Need to Write a Band Bio or Press Release?

Sometimes it can be difficult to write about yourself and your music. But the reality is that critics, bookers, and bloggers don't have the time to listen to every CD or MP3 they receive. Often times your music only gets to speak for itself AFTER you've spoken for it.  

How do you do that effectively?

Echoes Blog have posted some informative articles on the art of crafting your artist bio, press kit materials, and press releases.

Here are 3 good ones to check out:

Press Kit Fundamentals - How to Write a Compelling Artist Bio

Press Kit Fundamentals - More Band Bio Writing Tips

Press Kit Fundamentals - Press Release Writing Tips 

Mother Booted from ER Dies in Jail

This story is quite sad. I couldn’t even finish watching the video. I just don’t understand how people treat other people wrong based on race, sex, age, or economical status!?!?


RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. – Officials at a St. Louis hospital on Thursday defended their actions in the case of a homeless woman who sought treatment for a sprained ankle and died in police custody after being arrested for refusing to leave the emergency room.

An autopsy determined that Anna Brown’s death in a jail cell was caused by blood clots that formed in her legs and migrated to her lungs, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. The newspaper also obtained surveillance footage of the woman’s final moments. In the video, officers are seen carrying Brown into a jail cell. The cell door closes and Brown is heard moaning and crying.

Brown’s family says authorities treated the 29-year-old mother of two unfairly and have hired a St. Louis-based lawyer, Keith Link. Link did not respond to telephone messages from msnbc.com on Thursday.

What is your take on the video?

More on this story

Your CD Is Done...Now What?

I run into artists all the time that are pushing their music.  I understand the hustle because I am an artist myself.  A lot of times, the products that are pushed to me by these artists are very unappealing such as a cd with sharpie writing on it.  Presentation is important in the reception of new music, especially from an unknown artist.  I have some music friends who are victim to the this, thinking that once the music is recorded, everyone will jump on their music.  That is not the case.  Once the music is done, the real work begins.  You have to get your music out to the masses and let people know you have new music.  
This is how:


1) Make sure you have 3 or 4 great band/artist photos
2) Put your press kit together
3) Update your websites
4) Submit your album to Gracenote and AMG
5) Line up distribution
6) Book a CD release party
7) Mail press kits to “the media”
8) Launch a DIY radio promotion campaign
9) Create video content
10) Coordinate your social media and email newsletter efforts
11) Get your name and logo out there
12) Tour!

Now this list of things may seem daunting, but they are necessary in order to increase the success of your CD.  For further explanation of each task listed above...click HERE. 

I hope this is useful.  

Prosper,

SA'J

The 411 of Food Portion Control

One of the biggest pitfalls in many people’s diets comes down to one thing: portion control. Follow these tips to maintain great health while continuing to enjoy all your favorite foods--in moderation.

Take a Look at What’s on Your Plate

In 2011, the Department of Agriculture replaced the classic food pyramid with new guidelines titled “My Plate." In an effort to improve the health of the general public, the "My Plate" programs provides the most up-to-date information about how to balance your intake of a variety of food groups, with an emphasis on fresh vegetables and whole grains.

Comparing Portion and Serving Size

Understanding the difference between a portion and a serving size will help you make smart eating decisions, especially when it comes to packaged and processed foods that feature nutrition labels. A portion refers to the amount of food you actually eat in one sitting, while packaged foods often divide the contents into a predetermined number of servings. The amount of fat, number of calories, and other factors refer to the number of serving sizes as determined by the manufacturer, and these are often much smaller than typical portion sizes. For example, that personal-pan-sized frozen pizza you scarfed down for lunch likely lists two servings on the label. Celebrity health activist Dr. Oz recommends using your fist as a guide: the amount of food that equals roughly the size of your fist is the proper portion for the size of your stomach.

Portion Control in Restaurants

Restaurants are notorious for serving up more than one person should eat, making it all too easy to trip up on your diet when eating out. To avoid overeating, order a light appetizer instead of a full entrée, or plan to split an entrée with a friend or box up half of it immediately before delving into your food.

Fast Food Portion Control

It is difficult to keep portion size in perspective when you are eating from a bag. Busy lifestyles lend themselves to eating while driving. However, always try to take fast food home or to the office, where you can arrange the food on a plate before eating. Simply seeing how much food is in front of you should help you to pace yourself. Try to order dishes in the smallest possible sizes and remember that you can always save a portion of the meal for later consumption.

Buffet Style Portion Control

Buffets, whether at restaurants or special events, lend themselves perfectly to overeating and forgetting about portion control. Drink some water before you start eating and use a small plate when serving yourself, if possible. When loading up your plate, do not let foods touch or overlap; you can always go back for more. If the urge strikes to go back for seconds, wait a few minutes before following through. It takes time for the signals from your stomach to tell your brain that you really do not need more food. If you wait a little bit, you are less likely to overload your plate the second time around.

Portion Control at Home

In addition to using smaller plates and waiting before going back for seconds, you can implement other strategies at home to successfully manage portion control. Eating in front of the TV is a sign of the times, but studies have shown that people tend to eat more when they are distracted by the TV or internet. If you can’t give it up, at least avoid eating out of large food packages. Instead, put a smaller portion of your favorite snacks on a plate. Additionally, if you buy in bulk, divide all your purchases into serving size containers before storing them in the fridge or pantry. That way you will be less likely to over-eat.

Source: http://www.nalleylexusroswellnews.com/Articles/The411ofPortionControl/

2 0 1 2 Is On The Cusp...

Have a WONDERFUL and HAPPY NEW YEAR!


2012 will be GREAT.


All you have to do is CLAIM IT!

Do People Still Listen To CDs?

With all the new technological advancements with mp3 players (ex. Ipod) and the take over of online music distributors like Itunes, it may seem that the physical CD is no longer relevant.  Many people find that it's easier to just download a song rather than buy the album at a record store.  Does that mean people no longer listen to CDs?  Absolutely not...people still like CDs because it's what they're used to!  Yes, we've made incredible strides on how music can be audibly received, but a download is not the same as having the physical copy of the music with the art work.  If you go to a show, you want to walk away with a tangible item in your hand.


Another argument for the CD is the quality of its sound in comparison to digital downloads.  CDs are pressed at 16  bit / 44.1 sample rate.  You don't need to know what that means from a technical perspective other than that it simply sounds better.  There are some folks who are frustrated with decreasing fidelity to fit on even smaller devices, which has led to a movement to seek out even higher resolutions.  There are sites now that sell recording at resolutions up to 24 bit / 192 sample rate.


Like any technology, CDs won't be around forever.  But we're not there yet.  There is still value in the physical CD!


Source: http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2011/11/what-every-merch-booth-needs-to-sell-cds/?utm_source=DIYNews&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=120111

Rocking the Red Carpet!

On NOVEMBER 12, I'm performing at the ATL's Hottest Entertainment Awards on the red carpet.  It goes down at the Georgia World 
Congress Center in Building C.  Be there @ 4:30 pm to see the hotness.
Tickets are only $5 online ($7 at the door) and can be purchased HERE.  Put "(SJ)" behind your name to indicate you're supporting ya boy!
Comedian Rick Perry will be the host.  It's going to be an epic night where the trailblazers and stars of the entertainment industry in Atlanta will be honored.


Thanks for supporting,
Sa'J