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Greetings!
The International music community is growing and creativity is strong. The time is now for you to move your products, songs, videos and performances to a higher and larger audience base. This issue contains information that will assist you in obtaining such a goal. Sincerely,
Allen JohnstonThe Music Specialist |
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International Soul Music Summit
MUSIC VS BUSINESS
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Don Mizell
 | | Don Mizell |
Music executive, attorney, producer Don Mizell has co-credit with 185 different artists. He has a J D degree from Harvard Law School, and was instrumental in the Dr Martin Luther King holiday. He has produced music from Donald Byrd, Nicole Henry, The Blackbyrds, Azar Lawrence, Lenny White and Walt Disney's Littlest Mermaid. His production of Ray Charles won him the Album of the Year Grammy (2007). Read his interview of Aretha Franklin here. |
 | | MOESKI, NICKI LYNCH |
Britney Matthews and her boss, Donna, are keeping a painful secret.Bruises on Britney's arm tell her co-workers that there's trouble in her home life.But to Britney, those bruises are exposing a life that she doesn't want anyone to know about.If her colleagues find out, it may come with some social repercussions. Who knew secret lives could bring so much pain? VIEW MOVIE HERE |
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MusicDish*China announced the launch of a new music video competition for independent Chinese artists and bands. Open to bands from the mainland, Hong Kong /Macau as well as Taiwan and
Singapore, the competition will offer them the opportunity to have their videos promoted on the MusicDishTV platform as well as by Chinese music portal Sohu (http://tv.sohu.com/music/ ). Bands can enter the competition at
http://china.musicdish.com/musicdishtv/
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The Voice is gearing up to cast the second season, coming this fall. For a fast track to in-person auditions (if we love what we hear) click here.
On the other hand, we need hit songs now! I mean, real hit songs - the kind that infect you upon first listen. These are songs that will be selected for the cast of The Voice to sing when requested to do original material. If you have a hit song to submit, click here.
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
Immediate Need - Smooth Jazz Songs for female Jazz vocalist
We are accepting demo submissions for an established FEMALE Asian JAZZ VOCALIST (Sony/BMG). The new album is slated for release in early 2012.
Melodic smooth Jazz only (think Sade/Basia) - Lyrics in English and must be female appropriate - Uptempo and ballads - Standard Publishing Deal - Artist is in Top 20 Global Jazz charts - Deadline September 1st, 2011.
World Music - Demo Submissions
Raining Heart Records is looking for exciting new World Music artists (solo artist or group - instrumental or vocals) to add to our music catalog. Please submit a demo of your best material for consideration. See some of the current albums here - http://www.tunecore.com/music/rainingheart
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
DAVE HOUSE - WHOOSSHOUSE WORLDWIDE / INTERSCOPE  Dave House Critique plus possible on-air placement for Urban Rhythmic or Top 40 acts seeking to get to the next level Feedback regarding: Production (how unique and nostalgic is the music) Content (as it relates to todays music climate) Attentive Potential (is the record interesting enough) Marketing Potential (is their an
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
Clipped Films LLC is seeking classical, chamber, ambiental and even gregorian chant music to license and use in our commercial products.
Clipped LLC designs, produces and manufactures music & video entertainment packages in collaboration with major museums and cultural institutions. Our clients include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Early Music New York. Clipped LLC melds traditional storytelling techniques with state-of-the-art audio-visual tools, combining classic works of art with the dynamic experience of the home theater. Our DVD productions are not only a complete entertainment package, but also seek to create an educational experience for the viewer.
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
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 | | Greg Allman |
The Americana Music Association will celebrate the genre's ever-growing recognition and acclaim October 12 -15, 2011 in Nashville, TN. In an explosion of talent, iconic artists will take the stage alongside the scene's hippest up-and-comers for four days and nights of praiseworthy performances and surprise guest appearances.
Confirmed to attend the annual Festival and Conference so far include Gregg Allman, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, the Jayhawks, John Oates, North Mississippi Allstars, Foster and Lloyd, The Civil Wars, Matraca Berg, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, Amy Lavere, Carrie Rodriguez, David Mayfield Parade, Elizabeth Cook, Kenny Vaughan, Peter Rowan, the Secret Sisters, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison, Lake Street Dive, Will Hoge, Pokey Lafarge and the South City Three and hundreds of key members of the music community. Stay tuned to updates and new artist confirmations at americanamusic.org or at the Americana Music Association's FACEBOOK page.
The genre's far-reaching embrace will be on display as 100-plus acts rock six of Nashville's coolest venues during the Festival's nighttime showcases. This is where those-in-the-know catch genre stalwarts, as well as talented newcomers on track to becoming tomorrow's headline makers. The Americana scene has spawned some of today's hottest acts, spurring a recent Spin magazine cover story titled "The New Ameriana Revolution."
The Americana Honors & Awards will be celebrating ten years and once again we guarantee a show that will knock your socks off. Jim Lauderdale will continue his tenure as master of ceremonies. Over 2,000 artists, music lovers and industry executives attend the annual show, which is broadcast internationally through multiple outlets.
If you are in the business of music, the daytime conference sessions feature must attend educational sessions. Primarily located at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown hotel, the business conference offers plenty of friendly networking, exciting panel discussions and seminars. These career-building opportunities and the wealth of nighttime showcases makes the Americana Music Festival and Conference, Nashville's finest and one of the nations most comprehensive events for fans, artists and business leaders alike.
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CARIBBEAN FILMMAKERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND LAUNCHED
Announcing the CaribbeanTales Scholarship Fund at a Toronto press conference last week, Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribition, said the new fund will allow filmmakers from the region and the Caribbean Diaspora to attend the festival.
But more importantly Solomon pointed out scholarship winners would have access to the highly effective Market Access incubator Program which teaches skills in the all-important packaging and marketing of films.
"The Fund supports the development of a vibrant world-class Caribbean film industry, by assisting filmmakers to create dynamic, distinctive and commercially viable films that will stand tall in the international marketplace," Solomon declared. She added early donor commitments to the fund had been "extremely encouraging" and validated the program.
MORE INFORMATION |
Ad agencies are leveraging music to define brands, engage consumers, and tap into new markets. Connect with vibrant musicians and industry leaders at MIDEM !
This year, we're taking a fresh approach. MIDEM 2012 will offer brand-new ways for music makers, cutting-edge technologies, brands & business talent to come together and enrich the passionate relationship between people & music.
CLICK HERE FOR MIDEM VIDEO |
Brand New Music by BONNIE POINTER
 | | Bonnie Pointer |
Always a prolific songwriter, Bonnie Pointer has been busy writing for herself and many other well-known performers, including much of the Motown stable, including Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Sly Stone. Recently she has also worked with Jody Watley, Sylvester and Gloria Gaynor. Bonnie also composed music for the feature film Heavenly Bodies. Bonnie sings the songs "Heaven" and "The Beast In Me" on the soundtrack to the movie "Heavenly Bodies." She attended the ceremony for the unveiling of the star for group on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994 and... BONNIE POINTER VIDEO |
How American Jazz influenced and changed music in Africa.
LISTEN HERE
LISTEN HERE
LISTEN HERE
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Let me hear from you and please tell me anything that is going on around your neighborhood.
The Music Specialist
P.O.Box 310540
ATLANTA, Georgia 31131
3058299010 |
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ATTITUDE VS CUSTOMER SERVICE
In preparing for a recent event in Atlanta I reached out to local press for coverage. I knew not to call cold and developed an in house contact that made sure I had the direct phone numbers and email of the parties I needed to reach while giving me a credible introduction. I left 21 messages (all without any malice or anxiety in my voice) and at least 12 emails without receiving one reply or acknowledgement. This led me to start looking at how other entertainment related businesses responded to customer needs.
What I have found is appalling.
There is a current lack of customer service that is very much interrelated to the lack of respect generated within today's instant gratification society. People are laboring at their daily vocations without the belief in moral ethics, customer service or customer satisfaction. At fast food and full service restaurants I have found servers that are impatient, rude and want you to order immediately so that they can get on with their individual schedules. In clothing and food stores I see frowning faces, "chicken neck" eyeball rolling men and women that feel they are doing you a favor by waiting on you.
The clich� "The customer is always right" is now archaic and no longer relevant to the marketplace. Today's version cites "Hurry Up and don't get me upset".
This very same negative customer service has blossomed within the entertainment industry. Artists have a "better than" attitude directed towards their audiences and an even more negative attitude directed toward stage, video and studio support personnel. Walking in on a recent rehearsal I found the artist treating their band, backup singers and session leader with the nastiest attitude I have witnessed in years. An attitude that is best described as being negative, malicious, vicious, revolting and offensive. Because the band, backup singers and session leader received paychecks from the artist they took this behavior without complaining. This particular artist hasn't had any semblance of a hit recording in their entire career; you might say that they are "faking it until they make it".
Publicity services, public relations, online email blast services, marketing services and more take delivery of your money then start treating paid clients with disdain and aloofness. The most problematic and condescending treatment comes from Promotion People who charge for a service that can not be completed then tell you that your song was not good enough to sustain momentum to stay on the charts or radio. I have seen this type of disservice in multiple forms used since I first started in the industry some 40 plus years ago.
Why be so narrow?
Why create a wall between you and the consumer?
The actions you create follow you throughout your career and form the basis for interaction between you, your fans, your support people and the press.
People who change their phone numbers every year or two have a history of bad stability and character. What is interesting is that you know exactly who I am talking about while you are reading this article. There is a person either in your family or who you are familiar with that has no clue on how to treat other people.
This person maybe you in denial, attempting to confuse this negative attitude with someone else who you personally don't like or really desire to be.
This industry needs to grow and expand, just think the more we expand our reach the larger the audience and the more revenue streams we acquire.
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Songwriting Competition
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is now accepting entries for the 2011 competition. Now is your chance to enter what the NY Times calls "the competition to take note of" with $150,000 (US) in cash and prizes and the most prestigious judging panel of any songwriting competition worldwide.
ISC, now in its tenth year, is an annual competition whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting, and to provide the opportunity to have these talents heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry.
Artist Judges:
Tom Waits; Jeff Beck; My Morning Jacket; Kelly Clarkson; Tori Amos; Massive Attack; Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Robert Smith (The Cure); Keane; James Cotton; Wynonna; Craig Morgan; McCoy Tyner; Michael W. Smith; Black Francis (The Pixies); Chayanne; John Mayall; Mose Allison; Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals); Robert Earl Keen; Jeremy Camp; Billy Currington; Trombone Shorty; and more...
Industry Judges:
Monte Lipman (President, Universal Republic Records); Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Music Group); Allison Jones (VP A&R, Big Machine Records); Dan Storper (President, Putamayo World Music); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP A&R, Latin America Sony Music and President, Discos 605); Kim Buie (VP A&R, Lost Highway); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); and more...
Enter your songs before September 21st at our website - http://www.songwritingcompetition.com
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