Radio in America has been given a free ride for over 80 years. Songwriters get paid when their songs are played on the radio, but the Performing Artists, Musicians and Producers ARE NOT COMPENSATED from Radio in any way.
While the industry has lobbied for this MANY times over the 80 years, Radio has never been willing to negotiate, and used their tremendous lobbying power to prevent this from happening. I had my doubts about it actually happening this time as well, but then the Obama Administration actually came out in support of this yesterday. If you don’t know how rare it is for politicians to take interest in artistic areas, read Mark Twain’s autobiography to see how “the more things change, the more things just stay the same.”
I’ve been getting emails, and lots of search hits for the BMI No More Revivals CD, so I thought I’d give a quick update.
The CD was finished on Dec. 1st. With the holidays right around the bend, it has taken BMI a little while to get the artwork and liner notes together. They really want to make sure that the CD is a great package, with a great booklet to enhance the experience… it just has been taking them a little longer than expected to get it completed. I am under the impression they will be done with this soon. From that point it will be about 5-6 weeks before it is commercially released.
I assure you it is worth the wait! I am incredibly proud of how it sounds. The writers have fantastic material, the musicians are great, and with performers such as David Hyde Pierce, Kelli O’Hara, Karen Olivo, Alice Ripley, Gergory Jbara, Will Swensen, Stephanie Block, Nancy Opel and many other wonderfully talented performers, I am sure it will be a CD musical Theatre lovers will treasure.
I will update here as more information comes available!
I am very proud to have produced James Barbour’s (Jane Eyre, A Tale of Two Cities, Assassins) new single. The song is called “Walk With Me” and was written by Gary Burton. Proceeds will go to benefit Haiti disaster relief.
We did this up in my studio a couple of weeks ago. I also provided piano, bass and drum programming. I also want to give a shout to all the other people who contributed to this recording!
This article is a must-read! But I have to state, just because we CAN make things *perfect* doesn’t mean we HAVE to. I believe I find a good balance in my recordings of cleaning up what needs to, but leaving in the imperfections that help make the heart of a recording! This goes for ALL genres, not JUST rock!
As a music producer, I tend to have two kinds of clients: Clients who want to record a fell album and Clients who work on one (or a few) songs at a time. There are aspects I enjoy about both approaches. After all sometimes I want a snack, and sometimes I want a good meal. However, in this post I won’t get into all the ridiculously bad-for-you food that I enjoy, and focus on the elements of a good meal.
Just like a perfect meal takes thought and preparation, so does a great album. I love the additional puzzle-work that comes with producing an album, and I’d like to share some of my insights into what I think makes a good album.
1. Not Every Song Should Be a Single: Okay, not all genres are chasing “radio hits” but there are still “hits” in all genres. But an album that does nothing but go after hit after hit is boring. There is a stigma to the words “album cut” and there shouldn’t be. A great album cut is song that appeals to the artists true fans, and perhaps not EVERYBODY in the world. Perhaps it is lyrically more sophisticated or musically adventurous, or a number of other things, but great album cuts are what makes a great album. How many “singles” did “Dark Side of the Moon” have? Read more of this article »
Discouraged by dwindling sales? Maybe you should think outside the box? Here’s a fun article with some different ways musicians and labels are dealing with the issue.
Adam Lambert has sure been a polarizing performer on American Idol. Most people are ranking him as a top contender to win the contest, but I actually hope he doesn’t.
I think he will be a bigger star if he doesn’t win.
Why?
The best, most memorable artists of all time did their own thing. They didn’t worry about the people that DIDN’T like their music. They made it for themselves and for the many people who LOVED what they were doing.
Plenty of people hated Queen, David Bowie, Culture Club, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, U2 etc… but that didn’t stop them from selling millions. But I doubt any of them would have sold more if they tried to “play it safe” and appeal to more people. Because then all of the people who felt so passionately about the artist would have been much less compelled to run out and buy their product. Read more of this article »
I’m a music producer, engineer and songwriter with a recording studio in Times Square, the heart of New York City.. I specialize in working with solo recording artists in many genres.
Here, at different times, I will shed light on the recording and creative process as well as write some personal articles, reviews, etc… The relationship between an artist and their producer is an extremely personal one, so perhaps here you may get to know me a little better and decide if I might be a good match for you as an artist.
Site that lets you sell digital AND physical copies of your music with great control. Includes gatering emails for your mailing list. (Use in ADDITION to TUNECORE or other digital distributor)
The defacto online board for music techies to discuss their craft. If you want to record at home, or just know more when you enter the studio, this is the place.
Fantastic Photographer if you need professional shots to capture the industry's attention.
New York Session Musicians
Links to websites are listed when available. If there is no website, email me for contact info
David Acker - Acoustic and electric guitars. Fantastic in about any genre and great at coming up with creative, unique arrangements.
Anthony Lanni - Acoustic and Electric Guitar. Great with Jazz, latin and Brazillian Music.
Dennis Michael Keefe - Upright and Electric Bass for Rock, Pop, Jazz and Musical Theatre
Michael McInnis - Alto, Bari & Tenor Sax. Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute and multiple ethnic reeds. Also a great Brass/Horn Arranger. Good at improvising.
Rob Mosher - Oboe, English Horn, Soprano Sax. Great improviser and arranger.
4 Comments to Read 
Radio in America has been given a free ride for over 80 years. Songwriters get paid when their songs are played on the radio, but the Performing Artists, Musicians and Producers ARE NOT COMPENSATED from Radio in any way.
I am very proud to have produced James Barbour’s (Jane Eyre, A Tale of Two Cities, Assassins) new single. The song is called “Walk With Me” and was written by Gary Burton. Proceeds will go to benefit Haiti disaster relief.
As a music 
The best, most memorable artists of all time did their own thing. They didn’t worry about the people that DIDN’T like their music. They made it for themselves and for the many people who LOVED what they were doing.
I’m a music 
