Will the New Home Run Record by Barry Bonds be Tainted?

Well, Barry Bonds finally did it. He has hit more home runs than any other major leaguer. More than the famed Babe Ruth and now more than the previous home run record holder, Hank Aaron.

The home run was just like any other home run. It cleared the fence and landed in the stands. It looked no different than the thousands of home runs hit in major league history. It was not a monster shot that traveled 550 feet, nor was it a home run that just cleared the fence or could have been a foul ball. It was just an ordinary looking home run. But, it is not so much this particular home run that is so controversial, but all the home runs combined by this one player.

For years now, rumors have run rampant that Barry Bonds used illegal performance enhancing drugs, known as steroids. Baseball has had special investigations into steroid use in baseball. It is alleged that many baseball players have used steroids. Jose Canseco wrote a book on steroid use in baseball and was highly criticized. This was written well before steroid use was an issue so much of it was dismissed. We as a society now know more about this alleged use, but not much. The baseball union is one of the toughest there is. The players are all unified and not talking. Even past players will not talk about it, other than to say they personally never saw anybody doing it.

A longtime childhood friend of Barry Bonds, Greg Anderson, sits in prison because he refuses to testify against Bonds. Anderson is a convicted steroids dealer and was part of BALCO.

So controversial is Barry Bonds, the commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig, did not attend the game. In fact, he was in New York, preparing to meet former Senator George Mitchell to discuss baseball’s ongoing investigation in steroids and performance enhancing drugs. The only place further away would have been out of the country. Selig’s meeting with Mitchell was to provide an update on the former Senator’s report, which is expected by the end of the year. The investigation, which is now 17 months old, has been set back by a lack of authority to coerce testimony or subpoena documents, so it is unclear how much more information it will reveal.

It was quite apparent that Selig is not happy about the whole Bonds affair. To his credit though, Selig called Bonds on the phone after the historic home run to congratulate him on his achievement. Additionally, MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Jimmie Lee Solomno and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson were on hand to represent the commissioner’s office.

Let’s be fair, Selig did witness in person home run 755 and also attended the games in Milwaukee when Barry was there, though Bonds did not hit any in Milwaukee. When Bonds hit 755, Selig watched on with an apparent lack of interest. He rose from his seat but did not applaud and seemed to be bored or irritated with the whole event.

Another slight against Bonds was that the now previous record holder, Hank Aaron, did not witness in person any of the record breaking home runs. Much like Selig though, Aaron had a tape message that played on the scoreboard after the home run was hit that congratulated Bonds on his personal achievement.

While many folks are not Barry fans, Barry himself was quite happy about finally hitting 756. After the game Bonds said, “It was absolutely the best, absolutely the best.” But when queried about the thought that the record will be tainted due to his alleged steroid use, Bonds said, “This record is not tainted at all. At all. Period. You guys can say whatever you want.”

While no one may ever prove Barry Bonds took steroids, this mark will always be surrounded in controversy. It may not have a visible asterisk next to it, but for millions of fans, it may as well have one.

Related to:  steriods , home run record

Record Label with a Plan

Are you ready to learn how to start and run your own record label? Well, every business owner needs one important thing in order to start their own business and that is a business plan. A business plan is important for not only yourself but it is a necessity if you want to get any type of financing or solicit investors. If you have never written a business plan then I am going to give you a step by step instruction on how to start an independent record label beginning with the plan.

Alright, so now you know the first step in how to start a record label, a business plan. Your business plan needs to be simple, yet professional. Let’s begin with your audience. As I mentioned before, a business plan is for you and the people who may finance your business.
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Recording The Guitar To A Computer

You want to record your guitar, make your own riffs, music, etc. You want to plug my guitar into my computer? How to connect the guitar to the computer the right and best way? What software? Which audio interface? What about my favorites guitar effects? What computer? Where to start? It can be overwhelming.

The recording guitarist’s computer setup should be something like this:

* Guitar (*GTR with 13 pin connection recommended) * Microphone for recording Acoustic guitar, vocals etc. * Quality guitar cable * Audio Interface-Firewire (recommended) or USB * Guitar/midi interface * USB/Firewire cables * Computer (Mac recommended or PC) * Extra external/internal Hard Drive (recommended) * Audio recording/sequencer software * Plug-ins: effects- reverb, compressor, delay, chorus, etc o Dedicated guitar effects/amp simulation o Sampler/synths (for 13 pin guitarists or guitarist who can play keyboards) * Quality cables to speakers * Powered Speakers * Headphones (so you do not disturb the wife an kids at those late weekend sessions).
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Putting A Value On Vinyl Records

In part one we discussed the most important element of vinyl record appraising, the condition of the record and LP jacket or sleeve and the methods used in grading a vinyl record. In this section we will explore other elements that factor into the value of a record.

Scarcity

Many, many millions of vinyl records are in circulation, with almost every household in the US, either having some vinyl records at one time or another. We even had a vinyl record ‘boon’ from around 1955-1980. But, how many of those records are still around and more importantly, what condition are they in?
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Putting A Value On Vinyl Records

One element of the ever changing music industry is that the sale of vinyl records has increased and that these audio treasures are still in demand. In our age of digital products and downloads, there are still millions who prefer the sound and experience of vinyl records. In this two part article, let’s explore how a person can ascertain just how much a particular record is worth.

There are many factors and variables that come into play, whether buying or selling records. The ‘grading’ of a record is very subjective and because no two people grade the record the same, many problems arise when reselling new and used vinyl.
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Increase MySpace Plays, Increase Plays And Get Signed, Get Myspace Plays, How To Get A Record Deal

You can increase your myspace plays and boost and get myspace plays effectively to attract record labels, newspapers, magazines, publicity and press, brand new fans, radio and television stations,venues, performance locations, A & R scouts, booking agents and all important music executives. But to do this you need to take a pro active approach.

With todays online opportunities you have the very same strategies the major labels use for todays music superstars available to you.

The benefits of following a careful strategy include:

Get more friend requests and comments
Increase your band or artist music profile awareness through Top Artist rankings
Climb the Myspace charts
Have more loyal fans notice you and visit your profile
Get noticed by important music industry executives, booking agents and managers
Impress fans, A&Rs, promoters, managers, record labels, radio, other musicians, booking agents, when the see your Myspace music player plays and views.

Run Your Promotion Campaign Consistently

What makes a good promotion a great promotion campaign? It’s simple – consistency! That Is the key defining difference. If you want to be sure your music gets attention, stands out, and gets maximum exposure to your MySpace fanbase…You need to make sure that anyone that comes to your MySpace page see that you are getting people listening to your music

This shows the music executives and fans that you are popular and that your music stands out to thousands of fans EVERYDAY! Again consistency is key. Use the same tools that the major superstar artists use by having a professional service execute the many strategies.

How many plays should I get in a day?

You can get up to 20,000 and more, but it’s not a very good strategy. Gradual increases are best, not exceeding 5000 -20,000 plays a day will help you get better positioning and allow you to remain longer on the Myspace Charts.

Don’t let fans come to your page and see 20, 30, or 50, plays! People like to be a part of something big and don’t want to miss out. When they see a high song play count and see that your song plays are increasing, they will be more likely to click and listen to your music and become friends and fans.

How long will I stay on the MySpace charts?

New artists are promoting their music every day and it is competitive. To keep your chart position or to continue climbing you must get plays regularly. MySpace updates their charts every day. If another artist outperforms you in plays and regularly promotes then you will lose your chart position.

It is worth repeating – Consistency is Key! We also highly recommend that you take a screenshot of the charts so you can use for promotion purposes for magazines, news stories, radio promotion etc.

You know have the resources to use the same promotional strategies as todays top current artist-take a lead role in getting your band, artist or music noticed!

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Related to: Increase MySpace Plays. Increase Plays And Get Signed , Get Myspace Plays , How To Get A Record Deal.

How to Start Your Own Independent Record Label

Over the next few minutes, I am going to reveal to you some tips and tricks behind how to start and run your own independent record label. Have you always dreamed of finding talent and getting their records released? Do you have your own music you want to get released? Are you sick of the record label you are working for and want to start your own? Well, either way, learning how to start a record label is your first step.

First of all, if you are here trying to get information of how to start your own independent record label then you must be serious. And that is a good thing because starting any business from scratch takes drive, ambition and a tough skin. You have to be ready for anything that is thrown your way.

Besides determination, while figuring out how to start an independent record label, you are going to need a few tangible items. You are going to need some cash (or credit), a business plan, some talented artist/s, a business and retail license and a name. The great news is that all of these things are within your reach!

If you want to know how to start and run your own record label then listen up, you have to network. Networking is the key in any business and especially in the music business. You have to get out there and find the talent, meet people in the industry and acquire as much information as possible. The future of your business lies in your hands.

One route you can take is to jump the gun and go ahead and start recording and releasing. Maybe you already have a band or musician in mind. If this is you then get them in the studio and make some albums. When they are ready, get them sold. This will definitely give you a taste of how to start a record label.

Learning how to start a record label is really not as hard as you think. You definitely have to have the desire. The costs of starting record label will vary depending on which route you take. You can start anywhere from a sole proprietorship, the most simple form all the way up to a corporation. It really depends on where you personally want to start.

It never hurts to have a little legal help when you are dealing with contracts. Lawyers are expensive but you are going to eventually need one if you want to start your own label. This will save your business from any lawsuits and help keep everything legal. It will save you in the long run.

With these tips and some determination you will find that figuring out the process of how to start your own independent record label is easier than you think. Get out there and try it for yourself, you control the success of your soon to be record company. I did these things and made a very successful career for myself, I know you can too. All you have to do is take the information on how to start and run an independent record label and go with it!

Related to: how to start a record label , how to start an independent record label

How the Music Industry Works

Many people go into the music industry head first and heels up. They have no idea who to buddy up with, or what to do to get their name out there. Think about your career. Your biggest dream is probably to go to a recording studio and make your CD. However, who is going to buy it? Is it really professional enough to sell? How will anyone know who you are when they see your CD?

You have to get exposure. In truth, there is no promise in this industry. You just have to hope that you are heard by the right person. However, how are you going to be heard? Are you organized enough to impress those who hear? If you want to be in the music world, then you have to get a basic idea of how the industry works.

Before we go on, I would also suggest that you begin to read the many fine books on the music business. The more you know the more you will be prepared when success comes knocking at your door.

Many people believe that when they go to a local recording studio and create their record, they are ready to become famous. We all wish it were that simple, but it’s not. In truth, no matter how good your demo sounds, its never good enough until it has a professional label on it. This is where many people fall in the industry. How do you get a record company to sponsor you? It all starts with your demo.

The local recording studio is the first step to success.

Once you have recorded your music to the utmost professional quality, you may send it in to various record companies. What can you hope to achieve by doing this? Obviously you want a record deal, but do you really know what a record deal is? If a record company likes your music they will offer to give you time in their studio. They will do one of two things when they do this. If you show promise, and they believe that you have what it takes, they will loan you the money for the studio time. When you make money off of your record, you must pay them back with interest. Or they will offer you time in their studio that you may pay for yourself. Not just anybody can record in their studio so if you get the offer consider yourself lucky.

Advertising, Who Pays?

Once this has been completed, they will advertise your record through radio time, television, posters etc. This is important because most radio stations refuse to play any material that has not been solicited by a record company with good status. However, this service isn’t free. You must pay the record company back with interest for this as well. So where does the money come in?

Your first album is going to mainly be about getting exposed. You won’t make much money off of this project, but it will give buyers a reason to purchase your later records. This is how you make your money.

The biggest thing to remember is that if this were easy, every one would do it. If every one were noticed artists, there would be no money in the industry. Thus the reason many worthy musicians never get publicity. Just persevere, don’t give up, and you won’t have the burden of never obtaining your chance to fame and success.

The music business, it is a fascinating world and if you learn all you can you will be ready.

Related to: music , business , music business

How To Record With The Right Attitude

After millions of dollars from the music business I am now going to give you all the secrets on how to get a record deal within a year for next to nothing!

When compared to the millions of dollars you will make through out your musical career.

So its either that your from a standpoint of you being an under ground rapper or an unsigned singer, to the point that you are ready to come out with an album or maybe you want to be a producer, manager or wanting to own your own record label, or maybe you just want to do it all.

Then we can help! Cause with over thirty years of musical experience. We are going to map out some simple step-by-step instructions.

On getting that record by creating and organizing your legal business structure, onto developing your product (which is your self/company and your music), with steps on producing your product to the masses and generating large amounts of cash flow in multiple ways, from one particular source which will lead to millions of dollars. All from doing something that you love to do.

The music business is not easy and due to the very large amounts of musical artist and entrepreneurs perusing careers in the music industry (something around 10 million people).

So now there is an extreme lack in a professional grade of artist development and therefore an artist with any sort of potential is passed on by record labels, managers and agents, etc. due to a very high risk of failure involved in breaking new artist to the masses and teaching them the ins and outs of the music business.

So with my musical experience I do know all the things that A&Rs as well as managers and agents are looking for when signing new talent. So after you having been developed and showing permanent signs of a genuine and marketable star quality. You will be ready to make large amounts of money.

Everyday the music industry is working hard looking for new talent but never really sign new artist or work with new independent labels. Want to know why?

A former recording industry executive who has worked with thousands of Recording artist, managers and record label executives over the years and have come to know all the secrets, tricks and tips (that the big record companies dont want you to know) will show you how to get rich in music.

FOCUS:

This is the way to success in the music industry. Which is to sign a record deal, and dont be fooled by some people who say that they dont need a record deal to have success this business. Only say that cause they never had any real success in the music business. Now your focus is to vision your self as a professional sports player, and the record company is a team in the league, and your record deal is your contract to play for that team. So what im basically saying is that if you are not on a team then you are not really in the game or lets just say the professional game of music.

So my job with this information is to get you prepared on all levels, by covering the necessary subjects to put you in a position of signing a record deal. Then you will be able to show off your hard earned talents to the masses by releasing an album, and as a result you will be able to get rich in music.

So for the next few sections as you read and prepare, understand that all phases will take time based on your determination to persevere.

This section is very important before you begin, because all actions that a person makes must first begin with a decision to act. So the important part about a real focus is to clearly make the right choices, even when choosing an intended goal. So we need to focus in on getting a record deal.

Even though getting a recording contract is the ultimate goal, its actually the easiest to achieve cause once you have followed all the steps in the following sections which will basically change you from an unsigned talent onto an professional recording franchise. Then you will basically have your choice of what to sign? Who to sign to? As well as how much money should you sign for?

Most artists in the truest sense of the word are narrowly focused people who never take no for an answer. No matter what challenges come along, they find a way of staying alive. More and more as the decades roll by, these artists are entrepreneurial musicians who grab a hold of the business reigns and find away to get the job done.

THE LEGAL STRUCTURE:

This first section must be thoroughly carried out cause it can come to be the difference between making a thousands of dollars from a record deal and making millions of dollars, which in turn is the exact same reason that most record companies never lose in contract negotiations with an artist, and that is based upon the legal structure that the company is built upon.

In comparison, you being a rapper or singer, you are just a person, a simple human being, which is nothing-special business wise. But then you as a person are trying to negotiate business with a record company, not the record man, but an actual company. In which the company will always out gain an individual person, and the reason for this, is that you legally have no structure to do business in comparison to a major corporation.

And all you can do is be hired by that company as an employee Now suppose that you were a company that specialized in writing and/or performing music. Then instead of being employed or basically owned by the record company. You would be able to merge with them and form a partnership instead of working for them. So now I will just go over the legal aspects needed to get you that record deal.

(Quick note) if you dont secure the business side of your music as far as incorporating, trade marking, copy writes, and publishing the record company will do it for you, but with it all registered in the companys name. As you can lose, millions on top of millions of dollars in the long run. For instance look at the snoop dog situation, back when snoop was with death row records, he went by the name snoop doggy dogg, but when he left to go to no limit he was called only snoop dogg, and that was because death row records owned the trademarks to his name, copy writes and publishing to the point that he left with nothing not even his name. And not all artists recover form this sort of mistake like snoop dogg did.

Related to: music deal , bands , recording , music label , get signed , artist management

Celebrate Vinyl Record Day

When Thomas Edison invented the phonograph on August 12, 1877, little did he know just how much influence his “Talking Machine” would have, not only in the music industry, but in pop culture as well. Records are a part of the music of the ages and it is up to us as individuals and retailers, not only to enjoy our favorite recordings, but to preserve them as well; thus Vinyl Record Day was born.

Vinyl Record Day (http://www.VinylRecordDay.org) is celebrated on August 12th (or the first Saturday following the 12th) and was conceived and brought to the forefront by vinyl enthusiast and vinyl record historian Gary Freiberg. I spoke with Gary about the meaning of Vinyl Record Day and how we can help to as individuals and what retailers can do to help preserve this timeless medium and international treasure.

“Vinyl Record Day is about celebrating vinyl records and the public should take notice of this special day. Invite friends and family over for a barbeque, maybe form a block party and play records, think records and talk about records and what they mean to each of us individually and culturally,” explained Gary.

Gary went into further detail, “Whatever the feel good aspects of Vinyl Record Day are, a retailer will ask how will this help my bottom line? Vinyl Record Day can get free publicity, it puts a good face on a business within their community and is a reason to have something special at the location: a parking lot sale, entertainment, store specials are great examples. I would hope the industry would become more involved with Vinyl Record Day so that, not only are the goals of Vinyl Record Day spread, but that people trying to make all or part of their living with vinyl could be part of an industry and not scattered individuals. We need to have a cohesive national impact as the milk industry did with their “Got Milk” campaign. I truly believe that Internet and traditional brick store owners could benefit financially, and in the case of brick store owners, in their communities by being part of Vinyl Record Day. Another important goal of Vinyl Record Day is to preserve the cultural influences, the recordings and the cover art. We also hope to increase awareness that economics prevents companies from transferring everything on to compact discs.”

A very dynamic and immensely important point Gary talked about is that only 5% of our musical history has been transferred to cd, so it is our responsibility to preserve this medium. Maybe your grandfather, sibling or cousin released a record and, although it may have not made the “top ten,” it is our music and some of these wonderful recordings cannot be found anywhere else. For instance, I own a vinyl copy of a Spiro Agnew speech and one of our most revered presidents John F. Kennedy has released several recordings, as have other influential and historical figures.

Additionally, Vinyl Record Day is a nonprofit organization that aims to educate the public and encourage all of us to preserve these international audio treasures. It is also a marketing opportunity for any vinyl record retailer.

“Vinyl Record Day is focused on educating the public that this timeless medium is in our hands, don’t leave the preservation of vinyl to fate. Vinyl records represent historical audio documents and just as we preserve historical literature, we are the custodians of this audio history. Vinyl Record Day is more than one day a year set aside for celebration, it is also for the industry itself,” acknowledged Gary. ”

We also discussed past celebrations, from the inaugural Vinyl Record Day in San Luis County, California and the international support and attention that Vinyl Record Day receives as well.

“Vinyl Record Day hopes to continue to educate the public on why and how to care for a record collection because these collections are not only a part of who we are individually, but to assure that future generations will not lose a vital link in recorded history,” related Gary.

As an avid vinyl record collector, I truly enjoyed my conversation with Gary, who is very passionate about the cause. Vinyl Record Day is a nonprofit organization that needs the help of all of us, consumers, collectors, musicians, retailers as well as the record companies. So, as you celebrate Vinyl Record Day this August, think about the history, preservation of the format and enjoyment you receive when listening to your favorite records. For more information and how you can help as an individual, please visit the website, and let Gary know that you endorse all of his efforts.

(You may even donate your record collection to Vinyl Record Day and you can receive full value as a tax write-off. Vinyl Record Day needs money to promote, not only Vinyl Record Day, but can help retailers in their own business endeavors)

Related to: Vinyl Record Day , vinyl records , phonograph , music industry , pop culture , preserving vinyl records