So have you ever wondered how you can get more friends and fans to discover your new (and oh so righteous) home here at OurStage? Well, I have some good news to share. We have NEW BANNERS. That’s right…NEW BANNERS. For those of you who are long OurStagers, I’m sure you’re familiar with what we fondly refer to as the ‘classic banners’, aka, the ‘Florida Banner’. Yes, this ‘classic banner’ is a great banner (as long you have good sense of humor should you happen to be a resident of the great state of FLA).

But we here at OurStage, working night and day for your independent art success, never rest on past success. And we’re pleased to unveil the newest, boldest banner yet. The Fan Club & Refer-A-Friend banner! These banners are great for the following reasons:

1. They will automatically add peeps to your friends or fan club when folks click on the banner and register for OurStage

2. It’s a contest!! So if you get 100 new fan club members, or 50 new friends before the contest ends, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win $ (that you can convert into other forms of currency)

To add these GREAT new banners to your MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, Classmates, Twitter, Frognose, Strangeclown, HootOwl or whatever Web site you happen to network on, go to your profile, add the banners ‘profile block’ to your profile, click it, and then copy the HTML code to those Web site. Note, I don’t think Frognose, or Strangeclown accept HTML code at this time.

Here are more links to inspire you into action:
KICKIN’ LINK #1: How to make banners
KICKIN’ LINK #2: The rather uncomplicated rules for our limited time banner contest

To summeraize:
New banners. For both Artists and Fans. That can earn you cash. You put on other Web sites. That track your new friends and fans in real-time.
Get it? Got it? Good.

Do you like ‘em. If so, leave me a comment and let me know.

The more I look at what’s happening on the Web, the more I love OurStage. I know what you’re thinking: “the dude is biased”. Yes, that would be true. Disclosure moment for those who don’t know, but I work here. That said, I wanted to share a recent experience/experiment of mine and get your thoughts. The experiment is the reason I love OurStage even more.

As a musician myself, I have the opportunity to test drive ways to spread the good word about my music to see first hand what works and what doesn’t. I find this extremely helpful for keeping me in the know. This weekend, I decided to go Widget! Widgets are these great tools you post all over the Web to attract people to your art. Think of them like those bug zappers, only without the death part.

So I invested some time (way too much) in building widgets and placing widgets and configuring widgets and pasting widgets and making widgets to track my widgets. And here’s what I decided: I can’t keep up. There are just too many widgets to place and places where widgets can go that one could devote a lifetime to widget mastery. As a music fan, I want my music handed to me from a chart (love lists), a friend, or a trusted source. I don’t want to go on some a widget safari hoping to stumble across some band’s widget on my friend’s Facebook page that I might like. And as I band, I’d rather spend my time crafting my music, rehearsing and building my fan base sans widget. Banners I think are great, like a little ad about you. But are we in the midst or “Widget Overload”?

Now maybe I’m wrong and Widgets DO work. In fact, maybe we need to give artists more widgets to use on OurStage and to place elsewhere. So I want to hear from you.

Artists and Music Fans: Do you love widgets and why?

I don’t love Widgets. I love OurStage and here’s why. We have a community of music lovers and music fans that come here for one purpose: to discover GREAT NEW MUSIC from TALENTED ARTISTS like you. And oh by the way, we’re helping bands in ways that widgets can only dream. Check out our growing pile of successes and testimonials for proof.

FYI, we’re working on an Artist Success Story Widget that will update in realtime with artist success stories and testimonials as we get them in. Until there, here’s another Widget. Bless ‘em all.

Anyway, that’s my take. What’s yours?

We try things at OurStage. We don’t just try things out for fun, we try them out to see if they work. We decide what works by asking ourselves two simple questions. Does it help the fans? Does it help the artist? Whenever we launch new genre channel on OurStage, we believe the answer to both questions is always a big, unequivocal, resounding—YES. We didn’t open up a new Tropical music channel on a whim. The OurStage Latin music community, both artist and fan, demanded it. We listened, we heard you and we took action.

A few months back, I decided to open up a Singer/Songwriter channel. Not everybody at OurStage understood the reasons why I wanted to do it. They questioned the idea by asking me the following:

1. Isn’t everybody a “singer/songwriter” if they write songs and sing them?
2. What genre is that anyway? I haven’t heard of a singer/songwriter “genre” before.
3. Who wants to listen to it? Who is a fan of singer/songwriter

As I mentioned above, we don’t always have the answer when we try things. But that doesn’t stop us from trying. I had an intuition that this was an important channel for OurStage and would benefit both the artist and fan.

So we drafted a channel description and opened it up for artists to compete. And how the artists came. Here’s the current channel description:

“Singer/Songwriter channel is for music that focuses on lyrical storytelling and simple melodies with most of the emphasis being put on the character of the vocalist. Electric instruments are used as texture, however, the music stays mellow throughout favoring acoustic sounds.”

Since launching, it’s become one of the fastest-growing and most trafficked OurStage channels. However, a few artists have been frustrated by the genre limits implied and our intention to limit the entrees to solo acts where the song was both written and performed by the singer.

We don’t ignore member feedback and we’re open to constructive criticism. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t be following our own Community Values. So I’ve thought a lot about this channel in light of some recent email exchanges I’ve had with a member. In doing so, here is what I’ve concluded.

This is the ONLY OurStage channel, where we’re after a certain sound, and not a defined style of music. The best comparison I can make is to The LOFT, and XM radio channel. The LOFT is one of XM Radio’s most popular channels. They describe the channel as: “An intelligent, eclectic mix of tunes by singer-songwriters”. The Genres played are listed as: Acoustic Rock, Singer-Songwriters. Wikipedia describes The LOFT as: “a music channel on XM Satellite Radio. It features a format comprised of acoustic singer-songwriter rock and various types of adult album alternative music.”

This is EXACTLY what I envisioned when we opened up this channel. There was so much music on OurStage that fit this description perfectly, it seemed a pressing need to provide the proper outlet. Strong genre tracks (Alt. Rock, Traditional Country, R&B, Hip Hop) are never in rotation on The LOFT. But bands/groups/duos are. I think the Singer/Songwriter channels are great and I want to keep them. I hope you do too. I have a proposal to make about this channel that I’d like to share with the community. It would clarify the channel expectations and would require some changes to the channel description to better reflect the LOFT comparison. Here it is:

1. This channel will continue to strive for “the LOFT” sound by creating a channel comprised of intelligent, eclectic tunes, from Acoustic to Acoustic Rock.

2. The channel is for (and remains for) SOLO ARTISTS. If the profile name isn’t a FIRST NAME/LAST NAME and the right gender, EXPECT the track to be flagged as off-topic and moved to a more appropriate channel. Backing/supporting vocals from other performers is acceptable as part of the “production” of the song.

3. Tracks that have a best fit genre (i.e. classic Rock to alternative, blues, country, rap, R&B etc..) should be flagged as off topic.

4. Production of tracks in the channel could vary between “stripped down” to “full band”, so long as the cuts fit the programing goals for the channel.

This is the first time I’ve posted a blog about an OurStage channel. What I need know are your thoughts and comments about it This is “OurStage”, not mine. Here your voice counts and carries significant weight. So make it heard.

Yo. All you makers of “beats and booms” out there, a new digital sheriff has come to town, with a mission to better organize the production game. Some have called PMP Worldwide, “the industry’s best kept secret”. OurStage exists because we believe the fans should be a loud voice in helping bridge the gap between the artists and the industry. Everyday, we’re helping talented artists reach the industry in a new, compelling way. And we’re proud to be affiliated with organizations such as PMP Worldwide that share the same mission.

PMP Worldwide was founded by 3 long time friends,Conrad Dimanche, head of A&R at Bad Boy Entertainment, and Ainsley Nichols, and Anthony Marchante founders of IndustrySoundbank.com. 24 Hour Hip Hop.com has a great Q&A about PMP World Wide. Here is an excerpt from the Q&A:

PMP Representative: www.pmpworldwide.com is an internet music production portal that has the potential to influence the fledgling music industry. They connect talent with labels, and labels with talent; basically anyone trying to make music has the chance to do so now. PMP provides an arena for music producers and buyers to interface and seek out information on each-others respected services. Most importantly, producers can access a regularly updated and searchable database of artists from all pop genres, industry specialties, locations and track length. Whether a producer is seeking out an artist, or an artist is seeking out a producer, the PMP provides vast access to new talent. 50 Cent, The Game, Diddy, Jay-Z, and more than 500 producers are already on board.

You can read the rest of the Q&A here: 24 Hour Hip Hop.com

We’re excited to announce that PMP Worldwide is now the sponsor of our Producers/DJs/Beats channel. So make sure you upload you best into the channel, because the good folks at PMP Worldwide are watching. You can read my Q&A on the PMP Worldwide Web site and learn more about this great new resource for you.

Take a minute to leave me a comment with your thoughts about our new channel sponsor. Or, go judge the “phat” tracks in the Producers/DJ/Beats channel sponsored by PMP Worldwide.

Plushgun, a pop-driven indie outfit from Brooklyn, NYC, just signed with TommyBoy records. They’ve been long time OurStage artists and have used the site to their advantage. Here’s a quote I pulled out of the press release that I found particularly telling:

“With so much bogus manipulation going on regarding social networking sites today, we look for signs of sincere growth in many areas,” explains Mike Worthington of Tommy Boy Entertainment, who first discovered Plushgun and then reached out to the band through social networking sites, inviting himself to their shows. “I was following the band online, and their chart ranking over an extended period on OurStage convinced us that the support and demand for this band was real and tangible.”

I don’t need to pitch you on OurStage. Hopefully, you already know how great we are. This post is about what I think it means to get signed. Some believe that Music 2.0+ and the negative press concerning music economics have lessened the significance of the “the deal”. I would like to challenge that thinking. Since we’re a list-loving culture, I figured I give you my Top 5 reasons why record deals still matter. And matter a LOT.

Daniel’s Top 5 Reasons Record Deals Matter:
1. You’ve passed through a bunch of filters—most importantly, with the fans.
2. A deal is still a goal and goals inspire us to do our best.
3. Now you’re a pro, even if you still have a day job.
4. Music is still a business and the labels remind us of that.
5. More gigs. More fans.

So when you get signed, to an indie or a major, something homegrown or more established, you should pop the cork in the champagne and toast to your success.

What if you’re not signed and want to be? Okay, here are my 5 Tips for you:

Daniel’s Top 5 Tips for Using OurStage to Help You Get a Deal:
1. Focus on the fans. Not sure what I mean? Read my blog post about it.
2. Image matters. If you don’t invest time and effort making your OurStage profile rock, what does that say about your commitment to your art?
3. Give the fans a voice by allowing them to judge your art on OurStage.
4. Make new fans on OurStage.
5. Like life, music is a journey, not a destination—dream big, think big, but be patient, dedicated and consistent.

So, what do you think about getting signed? Is it important to you? Do you agree with my Top 5 Reasons why it is? As always, your comments are what inspire me to blog. So leave ‘em.

May Grand Prize Winner in Music: Cobalt & the Hired Guns

May’s winning artists emptied out the vault when they came to claim their thousands of dollars in prizes. The good news is, we’ve got a whole new wad of cash and prizes just waiting to be snatched up at the end of June.

Meet the Reigning Champions—How Do You Match Up?
It’s not an easy task to snag the $5,000 Grand Prize on OurStage. In the case of pop/rock group, Cobalt & the Hired Guns, it took a Grammy-winning sax player, the producer/engineer used by The Hives, a session at the Chicago Recording Company (of Red Hot Chili Peppers fame), and an authentically vibrant sound to secure their top spot on the May charts. Their winning song, “Up to You” is a mix of introspection and exhilaration. Have a listen and see if it draws a smile.

One more reason to like them: Their newly released album, Jump the Fence, is completely carbon neutral. According to their profile, “all of the greenhouse gases associated with the recording, production, and direct promotion of the CD have been offset via investments in wind energy.”

Kate Tucker & the Sons of Sweden, of Seattle, took home the $1,000 Grand Prize for video with their entrancing music video, “Say Love.” Moody lighting, stunning visual effects, and symbolic details make this a standout piece. Check out the sultry vibe of “Say Love” to see a whole lot of talent…and a home in bad need of weatherproofing.

Congrats to the May channel winners: The fans are loving you, so keep it coming! Make sure to <http: />check out all the May winners, stop by their profiles and tell them that they rock. We all need encouragement to keep creating.

Newcomer star performers included:
Country: Shannon Haley
Hip Hop: Tank Law MMF
Instrumental: Jennifer Thomas
Hip Hop Music Videos: Theory

To those of you still aiming for the spotlight, your chance will come soon enough.

What did you think about May’s competition on OurStage? Comments are welcome (and encouraged).

Yes, it’s true. We’ve made a change to the contest for June. Here’s a quick FAQ to help you get oriented with the changes.

What is the rule change?
Starting in June, only entries that performed above average in May for their channel contests will remain entered in those contests for June. The same goes for June entries and so on and so forth.

Why are we making this change?
The OurStage channel contests are more popular than ever and we want to ensure the best music and video discovery experience possible. Having a lot of material in the contest that isn’t resonating with the fans doesn’t benefit the artist or the fan. If your art doesn’t rank high enough with the fans, we suggest you take it as constructive feedback and consider changes that will get you a higher ranking.

What does above average mean?
Above average may vary depending on the channel. Don’t get too caught up in the exact number or percentages. But certainly if you’re in the top 50% in your channel, that’s above average. In some cases we may bring over more than 50% of the entrees in a channel, but that isn’t a hard and fast rule.

What happens to my entry if it doesn’t perform above average?
Your entry will automatically be withdrawn from the June contest and you’ll receive an email alerting you to this fact.

What if I disagree and think my art just needs more time to catch on?
If your art doesn’t perform well in any given month, but you want to give it another shot, you’re welcome to upload it for competition and try again. At least we know that you’re serious about your art. We always support that kind of dedication.

How will I know if my entry is withdrawn?
If we withdraw anything of yours, we’ll email you at the address you gave when you registered. Then you can decide whether to try the song again for the current competition, try something new, or come back strong with a modified or brand new entry next month.

Can something still be entered for the first time in June?
Yes. New songs can be uploaded for competition on OurStage at any time. Your song doesn’t need to have competed before to be eligible for June contests. Just keep in mind that the song needs to perform above average in June to be automatically entered into July’s contest.

Are there other changes to the monthly Grand Prize contest?
We are considering other contest changes, but there’s nothing to announce just yet.

What would help my music/video rank higher?
Make the best quality art you can make. Quality of recording and production is extremely important. Quality of content also matters—Write a great song or tell a compelling story to stand out from the rest. Avoid long intros— there is no way to set the start point for your song or video at this time so hook your audience right away.

Like the changes? Still have questions? Leave me a comment. And as always, I’ll see you in the spotlight

Unlike affordable gas, there’s no shortage of options and strategies for success in today’s music economy. Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of hanging out with a well-respected folk singer. Without name dropping, I can tell you that I found his perspective on the “What can I do to make it?” question more than a little intriguing.

His suggested approach echoes the emotional connection mantra espoused by Tom Jackson, the guru of live performance training. (If you’re unfamiliar with Tom’s work and services, I encourage you to check it out.)

The big theme here: Fans are more important than gigs.

1. Make fans.
Avoid gigs where you’re just the art on the wall that nobody notices. Playing for 5 people who care enough to listen is more powerful and a better strategy for your career than playing for 100 people who aren’t listening at all. Think about the gigs you take and ask yourself, will I make new fans?

2. Make that emotional connection with the audience.
You spend months writing, recording, mixing, mastering, distributing and selling your work. How much effort are you putting into your live show? If it’s not as much, perhaps you should rethink your plan. Be smart about making an emotional connection with the audience. Looking down at your peddles while you’re “tweaking” the sound won’t help your cause.

3. Be strategic about your live show
Treat your show like a performance, not a demonstration. Survey the audience before you play your first note. Ask yourself, what song will get their attention? Don’t always assume they want your BEST song first. Give them something that will make them stop what they’re doing turn, and look at you. Even if it’s a yell, a note, some feedback, a crash or a crazy dance, make them stop and take notice. Plan everything you say and how you say it. Be vulnerable, funny, angry, or prophetic, but craft a show that will capture the audience’s attention.

4. Don’t set out to be a star—set out to make fans.
A career in music doesn’t have to be a longshot to stardom. Rock star, rap star is all good if it happens for you, but there’s nothing wrong with planning for a more modest living. Focus on your craft and your performance so that you can make the most fans possible. If you’re always thinking about the fans, you can’t help but sell more shirts, bumper stickers, CDs, and DVDs.

This philosophy is just as relevant on OurStage. OurStage can be so much more than a monthly contest. Use it as a place to test your songs with the fans. If they don’t rank very high, think of ways you can improve them to better connect with your audience. Use OurStage to network and to introduce people to your music. Check out other bands and their fans: Maybe the fans of the bands you like could be your fans too.

Okay, enough musical philosophy for today. Let me know what you think of this strategy. I didn’t come up with it, but it sure made a lot of sense to me.

Our esteemed fans (some might call them super delegates) rocked the vote in April and selected two extraordinary Grand Prize winners.

On the music stage, there’s SGX with his electronic wonderbeat, “Coactive.” Danny Adler, the man behind SGX, may have started out playing the trumpet and the French horn, but he found his calling in 2001 on a Yamaha cs1x synth. (If you’re wondering where the name SGX came from, it was actually an AIM screen name inspired by the movie The Fifth Element.) Good news for fans: He’s so thrilled to be a grand prize winner, he’s offering free downloads of his albums all week. Get instructions on how to download four great albums at his blog. Hear his heart-pounding track, ‘Coactive’ right now.

Platinum Souls took the honor of Grand Prize Video with the positively fresh hip hop video, “Dey Don’t Know.” This unique male/female duo flavors their sound with “a dash of reggae and soul” to create a whole “new breed of hip hop and poetry.” Members Ty Scott (poet/emcee/vocalist) and Ricardo FLO (visionary, emcee, producer) are both performers and licensed ministers. “Dey Don’t Know” continues in their tradition of spreading a message of faith despite those who try to water them down. They truly deserve their place on the stage. Check out their video.

Congratulations to all of our April channel winners! Star performers included Livalie whose song Enemy topped the Alternative Rock charts, Punk artists Attila and the Huns for Rock and Roll, the Song, Sarah Tollerson for her Singer/Songwriter hit I’ll Sneak Away, and Jackie Rae for the R&B/Soul winner, My Dreams. Check them out!