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Messages - imin

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31
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: September 18, 2008, 05:33:07 PM »
Not a dumb question at all. 
Concerts happen to be the one true saving grace for independent musicians and where I do the bulk of my sales.  Doesn't impress the labels at all.  You'd be amazed, or maybe not, at the number of really wonderful musicians who have created a little niche for themselves locally but, can not get arrested by the major labels.  Again, the major labels are imploding to be sure.  Where once there were seven or eight major labels there are now only three and even they are running on deficit spending (can't find their butts with both hands when it comes to sales or the internet competition) - but they still have that allure of being able to give an artist credibility and widespread exposure that even the internet cannot give.  Catch 22

check out the creativity of this guy when you get a chance (not original compositions but the editing is noteworthy)
http://www.myspace.com/symphoniacal
All the best,
-JR

32
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: September 13, 2008, 06:37:10 PM »
Hi guys,
        Thanks BuckeyefaninOhio , Tpirfan28, lfmusiclover  and everyone.  I think some of you really do understand my plight.  It's not about the money.  It is about reaching a higher level in the game. 
        THe market has radically shifted - Jazz stations changing formats, smaller labels be consumed by larger ones or simply going under due in no small part to their lack of anticipation regarding the internet and it's impact.  We live in an age of voyeurism....simply put, people not only want immediate gratification they also want to see themselves (hence the off-the-chain popularity of sites like facebook, MySpace & YouTube).  While it does wonders for creating new channels for provocative insightful and creative sharing of ideas, music and video - it is now in fact glutted.  Quantity vs Substance.
       There is even a debilitating limitation on the branding of musical styles. ‘Smooth Jazz’ is unfortunately the umbrella that the industry has put EVERYTHING which is not Hip-Hop into.  Why? Because there is a void. There is no other categorization.  Black music has suffered in the worst way from this limitation.
        Historically, each recording label had a 'Black Music Department' responsible for developing & nurturing Black talent which therefore had a much broader spectrum of styles including Jazz, Adult Contemporary, R&B, Funk.  But because of the success of rap groups like RunDMC and Public Enemy in 'crossing-over' to predominantly White audiences - the record labels quickly saw an opportunity to make more money.  After all, it is well documented that Whites, not Blacks are the biggest consumers of Hip-Hop.  The Major Recording Companies dismantled Black Music Departments thereby leaving Black Music in the hands of people who care only about the bottom line.  Record Companies knew the quickest access to the largest amount of money was to be made through the pockets of rebellious White teens whose parents support them through their disposable income; and chose to reach them by exploiting Blacks demeaning themselves and portraying fictitious acts and lifestyles of violent anti-social behavior.  This ‘style’ of music has been fostered exclusively leaving no room for the growth and support of other varieties including (my personal interest) Adult Contemporary.  They did this not because there was no market – but, because it was not a quick sell.  In their short sightedness they didn't notice they were killing the creative engine which was Black Music.  Music has become so boring and one dimensional now across ALL styles.  They forgot to even notice the internet's growing popularity.  Once the mp3 was born the record industry's demise was at hand.  Too long had fans been paying over-inflated prices for CD's which once opened only had two or three cuts which were worth playing.  Napster was an instant success!
        That's probably WAY more than any of you wanted to hear.  but it is frustrating.  With all of that said - The goal is a P/D or artist deal because, a recording label does still lend a new artist credibility and more widespread promotion and marketing than can be obtained independently.  It's truly about reaching the next level and gaining the same status that someone like Dave Koz has.
All the best,
-JR

33
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: September 08, 2008, 11:31:42 AM »
Hey Guys,
        I already have an album on CD Baby, but thank you for the suggestion.  It's probably pretty hard for you to really get the crux of the matter. you see, it's one thing to create a product and then stand on a corner and sell said product out of the trunk of your car i. e. CD Baby and other internet sites.  It's quite another thing to be able to take said product to a higher level of visibility and credibility by having said product available in chain stores, reviewed by major press and played by major radio stations.  There is a credibility which that kind of product placement warrants which cannot be gotten standing on the corner selling product out of the trunk of your car.
       While there are a few jazz singers out there (and currently ANY Black female not singing Hip-Hop is considered Jazz) - there are currently NO female jazz instrumentalists getting the kind of exposure that they deserve - this is ludicrous.  I have put many years and much sweat equity into my music. I believe the music itself is comparable to any male artist playing music in the 'Smooth Jazz' genre.  If Dave Koz is getting airplay I believe my music deserves like treatment. 
      I have spent a large anount of time building contacts, slogging thru inflated egos and self-absorbed businessmen who care nothing about music as anything other than a commodity - just trying very hard to get a foot in the door of the record labels for the reasons explained above - credibility & widespread exposure which cannot be gotten from an independent level. 
     Dudes, it's about way more than just selling 20 or so CD's - you get?

34
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: August 21, 2008, 10:52:51 AM »
Hi Victor,
The first song listed is U Should've Told Me' and the second is 'Familiar Strangers'
best,
-JR

35
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: August 12, 2008, 12:21:13 PM »
Please put up some comments on MySpace.  :cool3:
All the best,
-Jeanne

36
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: August 12, 2008, 02:16:02 AM »
Thank you for the support - Just 4U :fire:  Hope you enjoy.

'The River'


All the best,
-Jeanne

37
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: August 10, 2008, 10:52:19 AM »
Hi Victor-
Nope, that one is nice but, not mine.  On the 'August Playlist' messageboard page, the 2nd song you listed as 'possibly Jeanne Ricks' is my song 'Cold Comfort' which, assuming I can ever find a home for my music, will be on the CD.  Still being ignored by the record labels, but still trying.
All the best,
-Jeanne

38
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: July 05, 2008, 07:25:01 PM »
Hey BuckeyefanOhio
I'd really appreciate your assist with the folks at 'Head's Up'.  That would be a great label to be on (Najee is there too) but, I haven't been able to get past the gatekeeper there either.  It is SOoooooo frustrating!!
All the best,
-JR

39
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: July 04, 2008, 10:46:11 PM »
You're more than welcome Gary.  Would've put it up a week ago but, my computer got fried when I tried to upload service pack 3 for Windows.  The repair person says the operating system must be reloaded which will effectively fry all my applications and require that I reload all my programs and get new authorization codes etc.  It will be a tremendous amount of work.  Not happy   :furious: :furious:

A friend gave me a loaner so at least I'm back in the world.
All the best,
-JR

40
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: July 04, 2008, 10:36:06 PM »
'One Life'

41
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: June 23, 2008, 07:08:40 PM »
Don't want to blaspheme.  But, I've been trying to find out for years who does the music programming for the cable company Optimum.  They have music running behind their channel guide and for the life of me I've never been able to find out who to submit music to.  Anybody, have a notion?
    Also, I went through my files again and actually found the original 'One Life' but, I don't see where you upload clips on here.
-JR

42
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: June 23, 2008, 06:24:55 PM »
Just got off the phone with the new admin guy (Steve Hurst's replacement) at The Weather Channel and he's putting some new tunes of mine on in August and there'll be lots of new songs to follow-up.  A bad bout of Carpal Tunnel had me restricted to south paw only for nearly 4 months but, I had a great PT and am running full tilt now.
-JR

43
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: June 23, 2008, 06:20:55 PM »
Absolutely - 'Summer Rain' is one of my favorites - even though it's obvious your preference is towards Ryan Farish!
-JR

44
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: June 23, 2008, 06:14:27 PM »
'Winter Heat' is actually on the new CD and 'Clea's Day' is earmarked for the next one (assuming I can get distribution for this one).  Funny you should mention 'One Life' I have been searching for that song myself and cannot find the original song program sequence or recording  (made digital transfers and not everything came over neatly).  The ONLY mixed rendition of it that remains has some terrible digital chatter.  So, I'll need to record it again from scratch - which means you guys won't like it  :wacko:
-JR

45
Local Forecast / Re: New Album - I Need Your Help
« on: June 23, 2008, 05:52:15 PM »
Also, wanted to clarify.  When I said 8 track, I was referring to multi tracks not, those cartridges that they had back in the 70's. 
      The tape I used was 1/4" reel-to-reel but, it was limited to only 8 multi tracks as opposed to the new version of 'Simple Pleasure' which was recorded to hard drive and stores anywhere from 24 tracks to infinity (in theory & depending upon your available memory)
-JR

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