RickSongs

http://www.wanttoknow.info/g/chemtrails

2010-11-12T12:01:00.000-05:00

http://www.wanttoknow.info/g/chemtrails

http://www.wanttoknow.info/meaningoflifebigpicture

2010-02-18T13:06:00.000-05:00

http://www.wanttoknow.info/meaningoflifebigpicture

How to place your songs and music in film, TV and other media

2009-07-08T11:47:00.001-04:00

These days, there is a great amount of good music being created and made available to the public. The internet has certainly been a great tool to that end. With all this music out there, today's artists, songwriters and composers may feel that they are but tiny fish in a huge ocean. But there is a whole industry that exists that many people aren't even aware of that makes this ocean a whole lot smaller.

Have you ever watched a TV show, commercial or a movie, or heard a radio commercial and wondered where the background music came from? Certainly there are scores of composers for hire who custom compose music on a per project basis. However, this can at times be too expensive for the project's budget. As a result, there are two similar yet separate industries that exist to fill the need for pre-cleared hassle-free and inexpensive music, and each specializes in their own field.

1) Songs for Film & TV. The Pre-cleared Song industry will represent independent songs on behalf of the artist and pitch their material where appropriate. Uses include, films, TV shows and radio / television commercials. One of the places to promote your music for these uses is "museeks.com". Not only do they offer you your own free 'artist' page, but they also give you the opportunity to have your songs considered for use in the film and TV industries. You can find out more information by visiting www.museeks.com and look for 'Artist Signup'. Another great site to check to promote your songs for these uses is 'Taxi' at www.taxi.com

2) Instrumental "Production Music". The Production Music industry puts together collections of instrumental music and makes it available to the film, TV, and media industry for easy, hassle free use. Uses include films, TV shows and commercials, radio spots, documentaries, corporate videos, multi-media presentations, and many others.

Songs for film, TV and commercials is a narrow niche that is extremely complicated in terms of negotiating a fee structure. Some of the considerations are as follows: Will the movie containing the song be a limited release film or will it be a general release across North America or the world? Will the video be released for sale or rent 6 months after the theater release? How many copies will be made, and in what territories will they be available? Will the film be translated into a foreign language in the future? Will it be shown as a re-run 5, 10 15 or 20 years from now on late night TV? Will it be shown on airlines as entertainment? Will the song be included on a "soundtrack CD" and sold in stores? Each of these uses has its own fee and must be itemized in the Contract, so it is best left up to people who specialize in this field to do the negotiating.

Basically, producers look for songs that are in sync with the same message that their production is trying to convey. For example, a song for a car commercial will have to project the image of freedom and independence, attitude, affluence or whatever other feelings they want you to imagine by owning that car. Similarly, songs for films or TV shows have to fit the scene where they will be used. I recently had a producer contact me who was looking for a sexy jazz vocal piece for a scene in a film where the lead actors were walking through a smoky bar. The music has to create the mood of the scene in the mind of the viewer. I have also had many requests for songs that were "positive and uplifting" without being religious. "America The Beautiful" is a prime example of this type of song.

Many people ask, "why don't producers simply use popular songs from CD's available in stores"? They can, but it will cost them a lot of time in securing permission as well as a considerable amount of money. (Microsoft reportedly paid The Rolling Stones seven figures to use a small snippet of their song "Start Me Up" in a TV commercial). They could even be refused permission regardless of cost. Permission would have to be sought from two different parties; the publisher (owner of the copyright in the actual music) and from the record company (owner of the copyright in the recording).

Instrumental production music is similar to the song industry except that it is easier to get music placed as there are many more opportunities available. Production music companies press CDs of instrumental music (all styles) and offer it to producers in 3 different ways:

1) Blanket License - For an annual fee, the producer has the unlimited right to use the music on a lease basis for a specified term.
2) Laserdrop License - Music is made available to the producer on a "pay-per-use" basis, and he must pay a set fee each time he uses music provided by the company.
3) Buy-Out License - The producer purchases the CD's of production music outright, and the purchase price includes the right to unlimited use of the music forever.

In each of the above cases, the producer is still required to submit cue sheets and report usage to the appropriate performance rights society for all public performance of any production containing the music. This allows both the composer and the publisher to collect performance royalties. This reporting does not involve an additional fee to the producer.

What is "Copyright"? It is the protection given by the state (governing body of each country) to those who create intellectual property such as literary works, plays, musical compositions, etc. "Copyright" itself includes three separate and distinct rights:

1) Mechanical Rights - The right to make copies (tapes, CD's, videos, etc) of copyrighted works. No person can make a mechanical reproduction of a copyrighted musical work without the permission of the copyright owner.

2) Synchronization Rights - The right to synchronize, re-record or utilize a musical recording in timed relation with a visual image or another sound or voice. This would include all forms of radio or TV commercials, shows, motion pictures, videos, etc.

3) Performance Rights - The right to perform musical works in public through radio, television, concert halls, restaurants and bars, background music systems (banks, grocery stores, elevators), and so on. Radio and TV stations pay an annual fee to the performance rights societies (such as BMI, ASCAP, SOCAN, PRS etc) for the right to perform music over the air. From the data that these societies receive from stations (i.e. cue sheets), the relevant composers and publishers get their appropriate shares of performing fees (residuals) which is paid out from the pool of funds collected. The performing rights societies are part of an international network of affiliates which exchange cue sheets and program information and collect and distribute performing fees to composers and publishers around the world.

What does it take to have your music considered? Here's the Criteria:

* Your songs or instrumental music must be professionally recorded and mastered, and be of top quality.

* You must own your own Publishing, Copyright and Master Recording. In other words, you have not assigned these rights to any other person or company.

* You must have agreements/release forms with the producer, performers, studio etc that you control all rights and that they have no claim to any income that may be generated as a result of the performance or use of your song or instrumental music.

* You must acknowledge that your song or composition is completely original, and that you did not copy any part from any other source. All samples (if used in your music) must be pre-cleared and royalty-free.

I hope that this article has been beneficial in helping you to understand this segment of the music industry. If you have instrumental music that you would like to be considered for inclusion in a production music library, simply do a web search for "production music" and read each site for their submission policies.

In future articles, I will cover issues related to public domain and copyright protection.

Good Luck to all of you, and always keep faith in yourself and trust that the Universe will guide you in the right direction!

Rick Ivanoff is the owner of Dog Star Music Publishing. Since 1976 he has been involved in the music industry as a songwriter, performer, producer, jingle writer, studio musician, publisher, promoter and licensing agent as well as dealing with the issues of Copyright Law. Visit his web sites:

www.rickivanoff.com

www.trytheseoffers.com

www.dogstarmusic.com

Buy my songs or album & download immediately!

2009-03-17T23:13:00.001-04:00

My Album Now Available On iTunes, Etc!

2009-02-15T00:57:00.003-05:00

NEWS!

YOU CAN NOW DOWNLOAD MY ALBUM OR INDIVIDUAL SONGS FROM iTUNES, AMAZON, RHAPSODY, EMUSIC & NAPSTER!

Purchase my album or songs from iTunes. Click here
Purchase my album or songs from Napster. Click here
Purchase my album or songs from eMusic. Click here
Purchase my album or songs from Amazon. Click here
Purchase my album or songs from Rhapsody. Click here

Thank you in advance for your support of indie artists like me!

My Album Release!

2008-12-04T15:09:00.003-05:00

Just a note to let you know that I have uploaded my new, 8 song album called "Rick Ivanoff - A Collection" to iTunes worldwide, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, and eMusic!

As it takes a while to work its way through the system, my album (and individual songs) should be available for purchase and download in "super high quality" before the end of January, 2009!

I am VERY EXCITED about this, and hope you will seach my name on these download stores and help support me in the creation and distribution of indie music!

As info, some of my songs are being played on WTGA Radio in Atlanta, Georgia and on Radio Seagull in The Netherlands, as well as on last.fm!

New website!

2008-12-04T15:06:00.002-05:00

I just want to tell everyone to go to my ReverbNation page to check it out. Also, please sign up for my mailing list while there, or by entering your information in the box below this post!

Thanks so much!

Rick

RickSongs

2008-11-16T17:16:00.001-05:00

Cure Cancer with Hemp!

2008-09-16T23:56:00.002-04:00

I am a fervent believer that the cure for Cancer was discovered decades ago but was buried by those who would stand to lose money if a cure were announced. The website where I detail these things is NoGuff.com

I have recently come across the website of a gentleman in Canada who is curing Cancer with God's wonder plant, Hemp.

Please check out his website for more details.

His "Do It Yourself" guide and recipe can be found here.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

Rick Ivanoff now on YouTube!

2008-09-16T23:52:00.003-04:00

I have posted a few videos on YouTube that I invite you to check out. My good friend Jimmy Jones accompanies me on piano on some of the tracks. We used to both play in The Diane Raeside Band, and he is a talented and creative person.

More about me!

2008-09-16T23:30:00.000-04:00

EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THIS PLANET (AND BEYOND) IS VERY SPECIAL!!! Always ALWAYS follow your dreams, and don't ever give up. We can change the world if we all put a little effort into it.

Rick's Interests:

Music, Songwriting, Playing my Guitar and Mandolin, Peace, Love, Kindness, Happiness, Nature, Spirituality, Thunderstorms, Fishing, Hiking, Photography.

Rick's Dreams:

For every person on this Earth to treat everyone else the way they want to be treated. It's the Universal Law. No more wars, no more pain, no more suffering.

Final Thought:

Look after Mother Earth the way she has looked after you. Treat her with respect as She has nurtured and provided for you.

NAB

2008-05-02T22:07:00.006-04:00

I recently returned from the NAB Show (broadcasters, film, audio-video etc) in Las Vegas. I took my girlfriend Jeannette with me and put her to work at the show. She was wonderful as always and loved meeting new people from around the world.

We stayed at The Riviera, and I am glad that they are in the process of renovating all their rooms. Our room was not bad, but it would be nice to have a window open (even just a crack). On the day were were leaving, I put one dollar in a penny slot machine, played it for about an hour, and cashed out around $23 dollars. Not a bad return for a buck!

I met some great people there and made some good contacts for my music.

Home Grown is doing great, and we plan on working on our first album soon. We are still learning new songs and the whole process is wonderful. It's a great bunch of guys and a lot of fun!

Please sign up for the HOME GROWN mailing list in the box below. I"ll keep you up to date on gigs and other band news!

RickSongs

2008-05-02T22:00:00.001-04:00

How We Met

2007-12-19T23:01:00.000-05:00

Below is the true story of how my girlfriend Jeannette and I met. It was written by Jeannette and I LOVE this story, as it is all true and brings back wonderful memories every time I read it. Here it is:

HOW WE MET

This is a “true story” about how I met my boyfriend on the dating site “Lavalife” on the Internet.

15 YEARS AGO:

I used to hang out at a country bar called the “Club Palomino”. I loved listening to good bands there, and dancing to their country rock music. I used to drag my friend out to see my favourite band playing called “Cheyenne”, who were amazing and always packed the place. My friend and I used to get up and dance to their songs. I was interested in the rhythm guitar player in the band, to me, he was the best looking one, and I loved his voice along with his rhythm guitar sound. Yes, I had the “hots” for him and would goggle eye him playing his guitar/singing while I was on the dance floor, or just standing at the bar listening and staring. I’ve always had this thing for bands as I play guitar too, and always wanted to play in a band. They played there for a long time and were the best band at the “Club Palomino”. I would go there as much as I could just to hear them play, and of course, always watching my favourite player. The sad part about it was I used to see him with a short blonde girl, not knowing if she was his girlfriend or wife.

After seeing them playing there for a long time, the “Club Palomino” closed down. Yes, the club had been sold. Wouldn’t you know it a huge townhouse sub-division was put up and the club was gone. So were all the bands and my favourite band, “Cheyenne”.

When I first found out about the club closing down, I wanted to approach “Cheyenne”; particularly the rhythm guitar player and ask where they would be playing in the future. But I didn’t have enough courage to do that. I guess things happen for a reason.

15 YEARS LATER:

As time went on I met someone and got married. That was a mistake. Eventually we got a divorce. I starting going out to bars, again, got tired of it and not meeting anyone decent enough. I wasn’t crazy about the bands playing at other bars either. Later, a friend told me to join a dating site called Lavalife on the Internet, which I thought I would never do. But, I thought I would check it out for fun as I heard so much about it through people even meeting their soul mates from that site. Surprisingly enough, I had a few dates, meeting in public places, but just didn’t find the right one and thought I never would from a dating site. I sort of gave up on it until one night. After getting home from a bar, which I hated, I went on my computer. For some reason I logged into Lavalife again which I was really glad I did. I got an interesting email from a guy and liked his picture. I was also touched by his email and that he was also interested in my picture and profile. From then on we started emailing each other quite a lot from that site. We seemed to have so much in common through our emails. We continued writing and eventually got on MSN, and chatted for quite some time. He was Bulgarian and I was Hungarian, how common was that! We discovered from our MSN chats that we had so much in common. It was really amazing. Our families even lived in the same town of all places. We chatted every night as often as we could.

And then, a miracle happened! We started chatting on our computers about music. Wow…we also liked all the same music and we both wrote songs. I told him I liked country music and used to frequent a particular bar about 15 years ago, which had closed down. Of course he asked me the name of the bar back then. I told him the “Club Palomino”. He was really surprised and told me he used to play there. I wasn’t sure whether to believe him or not! He said he would send me a picture of his band that played there. I thought, “yeah right” to myself as I waited patiently in front of my computer for the picture. Low and behold, a huge picture came up on my screen, “CHEYENNE” “CLUB PALOMINO”. I freaked! I couldn’t believe it! It was him in the picture with “Cheyenne”. The guy I was interested in who was the rhythm guitar player in my favourite band. I was so shocked that I went crazy seeing this picture! It was just unbelievable! Like a miracle happened suddenly! Like a fairy tale! We carried on chatting every moment we had for some time, and eventually he gave me his phone number. We started talking on the phone every night. It was just amazing all the things we had in common about everything! Yes, it was too good to be true!

After about 3 weeks of talking on the phone every night, chatting on the computer & exchanging pictures, we decided to meet. I was brave enough for him to pick me up at my mother’s place as I developed this trust in him, by his voice and his honesty. I met him downstairs in front of my mother’s apartment building. He got out of his car, and the first thing we did was look at each other and start laughing, and laughing like crazy, and couldn’t stop laughing! He took me to the local Canadian Legion where we talked, had a drink together (still laughing) and we got more acquainted. Eventually we went into another room and sat down at a table. After a while, he asked me if I didn’t mind if he got up on stage to do a solo. Hey, a man singing with his guitar was like being in heaven. He got up on stage and started playing his guitar and singing in front of an audience. That did it for me. I was hooked! And the guy I admired 15 years ago was performing in front of my eyes, and, was my date! I was in heaven!

We dated for about 2 years and it was absolutely wonderful. Eventually we bought a condo and have been living together for 2 ½ years now. In March of 2008, it will be 5 years being together, playing music, and still laughing! We are just two peas in a pod!

He met my friend who I was with at the Club Palomino 15 years ago, and he also remembered seeing us dancing while his band “Cheyenne” played. He also remembered me standing at the bar at times. I used to watch him go to the bar for his coffee and I know our eyes met each other’s at that time. It sure is strange crossing one another’s paths some 15 years ago - and now, being together in a different time in the future, and remembering!

And by the way, that short blonde girl he was with at the Club Palomino, was the girl he eventually married which lasted 8 years. He went through a brutal divorce. He did tell me that when I first saw him at the Club Palomino 15 years ago, that I should have approached him and told him “she was bad news”. It’s funny how life is – it just wasn’t meant to be back then. Fate brought us together. We met our “soul mates”!

Thank You – Lavalife

Jeannette & Rick

My Hoooka - Click on a song title to play

2007-09-17T22:16:00.000-04:00

New Drummer

2007-05-22T13:23:00.000-04:00

Hi All,

Just wanted everyone to know that my band "Home Grown" has a new drummer; namely "Kid Carson"! Kid has been playing in different bands throughout the Toronto area since the 1960's, and his sense of humour has not changed a bit in all those years (still warped). He still gives you 100 laughs per song, and sometimes we can't look at him while we're all playing for fear of cracking up!

He is a fantastic drummer, PLUS a great singer/songwriter (sounds a bit like Neil Young). We are excited to have him as part of Home Grown.

I will be posting his bio and photo to the Home Grown website soon!

Making a little extra money

2007-03-08T13:47:00.000-05:00

I didn't realize that it's been a little while since I added a post to my blog! Life sure gets busy, doesn't it? My new band Home Grown is doing great, and I am starting to figure out how to make some extra money online, which is exciting!

I have posted a page to look at that explains some of what I have discovered that works so far, and I will be adding more info regularly. Check it out!

New Pics!

2006-10-29T23:06:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to post some new pics that were taken recently at a gig with my band Ashraf. We are also performing on Monday, October 30, 2006 at "The Smiling Buddha" which will be taped for broadcast on Rogers Television (1.5 million viewers) as part of the "Toronto New Music Pizza Parties". Check it out!

My Band ASHRAF wins!!!

2006-10-15T19:54:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody,

Just a note to mention that my band "ASHRAF" has won the award as the "Best R&B Band" in Toronto at the recent Toronto Independent Music Awards"!!!

My song "Over & Over" receiving rave reviews!

2006-10-03T17:00:00.000-04:00

Hi Folks,

Just a short note to let you know that a link to my song titled "Over & Over" has been sent out in Karl Schwarz's recent email update, which has the potential to be seen by millions of people. Already there have been almost a four-fold jump in visits to my website and particularly that song, which has been downloaded well over 100 times in only a day and a half!

For those of you who do not know who Karl Schwarz is, I recommend that you check out his website. He is a brilliant man who is planning to run for President in 2008. He has much political experience, having worked for both the RNC and the DNC. He says that both mainstream political parties in the US are two sides of the same rotten coin, and it's time to clean house and return government to the people.

I firmly support him and his campaign!

My Interests

2006-09-18T22:56:00.000-04:00

Hi All,

I thought I'd provide a list of my interests, as they really influence my songwriting. Here goes:

Space, Dreams, Alchemy, Metaphysics, Magic, Esoterica, Paranormal, Parapsychology, Supernatural, Astral Projection, Auras, Natural Healing, Aliens, UFOs, Earth Sciences, Vortexes, Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Weather, Parallel Universes, Science, Yoga, Tao, Zen, Holistic Medicine, Egypt, Pyramids, Atlantis, Toltecs, Other Dimensions, Travel, Adventure, Oceans, Islands, Deserts, Mountains, Volcanos, Caves, Full Moons, The Night Sky, Sunsets and Sunrises, Love, Music, The Wisdom of our Elders.

Did I miss anything?

Looking for a hit song to record?

2006-09-16T13:07:00.001-04:00

As a long time songwriter, I am always searching for artists who are looking for that "hit song" to record. Although I have written many songs that definitely have "hit" potential, I have recently written a song titled "I'm Giving In" that I feel in my gut has the potential to become number one on either the pop, AC or country charts, depending on how it's produced. It is an up-tempo song with a very catchy hook and melody, and I encourage any recording artists who are currently looking for songs to have a listen then contact me. I promise that you won't be disappointed!

Some of my other web sites:
http://www.soundclick.com/rickivanoff
http://www.rickivanoff.com
http://www.homegrownband.ca
http://www.tagworld.com/ricksongs
http://www.indie911.com/directory/rock/pop-rock/rick-ivanoff
http://www.myspace.com/ricksongs
http://www.ashrafmusic.com

Website Update

2006-09-10T01:20:00.000-04:00

It's Saturday, September 9 (actually, it's now Sunday, September 10th!) and I have spent the better part of the day giving my website Dog Star Music a complete makeover! Have a look and let me know your thoughts.

I find it much nicer on the eyes and easy to see the information and to navigate.

Off to bed now!

Friday, September 8, 2006

2006-09-09T01:37:00.000-04:00

It's Friday, September 9th and I just came from dinner with the boys in the band. See, we were supposed to play an outdoor gig this evening, but it was cancelled because of an incredible rainstorm. I haven't seen it rain and hail like that since the big storm in July of 2004 where many streets were flooded! Although we would have played under a covered stage, there was no protection for the folks in the crowd who would have had to stand in the pouring rain. Alas, such is the life of a musician.

Good things seem to be happening with the band I'm in called "Ashraf" . Ash is a great guy who is smart, focused and thinks outside the box. I have to say that we're the best band I've ever heard! Funny to say that, but it's true! Our website is www.ashrafmusic.com and you should check it out.

My girlfriend is soooo sweet! She is the most positive, inspiring and supportive person I have ever known. And she is really pushing me to finish recording my album. I have 11 songs completed, but there's a few more songs that I would like to finish up. I am thinking of going back to Nashville soon. The city has such a great vibe and I have many good friends there. Not to mention the amazing players who record with me. You can listen to some of my songs on my website at www.rickivanoff.com

I have also recently formed a new band called "Home Grown". There are currently three of us in the band (myself, my brother Bob Ivanoff and Michael Sherman). We are all songwriters and this is an all original band featuring great harmonies and great original songs. Check out our website at www.homegrownband.ca

That's it for tonight. I'm tired and it's getting near bed time!

Rick