Playing live music | The Musicians blog

David Bowie’s Influence on Music…

David Bowie died in early 2016… his mark on the music industry is both, influential and controversial. Reviewing his past, one can indeed provide many twists and turns that contributed to our music industry.

via GIPHY

The press release below provides more insights regarding the unfortunate (early aged) departure of David Bowie…

Jam On!
-Ron

Credit Given via:https://www.bbc.com/news/

“The artist’s hits include Let’s Dance, Changes, Space Oddity, Starman, Modern Love, Heroes, Under Pressure, Rebel Rebel and Life on Mars.

He was also well known for creating his flamboyant alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

The singer (ed. Bowie), who had been living in New York in recent years, released his latest album Blackstar only last (ed. early 2016) Friday, his birthday.

The album has been well received by critics and was intended as a “parting gift” to the world, according to long-time friend and producer Tony Visconti.”

Read the rest of this story about David Bowie’s death here…

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35278872

The Day The Music Died Is Being Resurrected…

It appears that they just can’t keep this rock ‘n roll airplane crash story grounded. When Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens fell from the sky in 1959, it was termed… “the day the music died.” After closing and re-opening the examination of this unfortunate event many times, it looks as though the governmental arm, National Transportation Safety Board, is about to once again investigate the surroundings that contributed to this case.
This article describes the circumstances regarding such.
Jam On!
-Ron

(by Elaine Kauh for AvWeb.com)

The case of the storied 1959 Beech Bonanza crash that killed Buddy Holly, two fellow singers and the pilot could reopen at the request of a New England man who has his own theories about what happened on that February night. L. J. Coon, who describes himself as a retired pilot and aircraft dispatcher, has petitioned the NTSB to reopen the case based on his research indicating that something other than pilot inexperience and disorientation in IMC caused the crash…

Latest Airline Musical Instrument Carry On Rules…

Since many of us fly with our instruments, it’s important to know how the airlines treat our equipment. Good news!… As of the first of the 2014 year the Department of Transportation (DOT) has developed a couple of new carry-on rules for flying with your musical instrument. This recent press release will bring you up-to-date on these important flying updates.
Jam On!
-Ron

(by: Bart Jansen, USA TODAY )

Airlines are ringing in the new year with a rule that standardizes how musical instruments are handled on flights. Once (for example) a guitar is in the overhead bin, its owner doesn’t have to move it for anyone else…

Read More About New Carry-on Rules Here…
https://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2015/01/01/dot-musical-instruments-airlines/21148791/

#guitartabs

Tips on Earning Money in the Music Industry…

As a musician, you’ve no doubt given the thought that one day you can take your playing, singing and/or songwriting skills and make-it in the music biz, while earning a decent living doing so. Any insights along this path can be helpful and you’ll discover in this article a nice checklist of items to incorporate into your music career resolve.
Jam On!
-Ron

(By Bobby Borg on Sonicbids Blog – also shared on hypebot.com)

There are literally hundreds of tips on making it in the music business, and we all know how overwhelming that can be. If you’re wondering which ones you should try to integrate into your daily life starting today, these 15 basic guidelines…

Grammy Award Winner Stevie Wonder…

25-time Grammy award winner, Stevie Wonder is scheduled to air on Feb 16, 2015. Whether you’re a Stevie fan or not, you’d have to consider the millage that he has retained over the many years of making music. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) states that the show will feature some of the biggest names in the music industry. Might be worth the viewing when released…
Jam On!
-Ron

Remember back then?…

( by Dale Davidson via-guardian living voice)

The organizers of the show to be held following the Grammy awards celebration, where Stevie Wonder is honored with an all-star tribute, continues in the same vein as last year’s show, which was held to honor the Beatles. The concerts may become an annual event, as the Beatles: The Night That Changed America , celebrated the 50th anniversary of the appearance of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show…Read more at…
https://guardianlv.com/2014/12/stevie-wonder-honored-with-tribute-after-grammy-awards-show/#Cgi044GCkROzumxM.99

Spotify Messin’ with Musicians?…

OK, Spotify has reached a decent plateau in music streaming for its listeners… however how do you, the musician, appreciate and gain from its blasting of your writings and tunes? Here’s an interesting article, whereby a heavy-weight in the music industry ‘weighs-in’ on this issue (it gets personal, funny and sad)…
Jam On!
-Ron

Added by Charice Long on Oct 20, 2014

Jimmy Buffett asked Spotify’s C.E.O. whether artists should expect a raise directly from Ek’s booming company in the future or continue “through the bullshit” that labels subject them to. Empathizing with young artists in particular, Buffett says he hopes the music service groups are considering the struggles greenhorn musicians face obtaining revenue and music rights…Read more at…
https://guardianlv.com/2014/10/spotify-charms-customers-and-frustrates-musicians/

Music Streams Reducing Downloads…

So, how are you selling your music these days? It appears that certain streaming medias are in Vogue today and may be gone tomorrow. Question is… how do you monetize the best for your music? This article presents many aspects to consider regarding streaming media. You may also want to review an/my earlier blog post that talks about a service (Patreon) that gives you another source option for your income consideration.
Jam On!
-Ron

(by Stuart Dredge via:theguardian.com, Friday 29 August 2014 08.55 EDT)

“Every new generation of music service steals from the last generation’s customers. Apple stole Amazon’s best CD buyers, and Spotify has now stolen those same customers from Apple – or at least the same sorts of people.”…
… discover more on this subject here:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/29/music-streams-downloads-mark-mulligan

Pay to Play Music is Going Away in Canada…

Back in July of 2013 this blog mentioned the story regarding the requirements of issuing permits without which restaurant owners are barred from playing live music. Well, recently (as of this blog post) Canada has reversed similar laws directed at smaller venues and bar/pub owners. Now smaller acts have something to celebrate regarding silly regulations that have no reason to exist in our music world… rejoice!
Jam On!
-Ron

… Update on Regulations regarding Payment to Play Live Music.

(via: by Lee-Anne Goodman The Canadian Press/GlobalNews.ca)
Ottawa has effectively eliminated a fee charged to international musicians that critics complained was deterring acts from abroad from playing in Canadian bars, pubs and restaurants. The removal of a work permit requirement for foreign musical acts, part of the government’s overhaul of the controversial temporary foreign worker program…

… read rest of article here:
https://globalnews.ca/news/1416999/canada-has-done-away-with-international-musician-fee/

Crazy Regulations for Live Entertainment…

OMG… As a live performance musician this story might get your distortion frequencies going crazy. Hard to believe that Homeland Security has now expanded its role to include issuing permits without which restaurant owners are barred from playing live music. FGS… it’s hard enough for a small venue owner to hire musical talent (and pay them decent fees)…
Ron

(By Rick Yencer via Muncie Free Press)

Mike Martin, musician and owner of a local Indiana music venue, Folly Moon, was claimed to be in violation of state law by failing to obtain an entertainment permit for live music at the downtown establishment…
Worth the further read here: (musicians unite!)
https://www.munciefreepress.com/node/29089