MusicTech 2008

Business is Changing… Are You?

GRAMMY^® MUSICTECH SUMMIT 08

November 6-7, 2008

GRAMMY^® MUSICTECH SUMMIT 08 Includes:

Keynote Address

14 Panels*

Trade Area

Networking Lunches

Evening Receptions

For more information go to www.grammypnw.com or call 206.834-1000

McCaw Hall

Seattle, WA

9 A.M. - 5 P.M..

Complimentary Admission for Academy Members**

Guest and General Admission $175/Two day pass

Guest and General Admission $100/One day pass

*panels and schedule subject to change

**additional charge for networking lunches

This just in: it’s all our faults. Yes, because fans are enjoying more music than ever, we’ve ruined the music industry.

And what’s worse, Kiss will not record anything new. Because of us.

I would call this an unqualified success. Whatever we’re doing, we must absolutely keep it up.

(Full story at digital music news here.)

This just in: vinyl is hip again.

Okay, so it’s not exactly replacing the CD, but twenty percent per year gains, and an eighty percent surge this year is significant. Maybe I will hang on to my collection…

Could the contrast be any more stark?

In Bob’s next post, he talks about how our friend and local MusicTech luminary Terry MacBride is working in this new music terrain:

• Releasing a bare Sarah McLachlan vocal track, letting fans remix it, and then choose the winner
• Letting Avril Lavigne fans submit and then vote on T-shirt designs. Guess which T-shirt sold more, the design Avril liked or the one the fans liked?

On the Lefsetz blog today, Bob talks about how Paul MacGuinness, the manager of U2, just doesn’t get it. 

It’s no surprise, really. But it does point to the fact that if we’re waiting for answers, we’re not going to get them from the established music industry. Mac goes as far (apparently, I wasn’t there, obviously) as calling the people in Silicon Valley “hippies.” 

Hippies? Is he serious? Clearly he hasn’t been to Silly Valley. Not a hippie in the bunch. Tons of extremely creative people, sure, and all dressed in pleated dockers, but not a hippie to be seen. Hell, he doesn’t even know how to insult a tech geek. Sheesh.

Personally, I’ve been a proponent of some sort of all-you-can-eat model for ten years now. It just makes sense. eMusic is the closest thing to me so far, and I love it. I often gaze at my wall of CDs and my ridiculous collection of vinyl and wonder how much longer I’m going to let it take up space in my house. If everything is available all the time, will I need it?

Of course, there’s my opposing argument that it’s impossible to develop a relationship with a download like you do with a vinyl LP - but that’s another argument for another post.

Join panelists Tom DeSavia, Steve Mack, Dave Allen, and Tim Quirk to learn how you can better market your music on the web, build a bigger audience, and discover new ways to make money in the digital world.

MusicTech Hawaii, Saturday, June 7th, 2008, in partnership with the State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Creative Industries Division and Outrigger Waikiki Beach Hotel. 

The event runs from 11:30 to 4PM, with a reception immediately following. 

Admission is free for Recording Academy and Grammy U members, and $50 for the general public. Admission price can be put towards academy membership.

To RSVP or purchase tickets, please contact the PNW chapter office by calling 206.834.1000. 

MusiCares, in conjunction with Dr. Patrick Sherrard, will be offering comprehensive dental exams and consultations to low-income music professionals without insurance in thePortland area.  Exams (include complete x-rays and cleaning) will be provided free of charge to pre-screened, pre-approved music professionals*, upon establishing eligibility.  Appointments will be assigned in one hour increments, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Space is limited.  RSVP today!

Contact MusiCares at 800-687-4227 (toll-free) to schedule an appointment.

* Minimum of five years documented career history or credits on at least five recorded tracks/videos

www.MusiCares.com