Thanks to the Da-Rum Podcast (from Germany) for featuring my music in September's show.
Check out the site.
News, quotes and random thoughts on my musical journey.
Aug 31, 2006
Aug 30, 2006
Nothing is free
When I was a kid I used to get all excited when something was free (anything material). My grandfather would then tell me, "somebody paid for it." He was always right.
Universal Music has announced they will back start-up, SpiralFrog, a new digital music service providing "free" downloads. The business model is advertising-supported, costing both the listeners/viewers and sponsors.
The SpiralFrog site states DRM (digital rights management) will be used in all audio and video material. Hmm... not sure how I feel. We'll have to wait and see how this is all presented. I prefer uninterrupted ad-free music & video. I also prefer the ability to burn a CD as well as listen on my computer and mobile devices. I don't like restrictions on my entertainment. It's like taking my freedom away from driving from one state to the next. You can go here, but not there.
Nothing material is free. I'll gladly pay for freedom. Of course there are laws around freedom. The laws are just not working in the music world. It’s an extremely tough world to police. Piracy ticks me off as much as the next artist. The problem lies within society, education, government, etc. It our values and morals that are screwed up. The human spirit has been tampered with and guiltless thievery is occurring all over the world. We're (artists) not all millionaires with multiple endorsements. Artists rely on sales royalties. However, there is the other end of the spectrum, and many music lovers avoid piracy and support the artists they love (as they want the artists to continue making music).
I'm not saying SpiralFrog is bad idea. The payment process is simply not my preference and there is a lot of controversy around DRM (often referred to as "digital restrictions management").
My favorite digital music resource is Magnatune.com (no DRM, read more here). The music is Creative Commons licensed and music lovers can listen for free (at the expense of Magnatune staff and technology) or download at the price they name ($5-$18 per album). It has proved to be an extremely positive resource for my albums. I've had fans and businesses all over the world discover and license my music through Magnatune. Many contact me directly stating how much they appreciate the freedom to download my music in any popular format and use my music as they wish (non commercially, unless licensed).
Check out interesting information about information policy issues at http://ipaction.org.
(a lot of thoughts in this post...I could have gone on all day)
Universal Music has announced they will back start-up, SpiralFrog, a new digital music service providing "free" downloads. The business model is advertising-supported, costing both the listeners/viewers and sponsors.
The SpiralFrog site states DRM (digital rights management) will be used in all audio and video material. Hmm... not sure how I feel. We'll have to wait and see how this is all presented. I prefer uninterrupted ad-free music & video. I also prefer the ability to burn a CD as well as listen on my computer and mobile devices. I don't like restrictions on my entertainment. It's like taking my freedom away from driving from one state to the next. You can go here, but not there.
Nothing material is free. I'll gladly pay for freedom. Of course there are laws around freedom. The laws are just not working in the music world. It’s an extremely tough world to police. Piracy ticks me off as much as the next artist. The problem lies within society, education, government, etc. It our values and morals that are screwed up. The human spirit has been tampered with and guiltless thievery is occurring all over the world. We're (artists) not all millionaires with multiple endorsements. Artists rely on sales royalties. However, there is the other end of the spectrum, and many music lovers avoid piracy and support the artists they love (as they want the artists to continue making music).
I'm not saying SpiralFrog is bad idea. The payment process is simply not my preference and there is a lot of controversy around DRM (often referred to as "digital restrictions management").
My favorite digital music resource is Magnatune.com (no DRM, read more here). The music is Creative Commons licensed and music lovers can listen for free (at the expense of Magnatune staff and technology) or download at the price they name ($5-$18 per album). It has proved to be an extremely positive resource for my albums. I've had fans and businesses all over the world discover and license my music through Magnatune. Many contact me directly stating how much they appreciate the freedom to download my music in any popular format and use my music as they wish (non commercially, unless licensed).
Check out interesting information about information policy issues at http://ipaction.org.
(a lot of thoughts in this post...I could have gone on all day)
Aug 26, 2006
Little League World Series
Check out the Little League World Series special section presented by Active.com. I'm actually a participant and helped put together the section and content (this is a glimpse at some of the other things I do). The section contains some fantastic behind the scenes and historical content on everything that goes into such a major youth sports event.
The International Championship is tomorrow night on ABC Sports. Georgia (the US champs) will take on either Mexico or Asia.
The International Championship is tomorrow night on ABC Sports. Georgia (the US champs) will take on either Mexico or Asia.
Aug 25, 2006
We're all human
“Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.”
~ U. Thant, Burmese diplomat and third Secretary General of the United Nations (1909-1974)
Respect is where progress can start. We cannot move forward in any positive manner without taking the time to understand each other. Ignorance, impatience and lack of respect is a recipe for disaster.
Mmm... griddlecakes
Thanks to the Rons at the Griddlecakes Radio Podcast for featuring my music in Griddlesode #S2-001.
Check out their site.
Check out their site.
Aug 24, 2006
New life for used books
Already with about 10,000 available books, the new Web site BookMooch.com is offering an unprecedented way to attain and give new life to used books. The site was created by Magnatune and Lyris founder, John Buckman, one of my favorite modern day entrepreneurs.
Completely free to join and use, BookMooch.com is truly a genius resource. BookMooch.com utilizes a point system to attain books (as well as feedback scores).
If you wish to give your points away, you can donate points to charities and other causes (listed below).
Charitable Fund: a pool of charitable points we give to organizations we believe are worthy
Public libraries: allows libraries to stock their shelves for free
Children's Hospitals: kids can order books directly from their hospital beds
BookMooch Owners: to thank us for running BookMooch
Completely free to join and use, BookMooch.com is truly a genius resource. BookMooch.com utilizes a point system to attain books (as well as feedback scores).
If you wish to give your points away, you can donate points to charities and other causes (listed below).
Charitable Fund: a pool of charitable points we give to organizations we believe are worthy
Public libraries: allows libraries to stock their shelves for free
Children's Hospitals: kids can order books directly from their hospital beds
BookMooch Owners: to thank us for running BookMooch
Aug 22, 2006
Great new travel site
I love to travel, so I must share a great site I found today.
http://www.turnhere.com/
The site provides video guides for travel destinations, local events, restaurants and more. (A great site for any of you with a business to market yourself in a local search.)
http://www.turnhere.com/
The site provides video guides for travel destinations, local events, restaurants and more. (A great site for any of you with a business to market yourself in a local search.)
Debut of new songs
I performed a couple of my new songs this past weekend at a local event. I received great feedback and believe I'm heading in the right direction with my new project. Getting fired up.
Aug 18, 2006
Great piano
I was looking at old photos and came across this piano shot where I last recorded. I love Kawai pianos. I'm going to have to track another one down in Los Angeles that fits my touch and sound. I do not currently plan to record in the same location as I did for Woods of Chaos. The next album will be a bit more subtle. 
Aug 15, 2006
Scotch on the Rocks
Thanks to Lance at the Scotch on the Rocks Podcast for featuring my music in show #9.
Check out his site.
Check out his site.
Aug 12, 2006
Baby on the way
My wife just had another ultrasound this week. Everyone is healthy and the heartbeat is 154. Truly amazing. We can't wait until the baby is born to find out the sex. It's too exciting, like the holidays or your birthday (when they used to be fun, prior to 21). We find out the sex in about 4 weeks. Pretty soon I can start playing classical (and my own) music to the baby. When born, maybe he or she will immediatly start playing Chopin's Prelude in E Minor. :)
"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on."
~ Carl Sandburg
"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one."
~ Leo J. Burke
"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on."
~ Carl Sandburg
"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one."
~ Leo J. Burke
Aug 10, 2006
Rid the gloom
"The best cure for worry, depression, melancholy, brooding, is to go deliberately forth and try to lift with one's sympathy the gloom of somebody else."
~ Arnold Bennett
~ Arnold Bennett
Aug 7, 2006
Loose Ends Show
Thanks to Tom & Adele at the Loose Ends Show Podcast for featuring my music in show #49.
Check out their site.
Check out their site.
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