May 22, 2014

Market your music via email


There are so many different social media marketing tools out there, but email is still one of the most powerful tools for musicians. Check out this great article on the MTT to learn how to make the most of your email list and how you can best utilize email to promote and market your music.

http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/make-the-most-of-your-email-list.html

May 16, 2014

Submit your music today - Radio Airplay is giving away $1000!

Submit your music today - Radio Airplay is giving away $1000!

Unsigned Only Music Competition announced the launch of a special promotion, “Screen Shot,” geared toward the placement of music in film, TV, advertising, and video games.


Screenshot “Screen Shot,” sponsored by Radio Airplay, offers the opportunity for artists to have their music heard by some of the top music execs who are looking to place music in various projects. Artists can submit their original songs from May 12-23, 2014 on the Unsigned Only website at www.unsignedonly.com
A select group of finalists will be chosen, and their songs will be made available to almost 1,000 industry contacts who are looking for music for upcoming projects.

Additionally, one overall winner will be selected and awarded $1,000 courtesy of Radio Airplay, plus 4,000 Radio Airplay credits, promotion on Radio Airplay's social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, and an artist spotlight feature in their blog and newsletter reaching over 200K members. All songs entered into "Screen Shot" will also be entered in Unsigned Only 2014, and all entrants will receive 100 free spins on Radio Airplay for each entry. The winner of “Screen Shot” will be announced in August, 2014.


Enter Here: www.unsignedonly.com/enter and let them know Radio Airplay sent you!

Radio Airplay Artist Shunzo Ohno Wins Overall Grand Prize For His Song “Musashi”

INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION (ISC) ANNOUNCES 2013 WINNERS

Radio Airplay Artist Shunzo Ohno Wins Overall Grand Prize For His Song “Musashi”


The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), widely recognized as the most prestigious and respected international songwriting competition in the world, has announced its 2013 winners.

Out of almost 20,000 entries, a total of 29 Radio Airplay songwriters garnered wins in a variety of categories, including the overall Grand Prize, awarded to Japanese trumpeter Shunzo Ohno. 


Candace Avery, Founder and Director of ISC, states, “We are thrilled to affiliate with Radio Airplay and Jango and be able to provide the opportunity for their artists to have their music heard in an international arena. It is vital for all artists to be
recognized for their talents and awarded the due respect for their accomplishments, so we are very pleased that so many Radio Airplay artists excelled in the competition. Kudos to the winners on their accomplishment and to Radio Airplay for sharing in our mission to give recognition to songwriters.”

ISC’s overall Grand Prize is awarded to Japanese trumpeter Shunzo Ohno for his song “Musashi,” entered in the Jazz category. This is the first time in the 13-year history of ISC that the Grand Prize has been awarded to a songwriter in the Jazz category. It is also the first time this prize has been awarded to an artist from Japan.

Shunzo Ohno is a virtuosic jazz trumpeter and an accomplished composer and arranger. One of the leading jazz trumpeters in his native Japan by the age of 19, Ohno moved to New York City in 1974 to perform with jazz legend Art Blakey & The Messengers. Since then, he has performed and toured with many of the world’s greatest jazz artists, including Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, Larry Coryell, Machito & His Afro-Cuban Orchestra, and many more. With numerous recordings under his own name as a leader, he has also appeared on over 30 more as a sideman and has collaborated on two Grammy winning recordings.

Ohno has been described as modest and seemingly shy, and he has overcome health challenges in his life that would have potentially ended any musician’s career, especially a trumpeter. Surviving both a serious car accident in which his teeth and lips were permanently damaged and a later bout of throat cancer which forced him to relearn his playing, he is a testament to determination and courage, even inspiring a biography and documentary in Japan about his life.

For a more in-depth bio, please go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/pressreleases

Winners were selected by a panel of Judges which included Imagine Dragons, Martina McBride, Joshua Redman, Josh Turner, Keane, Jon Secada, Dido, Garbage, Darryl McDaniels, James Cotton, Boney James, Jason Isbell, Anoushka Shankar, Monte Lipman (Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Republic Records), Dan McCarroll (President, Warner Bros. Records), Alison Donald (Co-President, Columbia Records UK),
and many more.

A total of 320 finalists were chosen, and from this group, the judges selected a Grand Prize Winner and a First, Second, and Third Place winner in each category (68 winners in all). A group of Honorable Mentions are also named, as well as the winner of the public vote, the “Peoples’ Voice.” 58% of the winners are from outside the USA with Australia being the country with the most winners second only to the USA.


Based in the USA and established in 2002, ISC awards more than $150,000 in cash and prizes to amateur and professional songwriters around the world. The Grand Prize winner is awarded $25,000 in cash (US) and an additional $35,000 in merchandise and services. Previous ISC winners include Bastille, Passenger, Lindsey Stirling, Gotye, The Band Perry, Kasey Chambers, Gin Wigmore, King Charles, Kimbra, Gregory Porter, Omar Sosa, and many more.

ISC is sponsored by: Presonus, Lowden Guitars, Marshall Amplification, Solid State Logic, Berklee College Of Music, Mrs. Fields Cookies, Airplay Direct, D'Addario, DiscMakers, Thayers, SongU.com, Sonicbids, The Music Business Registry, Indie Venue Bible, Celebrity Access, Tunecore, Independent Mastering, George Stein, Esq., Songtrust, and Taxi.

ISC is now accepting entries for 2014. More information can be found at: http://www.songwritingcompetition.com

For a complete list of 2013 ISC winners and to hear the winning songs, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners

To download low-res photos of all winners, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners

For high-res photos, please contact Candace Avery at cavery@songwritingcompetition.com

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, many other deserving songwriters, ranging from talented amateurs to seasoned songwriting veterans, also share the spotlight for winning their respective categories in ISC 2013.

2013 ISC RADIO AIRPLAY WINNERS

Grand Prize
“Musashi” – Shunzo Ohno (Gifu, Japan)

AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
Honorable Mention

“Upsidedownbackwards” – Julian Temple Wilson / Julian Temple Band (Dunedin, New Zealand)

Westinghouse” - Conrad Shiner (Bellefonte, PA, USA)

Adult Contemporary (AC)
Honorable Mention

“Like There Never Was You” - Nicky Barot, Kenny Lamb, Anthony Little (Los Alamitos, CA, USA)

Americana
Honorable Mention

“If I Were You” - Jason Horowitz / The Whiskey Farm (Madison, WI, USA)

Blues
Honorable Mention

“I'm Less Blue” - Jesse Briggs (Yabucoa, Puerto Rico)

Comedy/Novelty
Honorable Mention

“Wood Tick Song” - Larry Heagle (Menomonie, WI, USA)

Dance/Electronica
Third Place

“Heartbeat” – Beazy (Toronto, ON, Canada)

Honorable Mention
“Like U” – Margus Piik / Marcus Peak (Tallinn, Estonia)

“Electrofy” - Emmanuel Cinq-Mars / DJ 5th Mars (Montreal, QC, Canada)

“I Am Only Me” - Toby Farrugia (St. Julians, Malta)

Gospel/Christian

Honorable Mention
“We Cannot Contain All You Pour Out” - Kris MacQueen / Wilson & MacQueen (Kitchener, ON, Canada)

Instrumental
Honorable Mention
“Sabie” - Rea Krakover / Fire Hook (Kfar Aza, Israel)

“Okinawa” - Shunzo Ohno (Gifu, Japan)

Jazz
Honorable Mention

“Bunyips” - Tony Barnard (Sydney, NSW, Australia)

“Dog Dance” - Jerry De Villiers Jr. (St-Hubert, QC, Canada)

“Magnetic Whale” - Luka Veselinovic (Zagreb, Croatia)

Latin
Third Place

“Enamorado De Ti” - Maikel Romera Alonso / Chapa C (Holguin, Cuba)

Honorable Mention
“Donde Vivir Es Eterno” - Martino Succetti, Antonio Leiva, Santiago Larramendi / Martino Succetti,

Antonio Leiva, Santiago Larramendi (Miami, FL, USA)

“Dale Chocolate” - Don Chezina (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico)

Music Video
Honorable Mention

“Falling Apart” – Themba Thompson / The Khanz (Sydney, NSW, Australia)

“Regular Guy” – Matt Morris, Ben Worley / Old Friends (Nashville, TN, USA)

Pop/Top 40
Honorable Mention

“Beautiful Morning” – David Samuel Gray (Atlanta, GA, USA)

R&B/Hip-Hop
Third Place

“Just For One Night” - Tari Lovell / Tari (Kingston, Jamaica)

Rock
Honorable Mention

“Your Love Don't Kill Me” - Blood Red Boots (Chicago, IL, USA)

“Searching” - The Fool (Mexico City, Mexico)

Teen
Honorable Mention

“Crazy, Crazy” – Madisyn Elise (College Park, GA, USA)

Unsigned Only
Honorable Mention

“Falling Apart” - Themba Thompson / The Khanz (Sydney, NSW, Australia)

“Loved At All” - Joel Ansett (Spokane, WA, USA)

Maximize the effect of your music and promotion

http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2014/05/12/smart-decisions-artists-need-know 
"It’s impressive to think about it, but the biggest problem that separates greatness from failure, playing small from going big, and unhappiness from joy of life has nothing to do with knowledge, technical skills, or personality!  When it comes to the reason why some people get what they want from life, I found just one answer: better decision-making."

Our friends over at DIGITAL MUSIC NEWS recent posted a great informative guide for helping artists plan out better goals and make better choices to achieve those goals, to maximize the effect of your music and promotion.


Click Here to read more: http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2014/05/12/smart-decisions-artists-need-know

Is your artist name protected?

http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2014/05/trademark-band-artist-name 

Avoid hassles and problems with duplicate band names and protect your name and brand by setting up a Trademark. Not sure how to go about it? This article posted by our good friends over at CD Baby on their blog DIY Musicians contains some great information on Trademarks and how to started. 

http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2014/05/trademark-band-artist-name

May 13, 2014

Still Time to Submit your Music - Unsigned Only Music Competition

UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION LAUNCHES
“SCREEN SHOT”
RADIO AIRPLAY GIVING AWAY $1000
http://www.unsignedonly.com/enter


http://www.unsignedonly.com/enter
Unsigned Only Music Competition announced the launch of a special promotion, “Screen Shot,” geared toward the placement of music in film, TV, advertising, and video games.

“Screen Shot,” sponsored by Radio Airplay, offers the opportunity for artists to have their music heard by some of the top music execs who are looking to place music in various projects. Artists can submit their original songs from May 12-23, 2014 on the Unsigned Only website at www.unsignedonly.com


A select group of finalists will be chosen, and their songs will be made available to almost 1,000 industry contacts who are looking for music for upcoming projects. Additionally, one overall winner will be selected and awarded $1,000 courtesy of Radio Airplay, plus 4,000 Radio Airplay credits, promotion on Radio Airplay's social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, and an artist spotlight feature in their blog and newsletter reaching over 200K members. All songs entered into "Screen Shot" will also be entered in Unsigned Only 2014, and all entrants will receive 100 free spins on Radio Airplay for each entry. The winner of “Screen Shot” will be announced in August, 2014.



Enter Here: http://www.unsignedonly.com/enter
Let them know Radio Airplay sent you!

Most importantly, the overall winner will get the opportunity to directly network with a group of execs who specialize in music placement. 


They include: Alec Sharpe (Shine America); Ani Johnson (Monomyth Media);Chip Miller (Desert C.A.M. Studios, Inc., Winmill Films LLC); Cindy Badell-Slaughter (Heavy Hitters Music Group); David Weiss (The SongHunters); Evan Stein (Experience Music Group); Jamie Sparks (Kicksta Music Group); Jennifer Taunton (Level Two Music); Jessica Cole (Lyric House); Karyn Rachtman (Mind Your Music); Linnette Harrigan (Linnette Harrigan Media); Michelle Bayer (Shelly Bay Music); Michelle Silverman (Modern Planet); Pat Weaver (Discovery Network); Rebecca Rienks (E! Entertainment | NBCUniversal); Richard Kirstein (Resilient Music); James Michael Kempter II (JMKconnections); Velma Barkwell (East End Music); and more to be announced.

Unsigned Only’s directors, Jim Morgan and Candace Avery, state, “Music placement in film, TV, ads, and video games can be a significant revenue source for musicians. Not only can it be a huge boost for an unsigned artist's career in terms of increasing exposure to a mainstream audience, but it can also increase revenue through upfront money, license fees, and performance royalties. We want to create opportunities in this field for unsigned artists, and this is this is why we have created "Screen Shot.” We are very excited to introduce this new component of Unsigned Only."

Unsigned Only 2014 is an international music competition designed for solo artists and bands who are unsigned to a major label record company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or imprints. Unsigned Only is looking for outstanding, talented artists: a band, singer, or solo artist...a newcomer or veteran...raw or polished - the gem that needs to be discovered. 


The Grand Prize winner in Unsigned Only receives $10,000 cash,merchandise prizes, and the opportunity to directly network with and be mentored by some of the music industry’s top label executives.

Judges include: John Oates (Hall & Oates); 3 Doors Down; Neon Trees; David Crowder; Rosanne Cash; Craig Morgan; Delbert McClinton; Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Of Monsters and Men; 3 Doors Down; Black Francis (Pixies); Aaron Shust; G. Love; Jason Gray; Dustin Lynch; The Mountain Goats; Alt-J; Mike Posner; Rapsody;Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone); Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Chris Richards (Pop Music Critic, The Washington Post); Lucy Jones (Deputy Editor, NME); and Michael Hann (Music Editor, The Guardian).


Mentors include:
Monte Lipman (Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Republic Records); Jeff Castelaz (President, Elektra Records); Seymour Stein (Chairman, SIRE Records and VP of Warner Bros Records); Pete Ganbarg (Executive VP/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); Mike Elizondo (Sr. VP of A&R, Warner Bros. Records); Tony Kiewel (VP of A&R Sub Pop Records, Hardly Art, Sub Pop Publishing); Allison B. Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Josh Bailey (Sr. VP of A&R, Word Label Group); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Lenny Santiago (VP of A&R, Roc Nation); Dino Paredes (Sr. VP of A&R/GM, American Recordings); and Evan Peters (Director of A&R, Virgin Records).


Unsigned Only is sponsored by: Guitar Center, Casio, Sony Creative Software, Ultimate Ears, Disc Makers, D'Addario, The Intellitouch Tuner, Topspin Media, Mrs. Fields Cookies, The Music Business Registry, and Celebrity Access.

May 8, 2014

Achieve your music goals through crowdfunding

 http://www.thembj.org/2014/04/understanding-crowdfunding 
Crowdfunding, if done properly, can significantly help artists and bands achieve their goals. There is a lot of work involved in every step leading to, during, and after a campaign. This great article from Berklee's Music Business Journal lays out a very realistic and helpful guide that will help artists better understand crowdfunding and what should be considered for a successful and sustainable campaign.

Click here to read more: http://www.thembj.org/2014/04/understanding-crowdfunding

Get Songs Placed On TV & Movies

http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2014/05/04/how-to-get-songs-placed-on-tv

Getting a song to a movie or TV soundtrack can be a huge break for an artist - but your song has to reach the right ears, at the right time, in the right way - and also beat out thousands of other artists to be considered for a coveted spot like that.

Our friends over at DIGITAL MUSIC NEWS recent posted a great informative guide for taking your music and promotion to that next level.


Click Here to read more: http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2014/05/04/how-to-get-songs-placed-on-tv

Check back often for more industry news, tips & tricks on how to make the most out of your promotion on Radio Airplay!

May 5, 2014

Submit music now for Coast 2 Coast Mixtape Vol. 270 Hosted by Future

SUBMIT MUSIC NOW FOR COAST 2 COAST MIXTAPE 270 HOSTED BY FUTURE!
Top 5 Songs will be Selected! Submit Now! 
Coast 2 Coast Mixtape Vol. 270 Hosted by Future
Artists submit music now for Coast 2 Coast Mixtape Vol. 270 Hosted by Future!  The Atlanta rapper just launched his second major label studio album Honest which debuted at #1 on the US Hip Hop Charts just 2 weeks ago. With the new album buzzing around the world Future has teamed up with Coast 2 Coast to give indie artists the opportunity to shine on this exclusive project! 

Top 5 Songs will be Selected! Submit Now!
 
SERIOUS ARTISTS:GO PREMIUM TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF BEING PLACED ON THE FUTURE MIXTAPE: BECOME A COAST 2 COAST MIXTAPES PREMIUM MEMBER

Are you ready for PR?

 
Before you hire a publicist, it is important to have new content ready to hand over. The more prepared you are, the more your publicist will have to work with to launch a successful campaign. 
 
This great article posted on the DIY Musician blog explains what every artist should have when you hire a publicist. Take a look!
http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2014/04/every-musician-hire-publicist

What You Need To Know When Hiring Freelance Musicians


Getting a band together to perform or record your music? Hiring pro musicians can give your music a huge boost, but it's important to cultivate those relationships and keep everyone happy, to keep your music sounding its best.

Our friends over at Digital Music News recently posted a great short list of tips to keep in mind when hiring musicians, to avoid frustration and maximize your promotion.


Click Here to read more: http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2014/04/22/8-things-hiring-freelance-musicians

Check back often for more industry news, tips & tricks on how to make the most out of your promotion on Radio Airplay!

Airplay Top 10 (Week 18 2014)



Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Orquesta Ritmo Cache
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Slow Sunrise
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
The DUIs
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Robert Cook Sier
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Justin McBride
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
D.J. Ace and Much Finesse
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
T.A.J.
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Secret Sauna Sirens
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Black Sea Storm
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Hyperactive

Music for a Cause - Sarantos

http://www.melogia.com

"My goal when you listen to one of my songs is very simple. I want you to feel the need to Sing, Dance or move to the groove, Play the song over and over again" - Sarantos

Sarantos' overall goal is to try and raise money for the many terminally ill patients out there. He is willing to perform for free for any event for this cause and 33% of any music related profits are going straight to Make-a-Wish Foundation charity! His website is: http://www.melogia.com

Make-A-Wish® grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories, on average, every 38 minutes. "We believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides us. It inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve."

Sarantos currently has over 950K twitter followers, 310K Facebook likes and is rated #1 on Reverbnation in the United States and the world in the pop genre. There will be plenty of continued buzz throughout the year. 




Sarantos is releasing his long-awaited 1st solo album on November 18th, 2014. His music has received rave reviews so far and he relishes this chance to pursue his life long dream. The 3rd song "Back and Forth" was released this month. This is a smooth mellow pop song about a man who is being indecisive. His mood swings back and forth carelessly. 
 
There will be plenty of continued buzz throughout the year. A new song/video release will occurr each week on Tuesday. A new song on the 1st Tuesday, a new music video on the 2nd Tuesday, a new Funny Video of the Month on the 3rd Tuesday and a new Whiteboard video on the 4th Tuesday.
 

Having undergone several personal challenges with Sarantos' father passing away two years ago after a long hard-fought battle with lung cancer, dealing with personal health issues like asthma and allergies which affected his singing style, going through life's ups & downs, the timing is finally right. Sarantos main motivation, however, is to raise money for charity.

Sarantos unique sound has been best described by industry insiders as "an emotionally powerful vocal style masterfully united with music that is a fusion of classic 80s rock blended with modern soft rock and pop music!"

Sarantos has always been inclined to help people in need and is proud to launch this CD as a way to donate a portion of proceeds to charity, hopefully inspiring other artists to do the same.

The 11 charities chosen for each song include American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Make-a-Wish Foundation, American Heart Association, St Jude's, Hellenic Academy, ASERF, American Red Cross, Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago Medical School, Thanioton Society & the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The website, Melogia.com (which in Greek means "with words") was established by Sarantos, an aspiring singer and song writer.


To read more about Sarantos, check out Radio Airplay's artist Spotlight. http://radioairplayblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/artist-spotlight-sarantos.html