Derek Stroh Blog

The future of music is an independant Grammy's type event or category....

Just caught this article on examiner.com by the beautiful and whacky Erikka Innes

Grammys are Still Out of the Loop on Indie Music

In the article she recoginizes that lack of an independant music face and wonders about the future of the Grammys and independant music as we know it.

I think that award shows are going to have to embrace independant music at some level, or another type of show will pop up in it's place.

As we foray into breaking the incredibly talented, Derek Stroh we cant help but watch the Grammy's and really consider some of the questions that Erikka brings up in this article.

What do you think about the Grammys for independent music?

I think that something like this has to happen eventually. Let's face it the music industry is changing. As Michael Laskow of Taxi calls it we are witnessing the rise of the "Musical Middle Class" and that means that award shows are going to have to adjust.

Should they have an indie music category and include more independent artists?

I think this could be a great option. I mean to create categories based on artists that sell under a certain amount of songs or that do not have a traditional deal may be the way to go.

However let's not forget that what you see on the Grammys show is not all the Grammys being awarded in smaller categories that do not merit television coverage. Like the guy who has won 18 grammys as  in the Polka Category, Jimmy Sturr and has never played on the show.

Or do you think of indie as underground - meaning a submission or win at the Grammys would compromise the whole idea of being an independent, non-mainstream artist?

I hate that people hate good music just because it's popular Good or great music should rise to the top.Our musical ears in this country are not as sophisticated as they used to be thanks to the lack of musical education but I think the mp3 player and independent music is slowly fixing that problem.

I mean the fact that a kid can download all of Led Zeppelin, Cheryl Crow, Bach and Christina Aguillera and actually list to all of it is great. However it also means that the buffett of music is no longer limited to the top 40.

We are going to see more and more smaller trends of pop culture. Instead of the whole world loving one song. It's going to be a small campus loving one song while another caomus loves another song.

David Kamatoy (www.davidkamatoy.com) and Tony Woodroffe of Noyz Boyz Productions are Co-Producers on the Derek Stroh "Stand" Album project. We invite you to join the email list and subscribe to the blog as you can help uscreate the story of Derek Stroh's journey to a Huge Success.

A moment of inspiration, "The Day The Music Died." 50th Anniversary

On Feb. 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson) crashed into a cornfield eight miles north of Clear Lake, Iowa in a four-seat airplane.My real introduction to this story was the movie La Bamba that broke Lou Diamond Phillips. While yes Lou Diamond was much thinner than then the real Ritchie Valens his youth and essence was captured in this film.

Found this article...

The 'Day the Music Died' didn't kill music - it lived and grew bigger

BY DAVID HINCKLEY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

In addition the subsequent stories of how Lou Diamond slept on a friends floor while shooting the film lent to the rawness of the performance. His story, the talent that was on that plane was an incredible loss. These stories, this music well it just seemed like their should have been more.

In this article they talk about how, "Rock and Roll" grew from that fateful day and it has in a wonderful way. The recent Boss's performance at the Super Bowl is a testament to the longevity and spirit of Rock and Roll.

I invite you all to rent one of their stories or listen to some of the music by these young pioneers. I find that when you take a moment to listen to the heart of a young man singing, "Oh Donna" youll find raw true analog emotion. You might find a tear welling up in your eye.

Thank you for your inspiration. The music did not die. It lives on and I thank you for your inspiration to continue the legacy..

David Kamatoy (www.davidkamatoy.com) and Tony Woodroffe of Noyz Boyz Productions are Co-Producers on the Derek Stroh "Stand" Album project. We invite you to join the email list and subscribe to the blog as you can help uscreate the story of Derek Stroh's journey to a Huge Success.

Gene Simmons Starts a Label in CANADA. Looking for Canadian acts...Eh?

SIMMONSRECORDS.COM is Gene Simmons New Label loooking for three acts to break out a year. It's a bummer that they need to be Canadian. Can you imagine the next Celine Dion signing with Gene Simmons. lol

Seriously if you are Canadian and want to submit then go to his website. Apparently he is looking...

photo by www.totalaldo.com 

Gene Simmons Starts Canadian Record Label, Hates on the Doubters

David Kamatoy (www.davidkamatoy.com) and Tony Woodroffe of Noyz Boyz Productions are Co-Producers on the Derek Stroh "Stand" Album project. We invite you to join the email list and subscribe to the blog as you can help uscreate the story of Derek Stroh's journey to a Huge Success. 

Wow! Layaway Concert Tickets..."A Sign of the Times"

Coronado,CA- So I was eating at the Night and Day Cafe one of the oldest Greasy Spoons in Coronado CA. The girl working the counter, the cook etc. was a cute Girl named ACE. Since the last time I was there they added a Flat Screen TV and digital tv. She was playing some footage from Coachella and would continue to reference the many times that she was at a show. 

It was great to hang out with such an avid fan and I couldn't help but think to myself how the new economy was going to affect events like this. What a brilliant idea...

Music festivals offer fans the option of layaway tickets by Edna Gundersen

Layaway was commonplace before the Credit Card was common. So it begins to make sense that this would happen. I have to admit it does seem weird since were so used to buying stuff with a Credit Card. But hey what a great option.

This will make Coachella and other events like this more of a thought our decision rather than a last minute decision. Which I also believe has become a fabric and trend of our culture. 

My Nephew and I spoke this week in addition to the lost art of groups,tribes, social interaction. I think one of the good things about the waning economy is that were going to see communities coming together, communities formed, the art of bonding is returning. 

Joaquin Phoenix Raps...Really

 I've been a longtime fan of Joaquin Phoenix for many years. Though I've got to jump on the bad wagon and say I dug him most as Johnny Cash in James Mangolds film "Walk The Line". Also a long time fan of the music of Johnny Cash,  I was amazed to see Joaquin do such an amazing job at performing the songs of this country music legend.

In the entertainment world it is always treat to find a "double or triple threat". that is an entertainer who is can do it all act, sing, and dance. I'm not sure about his dancing skills, but I really thought that he held his own singing old school country songs. Now rapping, that seems to be a whole different game, and a very thin line to walk as a pretty, white, American male. The guys got guts and I commend Joaquin on his decision to follow his hearts new passion in putting aside his acting ambitions to pursue a music career.

Joaquin Phoenix makes rap debut at Vegas club
Oscar nominee-turned-musician loves ‘the storytelling aspect of hip-hop’

Read the article by Mark Gray on NBC.com / People.com

 I personally know as an entertainer, that it can be hard to turn your back on an established "Sure Thing" and go full speed ahead in an uncertain direction. It takes a brave soul to pull this kind of move off, but this kind of "all or nothing" dedication is what legends are made of. His bold decisions inspire me as an artist and  to always put my hearts intentions first.

Good luck Joaquin on your musical journey.
I hope that the acting bug never leaves your side completely!

ATW,
+Derek+

Derek Stroh is a Singer-Songwriter who is about to make his own mark with his "Stand" album project. An adult-contemporary artist that will be played alongside favorites as Norah Jones and John Mayer. You can get free downloads, updates and give Derek Stroh a listen at www.DerekStrohBlog.com and value your opinion and assistance in getting this project to the public. PLEASE JOIN THE EMAIL LIST and follow Derek at twitter.com/derekstroh There are no accidents. We invite your participation

Tough times for musicians mean silent nights...Is this true everywhere?

On CNN.com Tough times for musicians mean silent nights- By Karin Caifa

If your a performer would love your comments, is the economy effecting your gigs this season?

This article covers a difficult subject but one that's ultimately felt by our brethren that are entertainers and arts organizations. While the media has a tendency to cover the big name actors, musicians and entertainers. There are many of us that have made a living by being artist, usually it's a combination of performing independent gigs, running shows, teaching and administration of arts organizations.

As the economy slows these pick up gigs and attendance will slow. I talked to a Corporate musician that said while hes still getting gigs hes seeing a decline of the use of walk around or atmosphere entertainers. One of my other associates said that he has a noticeable decline in gigs this Holiday Season.

We in California already had a culling of the arts organizations a few years ago due to California's budget cuts. We saw the same thing happen. A decline in the number of classes being offered. Staffing cut down to a bear minimum. A lot of people getting out of the Non-profit world and moving back into the private sector and even physically relocating to another state to go where there was still a budget.

As a performer I believe that you have to be able to be flexible in your performances and rates. There will be fewer opportunities to perform at your standard rate so you may want to try contacting the people that have booked you in the past and figure out if there is a negotiable deal. You may also consider keeping your chops up by creating your own performances. A coffee shop or club venue that can help keep your brand out there.

There will be a lot of hit or miss out there which means that you need to play LONG BALL. It's a game of attrition not the lottery. Which was also mentioned in this article...

"As artists we can only hope that what the arts community here is suffering is short-term," Bitner says. "And that we can survive for the long term."

I think the hardest are the kids that will not be attending some of these arts programs for one reason or the other. The bummer about it is that with less discretionary income "practice" or honing a skill would be great use of time.

My advice is to be as professional as possible without being pretentious. It's easy to get into that mode when your not being paid what you think your worth but realize that most likely so are your patrons. As this economy adjusts to less credit and more cash so will our entertainment values. It's time to pay your dues again and be willing to put in those extra shows to make ends meet and/or make a name for yourself.

The reality is that it's times like these when you can build a solid foundation of work and fans because while everyone else was whining you were doing the work.

As this pertains to the  Album Project. Our whole goal was to take Derek Stroh to the next level by giving him a physical product, the album "Stand" by doing so it opens up his financial opportunities to get placement it TV, Fim, commercials and grow his online following. Turning that fan base into a more traditional tour or record deal will follow naturally the larger his fanbase / database becomes.

HELP US TAKE THIS INCREDIBLY TALENTED YOUNG MAN TO THE TOP...JOIN THE EMAIL LIST AND WELL LET YOU KNOW THE RELEASE DATE.

-David Kamatoy  is co-producer along with Tony Woodroffe (Noyz Boyz Productions) of the Derek Stroh "Stand" Album project. They are extremely excited to take this project to next level with it's release in 2009.

We invite you to join the email list and subscribe to the blog as we greatly welcome the support. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Playlist.com now has SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT...Cool

If your not familiar with Playlist.com it's the leading Social Network Music Site which allows you to create music playlists that can be posted on your social pages. It's a cool application.

Alicia Keys, Il Dovo,Dido,AC/DC, Leona Lewis...What a playlist.

Sony, BMG creating a a deal is a great indicator of exactly how much the music business is focusing on online revenue and distribution. We are watching the music industry change before us but the exciting thing about a project like ours is simply that it's so much easier to get the music heard.

It's getting to the point where you won't be able to imagine
 the music industry without the internet.

Comically Myspace.com has now blocked the use of Playlist which makes sense since they are trying to protect their revenue and they are making strong moves to protect and increase revenue.

If you use playlist let me know, please comment. I need to play with the application a little.

-David Kamatoy  is co-producer along with Tony Woodroffe (Noyz Boyz Productions) of the Derek Stroh "Stand" Album project. They are extremely excited to take this project to next level with it's release in 2009.

We invite you to join the email list and subscribe to the blog as we greatly welcome the support. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Warner Music Removes Its Videos From YouTube...It won't be the same

Warner Music Removes Its Videos From YouTube as Licensing Talks Stall- By BRIAN STELTER

Whatever happened to MTV? Youtube happened people. Up till today you could find a TON of music videos and content on Youtube, owned by google. Warner Bros. is removing all content due to an workable deal at the moment regarding licensing etc.

The deal currently is that music comapnies recieve a licensing fee and a share of revenue based on advertising.Warners deal expired and they have not worked out the new deal.

Youtube and Social Video Media sites are going to be paramount for us and any artist in getting music to the public. Now that it's off youtube where can you go to see Warner? Myspace and AOL.

Wow Myspace is so Happy right now!

-David Kamatoy  is co-producer along with Tony Woodroffe (Noyz Boyz Productions) of the Derek Stroh "Stand" Album project. They are extremely excited to take this project to next level with it's release in 2009.

We invite you to join the email list and subscribe to the blog as we greatly welcome the support. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Chicago music connection with Obama inauguration..Not Yet!

Chicago Blogger Jim DeRogatis Pop Music Guy at the Chicago Sun Times reports that Chicago musicians are holding their own party "The Big Shoulders Ball: Chicago Celebrates Change" at the D.C. rock club the Black Cat on Monday, Jan. 19. Click here for the original post...

Chicago musicians to celebrate the Obama inauguration-By Jim DeRogatis

So far no Chicago Musicians are on the Inauguration List so far...

• United States Marine Band
• San Francisco Boys Chorus
• San Francisco Girls Chorus
• Aretha Franklin
• John Williams Conducting, featuring violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

It's a bummer that Obama's Inauguration does not include a Chicago connection as of yet. I suggest, Derek Stroh =)

-David Kamatoy (www.DavidKamatoy.com) is co-producer along with Tony Woodroffe (Noyz Boyz Productions) of the Derek Stroh "Stand" Album project. They are extremely excited to take this project to next level with it's release in 2009.

We invite you to join the email list and subscribe to the blog as we greatly welcome the support. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

A Lesson In Diction With Joe Cocker, 1969

Shelli Frances sent this to me...lol Gotta laugh people.

-David Kamatoy (www.DavidKamatoy.com) is co-producer along with Tony Woodroffe (Noyz Boyz Productions) of the Derek Stroh "Stand" Album project. They are extremely excited to take this project to next level with it's release in 2009.

We invite you to join the email list and subscribe to the blog as we greatly welcome the support. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!