What is a good Database for musicians

[odonohoe7]

Hey Taxi friends,
I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good database to use for musicians. Like a database where you can organize fans, venues, music supervisors, etc.
I've been searching for a while and found nothing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much!
Colin

[DesireInspires]

Hey Taxi friends,
I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good database to use for musicians. Like a database where you can organize fans, venues, music supervisors, etc.
I've been searching for a while and found nothing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much!
Colin

You should create a database. Be the solution to your problems!

[odonohoe7]

I'm terrible with that software, I'd really like to find a ready made solution.

[kclements]

Maybe Reverb Nation? They have some of these kinds of things.

kc

[fusilierb]

What exactly are you wanting this thing to do. I've built a little filemaker database that tracks a lot of this stuff, It's a REALLY simple app to work with, but I do databases a lot. It pushes the info into Bento (their iPad) database so I have it all on the go.

I'm looking into expanding this out for myself. Maybe I'll incorporate some other ideas and build out a "composer centric" database. Maybe I'll sell it. Maybe I'll cut you a deal.

A list of features would help me to decide.

[odonohoe7]

I really think a lot of musicians can benefit from using a database.
For me, I run a non-profit orchestra www.pangeanorchestra.com
and we need something where we keep track of
fans
musicians
venues
sponsors
donors
media
bloggers
etc...

[fusilierb]

Ahhh, that's a big animal. If you are a non-profit, I'd recommend you look into salesforce.com. It's a enterprise level CRM (customer relation management) system. Non-profits can get 10 free licenses to use it unrestricted, more if you ask nicely.

I live in New Orleans and after Katrina many non-profit's sprung up to manage the huge influx of volunteers that came from all over the country to help people rebuild. (HUGE influx and thanks for that!). I lived in a neighborhood that was slated to become a no-rebuild area and the residents pulled out there torches and formed one of the strongest neighborhood associations probably in the country. Harvard was a first partner and sends students down to study community rebuilding. But I digress, point is that organization was given a license and I became the Salesforce specialist in New Orleans. I've customized it to run three different Non-Profits to track volunteers, home construction and grant money to cover all of the above.

It is designed to do exactly what you want. I'm not pitching you for a job, because I actually don't want to customize it for you. But I have no problem with pointing you in the right direction and showing you how it would work for exactly what you are trying to do. And I can give you some support and guidance on how to set it up. No charge, either from me for the guidance or from Salesforce for the software. It's about the best that money can buy, or in your case that money won't have to buy.

The only thing I might ask in exchange for my "consulting" is that you let me write a piece for your orchestra and that you perform it.

[odonohoe7]

Thanks for the offer. I just got back from a trip and didn't read this until now.
I've heard of salesforce but didn't realize that a 501c3 can get free licenses for it. That is great. I'll look into it. I know that this is a massive undertaking but I think very crucial to our success as well.

As for composing for the group. We're always happy to find new composers and songs/pieces. We're a bit non-traditional in that we use instruments from all time periods and continents.
Send me a link to some of your pieces and I'll see if we are a good fit.
Thanks again
Colin and The Pangean Orchestra

[fusilierb]

It's actually not going to be that hard to get it running. It is really designed out of the box to handle what you want it to do. What I had to make it do took a ton of customizing. Let me know if you have problems getting the license and I'll call one of my contacts to figure out how to get you in touch with the right people.

I checked out your orchestra and realize that it's unconventional. That was the biggest appeal to me. I'll PM you with some links to my concert music later tonight.

[coachdebra]

I recommend IndieBandManager. Salesforce and ACT! are probably way more program than you need. IBM is created by Charlie Cheney, a musician and computer programmer. It's built on filemaker pro and is customizable.

Here's my review:
http://artists-edge.com/indiebandmanager/

I'm proud to be his first affiliate

Here's my affiliate link:
http://www.indiebandmanager.com/?q=affiliate/2636