This was in my voicemail today.

It is probably a good thing that I didn't answer the phone. I'm sure that this message only plays when they don't get a live person. Otherwise, the campaign worker wouldn't have enjoyed my response:

"Hi. No, I don't want to talk to Mitt or contribute to his campaign. Please call me back when you can get Ron Paul on the line to speak with me. Thanks."

mitt_romney_call-mp3.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Obama calls are answered with even less cordiality.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Live streaming by Ustream

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

VIDEO0018.3gp Watch on Posterous

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Here's a bit of perspective from Evo Terra. Just in case you've never been able to visualize how difficult it can be for us to realize the true value of numbers and money.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

The original post can be found at AudioGumshoe.com.

This episode brought to you by Audible.com. Get a FREE trial and FREE audiobook at audibletrial.com/audiogumshoe.

The File Box

As I mentioned in the last episode of Audio Gumshoe, today’s show features a variety of artists from the submission files. Episode 156 will also feature a variety of artists, rather than the usual feature artist format. If you like what you hear — or perhaps don’t — please leave me your thoughts (vis a vis feedback) by clicking the tab on the right hand side of the page — or by visiting the voicemail page.

Songs and Artists Played

- Neurogenesis (Monks of Mellonwah)
- Million Pieces (Patchy)
- If I Could Fly (Charity Chapman)
- Get Dirty (Alec Berlin)
- Henry at Home (Alec Berlin)
- Backbone (Lay Low)
- Safe to Say (Russell Howard)
- Comfortably (Leaving Venus)
- Jump (DimWisdom)
- Doin’ Nothin’ (Tom Fuller Band)
//
Many thanks to the crew at Ariel Publicity for helping us find several of the artists on this episode, including Lay Low, Charity Chapman, and Tom Fuller Band. Their support is always greatly appreciated.

Also, thanks to Junior Henry for his use of the photo “Bi-axial Spin” on this post. Find him on Flickr. The image is Creative Commons licensed (some rights reserved). You can request to license his images at Getty Images.

Associated Links

Association of Music Podcasting
Blubrry Podcast Network
Audio Gumshoe on Twitter
Audio Gumshoe on Facebook

The audio file for this work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

On one of the few occasions that I turn on terrestrial radio I heard a very strange conversation. As I drove the family's second car home from the repair shop I turned on WTUE-FM (Dayton, OH). I don't have Bluetooth or any auxilliary jacks in that car, so the radio was my only choice for tunes (as if I would have heard any, but that's another post altogether).

WTUE was sharing an excerpt from their morning show. This typically features the syndicated Bob and Tom Show (based from WFBQ in Indianapolis). It didn't necessarily sound like Bob and Tom, but I can't be certain because I've not listened to them for a very long time. Regardless, this is my paraphrased version of what I heard:

Air Personality 1: There's no denying that the music industry is in trouble. There are few opportunities for artists to get music out to new fans. However, some artists have found that doing personal songs on Skype is a way to reach fans. [This topic has been covered by Mashable.com on their Facebook page and numerous other sources for the past week or so.] 

Air Personality 2: It's kind of cool; they spend a few moments chatting and then play a song or two for the fan -- for $25.

Air Personality 3: I'm not sure I would pay $25 unless it was someone significant...

(Remember, this is paraphrased; I was driving as I listened.)

Air Personality 1: It is a unique way for people to get to hear some tunes from favorite artists, like playing shows on YouTube or though Skype, though they don't offer great audio...

Air Personality 2: True, but nothing on the internet does have good audio quality.

The conversation continued with much the same theme and the personalities mentioned that "unless you are a big name artist, you have little chance of being found on the shelves of the music stores." (Again paraphrased.)

To the last statement, I will agree. The labels have lost touch. They continue to fight change and are taking desperate measures to try to force people to follow the "old ways." They continue to manufacture tripe and force-feed it to the radio stations -- which force feed it to the listeners that haven't learned to find a world of entertainment value that isn't recycled time and again every hour.

However... these guys (and gal) were out of touch with many of the trends that have been happening online for music for more than six years.

Musicians have had the opportunity to reach fans direct through many options. The internet has opened the door for them to sell direct to fans, to reach new fans through countless opportunities. These include, and are not limited to, live streaming audio concerts, live video concerts, and podcasts. Many known artists have ditched their labels to reach out through non-traditional means. They are finding fans only thought to be available through major label distribution.

As to the audio quality: Musicians (self-included) have had the option to stream their shows live via the internet at near CD quality for years. Often, the quality of the streaming audio is superior to that of terrestrial radio. Artists have developed large fan bases through the virtual world of Second Life (and others), they have performed on live open-mics, including the now defunct TheStage.TV, YouNow, and even StageIt.com. Toad the Wet Sprocket front man Glen Phillips performs a regular show on StageIt from his couch almost every Sunday night.

I will agree that Skype is probably the worst approach for a musician to take if audio quality is a concern. The service wasn't designed for this type of use, though other services have been. But, much like Facebook retains more people even though Google+ offers better features and options -- names like Skype have become "commonplace" among the un-learned. People go with what they know -- and where their friends are. If this means reduced audio quality, but better options for musicians to reach fans -- so be it.

I think the radio personalities need to keep themselves up-to-date on the technologies available if they are going to talk about it as it relates to musicians. It sounded to me like they were talking about the internet as it was in the days of dial-up. 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

From a 2008 debate. I really hope people start to pay attention to this guy. He is steady and true to his line.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Kettering needs new fire power: wdtn.com

"I wouldn't say we are reorganizing our fire department we are actually looking for optimal fire stations in the future," said Mark Schwieterman, City Manager.

Schwieterman says they have identified this area of Far Hills, just west of Fairmont High School, as a potential location for the first new fire station to be built.

Schwieterman says it's still all in the very early stages, so he wasn't able to provide an exact dollar amount, but says each new station should cost somewhere between $2 and 4-million to construct.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

For thirty years this man has not violated his oath to defend our Constitution. He has been telling us for years how our system is failing. Yet, people continue to rationalize and make excuses. It's time to quit voting for party and time to start voting smart. Your vote does count. If you only vote a certain way because you don't think it will make a difference -- YOU are throwing your vote away. If more people voted for their true beliefs (and not for popularity), we'd see improvement in this country.

It's time to pay attention. At least give it a look:

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Here's a video for one of my demo tunes, complete with lyrics. Enjoy.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Here's one of my demos, complete with lyrics. Enjoy.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

I've seen so many techies bashing the stylus on the Samsung ad during the Superbowl.

I miss using a phone with a stylus in many ways. My HTC Tilt2 had one -- and a slide out QWERTY -- and a touch screen -- with fully functional keyboard, as well. It was a very versatile phone. I can't do many of the things on my very capable Android that I could do on that phone with a stylus. I used to draw diagrams and write VERY quick notes with that device. It takes me twice as long to type quick notes or to even document impromptu meetings on the Android than it did on that phone. I could draw rough sketches to text to someone else. I could upload algorithms to my Evernote... all much faster than I can now on my current Android phone or tablet.

And... iPhone/iPad... okay, whatever. Same difference. I'm an Apple fan, as well (my laptop is a MBP). I would rather run Apple OS than Windoze any day. But... I do miss my stylus.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

I've censored the following, in protest of a bill that gives any corporation and the US government the power to censor the internet--a bill that could pass THIS WEEK. To see the uncensored text, and to stop internet censorship, visit: http://americancensorship.org/posts/15251/uncensor

I was █████ to ████ you █████ a █████ new ████ I ███████, but I █████ my ███████ may ████ be ███████.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

This bill could affect jobs and productivity. It will stifle the creative efforts of musicians, podcasters, artists, photographers, online merchants, media creators and more. It will enable people with a simple grudge to block legitimate agencies, businesses and persons from their livelihood.

PROTECT IP Act Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

It is no secret that I'm a card carrying member of the Libertarian party. I have openly stated my disapproval of the current bipartisan rule in America and have stated that I feel many people don't vote for what they truly believe in, they vote for what appears to be popular. They vote for the elephants or the donkeys because they don't think they have a choice or that their vote will matter (?!) otherwise.

Regardless of political stance, I have truly been perplexed by the Occupy Wall Street meme that has been sweeping this country -- and apparently the world. In my opinion (flamers don't have to debate my opinion -- it is mine to have) I think that many people on this kick are only doing it because it is the "popular thing to do."

I don't always agree with some of what is shared by Bill Whittle on his PJTV programs -- and I definitely don't have an interest in most of what the so-called Tea Party is doing -- but I do agree with him on this one. [video follows]

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

It really saddens me that some issues have become "democrat vs. republican". Some things are simply bad legislation. They are written poorly. When "both sides" lie it is a sad state of desperation and becomes a we vs. them issue.

Being a Libertarian, I sometimes shake my head in wonder at the see-saw mentalities. I see people saying "I don't like that, I'm going donkey; I don't like that I'm going back to elephant." Sad. So sad.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

I come from a lower middle-class family.

My grandfather was a blacksmith. He taught his grandkids that honest, hard work would keep a roof over your head, shoes on your feet, food in your belly.

My parents divorced when I was 13. I started working at age 15 in a tax-paying job to offset expenses and ease the burdens on my single mother, who was raising three boys -- one of which is mentally disabled.

I waited a year after high school to start college so that I could earn money to get started. I have paid all my student loans.

While in college, I worked. I worked hard, I worked often. I sometimes slept an hour a day so that I could both earn an income and still attend classes. And, yes, it took me ten years to get my degree. It was hard, but I worked for it.

I am 48 years old, working a fantastic job for which I am absolutely grateful to have. My income is better now than it has ever been, but I don't forget the years of debt and struggle. I continue to learn new things that help me be more productive for my family and for society in general.

I don't want the government to hand me anything. I don't want big government solving problems for me.

I don't blame others for the struggles I have been through, I made my decisions, I lived through my choices.

I am the 53%.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

See... here's the thing:

No one else has the right to tell you that you can't have ideas. No one else has the right to tell you that you can't share your ideas. No one else has the right to tell you that an idea is anything more than -- an idea.

All they can do is approve or reject the idea as something they will join with you to create as reality.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »