Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Scudder on August 9, 2012 at 8:54am

It's "guerrilla," and I think you misunderstood my question.  I have a product that's done, and now the "news," if you will, is that it's going to be released on a particular date.  I was asking if there are members of the conservative (or otherwise) press that are supportive of non-socialist musicians who will run a press release or do a review.

I guess without hearing my songs you wouldn't know, but I'm a musician who happens to be conservative, not a "conservative musician."  In other words I'm not doing niche market stuff.  I write about everything, and what comes out is what comes out.  I had thought this would give me a wider potential audience, but it seems I'm having trouble getting through the narrow definition of what "conservative music" should be, so I can't get my foot in the door to that wider audience without doing things like narrowly targeting demographic groups like the military (don't military people listen to music that isn't about them?), which is offensive to the artist side of me.

To answer your specific questions, I don't have the money to go to a major city, or rent anything, nor do I have a "band" full of people who would protect me from protesters.  I don't have any songs about the military, or any group really (that's not how I write), and until I sell some albums, I can't give a quantity of them away in care packages.  Am I pro-military?  Of course I am.  Would I like to do that? Without question.  But I have to have income first in order to be philanthropic.

Thanks anyway.

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CzarPermalink Reply by BigDawg on August 9, 2012 at 9:28am

   Maybe your having trouble because   your  a   musician who happens to be conservative, not a "conservative musician." 
 :) 

Mark Scudder said:

It's "guerrilla," and I think you misunderstood my question.  I have a product that's done, and now the "news," if you will, is that it's going to be released on a particular date.  I was asking if there are members of the conservative (or otherwise) press that are supportive of non-socialist musicians who will run a press release or do a review.

I guess without hearing my songs you wouldn't know, but I'm a musician who happens to be conservative, not a "conservative musician."  In other words I'm not doing niche market stuff.  I write about everything, and what comes out is what comes out.  I had thought this would give me a wider potential audience, but it seems I'm having trouble getting through the narrow definition of what "conservative music" should be, so I can't get my foot in the door to that wider audience without doing things like narrowly targeting demographic groups like the military (don't military people listen to music that isn't about them?), which is offensive to the artist side of me.

To answer your specific questions, I don't have the money to go to a major city, or rent anything, nor do I have a "band" full of people who would protect me from protesters.  I don't have any songs about the military, or any group really (that's not how I write), and until I sell some albums, I can't give a quantity of them away in care packages.  Am I pro-military?  Of course I am.  Would I like to do that? Without question.  But I have to have income first in order to be philanthropic.

Thanks anyway.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Scudder on August 9, 2012 at 9:30am

Should I change who I am? Are conservatives proud of the fact that they can't enjoy music that isn't explicitly about them?

BigDawg said:

   Maybe your having trouble because   your  a   musician who happens to be conservative, not a "conservative musician." 
 :) 

Mark Scudder said:

It's "guerrilla," and I think you misunderstood my question.  I have a product that's done, and now the "news," if you will, is that it's going to be released on a particular date.  I was asking if there are members of the conservative (or otherwise) press that are supportive of non-socialist musicians who will run a press release or do a review.

I guess without hearing my songs you wouldn't know, but I'm a musician who happens to be conservative, not a "conservative musician."  In other words I'm not doing niche market stuff.  I write about everything, and what comes out is what comes out.  I had thought this would give me a wider potential audience, but it seems I'm having trouble getting through the narrow definition of what "conservative music" should be, so I can't get my foot in the door to that wider audience without doing things like narrowly targeting demographic groups like the military (don't military people listen to music that isn't about them?), which is offensive to the artist side of me.

To answer your specific questions, I don't have the money to go to a major city, or rent anything, nor do I have a "band" full of people who would protect me from protesters.  I don't have any songs about the military, or any group really (that's not how I write), and until I sell some albums, I can't give a quantity of them away in care packages.  Am I pro-military?  Of course I am.  Would I like to do that? Without question.  But I have to have income first in order to be philanthropic.

Thanks anyway.

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BrigadePermalink Reply by Tom Balistreri on August 9, 2012 at 9:42am

Start local. Submit to your small community weekly paper. After they print an article your bigger media in your area will more likely give it a look. You have to build from the bottom (unless your already a household name).

The world has changed a lot since my heyday. You have social media, YouTube etc. Lots of talent is available to the public. More than ever. Your creations need to be a labor of love. (For your own sake) You do it because you can't help yourself. Just keep plugging away. There are billions of people in the world. You are bound to find an audience for your creations.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Scudder on August 9, 2012 at 9:47am

Local media won't touch it because our entertainment editor is liberal.

Hey, here's an idea, don't you do a show on Big Dawg Radio?  Why don't we do an interview next week, and you can play a track or two from the album.

Still no one has answered my original question - I need press contacts that are receptive to what we do.  Maybe I'm being a little pedantic, but I only see two possible answers to that question, "There are none," or "Here's so-and-so's e-mail address."  My music is what it is.  I hate tricks, cliches, and praise music - for God or anybody else.  It already is a "labor of love" because not even BigDawgers seem to understand this.   It's kind of disappointing that I asked a specific question and the replies have nothing to do with it, instead telling me everything they think I'm doing wrong.  Music is subjective, it needs to be in front of people so they can make a decision whether they like it or not. That's all that matters.

Please - I am under enough stress as it is, doing everything myself on this one.  I hate to have to say it, but please, unless you can answer my original question, don't reply.

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C.E.O.Permalink Reply by Lisa Mei Norton on August 9, 2012 at 9:57am

Can't answer your question about how Drew and I get press for our releases because we are still working on our CD.  

Best we can do for you is a piece at Breitbart.com's BigHollywood; just waiting for your info/video.

Or you can try giving Bonnie Seibert a call.  She is with NewsMax and is a member here.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Scudder on August 9, 2012 at 10:00am

Thanks Lisa. NewsMax ignored my press releases last year, it'll be nice to have another angle there.

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C.E.O.Permalink Reply by Lisa Mei Norton on August 9, 2012 at 10:05am

Get with Toots Sweet also.  He does a weekly show where he brings guests on and plays music by artists here...

Mark Scudder said:

Thanks Lisa. NewsMax ignored my press releases last year, it'll be nice to have another angle there.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Scudder on August 9, 2012 at 10:05am

Perfect! Thank you.

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CzarPermalink Reply by BigDawg on August 9, 2012 at 10:19am

 HELL NO WAY Mark never change who you are that is my point man.  Stay as you are Im not saying to change anything about  who you are. 

Why, is it assumed just because  someone is a "Conservative Musician"  They do not put out good music? Or sing just about them?  --- I am not even sure what that means? 


 Do we really  think that if we say we are  "Musicians who happen to be a Conservative"  because there is a stigma attached to  it the world will love us more??  

 Build your foundation  first  my musical brother

 Peace 

   

Mark Scudder said:

Should I change who I am? Are conservatives proud of the fact that they can't enjoy music that isn't explicitly about them?

BigDawg said:

   Maybe your having trouble because   your  a   musician who happens to be conservative, not a "conservative musician." 
 :) 

Mark Scudder said:

It's "guerrilla," and I think you misunderstood my question.  I have a product that's done, and now the "news," if you will, is that it's going to be released on a particular date.  I was asking if there are members of the conservative (or otherwise) press that are supportive of non-socialist musicians who will run a press release or do a review.

I guess without hearing my songs you wouldn't know, but I'm a musician who happens to be conservative, not a "conservative musician."  In other words I'm not doing niche market stuff.  I write about everything, and what comes out is what comes out.  I had thought this would give me a wider potential audience, but it seems I'm having trouble getting through the narrow definition of what "conservative music" should be, so I can't get my foot in the door to that wider audience without doing things like narrowly targeting demographic groups like the military (don't military people listen to music that isn't about them?), which is offensive to the artist side of me.

To answer your specific questions, I don't have the money to go to a major city, or rent anything, nor do I have a "band" full of people who would protect me from protesters.  I don't have any songs about the military, or any group really (that's not how I write), and until I sell some albums, I can't give a quantity of them away in care packages.  Am I pro-military?  Of course I am.  Would I like to do that? Without question.  But I have to have income first in order to be philanthropic.

Thanks anyway.

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BrigadePermalink Reply by Jeannie Hinck on August 9, 2012 at 10:20am

Very good advice here..... It's all, very positive and supportive.  Sorry I don't have anything to add, except to reiterate, what Tom said.... "keep plugging away."  Don't give up.  The industry is changing and a lot of people are selling their music through CD Baby, etc.... not getting press, but selling their product.  Good luck, Mark.  You have star quality and some wonderful material.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Scudder on August 9, 2012 at 10:27am

I was replying to a particular post that suggested I write songs that are explicitly niche-marketed toward soliders and go play at soldiers' funerals protested by Westboro.  I didn't say conservative music sucked, I said I'm uncomfortable at the notion that all conservatives want to hear is explicitly on-the-nose songs about them or pushing their happy buttons.

I would rather call myself a "musician," but the independent music scene takes one look at me and sees racist/sexist/bigot/homophobe and they quietly disappear. I would rather have people of all stripes hear my music, and find out later that I'm conservative, just like I start liking a musician and then have to put up with their leftist pap.

I understand this is a personal thing and not everybody thinks like me, but that's my point. Not everybody thinks like them either.

In any case, like I said, I asked a simple question and I really don't have the time or the desire to argue what's wrong with my marketing or whatever. The #1 thing wrong with my marketing is that nobody sees it. Is it good, bad? We'll never know because we're keeping it holed up here in hypothetical land not getting it out to anyone.

I have a ton of stuff to do in the next five days - rebuild a website, put final touches on these mixes, put a Deluxe edition together, upload a bunch of stuff on slow residential broadband to a bunch of places, write press releases (I'm no good at writing press releases), finish a video for Lisa, practice for a live set on my Tuesday night live album preview, get my voice back in shape, make sure my live rig works, and the hardest part - get to a point where I can accept that the album is "done done," no more changes ever, I have to live with it as-is.  In between all that I have to work, be a husband, and do some work for my church. I am so overloaded I feel like I'm going to have an anyeurism.  I posted because I need help, not people questioning my methods. And I don't have time to fight about it, even if it's good-natured philosophical and hypothetical discussion.  Need contacts, like Lisa gave me, we can talk about everything else some other time.  And I probably can't reply to anyone else like this, so thank you in advance, gotta go.

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