Happy Holidays everyone!
As everyone knows, we've been on hiatus since the end of September, mostly because on our webs.com site/experiment the statistics really weren't there and at that time I was in the process of moving. Since then I accepted a different position at my job which requires working some insane hours which would include being at work (and coherent) relatively early on Monday morning which makes doing the broadcast on Sunday night more of a chore than a pleasure because I would have to end it sooner than I might like.
The other reason we've been on hiatus is my previous computer finally decided that it had given me all it could and totally died. I could have taken it apart and diagnosed whatever the latest problem was but I decided that I was finally done rebuilding "Frankencomputer" and it was time for a new machine so I got one but I haven't had time to configure it for broadcasting on our current site.
Which brings me to the future of the show.....
Anyone who has been at the live show and reads this blog knows that I intend to join iVlog when the site opens. Right now they are working out the last bugs and glitches and it seems they are very close to launching although they haven't fixed an exact date as of yet.
When iVlog launches I will be doing the show on that site but most likely on a different night, with my current schedule Sunday's just aren't going to work.
Stay tuned........
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
It's Official, I Miss Broadcasting
I'd like to dedicate this blog post to my friend Kevin. It was his semi-drunk and disorderly FB post that inspired this blog post.
I miss the show. I miss the goofing around in chat, the crowd, the fun times, and the music. Sunday nights just haven't felt right since I went on hiatus. It was like I got to host a party every week, and some of the best people I've ever met online dropped by to have a good time.
We're coming back, it's not a question of if, but more of when.
I miss the show. I miss the goofing around in chat, the crowd, the fun times, and the music. Sunday nights just haven't felt right since I went on hiatus. It was like I got to host a party every week, and some of the best people I've ever met online dropped by to have a good time.
We're coming back, it's not a question of if, but more of when.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
November Update
This is going to be one of my most boring blog posts ever. Nothing really new to report Indie Spotlight is still off the air right now but in case anyone is interested, well, here is the Jack update.
I recently was promoted at my job, so my schedule has been kinda insane, for those of you who might be looking for me via Facebook and other social media need to understand that I haven't been online near as much as I used to and my online time is mostly spent catching up on emails and netflix. I don't do the social networking that I used to have time to do.
My current schedule really isn't going to work for a Sunday night broadcast anymore so when the time comes to bring the show back it's going to have to be on a different night, most likely either Wednesday or Saturday night.
When will I make my official online return? Hell I have no idea, right now I'm totally ok with waiting for the iVlog launch.
I have to be honest, if someone had a gun to my head and told me that it was either pick a day, restart the broadcast or bang bang I'd tell him to pull the trigger.
I recently was promoted at my job, so my schedule has been kinda insane, for those of you who might be looking for me via Facebook and other social media need to understand that I haven't been online near as much as I used to and my online time is mostly spent catching up on emails and netflix. I don't do the social networking that I used to have time to do.
My current schedule really isn't going to work for a Sunday night broadcast anymore so when the time comes to bring the show back it's going to have to be on a different night, most likely either Wednesday or Saturday night.
When will I make my official online return? Hell I have no idea, right now I'm totally ok with waiting for the iVlog launch.
I have to be honest, if someone had a gun to my head and told me that it was either pick a day, restart the broadcast or bang bang I'd tell him to pull the trigger.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Changes In Latitudes....
Well, the move from hell is finally over, I turned in my keys to the old place today. Last night I had a few final things that I wanted to do, make sure that I had all my stuff out and one or two things that I thought could have been cleaned up a little better so I had the time and I took it.
It also never hurts to take that one last walk, that last look around and that is what I did as well. When you live in one place for a long time there are memories both good and bad. For some reason I felt the need to just stand in the empty room and think about everything that has changed in my life since the day I moved in, if only for a second and let myself just feel the moment as I closed that particular chapter of my life.
As I locked the door behind myself only the echo's of my voice remained, it seemed a fitting end.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show notes;
Still on hiatus until iVlog opens. I did do a random show the week before last and that has been it since we officially shut down at the end of September. Depending on when the launch happens I may resurrect the show on our current page until they open but to be honest I'm more inclined to enjoy the break from broadcasting and wait until iVlog launches.
It also never hurts to take that one last walk, that last look around and that is what I did as well. When you live in one place for a long time there are memories both good and bad. For some reason I felt the need to just stand in the empty room and think about everything that has changed in my life since the day I moved in, if only for a second and let myself just feel the moment as I closed that particular chapter of my life.
As I locked the door behind myself only the echo's of my voice remained, it seemed a fitting end.
 |
| A somewhat familiar view, I shot this from where my desk used to be. |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show notes;
Still on hiatus until iVlog opens. I did do a random show the week before last and that has been it since we officially shut down at the end of September. Depending on when the launch happens I may resurrect the show on our current page until they open but to be honest I'm more inclined to enjoy the break from broadcasting and wait until iVlog launches.
Monday, October 14, 2013
October Update
I've been in the process of moving and haven't been online much the last couple of weeks. Indie Spotlight has been on hiatus since the last weekend in September.
At this point I'm still getting settled, it's been a rough, and ugly move but it's pretty much done with internet on and my new home office/studio set up and functional so I'll be around more in the coming weeks.
As far as the show, at this point we're waiting for the iVlog launch. Depending on when the iVlog launch happens I may do a show or two on our current site, if I do I will post to the Facebook Group as far as the date and time.
When iVlog comes online and we're ready to launch I will post to the FB group as well as this blog.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show notes;
We're currently on hiatus. When the show launches on iVlog the format will be similar to our previous blogtv format, the only exception will be as far as the mp3's played during the broadcast, which will be exclusively CC format.
Since not all of the musicians I previously played on the show license their music in this manner I am considering doing a separate show on our current site featuring the musicians that I won't be playing on iVlog due to the licensing concerns.
At this point I'm still getting settled, it's been a rough, and ugly move but it's pretty much done with internet on and my new home office/studio set up and functional so I'll be around more in the coming weeks.
As far as the show, at this point we're waiting for the iVlog launch. Depending on when the iVlog launch happens I may do a show or two on our current site, if I do I will post to the Facebook Group as far as the date and time.
When iVlog comes online and we're ready to launch I will post to the FB group as well as this blog.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show notes;
We're currently on hiatus. When the show launches on iVlog the format will be similar to our previous blogtv format, the only exception will be as far as the mp3's played during the broadcast, which will be exclusively CC format.
Since not all of the musicians I previously played on the show license their music in this manner I am considering doing a separate show on our current site featuring the musicians that I won't be playing on iVlog due to the licensing concerns.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
As the Seasons Change, So Does Indie Spotlight
Can't believe it's fall already, just seems yesterday that we were on the precipice of spring and I was bitching about blogtv shutting down.
Holy crap where the hell has the year gone???
As everyone knows, when blogtv shut down we moved to awdio, and ran a chat on tinychat for the show. That format while promising didn't work.
With the cool summer evening breezes blowing in, so did our own site. I found an video player that I could embed, as well as chat code and decided to see how it went. Three months into our experiment as much as I hate to admit it the visitor statistics aren't there.
With the changing leaves on the trees once again there will be a change to the show, both where it is physically broadcast from as well as the site it's broadcast on. As far as the broadcasting site is concerned this move will the final one and where the show will stay.
This coming Sunday (9/29/13) will be our final broadcast on http://indiespotlightlive.webs.com/.
After this broadcast I will be on hiatus until iVlog comes online.
Over the next couple of weeks I will actually be, well, moving myself so over the month of October I won't be online as much.
I will keep everyone posted via this blog, as well as our Facebook group as to what's going on with the show, when we will resume broadcasting and links to find us. Don't worry I'm not going to completely shut down (as I was contemplating doing a few weeks ago) but I will take waiting for iVlog to launch as a welcome break from broadcasting.
When we were on blogtv over the course of the year I generally took a few weeks off from doing the show, usually when things were slow online and I knew I wouldn't be missed. Because I've had to change sites so many times this year and was trying to rebuild the show's audience I didn't feel comfortable taking a break from it. Since our statistics on our existing site have been lackluster at best, as well as the fact that I might not be able to actually do the show since I'm moving anyway, now is the best time for me to take a break from it and come back full steam.
When I say come back full steam, I mean it.
The show will resume on a brand new website, that many former users of blogtv are waiting for. It will be an unparalleled opportunity for me to retool, and reboot the show.
The first thing obviously I'll need to do is get used to iVlog.
Then, when co-hosting is out of beta testing and ready to rock and roll, I intend to bring live music back to the show.
Finally after we're all settled in, and musicians are online and playing live on iVlog, I would like to try and put an music event together to showcase them. Keep in mind future iVlog musicians that might read this, the only catch is that it has to be ALL ORIGINALS!
I can talk about the copyright issues forever but the but the bottom line is because of the copyright issues involved I can't allow covers.
May I speak to a more honest point? No? Too bad.....
The people that come out to these shows, which are promoted as all Indie and all Original, want to hear original music. When people play covers, especially covers that they've heard a million times I'm gonna be honest we're going to lose that audience and musicians who play after you won't have the benefit of playing to that same audience because they bailed on you because you played a song they've heard a million times before. It doesn't matter if it's "your interpretation" of that song, the bottom line is, it's still a cover.
So folks this is where we are, like I said before I will keep everyone up to date. I promise when we launch on iVlog, the fun factor will return, I miss that as well and I just can't have it any other way.
Holy crap where the hell has the year gone???
As everyone knows, when blogtv shut down we moved to awdio, and ran a chat on tinychat for the show. That format while promising didn't work.
With the cool summer evening breezes blowing in, so did our own site. I found an video player that I could embed, as well as chat code and decided to see how it went. Three months into our experiment as much as I hate to admit it the visitor statistics aren't there.
With the changing leaves on the trees once again there will be a change to the show, both where it is physically broadcast from as well as the site it's broadcast on. As far as the broadcasting site is concerned this move will the final one and where the show will stay.
This coming Sunday (9/29/13) will be our final broadcast on http://indiespotlightlive.webs.com/.
After this broadcast I will be on hiatus until iVlog comes online.
Over the next couple of weeks I will actually be, well, moving myself so over the month of October I won't be online as much.
I will keep everyone posted via this blog, as well as our Facebook group as to what's going on with the show, when we will resume broadcasting and links to find us. Don't worry I'm not going to completely shut down (as I was contemplating doing a few weeks ago) but I will take waiting for iVlog to launch as a welcome break from broadcasting.
When we were on blogtv over the course of the year I generally took a few weeks off from doing the show, usually when things were slow online and I knew I wouldn't be missed. Because I've had to change sites so many times this year and was trying to rebuild the show's audience I didn't feel comfortable taking a break from it. Since our statistics on our existing site have been lackluster at best, as well as the fact that I might not be able to actually do the show since I'm moving anyway, now is the best time for me to take a break from it and come back full steam.
When I say come back full steam, I mean it.
The show will resume on a brand new website, that many former users of blogtv are waiting for. It will be an unparalleled opportunity for me to retool, and reboot the show.
The first thing obviously I'll need to do is get used to iVlog.
Then, when co-hosting is out of beta testing and ready to rock and roll, I intend to bring live music back to the show.
Finally after we're all settled in, and musicians are online and playing live on iVlog, I would like to try and put an music event together to showcase them. Keep in mind future iVlog musicians that might read this, the only catch is that it has to be ALL ORIGINALS!
I can talk about the copyright issues forever but the but the bottom line is because of the copyright issues involved I can't allow covers.
May I speak to a more honest point? No? Too bad.....
The people that come out to these shows, which are promoted as all Indie and all Original, want to hear original music. When people play covers, especially covers that they've heard a million times I'm gonna be honest we're going to lose that audience and musicians who play after you won't have the benefit of playing to that same audience because they bailed on you because you played a song they've heard a million times before. It doesn't matter if it's "your interpretation" of that song, the bottom line is, it's still a cover.
So folks this is where we are, like I said before I will keep everyone up to date. I promise when we launch on iVlog, the fun factor will return, I miss that as well and I just can't have it any other way.
Friday, September 20, 2013
This Week's Video
Basically it's a random ramble, and if you read this blog you already know what I had to say anyway.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Show Update
I haven't posted an actual update blog in a while, and I know that some of you guys don't read my more long winded blogs so I'll try to keep this one short.
As it stands right now I've decided that at least for next weeks show I'm sticking with the site that I created on webs.com. If the viewer/listener statistics improve in any way I'll continue the show, but if the hits continue to be lackluster like they have for the last month I may consider pulling the plug until iVlog,tv opens.
I've decided that the show needs to be a part of an actual broadcasting site. I don't regret not having moved to one before now for the simple fact that I've been in touch with other former blogtv members who did transition to other broadcasting sites and their stats aren't much better than mine so knowing that I can honestly say that to have tried the ustream/justintv/vaughlive/ect route would have been a waste of time.
I've decided to go "all in" with iVlog.tv for the simple fact that the folks putting it together are the real deal. I was at one of Cr3am and Fema's shows on justin and these two are the real deal. They answered everyones questions honestly and fairly, I was at the show for over an hour and they didn't set off my bullshit detector at all.
For those that might not know these are the folks putting ivlog together. They care and have a true passion for the site and the users which is much more than I could say for blogtv the last couple of years it was online before they sold out.
There has been some static in regards to the time it has taken for iVlog to launch. My answer to some of these "haters" has been really simple, where is your broadcasting site? That usually shuts them up...lol
I can see why it's taking so long. First of all, to do it right does take time, and yes, it does take money. Simply put, to create the site that people WANT to broadcast on as opposed to the site they HAD to broadcast on take a bit more effort and time. They also remember the glitches and bugs that became blogtv at the end. They want to bring the community back together and make it fun again for all of us.
When we broadcasted on blogtv we had a term at a few of our shows when the website's glitches and bugs happened during the broadcast, we called it "getting the blog treatment". The folks putting iVlog together would rather not the broadcasters have to apologize to the viewers for getting the same kind of "treatment" that we learned to live with when we were on blogtv, they want their site to work like it should and people broadcasting on it expect it to. Personally I don't think this a bad thing. We've waited this long to find a home and have experimented along the way and as it stands right now the current formula for the show just isn't working.
Oops, this did turn into a long blog.
I'm sorry I know I said I was going to try to keep this short.
Ok sue me...lol
But anyways.....
In any case I've said before that I'm only going to ask my audience to transition to another site one more time. I plan to broadcast on iVlog when it opens.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show notes (yeah I know I haven't done this in a while)
I will broadcast on our site for one more week, this coming Sunday at our regular time which is 9 pm eastern. If the stats are like they have been after this show I will go on hiatus until iVlog.tv opens and change our current site so that there is a link to the page that I'm building on the Unsigned Musicians homepage which will be links to the musicians played on the show and resume broadcasting when iVlog comes online.
Special note; when iVlog comes online and co-hosting is enabled I would like to put together a Musicfest Event. What I plan to do is network though iVlog and find musicians that play their originals and plan an event so that we might have a showcase of the musicians to further promote them, as well as what I do.
Final note; while I am a huge fan of Ad-Blocker I won't, and ask my viewers to please not promote this software on iVlog. The site is a grass roots effort and they need the advertising money.
As it stands right now I've decided that at least for next weeks show I'm sticking with the site that I created on webs.com. If the viewer/listener statistics improve in any way I'll continue the show, but if the hits continue to be lackluster like they have for the last month I may consider pulling the plug until iVlog,tv opens.
I've decided that the show needs to be a part of an actual broadcasting site. I don't regret not having moved to one before now for the simple fact that I've been in touch with other former blogtv members who did transition to other broadcasting sites and their stats aren't much better than mine so knowing that I can honestly say that to have tried the ustream/justintv/vaughlive/ect route would have been a waste of time.
I've decided to go "all in" with iVlog.tv for the simple fact that the folks putting it together are the real deal. I was at one of Cr3am and Fema's shows on justin and these two are the real deal. They answered everyones questions honestly and fairly, I was at the show for over an hour and they didn't set off my bullshit detector at all.
For those that might not know these are the folks putting ivlog together. They care and have a true passion for the site and the users which is much more than I could say for blogtv the last couple of years it was online before they sold out.
There has been some static in regards to the time it has taken for iVlog to launch. My answer to some of these "haters" has been really simple, where is your broadcasting site? That usually shuts them up...lol
I can see why it's taking so long. First of all, to do it right does take time, and yes, it does take money. Simply put, to create the site that people WANT to broadcast on as opposed to the site they HAD to broadcast on take a bit more effort and time. They also remember the glitches and bugs that became blogtv at the end. They want to bring the community back together and make it fun again for all of us.
When we broadcasted on blogtv we had a term at a few of our shows when the website's glitches and bugs happened during the broadcast, we called it "getting the blog treatment". The folks putting iVlog together would rather not the broadcasters have to apologize to the viewers for getting the same kind of "treatment" that we learned to live with when we were on blogtv, they want their site to work like it should and people broadcasting on it expect it to. Personally I don't think this a bad thing. We've waited this long to find a home and have experimented along the way and as it stands right now the current formula for the show just isn't working.
Oops, this did turn into a long blog.
I'm sorry I know I said I was going to try to keep this short.
Ok sue me...lol
But anyways.....
In any case I've said before that I'm only going to ask my audience to transition to another site one more time. I plan to broadcast on iVlog when it opens.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show notes (yeah I know I haven't done this in a while)
I will broadcast on our site for one more week, this coming Sunday at our regular time which is 9 pm eastern. If the stats are like they have been after this show I will go on hiatus until iVlog.tv opens and change our current site so that there is a link to the page that I'm building on the Unsigned Musicians homepage which will be links to the musicians played on the show and resume broadcasting when iVlog comes online.
Special note; when iVlog comes online and co-hosting is enabled I would like to put together a Musicfest Event. What I plan to do is network though iVlog and find musicians that play their originals and plan an event so that we might have a showcase of the musicians to further promote them, as well as what I do.
Final note; while I am a huge fan of Ad-Blocker I won't, and ask my viewers to please not promote this software on iVlog. The site is a grass roots effort and they need the advertising money.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Ivlog.tv, You Can't Come Online Soon Enough
Last week we had 12 hits during the broadcast. This is a far cry from what we enjoyed on our previous platform on blogtv before they sold out and shut down.
What's worse? This has been pretty typical on our webs.com site since it opened back in June. I'm really at a loss as to how I might increase traffic to the show and I could really use some suggestions if anyone out there has any.
The obvious solution would be to move to an actual site that hosts shows similar to blogtv. As I mentioned in my previous blog posts I've explored this option and because of the terms of service on almost any broadcasting site out there right now it's just not a viable option for the show. I can't "sub-license" other peoples content to another entity it's not mine to sub-license.
I will say that as it stands right now, I am only moving the show one more time. It's been a rocky road since blogtv shut down. First we tried the awdio.com/tinychat format and it didn't work, mostly because people didn't want to have to open two websites to enjoy the show and the chat, and we didn't have video capability. I found an embedded player that the hosting sites rules didn't restrict what I could do on the show as well as chat code that worked and built a page to broadcast on. Sadly right now since I'm not a part of a broadcasting site the promotion for the show is limited, mostly what I can do myself. Because of all the drama that frequently happened on blogtv Deb and I had often toyed with the idea with just creating our own broadcasting site. Well I can say that I'm the guinea pig for this since blog shut down and I have to be honest I really have to wonder if it's going to work. The current stats say otherwise.
So with all that being said here is where I am as far as the future of the show and there are a couple of options;
1) Continue with our current site until Ivlog.tv opens. We've been in contact about my concerns with their terms of service and I am really hopeful that they will work with us, but if they don't then the only way I would feel comfortable broadcasting there would be if I didn't play music licensed to the show and went with all Creative Commons licensed music only. I wouldn't like having to do that for the simple fact that I would have to say goodbye to several musicians that have been with us since we switched to a music format but don't license their music this way but have licensed to me for airplay on the show. Again, it goes back to the sub-licensing issue. Right now as for as broadcasting sites, at least Ivlog returned my email, and we've been in continuous contact since. Even if I decide to not do my show on there, I am and will continue to be a diehard Ivlog supporter, really super awesome folks there putting that together. I really hope that we can work the issues out. Why is this so important to me, and why should the folks putting Ivlog together care? I'll make it really simple, remember when MYSPACE was the place for independent musicians? It stopped being the place when the major record labels bought them out. Copyright laws are confusing as hell because the major music industry likes them that way.
2) Continue and try to build my current format on my own site. The best way to do this is to enlist musicians and try to score some interviews. This is a double edged sword to be honest because people want to promote themselves but as it stands right now I don't have the web stats to back someone to come onto the show and while they will bring their own fans they would prefer to not put their time and effort into an interview unless they can reach a new audience as well. While our current audience has been awesome as far as promoting the show it's only going to go so far and I'm wondering if it has. I don't know if the show is going to be as big as it needs to be to accomplish this on our current format although I will agree that we are young as far what we're doing and how we're doing it, we've only been on our own site for a couple of months.
3) As much as I hate to say it, I've considered just saying the hell with it and pulling the plug on broadcasting altogether. This is the first time since I began internet broadcasting in January 2008 that the thought has crossed my mind as far as ending it. I've really enjoyed it to be honest but lately I've been feeling that the magic is gone. Way back when I began doing my first show NewsTalk I would get goosebumps when I would hear "blogtalkradio" which signified the beginning of the show. Later on blogtv I'd get pretty pumped up setting up for my broadcast (it was really almost a ritual) and doing the show, for the longest time you never really knew what would happen, if a musician would pop in and we'd get them on to play, a random skype chat with Deb and Rob or whatever. I started with a plan and some nights, well I'd have most of it left. Then we have now, I still have the same ritual before I start a show, but much of the fun is gone right now. I don't know if it's because we have such low traffic that the "random" factor is gone or what. I really just don't know. While I don't hate doing the show by any means I have to be honest and say that I don't enjoy it near as much as I used to. The chatroom is not near as lively with far fewer people and while I still seek out, find, and play new music there are far fewer people listening to it and I'm starting to wonder if it's really worth it. Should I check out now, leave the scene at my prime and blame the blogtv shutdown for the shows demise? I could easily do that and not really feel guilty about it.
I've met some great folks doing Spotlight, spent many hours playing music by some seriously kick ass musicians and hosting more than a few of them live on the show. It's been one hell of a ride but over the last couple of weeks especially I'm starting to wonder if Indie Spotlight has jumped the shark and maybe it's time for me to find something else.
Please keep this in mind, I will NEVER stop promoting independent music, or independent musicians. If I decide on #3, which while it has crossed my mind I'm still not ready to throw in the towel just yet, I just want to make it fun again. Don't get me wrong, there are still musicians that deserve exposure and airplay, in my heart of hearts I want to keep doing this. I think that the million dollar question is, how can we get back to being the cool show? The awesome show the internet broadcast that people feel like if they miss every other live show on the internet then that's ok because dammit they made it to Indie Spotlight?
This is why I'm starting to wonder if the show has lost it's magic because I just don't know if I can reboot the show one more time. And make no mistake, my next move is the last one, if it's move and be a part of Ivlog.tv's opening or just saying the hell with it and shutting down, my next decision will be the last one.
As for me right now I'm really thinking option #1, and because Ivlog isn't planning to open with a co-host option I hope that they get it online pretty damn quick. Right now it's a time game, will Ivlog come online before I decide to hang up my headset for good? I hope they do, I would love to be on the ground floor of something that I think is going to kick some serious ass. Their goal is to be the site that people want to broadcast on, as opposed to the site they had to broadcast on.
I've kept in touch with other blogtv broadcasters and many of them ended up on sites that they had to broadcast on. I guess the same can be said of me right now. I tried going back to just being an audio broadcaster, it didn't work, mostly because the site that I found that could accomodate the show was operable maybe half the time. I've tried my previous blogtv format on my own site, 12 hits last week tells me that isn't working either.
Like I said, I will never, ever stop promoting independent musicians, if I decide that maybe it's time to say goodbye to the broadcast I will keep the other mediums that have been tied to the show going. I will keep up and promote the Indie Spotlight Live presence that we have on Facebook and try to grow it. I will refocus my energy on this blog page, I won't reboot it as I did when we transitioned from NewsTalk to Indie Spotlight.
My love for the indies will never die, I was a lover of Independent and Unsigned Musicians before I began playing their music online and my affair with them will continue beyond my broadcasting their music.
What's worse? This has been pretty typical on our webs.com site since it opened back in June. I'm really at a loss as to how I might increase traffic to the show and I could really use some suggestions if anyone out there has any.
The obvious solution would be to move to an actual site that hosts shows similar to blogtv. As I mentioned in my previous blog posts I've explored this option and because of the terms of service on almost any broadcasting site out there right now it's just not a viable option for the show. I can't "sub-license" other peoples content to another entity it's not mine to sub-license.
I will say that as it stands right now, I am only moving the show one more time. It's been a rocky road since blogtv shut down. First we tried the awdio.com/tinychat format and it didn't work, mostly because people didn't want to have to open two websites to enjoy the show and the chat, and we didn't have video capability. I found an embedded player that the hosting sites rules didn't restrict what I could do on the show as well as chat code that worked and built a page to broadcast on. Sadly right now since I'm not a part of a broadcasting site the promotion for the show is limited, mostly what I can do myself. Because of all the drama that frequently happened on blogtv Deb and I had often toyed with the idea with just creating our own broadcasting site. Well I can say that I'm the guinea pig for this since blog shut down and I have to be honest I really have to wonder if it's going to work. The current stats say otherwise.
So with all that being said here is where I am as far as the future of the show and there are a couple of options;
1) Continue with our current site until Ivlog.tv opens. We've been in contact about my concerns with their terms of service and I am really hopeful that they will work with us, but if they don't then the only way I would feel comfortable broadcasting there would be if I didn't play music licensed to the show and went with all Creative Commons licensed music only. I wouldn't like having to do that for the simple fact that I would have to say goodbye to several musicians that have been with us since we switched to a music format but don't license their music this way but have licensed to me for airplay on the show. Again, it goes back to the sub-licensing issue. Right now as for as broadcasting sites, at least Ivlog returned my email, and we've been in continuous contact since. Even if I decide to not do my show on there, I am and will continue to be a diehard Ivlog supporter, really super awesome folks there putting that together. I really hope that we can work the issues out. Why is this so important to me, and why should the folks putting Ivlog together care? I'll make it really simple, remember when MYSPACE was the place for independent musicians? It stopped being the place when the major record labels bought them out. Copyright laws are confusing as hell because the major music industry likes them that way.
2) Continue and try to build my current format on my own site. The best way to do this is to enlist musicians and try to score some interviews. This is a double edged sword to be honest because people want to promote themselves but as it stands right now I don't have the web stats to back someone to come onto the show and while they will bring their own fans they would prefer to not put their time and effort into an interview unless they can reach a new audience as well. While our current audience has been awesome as far as promoting the show it's only going to go so far and I'm wondering if it has. I don't know if the show is going to be as big as it needs to be to accomplish this on our current format although I will agree that we are young as far what we're doing and how we're doing it, we've only been on our own site for a couple of months.
3) As much as I hate to say it, I've considered just saying the hell with it and pulling the plug on broadcasting altogether. This is the first time since I began internet broadcasting in January 2008 that the thought has crossed my mind as far as ending it. I've really enjoyed it to be honest but lately I've been feeling that the magic is gone. Way back when I began doing my first show NewsTalk I would get goosebumps when I would hear "blogtalkradio" which signified the beginning of the show. Later on blogtv I'd get pretty pumped up setting up for my broadcast (it was really almost a ritual) and doing the show, for the longest time you never really knew what would happen, if a musician would pop in and we'd get them on to play, a random skype chat with Deb and Rob or whatever. I started with a plan and some nights, well I'd have most of it left. Then we have now, I still have the same ritual before I start a show, but much of the fun is gone right now. I don't know if it's because we have such low traffic that the "random" factor is gone or what. I really just don't know. While I don't hate doing the show by any means I have to be honest and say that I don't enjoy it near as much as I used to. The chatroom is not near as lively with far fewer people and while I still seek out, find, and play new music there are far fewer people listening to it and I'm starting to wonder if it's really worth it. Should I check out now, leave the scene at my prime and blame the blogtv shutdown for the shows demise? I could easily do that and not really feel guilty about it.
I've met some great folks doing Spotlight, spent many hours playing music by some seriously kick ass musicians and hosting more than a few of them live on the show. It's been one hell of a ride but over the last couple of weeks especially I'm starting to wonder if Indie Spotlight has jumped the shark and maybe it's time for me to find something else.
Please keep this in mind, I will NEVER stop promoting independent music, or independent musicians. If I decide on #3, which while it has crossed my mind I'm still not ready to throw in the towel just yet, I just want to make it fun again. Don't get me wrong, there are still musicians that deserve exposure and airplay, in my heart of hearts I want to keep doing this. I think that the million dollar question is, how can we get back to being the cool show? The awesome show the internet broadcast that people feel like if they miss every other live show on the internet then that's ok because dammit they made it to Indie Spotlight?
This is why I'm starting to wonder if the show has lost it's magic because I just don't know if I can reboot the show one more time. And make no mistake, my next move is the last one, if it's move and be a part of Ivlog.tv's opening or just saying the hell with it and shutting down, my next decision will be the last one.
As for me right now I'm really thinking option #1, and because Ivlog isn't planning to open with a co-host option I hope that they get it online pretty damn quick. Right now it's a time game, will Ivlog come online before I decide to hang up my headset for good? I hope they do, I would love to be on the ground floor of something that I think is going to kick some serious ass. Their goal is to be the site that people want to broadcast on, as opposed to the site they had to broadcast on.
I've kept in touch with other blogtv broadcasters and many of them ended up on sites that they had to broadcast on. I guess the same can be said of me right now. I tried going back to just being an audio broadcaster, it didn't work, mostly because the site that I found that could accomodate the show was operable maybe half the time. I've tried my previous blogtv format on my own site, 12 hits last week tells me that isn't working either.
Like I said, I will never, ever stop promoting independent musicians, if I decide that maybe it's time to say goodbye to the broadcast I will keep the other mediums that have been tied to the show going. I will keep up and promote the Indie Spotlight Live presence that we have on Facebook and try to grow it. I will refocus my energy on this blog page, I won't reboot it as I did when we transitioned from NewsTalk to Indie Spotlight.
My love for the indies will never die, I was a lover of Independent and Unsigned Musicians before I began playing their music online and my affair with them will continue beyond my broadcasting their music.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Random Crazy Thought
Reading current events, makes me want to bring back my old news-magazine show NewsTalk.
Blogtalkradio only allows streaming broadcasts for 1/2 hour for non-premium users, so I would only be able to talk about maybe one or two things but I think I could pull it off.
I could do two internet shows.
I think.
I must be losing my mind...lol
Blogtalkradio only allows streaming broadcasts for 1/2 hour for non-premium users, so I would only be able to talk about maybe one or two things but I think I could pull it off.
I could do two internet shows.
I think.
I must be losing my mind...lol
Sunday, August 4, 2013
To Answer the Question....
Everyone's been asking me where the Unsigned Musicians show can be heard now. Currently UM is offline but we are working on a way to bring her back. In the mean time, for those of you who were wondering where she's been, well, the answer is in the video below.
RIP Mikey, we miss ya.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Why I Didn't Simply Move to Another Video Streaming Site and Why Networking is KEY!
Since blogtv shut down we've had to go it alone as far as finding ways to broadcast the show. One of the reasons why I didn't simply move to another video/audio streaming site is what I like to call the "infamous line 5" that many if not almost all of these other sites have in their terms of service. Simply put, the sites claim a royalty free license to any content broadcasted on their site to re-use as they see fit. While in practical practice this would simply mean that they can use images and content from your show on the site to promote you, this language also could mean that they can do anything with the content (including sell it) and as the originator of said content I would have no say over it because the terms of service covers the site doing so. While blogtv also had a similar line in their terms I asked and was given an exemption.
This is actually the main reason why I didn't follow other broadcasters to Vaughn, Ustream, or Justintv. As a broadcaster of a music show the content that I air on the internet are other peoples creative works that are licensed to the show for me to broadcast and promote the musicians, but it is not my content to sublicense to any other site.
Yes, it really is that simple.
With that being said, I've discovered a downside to going it alone. When you are a part of a streaming site you are also a part of a community of broadcasters. People can surf the site, going from show to show and when they stumble across something they like they stick around and become a part of the crowd at that particular show. When you create a show on your own website obviously you aren't a part of any network and you really are on your own as far as promotion goes.
This is where social media becomes much more important. Because I'm not actively a part of any streaming sites I have to promote the show though social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. The downside to this is that most everyone that follows me on either of these sites already knows me from blogtv, has followed my updates and knows what I'm doing and where on the 'net I'm doing it now. The challenge now is how do we reach new people and a larger audience. The purpose of the broadcast is to promote independent musicians and give them the airplay that they deserve. Right now I think the answer to this is promote, promote and promote, really put the show out there on any and every possible platform available.
Now that I have the site pretty much buttoned up and the stage is set, I think that this is my next challenge.
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Show updates;
Over the course of the last couple of weeks I have to say that overall our new site is working really well. The challenge has been getting my settings tweaked so the audio is more consistent and I think I'm pretty much there. Until further notice we're sticking with broadcasting on our own platform for now.
This is actually the main reason why I didn't follow other broadcasters to Vaughn, Ustream, or Justintv. As a broadcaster of a music show the content that I air on the internet are other peoples creative works that are licensed to the show for me to broadcast and promote the musicians, but it is not my content to sublicense to any other site.
Yes, it really is that simple.
With that being said, I've discovered a downside to going it alone. When you are a part of a streaming site you are also a part of a community of broadcasters. People can surf the site, going from show to show and when they stumble across something they like they stick around and become a part of the crowd at that particular show. When you create a show on your own website obviously you aren't a part of any network and you really are on your own as far as promotion goes.
This is where social media becomes much more important. Because I'm not actively a part of any streaming sites I have to promote the show though social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. The downside to this is that most everyone that follows me on either of these sites already knows me from blogtv, has followed my updates and knows what I'm doing and where on the 'net I'm doing it now. The challenge now is how do we reach new people and a larger audience. The purpose of the broadcast is to promote independent musicians and give them the airplay that they deserve. Right now I think the answer to this is promote, promote and promote, really put the show out there on any and every possible platform available.
Now that I have the site pretty much buttoned up and the stage is set, I think that this is my next challenge.
------------------------------------------------------
Show updates;
Over the course of the last couple of weeks I have to say that overall our new site is working really well. The challenge has been getting my settings tweaked so the audio is more consistent and I think I'm pretty much there. Until further notice we're sticking with broadcasting on our own platform for now.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Good News
Musician Tom Meny is on the mend!
Thanks everyone.I appreciate all of your kindness...Thanks to all of you who have checked on my parents too...this has been tough on them. I'm doing ok and I couldn't get through this without all of you. You guys really know how to make a fella feel loved.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
This was NOT a fun Facebook Status to Read
One of the musicians that was regularly played on the Unsigned Musicians show, and played for us at MusicFest isn't doing well.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom Meny who had quadruple bypass today. He really is a super great guy, and yes, a fucking brilliant musician.
Whatever your beliefs might be, let all of us hope that he pulls through.
For those who might have been wondering what the Facebook status update was, well, it was this...
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom Meny who had quadruple bypass today. He really is a super great guy, and yes, a fucking brilliant musician.
Whatever your beliefs might be, let all of us hope that he pulls through.
For those who might have been wondering what the Facebook status update was, well, it was this...
Well...it turns out I'm not invincible after all. I had chest pains yesterday and drove myself to the ER. I was admitted to the ICU Monday night. Tomorrow at 830 AM at Seton Hays I'm having a quadruple bypass. Keep me in your thoughts. Listen to your doctors.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Updated the Site
Hey gang I just finished updating the site for the show. The first thing I did was fix the alignment between the player and the chat, it looked jumbled before and that shit drove me nuts.
Then I added a links section.
It's starting to feel like home to me now, I'm happy with how the site is starting to turn out. I have other changes and improvements in mind but I really have a feeling that this will continue to evolve and grow.
For those of you that might have missed the previous blog posts, we have a new home, I got tired of trying to find an appropriate place to broadcast and created one.
http://indiespotlightlive.webs.com/
We have the same quality that we had on blogtv as far as the audio is concerned and have regained the ability to play videos as well.
I feel that the site is mostly complete although I will continue to tweak it, I know from my last experience in site building it is never really done anyway.
Come check it out, the show will be broadcasted every Sunday night at 9 pm (eastern) there now.
The one thing that I will very STRONGLY recommend, is that you run an ad-blocker program, in fact I have a link on the show's page at the top where you can get one if you don't have it. Much of the coding that I am using is ad supported, and while I am a huge fan of that at the same time, well I gotta be honest, the ads are intrusive, neither I or the musicians make any money off of them so I don't feel guilty at all telling people how to get around them.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Then I added a links section.
It's starting to feel like home to me now, I'm happy with how the site is starting to turn out. I have other changes and improvements in mind but I really have a feeling that this will continue to evolve and grow.
For those of you that might have missed the previous blog posts, we have a new home, I got tired of trying to find an appropriate place to broadcast and created one.
http://indiespotlightlive.webs.com/
We have the same quality that we had on blogtv as far as the audio is concerned and have regained the ability to play videos as well.
I feel that the site is mostly complete although I will continue to tweak it, I know from my last experience in site building it is never really done anyway.
Come check it out, the show will be broadcasted every Sunday night at 9 pm (eastern) there now.
The one thing that I will very STRONGLY recommend, is that you run an ad-blocker program, in fact I have a link on the show's page at the top where you can get one if you don't have it. Much of the coding that I am using is ad supported, and while I am a huge fan of that at the same time, well I gotta be honest, the ads are intrusive, neither I or the musicians make any money off of them so I don't feel guilty at all telling people how to get around them.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Finally Made It Work
Hey everyone, I'm happy to report that our show on the new site was a success! We saw more web traffic there than we've seen doing our previous format.
So, as long as the player works out, I think I'll be sticking with this. It's been nice regaining video capability, I didn't think I was going to miss it, but honestly yeah, I have.
There are still a few bugs to work out, mostly with the site layout, and the chat. I'll admit that I haven't spent the time on the chatroom code that I should have, now that the major issues are nailed down I can go back and tweak and work out the bugs.
The one thing that I will tell everyone coming to the show, you have to run an ad-blocker program, I have it linked on the site if you don't currently have it. Since I'm using free software/code it is ad supported, and if you aren't running an ad blocker and click the wrong button you will end up in pop up ad hell.
So, as long as the player works out, I think I'll be sticking with this. It's been nice regaining video capability, I didn't think I was going to miss it, but honestly yeah, I have.
There are still a few bugs to work out, mostly with the site layout, and the chat. I'll admit that I haven't spent the time on the chatroom code that I should have, now that the major issues are nailed down I can go back and tweak and work out the bugs.
The one thing that I will tell everyone coming to the show, you have to run an ad-blocker program, I have it linked on the site if you don't currently have it. Since I'm using free software/code it is ad supported, and if you aren't running an ad blocker and click the wrong button you will end up in pop up ad hell.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
New Web Player for the Show
After working on this for almost a week, I finally have a new web player for the show. It works just fine on the site, and the extra bonus is that I have also regained video capability!
Gonna put it through it's paces this Sunday and if it works out I'll be back in full force, including musician interviews.
Goodbye awdio, while your sound quality is great your reliability issues won't be missed.
Gonna put it through it's paces this Sunday and if it works out I'll be back in full force, including musician interviews.
Goodbye awdio, while your sound quality is great your reliability issues won't be missed.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Show Update 6-21-13, And Yes I am Pissed Off at awdio.com
I really want to continue my manlovefest with awdio.com, but the fact is that while the sound quality is kick ass, the site itself isn't reliable. I'm not gonna lie I was pissed the fuck off last Sunday when I wasn't able to get online and broadcast. I had a kick ass show planned out, I had just met and heard live one of the main musicians that I play on the show (Pete Berwick) and I was locked and loaded to premier the show on it's new site, with a new chat, and the embedded awdio player. Finally, all the elements of the show back in one place!
I was really pumped up and ready to go, awdio however wasn't. I had planned to continue to broadcast the show from awdio.com but instead of having to tell people to "click this link to hear the show, and type in this link to find us in our live interactive chat" I could just tell people to go to one site, click play on the player, type in a name and join the chat.
Apparently at the same time the powers that be at awdio decided that it was time to do some maintenance. Really, right now?
From all appearances, awdio was down for two days although it is back online and I would be able to broadcast right now as I type this. Until the next time, this is the second time that I wasn't able to do the show because of issues on the broadcasting site that I use to play the show.
So, needless to say I have been exploring other alternatives to broadcast the show. I posted a rant in the Facebook group for the show and a couple of regular listeners to the show have provided alternatives to broadcasting on awdio. I'll be flat out honest, the best option (icecast) will take more "know-how" than I currently have as far as html coding, as well as, well, just making it work. From what I've read so far, making the stream to the internet is actually not as hard as it might look, the downside is the embedded player would have to be provided from another site. That is the catch, sites that can provide code for an embedded player either want to charge, or are supported by advertising. The ads I can deal with, since most of my listeners are running an ad-blocker program.
I think my only option is to try and see how it works, at this point I don't think it could be any more unreliable than awdio.
Sorry people at awdio.com, you have a great site, and the sound quality is kick ass, but none of that matters if broadcasters can't broadcast.
Stay tuned guys, you know me, you know I will make this shit work.
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Show updates;
So far, in the near future I believe I have two musician interviews lined up. I need to find a reliable stream to broadcast the show with before I can commit to them. In the mean time, I will be using the awdio stream to broadcast while I explore other options. If anyone has any ideas please leave them in the comments section, thanks!
In the meantime as long as the awdio site decides to cooperate I will continue with the Sunday broadcast from there and use the embedded player on the site. Obviously this is a short term solution until I can find the better one.
I was really pumped up and ready to go, awdio however wasn't. I had planned to continue to broadcast the show from awdio.com but instead of having to tell people to "click this link to hear the show, and type in this link to find us in our live interactive chat" I could just tell people to go to one site, click play on the player, type in a name and join the chat.
Apparently at the same time the powers that be at awdio decided that it was time to do some maintenance. Really, right now?
From all appearances, awdio was down for two days although it is back online and I would be able to broadcast right now as I type this. Until the next time, this is the second time that I wasn't able to do the show because of issues on the broadcasting site that I use to play the show.
So, needless to say I have been exploring other alternatives to broadcast the show. I posted a rant in the Facebook group for the show and a couple of regular listeners to the show have provided alternatives to broadcasting on awdio. I'll be flat out honest, the best option (icecast) will take more "know-how" than I currently have as far as html coding, as well as, well, just making it work. From what I've read so far, making the stream to the internet is actually not as hard as it might look, the downside is the embedded player would have to be provided from another site. That is the catch, sites that can provide code for an embedded player either want to charge, or are supported by advertising. The ads I can deal with, since most of my listeners are running an ad-blocker program.
I think my only option is to try and see how it works, at this point I don't think it could be any more unreliable than awdio.
Sorry people at awdio.com, you have a great site, and the sound quality is kick ass, but none of that matters if broadcasters can't broadcast.
Stay tuned guys, you know me, you know I will make this shit work.
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Show updates;
So far, in the near future I believe I have two musician interviews lined up. I need to find a reliable stream to broadcast the show with before I can commit to them. In the mean time, I will be using the awdio stream to broadcast while I explore other options. If anyone has any ideas please leave them in the comments section, thanks!
In the meantime as long as the awdio site decides to cooperate I will continue with the Sunday broadcast from there and use the embedded player on the site. Obviously this is a short term solution until I can find the better one.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Screw You Internet I'll Make My Own Damn Page!
A follow up from my last blog post, since I couldn't find a chat site to fit my wishlist today I said the hell with it and created a new website to broadcast the show.
I think it will be easier (and therefore we'll see more traffic) if people don't have to go to two different websites for the show. To put this together actually only took the afternoon, although I'll be the first to admit that the site is still very much a work in progress. I used the embed code from awdio so I'll still be broadcasting on that site, but now instead of having to go there to open the player folks can now simply go to the new site and click "play" on the player, type in a name for the chat, and bam, your in!
To be perfectly honest with you folks, I'm really looking forward to trying this out. If for no other reason we won't have to rely on tinychat anymore. Just the thought of not getting our asses kicked on that buggy pain in the ass chatroom ever again is enough to put a smile on my face!
So, I hate to ask you folks to do this all over again, you can still hear the show on awdio and not join into the chat if you wish, but now, to listen to the show and join the chat is a one stop shop at http://indiespotlightlive.webs.com/ so go ahead and reset your bookmarks!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
My Wishlist
I would love to find a site that I can integrate the embedded player from awdio into an interactive chat so that people only have to click on one website. Any ideas on which chat sites might allow this?
Please leave in the comments below!
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Show notes;
This past Sunday awdio.com was experiencing technical difficulties. Due to this I was unable to get on and broadcast the show. I'm almost inclined to overlook this except that Deb from Unsigned Musicians had the same issue a few weeks ago. This, and because the "radio" player isn't working the the way it's supposed to I've put the site on a 3 strike rule and this is strike one. I have a bad feeling that I might be looking for yet another site to broadcast on soon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show notes;
This past Sunday awdio.com was experiencing technical difficulties. Due to this I was unable to get on and broadcast the show. I'm almost inclined to overlook this except that Deb from Unsigned Musicians had the same issue a few weeks ago. This, and because the "radio" player isn't working the the way it's supposed to I've put the site on a 3 strike rule and this is strike one. I have a bad feeling that I might be looking for yet another site to broadcast on soon.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Clearing Up Some Confusion
Hey gang, it's come to my attention that people are having a hard time finding the chatroom during the live broadcast.
Awdio.com doesn't have integrated chats so the work-a-round is that we've had to create a chatroom specifically for the show on another site.
The show is here at http://www.awdio.com/indiespotlightlive
And the chatroom is here at http://tinychat.com/indiespotlight
Hope this clears things up for everyone. Don't forget we'll be on tonight (Sunday) starting at 9 pm (eastern U.S.) and I hope to see you folks there!
Awdio.com doesn't have integrated chats so the work-a-round is that we've had to create a chatroom specifically for the show on another site.
The show is here at http://www.awdio.com/indiespotlightlive
And the chatroom is here at http://tinychat.com/indiespotlight
Hope this clears things up for everyone. Don't forget we'll be on tonight (Sunday) starting at 9 pm (eastern U.S.) and I hope to see you folks there!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Recap on First awdio.com broadcast
Hey gang, happy April Fools day.
We did our first show on awdio.com last night. Overall I have to say it went well, no glitches as far as the show goes, although people were having a hard time finding the chatroom.
The issue is that because awdio is strictly a broadcasting platform, they don't have an interactive chat built into the "channel" so for a work-a-round I created a chatroom for the show on a site that hosts chatrooms. I wasn't sure how that was going to go, and I have to say given some of the feedback that I've gotten the results were mixed to say the least.
So I guess when I post promo's for the show I have to include the chat as a separate link so folks might find it.
Some of the other issues I have with awdio right now are, they don't give you statistics on live listeners or how many times a particular broadcast was streamed. This to me is an issue because I want to make sure that the listener count is worth the time putting into the show, I want to make sure the music is being heard, and I'm not just a "fart in the wind".
I'll reach out to them to see if they might consider implementing this feature, I don't think it would be hard to make these statistics available, if blogtalkradio, and blogtv were able to do it, I'm sure this site should as well, given what I've seen so far I think they have the technical know-how, they've nailed it with the ease of use and how the music sounds. I also like how awdio.com posts on their front page the shows that are currently being streamed live. I couldn't help but notice that Indie Spotlight was at the top of the list during the live broadcast and while there aren't really any features that allow you to reach out to your listeners on there, I have to say I felt welcome nonetheless.
Which brings us to what I think went the best, which was the show itself. I listened to part of the archive and I have to say it sounded kick ass. There is no appreciable degradation in the sound quality between the live show and the archive at all. I have to find out what setting I'm missing to make it available as an embeddable player but right now you can go to my main page on awdio and listen to the show.
I'm liking the archive feature. Especially since if I have a crap show I don't even have to put it out there for others to bear witness after the live broadcast if I don't want to. Awdio gives an incredible amount of control over archived content. I actually have to select whether or not I want an archived broadcast to be made available, before it becomes available. It's awesome I'll spend some time and figure out how to make an embedded player work this week.
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Notes on other fellow former blogtv hosts;
I haven't talked to him recently so I'm not sure what Didgerod is doing. He did his premier show on vaughnlive but I'm not sure if he's sticking to that platform or not. I'm thinking because of the infamous "line 5" in their Terms of Service he might not.
As far as I know the other Native American flute players are still on vaughnlive for now.
Unsigned Musicians could be transitioning over to awdio.com. I helped Deb with a test show, I believe she's moving her regular show over there but I'm not 100% sure, I'll keep you folks posted.
I'm not aware of any of the regulars that I knew on blogtv transitioned to YouNow. Which is not a bad thing, from what I've heard, YouNow totally sucks. There is a rumor that someone is creating a website that was like blogtv, without the bugs and issues that many of us had on blogtv. Right now I"m still getting more information, I'll let you folks know what the deal is, but from what I've heard it sounds promising.
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Show notes;
I'm sticking to awdio.com for now, I've scheduled shows on there out to the beginning of next month, after which I'll decide whether or not it's working for me and make a decision to stick to it or move on. The show sounds really, and I mean really good on there. I'm inclined at this time to stick with it, and make the chatroom issue work somehow.
How I do that? Hell who knows I'll keep you all posted.
Stay tuned.
We did our first show on awdio.com last night. Overall I have to say it went well, no glitches as far as the show goes, although people were having a hard time finding the chatroom.
The issue is that because awdio is strictly a broadcasting platform, they don't have an interactive chat built into the "channel" so for a work-a-round I created a chatroom for the show on a site that hosts chatrooms. I wasn't sure how that was going to go, and I have to say given some of the feedback that I've gotten the results were mixed to say the least.
So I guess when I post promo's for the show I have to include the chat as a separate link so folks might find it.
Some of the other issues I have with awdio right now are, they don't give you statistics on live listeners or how many times a particular broadcast was streamed. This to me is an issue because I want to make sure that the listener count is worth the time putting into the show, I want to make sure the music is being heard, and I'm not just a "fart in the wind".
I'll reach out to them to see if they might consider implementing this feature, I don't think it would be hard to make these statistics available, if blogtalkradio, and blogtv were able to do it, I'm sure this site should as well, given what I've seen so far I think they have the technical know-how, they've nailed it with the ease of use and how the music sounds. I also like how awdio.com posts on their front page the shows that are currently being streamed live. I couldn't help but notice that Indie Spotlight was at the top of the list during the live broadcast and while there aren't really any features that allow you to reach out to your listeners on there, I have to say I felt welcome nonetheless.
Which brings us to what I think went the best, which was the show itself. I listened to part of the archive and I have to say it sounded kick ass. There is no appreciable degradation in the sound quality between the live show and the archive at all. I have to find out what setting I'm missing to make it available as an embeddable player but right now you can go to my main page on awdio and listen to the show.
I'm liking the archive feature. Especially since if I have a crap show I don't even have to put it out there for others to bear witness after the live broadcast if I don't want to. Awdio gives an incredible amount of control over archived content. I actually have to select whether or not I want an archived broadcast to be made available, before it becomes available. It's awesome I'll spend some time and figure out how to make an embedded player work this week.
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Notes on other fellow former blogtv hosts;
I haven't talked to him recently so I'm not sure what Didgerod is doing. He did his premier show on vaughnlive but I'm not sure if he's sticking to that platform or not. I'm thinking because of the infamous "line 5" in their Terms of Service he might not.
As far as I know the other Native American flute players are still on vaughnlive for now.
Unsigned Musicians could be transitioning over to awdio.com. I helped Deb with a test show, I believe she's moving her regular show over there but I'm not 100% sure, I'll keep you folks posted.
I'm not aware of any of the regulars that I knew on blogtv transitioned to YouNow. Which is not a bad thing, from what I've heard, YouNow totally sucks. There is a rumor that someone is creating a website that was like blogtv, without the bugs and issues that many of us had on blogtv. Right now I"m still getting more information, I'll let you folks know what the deal is, but from what I've heard it sounds promising.
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Show notes;
I'm sticking to awdio.com for now, I've scheduled shows on there out to the beginning of next month, after which I'll decide whether or not it's working for me and make a decision to stick to it or move on. The show sounds really, and I mean really good on there. I'm inclined at this time to stick with it, and make the chatroom issue work somehow.
How I do that? Hell who knows I'll keep you all posted.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Final Blogtv Show Recap
Did our final show on blogtv this past Sunday. I have to say it was bittersweet, more bitter than sweet to be honest. I'm going to miss our quirky little platform over there.
It was nice to see some old friends pop into the chat. I played some (really) old videos from past shows and it was a fun trip down memory lane, blogtv really has been a wild ride. I've spent many hours on that site, between doing my show, hanging out at other shows, and not to mention the music events we held over there.
With all that being said, I have to say I'm looking forward to the new show. I've already updated all the links here on the blog to the new site, which will be at http://www.awdio.com/indiespotlightlive. I'll be premiering the new show over there this Sunday night starting at 9 pm (eastern U.S.) and I hope you folks will follow us over there.
Since the new site is strictly audio I guess I'll have to figure out exactly what I'm doing with the YouTube channel. Obviously with all the videos on it I can't get rid of it so I'll have to figure out something else to do there since obviously I won't be posting video clips from the show anymore. And since there isn't an interactive chat on the page (although I have created one on another site) I'm guessing I'll have to spend more time on show promotion, which would include this blog. I've been meaning to get back into this anyway.
Thanks for all the continued support, as we enter this next chapter of the show, the story is far from over.
It was nice to see some old friends pop into the chat. I played some (really) old videos from past shows and it was a fun trip down memory lane, blogtv really has been a wild ride. I've spent many hours on that site, between doing my show, hanging out at other shows, and not to mention the music events we held over there.
With all that being said, I have to say I'm looking forward to the new show. I've already updated all the links here on the blog to the new site, which will be at http://www.awdio.com/indiespotlightlive. I'll be premiering the new show over there this Sunday night starting at 9 pm (eastern U.S.) and I hope you folks will follow us over there.
Since the new site is strictly audio I guess I'll have to figure out exactly what I'm doing with the YouTube channel. Obviously with all the videos on it I can't get rid of it so I'll have to figure out something else to do there since obviously I won't be posting video clips from the show anymore. And since there isn't an interactive chat on the page (although I have created one on another site) I'm guessing I'll have to spend more time on show promotion, which would include this blog. I've been meaning to get back into this anyway.
Thanks for all the continued support, as we enter this next chapter of the show, the story is far from over.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Show Update 3-22-13
Ok everyone, here is the latest show update.
I will be doing my blogtv finale this Sunday (March 24). We will be reliving our favorite moments from the last 4 (almost 5 now, wow) years of broadcasting on blogtv.
Afterwards, please reset your bookmarks to http://www.awdio.com/indiespotlightlive where I will premier the new show the following Sunday, March 31st, at 9 p.m. (eastern)
Moving to awdio is truly going back to our roots. As you can tell by the name it is an audio only site, we are going back to a radio format, at least for now. The reason I chose this particular site is that their terms of service are very friendly for what we do on Indie Spotlight, as well as the terms also protect the artists. The only downside to the site is obviously I can't play video, and they don't have a interactive chat.
I've figured out a work-a-round as far as having a chat goes, I simply created a specific chat for the show on another site, and linked it to the page on awdio. We'll see how it works.
As of right now, here is what some of my fellow blogtv hosts are doing.
Deb from the Unsigned Musicians show hasn't found an appropriate site to do her show as of yet. Keep in mind she plays a substantial amount of videos, much more than I do, she needs a video streaming site. It's been a challenge to find one with a friendly terms of service, or at least terms that don't try to sub-license the music. As promised I will keep everyone posted on where she ends up.
Didgerod (Rod Krug), Jim Cook, and Rae Dent, are moving to vaughnlive.com.
Please join us this Sunday for our blogtv finale, it'll be a fun walk down memory lane, and I hope that you folks will join us on our new show on awdio.com!
I will be doing my blogtv finale this Sunday (March 24). We will be reliving our favorite moments from the last 4 (almost 5 now, wow) years of broadcasting on blogtv.
Afterwards, please reset your bookmarks to http://www.awdio.com/indiespotlightlive where I will premier the new show the following Sunday, March 31st, at 9 p.m. (eastern)
Moving to awdio is truly going back to our roots. As you can tell by the name it is an audio only site, we are going back to a radio format, at least for now. The reason I chose this particular site is that their terms of service are very friendly for what we do on Indie Spotlight, as well as the terms also protect the artists. The only downside to the site is obviously I can't play video, and they don't have a interactive chat.
I've figured out a work-a-round as far as having a chat goes, I simply created a specific chat for the show on another site, and linked it to the page on awdio. We'll see how it works.
As of right now, here is what some of my fellow blogtv hosts are doing.
Deb from the Unsigned Musicians show hasn't found an appropriate site to do her show as of yet. Keep in mind she plays a substantial amount of videos, much more than I do, she needs a video streaming site. It's been a challenge to find one with a friendly terms of service, or at least terms that don't try to sub-license the music. As promised I will keep everyone posted on where she ends up.
Didgerod (Rod Krug), Jim Cook, and Rae Dent, are moving to vaughnlive.com.
Please join us this Sunday for our blogtv finale, it'll be a fun walk down memory lane, and I hope that you folks will join us on our new show on awdio.com!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Awdio.com
It's looking like Indie Spotlight will be headed here. If the embed code works I'll have to find a way to incorporate it into the sidebar but in the mean time lets see if this works.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
We May Have A New Home
Not set in stone, but we may have found a website that I can play the music.
It doesn't have a chatroom though.
So, we have a place to play music, and have figured out a way to have an interactive chat, but it'll be on a different site than the show.
Want more details? Stay tuned.....
It doesn't have a chatroom though.
So, we have a place to play music, and have figured out a way to have an interactive chat, but it'll be on a different site than the show.
Want more details? Stay tuned.....
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Update
Hey gang.
As I mentioned in my previous blog, blogtv.com will be shutting down on March 27 and transitioning to YouNow.
I'm still researching other broadcasting sites but I wanted to take a second and update you guys on where some of my fellow blogtv hosts are planning on moving their shows to.
Diderod (Rod Krug), Jimtzu (Jim Cook), Rae Dent, and Jamie Grey are moving to http://vaughnlive.tv/. I researched it myself and I like it. The only issue I personally have is on Line 5 of their Terms of Service, which I have an email out to them seeking clarification.
Other sites that are also under consideration are justin.tv (which I already have a channel) and a couple of sites that are simply podcasting.
I'll keep you guys posted.
As I mentioned in my previous blog, blogtv.com will be shutting down on March 27 and transitioning to YouNow.
I'm still researching other broadcasting sites but I wanted to take a second and update you guys on where some of my fellow blogtv hosts are planning on moving their shows to.
Diderod (Rod Krug), Jimtzu (Jim Cook), Rae Dent, and Jamie Grey are moving to http://vaughnlive.tv/. I researched it myself and I like it. The only issue I personally have is on Line 5 of their Terms of Service, which I have an email out to them seeking clarification.
Other sites that are also under consideration are justin.tv (which I already have a channel) and a couple of sites that are simply podcasting.
I'll keep you guys posted.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Blogtv Going Offline on 3/27/13
Earlier today I found out that blogtv is merging with another web broadcasting site later this month. I can't say that I was happy about the news to be honest. While I understand that websites have to evolve, and change in order to survive I don't think that this move on their part will be the best thing for the show, and from some of the comments I read on blogtv's blog, I really don't see many broadcasters from blogtv migrating over to the new site either.
I took a look at the website they want us to transition to (YouNow.com) and I have to say I didn't like it. They put pending shows in a queue, and if you don't get enough "likes" while you are broadcasting, your off, done, show over. So if I don't kiss enough ass, I won't have a show. I played this game when I was on blogtalkradio trying to get the show featured when I had musician interviews and I'm not going through that again.
For the format that I do, I can't say that I'll survive long over there, and I'm really wondering if it's worth the effort. With that being said, I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet, and am looking at other options.
This is what I have so far;
Took another look at TalkShoe, while I love the site despite it's quirkiness, it doesn't load fast enough and timed out multiple times when I tried it.
I would love to go back to where we started and move back to blogtalkradio, but they still have the restrictions on broadcasting unless you want to pay,(see earlier blogs) sorry, not doing that.
The best option that I've found so far is Justin.tv. I'm happy to report that they have removed the line in their Terms of Use in regards to all broadcasts being licensed under Creative Commons. As you all know I love the concept of CC, most of the musicians that I play are licensed under Creative Commons, not all of them are, and I wasn't comfortable playing their music on a site that by default licenses anything that is broadcasted on their site under CC when they didn't license their music to me that way. So since Justin.tv has changed their policy this is a viable option for the show. I did a couple of shows over there over a year ago and it worked out really well, to be honest the only reason I didn't just pull up stakes and move the show over there then was the CC requirement, which they have since removed.
I have to be honest I'm still mulling it over, I'll let you guys know what I decide what I'm going to do.
I took a look at the website they want us to transition to (YouNow.com) and I have to say I didn't like it. They put pending shows in a queue, and if you don't get enough "likes" while you are broadcasting, your off, done, show over. So if I don't kiss enough ass, I won't have a show. I played this game when I was on blogtalkradio trying to get the show featured when I had musician interviews and I'm not going through that again.
For the format that I do, I can't say that I'll survive long over there, and I'm really wondering if it's worth the effort. With that being said, I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet, and am looking at other options.
This is what I have so far;
Took another look at TalkShoe, while I love the site despite it's quirkiness, it doesn't load fast enough and timed out multiple times when I tried it.
I would love to go back to where we started and move back to blogtalkradio, but they still have the restrictions on broadcasting unless you want to pay,(see earlier blogs) sorry, not doing that.
The best option that I've found so far is Justin.tv. I'm happy to report that they have removed the line in their Terms of Use in regards to all broadcasts being licensed under Creative Commons. As you all know I love the concept of CC, most of the musicians that I play are licensed under Creative Commons, not all of them are, and I wasn't comfortable playing their music on a site that by default licenses anything that is broadcasted on their site under CC when they didn't license their music to me that way. So since Justin.tv has changed their policy this is a viable option for the show. I did a couple of shows over there over a year ago and it worked out really well, to be honest the only reason I didn't just pull up stakes and move the show over there then was the CC requirement, which they have since removed.
I have to be honest I'm still mulling it over, I'll let you guys know what I decide what I'm going to do.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
It's Alive!!!!!
My somewhat questionable approach to desktop repair seems to be a success!
I'm not going to lie to you guys I was almost sure that I was about to take a forced hiatus to the show. For those who are interested all I needed to bring it back to life was....
a) A cheap refurb hard drive
b) A SATA cable
$50 bucks, and 5 hours cloning my old one using free cloning software I downloaded, we are back in business.
Lets keep our fingers crossed folks.
I'm not going to lie to you guys I was almost sure that I was about to take a forced hiatus to the show. For those who are interested all I needed to bring it back to life was....
a) A cheap refurb hard drive
b) A SATA cable
$50 bucks, and 5 hours cloning my old one using free cloning software I downloaded, we are back in business.
Lets keep our fingers crossed folks.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Desktop and Show Update
For anyone that witnessed the trainwreck that I laughingly called a show last week knows that I've been having issues with my desktop (fried hard drive) and my attempt at doing the show on the laptop was a spectacular fail.
I have purchased another internal hard drive for the desktop and am currently in the process of cloning my existing one. I don't believe the process will be done in time for tonight's broadcast however, sowa, yeah, no show this week ya'll.
If this goes well I will be back on the air next Sunday and I hope to see you folks then!
I have purchased another internal hard drive for the desktop and am currently in the process of cloning my existing one. I don't believe the process will be done in time for tonight's broadcast however, sowa, yeah, no show this week ya'll.
If this goes well I will be back on the air next Sunday and I hope to see you folks then!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Indie Spotlight Returns Tonight!
I only took last Sunday off this year over the holiday break and will be returning to blogtv tonight. Show starts at 9 pm (eastern U.S. time) and I hope to see everyone there!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
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