Hi, Just putting in a reminder-plug that we're playing at the Vision Festival in Cogan Station this Friday 7/21. Admission is free (there's a charge for parking). If you need directions or more info call 888-284-9466 or www.visionfest.com They're expecting 7000 people this year. We go on at 6PM sharp (the Vision folks promise they'll be running on schedule). By "we" I'm referring to the whole musical package that comes out of Unity Christian Fellowship: myself, Adrienne Blanton, Bomb Squad and Monette Newsuan and the UCF Praise & Worship led by Linda Wheatley. Each artist will do a mini-set (mostly original material from our respective albums) and we will end up with 20 minutes of praise & worship. It should be a very anointed and high energy set. We'll have the usual assortment of rappers and singers with "full band" backing everyone--me on keyboards/bass/vocals, Corey Willams on drums, Abede Lynch on percussion. We're thrilled to announce the addition of guitarist Kenny Jenkins, a pro from the old "Philly Soul" circuit. He recently joined our fellowship and we're glad to have him on board. Preceeding us (5:15) will be the band Victory (whose album I produced last year). They mix up blues, gospel and progressive rock styles (like someone said, "Imagine Phil Keaggy going to summer camp with Blind Willie McTell"). They're excellent! I hope to work with Victory in the future. Also on Friday morning (9:40) the band Kurios will go on. They're from Allentown and I met them by getting hired to play Mellotron on their album. If you like Beatle-induced grooves and melodies come early and catch their set. Enough promotion for one morning. See ya...JJB ********************************************* FIRE!!! The new CD by Johnny J Blair Read about it and listen to 3 soundclips! http://www.sunlink.net/~the3blrs/fireCD.html ======================= JAZZIN' TO SWING IN WILLIAMSPORT Premier jazz group Jazzin' will be performing Friday, July 21st at the Bullfrog Brewery, 229 W. 4th St., Williamsport PA. Show begins 10PM. Based in Williamsport, Jazzin' represents "the creme de la creme" of regional players. Their set list includes funk, Latin-tinged fusion, standards and originals. The group is fronted by reedman Dicky Adams, who has played with a wide range of music acts. "Local heroes" Steve Adams demonstrates his expertise on the keyboards along with trumpeter Rob Byham (on loan from DaddyO & the SaxManiacs). Bassist Kenny Wittman is a world-renowned instrument builder and inventor of musical accessories. Drummer Bob Leidhecher performed with the legendary Empire Brass Quartet for ten years, appearing on their award-winning ON BROADWAY album. He is also popular as a clinician for Yamaha drums and principal percussionist with the Williamsport Symphony. Call (570) 326-4700 for more information. -30- ===================== MUSIC BUSINESS I.Q. TEST by John J. Blair Test your knowledge of the music business. Answers listed below: 1) Getting signed to a major record deal should be the ultimate goal for music acts. True or False? 2) Who gets billed for the music videos and promotional items made by record companies to promote new products? The label or the artist? 3) Too much music education can stifle true artistry. True or False? 4) The best, most cost-effective and long term way to make money from music is A) Make a band, gig all the time and sell music product B) Get a degree and become a teacher C) Publish songs 5) Cover art is not that important. True or false? 6) Keeping track of current trends in business, culture and technology is A) a waste of time and keeps me from playing my music B) extremely important for everyone involved in music C) something only business people should bother with Answers: 1) False. Statistically, for every one artist selling platinum there are eleven others who are literally starving as "industry casualties." Many high visibility artists have their faces on MTV but have no money in the bank. With major labels, the loyalty factors are low and the overheads are high. You have to sell 100,000 units just to eke out a tiny profit. Whereas an independent act can sell 30,000 units privately and do well. 2) The artist. Record companies don't want to pay for anything. They'll bill you for the catered food they sent in at the recording session, the limo they told you to rent, the clothes they told you to buy, etc. Full retail and then some. 3) False. Knowledge is your friend. A basic knowledge of music theory sets you free. The more you know the higher you fly. Maybe some have had bad experiences with a few teachers. Maybe there's glory in being a "self-taught darling." But, don't expect to be accessible or dexterous if you don't know the rules and don't know the tools. Even veteran professionals seek tutoring to keep themselves fresh. Paul McCartney claims he can't read or write music, but he did spend time in the church choir. There's no way you can be in that without obtaining some cursory knowledge of music vernacular and ability to work in group settings. Lately his vision goes beyond pop music (he hired Carl Davis to score symphonic works). This also applies to business education. Mick Jagger and Trish Yearwood have business degrees. Over 80 music colleges now offer courses in business. 4) C) Publishing songs can lead to residual income from an intellectual property-a song. One song can generate royalties from anywhere on the planet. You could be any age, race or skill level to write a song. Song writing requires no cartage of gear or college degrees (even though those experiences can be beneficial to the song writing process). 5) False. This is your image. Put on your best face. People have too many choices and don't know you from a can of paint. If you don't want to be rejected don't look like a reject. Be prepared to spend money on graphics and pictures. Create a visual concept that harmonizes with your musical concept. 6) B) It's not a matter of chasing fads as it is keeping abreast of changes that could affect you creatively and vocationally. You might be hot stuff in your area, but how will you fare elsewhere? You might be doing something right. How will you know if there's nothing to compare it to? New technology and changes in the business landscape could help you, and it's your responsibility to be aware of progress. Score-if you answered: 5 to 6 correct, congratulations. Clear a shelf for the Grammy. 3 to 4 correct, you have a good heart but need a little guidance. Less than 3 and you still love music, turn off the music videos and start working out for the big race. =========================== "WHY ARE MUSICIANS ALWAYS BROKE?" MUSIC SEMINAR IN WILLIAMSPORT Music-making as an income-generating craft goes all the way back to the book of Genesis. "Back in Moses's and King David's day musicians were paid on a scale with architects and metal smiths. What happened?" asks seminar instructor John J. Blair. "Part of the problem is musicians underestimating their roles. People want music but the whole idea of artists getting paid for it has turned into a bizarre carrot chase. It's time to retill the garden." The seminar takes place at the Uptown Music Collective, 445 Market Street, Williamsport PA on Thursday, August 3rd at 7PM. "We're in a time of transition," Blair says. "The gatekeepers of the major music companies are being disarmed by a new wave of independents, on both the Internet and on the street level. Communities around the country are discovering how 'live music' stimulates the economy and dresses up local culture. It's a wonderful time to create opportunities but you have to know the codes." The seminar is designed to equip beginning and advanced musicians with information to prosper in the music business, in both performing and recording. Topics include airplay, booking agencies, understanding copyrights, entertainment law, equipment basics, creating and selling your own CD album, understanding licensing and publishing, the pros and cons of major labels, professionalism and stage presence, promotion and publicity, and ways to make music income without having to live in "Music City." Blair is a producer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has been performing and recording professionally since 1976 and has released several of his own recordings internationally. He has been "signed" to record companies and has thoroughly experienced the mechanics of getting airplay, selling music merchandise, booking performances and "shopping music" to publishers. As a producer and session musician he has worked with major artists as well as Dove and Grammy winners. He has also worked on radio "jingles" and in theatre. Currently he is performing with various music groups and as a solo act. He is also a partner in Fire Inside Productions, a recently formed production company formed by ex-Monkee Davy Jones. "It's been said that musicians and business smarts don't go together, but that's a lie," notes Blair. "We now have more ways to learn the business than ever before. Conversely, so-called 'business types' may not have the time or inclination to learn music. Musicians can have the best of both worlds." Blair, who regularly doses himself with biographies and trade magazine articles, likes to use David Bowie as a role model. "In the mid-70s Bowie had hit records and sell-out concerts but couldn't afford to buy dinner. One day he got smart, fired his manager, did an accounting of his product sales, trimmed his old staff and said, 'I used to think an artist had to separate himself from business matters but now I realize you have more artistic freedom if you keep an eye on the business.' Bowie is now worth $450 million and still turns out great music." Cost is $20.00. Class size is limited and reservations are suggested. Some materials and light refreshments will be provided. Call (570) 329-0888 for more information. -30-