CMC in Gapers Block
March 7, 2010 by Jim · Leave a Comment
On March 04, 2010 Gapers Block published an informative story about the Chicago Music Commission and its Musicians At Work Forums titled Mixing Sounds: The Chicago Music Commission. It includes quotes from musicians attending the February Forum, CMC Board Members Bruce Iglauer and Jim Goodrich and an interview with Executive Director Paul Natkin.
Jim Donio Interview – NARM
March 5, 2010 by Jim · 1 Comment
Recorded 2 March 2010
Recently the CMC had a chance to speak with Jim Donio, President of NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers), which has an upcoming Crash Course and Convention in Chicago May 14 – 17. Among the topics discussed:
- A Brief history of NARM
- When NARM started
- How the music industry landscape has changed in that time
- How NARM has adapted to those changes
- An overview of the upcoming Crash Course/Convention in Chicago
- What the convention offers to the various areas of the music industry
- The Crash Course in conjunction with A2IM
- where to get all the information and register for the Crash Course/Convention
In addition, Jim shared a ‘CMC only’ discount code for the Crash Course and/or Convention. Listen in to hear how generous a discount it is; use the code cmc2010 when you register.
Visit NARM.com to learn more and the registration webpage for the Crash Course/Convention.
[00:17:49]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen above or download by right clicking and saving.
Stand out in a Digital World
November 20, 2009 by Jim · 1 Comment
Recorded Monday, November 16, 2009
We discussed using Social Media to build fan relationships. Developing a strategy that helps you choose how to use the available services and networks. Getting the most for your effort in growing and maintaining your fan base. Setting expectations and converting those relationships into real-time results.
Moderator:
Jim Goodrich – Chicago Music Commission
Panelists:
Jeffrey David Goldford - The Everyday People
Miriam Brosseau – Stereo Sinai
Alan Jay Sufrin – Stereo Sinai
Matt Ryd – Singer/Songwriter
Tim Toomey – Assault, Inc.
The PowerPoint presentation used during the Forum (opens in a new window).
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen above or download by right clicking (ctrl-click for Mac) and saving
Setting up your music business
October 31, 2009 by Jim · 1 Comment
Recorded Monday, October 19, 2009
We discussed the legal and business decisions you have to make when setting up a business. These included choice of business entity, partnership agreements, ownership of equipment and songs, and record keeping necessary to help make your business life easier!
Moderator:
Marci A. Rolnik – Legal Director Lawyers for the Creative Arts
Panelists:
Lisa Malina – Certified Public Accountant
Shawn Murphy – Music Publishing 101 / Columbia College
Steven Wiser – Attorney
David Silbaugh – Talent buyer, Summerfest, A&R for Banshee Music, and Secretary of the Chicago Chapter of NARAS
All documents discussed in this forum can be downloaded here.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen above or download by right clicking (ctrl-click for Mac) and saving
What do you do after you get the gig?
October 14, 2009 by Jim · Leave a Comment
Recorded Monday, September 28, 2009
We explore the process of putting together a show-
- Advancing the show
- Preparing equipment and set list
- Merchandise and mailing list materials
- How to deal with the venue
- How to do a soundcheck
Moderator:
Paul Natkin Chicago Music Commission
Panel:
Jesse Ewan FOH Engineer / Head of Production Double Door
Phil Kosch Booking Double Door
Alex White Independent Musician
Alisa Baum Director of concert production Old Town School of Folk Music
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen above or download by right clicking (ctrl-click for Mac) and saving.
A Discussion on How to get Press
August 26, 2009 by Jim · Leave a Comment
Recorded Monday, May 4, 2009
A discussion of how the relationship between musician and press works. We will explore the best ways of approaching press – what to send and how to send it. The discussion also extends to how to set up a press kit, what should be in it and in what form it should be sent.
Moderator:
Martin Atkins, Musician, Author and Educator
Panelists:
Jim DeRogatis, Chicago Sun Times and Sound Opinions
Aaron Cohen, Associate Editor, Downbeat
Jenny Lizik, Metro publicist
Paul Natkin, Chicago Music Commission
*This episode of the Musicians at Work Forum contains explicit language that may be considered unsuitable for certain audiences.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen above or download by right clicking (ctrl-click for Mac) and saving.
Chicago music is an economic engine that must play a role in Chicago’s economic recovery
February 12, 2009 by Jim · 1 Comment
As the country continues to debate the national stimulus bill and the full Congress moves to vote on it shortly, it is imperative that Chicago’s music community speaks out about the value of Chicago music to the city’s economy. CMC is seeking your help in doing just that. The Mayor and Governor made their priorities in the stimulus bill known and music and music infrastructure are not high on the list. This needs to change.
Chicago’s music community and industry are ready to be part of the solution to the national economic crisis. As has been documented in the CMC-sponsored economic impact study, “Chicago: Music City”, conducted by the University of Chicago’s Cultural Policy Center, and elsewhere, Chicago’s music economy generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and provides jobs for 53,000 people. Moreover, the health of Chicago music community and Chicago music economy affect not just those members of the music industry, but also the city at-large.
This is because Chicago music fosters a “creative class” that improves Chicagoans’ quality of life, increases the attractiveness of the area to businesses and individuals, and generates millions of dollars in tourism and tax revenue. In fact, Chicago music is a leading export in Chicago’s economy.
The fundamental objective of President Obama’s stimulus proposal is to inject money into state and local economies to generate economic growth. By spending a portion of the billions that will be allocated to Chicago on Chicago’s music economy and its creative class, our city will see a ripple effect that generates economic activity for the larger Chicago economy.
Our elected officials must understand the need to support Chicago’s music community by providing more funding during this economic crisis and beyond. Our leaders need to hear from us that the stimulus dollars in the two bills now moving towards a consensus package in Washington must benefit Chicago music.
And locally, we need a policy and legislative environment that encourages our world-class music community to create more music, especially during these tough economic times.
Please contact your elected officials to convey your support Chicago music and your commitment to jump-starting our local and national economy by supporting Chicago’s music community. Please click here locate your elected officials and to send them a message that you know how important the arts are to our economy.
Chicago’s Latest Labels for Upstart Bands
November 4, 2008 by Jim · Comments Off
Recorded November 3, 2008
Being with the right label can make all the difference – find out why it might be better to to sign with an small independent label versus a major label, what a label deal looks like in terms of the money you get, and keep at the end of the day and also what kind of artistic and business decision remain yours versus being taken away from your band. During your career you can expect to make the journey from one label to another, sometimes by choice and sometimes not – when and how to approach this decision.
Moderator: Rob Miller – Bloodshot Records
Panelists:
Alex White
Steve Smith- Aware Records
Jesse Woghin – Flameshovel Records
Shala – Movement Worldwide
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen above or download by right clicking (ctrl-click for Mac) and saving.
Recording Your Music – Getting the Most For Your Money
October 7, 2008 by Jim · Comments Off
Recorded October 6, 2008
Now matter how much technology changes, musicians of all sorts still need to record their music. There are bargains to be had at all different levels of recording: from the DYI home studio, to live recordings, to more elaborate studios. All of your choices regarding setting, equipment, personnel, and technology contribute to the overall cost of the finished product. Hear from the experts all about the resources in Chicago available to the beginner, as well as the seasoned professional, and get advice on how to budget your time, how to make the right choices so you can get the most recording for your dollar.
Moderator: Eddie Blazonczyk Jr. – Versatones
Panelists:
Larry Sturm – Pressure Point Recording
Dave Spector- League of Creative Musicians
Dan Dietrich- Wall to Wall recording
Michael Freeman- Coachhouse Music
Reid Hyams – X-Art Entertainment Group
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen above or download by right clicking (ctrl-click for Mac) and saving.
How To Book A Gig
September 9, 2008 by Jim · Comments Off
Recorded September 8, 2008
Learn from the pros about how get bookings in the venue that works best for your act, and hear about what’s the latest scoop on new spaces and unconventional booking opportunities in Chicago.
Moderator: Tim Tuten – The Hideout
Panelists:
David Chavez – Uncommon Ground
Erin Molloy-Bauer – Mayor’s Office of Special Events
Brendan Joyce – Reggie’s Music Club
Fred Brennan – Chicago Special Events Management
Allan Curtis – Skokie Theater
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen above or download by right clicking (ctrl-click for Mac) and saving.