Coolbus18: 2009

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

This is my Telecaster that I built.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Water is dangerous

Water is dangerous

A must read if you are to survive!

Monday, November 23, 2009

The 5th Fret

This is one of 9 guitar and music blogs I subscribe to and 1 of 3 I read daily:

http://5th-fret.blogspot.com , Visit and read a blog that is opinionated , Full of info and is a good read.

On a day when dozens of cherished items from rock 'n' roll legend Bo Diddley's past went to the highest bidder, dollars meant relatively little. | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL

On a day when dozens of cherished items from rock 'n' roll legend Bo Diddley's past went to the highest bidder, dollars meant relatively little. | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL

His beat will always live on inside of me.

Guitar Noize - guitar news & reviews

Guitar Noize - guitar news & reviews

I'm not a "metal head", but this guy was different. The story comes to a sad and trgic end. But his influence and music live on.

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Barbie in a burkha — Onlineweblibrary BLOG

Barbie in a burkha — Onlineweblibrary BLOG

Yes, this is real.

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Saturday, November 21, 2009

6 Weird Musicians - Weird Worm

6 Weird Musicians - Weird Worm
Buckethead’s weirdness is more of a performance gimmick than anything else, but the man takes it to such extremes that you have to admire his tenacity. As his name implies he performs with a bucket on his head, specifically a KFC bucket and hopefully it’s one that’s been washed. He claims to have been raised by chickens, and during his concerts he protests the worldwide consumption of those delicious animals. Again, it’s a gimmick, but one that’s so baffling you have to wonder just what it’s supposed to accomplish.

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dbTwang Blog

dbTwang Blog

A great(yes great) guitar blog.

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International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

Not just Sandy Koufax.

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DoubleTapper: Yuri Foreman first Israeli boxer to win major title

DoubleTapper: Yuri Foreman first Israeli boxer to win major title

Kol Ha Kavod!

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Friday, November 20, 2009

Brian Setzer Orange Tiger Miniature Guitar Replica Collectible Stray Cats

Brian Setzer Orange Tiger Miniature Guitar Replica Collectible Stray Cats

Lots of really neat miniature guitars here. Tre' cool!

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Grateful Yours-Grateful Grateful Dead Signed Guitars Autographed Dead Albums

For your favorite Dead Head!

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Papa's Boxes — Home - Christmas Kit orders MUST be placed by Dec. 16th for delivery before Christmas. Instrument orders MUST be placed by Dec. 2th to arive before Christmas. Have a very merry Christmas.

Papa's Boxes — Home - Christmas Kit orders MUST be placed by Dec. 16th for delivery before Christmas. Instrument orders MUST be placed by Dec. 2th to arive before Christmas. Have a very merry Christmas.
Cigar Box Nation----resistance is futile!

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Norah Jones experiments with guitars and grooves - Yahoo! News

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Thursday, November 19, 2009

When Snacks Attack - EverydayHealth.com

When Snacks Attack - EverydayHealth.com
Don't believe them. I've had doughnuts for years and I'm still above ground.

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a fine frenzy on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

a fine frenzy on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads
A fine solid group . I really like them.

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Todays Humor - Be Careful What You Bet On

During an IRS audit, the auditor looked at the tax payer and exclaimed...

... "Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the IRS finds that believable."

"I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it," says Ralph. "How about a demonstration?"

The auditor thinks for a moment and said, "Okay. Go ahead."

Ralph says, "I'll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye."

The auditor thinks a moment and says, "No way! It's a bet."

Ralph removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops. Ralph says, "Now, I'll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye."

The auditor can tell Ralph isn't blind, so he takes the bet.

Ralph removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand, with Ralph's attorney as a witness. He starts to get nervous.

"Want to go double or nothing?" Ralph asks. "I'll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into that wastebasket on the other side, and never get a drop anywhere in between."

The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way this guy can manage that stunt, so he agrees again.

Ralph stands beside the desk and unzips his pants, and urinates all over the desk.

The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win. But Ralph's attorney moans and puts his head in his hands.

"Are you okay?" the auditor asks.

"Not really," says the attorney. "This morning, when Ralph told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty thousand dollars that he could come in here and pee all over your desk and that you'd be happy about it."

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Feds raid Gibson offices | The Law | NashvillePost.com: Nashville Business News + Nashville Political News

UPDATED: To clarify that charges have yet to be filed and identify the federal agency involved in the office search; adds statement from Gibson.Federal agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local police today seized wood, guitars, computers and boxes of files from Gibson Guitar's Massman Road manufacturing facility.Sources say the Nashville-based guitar manufacturer is being investigated for violating the Lacey Act, a key piece of environmental law, for importing endangered species of rosewood from Madagascar.

Feds raid Gibson offices | The Law | NashvillePost.com: Nashville Business News + Nashville Political News

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Feds raid Gibson offices | The Law | NashvillePost.com: Nashville Business News + Nashville Political News

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Reflective Blues & Jazz Revue … — The Blues Blogger

Reflective Blues & Jazz Revue … — The Blues Blogger
Read on about Joe from the The Blues Blogger

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blipp_79 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

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Monday, November 16, 2009

Senate to disclose findings in Web 'mystery charge' probe | Digital Media - CNET News

Senate to disclose findings in Web 'mystery charge' probe | Digital Media - CNET News

Oh,Oh looks like a few companies have been snagged doing a no no!

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Making Money Making Music: Songwriters

Ever wonder whether songwriters make money when their music is played on the radio or in a bar?

Whenever there is a public performance of registered music, someone is legally obliged to pay for it. This potential income is separate and distinct from the royalties that songwriters can make from the sale of downloads or CD’s. And the only way for you, the songwriter, to collect your piece of the public-performance royalty pie is to register your compositions with one of the performing rights organizations: ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.

To learn more, we emailed a handful of questions to Billy Fishkin, an attorney and music licensing consultant with over 15 years of music business experience. Billy was kind enough to share his knowledge and shed some light on the world of PROs.

Who needs a membership to a PRO?

Performing rights organizations (PROs) are essentially membership organizations that authorize the “public performance” of music. They collect fees from music users for such authorization, and distribute the royalties back to the members or affiliates. The members or affiliates served by the PROs are generally songwriters, composers and music publishers.

While “need” may be a strong word, as a songwriter, you should definitely want to be affiliated with a PRO if you expect there to be any public performance of your music; and that includes radio play, live performance, TV or film placement, commercials, et al. Imagine your music is on a commercial that airs during an episode of The Simpsons. If you’re not a member of a PRO, you’ll miss out on the “D’OH!”

I only play locally so far -- no songs on the radio, no use of my songs in other regions or on TV. Why would I need to join?

This used to be more of a dilemma when dues were required to be a PRO member. Songwriters would ask, “Why pay more than I’ll ever see in return?” Now that affiliation is more or less free, there’s hardly a downside (see “Is it expensive?” below).

Some people join just to feel more like a “real” songwriter. Imagine, John Q. Smalltown belonging to the same organization as His Royal Prince of Paisley Park. However, there certainly is a substantive benefit of affiliation.

Even if you only play local gigs, part of the PROs’ royalty pools are distributed for live public performances. Even the smallest, most remote bars, taverns and restaurants, if they have music, should be licensed by the PROs for such performances — which means those venues are paying for the music. In fact, each PRO engages in “general licensing” of establishments that use music to enhance their business. The PROs do work to track public performances of their affiliates’ or members’ music, although performances at that little local gig of yours certainly can be missed.

The PROs have Member or Affiliate Services departments to whom you can report your performances and hopefully be credited accordingly. SESAC, for example, has an online Live Performance Notification System. So, instead of beating your head against a wall because your PRO wasn’t at Ma’s Corner Bar the night you played, you can actually assist in the process by reporting the details of your performances.

What if I don't even have a CD?

PROs are, by their nature, organizations for songwriters, composers and publishers — not for recording artists, per se. In fact, some of the real poster children for the PROs (Diane Warren for ASCAP, Jules Shear for BMI, and Bryan-Michael Cox for SESAC, for example) made their names and their money writing songs that have been recorded and made famous by others. If you simply write quality songs, the sky is the limit regardless of who records them.

Even if you’re just starting out, be an optimist. You may eventually record a CD. You may get radio play. You may have a song recorded by someone else. You may get a song placed on TV or in a film. Thus, you’ll want to already have your PRO affiliation lined up so that you can eventually enjoy your piece of the public performance pie.

Is it expensive to sign up?

Generally speaking, no. The two bigger PROs, ASCAP and BMI, do not currently assess membership fees for songwriters and composers. ASCAP used to charge annual membership dues, but discontinued doing so. The smaller SESAC does not charge an affiliation fee, either. However, affiliation with SESAC is not automatic; it involves a selection process.

With no real fee to speak of, and a bevy of benefits to be had, there’s little reason not to join a PRO.

Will the PRO help get my music placed in movies, on TV?

Not directly. Getting a song placed on TV or in a film is a great score (no pun intended). I can’t wait until the end of Entourage every week, just to hear what plays during the closing credits. While the PRO’s are generally not involved in actual song placement, all three of them offer valuable workshops, resources and guidance to their members or affiliates. So, if TV and film placement is part of your desired musical career road, affiliating with a PRO can definitely help with the paving.

I heard my own band on a local radio station! So where's my check?

I can’t help but picture the scene in That Thing You Do! when the kids hear their song on the radio and bounce off the appliance store walls. You, too, should first savor the excitement of the event before checking for that direct deposit.

For radio, ASCAP has long utilized a sample survey that uses statistical formulae to approximate what works have been performed, where, and how often. The survey system works especially well for Bruce Springsteen. However, if your modest local station performance doesn’t turn up in a sample survey, that thing you did may end up lost in the flood.

SESAC takes a more technological approach, employing a BDS (Broadcast Data Systems) system to track the actual feature radio performances a particular recording receives. The trick here is that you, the writer, must make sure that the specific recorded version of your song is first submitted for BDS coding, or “fingerprinting,” so that it may be detected by the BDS system. As long as your song is properly registered with SESAC and the recording is BDS-coded, you should be credited for each radio performance. Life can actually imitate art -- and you can be paid for it.

Billy Fishkin is an attorney and music licensing consultant to SESAC, Inc., with over 15 years of music business experience. He’s also a longtime rock and blues bass player.