helped pull the trade out of a creative
and commercial trough in the late 1970s. But there is a
noticeable difference between today's malaise and those of
decades past, in that unhappiness with the state of things has a
new and very large target: Clear Channel.


NAPSTER CREATOR PONDERS HIS LEGACY
http://www.msnbc.com/news/815473.asp
Shawn Fanning, at 21 years old, has already created something of
significance, nurtured it and watched it die. His music-sharing
software program Napster caused panic in the recording industry
when it showed up on the Internet in 1999, only to be shut down
last year in legal proceedings over copyright issues. Mr.
Fanning, who quit college as a freshman at Northeastern
University in Boston and who has no current plans to return to
school, says he’s not ready to jump back into the online music
industry.


FIRST BLOOD IS SPILLED AT RECORD INDUSTRY HEARINGS
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=6675
Absent the penalty of perjury, Major Label lawyers testified to a
panel of senators in Los Angles that most artists are happy with
their recording contracts. The panel, held this past Tuesday, was
assembled to entertain arguments as to whether legislation might
be necessary to keep major record labels honest when reporting to
their artists the amount of money earned on their exclusive
record contracts. If enacted, this would be the beginning of
government regulation of the music business; a concept that,
ironically, artists are initiating.


OUR DYING MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=6676
Right now, the music industry is a fish in a shallow,
evaporating, mud-choked, puddle. Every month, millions of songs
are effectively stolen and swapped online using file sharing
software with zero compensation going to the artists or record
labels. The number of songs swapped/stolen will grow
exponentially as millions more people gain access to the
internet. The record labels, in their effervescent stupidity,
will continue trying, without success, to regulate the internet
(impossible) rather than develop a workable business plan to sell
MP3's legitimately to the three or so honest people left on
planet earth.


-----------------------------------------------------------------

GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

SCRATCH OFF THIS CD REPLACEMENT
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1103-962131.html
DataPlay, which hoped its secure media format would replace the
compact disc, has shut down and is looking for a buyer.
DataPlay, which had raised $120 million from supporters including
photography giant Eastman Kodak and chipmaker Intel, needed $40
million to $50 million to complete the next phase of operations.
DataPlay's discs are about the size of a quarter, can hold up to
500MB of data--or 11 hours of music--and include security
features to prevent unauthorized copying of music.


MUSICMATCH DROPS THE MAC
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/cnet/stories/962120.htm
The maker of one of the most widely distributed third-party
digital music players will stop supporting the Mac next week as
the company seeks to focus on Windows products.
Starting next week, MusicMatch will no longer support a Macintosh
version of its product, the company revealed Tuesday.


MUSICNET AND PRESSPLAY CLOSING IN ON LABELS
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-962179.html
MusicNet and Pressplay are close to rounding out their music
offerings with deals that would allow them to provide songs from
all five major labels. Pressplay announced Monday that it signed
a deal with BMG and said it is close to reaching an agreement
with Warner Music Group. The service, backed by Sony and Vivendi
Universal, already has a deal with EMI Recorded Music. Meanwhile,
sources close to MusicNet said it's completed a deal with UMG and
is within days of striking an agreement with Sony.


RIAA, MPAA GO AFTER COLLEGES OVER STUDENT FILE SHARING
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458094/20021011/index.jhtml
If your dormroom is download central, the movie and music
industries are asking your school to pull the plug on you.
The Recording Industry Association of America, the Motion Picture
Association of America and other copyright-owners' groups sent a
letter Tuesday (October 8) to more than 2,300 colleges and
universities to inform them of the legal issues surrounding
on-campus file-sharing. The letter also asks for the colleges'
help in their fight against file-sharing and offers ways to stop
it.


MUSICMATCH UNSEATS CLEAR CHANNEL AS #1 NET RADIO NETWORK
http://www.mediapost.com/dtls_dsp_news.cfm?newsID=184440
MUSICMATCH, Inc. finished the week as the number one Internet
radio network measured by MeasureCast, unseating Clear Channel
Worldwide for the second time. Clear Channel streamed 1,156,853
hours of entertainment to 273,146 listeners, while MUSICMATCH
de1ivered 1,196,413 hours to an audience of 358,824. The first
time MUSICMATCH won the top network spot from Clear Channel was
during the week of August 19.


REGISTER OF COPYRIGHTS DENIES BROADCASTERS' MOTION FOR A STAY
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1878
The U.S. Copyright Office has rejected an application by a number
of broadcasters for a stay of its ruling that clarified that the
retransmission of an AM/FM broadcast signal over the Internet is
not exempt from paying webcaster royalties for streaming the
songs online. Broadcasters had sought the stay because they
believed it would relieve them from the requirement to pay
statutory royalties, which kick in on Oct. 20.


SATELLITE RADIOS HEAD FOR USED CAR LOTS
http://news.com.com/2100-1033-961468.html
Satellite radios are gearing up for a big showing on the car lot
circuit. XM Satellite Radio unveiled plans Wednesday to supply
thousands of independent car dealerships, including used car
lots, with $400 satellite radio receivers to offer to their
customers. The receivers are made by Audiovox, according to XM
Satellite Radio spokesman Chance Patterson. "This gives us a new
selling opportunity through a huge network of independent auto
dealers, " Patterson said.


GLOBAL RECORDED MUSIC SALES DOWN 9.2%
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=42769
World sales of recorded music fell by 9.2% in value and by 11.2%
in units in the first half of 2002. Sales of CD albums, the most
popular format worldwide, saw a 7% fall. Single sales also
dropped, by 17%, while cassettes continued a long-term decline,
falling by 31%.


MUSIC SWAPPING ON THE NET RISING
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2309671.stm
As broadband takes off, so does music swapping. The number of
users taking advantage of illegal file-sharing on the net is on
the rise, according to new figures from analyst firm Jupiter
Media. Music accounts for the lion's share of file swapping and
analysts warn that unless the industry offers real alternatives
soon, the legitimate digital music industry will be stillborn.


BOB DYLAN SUES MP3.COM
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2123577,00.html
There'll be no Mr Tambourine Man for MP3.com if the outcome of a
lawsuit against the Vivendi Universal site finds in favour of Bob
Dylan and other music stars. Rock stars Bob Dylan, Billy Joel and
James Taylor have filed a lawsuit against Vivendi Universal's
MP3.com music Web site for allegedly distributing their songs
without authorisation, sources familiar with the suit say.
A spokesman for MP3.com declined to comment.


WARNER BROS THREATENS CANADIAN GROKSTER USER
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=6771
MediaForce, a hired Warner Net security firm which uses its
mediaSentry to automatically scan p2p nets for "copyrighted
works," has targeted a Canadian Grokster user for alleged
copyright infringements. mediaSentry trawls the Net looking for
'illegal' file sharers and when it finds one, shows the p2p app
and sharers' IP addies. Address owners are then Whois-ed,
MediaForce contacts the ISP or block owner involved and the
downloader gets a 'Stop it or Else' notice. A very basic app, but
good enough for MediaForce.


WEBCASTERS SET TO RETURN TO THE AIR
http://www.plastic.com/article.html?sid=02/10/08/02001281
An adapted version of HR 5469, which had originally called for a
six-month moratorium on the imposition of fees, passed the House
today, October 7, after the RIAA and small webcasters came to a
sensible agreement. Rather than impose the fee schedule
determined by the the U.S. Copyright Office, which would have
charged small web broadcasters between $125,000 and $500,000 a
year to stream, the RIAA will collect whichever is the greater of
a minimum annual payment of $2,000, eight percent of gross
revenues or five percent of expenses."


MUSIC INDUSTRY TARGETS NET SWAPPERS
http://tinyurl.com/1tui
Music companies tried to persuade a judge Friday to let them
obtain the names of people suspected of trading music files
online without going to court first, a move that could dictate
how copyright holders deal with Internet piracy in the future.
U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, who heard the case, lamented
ambiguities in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which was
enacted to uphold copyright laws on the Internet while shielding
technology companies from direct liability.


INTERNET, MUSIC FIRMS FACE OFF IN COURT
http://tinyurl.com/1tuj
Verizon Communications faced tough questions from a federal judge
on Friday as the telecommunications giant sought to resist being
drafted as the recording industry's copyright policeman.
Claiming that the privacy of its users and the viability of the
Internet itself were at stake, Verizon argued that it should not
have to kick off customers who use "peer to peer" services like
Kazaa and Morpheus to download songs for free, and should not be
required to monitor its users' activities.


STORY OF NAPSTER TO HIT SILVER SCREEN
http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,7496,804604,00.html
The rise and fall of music download site Napster, which brought
the music industry to its knees and made a star of its young
founder Shawn Fanning, is to be turned into a film.
MTV has confirmed it plans to make the film, having acquired the
exclusive rights to the life story of Mr Fanning, who created
Napster on a laptop in his uncle's house when still a 19-year-old
student. Alex Winter, who starred in Bill and Ted's Excellent
Adventure with Keanu Reeves, has been signed up to direct the
film and MTV said Mr Fanning may play himself.


'FREE DOWNLOAD DAY' A HIT WITH FANS
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-960650.html?tag=dd.ne.dtx.nl-hed.0
British and Irish music fans scrambled for a piece of the action
on Thursday as some of the music business' heavyweights opened up
their archives for free downloads in a bid to combat Internet
piracy. But "Digital Download Day" - part counterstrike, part
marketing ploy - proved almost too successful as the host
Internet site slowed to a near-standstill under the sheer weight
of surfers trying to claim their download "voucher." Devised by
OD2, a technology company co-founded by recording artist Peter
Gabriel, the "Day" is in fact a weeklong venture offering access
to 100,000 tracks from 6,000 artists including ColdPlay, Dido and
Elvis Presley.


MUSIC INDUSTRY FIGHTS BACK - WITH DOWNLOADS
http://tinyurl.com/22kh
In a fight to win back fans from the "grey zone" of online
song-swapping services, the music industry is borrowing a trick
from its nemeses: free music downloads. For one week beginning on
Thursday, music fans in Europe will be able to download, stream
or burn onto their hard drives a selection of tracks from 6 000
artists including ColdPlay, Dido and Elvis Presley. It is part of
a marketing ploy called "Digital Download Day" devised by British
firm OD2, a technology company specializing in digital music
distribution and co-founded by recording artist Peter Gabriel.


GARAGEBAND GIVES WEBCASTERS FREE ACCESS TO 50,000 INDIE ARTISTS
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=42340
Garageband Records demonstrated its support for Internet radio
today by announcing a new turnkey service that will provide
webcasters with an alternative and more affordable source of
music. This announcement is part of the company’s broader plan to
promote its independent artists through multiple channels
including Internet, college and commercial radio.


MUSIC COMPANIES TO PAY $143 M IN PRICE-FIXING CASE
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/4183843.htm
The world's five largest music companies and the three largest
music retailers will pay $143.1 million to settle a CD price
fixing case launched by New York and Florida two years ago.
In August 2000, most U.S. states joined in a lawsuit alleging
that an industry practice called "minimum advertised pricing''
(MAP) artificially inflated the price of CDs between 1995 and
2000, violating federal and state anti-trust laws. Under MAP, the
labels subsidized advertising for retailers that agreed not to
sell CDs below a certain price.


LIQUID AUDIO UNLOADS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSETS
http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/1472401
With the results of a highly contentious proxy battle still up in
the air, and on the verge of liquidation just last week, digital
music distribution player Liquid Audio Monday got a helping hand
from Microsoft . Microsoft played the white knight by buying up
the rights to Liquid Audio's patents for a cash consideration of
$7 million.



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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 - The Fourth Edition!
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 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 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
$24.95!


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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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INSIDE THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/insidethebusiness.htm
Learn how the music business works first-hand from those who are
already successful in it, and receive personal coaching on your
path to success in the music industry!


MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
http://www.rainmusic.com/music123.htm
Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
price? Call their 800 number toll free and they will beat it over
the phone! Buy guitars, amps, keys, software, recording, dj, and
lighting gear, all at the click of a button. Very easy to
navigate, great selection, and 6 months, same as cash! They even
have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!

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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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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To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More
http://faith.yahoo.com

Music Biz Academy Digest - Special Announcement
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Dear Subscribers,

I just wanted to drop you all a quick note to let you know that I
(founder of The Music Biz Academy) will be attending the 2NMC
conference in Nashville. I will also be on Saturday's panel
fielding questions about marketing music on the Internet. If you
are going to be at the conference, please feel free to stop by
and say hello, and if you have questions you want to ask me
individually, I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to do that.

Also, as a result of being at the conference, your next issue of the
Music Biz Academy Digest will be a bit later than normal, going out
mid to late next week.

Thanks!

David Nevue
Editor, The Music Biz Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com

Author of
'How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet'
http://www.promoteyourmusic.com

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Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More
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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #45 - September 30th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hello subscribers, welcome to the September 30th edition of the
Music Biz Academy Digest!

TAKE NOTE...
I want to draw extra attention to a couple articles we are
featuring in this issue of the Music Biz Digest. First, do you
think you are *really* ready to take the next step in your music
career? If so, check out the great article by Kenny Love at
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/kloveready.htm . Many
bands/artists feel they are ready for the 'next step' when they
really are not. This article may help you put things in
perspective.

Secondly, check out the newly posted 'legal checklist' written
for bands getting ready to release a record. You'll find this at
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/legalchecklist.htm . This
simple approach to the 'basics' was written by Entertainment
Attorney Bart Day and shouldn't be missed.


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
In terms of the latest news, here's the stuff you ought to know.
Most of this is ongoing...

Late last week, a bill (H.R. 5469) was introduced into the U.S.
House of Representatives that would postpone the payment due date
for new webcasting royalty rates by six months. The reason for
this bill is simple: if the new webcasting rates go into effect
on October 20th as planned, many Internet radio stations who
cannot afford the new fees will have to immediately shut down.
This would be a real shame, especially if it turns out that the
webcasting rates are later overturned or reduced. If that
happened, it would mean, in effect, that the stations were shut
down for nothing. H.R. 5469 allows small webcasters to remain in
business while the dispute continues through the appeals process.

This bill is going to be voted on tomorrow, October 1st! For
information on how you can call and voice your support for this
bill right now, see http://www.live365.com/carp/hr5469.html

On the other side of the legal fence, congress is considering
giving expanded legal protection to record labels so they may
'sabotage' peer to peer networks that allow users to trade music.
Tactics used against these networks would include the blocking of
file transfers and flooding networks with 'dummy' songs. Though
the RIAA has stated that they would not extend their reach onto
anyone's personal computer, it is difficult to believe they would
be able to avoid this temptation in every case. According to a
news.com report, "overzealous copyright enforcers have already
mistaken a photo entitled 'Portrait of Mrs. harrison williams
1943' for a song by former Beatle George Harrison, and demanded
that Internet provider UUNet terminate the account of a customer
who posted a book report on Harry Potter." And that happened
without these 'expanded legal protections' in place.

Adding to all this, both Kaaza and Morpheus (peer to peer
networks) have already released new versions of their software
which allow users to screen out 'dummy' files planted by the RIAA
or anyone else. So the RIAA's efforts have, in the end,
contributed to improving the technology used by the very people
they are trying to stop. When you're dealing with technology
issues, isn't this nearly always the case? Creating a new
technical problem simply results in an expanded, more
comprehensive technical solution.

In a final irony, while a slew of artists, including Britney,
Madonna, and Eminem, are teaming up with the RIAA making public
service announcements to address the issue of illegal file
sharing - other artists, including Don Henley, Clint Black, and
the Dixie Chicks, have been attending hearings set to investigate
whether record label accounting practices are fraudulent and
inherently designed to take advantage of artists.

Got that?

So while, on one hand, artists are teaming up *with* the RIAA to
fight against 'theft by file-trading', on the other hand artists
are fighting *against* the RIAA for alleged 'theft by
underpayment.'

And around and around we go.


SURPRISE BILL WOULD PUT WEBCAST ROYALTIES ON HOLD
http://tinyurl.com/1pnr

RECORD LABELS SEEK OK FOR ONLINE MUSIC SABOTAGE
http://tinyurl.com/1pnt

TOP ARTISTS JOIN FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DOWNLOADS
http://tinyurl.com/1pns

ARTISTS ON HAND FOR ROYALTIES ACCOUNTING HEARING
http://tinyurl.com/1pnu

Until next time,

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


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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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------


ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU *REALLY* READY?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/kloveready.htm
As much as I herald the cause of independent music and its
recording artist residents, in all honesty, I must say that there
are numerous artists, many in fact, who are simply not ready for
the professional end of the music industry. The worst part is,
they don't yet realize it and, when they finally do, it is often
too late. Are you really ready to take the next step? Article by
Kenny Love.


RADIO AIRPLAY 101: WHAT IS 'SUCCESSFUL'?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/successful.htm
The first question people have when they want to hire us
(provided that they have never done an airplay campaign before)
is "What airplay campaign do I need in order to be successful?"
There couldn't be a more misplaced question. It's like when a cab
driver asks you "Where to?" and you say "Well, where would I need
to go in order to be successful?" Where you need to go depends on
a million things, not to mention what your definition of
"successful" might be. Article by Brian Farrish.


RELEASING YOUR OWN RECORD: A LEGAL CHECKLIST
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/legalchecklist.htm
For artists who are releasing their own record for the first
time, without the involvement or assistance of a label, the
process can be a little intimidating. It can be easy to miss some
key legal details in the process. Here, therefore, is a very
basic checklist of issues to be considered when releasing a
record. Article by Bart Day.


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

GARAGEBAND.COM
http://www.garageband.com
Supported by such well known producers as Brian Eno, George
Martin (The Beatles) and Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads),
GarageBand.com puts the success of member artists (membership is
free) in the hands of music fans and listeners. Musicians are
invited to upload their music to the Garageband.com site, where
it will be reviewed and rated by an audience of loyal users,
including many other musicians. Songs are anonymously rated by a
comparative ranking algorithm designed to eliminate biases. The
process is 100% merit-based, and 100%-driven by the reviews of
music lovers. The highest ranked songs/artists picked by
listeners have the opportunity to have their songs included on a
GarageBand 'Evolved' CD, which in turn may result in a contract
offer from Garageband Records. In addition to the exposure
opportunities inherit in the system, you get constant feedback on
your songs from objective reviewers, free gig promotion to fans,
and a way to sell your CDs to fans. GarageBand.com has the
backing and support most web sites only dream of. A definite must
for serious musicians seeking the opportunity to be heard.


MUSIC PUBLISHERS' ASSOCIATION
http://www.mpa.org/
This web site is an excellent resource on all things
copyright/publishing related, but is particularly useful if you
are seeking the publisher or copyright owner of a particular
song. Their Copyright Search Center provides a step-by-step guide
to finding the copyright holder or publisher for a piece of
music. MPA also provides generic forms you can use to request
permission to make use of songs in your projects.


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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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Selected Commentaries from Contributors to the Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comments
-----------------------------------------------------------------

WONDER WHAT *THEY* WILL DO NEXT?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/klovewonder.htm
It is fast turning into a virtual game of chess...Internet radio
makes a move, with the RIAA following in close proximity.
However, I am watching the next series of moves on both parties'
behalves in much the same way as I park myself in front of the
annual Super Bowl game. And, in my book, my money is on the
leading team of Internet radio.


IS CLEAR CHANNEL, CLEARLY, THE MUSIC INDUSTRY'S ANTICHRIST?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveclear.htm
It appears that, these days, no part of the music industry is
unscathed with and populated by vipers, leeches, and angst-ridden
vampires. And, the presence of werewolves is imminent.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

INDEPENDENT MUSIC WORLD SERIES
http://discmakers.com/mp3/imws/
This is your chance to showcase in front of a slew of top A&R
folks and win up to $35,000 in prizes. Billboard Magazine will
choose the top six artists to perform at each showcase including
New York City, LA, Chicago and Nashville. Sponsors include Disc
Makers, MP3.com, Billboard Magazine, Fender, Shure, Alesis,
Zildjian, DW, Mars Music, Gemini DJ, REMO, TAXI and CD Baby. $20
Registration fee. Deadline November 15th.


-----------------------------------------------------------------

MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
packaged CDs made without any upfront costs. Order your own CDs
one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
through your own web page. When an order is placed we take care
of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Articles From Around The Net....
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ONE BUCK FORTY OR DIE
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,543415,00.asp
It's rampant. The new P2P systems, such as KaZaA and Morpheus,
have picked up where Napster left off, and blank CDs now outsell
prerecorded discs. The trend is clear: concern not for the law
but for economics. If you had a machine that could make a new
Lexus for $1,000, then why would you buy one from Toyota for
$50,000? Because you had a moral obligation? You'd wonder why
Toyota wouldn't use the same machine to make the car for $1,000.
Where is the morality in keeping the price jacked up? Likewise,
too many people are asking why they should buy a CD for $16 when
they can copy one for 35 cents.


INTERNET RADIO THE P2P WAY
http://www.openp2p.com/pub/a/p2p/2002/09/24/p2pradio.html
First there was AM. Then FM. Now, the next evolution in radio
broadcast technology could very well be "P2P." What could be even
more controversial than Internet radio/audio broadcasting--which
has made headlines this year over the issue of royalty
payments--and P2P file sharing? Probably the merging together of
these banes of the music industry. Two P2P clients, PeerCast and
Streamer, are exactly that. Without the need to have your own
dedicated server, these programs let you stream audio files to
other users on a P2P network. Essentially, you can run your own
Internet radio station whenever you start up your computer and
get online.


RIGHTS ISSUE ROCKS THE MUSIC WORLD
http://tinyurl.com/1h67
Record companies see it as mutiny. Musicians call it an overdue
rebellion. Either way, the artists' rights movement has set the
stage for combat that could revolutionize the music industry.
What started as a classic David-and-Goliath skirmish over
contractual terms could be tilting toward a level battlefield as
opposition on a wide range of issues swells against an industry
mired in a sales slump.


IT'S OK: THE FAT LADY CAN'T SING
http://tinyurl.com/1pnp
Hilary Rosen runs the Recording Industry Association of America -
the American music industry's trade body. She has become a media
celebrity because of the RIAA's practically medieval suppression
of file sharers, downloaders and other copyright miscreants. This
is not an obscure tussle between corporate lawyers but a very
public war between the net and the music biz - involving one of
the most powerful corporate lobbies in history, the brightest
geeks of their generation and up to 100 million people - the file
sharers themselves. Both sides see this as a battle for survival.


MUSIC INDUSTRY MUST RETHINK DIGITAL FORMATS
http://www.newmediazero.com/nmz/story.asp?id=237148
An era seems to be coming to an end right before our eyes. Just
two weeks ago it was confirmed by current parent Bertelsmann that
Napster would almost certainly never reincarnate in a paid-for
legal mode after nearly two years of court wrangling. In the
aftermath of Napster's suspension, several other illegal services
rose their ugly heads, including KaZaA, MusicCity, Grokster and
Aimster. This week, services are being targeted by the attorneys
of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It might
take a while, but we the RIAA's lawyers are pretty confident that
they could have this all wrapped up by Christmas with all the
mainstream illegal services shut down or suspended. The question
is what happens then?


CAN BON JOVI FOIL THE PIRATES?
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,55246,00.html
Bon Jovi may have a new, Web-based scheme to discourage their
soon-to-be-released disc from being pirated. On the inside of the
packaging of Bon Jovi's Bounce is a 13-digit, randomly generated
serial number. By entering that code on the group's website, fans
enroll in a program that puts them "first in line" for concert
tickets and allows them to listen to unreleased tracks from the
band. "The idea is to make anyone who's file sharing or burning
feel like they're missing out by not buying a real copy of the
CD."


THE RISE OF P2P WORMS-AND HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
http://tinyurl.com/1izh
It's been exactly a year since the Nimda worm first took the
Internet community by surprise, and now that school's back in
session, new viruses are starting to appear. These new viruses
either use peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks, such as
Kazaa or Morpheus, as a means to infect innocent victims, or they
use P2P technology to construct worms that can communicate with
one another and may someday even be resistant to antivirus
measures.


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GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
http://www.rainmusic.com/tonos.htm
Our friends at Tonos have blown the door of opportunity open for
more than a few musicians and songwriters. Founded by legendary
music makers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds (all three Grammy winners), Tonos gives many
artists the chance to get their music into the hands of the A&R
folks that matter. On a regular basis, record labels,
film/television music supervisors, producers, managers, and other
music industry entities contact Tonos when they're looking for
specific musical talents. For example, Steve Lillywhite, producer
of albums by U2, Dave Matthews and the Rolling Stones, used Tonos
to find the first artist he signed for his new record label. And
he's not alone. On a constant basis, there are new opportunites
listed. Click link above to view current listings.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

SURPRISE BILL WOULD PUT WEBCAST ROYALTIES ON HOLD
http://tinyurl.com/1pnr
In an unexpected development, Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr.
(R-Wisc.) introduced legislation late yesterday (Sept. 27) that
would delay for six months Webcasters' payments of digital
royalties to record companies and artists. Webcasters are
supposed to begin paying the royalties on Oct. 20. Insiders say
Sensenbrenner, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, wants
to suspend payments until pending court challenges to the new
rates are heard. Sources say the new bill might be taken to the
floor of the House as early as Tuesday.


TOP ARTISTS JOIN FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DOWNLOADS
http://tinyurl.com/1pns
Would you stop illegally downloading music files if Britney
Spears asked? How about Brian Wilson? Eminem? Or Stevie Wonder,
Shakira, Madonna, P.O.D., Marilyn Manson, 3 Doors Down? They've
all signed on to an ad campaign aimed at discouraging illegal
music file trading on the Internet. The full-page ads have run in
the New York Times and other U.S. newspapers. Spears will appear
in TV commercials saying that stealing music online is as bad as
stealing a CD from a store.


NAPSTER CLOSES IN ON BUYER
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-959946.html
Napster, the former high-flying music-trading site, said Friday
that it has signed a nonbinding letter of intent to sell its
assets, although it declined to name the buyer. Rick Antonoff, an
attorney representing Napster's unsecured creditors committee,
said that after negotiating with a select group of qualified
bidders in recent days, it has signed an agreement with one
company, which he would not name, and that a deal could be
reached as soon as next week.


RECORD LABELS SEEK OK FOR ONLINE MUSIC SABOTAGE
http://tinyurl.com/1pnt
Frustrated by the continuing presence of free music on the
Internet, the recording industry asked for Congress' blessing on
Thursday to gum up the online networks they blame for slowing
their sales. Congress is considering expanded legal protection
for record labels who resort to sabotage in their ongoing battle
with "peer to peer" networks that allow users to freely trade
music, movies and other copyrighted material.


UNIVERSAL MUSIC HIT WITH ANTI-PIRACY SUIT
http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article.php/1470891
New York promotions/technology company DownloadCard has sued
Vivendi Universal's music division, charging theft of its
anti-piracy technology, trade secrets and ideas. The action could
hold up the marketing campaign about to kick off in conjunction
with rocker Jon Bon Jovi's upcoming release of his latest CD,
"Bounce", which involves the use of special Personal
Identification Numbers, or PINs that DownloadCard has pioneered
in online promotions.


KAZAA TAUNTS RECORD LABELS WITH NEW ALLIANCE
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2277987.stm
Popular file-swapping system Kazaa has released a new version of
its core software and announced an important alliance.
The swapping network has signed a deal with European net service
provider Tiscali which will see both partners promote each other
to their respective audiences. The deal gives Kazaa much needed
legitimacy at a time when file-sharing systems are facing legal
and hacking threats from the music industry. The alliance could
also help Tiscali boost the number of customers signing up for
its broadband service.


STUDY: MEDIA GIANTS WRONG ABOUT ONLINE PIRACY
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t278-s2122813,00.html
Media giants such as Time Warner and Walt Disney should be paying
less attention to pirates, and putting more effort into providing
compelling digital content, says a new report Media companies
must put less emphasis on protecting digital content and instead
find ways to make money from digital music and movies if they
hope to beat back copyright pirates who threaten their
businesses, according to a study released on Wednesday from KPMG.


ARTISTS FIGHT MUSIC FILE-SHARING
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/26/business/26ADCO.html
When it comes to musical styles, Britney Spears, Luciano
Pavarotti and Sean Combs, lately known as P. Diddy, do not appear
to have much in common. But in a series of advertisements that
begin running today, they are joining with 86 other recording
artists to speak out against unauthorized music file-sharing,
claiming it threatens the livelihood of everyone from recording
artists and writers to sound engineers and record-store clerks.


LIQUID AUDIO GOING DOWN THE DRAIN?
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t278-s2122837,00.html
The mute button may be pressed this week on yet another Net music
pioneer. Liquid Audio, a well-regarded music technology company
whose recent troubles are more befitting of an episode of "Behind
the Music," will meet with its shareholders for the most
important vote in the company's six-year lifespan. At stake is a
planned merger, control over the board of directors, and the
future of the company over demands by some shareholders who want
to liquidate it to save its still-substantial cash reserves.


ARTISTS ON HAND FOR ROYALTIES ACCOUNTING HEARING
http://tinyurl.com/1pnu
Lawmakers, artists, and record company executives will attend a
hearing in downtown Los Angeles today (Sept. 24) called by
California state senators Martha Escutia (D-Norwalk) and Kevin
Murray (D-Culver City), to investigate record label accounting
practices. Scheduled to testify on behalf of the artists are Don
Henley, Glenn Frey, and Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Clint Black, the
Dixie Chicks' Martie Maguire, and others. This marks the second
hearing to look into alleged underpayment of artist royalties by
record labels.


GARAGEBAND IS BACK!
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=41963
Due to the overwhelming loyalty of its membership, Garageband
Records has officially re-opened its doors for business, the
company announced today. Garageband also announced that Ali
Partovi, a successful grass-roots entrepreneur whose last
venture, LinkExchange, was sold to Microsoft Corporation for $265
million, has joined as CEO. Mr. Partovi will spearhead the
company's strategic shift towards offering premium services to
its core community.


WEB RADIO ASKS FOR A STAY ON ROYALTY PAYMENTS
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=12621
Radio broadcasters in the US have requested that the US Copyright
Office grant a 'limited stay' on webcast royalties. These same
broadcasters are currently at the Third Circuit Court of Appeals,
arguing the case that the Digital Millenium Copyright Act wording
does not mean that they should pay royalties for internet
broadcast sound recordings. The commerical broadcasters claim
that no royalties should be paid until the Third Circuit has
decided, for fear of some broadcasters suffering from irreparable
financial damage which may turn out to be needless in the end.


NAPSTER ASSETS DRAW MORE THAN A DOZEN BIDS
http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.jsp?a=12&o=9177
More than a dozen bidders have expressed interest in buying the
assets of bankrupt online music-swapping site Napster, an
investment banker handling the bidding process said on Monday.
Rick Chance, managing director at Trenwith Securities, the
investment banking unit of BDO Seidman LLP, said that the bids
will be analysed and the bank will provide a recommendation to
Napster's official creditors committee later this week. Bidding
will close for Napster's assets on September 17.


IFPI ANNOUNCES 'OPTIONAL' COPY CONTROL SYMBOL FOR CDS
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1831
IFPI today announced the introduction of a new, optional logo
that record companies may use to inform consumers that a CD
incorporates technology to control copying. The logo is available
for use by record companies internationally, and is being
announced in consultation with IFPI's national associations in 46
countries, and with music retailers worldwide. It could feature
either on the artwork of the CD or as a sticker, and may be
accompanied by additional information about the technology being
used.



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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 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
$24.95!


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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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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And Now a Word from our Sponsors...
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INSIDE THE MUSIC BUSINESS
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Learn how the music business works first-hand from those who are
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MUSIC123: KEYBOARDS, GUITARS, INSTRUMENTS & ACCESSORIES
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Music123 has a huge selection and they guarantee you the lowest
price on all their instruments and equipment. Found a cheaper
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have an outlet store for B stock and blemished items!

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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


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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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #44 - September 17th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
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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
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Welcome, subscribers to the September 17th edition of the Music
Biz Academy Digest!


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
Here's the stuff you ought to know:

These last two weeks have been such that we are really beginning
to see the effects of the RIAA's (Recording Industry Association
of America) war on music piracy. This war of headlines and
politics between all parties has has resulted in some decidedly
'nasty' side-effects.

First off, Napster, the original file-swapping gangsta' was
officially declared 'dead' last week when a federal judge blocked
the sale of the one time powerhouse to media giant Bertelsmann.
Headlines of Napster's demise dominated the news - 'R.I.P.:
Napster', 'Napster Used All Nine Lives', 'Napster Sounds Death
Knell' - the chant was heard from one end of Cyberspace to the
other. Then, this week, in an unexpected twist, one of the
Internet's leading purveyors of 'adult' material offered to
purchase the Napster trademark and web site address. According to
the Mail & Guardian Online, the company plans to use Napster's
file swapping system to distribute its huge library of material.
Yuck. I don't even want to talk about it. That's one deal I am
praying does not go through.

Moving on, MP3Board.com is being sued by the RIAA for linking to
web sites that offer both authorized and unauthorized MP3's for
download. That's right, the RIAA is going after a web site simply
for linking to other sites. Who is MP3Board.com, you ask? Funny,
I hadn't heard of them either, not until the publicity generated
by the RIAA lawsuit inspired me to go check out their web site
(oh, the irony). By the way, I do NOT recommend you visit the
MPBoard.com web site unless you enjoy trying to kill pop-up ads
that spin off even more pop-up ads. Bad web site. Bad, BAD WEB
SITE! (You're probably going to go there now, huh? Don't say I
didn't warn you.) Why is the RIAA bothering with these guys? Who
in their right mind would ever return to this web site a second
time? I clicked on one link on their web site (the random MP3
link) and was sent to pop-up oblivion, then my Antivirus software
popped up to warn me that a javascript running from one of those
windows was infected with a trojan virus. Oh, my, my! Stay away
folks! Thank goodness for Norton Internet Security!

More carnage! AudioGalaxy, sued in May 2002 by the RIAA, has
become a ghost of its former self. AudioGalaxy turned off most
of its download features last week leaving startled users
grasping at air. One frustrated user posted a very interesting
'What Now?' FAQ to the AudioGalaxy message board which stated
'YOU'RE TOO LATE. If you just came to the Audiogalaxy party --
sorry, it's over.' You can view the 'What Now?' FAQ at
http://www.audiogalaxy.com/pages/thread.php?&t=21460980

And the battle rages on.... In its suit against file-swapping
services Kazaa, Morpheus and Grokster, the RIAA asked the federal
judge to skip the trial and make a summary judgment against the
companies. According to attorneys for publisher trade groups, all
three services have done their best to create 'candy stores of
infringement that allow a user to find the most popular music and
movies of our time without paying any of the rights holders.'
Lawyers representing Morpheus asked the judge to skip the trial
too, but on different grounds, saying that they should not be
responsible for how users misuse their network, and that the
file-trading system has too many legal uses to shut it down.

The tsunami continues. According to statistics released by BRS
Media, in the last year alone the number of radio webcasters
broadcasting online has dropped by 31%. The BRS figures state
that well over one thousand US stations have quit broadcasting
online as a direct result of 'the current copyright crisis.'
Strangely, the BRS press release does not specify what 'crisis'
they are referring to, but presumably they mean the new
webcasting royalty rates issued by Federal copyright regulators,
the first payment for which is due October 20th.

In another very interesting tidbit that came across the wire this
week, a report by networking company Sandvine, titled 'The
Effects of P2P on Service Provider Networks,' estimates that in
terms of bandwidth usage, file-sharing networks Kazaa and
Gnutella may account for between 40-60% of all Internet traffic.
Wow! No wonder my Internet connection is so slow!

And finally, you will be much relieved to hear that Lance Bass of
`N Sync won't be orbiting earth in the International Space
Station after all. Ah, shucks!

NAPSTER: R.I.P.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-956828.html?tag=cd_mh

MP3BOARD.COM COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT CASE GETS JURY TRIAL
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1813

GIGALAW.COM COPYRIGHT LAW : FRAMING AND LINKING
http://www.gigalaw.com/articles/copyright-framing.html

AUDIOGALAXY: The "WHAT NOW?" FAQ
http://www.audiogalaxy.com/pages/thread.php?&t=21460980

RIAA, FILE-SWAPPERS ASK FOR TRIAL'S END
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-957227.html

MORPHEUS ASKS JUDGE TO DROP CASE
http://news.com.com/2110-1023-954367.html

BRS MEDIA: STEEP DECLINE IN STATIONS WEBCASTING
http://www.brsmedia.fm/press020912.html

KAZAA AND GNUTELLA HOG THE INTERNET
http://www.vnunet.com/News/1134977

TED NUGENT MAKES LANCE BASS AN OFFER
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/4021257.htm

Until next time,

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


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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
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! Buy this edition, receive the next edition via email
FREE!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------


RELEASING YOUR OWN RECORD: A LEGAL CHECKLIST
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/legalchecklist.htm
For artists who are releasing their own record for the first
time, without the involvement or assistance of a label, the
process can be a little intimidating. It can be easy to miss some
key legal details in the process. Here, therefore, is a very
basic checklist of issues to be considered when releasing a
record. Article by Bart Day.


11 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR NEXT SHOWCASE A SMASH SUCCESS!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/showcase.htm
Whether you represent a label or individual artist, creating and
promoting a showcase of musical acts can help you book larger
venues, build media exposure, expand your fan base and jump-start
merchandise sales. But how do you do a showcase right—and
cost-effectively? ANTJE, founder of Chicago label, Sweet Pickle
Music, shares 11 tips from her proven-in-practice playbook to
help you craft your own showcase success story. Article by Lance
Helgeson.


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RAINMAKER PUBLICITY
http://www.rainmakerpublicity.com/
Rainmaker is the premier public relations firm for independent
musicians. Specializing in print, broadcast, and electronic
media, Rainmaker artists attract a & r attention, augment their
fan-base, define their niche market, and garner bookings in
select venues. Via previews, reviews, features, special events,
news items, and other strategic campaign tactics, Rainmaker
artists are maximizing their talents and going places. It's not
all  about the music... visit us @ www.rainmakerpublicity.com or
call Toll-Free 1-888-965-5556


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Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

CD COUNTER DISPLAYS
http://www.counterdisplay.com/index.html
Looking for that perfect counter display for your CDs at gigs?
You'll find a few options here for CDs, videos, and even DVDs.
The bad news? A minimum order of 50 counter displays.


ONE WAY MAGAZINE
http://www.onewaymagazine.com/
Set to debut in December, 2002, One Way is a free magazine
targeted to music fans in Los Angeles County. Planned circulation
is 20,000 copies, which will be available in record stores, music
stores, bookstores, restaurants, clubs and bars, spas and health
clubs, and college campuses. Each issue includes a free CD
sampler, of which you can be part. One Way offers competitive
advertising packages to musicians looking for quick exposure. A
'Mini-Showcase', their entry-level advertising option, includes a
song on their CD, a half-page ad in the magazine, and a web site
feature.


PROGART: THE ART OF MATTIAS NORÉN
http://www.progart.com
Hold on to your hats - If you are in search of a graphic designer
for your next CD project, be sure not to miss the work of artist
Mattias Norén at ProgArt. Once you log into the site you'll see
the most recently finished project, but be sure to click on 'CD
Artwork' to see his past work. Mattias is without a doubt one of
the finest artists I've seen in the genre. Each project captures
the mood/story of the album, and there is a definite 'look' to
Mattias' artwork that has a dreamy, surreal quality. Matt is also
an excellent logo designer. Highly recommeded.


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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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Selected Commentaries from Contributors to the Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comments
-----------------------------------------------------------------

WHY 'JOHNNY' RECORD LABEL (CAN'T COME OUT TO PLAY)
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveplay.htm
If you stop and listen for a moment, after nightfall, when all
the kids have left the playground for the day, you can hear
'Johnny' lying in his bed, while going from a moderate sobbing,
to screaming and wailing at the top of his lungs..."They are not
supposed to be able to have fun without me!" Commentary by Kenny
Love.


IS THE RIAA BECOMING MORE TROUBLE THAN IT'S WORTH?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveriaa.htm
The more I review the RIAA's actions (and reactions) in today's
industry, the more it appears to me that the RIAA is attempting
to serve up more of its own agenda, political, financial or
otherwise, in its own self-serving interest, as opposed to
serving the music industry wholeheartedly and, most importantly,
the recording artists for which it was (supposedly) originally
founded and intended. Commentary by Kenny Love.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

THE WEB’S FIRST QUARTERLY SONG CONTEST SITE
http://www.songlounge.com
Songlounge.com – The Web’s First Quarterly Song Contest Site
continues its year round song contest, awarding thousands in cash
and prizes every three months to the best three songs. No
gimmicks, bogus recording or publishing contracts or empty
promises of rock stardom - just good o'le instant gratification
every three months. Over $9,000 in cash and prizes to be given
out in this quarter's contest, which ends September 30th.


THE INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
The ISC invites you to enter your songs now to win a Grand Prize
of $5,000 in cash and $25,000 in merchandise/services and
a chance to have your music heard by the music industry's top
decision makers and musicians! 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. A total of $65,000 in prizes will be shared by 27 winners.
There is a $30 entry fee. All entries must be postmarked by
September 30, 2002.


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MIXDOWN: PRO CD DUPLICATION MADE EASY!
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/mixdown.htm
How would you like to duplicate your own, retail-ready CDs one at
a time? Or maybe you just want 20, 50, or 100 CDs and don't want
the expense of mass CD duplication? How would you like to sell
your professionally packaged CDs from your web site for free?
Our new Mixdown service allows artists to have professionally
packaged CDs made without any upfront costs. Order your own CDs
one at a time as needed or sell them directly to your fans
through your own web page. When an order is placed we take care
of the CD duplication, packaging and shipping so you can focus on
what matters most....writing music!


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Articles From Around The Net....
-----------------------------------------------------------------

TEENS WANT THEIR MP3S — AND THEIR CDS
http://tinyurl.com/1hbg
Sure, they download free songs via the Internet, a couple of
Midwestern university roommates say, but that doesn't make them
crooks. They are, nevertheless, seen as part of the MTV
demographic that music company executives blame for contributing
to the demise of their business. Students Lora Michaelides and
Lindsey McCollow, sophomores at Marquette University say the
executives have got it all wrong. "I buy more CDs now. I want to
keep the music business up," said Michaelides. She noted that
while she has probably downloaded as many as 13,000 songs in her
life, she also has lost count of how many CDs she owns.


MUSIC INDUSTRY SHOWS DESPERATION: CHEAPER CDS
http://tinyurl.com/1hbj
Brace yourself to see something startling next time you go to a
record store. You might see some reasonably priced CDs. Most of
the major music companies are starting to offer retailers
limited-time rebates on some releases. As a result, many
consumers paid just $10 for new albums by young performers
including Ashanti and Vanessa Carlton, as well as veterans Sean
"P. Diddy" Combs and Bruce Springsteen. That's a big deal in an
industry that consistently raised CD prices since 1996.


TED NUGENT MAKES LANCE BASS AN OFFER
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/4021257.htm
Ted Nugent has made a special offer to Lance Bass upon hearing
that the 'NSYNC member's proposed trip to the International Space
Station was cancelled by the Russian Space Agency after he was
unable to come up with the $20 million in time. For "only $1
million," the legendary guitarist and outspoken outdoorsman is
inviting Bass to his Michigan ranch to be trained in bow hunting
basics before joining him on a week-long hunt "where he'll be
taught a greater appreciation for nature and gravity as he hunts,
kills, cleans and cooks for himself," says Nugent.


NAPSTER GOES UNMOURNED TO THE GRAVE
http://digitalmass.boston.com/news/2002/09/04/napster2.html
Like so many one-hit wonders before it, the demise of the once
iconic online song-swapping service Napster has failed to stir
much sympathy. "Really, who cares?" Sebastian, a student at the
Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, told Reuters as he
heard that Napster would likely be forced into Chapter 7
liquidation as early as Thursday. "Everybody's moved on to other
file-sharing (services). The interest for Napster in the Internet
community just wasn't as high as everybody originally thought,"
said the 28-year old student of IT engineering.


-----------------------------------------------------------------

INSIDE THE MUSIC BUSINESS
http:/www.musicbizacademy.com/insidethebusiness.htm
Learn how the music business works first-hand from those who are
already successful in it, and receive personal coaching on your
path to success in the music industry!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

BRS MEDIA: STEEP DECLINE IN STATIONS WEBCASTING
http://www.brsmedia.fm/press020912.html
BRS Media's Web-Radio, the leading portal for "Tuning In" Radio
on the Internet, released their latest statistics today at The
NAB Radio Show. As predicted, the numbers indicate that the
current copyright crisis is having a direct impact on the number
of stations broadcasting online. In the last year alone the
number of radio webcasters has declined by thirty one percent
(31%). Prompted by the current copyright issue, well over one
thousand US stations quit broadcasting online.


MEASURECAST: LESS STATIONS, MORE LISTENERS
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=41412
MeasureCast, Inc., the first company to provide Internet radio
broadcasters with next-day streaming audience size and
demographics data, today released the MeasureCast Internet Radio
Report for August, which finds that more people listened to fewer
Web radio stations last month, and that many stations are
streaming more hours than ever before.


PORN COMPANY BIDS FOR NAPSTER
http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.jsp?a=13&o=9096
A company claiming to own the world's largest collection of porn
has bid to buy Napster, the bankrupt online music company.
Private Media Group Inc., a public company based in Barcelona,
Spain, said it had offered one million shares of common stock in
exchange for Napster's assets. The company plans to use Napster's
file swapping system to distribute its huge library of adult
material.


KAZAA AND GNUTELLA HOG THE INTERNET
http://www.vnunet.com/News/1134977
Two file-sharing companies may account for between 40 to 60 per
cent of all internet traffic according to a report by networking
company Sandvine, titled The Effects of P2P on Service Provider
Networks.


RIAA, FILE-SWAPPERS ASK FOR TRIAL'S END
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-957227.html
Both sides want to end the copyright infringement lawsuit against
popular file-swapping services Kazaa, Morpheus and Grokster
quickly--they just disagree on who should win. Attorneys for the
record labels, movie studios and music publishers trade groups
filed papers asking a federal judge for summary judgment, or a
ruling against the file-swapping companies before going to a full
trial. Lawyers for Morpheus' parent company StreamCast Networks
asked the judge to rule quickly in their favor, saying that
Morpheus had too many legal uses to be shut down in response to
illegal file-traders' actions.


YAHOO, ISPS ENTER NET PRIVACY FRAY
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-957332.html
Yahoo and Internet service providers have sided with Verizon
Communications in its legal spat with the recording industry over
revealing the identity of an alleged peer-to-peer pirate.
In court papers filed late Monday, the groups said that the
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has not followed
the law in its efforts to learn more about a Kazaa user accused
of illicitly trading music files. Monday's move highlights the
latest battle lines that have been struck in the legal war over
peer-to-peer networks.


AUDIOGALAXY MOVES TO LEGAL DOWNLOADS
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2122006,00.html
The file-swapping network has signed up with Listen.com to
provide a legal music download service, and streaming access to
albums. One-time file-swapping powerhouse Audiogalaxy, hobbled by
a legal settlement with record labels, has launched a legal music
offer in place of its old download service. The company has
tapped Listen.com to offer a paid subscription service. The offer
launched quietly on Audiogalaxy's site last week.


NAPSTER: R.I.P.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-956828.html?tag=cd_mh
In a decision likely to force Napster out of business, a federal
judge blocked the $9 million sale of the onetime file-swapping
powerhouse to German media giant Bertelsmann. The surprise
decision isn't expected to have much effect on the tumultuous
online music world, but the ruling does appear to close the book
on a company that became a consumer favorite while being reviled
by much of the entertainment industry. Most of Napster's
remaining 42 employees have been laid off, and visitors to the
Napster home page found a stark message: "Napster was here."


LAWYERS GO FROM NAPSTER TO MADSTER
http://www.infomaticsonline.co.uk/News/1134882
A US district court has ordered a preliminary injunction against
online file-swapping service Madster. The company has now become
the target of the legal might of music industry lawyers fresh
from their victory against Napster. More than two dozen record
and other media companies are involved in the litigation, which
they claim violates copyright law in a similar way to Napster.


FIRST "AIR-TO-WEB BROADCAST REPLICATION" TECHNOLOGY PATENTED
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=41174
Decisionmark Corp., a leading provider of Internet-based
broadcast industry solutions, announced today it will work with
WRAL-FM radio in Raleigh, North Carolina, to pilot its patented
Air-to-Web Broadcast Replication (AWBR) technology, allowing the
radio station to transmit its content via the Internet while
replicating its over-the-air signal reach. The significance of
this new technology is it permits any radio station to broadcast
their local signal over the Internet without infringing upon
copyright laws by extending the signal beyond legal geographic
boundaries.


MP3BOARD.COM COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT CASE GETS JURY TRIAL
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1813
A federal judge has denied motions for summary judgment on both
sides of a copyright infringement case between record labels
represented by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) and MP3Board.com, a site that provides links to audio
files on public websites -- setting the stage for a jury trial to
begin within the next 30 days. The RIAA sued MP3Board.com for
copyright infringement, over its website that directs users to
other sites offering both authorized and unauthorized MP3 files
for download.


LABELS LOOSENING UP ON CD COPY LOCKS
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-956069.html?tag=dd.ne.dtx.nl-sty.0
Fearful of consumer backlash, major record labels in the United
States have slowed controversial plans for making CDs more
difficult to copy, even as tension over online music piracy
mounts. Last year, news that record companies were planning to
add technology to CDs that would block people from making copies
or MP3 files--and in many cases might even prevent playback on
computers--sparked considerable controversy online, and even
lawsuits. Now major record labels themselves have put the brakes
on the drive for copy protection, at least in the United States,
even as record stores lobby for the locks to be added as soon as
possible.


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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 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
$24.95!


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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------

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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Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #43 - September 3rd, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome, subscribers to the September 3rd edition of the Music
Biz Academy Digest!


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
Here's the stuff you ought to know:

First of all, I'd like to point out a great and easy way for you,
as an independent musician, to take part in saving Internet
radio. It's called the Internet Radio Fairness Act, a bill
introduced in the US House of Representatives that gives small
webcasters a chance to survive the newly imposed webcasting
rates. The bill exempts small webcasters (those that generate
under six million dollars in gross revenue) from the new fees.
The legislation does not seek to eliminate royalties paid to
artists by Internet radio stations, it only attempts to ensure
that fair and reasonable royalty rates are set to allow Internet
radio stations to survive. It will take you two minutes to fill
out the form and email it (via efax) to your state
representative. It's never been so easy to get involved! See
http://www.voiceofwebcasters.org for more information.

In some of the most ironic news from the last two weeks, there
was a temporary take over of the RIAA (Recording Industry
Association of America) web site by hackers. The RIAA, who is
leading the charge against illegal file sharing and piracy
rampant on the Internet, must have been quite embarrassed to find
their web site defaced in such a subtle, yet humorous manner. The
Intruders posted a new index page on the RIAA site offering a
link to free music downloads with a note that "Piracy can be
beneficial to the music industry." There was also a link to "find
information on giant monkeys." For those of you who are curious,
you can see a full-size image of the hacked index page at
http://minordamage.com/riaa_hack.jpg .

The RIAA is taking a lot of heat these days, and not only because
of the somewhat overstated perception that they are big bad
bullies taking all the fun out of free music on the Internet.
Recently, the RIAA sent a subpoena ordering Verizon to turn over
information about one of its subscribers, an individual the RIAA
wants to sue for illegally trading hundreds of songs over the
Internet. Verizon has refused to comply, and a dozen consumer
groups including Consumer Alert, the Electronic Privacy
Information Center, and National Consumers League have filed a
brief in federal court arguing that the RIAA's request is
unconstitutional, and that the basis of their subpoena violates
Americans' right to be anonymous online. The result of this very
well-publicized fight is a huge publicity win for Verizon, who
have positioned themselves as a strong 'defender of consumer
privacy,' while the RIAA, of course, is made once again to look
like a tyrant.

The RIAA did get a big win, however, at least from a financial
standpoint. A jury in Los Angeles awarded the RIAA $136 million
in damages against a California CD manufacturing plant for
copyright infringement. It is one of the largest judgments ever
rendered in a copyright case. I guess if you have this kind of
money, who needs friends?

We live in very interesting times.

Finally, in a must-read article which should once again make you
ask yourself the question 'Do I really want a major label deal?,'
the New York Times does an in-depth analysis of how the
Backstreet Boys, who have sold more than 65 million albums around
the world, lost control of their careers and find themselves
to be yesterday's news. Read it and marvel at the workings of the
music biz machine.

INTERNET RADIO FAIRNESS ACT (Support this Bill! Takes 2 minutes)
http://www.voiceofwebcasters.org/smallwebfax.htm

RIAA WEB SITE HACKED, DEFACED, TAKEN OFFLINE
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/19227.html

AND *THEY* WANT TO PROTECT *US*?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveprotect.htm

FILE-SWAPPING FOES EXERT P2P PRESSURE
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-949533.html

MUSIC PIRATE FINED $136 MILLION
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=40759

THE LOST BOYS: HOW A POP SENSATION CAME UNDONE
http://tinyurl.com/1a05

Until next time,

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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

TIME OF YEAR TO PUSH RADIO
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/radio/timeofyear.htm
Many people, when planning the date that their radio campaign
will start, think that starting the campaign at
a certain time of the year will make a huge difference in the
outcome of the project. It won't.  There are many other factors
which are far more important, and these factors will determine
what happens with your release... Article by Brian Farrish.


BECOMING A 'PRIORITY' AT A RECORD LABEL
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/priority.htm
In an effort to educate artists and bands that still think
signing a record label contract is the be-all and end-all of
their existence, this month's column is about the challenges of
staying in the label's good graces once they have signed you.
Article by Christopher Knab.


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ITSABOUTMUSIC.COM
http://itsaboutmusic.com/
It'saboutmusic.com is the first E-Label that is, an imprint which
exists and thrives exclusively online ..and we want you! ..that's
right, we are looking to expand our roster for 2002/2003. As an
artist on this E-label you'll be included in all marketing
services such as creation of a graphic interface on MP3.Com that
will offer streaming of your songs,free digital distribution via
Vitaminic.com and EMusic.com, and inclusion in quarterly CD
compilations. Go to site and hit Artists Submissions.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Additions/Updates to the Musician's Directory....
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/directory
-----------------------------------------------------------------

ACOUSTIC RAINBOW: CD SAMPLER
http://www.acousticrainbow.com/
Acoustic artists may be interested in checking out this CD
sampler opportunity. Sponsored by PoetMan records, this CD
sampler project (now working on its thirteenth volume) goes out
to over 1600 acoustic format radio shows worldwide. Submissions
are accepted from both signed and unsigned artists. All accepted
songs are tracked for radio play and the results reported back to
the artist. Cost to artist: $595 if accepted - less than .37c per
station.


FUNKDAFI PROMOTIONS
http://funkdafi.tripod.com/index.htm
Funkdafi offers a number of attractive promotion packages for
independent musicians, including online promotion, street teams,
press kit creation and distribution (including digital and CD
press kits), booking, club promotions, radio promotion and more.
Funkdafi is nearly a one-stop promotion shop. Prices are very
reasonable, but there is very little company/client history
represented on site. Ask for references and do your research.


PRINTABLE PROMOTIONS
http://www.printablepromotions.com/
Printable Promotions is a multi-award-winning producer of
unique custom-imprinted promotional products, ad specialties, and
logo merchandise. They also screenprint or embroider t-shirts and
sportswear. You'll find thousands of products you can add your
band logo to, including apparel, portfolios, bags, buttons,
watches, flashlights, magnetic products, banners, packaging, toys
and so much more. Lots of cool stuff to drool over.


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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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Selected Commentaries from Contributors to the Academy
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comments
-----------------------------------------------------------------

AND *THEY* WANT TO PROTECT *US*?
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/kloveprotect.htm
Today, (Wednesday, August 28, 2002), the RIAA web site was not
only hacked into once, but twice. When I received the notice from
MSNBC, on one hand, I snickered, while on the other hand, I
questioned why such an organization that is heralding a cause to
"protect" musicians and their works, is not more protective of,
and has not implemented more advanced security measures with its
own web site.


GREED: THE DIARRHEA OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/comment/08172002.htm
"If independent recording artists could understand, for even the
briefest of moments, the magnanimous financial potential they
would realize in self-marketing their own recordings, as opposed
to signing with a major label, we would see a new Music industry
such as has never been known." Commentary by Kenny Love.


THE TRUTH ABOUT MAJOR LABELS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/truthlabels.htm
When I was growing up, I always thought that being signed to a
major label was the pinnacle of a music career. It was my dream
at the time to one day get a record deal, play arenas throughout
the world, and earn millions. Fortunately, I eventually gave up
the pipe dream that a major label deal is the key to a successful
career. Surprisingly enough, many musicians have not. It still
amazes me to this day the number of clients I get that think they
are ready to take on the world with a major label after only
selling 1000-2000 discs. Article by David Hooper.


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Contests, Competitions, and Opportunities
-----------------------------------------------------------------

THE INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
The ISC invites you to enter your songs now to win a Grand Prize
of $5,000 in cash and $25,000 in merchandise/services and
a chance to have your music heard by the music industry's top
decision makers and musicians! 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. A total of $65,000 in prizes will be shared by 27 winners.
There is a $30 entry fee. All entries must be postmarked by
September 30, 2002.


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Articles From Around The Net....
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SONGWRITERS OVERCOME THORNY OBSTACLES TO HIT PAYDIRT
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=41052
The music of the Austin Powers' films is even more memorable when
one contemplates the difficulties overcome by the composer who
created it. "The odds against making it as a composer in
Hollywood are staggering, yet we continue to try," said George S.
Clinton, who scored all three of the James Bond spoofs, including
the current Austin Powers in Goldmember. Clinton added, "Maybe
it's being too stubborn to give up, or having an ego that says
we're the one in ten thousand that will beat the odds, or maybe
we're just too stupid to see what's so obvious to everyone else.
Whatever it is, we keep at it."


ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION MUSIC SITES SELDOM SEEN OR HEARD
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2002-09-02-online-music_x.htm
Online subscription music sites have finally arrived. But there's
been little fanfare, and so far almost no one is buying.
Free music-swapping services continue to attract millions of new
users despite the recording industry's legal efforts to shutter
them, and few consumers are even aware of the handful of pay
sites that have emerged over the last year.


MUSIC BUSINESS ON A COLLISION COURSE
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1107-956056.html
It's hard to say which side in the baseball labor dispute is
doing a better job mucking it up for the rest of us--when it
comes to pigheadedness and unvarnished greed, the owners and the
players are giving each other a pretty good run for the money.
Watching professional baseball's slow-motion self-destruction, I
can't help but note parallels to another quarrel over money and
power: the endless tempest over the digital downloading of music.


THE MUSIC INDUSTRY'S SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS
http://slate.msn.com/?id=2069732
2001 may not be the year the music died, but the pop biz did
develop a nagging headache, and it's not going away. The
recorded-music industry's first slump in more than two decades
continues this year. The Recording Industry Association of
America, which represents the five major labels that dominate CD
retailing, would like to blame much of the slide on Internet
music-file swapping. Yet there are many other causes, including
the fact that the big five are focused on short-term gain and
have no particular interest in the music biz.


MUSIC INDUSTRY BLAMES NET FOR ALL EVIL
http://www.theregus.com/content/6/26099.html
Despite the music industry's heroic efforts to produce, promote
and distribute the finest fruits of American artistic genius,
sales of CDs fell seven percent in the first half of 2002, after
falling 5.3 per cent overall in 2001. Because of the exceptional
brilliance and innovation evident in today's pop offerings,
discussions of dwindling consumer interest in vapid, predictable
cliche products would clearly be out of place. No, the industry
is doing everything right, so the only possible explanation for a
loss of revenue has got to be the pestilence of Internet piracy.


BRACING FOR THE DIGITAL CRACKDOWN
http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,54681,00.html
The government is preparing a national crackdown on file traders
that would crush the rogue swapping networks in the same manner
hackers were pushed underground 12 years ago. Washington
lawmakers have been crafting bills that would give the
entertainment industry the go-ahead to identify individual users,
disrupt file-trading services and prosecute anyone suspected of
digital piracy.


IN ONLINE HUNT FOR MUSIC, FANS ARE GETTING 'SPOOFED'
http://www.iht.com/articles/68556.html
The first time Travis Daub got "spoofed," he figured faulty
software was to blame. Hoping to sample the new album by Moby, he
downloaded one of its songs, "We Are All Made of Stars," from the
Web site LimeWire.com. But what wound up on his hard drive was
not what he expected.


THE LOST BOYS: HOW A POP SENSATION CAME UNDONE
http://tinyurl.com/1a05
The Backstreet Boys have sold more than 65 million albums around
the world, a number that few pop acts have surpassed. In their
prime, in the 90's, they were a pop juggernaut, breathing new
life into MTV, the record business, children's radio, teen
magazines and teenage purchasing power. But along the way, they
were surpassed by a very similar band with the same management,
songwriting and production team: 'N Sync.


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ADVERTISE HERE!
Yes, you can advertise your web site or service here at rates
starting at just $30 per issue. Email us at
musicbiz@... for details.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

MUSIC SEARCH PORTAL COULD SOLVE COPYRIGHT BLUES
http://tinyurl.com/19yq
Itching to use some theme music from a song that you can just
barely remember? Want to do things right and get permission,
maybe pay a small royalty, but you just don't know where to turn?
Well, soon there may be an easy way to avoid stepping on someone
else's digital music rights. Billboard.com and Broadjam.com are
teaming up to create "a comprehensive online music search
portal." The project will offer entertainment professionals a
single source for licensing music of all types. The new
operation will be called the Billboard SongSearch powered by
Broadjam. Launch is scheduled for next winter. The site will
integrate a lot of Billboard's music chart archive, which dates
back to 1955.


KAZAA POISONED WITH SALTED FILES?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/26838.html
Is there a conspiracy to flood the KaZaA file-sharing network
with bad files? In recent weeks, several Reg readers have told us
of a growing pattern of 'looped', incomplete MP3 files (posing as
full tracks) being offered for download on KaZaA.com. In other
instances, songs are intentionally misnamed. One reader had to
download 63 tracks, and then sort through the salted and
mislabelled files in order to successfully download all the songs
from an album containing 12 songs.


MUSIC INDUSTRY UNDER FIRE FOR MP3 DOWNLOAD ASSAULT
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2121648,00.html
A US federal law being used by the recording industry to unmask a
suspected Kazaa music-trader is unconstitutional, a coalition of
non-profit groups said late last Friday. A dozen consumer and
privacy groups filed a brief in a Washington federal court
arguing that the Recording Industry Association of America's
(RIAA) request for information about a Verizon Communications
subscriber should be denied. The 30-page brief says the RIAA is
relying on a portion of the controversial Digital Millennium
Copyright Act (DMCA) that violates Americans' right to be
anonymous online.


VITAMINIC REDUCES EUROPEAN OPERATIONS
http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=12327
Due to disappointing performances abroad, the Italy-based,
pan-European, music site Vitaminic has decided to focus its
operations in two foreign countries: the United Kingdom and
France. Vitaminic sites in other countries will remain online but
their operations will be reduced.


BERTELSMANN TO DROP ONLINE BOOKS AND MUSIC
http://tinyurl.com/1a04
Bertelsmann, the privately owned German media group, is
considering the outright sale or closure of its online books and
music operations - the second largest in the world - in the
latest phase of its restructuring. The move signals a strategic
U-turn following the resignation of Thomas Middelhoff as
Bertelsmann chief executive following in a boardroom coup in
July. Mr Middelhoff had hoped to transform the company into the
global leader in book and music retailing. Under the plans,
Bertelsmann is also expected to withhold further funding from
Napster, the controversial online music business accused of
flouting copyright rules.


RIAA WEB SITE HACKED, DEFACED, TAKEN OFFLINE
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/19227.html
After drawing the ire of the online file-swapping community and
Internet users at large, the Recording Industry Association of
America (RIAA) Web site was defaced and taken offline Wednesday.
The defacement, described as "the funniest hack ever" on a forum
site, resembled the normal RIAA site but featured such links as
"Piracy can be beneficial to the music industry" and "Where can I
find information on giant monkeys?" While the RIAA would not
acknowledge that its site had been hacked or defaced, the group,
which has tried to prevent Napster-like online file sharing,
admitted that its site was offline.


RIAA WEB SITE HACK ALLOWS MUSIC FILE DOWNLOADS
http://tinyurl.com/19w4
The Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) Web site
apparently was hacked Wednesday, forcing the music industry
backer into a most unnatural act -- providing free music for
download. The RIAA has led the fight against the trading of
copyright music on the Internet, but now hackers have attacked
back at the organisation by altering its home page, changing some
content on the site and making music available for download.
Users flocked to the Web site called http://www.fark.com
Wednesday morning to display screen shots of the RIAA's altered
Web site and to list the songs they were able to download.


RECORD LABELS SAY: CD SALES DROP 7%, WEB TO BLAME
http://tinyurl.com/1a03
Compact disc shipments fell 7 percent in the first six months of
this year versus last year as growing use of Internet downloading
services undermined sales, the record industry said on Monday.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which
represents the world's largest record labels, issued a study by
Peter D. Hart Research Associates indicating that Internet users
who say they are downloading more music also said they were
purchasing fewer albums.


BERTELSMANN'S $9M SEALS NAPSTER ASSETS
http://news.independent.co.uk/digital/news/story.jsp?story=327568
The German media giant Bertelsmann is this week set to cement its
acquisition of Napster, once considered one of the internet's
brightest stars, after attempts to flush out other bidders
failed. Bertelsmann, which last month ousted its chief executive
Thomas Middelhoff, is expected to acquire the assets of the
dormant music file-swapping service tomorrow, for as little as
$9m. The payment comes on top of more than $85m that the German
group has lent Napster.


MUSIC PIRATE FINED $136 MILLION
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=40759
A jury in federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday rendered a
judgment of more than $136 million against Media Group, a CD
manufacturing plant, and its former CEO, Jimmy Chan, for
copyright infringement. Specifically, the jury found that the
defendants should pay $90,000 for each of more than 1,500 songs
for a total verdict of $136,260,000. It is one of the largest, if
not the largest, judgment ever rendered in a copyright case.


ARBITRON: PEOPLE WHO STREAM MUSIC BUY MORE CDS
http://bandradio.com/news/?id=1787
Weekly "Streamies" – people who have watched or listened to
streaming media online in the past week – bought more than one
and a half times the number of compact discs (CDs) in the past
year than the average American, according to a new study by
Arbitron Inc. and Edison Media Research.


RIAA ASKS COURT TO EXPOSE PIRATE
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-954658.html
In what may become a new legal front in its war against online
copying, the Recording Industry Association of America has asked
a federal court for help in tracing an alleged peer-to-peer
pirate. On Tuesday, the RIAA asked a federal judge in Washington,
D.C., for an order compelling Verizon Communications to reveal
the name of a customer accused of illegally trading hundreds of
songs. Citing privacy concerns and potential legal liability,
Verizon has refused to comply with a subpoena the RIAA sent last
month.


VIVENDI UNIVERSAL DOES SOME FINANCIAL JUGGLING
http://tinyurl.com/1a01
Vivendi Universal SA (V) plans to take a charge of as much as 10
billion euros ($9.78 billion) against its second-quarter earnings
to account for a further depreciation of its assets amid the
steep fall of media-company stocks, people familiar with the
matter told The Wall Street Journal.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 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
$24.95!


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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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, three songs in the upcoming film
Employee of the Month starring John Doe from the band X, music in
the upcoming file Paris starring Karen Black. Placements with
Naxos Audio Books, Tokyo Pop Animation Company; Xtremeride Sports
Video, an NHL Hockey video, and others. One of NOMA's World Music
acts recently inked a recording contract with Naxos Records. As
you can see, 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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------

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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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #42 - August 17th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.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 August 17th edition of the Music Biz
Academy Digest!


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
Here's the stuff you ought to know:

On June 20th, as most of you probably know, the final decision
over webcasting royalty rates was issued by Federal copyright
regulators. That decision, issued by the U.S. Copyright Office
set the royalty rate at 0.07 cent (about 1/14th of a cent) per
song stream. While that doesn't sound like much, it does adds up
very quickly. As we reported in our July 26th edition, sources
report that more than two hundred Internet radio stations have
already announced their intent to close shop as a result of the
new webcasting royalty rates.

This week both the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of
America) and webcasters (including Listen.com and Live365.com)
notified the court of their intent to appeal this ruling. The
RIAA because they believe the rates are too low, stating that the
new rates 'underpay artists', and webcasters will appeal because
the rates are unreasonably high, and 'will drive small businesses
and hobbyists off the digital air.'

So, back to court we go again. Court dates to hear the appeals
however, are still months away (perhaps starting by the end of
2002). In the mean time, webcasters will have to pay the rates as
already issued. The first payment is due October 20th.

In other interesting news, a new study released by Forrester
Research states emphatically that Internet piracy has nothing to
do at all with the poor financial condition of the music
business. To quote Josh Bernoff, principal analyst at Forrester,
"There is no denying that times are tough for the music business,
but not because of downloading."

Fellow musician Janis Ian agrees. In fact, her excellent article,
'The Internet Debacle' continues to make waves within the
industry. Janis is a big proponent of offering free music
downloads to visitors, and in fact, has stated that since doing
so, her album sales have gone up 300%. She completely rejects the
industries notion that free online downloading has a negative
impact on sales. In fact, she says, 'most of the hard evidence is
to the contrary.' As if to prove her point, Forrester Research
projects that by 2007, digital music revenues will reach more
than $2 billion dollars (It's currently at $3 million) for the
music industry, accounting for 17% of all music sales.

Do not miss Janis Ian's excellent article at
http://www.janisian.com/article-internet_debacle.html, and the
follow up article entitled FALLOUT at
http://www.janisian.com/article-fallout.html

Finally, on August 12th, yours truly was featured in an article
by Business Week entitled 'So You Want to be a Rock 'N' Roll
Star.' The article, a generalized composite from interviews of
myself, music consultant Chris Knab, entertainment attorney Bart
Day and others, discusses how the Internet is changing the way
musicians market and distribute their music. You can find the
article at http://tinyurl.com/11o0 .

WEBCASTERS, LABELS APPEAL NET RADIO FEES
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-948834.html?tag=cd_mh

SAVE INTERNET RADIO!
http://saveinternetradio.org

RAIN: RADIO AND INTERNET NEWSLETTER
http://www.kurthanson.com/

MP3s NOT SOURCE OF MUSIC INDUSTRY WOES
http://tinyurl.com/11bi

SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCK 'N' ROLL STAR
http://tinyurl.com/11o0

Until next time,

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

---

FROM THE STUDIO TO THE STREETS
MARKETING YOUR MUSIC IN A DIGITAL AGE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/workshop.htm
The Music Biz Academy is honored to take part in "From the Studio
to the Streets: Marketing Your Music in a Digital Age." This
Portland, Oregon workshop features a panel of music business
professionals, including David Nevue, author of 'How to Promote
Your Music Successfully on the Internet' and founder of The Music
Biz Academy. How do you and your music fit into the Digital Age?
If you've ever wondered, this workshop is for you. Join us in
Portland, on August 24th, at 11am.


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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!


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Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

BAND NEWSLETTERS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/bandnewsletters.htm
I first started publishing my band newsletter during the Summer
of '98. I tried the snail mail route. It was exhausting.
Electronic newsletters (aka ezines) were the way to go. I must've
tried it all too. I promoted gigs, told of our latest
accomplishments, gave away a free mp3 every month. Some of it
worked. Some didn't. Here are some tips I've learned about
running my band newsletter... Article by Marc Gunn.


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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
-----------------------------------------------------------------

INDIE-MUSIC.COM
http://indie-music.com/
Founded by Suzanne Glass, Indie-Music.com is a cornerstone of the
online independent music community. The web site is full of
excellent 'how to' articles. For example, featured this month
you'll find 10 Useful Personality Characteristics for Musicians
, Creative Drumming, Acoustic Guitar Amplification, and Studio
Versus Home Recording. In addition to being well stocked with
helpful articles, you'll find an A-Z listing of bands, info on
improving your 'chops', an online directory, contract and
software downloads, forums and more. Indie-Music.com is an
excellent, well rounded resource for musicians seeking 'full
time' musician status.


JOHN VESTMAN MASTERING
http://www.johnvestman.com/
We recently discovered John's studio while searching the net for
someone to assist us in mastering one of our own CD projects.
John's rates are excellent, and there are a lot of great articles
here that provide insight into the thought process behind John's
highly regarded work. Articles include 'How to Prepare for
Mastering', 'What to Expect from Mastering', 'Tips for Better
Mixing, Miking, and Recording Vocals,' 'Compression Explained,'
'Studio Monitor Madness' and others. A lot of good, easy to
understand information here for those unfamiliar with the
technical details behind mastering.


LICENSEMUSIC.COM
http://www.licensemusic.com/
LicenceMusic has a huge database of original music for licensing
for web, broadcast media and audio-visual production. They have a
long list of content providers, with original music made
available to and regularly used by the film and television
industry. The reason we list it here is that you can submit your
own music to their catalog rather easily. For those of you
looking to put your songs in film and television,
LicenseMusic.com provides one more door to that possibility.


TRADEMARK SEARCH BY MARKSONLINE
http://marksonline.com/app/tmsearch
Want to see if someone has already Trademarked your band name?
Search here for free. Marksonline also provides Trademark forms,
a Trademark 'watch' service, a Trademark 'FAQ', and details on
how to fill out a Trademark application.


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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/
The ISC invites you to enter your songs now to win a Grand Prize
of $5,000 in cash and $25,000 in merchandise/services and
a chance to have your music heard by the music industry's top
decision makers and musicians! 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. A total of $65,000 in 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....
-----------------------------------------------------------------

UNCLE SAM HELPS THE RIAA CREATE MONOPOLY WHICH COULD DEPRIVE
ARTISTS OF CHOICES AND $$$
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=6482
It seems that no one is happy with the recent decisions handed
down from the Librarian of Congress. Radio stations say the fee
is too high and the RIAA says it's too low. Who's right? It
doesn't matter, really, because artists will not likely see their
fair share of this new money. Here's why...


SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCK 'N' ROLL STAR
http://tinyurl.com/11o0
David Nevue, 36, has been a solo pianist for more than 15 years,
spending his nights and weekends playing at coffee shops, special
events, and malls around Springfield, Ore., a town of 51,700.
During the day, he worked for online-security company Symantec.
No matter what he tried, however, his music career wouldn't catch
fire. His first album, self-published in 1992, gathered dust at
local shops. Then along came the Internet...Last fall, Nevue
achieved every artist's dream: He quit his job at Symantec to do
music full time -- a luxury he's able to afford thanks to online
sales of his CDs and a book he wrote in 1997 on marketing music
online.


FALLOUT - A FOLLOW UP TO 'THE INTERNET DEBACLE'
http://www.janisian.com/article-fallout.html
Quite frankly, when I spent three months researching and writing
The Internet Debacle, I wasn't planning to become part of a
"cause". I assumed that the 35,000 subscribers of Performing
Songwriter Magazine might read it, and a few might email me about
it. I had no idea that a scant month later, the article would be
posted on over 1,000 sites, translated into nine languages, and
have been featured on the BBC. Article by Janis Ian.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------

RECORD LABELS SUE WEB HEAVYWEIGHTS
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-954176.html
The world's largest record companies sued a number of major
Internet service and network providers on Friday, alleging their
routing systems allow users to access a China-based Web site and
unlawfully copy musical recordings. The copyright-infringement
suit, filed in Manhattan federal court, seeks a court order
requiring the defendants to block Internet communications that
travel through their systems to and from the Listen4ever site.
Defendants in the suit are AT&T Broadband, Cable & Wireless,
Sprint, Advanced Network Services, and UUNet Technologies, a unit
of WorldCom.


RECORD INDUSTRY TURNS FIRE ON INDIVIDUALS
http://tinyurl.com/11bo
The US recording industry, struggling to combat declining music
sales, is considering legal action against individuals who
intentionally allow mass copying of music from their computers.
Until now the Recording Industry Association of America, which
represents the companies responsible for 90 per cent of all sound
recordings sold in the US, has concentrated on "peer-to-peer"
services such as Napster and Audiogalaxy that allow
file-swapping. But the RIAA is now canvassing its members to see
if there is an appetite to file suits against individuals, who
offer the largest hoards of songs on peer-to-peer services.


TONOS INKS FIVE MORE DEALS WITH MUSIC INDUSTRY LEADERS
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=40308
Tonos Entertainment, the global musician's network, founded by
legendary music hitmakers Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster and
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, today announced five more agreements
with top industry leaders. Starting today, Chrysalis Music Group,
Dreamworks SKG Publishing, EMI Music Publishing, Famous Music and
Warner Chappell Music will sign two or more up-and-coming
songwriters who are members of Tonos global musicians network.


STUDY: P2P NOT TO BLAME FOR FLAGGING CD SALES
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t278-s2120801,00.html
Video may have killed the radio star, but Forrester Research has
said Internet piracy was not to blame -- as record labels have
claimed -- for the 15 percent drop in music sales in the past two
years.


NAPSTER'S ASSETS UP FOR AUCTION
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2187657.stm
The assets of the bankrupt file-sharing system Napster are up for
auction. Likely buyers could include media firms, music
retailers, record companies or venture capitalists.
The asking price is $25m (£16m) and the deadline for any bids is
21 August ahead of a 27 August auction. The German publishing
major Bertelsmann remains keen to buy the assets and has vowed to
raise its bid by $9m to a total of more than $100m.


EMI SUES AOL/TIME-WARNER OVER COPYRIGHTS
http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1148596-6078-0,00.html
EMI Group has sued AOL Time Warner, claiming the world's largest
media company has been playing songs on its Turner Broadcasting
network and America Online Internet service without paying for
them. The dispute pits the owners of two of the major recording
companies against each other at a time when they are working
together with the rest of the recording industry to fight against
copyright violations by various online operations.


RIAA TO APPEAL INTERNET RADIO ROYALTY RATES
http://www.riaa.com/PR_Story.cfm?id=542
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today
announced its intent to file a court appeal of the June 20
decision by the Librarian of Congress on royalty rates for
Internet radio. The RIAA intends to argue that the Librarian’s
interpretation of the deal with Yahoo! was incorrect, and that
the Librarian improperly threw out 140 licensing deals that the
record companies and RIAA signed with webcasters and other
similiar companies.


RECORDING INDUSTRY GROUPS APPEAL WEB ROYALTIES RULING
http://www.nandotimes.com/technology/story/492069p-3924942c.html
Both sides in the dispute over Internet music royalties said
Wednesday they will appeal a recent federal decision setting
royalty rates for music broadcast over the Internet. In June, the
U.S. Copyright Office decided to charge Webcasters 70 cents per
song heard by 1,000 listeners. That decision angered both
Internet music broadcasters, who said the rate was still too
high, and the recording industry, which said it did not fairly
compensate artists and labels. About two dozen Internet
broadcasters, including America Online Inc., Listen.com and
Live365.com, also notified the court of their intention to
appeal, according to the Digital Media Association.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Resources
-----------------------------------------------------------------

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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Services available through the Music Biz Academy!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

These are partnerships we've created though channels and
connections we've established over the years. In other words, we
recommend them because we trust them. If you're looking for help
in any of the following areas, these should be strongly
considered.


CD MANUFACTURING and DUPLICATION
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/cdmanufacturing.htm
MusicBizAcademy.com has teamed up with Northwestern Media to
bring you quality CD manufacturing and duplication at a very
reasonable price. Why NW Media? Because this is the company we
ourselves use. We have partnered with them because we know how
very hard it is to find a good, reasonably priced manufacturer
that offers both great service and a high quality product. We
have been VERY satisfied with the work NW Media has done for us.
You simply cannot do much better, on quality, service, or price.


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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Want to share this newsletter with others? Subscribing is easy!
To automatically subscribe, just send email to:
MusicBizAcademy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Music Biz Academy Digest - Issue #41 - August 6th, 2002
An update from http://www.musicbizacademy.com.

This is a subscriber only newsletter. If for any reason you wish
to unsubscribe from this mailing list, simply email
MusicBizAcademy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome, subscribers to the August 6th edition of the Music Biz
Academy Digest!


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT....
Here's the stuff you ought to know:

First, a bill was introduced into congress just over a week ago
by Howard Berman, (D-Calif) that would allow the recording
industry to essentially hack into your peer-to-peer network if
you are suspected of trading music files illegally. To quote
Salon.com, "Berman's bill, the Peer to Peer Piracy Prevention
Act, allows record companies to respond to the "theft" of
copyrighted materials by 'disabling, interfering with, blocking,
diverting, [or] otherwise impairing' a peer-to-peer file-trading
network. As long as record companies do these things to prevent
the trading of their copyrighted works, they couldn't be
prosecuted under computer crime statutes."

Most analysts believe this bill has no chance of passing anytime
soon. See http://tinyurl.com/xet for Salon's complete analysis of
this development. See also
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/3734965.htm

Secondly, the "B.E.A.M. (Benefiting Emerging Artist in Music)"
Grant Program, sponsored by Jim Beam Music, is coming to an end.
If you'd like to submit your band for consideration, you've got
until the end of this month. Jim Beam will award $100,000 in
grants to artists all across the U.S.A.. Bands can use the
no-strings-attached grants as they choose, such as buying new
equipment, renting practice space, promoting a new release, or
creating that killer T-shirt for your fans. Enter now at
http://www.jimbeam.com/jb_web/content/Music_Programs/beam.asp

Thirdly, PressPlay.com, one of the Internet's largest digital
music subscription services, has announced a new price and
service structure which gives users unlimited streaming as well
as unlimited music downloads from its library of over 100,000
tracks. The 'unlimited plus' service, which costs $17.95 per
month, includes a 10-pack of 'portable downloads', which
essentially means you are allowed to burn a CD of up to 10 songs
a month. (sort of like getting a free CD of your choice each
month with your subscription). You can purchase more 'portable
download' packs for an additional fee. A 10 song pack of costs
$9.95, a 20-pack $18.95.

I'm very glad to see PressPlay moving toward a more appealing
online music subscription model. Though you pay for access to
online music, you get something of value in return. I'd still
like to see a 'legal' Napster-like file-trading service - all
access, no restrictions - for a reasonable monthly fee. But, At
least we are seeing some movement in that direction. Any movement
is positive movement. Thank you PressPlay. For more on this,
visit PressPlay at http://www.pressplay.com/ .

Finally, from the 'trading places' dept., check out the new 'Rock
Manager' software. You get to pretend you're managing a rock band
and your goal is to 'use any means necessary to make the band
climb the charts (because) anything goes in this strung-out world
of swindle, lies and rock ’n’ roll.' It's brutal, but that's the
music biz. http://www.msnbc.com/news/788747.asp?cp1=1

Until next time,

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

---

FROM THE STUDIO TO THE STREETS
MARKETING YOUR MUSIC IN A DIGITAL AGE
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/internet/workshop.htm
The Music Biz Academy is honored to take part in "From the Studio
to the Streets: Marketing Your Music in a Digital Age." This
Portland, Oregon workshop features a panel of music business
professionals, including David Nevue, author of 'How to Promote
Your Music Successfully on the Internet' and founder of The Music
Biz Academy. How do you and your music fit into the Digital Age?
If you've ever wondered, this workshop is for you. Join us in
Portland, on August 24th, at 11am.


-----------------------------------------------------------------

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!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Latest Additions To The Academy
http://musicbizacademy.com/articles/
-----------------------------------------------------------------

CUTTING A 'HOT' CD
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/hotcd.htm
A common problem: You buy all that cool gear so you can record as
much as you like on your own, and then your CD comes back 6 db
softer than commercial products. Yikes! Since you want your CD to
sound as competitive as possible, it's important to know why
there's a difference. Article by John Vestman.


MUSIC BUSINESS INTERNSHIPS DO'S AND DON'TS
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/interns.htm
Today, anyone who wants a career producing, engineering, or
working in one of the many music-oriented jobs in the recording
industry has many choices when it comes to educating themselves
about the business. In this article, find out how to find a music
business internship, and how to improve your chances of turning
your intership into a career. Article by Chris Knab.


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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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BRUCE MILLER MIXING & MASTERING
http://bruceamiller.us/
We don't review many mixing and mastering services, but this
service by
Bruce Miller, who has engineered work for Miles Davis, Yes,
Mariah Carey, Canibus, Lost Boyz, Dave Matthews, Luthor Vandross,
Whitney Houston, and many others, really caught our eye. Bruce
provides a number of services to musicians, including mixing,
mastering, production, recording and editing. If you're in the
market for any of these services, you simply must check out
Bruce's 'Starving Artist Special'. Essentially, you name your own
rate. Tell Bruce what your mastering budget is, and that's what
you start from. All reasonable bids will be considered.


MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE
http://www.musicconnection.com/
Music Connection has been paving the way for the amateur and
professional musician for over 25 years now. Based in Los
Angeles, MC contains articles for everyone on all aspects of the
music business, from getting started to information on where to
find publishers, record labels and so on. Whether discussing raw
survival or the factors contributing to breakthrough success,
Music Connection examines and defines the realities of music
making. It's readership is now up over 75,000. Each issue
includes a directory, list or guide focusing on a wide array of
businesses and services which support a career in music. Music
Connection also contains the largest Free Classified section of
its kind in any publication -- and the ads are absolutely free!
You'll find exclusive cover stories, an A&R report, songworks
(the craft of songwriting), info on the latest studio gear, and
more.


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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/
The ISC invites you to enter your songs now to win a Grand Prize
of $5,000 in cash and $20,000 in merchandise/services and
a chance to have your music heard by the music industry's top
decision makers and musicians! 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. A total of $60,000 in 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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SOUR NOTES
http://tinyurl.com/xet
The legal crackdown hasn't squelched MP3 trading -- it's just
made it more of a pain. But the music industry would still rather
fight than give its online customers what they want.


SO YOU WANNA CREATE A ROCK STAR?
http://www.msnbc.com/news/788747.asp?cp1=1
It’s not surprising that the music business, where
sometimes-volatile musicians who passionate about their art have
to work with big record companies that are passionate about their
profits, can be a rough-and-tumble industry. If you’ve ever been
tempted to jump into the fray, you may want to pick up a copy of
“Rock Manager,” a new $20 CD-ROM simulation from DreamCatcher
Interactive.


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Book Review
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I realize it's rather shameless of me to include a review of my
own book in my own newsletter, but hey, what's the point of press
if you can't use it?

This review from Peacework Music just came out this week.
Peacework is an international distributor and record label. Be
sure to stop by their web site at http://www.peaceworkmusic.net/
for a visit.

B o o k R e v i e w: by Jef Peace
Reviewed for Peacework Music - http://www.peaceworkmusic.net/

HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC SUCCESSFULLY ON THE INTERNET
http://www.musicbizacademy.com/bookstore/htpromotemusic.htm

Almost immediately (the first page after the Table Of Contents)
we see the question "Will You Make Millions?"  The answer
following the question is refreshing in this jaded world of
get-rich-quick-schemes and scams . . . "The Internet is not a
shortcut to success, it's simply another tool, and one that can
be very effective in the hands of someone who knows how to use
it."  The author is up-front with the reality of internet
self-promotion and that is commendable.

The rest of the book is filled with very useful information,
including current links to the various tools and research that is
used. I tested every single link in the book and every one was
exactly what the author said it was. This, in itself, is quite
unusual and again, commendable.

You will find sections on how to fine-tune your website and
tailor it to meet the anticipated needs of your fans as well as
optimize it for the search engines. You will find out what a
press release is, how to write an effective one and where to send
it. There's useful information regarding how to put samples of
your music on your website and links to the free software needed
for this task. There's an entire chapter devoted to mp3.com and
even a chapter letting you know about promotional plans that
DON'T work.

I will give my personal guarantee that if you follow the plan
this book lays down, you will do exactly as the title indicates
and successfully promote your music on the internet and I
heartily endorse this book as the best manual on internet
self-promotion that I've read to date.  In fact, I picked a few
valuable tips myself!


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Featured Music Industry News
http://www.musicbizacademy.com
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PRESSPLAY 2.0 OFFERS UNLIMITED MUSIC DOWNLOADS - SORT OF
http://geek.com/news/geeknews/2002Jul/gee20020801015704.htm
The Pressplay Internet music service, formed by Sony and Vivendi,
has a new pricing scheme and service. Users signing up for
Pressplay 2.0 can download unlimited music titles and listen to
unlimited streams for US$9.95 a month. Upping that to a payment
of $17.95 per month gives users "10 Portable Downloads" which can
be burned to CD and/or moved to portable digital music
players. Pressplay offers a catalog of over 100,000 songs.
Unlimited songs can be downloaded with the new plans and listened
to as long as the user remains a member of the service.


BORDERS BOOKS & TAXI TO PROMOTE UNSIGNED ACTS
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=39793
Borders Books and Music today announced it will work with TAXI,
the world's leading independent artist and repertoire company, to
regionally discover, distribute and promote unsigned musical acts
who are already superstars in their local communities.


MACROVISION AWARDED CD COPY PROTECTION PATENT
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=39793
Macrovision Corporation, the leading developer and supplier of
copy protection, electronic licensing and digital rights
management (DRM) technologies, announced that it has been awarded
U.S. Patent #6,353,890 for a method of copy protecting CD
content.


ARTEMIS RECORDS TO WAIVE INTERNET RADIO FEES
http://www.artemisrecords.com/newsarticle.asp?id=66
Artemis Records has agreed to issue licenses to Internet radio
for one year for the master use of songs by all Artemis recording
artists. During this period, beginning August 1, 2002, Artemis
will waive the royalty payments that would otherwise be due them.
Currently, non-interactive streaming radio or Internet radio
stations must pay a royalty rate to the record companies.
"In allowing free use of our catalog at this early stage we hope
to sti