TalentWatch.net - showcasing not just the music but the artists as well

 
 

 

 

Gary Alan CEO and Founder of TalentWatch.net maybe onto something big. On TalentWatch, not only can artists showcase their music, but they post a personal Video - a spot where artists can tell their story and a little more about themselves. In return, TalentWatch fans rate artists on their talent, entertainment and likability, giving every music artist an equal chance to rise to the top.  TalentWatch is catching the attention of some prominent  people in the Music business, including Joey Stuckey, music producer and winner of Atlanta Society of Entertainers, Entertainer of the Year award.

Talent Watch is a site worth checking out for all aspiring artists.

Music Producer Believes TalentWatch.net is “Game-Changer” for Music Artists
Music ambassador and producer Joey Stuckey officially endorses TalentWatch as the place for emerging artists to get discovered

Atlanta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB) March 30, 2011

Joey Stuckey has performed and recorded with some of the biggest stars in music, including Smash Mouth, Trisha Yearwood, James Brown, the B52’s, Ike Turner, Randall Brambelt and many more. When recently asked about TalentWatch Stuckey shared his insight. “I’ve always known the internet could be a “game-changer” for music artists. However, up until now, no one has been able to harness the power of the internet to help aspiring music artists get the exposure they deserve. Take a look at Myspace and YouTube. They allow anyone to upload their music. Unfortunately, music fans or industry professionals have no way to navigate the clutter to find artists that deserve to be discovered. As a result, most talented artists barely make a blip on the radar. TalentWatch came up with the perfect solution by combining an innovative rating system with a very engaging platform. I believe TalentWatch is that “game-changer” aspiring music artists have been looking for. It may prove to be the best thing to happen to the music business since iTunes.”

Stuckey has already used the site to find new talent. ”I see TalentWatch as a major resource for industry professionals. For example, I can zero in on serious artists who have jumped through the hoops to get on TalentWatch. Once I’m on their site, I check out the highest rated artists first. This is a major time saver for me. I especially love the personal video, where I can get a sense of who the artist is. Frankly, there are too many hobby enthusiasts out there. Serious artists have been hurt by this. This is why Talentwatch is so important. Like I said, it’s a game-changer.”

Joey Stuckey has over 20 years experience as a music producer, engineer, publisher, record label owner, composer and performer. He owns and operates Shadow Sound Studio out of Macon, Georgia where such music elite as The Allman Brothers, Otis Redding and Jason Aldean originated. Through the years he has worked with many prominent artists, including James Brown, The B52’s, Charlie Daniels, and Trisha Yearwood. Stuckey has won multiple awards from the Atlanta Society of Entertainers for Entertainer of the Year and was named the official “Ambassador of Music” to Macon, Georgia by the mayor of the city in 2006. Stuckey is also a board member of the Georgia Allman Brothers Band Association (GABBA). You can connect with Joey at http://www.joeystuckey.com.

Music artists and fans can learn more about TalentWatch by visiting http://www.talentwatch.net

Basic tips for musicians websites

You know you need to build some web presence for your band, and although you are on MySpace and FaceBook, you feel it is time for your own website. Good for you! Having a central locale to point fans, venues, media, and others to is a smart idea. From your own site, you can link all your other spots into, post your EPK., stream some tunes, and offer merchandise. You can design a layout to better reflect your style thus giving people a visual sense of what your music and band is all about. Just don’t over do it.

Too many bands set up a website and toss in every bell and whistle they find. Flash, apps, fancy graphics, streaming audio can slow down the load time of a site, causing people to say ‘Cya!’ before the front page opens.

Some basic rules of thumb should be followed when designing a website, and even if you have someone design it for you, if you follow the basics you will find it will retain your visitors attention and have them coming back for more.

Simple url - pick a simple url. If ‘bob smith.com’ is taken, try bobsmithband or bobsmithmusic or even just the initials ‘bsb.com.’

Drop the Flashy stuff - JavaScript that loads mini windows, flashy graphics not only slow down load time, they are annoying to many.

Turn off the auto play - everyone’s speakers are different, and the sound that is at a comfortable level on your computer maybe way to loud on someone else’s. Besides, it can slow down load time.

Supply a good navigation menu - be sure to keep your page titles direct. Name your Bio page ‘Bio’ ‘About the band’ etc , not ‘ Come into my lair’ You fans may think its cute, but the venue or booking agent you send may not.

Keep a color scheme - pick a color scheme and keep it all the way through. Colors that reflects your style of music works best. If your genre is Country, hot pink with neon green may not be the best choice. And speaking of color, it is:

A.) a good idea to use the same colors on your spots on MySpace, Facebook etc.
B.) Avoid the black background with colored font. A lighter background with dark font is easier the read. If you absolutely MUST have black background, use a very light colored font.

Keep pictures clean - Trust me, you will not impress the important people with those pictures of that wild party you went to. “What happened in Vegas needs to stay in Vegas.” The same goes for your blog posts.

Don’t over do it - PERIOD. - include your latest video, a few of your newest or best songs, a few pictures. You can link to your MySpace, Facebook, Reverbnation and other sites for your vistors to see more. This will also increase traffic to those sites.  And don't forget to put the website link on those spots!

Keeping a website slick, simple and clean (in more ways than one) will provide an enjoyable experience for your fans while showing the booking agents etc that you and your band are true professionals

Musicians Friend - a Model for Customer Support

Many have heard of Musician's Friend and have shopped them.  If so you know that they offer a 45-Day Best Price + Satisfaction Guarantee at MusiciansFriend.com  What you many not know is they have a Customer Service Team that can't be beat.  The following was posted on my Rants,Raves,Renagade Blog in Dec of 2008, and in light of  continuing great service, I felt posting this story here on my Music blog was only approperate.

Musicians Friend - Delivers
Musicians Friend..... Anyone who is a musician, a DJ, or just like to have the best in audio equipment has heard of them. They carry everything from the most professional grade amps and speakers down to guitar picks and drumsticks. If it is music related, you can find it here.

Now what I want to tell you about is along with the great product line, Musician's Friend offers THE most top of the line Customer Support Team I have ever dealt with.

We had ordered from them many times, and have contacted them with everything from simple questions to heart stopping problems, and everytime they have reponded quickly, professionally, and,..... living up to the name of Musician's Friend,...... like a friend.

I must tell you about the last call...no.... last set of calls made to their customer support team. We had ordered a set of peavey PA speakers along with stands and other equipment, and like they always do, they sent the tracking number and link to UPS. We noted the delivery date and when that day came was surprised to find out that UPS delivered them while we where not at home. Very much surprised, since the boxes where not at my house! After contacting UPS, and while waiting for them to call back, we called Musician's Friends customer service. They not only sprung into action immediately to start a tracer, they reassured us that it was insured and if the shipment was lost they would reship the entire order within seven days.

Well to make a VERY long story short, the shipment was found, UPS delivered to the wrong house. The UPS driver was able to get the equipment, but the neighbors who recieved the boxes had opened them, threw out the boxes and thought they had themselves a good set of Peaveys for nothing. Musician's Friend said not to worry, would still stand behind what we bought.

We contacted them three times that night, and each time their Customer support team was professional but more importantly.... they genuinely CARED! They went over and above to let us know they where there for us.
A special Thanks goes out to Walt(?) , John, and Raymond who where working the phones on Dec 10, 2008.  They could not have done a better job! They are all top of the line and set a fine example in what customer support is all about.

After that night, we we never buy from any other company BUT Musician's Friend. Their name says it all, and they are truly our friends now.

Renagade offers PR services for Indie Musicians.  Some of the best Indies today can be found at www.renagadesrelics.com
Disclosure: Renagade is an affliate marketer for Musicians Friend.  This story explains why Renagade choses to do so.  Visit Musicians Friend Today.

Got a band?? You Need a website!

As an Indie, you need to have some place on the web you can send people to to find out more about you, listeh, download and purchase your music, and simply see you.  It is alos a way for you to track who likes your music, and what area of the world knows you even exist.
But far too many bands do not have a page set up.  Many site the cost factor.  Please! There are many many places on the web at low cost or no cost to the artists, so let's get started!
You have the following list of great places to set up on:
www.bandzoogle.com
http://darkjam.com/
www.webs.com
www.blogger.com
www.wordpress.com
www.homestead.com

Just to name a few, all at low cost or free.

Now some prefer to just have a page somewhere.  Which is fine as well.  There are many sites offering pages for artists.  Ones you need to check out are:
www.myspace.com (music)

www.facebook.com ( fan page)
www.renagadesrelics.com (yes, my site)
www.reverbnation.com ( a true MUST have!)
www.sunsetislandmusic.com
www.bandcamp.com
www.indiemadmp3.com/

Again, just a few.

There are some things I highly recommend when buliding up your 'home on the web'.

1. Get your own domain name.  It is classier going to yourband (dot) com.than to yourband/whatever/whoever/WTH?/com .
2. Pictures of YOU - Yes, your fans want to see what you look like.
3. Music -what good is it if your fans can play SOME of your music??
4. A GOOD Bio - something explaining who you are.  And I do recommend having more than one.  Nothing worst than seeing the same exact same thing everywhere.  Change it up alittle.
5. A way for your fans to 'belong' - a street team sign-up, guestbook, membership, newsletter sign-up, 'be my friend' something to give them a sense that their visit is appreciated.
6. A way to purchase your music, t shirts, or other items.
7. Links to you - twitter, facebook, Reverbnation, etc. 
8. Links to other places you are on.  If you are being helped out by someone, on a ning site or community you enjoy, help them grow by linking with them. Win - win for both of you.

Having a website is not rocket science, most places have templates for you to use.  Just how fancy you want to get is up to you.  But I will recommend you K.I.S.S. - Keep it Simple Stupid.  Flash can annoy many, and too many bells and whistles can make it difficult for poeple on dial up and slower connecttions to enjoy.

So get going! and dont worry about having it all done at first.  Everytime you add something new it will give people a reason to come back and see.  All the better for you, your website, and your band as a whole.

Later..Renagade
Renagade offers PR consultation,CD marketing and other promotional services.  visit www.renagadesrelics.com - where good Indies build great reputations

PRESS RELEASE: Damien Cripps Band broadcast via 'JamCam'

For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Leak
Renagade's Relics
http://www.renagadesrelics.com/
renagadesrelics@gmail.com

Damien Cripps Band broadcast via 'JamCam'

Perth, Australia – January 20,2010:

Damien Cripps Band is proud to announce they will be offering to the world an unique opportunity to view their special live show in honor of Australia Day via 'JamCam'.
This live performance will broadcast via internet through the great new interface provided on http://www.whotune.com/ , a social media site for Musicians to get there music out to the world. Whotune's ‘JamCam’ unique platform offers a great opportunity for artists to remotely perform for their fans all over the world.
To watch via http://www.whotune.com/ , everyone must create a profile page , similar to that of creating a facebook profile or myspace profile, prior to viewing.

“We are extremely excited over this. To be able to perform live for what could be up to 500000 viewers the globe is a unique chance for an Indie Band.”


If you are in the Perth, AU area, you can catch this show in person at the popular Mustang Bar as well.

Australia
January 26, 2010 - 11.00 am Western Standard Australian Time

United States
January 25, 2010 - 10:00 pm Eastern Standard Time

Location: Mustang Bar, Lake Street , Northbridge, Western Australia – open to public
broadcast to your home anywhere in the world free via http://www.whotune.com/

Damien Cripps Band is a widely popular band with a unique rock sound has a worldwide fan base . They perform live across Australia and are a favorite of the Mustang Bar in Northbridge, WA.

For more information contact:
Susan Leak
Damien Cripps Band – USA Contact
renagadesrelics@gmail.com

Music 101 - Indie musicians, are you on the web?

Music 101 - Indie musicians, are you on the web?

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There are musicians that make it big, the ones you hear on the radio and see on MTV, then there are the others you don't hear of that often. Most are called Indies.

Indies are independent artists or bands that are not on a major label. Some are striving for this major label break, others chose not to. But all want their music heard. Just how does an indie get their music out to the public? They play at every club, festival, and coffee house they can find, sometimes for free or even paying to play. They sell their CDs at these events, and give them to friends and family, hoping that someone will play them for their friends. And they use the internet.

The web offers so many great ways for an indie to get heard , build a fan base, and possibly get 'discovered'. Here are a few things I recommend to increase your web presence.

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Music 101 - Indie musicians, are you on the web?