Some of my faithful readers were quick eyed and already saw I posted the CD for sale on my Wayside Waifs blog already. I am VERY GRATEFUL for the early orders that came in, even before I had all the bugs worked out of the system! Rest assured, each order received before I set up the online store will be out in the mail ASAP! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I placed three orders for myself through the online store I set up...two physical copies and a download (so, yeah, basically I just donated money to Wayside Waifs since I didn't need to download it!) and it worked like a charm for me. If anybody gets any trouble with the online store please let me know at TheToneKing@comcast.net. Just add "store problems" in the subject line so I can promptly address it.
So, for those of you who are new to my blog and are checking me out for the first time this year, the short of it is this: I decided early 2008 that I wanted to compile a CD of holiday music to benefit Wayside Waifs and I contacted several artists and solicited material for the CD, and the final result is now here and available to buy! The long of it can be found at my Wayside Waifs blog.
Click on either Wayside Waifs blog link to buy, or click on the image in my profile picture to go to the page to buy it!
For right now, this CD is available exclusively through me. I will be at Wayside Waifs on December 6th from noon-3pm to sell copies at their Holiday Open House! I am really excited for that opportunity! Also Larry Garrett and some of the local musicians involved will be selling copies at their Christmas shows and I am crossing my fingers that Wayside Waifs will be linking the CD for sale on their main page and well...all kinds of good stuff to come!
Also, a marketing rep wrote up a press release about the CD to send to the Kansas City Star and elsewhere, so hopefully this CD project will get a decent amount of word of mouth!
Just a few changes from what I said about the project earlier: the main one is I scrapped the idea of using CD Baby. It might have helped in the sales...send a ton of copies to them and let them handle it all, but the bottom line for scrapping them was the cost. $35.00 to set it up and then $4.00 for each CD sold and I forget exactly how much they take for each download, but a small percentage of that as well. Or, I could use E Junkie, which is FAR cheaper and doesn't take money from me for each transaction, and provided me with a free trial (how cheap is that!) so CD Baby would have meant less money going to the charity or I could use E Junkie and get the most amount of money for the charity? Well, it was a no brainer once I realized I could use E Junkie.
And my friend Caleb (who provided me with a wee bit of advice on how to start this project) uses them to sell his charity album. Be sure to pick up his as well over at It's Hard to Find a Friend. I gotta give him a shout out because he is the one who helped me realize that this sort of thing could even be possible.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Podcast #1-Episode One: The Phantom Blogger
I mentioned in earlier posts that I was preparing Christmas podcasts for this year. In addition to that, I do have some themed posts in mind to bring you even more fun, and you should see the stack of Christmas CDs and LPs waiting to be ripped to MP3 sitting by my computer! There is apparently no shortage of Christmas goodies to bring to you! And I JUST placed another order with amazon.com when I saw two CDs I've been wanting for quite some time were finally back in stock (and it said only THREE WERE LEFT! ORDER NOW! What else was I supposed to do?)
Which is why I am glad to put together these podcasts for you. It provides me with an opportunity to give to you a good selection of music in a "radio" setting. These podcasts are samples of how I would run a Christmas music program on the radio (so if any DJs/programming directors are out there reading, hire me to host a Christmas special for your radio station! I provide all my own music!) So if you're already tired of the same revolving playlists on the radio, this podcast may help alleviate some of that.
Also, I can't promise this year I will be able to post EVERY day. With the Wayside Waifs CD going on, I may be busier this year so that's another reason I decided to create these podcasts.
Podcast001-Episode One: the Phantom Blogger
Playlist (links provided to the CD/album if they are available online to order):
Which is why I am glad to put together these podcasts for you. It provides me with an opportunity to give to you a good selection of music in a "radio" setting. These podcasts are samples of how I would run a Christmas music program on the radio (so if any DJs/programming directors are out there reading, hire me to host a Christmas special for your radio station! I provide all my own music!) So if you're already tired of the same revolving playlists on the radio, this podcast may help alleviate some of that.
Also, I can't promise this year I will be able to post EVERY day. With the Wayside Waifs CD going on, I may be busier this year so that's another reason I decided to create these podcasts.
Podcast001-Episode One: the Phantom Blogger
Playlist (links provided to the CD/album if they are available online to order):
Konie-Oh Yeah, It’s Christmas (Oh No…It’s Christmas)
Rosemarie Clooney- C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S (the First Christmas Record for Children)
The Medical
Evan Pretti and the Central Moravian Church Choir-Morning Star (PHC Xmas special 2007)
Fleet Foxes-White Winter Hymnal (self titled)
The Weavers-Burgundian Carol (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)
Momus-Little Lord Obedience (World In Winter)
Suburban Kids with Biblical Names-Jullaten 2004 (Oh No…It’s Christmas)
Five for Fighting-Policeman’s Xmas Party (Two Lights)
Centro Matic-Fuselage (It’s Starting to Look Like Christmas Once Again) (Electric Ornaments)
Bathing Beauty-Christmas Tears (
Terry Anderson & the O A K Team-Santa Had a Wreck (Have a Holly Raleigh Christmas)
5 Chinese Brothers-Rockin’ in the Manger (A Window Shopper’s Christmas)
C.W. Stoneking-On a Christmas Day (My Space)
Victoria Spivey-Christmas Morning Blues (I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus)
Divide and Kreate-Velvet Santa (Santastic III in 3-D)
Ella Fitzgerald-Sleigh Ride (Cool December)
Richard Gills-CB Santa (1976 single)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Wayside Waifs CD update
OK, for those of you checking to see when the CD will be available....I spoke to a rep at Mixonic and they informed me I should have the package no later than FRIDAY. So I am hoping to spend Thanksgiving night getting it set up for you all to make your orders online through me!
The availability of the digital download at CD Baby will be a short while later...I have to send them copies of the CD first, obviously, before they can get the songs up for download.
So, yeah...it will be SOON! I am looking forward to getting copies of the CD and getting the copies out to YOU!
The availability of the digital download at CD Baby will be a short while later...I have to send them copies of the CD first, obviously, before they can get the songs up for download.
So, yeah...it will be SOON! I am looking forward to getting copies of the CD and getting the copies out to YOU!
Cyndi Lauper and The Hives: Christmas Duel
Another shout out for you all: be sure you download this track for FREE from NOV 28th-30th at The Hives Broadcasting Service. It will be available online for purchase after Dec 2nd if you miss the free download.
Project 86: This Time of the Year
I know I mentioned previously that Project 86 had a new Christmas EP coming out, but I wanted to take some time and remind you all that it is coming out! The release date is Nov 25th, but a copy fell into my hot little hands yesterday and I just got around to listening to it this morning, and it is FANTASTIC!
Anybody who knows me knows I like a wide variety of entertainment. While some people may just focus on one genre of movies, or one genre of TV, or even one genre of music, I like a wide variety in my life. When people see I own movies like foreign art films, David Lynch, some more "high brow" type movies then I go out and buy a copy of "Dude, Where's My Car?" they tell me I'm hard to figure out.
That is the way I am with my music. The same day I got this new Project 86 EP I also received my copy of Kristin Chenoweth's new Christmas CD A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas. I am willing to bet dollars and donuts that most people wouldn't buy these two CDs together. In fact, the CDs Amazon.com lists as frequently bought with Kristin's CD are NOT hard rock Christmas CDs. Imagine that.
Maybe you are one of those folks who likes a wide variety of Christmas music. Or maybe you just want some good Christmas ROCK music this year to add to your stocking. If you are one of those then by all means make it a point to pick up Project 86's This Time of the Year this year.
The music on the entire EP is just as incredible as the title track, which I shared on here last year. This was one of my My Space finds last year, and I offered up the title track on my My Space collection as well. I guarantee I am NOT going to be posting MP3s from this EP any time soon. There are sites selling the MP3s, so you can find samples online, but the style of the songs are consistent through out.
My first impressions on the other tracks:
2) Wrought on this Holiday Eve: You know when you get a CD and the track that the band released to hook you in was really good and then you find the other tracks on the CD just are not that good? That is SO not the case here. Busting out of the gate, bursting through the doors, breaking down any disappointments that might have been after the fantastic title track, this song comes in with both barrels firing, blazing a fresh and new path of Christmas music. It's a song about an "other reindeer," this time Dasher. And who knew a song about Dasher could be so incredibly cool.
3) Shiny Skin: You can hear this song on their My Space page. A rocking tune, but I am not hearing the Christmas references in this song on the first listen. A great song, but I have to say not quite as impressive as the first two. That's OK...I don't dig every track even on my most favorite CDs.
4) Misfit Toys: Any thoughts that this EP was running out of steam after the first two powerhouse songs are dispelled when this comes around on the CD. Just as rocking as the previous tracks, this song manages to create another great Christmas original that I know will be in rotation in my personal MP3 collection.
5) What Child?: Well, I guess you had to have a familiar Christmas song on the EP. I know from putting my own compilation together that there seems to be a consensus among folks that if you don't have some familiar titles of songs on your CD, people won't want to buy it. I don't know...is that true? I think this CD would have sold just as well without this track, and perhaps even with another great rocking track of original music. But this is what it is: a cover version of What Child is This. Rather obligatory, and instrumental at that. While they incorporate elements of their style into the song, for this hardened Christmas music vet, I have to say this is my least favorite track on the disc. Sorry, guys, but this won't be ripped to my MP3 library. Cool track, but not essential.
I also wanted to add that the title track sounds INCREDIBLE on this CD. I would highly recommend getting the CD over a digital download, as the MP3 of the same song from last year shows the limitations of the MP3 format. You can really hear the remarkable difference in the music from the MP3 released last year to the track on the CD. I don't know if they remastered it, or if hearing it in uncompressed audio made that much of a difference, but if the difference from MP3 to uncompressed CD is that remarkable, then by all means I suggest the CD over a digital download.
So, I guess in light of that, I would give this CD a solid FOUR out of FIVE stars. The tracks that deliver deliver great. I think "Shiny Skin" kind of distracts from the rest of the CD, but is a good track on it's own. However, ending the CD with a instrumental cover version took a star away from the review.
In the end, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Buy yours today!
There is no CD booklet, no liner notes, no lyrics. The CD cover is clear with a sticker of the cover art on the clear plastic. The art is a line image that allows you to see the CD underneath. The image of the Santa with the screaming children reminds me of my "Last Christmas Record for Children" cover!
Anybody who knows me knows I like a wide variety of entertainment. While some people may just focus on one genre of movies, or one genre of TV, or even one genre of music, I like a wide variety in my life. When people see I own movies like foreign art films, David Lynch, some more "high brow" type movies then I go out and buy a copy of "Dude, Where's My Car?" they tell me I'm hard to figure out.
That is the way I am with my music. The same day I got this new Project 86 EP I also received my copy of Kristin Chenoweth's new Christmas CD A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas. I am willing to bet dollars and donuts that most people wouldn't buy these two CDs together. In fact, the CDs Amazon.com lists as frequently bought with Kristin's CD are NOT hard rock Christmas CDs. Imagine that.
Maybe you are one of those folks who likes a wide variety of Christmas music. Or maybe you just want some good Christmas ROCK music this year to add to your stocking. If you are one of those then by all means make it a point to pick up Project 86's This Time of the Year this year.
The music on the entire EP is just as incredible as the title track, which I shared on here last year. This was one of my My Space finds last year, and I offered up the title track on my My Space collection as well. I guarantee I am NOT going to be posting MP3s from this EP any time soon. There are sites selling the MP3s, so you can find samples online, but the style of the songs are consistent through out.
My first impressions on the other tracks:
2) Wrought on this Holiday Eve: You know when you get a CD and the track that the band released to hook you in was really good and then you find the other tracks on the CD just are not that good? That is SO not the case here. Busting out of the gate, bursting through the doors, breaking down any disappointments that might have been after the fantastic title track, this song comes in with both barrels firing, blazing a fresh and new path of Christmas music. It's a song about an "other reindeer," this time Dasher. And who knew a song about Dasher could be so incredibly cool.
3) Shiny Skin: You can hear this song on their My Space page. A rocking tune, but I am not hearing the Christmas references in this song on the first listen. A great song, but I have to say not quite as impressive as the first two. That's OK...I don't dig every track even on my most favorite CDs.
4) Misfit Toys: Any thoughts that this EP was running out of steam after the first two powerhouse songs are dispelled when this comes around on the CD. Just as rocking as the previous tracks, this song manages to create another great Christmas original that I know will be in rotation in my personal MP3 collection.
5) What Child?: Well, I guess you had to have a familiar Christmas song on the EP. I know from putting my own compilation together that there seems to be a consensus among folks that if you don't have some familiar titles of songs on your CD, people won't want to buy it. I don't know...is that true? I think this CD would have sold just as well without this track, and perhaps even with another great rocking track of original music. But this is what it is: a cover version of What Child is This. Rather obligatory, and instrumental at that. While they incorporate elements of their style into the song, for this hardened Christmas music vet, I have to say this is my least favorite track on the disc. Sorry, guys, but this won't be ripped to my MP3 library. Cool track, but not essential.
I also wanted to add that the title track sounds INCREDIBLE on this CD. I would highly recommend getting the CD over a digital download, as the MP3 of the same song from last year shows the limitations of the MP3 format. You can really hear the remarkable difference in the music from the MP3 released last year to the track on the CD. I don't know if they remastered it, or if hearing it in uncompressed audio made that much of a difference, but if the difference from MP3 to uncompressed CD is that remarkable, then by all means I suggest the CD over a digital download.
So, I guess in light of that, I would give this CD a solid FOUR out of FIVE stars. The tracks that deliver deliver great. I think "Shiny Skin" kind of distracts from the rest of the CD, but is a good track on it's own. However, ending the CD with a instrumental cover version took a star away from the review.
In the end, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Buy yours today!
There is no CD booklet, no liner notes, no lyrics. The CD cover is clear with a sticker of the cover art on the clear plastic. The art is a line image that allows you to see the CD underneath. The image of the Santa with the screaming children reminds me of my "Last Christmas Record for Children" cover!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Charity CD news and a song
I posted a news update for the CD on my Wayside Waifs blog, so be sure to CHECK IT OUT!
I know many of you are wondering when the CD will be available, and the answer is soon...at least by Thanksgiving!
Ethan Waters was gracious to submit a track to the compilation CD, but it wasn't newly recorded for this compilation. I believe this was a single in his homeland of New Zealand, but I am glad to have it on the compilation nonetheless. But I saw on his My Space page the other day he has a different Christmas track up! I wanted to contact him to see if he would let me use this on the compilation instead, but I really didn't have the time, and I am quite happy to have his Christmas single to offer on the comp. However, that doesn't stop me from sharing his other Christmas song here! I am liking the work I hear from this guy...here is to hoping he's a long time friend of this blog! (You can also view the music video for his Christmas single on his My Space page!)
Ethan Waters-Winter Smile
I know many of you are wondering when the CD will be available, and the answer is soon...at least by Thanksgiving!
Ethan Waters was gracious to submit a track to the compilation CD, but it wasn't newly recorded for this compilation. I believe this was a single in his homeland of New Zealand, but I am glad to have it on the compilation nonetheless. But I saw on his My Space page the other day he has a different Christmas track up! I wanted to contact him to see if he would let me use this on the compilation instead, but I really didn't have the time, and I am quite happy to have his Christmas single to offer on the comp. However, that doesn't stop me from sharing his other Christmas song here! I am liking the work I hear from this guy...here is to hoping he's a long time friend of this blog! (You can also view the music video for his Christmas single on his My Space page!)
Ethan Waters-Winter Smile
Monday, November 3, 2008
Announcing the Wayside Waifs Charity CD
Faithful readers of this blog will know I've been working on compiling tracks for a CD to raise money for Wayside Waifs. The CD is featuring holiday tracks by independent/unsigned bands, most of which are new and/or previously unreleased. Some artists were unable to record new tracks and showed their support by providing existing tracks. Not everything submitted could make the cut...there were quality issues with some tracks, other tracks just did not seem to fit in with the rest of the mix, and some of the previously released tracks were removed from the compilation to make room for the new tracks artists were able to provide.
This CD will be available for purchase soon directly from me or online at CD Baby, both in physical format and as a download. 100% of the proceeds will go to the charity of the Wayside Waifs of Kansas City. In the coming weeks, I will also be talking to the fine folks at Wayside Waifs to sell the CD in their lobby and also to promote through local TV, as Wayside Waifs has some spots on the local news channels. A few stores in the area look like likely candidates to sell physical copies as well directly to folks. More details will be posted as I know them.
Your Christmas will be complete now...the tracks are in, the final selections have been made. Here is the official track list:
EDIT: TRACK LISTING UPDATED 11/14/08!
1) ShiSho-Christmas Bells
2) Zen Doggies-Oh Santa
3) Don Campau-It's That Time of Year Again
4) Ray Carmen-Jingle Bell Rock
5) Lord of the Yum Yum-Ukrainian Bell Choir
6) What About Frogs-The Cat Who Controls Christmas
7) The Harvey Girls-Christmas Time Is Here
8) Thee Majesty-I Like the Holidays
9) Fireflies-Xmas Song (new version recorded for this compilation!)
10) Matthias Rowe-A Different Scarf
11) Ken Clinger-I'm Coming Home For Christmas This Year
12) Rick Malsick-Joseph's Song
13) Euchrid Eucrow-A Horse Is Not Just for Christmas
14) John Mitchell-The Reason for the Season
15) R. Stevie Moore-The Reason for the Season
16) Zen Doggies-Goodbye Christmas
17) Mercurial Rage-It's Christmas
18) Ethan Waters-5AM Christmas Pawn Groove
19) Worm is Green-Jólaljósin
20) Matthias Rowe-Northern Lights
21) Ken Clinger-I Will Hold You Until You Sleep
22) Larry Garrett-Old Dogs
I will keep you updated on when the CD is ready for sale, and when it is available to purchase for download. It should be soon.
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