Is it time for Aural Moon to expand??

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by sharcnorris

Play better music and get more listeners
As the Moon has strived to have the most complete libraries of Prog artists on the planet, it fails to recognize why some bands sell millions of CD's and some only thousands and most of us Prog. Historians never heard of. There are times I turn away from the stream because although nice, many of the lesserknowns just are not as talented. No, I don't want to see just the dino's, just abetter balance with the giants weighted for more airplay than the smaller bands. As an owner of thousands of recordings and a record dealer in the 80's, I am suprised when 6 bands are listed and none well known. Not a selling point for more listening.
We all lose

Nah. The point of internet radio is to EXPOSE the lesser knowns so that they become "not-lesser" knowns.

But sharc brings up a good point on the payola idea, and that is knowing when the rq plays. Nothing would stink worse than paying for a request and then a replay of Gags or Gnosis comes on and by the time it plays you're sitting at a red light in Malfunction Junction on the way home. Scratch the payola.

What about another pay feed, say 96k for $25? Or, since there are so few $50 members, would lowering that bring in more money by volume? Do I have a freaking clue what I'm talking about? Does this have anything to do with the "busy-signal?" Is there tea in China?

[Roger -Dot- Lee(Admin)]

Originally posted by Yesspaz
Nah. The point of internet radio is to EXPOSE the lesser knowns so that they become "not-lesser" knowns.

But sharc brings up a good point on the payola idea, and that is knowing when the rq plays. Nothing would stink worse than paying for a request and then a replay of Gags or Gnosis comes on and by the time it plays you're sitting at a red light in Malfunction Junction on the way home. Scratch the payola.

What about another pay feed, say 96k for $25? Or, since there are so few $50 members, would lowering that bring in more money by volume? Do I have a freaking clue what I'm talking about? Does this have anything to do with the "busy-signal?" Is there tea in China?

I'll take a whack at this.

In no particular order:

1. I'm not sure our software supports 96k. I'd have to investigate.
2. We pay by use, not on how many slots we have, so lowering the number of available slots would have no effect. That's what I was lead to believe, and if this isn't the case, Jim will likely correct me. But that's what I unnerstand.
3. Yeah, it's a good idea, just not under the model (a 1953 Edsel) that we're operating under
4. Yes.
5. Only when operating under the license granted by Charles Nelson Riley, Phyllis Diller, and in the center square, Paul Lynne!

Roger -Dot- Lee, It's really a Studabaker, but I'm not sure of the spelling.

[sharcnorris]

Originally posted by Yesspaz
Nah. The point of internet radio is to EXPOSE the lesser knowns so that they become "not-lesser" knowns.

I'm not sure how many decades old, broken up bands need "Exposer"
I thought the purpose of this thread was , How to get and deliver to MORE listeners, for the Purpose of Keeping the Moon Aglow by making it a worthy business. If she wants more listeners for more income. The product has to be a more popular one.
There is plenty of room to highlight diverse, rare, and excitingly strange bands on a daily basis. I just think that During prime Listening Hours Attention can be made to the Songs we love and less to that Italion Band that released 2 lps in 1983 &4. It lights up the Listener and keep them here, more Listeners= more income. How many primetime hours are wasted on That wreached Gwhatever band that plays screeching for 25mins, I can't switch my input to CD fast enough

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally posted by sharcnorris
How many primetime hours are wasted on That wreached Gwhatever band that plays screeching for 25mins, I can't switch my input to CD fast enough

I'll check the database later.

Here's something for everyone to ponder.

How many CDs have you purchased because of something you've heard here? Eh? I know it's been a few. Isn't that discovery worth something to you?

Maybe we need a PBS-like fund drive. Air some special gig/CD/etc. and offer copies for a donation to the station. I really don't know WHAT we could get or give away but... Just some more thought fodder.

[Roger -Dot- Lee(Admin)]

Originally posted by VAXman
I'll check the database later.

Here's something for everyone to ponder.

How many CDs have you purchased because of something you've heard here? Eh? I know it's been a few. Isn't that discovery worth something to you?

Maybe we need a PBS-like fund drive. Air some special gig/CD/etc. and offer copies for a donation to the station. I really don't know WHAT we could get or give away but... Just some more thought fodder.

Survey SAYS:

*DING!*

Now that's not a half bad idea. I know we've got a couple of folk around here that are in bands or have access to bands. Kirk comes to mind off hand, and I'm sure that Marillion could probably be convinced to donate a few should we decide to go that route.

But we'd need to talk to a tax person before unleashing that type of thing. I have no idea what would be involved.

I just work here.

Roger -Dot- Lee, I am not an accountant, lawyer, doctor, CVR transcription specialist, fireman, or race car driver, nor do I play one on TV.

[kirk]

sure! anything i can do.

re: P4R-

after some research at ASCAP, the station would have to
have or obtain an "interactive 2.0 license" to be able to charge a fee
for requests, a.k.a. "play for pay".
i don't know what you have now, but a 5.0 non-interactive
(designed for webcasts) limits selectable music
(I.E.-an automated request line) to 60 sec. snippets.

the minimum yearly licensing fee is $340 (just for ASCAP),
so at .10 a pop, it's not feasable.

here's da poop-
http://www.ascap.com/weblicense/

k

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally posted by Roger Lee
Survey SAYS:

*DING!*

Now that's not a half bad idea. I know we've got a couple of folk around here that are in bands or have access to bands. Kirk comes to mind off hand, and I'm sure that Marillion could probably be convinced to donate a few should we decide to go that route.

But we'd need to talk to a tax person before unleashing that type of thing. I have no idea what would be involved.

I just work here.

Roger -Dot- Lee, I am not an accountant, lawyer, doctor, CVR transcription specialist, fireman, or race car driver, nor do I play one on TV.

Again, this is all "thought" fodder in hopes that we may hit upon some viable way to raise money and expand/

I know quite a few bands. I'm sure, if we made the case, we could get some studio demo or small promo track from some bands that could be compiled into a CD.

As for the "tax" situation... if it's a donation, is there any tax liability? A CD of tracks would be a "bonus". If this could be realized, AM would likely have to guarantee that the tracks would not be for sale. Artists contributing would do so as a way to promote their music as well as the music of others not contributing -- no special consideration.

[kirk]

[i]Originally posted by Vax
we could get some studio demo or small promo track from some bands that could be compiled into a CD.

haha- from that description, i had a flash of "auralmoon"
being written in pencil on notebook paper, inserted into jewel boxes.
not to worry, i think we can get good finished tracks,
develop an attractive package.

making disparate tracks recorded on a variety of
equipment at various levels isn't the easiest thing.
i PM'd PDJ a few days ago regarding production.

i guess "in for a penny..." if we proceed, i'll work out
some graphics.

As for the "tax" situation... if it's a donation, is there any tax liability?

i'm guessing that all monies taken in is taxable income.
"donations" are gifts to charitable organizations.
the difference between PBS and AM is a non-profit charitable organizations
status granted by the IRS (not easily obtained, for good reason).

k

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally posted by kirk

i'm guessing that all monies taken in is taxable income.
"donations" are gifts to charitable organizations.
the difference between PBS and AM is a non-profit charitable organizations
status granted by the IRS (not easily obtained, for good reason).

k

I was more thinking of "tax" as in sales tax. Would giving a "bonus" for a donation require any additional "sales tax".

[kirk]

no...you're not selling the cd, so no sales tax.
plus, this isn't a business. you need a tax I.D. to collect sales tax.
you have to have a business license to sell stuff.

i think this is moving in the right direction, but still
needs some tweaking.

first, forget the PBS model. you can't take in "donations".
if you take in money, no matter how you get it,
whoever's account it lands in, has to pay taxes on it.


here's a closer analogy-

do you buy girlscout cookies because they're
good cookies, or to help out the girlscouts?
my personal answer would be "a little of both".
if the cookies really sucked, would i still buy them?
probably not. can i get better cookies for cheaper? sure.
what about, if they skipped the cookies and just asked
for money? it's easier to sell cookies.

you need a good product, in a slick package that you
can get a little more out of than it's probably worth,
w/ the idea that it's helping the cause.
the other benefit is, the artists involved are out there
promoting AM on their sites, forums ect.

realistically, if this was "please help save auralmoon",
it'd be an easier sell. "too many listeners for the bandwidth"
mmm....not so much .
i'll bet i can find a few PRRN stations that would love
to have that problem.

k

[Rick and Roll]

look on their website. they have a CD for sale that has donated songs by bands. The money goes to help saving Prog day.

Sounds like what we're talking about.

[kirk]

EXACTLY!! the same as music street journal's "got prog?"
and yesfans, which only used site musicians.

i spoke w/steve katsikas, Little Atlas is on board
if we proceed.

k

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally posted by kirk
EXACTLY!! the same as music street journal's "got prog?"
and yesfans, which only used site musicians.

i spoke w/steve katsikas, Little Atlas is on board
if we proceed.

k

Steve is a great guy. It figures he'd jump aboard.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally posted by kirk
EXACTLY!! the same as music street journal's "got prog?"
and yesfans, which only used site musicians.

i spoke w/steve katsikas, Little Atlas is on board
if we proceed.

k

That's all you need, if it's 1/2 as good as Wanderlust!

[kirk]

it took a while for me to connect to the server.

out of respect to the victims of the hurricane,
we'll put this on hold until the situation stabilizes.

i will mention that brett kull from echolyn contacted me
before katrina hit, they're in also.

p e a c e
kirk

[Rick and Roll]

Originally posted by kirk


i will mention that brett kull from echolyn contacted me
before katrina hit, they're in also.

p e a c e
kirk

That's great!, he's a truly great resource, and a long-time friend of the Progressive scene...

looking better and better, thanks to you Kirk!

[kirk]

thanks rick!

new additions-
ken from birdsongs of the mesozoic is donating
an autographed cd, likely a track when he can
make contact w/ the other members.
i'm thinking the cd would be great to raffle to new
128k subscribers!

guy leblanc responded w/ a nathan mahl track.
for those not familiar, guy played guitar, co-wrote some
tunes for camel.

besides selling our comp cd, i think it'd make a great
subscription incentive. 10 or so new subscriptions
would help the expansion effort greatly.
if we go beyond that, maybe we can relieve jim of
some of the financial burden.

this is coming together fast!

p e a c e moonies-
k

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally posted by kirk
thanks rick!

new additions-
ken from birdsongs of the mesozoic is donating
an autographed cd, likely a track when he can
make contact w/ the other members.
i'm thinking the cd would be great to raffle to new
128k subscribers!

guy leblanc responded w/ a nathan mahl track.
for those not familiar, guy played guitar, co-wrote some
tunes for camel.

besides selling our comp cd, i think it'd make a great
subscription incentive. 10 or so new subscriptions
would help the expansion effort greatly.
if we go beyond that, maybe we can relieve jim of
some of the financial burden.

this is coming together fast!

p e a c e moonies-
k

Cool... Some autographed CD, etc. That's a great idea. Probably less of a hassle than getting disparate tracks from bands to include on a CD. I still think the unique nature of the later might rope in more funds but autographed CDs is an excellent bonus as well.

Time to get busy at the upcoming NJ Prog House gigs.

[kirk]

new orleans is semi-stable, i think we can get back to this.

vax- you know quite a few industry folk, any help on contributors?
(dotman says he'll buy you a brewery if
you get marillion involved).

dot- i'm having ken fields send the autographed BOTM cd
to you, o.k.?

we're going to need someone to take the design to
kinkos, have them print the insert, then cut and fold,
insert into jewels.
i'm guessing we can do this for around $2.50-3.00
per unit. i can probably twist pacific studios arm for
blank cd on disc printing for a reduced rate if you want to go
that route. it's a little nicer presentation.

some of the names i've considered are:
(all w/ the subtitle "an artist tribute to aural moon")
HELIX (alt. "THE HELIX PROJECT")
RING AROUND THE MOON
MOONROCKS...
opinions?

[kirk]

here's a sketch-