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based on the advice of many forum members and michael laskow, i decided to make a proper cd to bring to the rally, released on my record label, with nice graphics, etc., to hand out to potential clients. most importantly, based on michael's decades of wisdom and experience, i narrowed my cd to 13 tracks in a very specific genre...that is, though i can play 'funk & soul guitar' from many regions of america, i narrowed the music to 'GULF COAST funk & soul guitar', because there is a distinctive sound from that region.

maybe there is not a great need for this genre, but this 'narrowing' process will hopefully allow me to stand out and be useful for certain shows and commercials and films that may be set in that region. i went with this approach, knowing that if i can solve a music supervisor's specific need by providing particular aural images that support picture in what/where they are filming, there is a better chance that i will get the gig, and then expand into other genres later.

in addition to titling the tracks as best i could for the gulf coast, i also put 'elaboration/image' notes on the cd for each song, to help potential clients envision how each track might be used. see the graphics for the inside panels of the cd which give a description of each track and the 'elaboration/image'.

i am hoping this post will help others decide what music they might bring to the rally, where we have these rare opportunities to sit down with music sups and show them how we can help them solve specific music needs for their images.

here is the link to the actual cd tracks:

http://thecrawdaddy.bandcamp.com/album/ ... oul-guitar

and below are the images for the left and right inside panels of the cd. i couldn't get them to sit side by side in this post, but you'll figure it out.

I love it! Thanks for sharing. I'm working on my own compilation CD to bring to the Rally, and seeing this really helps with some creative ideas.

~~Matt

Thanks for sharing that with us Richard. I'm trying to figure out the best way to prepare my rally as well. Nice to have a label of your own so you can do a larger run to sell at retail or at gigs. Is that what you are planning?

thanks matt and owen. to answer your question owen, i will get the cd to cd baby, who as you might know get your cd going viral pretty quick for cheap. in a matter of weeks, it shows up on itunes, amazon, etc.

i don't perform much these days so not sure how many i would sell it gigs. i mostly made the cd for mailing to about 50 music supervisors i am in touch with. they often only have time to listen to new music while driving or stuck on the l.a. freeways, so they prefer to have a hard copy for the car. but yes, if you are gigging for a living, an actual cd 'album' can definitely do double duty.

all best,

Looks great Richard! I'm doing something similar, narrowing down my focus and creating an E.P.'s worth of somber singer/songwriter tunes that I'm hoping to approach music supes with. I recorded and mixed them and had them mastered by a friend who is a great engineer and I'm having a short run professionally designed and re-produced. It will just be as a promotion tool for me, not as a commercial release. I'm spending a few bucks on it, we'll see if it's worth it!

Good luck to us!

eo

cool ethan...smart move. see you at the rally!

After months of reading the forum, I joined up so I could make this post. i'm going to my first RR and I've been trying to figure out what to bring and how to present it. This info is very timely and helpful. Thanks for posting it.

you are welcome john!

Richard, that looks great. Probably what I will do myself next year.

This year I might just use a magic marker and write "new crap" and "old crap" on CDs.

Just kidding. This being my first Road Rally, I am mostly planning to take it all in and meet as many people as I can, get involved with anything I can, and learn as much as possible.

Bob P.

Good Stuff Richard. Great example of what to do.