Music-sharing options besides smartphones?

[funsongs]

Greetings potential Road Rally 2023 attendees...
for folks who don't have smartphones, what are some options? - say for:
1) one-to-one sharing/listening
2) backing tracks for Open Mic events
3) listening panels & classes

It's my understanding CD players will be in short supply.

[AlanHall]

Ipod? Zoom recorder? Drive your car into the conference room?

[funsongs]

Ipod? Zoom recorder? Drive your car into the conference room?

Oh, yeah - I really like option C - my KIA Sedona has a great sound system... that would work just fine;
and there's plenty of seating w/ individual cup-holders.

I do have options A & B as back-up, though. Thanks for the reply.

[SteveR]

1980’s Ghetto Blaster. That would be epic.

[Casey H]

1) one-to-one sharing/listening
Any device that can play through headphones. Not having a smartphone in today's world makes it tougher. Are you showing a produced/mixed piece of music or just a rough demo? If a produced piece, you really want to have it as mp3 on something reasonable or an internet capable device that can play it off Soundcloud, Disco, etc. For a rough song idea, a hand held recorder that has a headphone jack would work.

2) backing tracks for Open Mic events
Dunno. You'd have to call Taxi and ask. My guess is CDs would still work but can't be sure of that.

3) listening panels & classes
Listening panels are now done only through Taxi listings. They don't do the CD drop box thing anymore. I think there are only a few classes whereby the instructor plays music from the class. I *think* CDs with lyric sheets attached would still be OK as there are CD boom boxes at the front of each class. That is to the best of my recollection. Bring CDs, lyrics sheets, and rubber bands just in case.

You might want to join the modern world, Peter.

Best
Casey

PS You can look at last year's classes and see which might involve instructors listening to music from the class. https://www.taxi.com/taxi-road-rally/ I expect it will be very similar this year.

PPS They also have "drive by" mentoring in the evening where you can walk up to a mentor (wait in line a bit) and they will listen to your music. You'll definitely need some sort of device for that.

[funsongs]

1980’s Ghetto Blaster. That would be epic.

If I owned one, I'd toadily be down for that.
I don't own a pair of roller skates either, though.

[funsongs]

You might want to join the modern world, Peter.

mmmm... no thanks, not a fan. I'd prefer getting time-traveled back to the era when Muscle Shoals was in its furor.

[cosmicdolphin]

for folks who don't have smartphones, what are some options?

Being left behind.... mostly

[Casey H]

for folks who don't have smartphones, what are some options?

Being left behind.... mostly

Hey Peter
Love you man, but there are basic tools of the trade to exist in the music biz (and most of the world). One can say they don't believe in DAWs, only cassette recorders, but they won't get far. Of course, it depends on your goals and what you are willing to do to achieve them.

See ya there. With your stack of CDs.

[funsongs]

See ya there. With your stack of CDs.

Not a stack of them, but maybe a few samples as 'works completed', as was commented to me by the Mentor, sitting next to me, at our dinner table.
I'm thinking the mode of sharing I've settle on is bringing my Zoom H4n; which has a sim card I can load up with whatever tracks I want.
Plus, I will be able to record whatever else I like - live jams, etc.

Bfst at Denny's very early (likely sometime around 5:30 - 6AM) Friday... if peaceful conditions are in place.
Cheers.