Showing posts with label Music Industry News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music Industry News. Show all posts

10/24/2019

Musicians Contact Celebrates 50 Years Of Referring Musicians To Working Bands


Musicians Contact is celebrating their 50th year in business connecting bands and musicians to each other. Founded by Sterling Howard in 1969, Musicians Contact still remains the place where working bands locate members and individual players find gigs with bands.

Notable past members include Billy Joel, Todd Rundgren, Rick Springfield, Danny Elfman, James Williamson, Kim Fowley, Earl Slick, Robin Zander, Barry Manilow, Tower of Power, Lita Ford,  Jimmy Greenspoon, Terri Nunn, John Lydon, Dr John, Stiv Bators, Bobby Kimball, Terry Bozzio, Iron Butterfly, Robert Palmer,  Art “Killer” Kane, George Lynch, Stu Hamm, Bobby McFerrin, Warrant and many others.

But Sterling says, “It's important to stress that even though we've had famous clients seeking players, obviously the vast majority of our incoming gigs come from working cover and original acts, part time, full time, local, traveling, festival, wedding, casino, club work, etc. And we've always been a free service to bands needing players. Some individuals have listed themselves as many as 20 times over the years because they are finding gigs here that they don't find elsewhere. I'm trying to point out that it is still the 'bread and butter' jobs that pay the bills, and these are the ones we get from band leaders.” (On the website Click https://www.musicianscontact.com/recent-jobs to read some partial examples.)

Sterling explains, “Why did I start the business? My working band broke up in 1967 because two of our members were drafted into the military and there was no place to find musicians except for tiny ads on music store bulletin boards. The idea struck me to form an organized musicians referral. That's when I rented an office upstairs in the Whisky a GoGo. I had resumes and ad forms, and individuals and bands would come in the office, (or call) to connect. I even had many Union members register, since the Union provided no resumes at that time. I was 22 when I started this company, and no, who would have guessed I'd still be doing it 50 years later!”




Sterling Howard - founder

Within a year after starting, the office was moved to a larger location. In the early 1970's, traveling bands found members as they passed through California and as word spread, groups from other states called for replacements. Full time working cover acts became more popular, hiring players for road gigs.

By the end of the decade, the office staff had grown to five, and a branch office was opened near Disneyland. Las Vegas groups imported players, and country artists and jazz acts started using the service to hire available players.

In those days, the job listings were distributed to individual musicians either by phone or in person, but a major change was soon to come. Sterling hired a team of technicians to build a custom made computer connected to seven tape recorders. Members could now call 24 hours, enter a password into their phone, and hear current available jobs. It was primitive by today's standards, but it worked and remember, the year was 1983!

By 1990, cruise ship jobs became more popular and gigs arrived from Asia, seeking players for r&b, funk and soul groups. The “antique” computer eventually gave way to the science of voicemail, so a new computer was put into action to distribute job listings. Entering the era of music videos for TV, managers viewed photos of musicians for use in commercials and videos.

In 1995, it was time to upgrade the call-in hotline yet again with an advanced voice mail system, allowing musicians to record their profiles and demos right over the phone. By 1998, Musicians Contact went online with it’s first website, and became truly a national service.

There have been various website updates and changes to the site, culminating in what you see today. But, the basic function has always been the same since 1969 – a referral service for bands and musicians to find each other.

Stories about famous players? “Well, I still have Billy Joel's resume from 1972 where he states 'I'm not interested in messing around, I just want money'. But later he came in when he tried to form an original band and asked the guitarist sitting next to him if he wanted to join. “Is it a paying situation?', the guitarist asked. 'No' said Billy, 'this is an original band'. “Then sorry, I'm not interested' replied the guitarist. I'm sure this has happened thousands of times to thousands of musicians!

“Burleigh Drummond, drummer for Ambrosia, hooked up with them through us about 1972 and is STILL with them. Berlin found Terri Nunn around 1979 and she is STILL with them as well. International Celtic rockers The Young Dubliners found their drummer here about 25 years ago, and they just put in an ad seeking a bassist! (and yes, David Ingraham is STILL their drummer).”

Famous past members: https://www.musicianscontact.com/famous-past-members to see many famous members who have used Musicians Contact.

Need a band member?: https://www.musicianscontact.com/find-band-members to enter a free ad and view profiles of available players.

Need a gig?: https://www.musicianscontact.com/join-a-band to list yourself as an available musician.

For more information:
https://www.MusiciansContact.com

Contact:
Sterling Howard, founder/owner
info@MusiciansContact.com
818-888-7879

Press Inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US)
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

5/03/2017

King Crimson Guitar Legend Trey Gunn's 7d Media Label To Merge With DiN Records


Trey Gunn (King Crimson, KTU, Security Project, solo artist) started 7d Media 15 years ago. The label began mainly as a vehicle for his own releases/projects and those of his closest colleagues (Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, etc…) The label has steadily grown and now encompasses a variety of releases connecting both progressive rock (Stick Men, Markus Reuter, TU etc…) to some of the more unusual world music (Phurpa, Inna Zhelannaya, Kimmo Pohjonen, etc…)

Based in the UK, the DiN label was set up by Ian Boddy in 1999 to release ambient electronica that bridges the gap between the analogue sound of the early 70's synth pioneers and the digital soundscapes of the more experimental modern exponents of electronic music.

7d Media will be handling the distribution of all DiN Records releases in the USA/Canada.

Trey Gunn says “The merger with DiN Records is an obvious one. My friend and colleague Markus Reuter has recorded many albums for DiN as well as other characters connected to my own line of work — Robert Rich, the producer Flood and others. I am very happy to be working with Ian Boddy and DiN to bring their releases into the hands of fans here in the USA/Canada."



The back catalog that is now available:

DiN 29 Robert Rich, React
DiN 31 Ian Boddy, Slide
DiN 32 Parallel Worlds, Shade
DiN 33 Markus Reuter & Ian Boddy, Dervish
DiN 35 Arc, Church
DiN 36 Ian Boddy, Pearl
DiN 38 Mazmoneth, Music By Mirrors
DiN 39 Ian Boddy & Erik Wøllo, Frontiers
DiN 41 Parallel Worlds & Dave Bessell, Morphogenic
DiN 43 Ian Boddy, Liverdelphia
DiN 44 Node, Node 2
DiN 45 Arc, Umbra
DiN 46 Eric Wøllo & Bernhard Wosthein, Weltenuhr
DiN 47 Dave Bessell, Black Horses of The Sun
DiN 48 Parallel Worlds & Self-Oscillate, World Adaptor
DiN 49 Ian Boddy, Tone Science
DiN 51 (cd) Ian Boddy, As Above So Below
DiN 51 (vinyl) Ian Boddy, As Above So Below
DiN 52 (latest release) Markus Reuter & Ian Boddy, Memento (releases May 19, 2017)

The latest release, coming out May 19, 2017, is a collaboration between Markus Reuter and Ian Boddy entitled “Memento." “Memento” (DiN52) is the fifth DiN CD collaboration between label boss Ian Boddy & renowned composer and touch guitarist Markus Reuter. They were there at the birth of DiN in 1999 with their inaugural release Distant Rituals (DiN2) and this latest work not only affectionately looks back to that album but forges ahead into new musical territory.

The album opens with the powerful tour de force of “Gyroscope” with its ever evolving guitar arpeggios and thunderous percussion. The following track “Spindrift” has a mysterious harmonic feel highlighted by Reuter’s beautiful guitar playing & Boddy’s ambient production. “Linger” & “Stay” form a pair of soundscapes where Reuter’s guitar loop ambiences are intermingled with extraordinary analogue textures from Boddy’s Serge modular synthesiser. The former provides a breathing space within the album after the two opening tracks whereas the latter brings the CD to a gentle, drifting close. The title track hearkens back to the duos first collaborative album with it’s pulsing cut up treatment of a Reuter guitar loop soundscape and perhaps informs the listener as to the nature of this “Memento”. Although Boddy often keeps in the background in terms of lead solo work when working with Reuter the track “Deadlock” features an Ondes Martenot style synth line that soars above this dark emotionally laden piece.

Once again Reuter & Boddy have proved to be a potent musical team with their balance of styles producing a complex, deep album. Effortlessly crossing genres between prog and ambient electronica it not only looks back to their roots but creates new sonic landscapes for the listener to explore.

For more information: www.7dmedia.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

King Crimson Guitar Legend Trey Gunn's 7d Media Label To Merge With DiN Records


Trey Gunn (King Crimson, KTU, Security Project, solo artist) started 7d Media 15 years ago. The label began mainly as a vehicle for his own releases/projects and those of his closest colleagues (Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, etc…) The label has steadily grown and now encompasses a variety of releases connecting both progressive rock (Stick Men, Markus Reuter, TU etc…) to some of the more unusual world music (Phurpa, Inna Zhelannaya, Kimmo Pohjonen, etc…)

Based in the UK, the DiN label was set up by Ian Boddy in 1999 to release ambient electronica that bridges the gap between the analogue sound of the early 70's synth pioneers and the digital soundscapes of the more experimental modern exponents of electronic music.

7d Media will be handling the distribution of all DiN Records releases in the USA/Canada.

Trey Gunn says “The merger with DiN Records is an obvious one. My friend and colleague Markus Reuter has recorded many albums for DiN as well as other characters connected to my own line of work — Robert Rich, the producer Flood and others. I am very happy to be working with Ian Boddy and DiN to bring their releases into the hands of fans here in the USA/Canada."



The back catalog that is now available:

DiN 29 Robert Rich, React
DiN 31 Ian Boddy, Slide
DiN 32 Parallel Worlds, Shade
DiN 33 Markus Reuter & Ian Boddy, Dervish
DiN 35 Arc, Church
DiN 36 Ian Boddy, Pearl
DiN 38 Mazmoneth, Music By Mirrors
DiN 39 Ian Boddy & Erik Wøllo, Frontiers
DiN 41 Parallel Worlds & Dave Bessell, Morphogenic
DiN 43 Ian Boddy, Liverdelphia
DiN 44 Node, Node 2
DiN 45 Arc, Umbra
DiN 46 Eric Wøllo & Bernhard Wosthein, Weltenuhr
DiN 47 Dave Bessell, Black Horses of The Sun
DiN 48 Parallel Worlds & Self-Oscillate, World Adaptor
DiN 49 Ian Boddy, Tone Science
DiN 51 (cd) Ian Boddy, As Above So Below
DiN 51 (vinyl) Ian Boddy, As Above So Below
DiN 52 (latest release) Markus Reuter & Ian Boddy, Memento (releases May 19, 2017)

The latest release, coming out May 19, 2017, is a collaboration between Markus Reuter and Ian Boddy entitled “Memento." “Memento” (DiN52) is the fifth DiN CD collaboration between label boss Ian Boddy & renowned composer and touch guitarist Markus Reuter. They were there at the birth of DiN in 1999 with their inaugural release Distant Rituals (DiN2) and this latest work not only affectionately looks back to that album but forges ahead into new musical territory.

The album opens with the powerful tour de force of “Gyroscope” with its ever evolving guitar arpeggios and thunderous percussion. The following track “Spindrift” has a mysterious harmonic feel highlighted by Reuter’s beautiful guitar playing & Boddy’s ambient production. “Linger” & “Stay” form a pair of soundscapes where Reuter’s guitar loop ambiences are intermingled with extraordinary analogue textures from Boddy’s Serge modular synthesiser. The former provides a breathing space within the album after the two opening tracks whereas the latter brings the CD to a gentle, drifting close. The title track hearkens back to the duos first collaborative album with it’s pulsing cut up treatment of a Reuter guitar loop soundscape and perhaps informs the listener as to the nature of this “Memento”. Although Boddy often keeps in the background in terms of lead solo work when working with Reuter the track “Deadlock” features an Ondes Martenot style synth line that soars above this dark emotionally laden piece.

Once again Reuter & Boddy have proved to be a potent musical team with their balance of styles producing a complex, deep album. Effortlessly crossing genres between prog and ambient electronica it not only looks back to their roots but creates new sonic landscapes for the listener to explore.

For more information: www.7dmedia.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

8/13/2015

The Violence Of Ice By Rhett May

Primarily influenced by the classic song writing of John Lennon, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Rhett May is a rock writer who has moulded his own sound over several decades in the industry. His self-produced rock is simple, raw and home-made – without over-the-top production but with plenty to say about May’s take on the modern world.



Having spent a large part of his childhood in Calcutta, India, his guitar led songs are infused with the sounds of the Indian streets, giving his music a different flavour to the majority of current, cookie cutter rock music. By blending classic sensibilities with a twist of Indian culture, he has created a string of upcoming singles, the first of which will be ‘The Violence of Ice’ – out October 2nd.

With a musical career which spans back to the seventies when his band Lucifer supported legendary rock band Queen, Rhett May is a voice of experience in a rock world which has become increasingly shallow. He’s toured the world, seen the music industry from the inside, and watched the dark side of the business consume those around him.

Out 2nd October


4/23/2015

Music Industry Veteran Launches New Music Pre-Production Service For Indie Artists

Boston, MA-April 23, 2015-Long time music industry journalist and webmaster Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck has launched a service to help Indie Artists in the early stages of recording their music.

To date Hannaleck has been involved in three projects with more lining up, from beginning to end in helping artists to create their albums. Tracks are evaluated in their most rudimentary form for the artists. The input is invaluable at the beginning stages all the way to the final mastering and sequencing. 

The process goes through four stages and can last anywhere from 1 to 3 months or longer.

Russ Suereth Commented:  Keith was patient during the initial creation process. I must say that the initial drafts were not great, because I was still trying to find my place within this new space. Keith was there to help guide my focus to an area that listeners were expecting to hear, and once I got on track I was able to take off on my own. Keith helped with a few final thoughts at the end, and also provided thoughtful and detailed descriptions of the tracks. They were very helpful in marketing my music to other people in the industry.

Any artist would benefit from Keith’s insights, experience, and deep knowledge of music and the greater music industry.

Hannaleck currently runs 4 different blogs that concentrate on music, Write A Music Review, Prog Rock Music Talk, New Age Music Reviews and Rate The Tracks. He has been in the music industry for over 16 years and is the founder of the website MuzikReviews.com which went offline last year due to an ownership change. That did not deter the man from carrying on and he continued to be a relevant part of the online music industry contributing music reviews with his staff and posting streaming media and news.

Regarding The Pre-Production Service Hannaleck States-The goal is to provide each artist with an honest assessment of each individual track. A further recommendation for additional instruments or removal of the same helps to make the tracks better in sound and overall texture and presentation. After several iterations of evaluations and short reviews of each track the end result should be a complete album ready for final mastering. My knowledge and connections in the music industry will assist the artist in taking their music to the next level and making recommendations for mastering and publicity.

This Pre-Production service is one that is greatly needed in the highly competitive and at times confusing music industry. Experience, honesty and a straightforward approach is something that is an invaluable resource that any artist seeks. Hannaleck hopes to make this service an integral part of the industry for years to come. All of the sites, social networks and services are available to access on one page at www.muzikman.net

Contact:Keith Hannaleck

Music Industry Veteran Launches New Music Pre-Production Service For Indie Artists

Boston, MA-April 23, 2015-Long time music industry journalist and webmaster Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck has launched a service to help Indie Artists in the early stages of recording their music.

To date Hannaleck has been involved in three projects with more lining up, from beginning to end in helping artists to create their albums. Tracks are evaluated in their most rudimentary form for the artists. The input is invaluable at the beginning stages all the way to the final mastering and sequencing. 

The process goes through four stages and can last anywhere from 1 to 3 months or longer.

Russ Suereth Commented:  Keith was patient during the initial creation process. I must say that the initial drafts were not great, because I was still trying to find my place within this new space. Keith was there to help guide my focus to an area that listeners were expecting to hear, and once I got on track I was able to take off on my own. Keith helped with a few final thoughts at the end, and also provided thoughtful and detailed descriptions of the tracks. They were very helpful in marketing my music to other people in the industry.

Any artist would benefit from Keith’s insights, experience, and deep knowledge of music and the greater music industry.

Hannaleck currently runs 4 different blogs that concentrate on music, Write A Music Review, Prog Rock Music Talk, New Age Music Reviews and Rate The Tracks. He has been in the music industry for over 16 years and is the founder of the website MuzikReviews.com which went offline last year due to an ownership change. That did not deter the man from carrying on and he continued to be a relevant part of the online music industry contributing music reviews with his staff and posting streaming media and news.

Regarding The Pre-Production Service Hannaleck States-The goal is to provide each artist with an honest assessment of each individual track. A further recommendation for additional instruments or removal of the same helps to make the tracks better in sound and overall texture and presentation. After several iterations of evaluations and short reviews of each track the end result should be a complete album ready for final mastering. My knowledge and connections in the music industry will assist the artist in taking their music to the next level and making recommendations for mastering and publicity.

This Pre-Production service is one that is greatly needed in the highly competitive and at times confusing music industry. Experience, honesty and a straightforward approach is something that is an invaluable resource that any artist seeks. Hannaleck hopes to make this service an integral part of the industry for years to come. All of the sites, social networks and services are available to access on one page at www.muzikman.net

Contact:Keith Hannaleck