Any Way You Want It - Journey

[gno]

Ron - thanks. Yeah I would like to go on itunes or something. I've gotten some professional help learning audio engineering this past year and I think my mixes are finally at a point of being able to be passed as "pro" once I get them mastered. All that so I can avoid the cost of recording itself which is a huge expense in itself. My audio engineering teacher will help me with the next step of getting a label, if needed.

Or, what you are suggesting is also a path to take - create my own label. I need some photography done. As for touring, I think I'm too old and have a couple kids who are very young. As much as I would love to tour, it probably just can't happen. My teacher agrees that I could do all this "on-line" and wouldn't have to tour.

Rofleren - Thank you!

[AchtungBaby]

Nothing particularly constructive, but you're the (EDIT) man.

[slstone]

Just an addendum to Ron's post. Don't need a contract for touring, just make a deal with a promoter or promotion company.

Creating your own label is easy. Basically just setting it up(business entity) as means of professional protection for you work.

For distribution, CDBABY.com. They will market to many outlets including itunes. Membership is pretty cheap as well.

Additional sales. Set up paypal account in make buy buttons and post them on your website. Cheap to host nowdays.

Many ways to do it without major labels. Good advice bro.

[gno]

Thanks SL - I checked out your website and you've got that stuff together very well. Nice job and you are a great musician. So CDbaby is a good way to go?

[Snax]

This is outstanding!!!! WOW!

[ronws]

Well, when I say major tour, I mean arranging transport of people and equipment, merch at the site, renting of venues, etc. But you can always go smaller and still make the money you want. On average, Hubbard never has to drive more than four hours from home (he lives in west Texas.) Another Texas legend, Shake Russell, lives in Houston and can make it to a Dallas gig, motel over night, and head back in the morning.

And you can definitely reap financial rewards. As for selling an album on itunes, you might talk with Keith. His band, Drop Head has an album for sale, there. In fact, buy the album, while you are there. It's worth it. (shameless plug, sorry Robert.)

[slstone]

Though I haven't set an account up there yet, I will be very soon as I am almost done mixing my CD for release. In essence, they charge a one time fee of $35 for your account. For an extra $20, they will assign you a bar code(awesome thing to do if you want to accidently end up on Billboard mag for selling a bunch).

Basically, you send them 5 copies of your CD to sell. They will let you know if they sell and you need to send in more. The also offer dupe services and with your membership they send your stuff to itunes, rhapsody, amazon and quite a few other places. Only catch is, they will only take you if you are an independent artist such as ourselves. If you are already famous, they will turn you down.

As soon as I get mine set up, I will leave a link for you guys to check out. I am sure you are all as eager as can be to hear my original stuff. I can honestly say you won't be disappointed. All instruments you will hear as well as vocals are all me. All songs written by me and my lovely wife.

Maybe if you guys beg, I may upload a sample for you to hear whilst waiting for the whole CD.

Also thanks for the compliment. i appreciate it much, and yes, I did my website myself as well. Pay for my own domain name as well as paying a hosting service to host my site. All maintained by me.

Anywho, hope everyone is having a wonderful evening.

[gno]

Thanks SL - I look forward to hearing your stuff and keeping up with your progress. You should definitely post one of your songs so we can hear it.

[Mr Bounce]

Killer cover Geno. That was just great. The openness of those high notes was wonderful. You clearly have great support!

[gno]

Mr Bounce - Thank you! I definitely takes a lot of consistent support for me to sing in that range of my voice.

[slstone]

Geno, go check my posting for links to hear my stuff, as you requested.

Or click this:

http://www.slstonemusic.com/smtv.html

you will find three samples there. In my other posting, I explain in detail how they were written and recorded.

going to go listen to more of your stuff, lol.

[gno]

slstone - I listened to your stuff and it is great! You are a very prolific musician. Complex compositions - great guitar work and great vocals.

If you check my stuff out you'll notice a bunch of originals, and some covers. I've been doing covers lately just to work on my voice. I plan on getting back into writing originals soon.

Like you, I do everything on my song productions.

I got some audio engineering training this past year, and you can hear the progression of my mixes with the song "You Can Be Free". (At the end of the song list on my web page there are a couple old versions that are dated) The guy I got training from is an unbelievable guitarist. I really learned alot about mixing from him.