Blues In The Digital Age

RIP Morris “Magic Slim” Holt – August 7, 1937 to February 21, 2013 February 21, 2013

Magic Slim, a revered and towering figure in the field of traditional Chicago blues, died today in a Philadelphia hospital at the age of 75. Born Morris Holt in Torrance, Mississippi in 1937, the guitarist performer, bandleader, and recording artist went on to enjoy a career that launched him to national and international recognition and acclaim.

Slim was one of the foremost practitioners of the raw, gut-bucket, back alley blues associated with the postwar Chicago blues sound. He and his band, the Teardrops, were known as “the last real Chicago blues band” for their authentic, no-frills, straight-no-chaser performance of the music.

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Canadian Blues Heavyweight Contender on Track for World Title February 18, 2013

At 6 feet five inches and 240 pounds, with lightning fast hands, you might think James ‘Buddy’ Rogers was a contender for the Heavyweight Crown. And in fact he is, but not in any boxing ring. The hard-hitting Canadian-born blues guitarist is scoring a string of knockouts with his latest CD release “My Guitar’s My Only Friend” (Blue Wave Records).

Released mid-September 2012, the album has steadily climbed music charts around the world. Of nearly 3 million artists on ReverbNation Blues Charts he is currently #1 in British Columbia, #2 in Canada and #2 Globally. In all genres he is #21 and still climbing. Rogers entered the Living Blues Radio Chart for January 2013 at #21, and his rock inflected blues tunes are receiving extensive airplay in Canada, the US and Europe on over 500 stations including many US syndicated National Public Radio programs.

As his summer touring schedule begins to fill with some of the largest blues festivals in the country he seems a shoe-in as a top contender for the WBA (World Blues Association) Heavyweight Crown.

http://www.jamesbuddyrogers.com

“In addition to the fine lyrics, the guitar playing is top notch modern blues. The whole band is strong, but this is Rogers’ album and he is the star musically. He stretches out his playing on several cuts, only one song is less than three minutes and it is the best showcase of his playing, “Buddy’s Walk.”
– Charlie DuMez, Blues Rock Review

“Choosing favourite songs off of this CD is like trying to pick a favourite child.”
– Richard Amery, L.A. Beat

“”My Guitar’s My Only Friend” was my first intro to James “Buddy” Rogers, and what a great intro is was, one that truly had me not only becoming an instant fan but also has me really looking forward to more of his music in the future, but for now, I am pretty glad I have this little treasure to listen to.”
– John Vermilyea, Blues Underground Network

Media contact:

Sarah French Publicity
sarah@sarahfrenchpublicity.co

Six-Figure Musician: How to Make $100,000 (or More) with Your Music February 1, 2013

Welcome to MusicianBook.com, the home of Six-Figure Musician – How to Sell More Music, Get More People to Your Shows, and Make More Money in the Music Business. This site has all the information you need about this book, including how you can get a copy free.

My name is David Hooper and I’m the author.

I help upcoming artists and songwriters to make more money in the music business. Since 1995, it’s what I’ve done on a daily basis.

If you want to make more money in the music business, this book is for you.

Watch this video for a quick summary…

My belief is that today’s music business has more opportunity for musicians and songwriters than ever before. If you’re willing to take control of your career and embrace change, you can be successful.

Six-Figure Musician – How to Sell More Music, Get More People to Your Shows, and Make More Money in the Music Business is 272 pages of “big picture” ideas and proven marketing strategies that will help you to succeed in the new music business. It is a realistic, hype-free guide that will help you get to unleash your music and make a great living.

Right now, you can get a copy free.

Why Free?

The “short answer” is that I’m more interested in spreading ideas that can change the music business than making a few bucks. I don’t want a few dollars to be a barrier to people getting this very important information. Letting you download the book for free lets those who feel they can’t afford it access the information as well as lets those who can afford it suspend their skepticism and try it before purchasing.

My goal is to provide you with so much value that, even though you can get the entire book for free, you’ll still want to pay for it.

If you’d like to purchase this book and help support what I’m doing, I have a couple of low-priced, paid options available, including a $2.99 Kindle version and a paperback for under $20. There is also an audio book you can get free with a trial subscription to Audible.

If you feel this information is worthwhile and you’d like to support me in creating future books, I hope you’ll choose one of the paid options.

What’s Inside

Fail Fast, Fail Often • Be a Little Better, Do a Little Better • Which of These 7 Qualities Do You Have? • Is This a Dream? • What Will Happen to the Phone Sex Girls? • Paralyzed Musicians • It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect • Impact • The Magic Bullet to Ensure Success In Music • Ease • How to Choose Your Path • Don’t Get Too Comfortable • Getting Used to Change • 7 Ways to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and Start Taking Risks • The Myth of the Overnight Success • Resilience • The Record Label Fantasy • Payola • Musician Wins Lotto • Spray and Pray • How to Get a Record Deal • Two Different Acts With a Single Thing In Common • Play Your Game • The Do-It-Yourself Record Company Model • Is a Record Deal Right for You? • Don’t Wait to Get Started • Use a Laser, Not a Wrecking Ball • Your Ideal Customer • Music Marketing Simplified • Fun Works Both Ways • 7 Tips to Build Rapport With Fans (Or Anybody) • “Dance With the One That Brung Ya.” • The “Secret Code” of Fans • Start Where You Are • Let Your Freak Flag Fly • Watch for Patterns • Alienate Some People • Embrace the Slow Burn • Flash In the Pan • Empathy – An Essential (And Profitable) Skill • 9 Ways to Keep Your Career Moving Forward • Two Acts, Two Outcomes • “Those Guys Are Still Around?” • If a Tree Falls and Nobody Is Around to Hear It … • Own the Media • The Power of One • A Word On Fan Relationships • Ways to Engage Fans Using Social Media • 13 Tips for Social Media Success • Social Media Rules for You and Your Team • The Power of Social Media In Offline Integration • Welcome to the V.I.P. Section • One Way to Screw Everything Up and Lose All Your Fans • The Majority of People Are Not Like You • How Most People Think About Music • Know What You’re Selling • How to Go Big • The Power of Making People Feel Good • What People Want • This Is Never About You • Your Relationship With Fans • The “Superfan” • How to Compete (And Win) In the Music Business • Honesty Will Take You a Long Way • Digital Music Is Invisible • The Drip Method • Music Marketing Lessons From a Gas Station • If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em • The Value of Music Piracy • Are You Moving Closer to Your Goals? • 8 Ways to Make Money Giving Your Music Away for Free • What Are Your Music Business Goals? • The Biggest Problem You (And Other Musicians) Will Face • The 80/20 Rule • The Balance of Business and Art • Taking Care of Business • How to Segment Your Work • Your Key to Getting Things Done • If You Want Something Done Right … • How to Avoid Burnout • The Movie Man • Segment Your Mailing List • Forget the Format and Distribution • Forget the Website • The Harsh Reality of the Music Business (And How to Navigate It) • How to Use Email Effectively • Does This Sound Like You? • Give People a Reason to Sign Up for Your List • Do Email Marketing the Right Way • Sending Postcards • Best Examples of Selling Music and Merch At Live Shows • Phone Calls • What to Do When People Say No • Audio Messages • Text Messages • Video Messages • Make Fans Feel Important • The Live Show Experience • Ways to Sell Merchandise At Your Live Show • The Importance of Social Proof • Selling Music Beyond the Live Show • Catering to the Collectors • Think Beyond Music

Thanks for your interest in Six-Figure Musician – How to Sell More Music, Get More People to Your Shows, and Make More Money in the Music Business. Input your name and email address below to get a free copy.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book after you’re done reading it. And if you have any questions, let me know.

The best way to reach me is via Twitter or Facebook. My blog at MusicMarketing.com also has some money-making ideas you’ll find helpful.

I’ve got some cool stuff for indie musicians coming up over the next few months. New ways for you to promote yourself, some opportunities for you to get your music in film and television shows, and more.

So let’s keep in touch.

Enjoy Six-Figure Musician!

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The 29th Annual International Blues Challenge Semi-Finalists Announced (A Long List) February 1, 2013

The semi-finalists are:

Blues Hall
5:00 Grand River Blues Society-Brendan J Stephens (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
5:40 Pomeroy Blues + Jazz Society-Pett Crow (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 France Blues-Oliver Gotti
7:00 Columbus Blues Alliance-Micah Kesselring
7:40 Washington Blues Society-Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely
8:20 Spa City Blues Society-Salt & Pepper
9:00 Blues Society of Central Pennsylvania-John “JT” Thompson & Andy Tolins
9:40 Connecticut Blues Society-Steve Balkun
10:20 Slovakblues-Lubos Bena & Charlie Slavik

Dancing Jimmy’s
5:00 Connecticut Blues Society-The Bobby Paltauf Experience (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
5:40 River Basin Blues Society-Hunter Konopasek (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Baltic Blues-Abi Wallenstein & Martin Roettger
7:00 Topeka Blues Society-Rachelle Coba
7:40 Illinois Central Blues Club-Robert Sampson
8:20 Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival-Thom Swift
9:00 Massachusetts Blues Society-Satoru Nakagawa
9:40 Toronto Blues Society-Suzie Vinnick
10:20 Houston Blues Society-John Egan

King’s Palace
5:00 Colorado Blues Society-JT & The Thunderbolts (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
5:40 Steel City Blues Society-Riley Road (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Detroit Blues Society-Sweet Willie Tea
7:00 Edmonton Blues Society-Graham Guest
7:40 Kansas City Blues Society-Shinetop n Hudspeth
8:20 The Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society-Gary Applegate
9:00 Dutch Blues Foundation-Robbert Fossen & Peter Struijk
9:40 Grand River Blues Society-Brendan J. Stephens
10:20 Sydney Blues Society-Doggn It

Silky O’Sullivan’s
4:20 Baltimore Blues Society-Bear Hutchinson (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
5:00 Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania-Shailen Abram (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
5:40 Boston Blues Society-Erin Harpe & Richard “Rosy” Rosenblatt
6:20 Gulf Coast Blues Society -Johnny Barbato & Dwight Everett
7:00 Atlanta Blues Society-Little G Weevil
7:40 Barcelona Blues Society-Suitcase Brothers
8:20 Memphis Blues Society-Little Boys Blue
9:00 North East Ohio Blues Association -Colin John
9:40 Blues Society of Tulsa-Wink Burcham & Kurt “Frenchie” Nielsen

Bands
Alfred’s
5:40 Cincy Blues Society-AbsoluteValue (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Phoenix Blues Society-The V-Knights (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
7:00 Minnesota Blues Society-Crankshaft & the Gear Grinders
7:40 Cincy Blues Society-Noah Wotherspoon Band
8:20 Blues Society of the Ozarks-Mojo Roots
9:00 Mojo Station-Davide Pannozzo & Loud Stuff
9:40 The Golden Gate Blues Society-HowellDevine

B.B. King’s
5:00 Arkansas River Blues Society-The Beckham Brothers (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
5:40 Natchel Blues Network-Carbon Jam (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Blues Society of Western New York-Dive House Union
7:00 Central Mississippi Blues Society-Jarekus Singleton Band
7:40 Columbus Blues Alliance-Mark May & the Soul Satyr Horns
8:20 Crossroads Blues Society of Rosedale-Ghost Town Blues Band
9:00 Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society-Andrea Marr Band
9:40 Toronto Blues Society-Shrimp Daddy & the Sharpshooters

Blues City Cafe
5:40 Indiana Blues Society-The Sad Sam Blues Jam (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Houston Blues Society-Texas 99 (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
7:00 Washington Blues Society-Sammy Eubanks
7:40 Bruce County Blues Society-MacKenzie Blues Band
8:20 Magic City Blues Society-DieDra & the Ruff Pro Band
9:00 Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola-All Night Long Blues Band
9:40 Grafton Blues Association-Alex Wilson Band

Club 152 1st Floor
5:40 Illinois Central Blues Club-Fedor & The Power Trio (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Philippine Blues Society-Electric Sala (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
7:00 Detroit Blues Society-Lady Sunshine & the X Band
7:40 Israel Blues Society-Ori Naftaly Band
8:20 Vicksburg Blues Society-Mr. Sipp & Kin Folk
9:00 Houston Blues Society-Brad Absher & Swamp Royale
9:40 Polish Blues Association-Blues Nightshift
10:20 Phoenix Blues Society-Sugar Thieves

Hard Rock Cafe
5:40 Atlanta Blues Society-38th Parallel (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Second Story Blues Alliance -The Zion Fritzinger Band (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
7:00 River City Blues Society (IL)-Jimmy Nick & Don’t Tell Mama
7:40 Dutch Blues Foundation-Sugar Boy & the Sinners
8:20 Nashville Blues Society-Rickey Godfrey Band
9:00 German Blues Network-Michael van Merwyk & Bluesoul
9:40 South Sound Blues Association-Blues Redemption

New Daisy Theater
5:00 DC Blues Society-The UnXpected (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
5:40 Croatian Blues Forces-4 TOWN BLUES BAND (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Nashville Blues Society-Cumberland Blue (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
7:00 Sacramento Blues Society-Used Blues Band
7:40 Illinois Central Blues Club-Back Pack Jones
8:20 Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society-Laurie Morvan Band
9:00 The Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society-Tee Dee Young
9:40 Windy City Blues Society-Kevin Purcell & the Nightburners
10:20 Lehigh Valley Blues Network-Maria Woodford Band

Rum Boogie Cafe
5:40 Los Angeles Blues Society-Chase Walker Band (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Crossroads Blues Society of Rosedale, Mississippi-Southern Halo (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
7:00 Decatur Blues Society-Blues Expressions
7:40 Croatian Blues Forces-Delta Blues Gang
8:20 West Virginia Blues Society-Mojo Theory
9:00 Blues Society of Tulsa-Dustin Pittsley Band
9:40 South Florida Blues Society-Joel DaSilva & the Midnight Howl

Flynn’s (Superior Bar)
6:20 Kentucky Blues Society-MO’ PIE (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
7:00 Black Swamp Blues Society-New Blues Street Project (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
7:40 Colorado Blues Society-Dan Treanor’s Afrosippi Band w/ Erica Brown
8:20 San Angelo Blues Society-Mike Milligan & the Altar Boyz
9:00 Natchel Blues Network-Anthony Rosano & the Conqueroos
9:40 River Basin Blues Society-Boscoe France Band
10:20 Charlotte Blues Society-The Cazanovas

Wet Willie’s
5:40 Detroit Blues Society-The Deals (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
6:20 Blues Lovers United of San Diego-Wyatt Lowe & The Youngbloods (YOUTH SHOWCASE)
7:00 North East Ohio Blues Association-Brighter Side Band
7:40 White Rock Blues Society-Poppa Dawg
8:20 Suncoast Blues Society-Selwyn Birchwood Band
9:00 European Blues Union-Meena Cryle & Chris Fillmore Band
9:40 Voodoo Blues Krewe New Orleans Blues Society-Jonathon “Boogie” Long & the Blues Revolution

Blues Pianist/Singer/Songwriter Ann Rabson, Co-Founder of Saffire–the Uppity Blues Women Dies January 30, 2013

Blues pianist/singer/songwriter/guitarist Ann Rabson died on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 in Fredericksburg, Virginia after a long battle with cancer. She was 67. Co-founder of the hugely successful trio Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women, Rabson was a legendary force on the keyboards as well as being a deeply soulful vocalist. She recorded eight albums with Saffire and one solo CD for Alligator Records, and released three solo albums for other labels. Her most recent was 2012’s Not Alone (VizzTone Records). Rabson’s prodigious talent, along with her take-no-guff attitude, struck a chord with music fans around the world. Considered one of the finest barrelhouse blues pianists of her generation, Rabson — an accomplished guitarist since she was a teen — didn’t start playing piano until she was 35. DownBeat magazine said that “Rabson plays bluesy, honky-tonk piano with sta ggering authority.”

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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces Initial Presenters, Performers and Ticketing for 28th Annual Induection Cderemony on April 18, 2013 January 23, 2013

Presale for American Express Cardmembers Begins January 24

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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Member and Fan Club Presales Start January 28

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Public On-Sale Begins February 1

CLEVELAND, OH and LOS ANGELES, CA (January 23, 2013) – HYPERLINK “http://www.rockhall.com/”The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the initial presenters, performers and ticketing information for the 28th Annual Rock and Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, to be held at HYPERLINK “http://nokiatheatrelalive.com/”Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 18, 2013. The ceremony will honor this year’s recently announced HYPERLINK “http://rockhall.com/inductees/”inductees: Heart, Albert King, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, Rush and Donna Summer; as well as Lou Adler and Quincy Jones, this year’s recipients of the Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement. Special guests at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction are set to include John Mayer and Gary Clark Jr., who will perform for King, with Mayer giving the induction speech; 1998 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Don Henley, who will induct Newman; Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson, who will perform in honor of Summer; and Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters, who will induct Rush. More details about performances, additional presenters and special guests will be announced at a later date.

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TBS Presents the Harrison Kennedy Band January 23, 2013

TBS Presents

The Harrison Kennedy Band (Hamilton, Ontario)

Saturday, February 2, @ George’s Roadhouse

Tickets $12 in adv. (call 536 9000) and $15 at the door

Special student price at the door only (ID required): $8

Hamilton, Ontario, may seem an unlikely blues enclave, but Harrison Kennedy has always made the locale work for him. No less then B.B. King has hailed Kennedy as Canada’s premier blues performer. Based for decades in this port and industrial centre on Lake Ontario, the 60 something vocalist-guitarist is moving south of the border with a distinctive new album,”ONE DOG BARKIN” Blues (Electro-Fi)

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Grammys Kick Off Landmark 2011 For Dr. John February 14, 2011

New York, NY– In a career that spans over 50 years, 2011 promises to be the biggest one yet for Dr. John. He will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Mar 14 in a gala ceremony at New York’s Waldorf Astoria. His latest album, ‘Tribal’ (429 Records), is nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album at this weekend’s, and continues to earn unanimous critical acclaim. In addition, his rendition of Randy Newman’s “Down in New Orleans” is nominated for Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media and the ‘Treme’ soundtrack, to which Dr. John contributes the track “Indian Red,” is also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.
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Big Head Todd Goes TELEFUNKEN For Stage And Studio February 9, 2011

Pictured with a new TELEFUNKEN U47 at Ardent Studios in Memphis, TN, is Todd Park Mohr recording “100 Years of Robert Johnson.” Photo by Anthony Scarlati.

M80s for Red Rocks DVD & Vintage Tubes for New Album at Ardent Studios

Big Head Todd and the Monsters were the first group to embrace the M80 dynamic microphone from TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik, now a favorite stage mic for bands such as Green Day and ZZ Top. For the recording of their new album, “100 Years of Robert Johnson,” the band chose a selection of TELEFUNKEN large diaphragm condenser tube mics, including the U47, AK-47 MkII, ELA M 260, and the stereo AR-70.

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