The Good Musician

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“Sly Fox” is old news by now. Nas nails it with class. This young hip-hop artist is right on the money with his rhythms and rhymes, his telling it like it is without resorting to cliches or puerile gesturing. Nas is wide awake and doing better journalism than the MSM.
He may be selling out somewhere, but not in his music. This Good Musician has a social conscience, incisive raps, wrapped up in compelling harmonies and precise, grooving beats.
Mr. Nasir Jones gets loads of love from AlterNet, one of my …read more

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The I Ching tells us that it furthers one to find a great teacher. The Good Musician has followed b5media’s own Darren Rowse for several years, and Darren is definitely my blogging guru. I use Problogger Tips as often as I refer to the Chicago Manual of Style for authoritative, useful, timely tips and ideas to help me think about blogging in a global, more productive way.
Darren has a Zen calm that shines through every blog post or vidcast he puts up. His generous, welcoming spirit makes you feel that he has just invited you into his living room expressly …read more

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Everything The Good Musician wants (and needs) to know about leveraging cool tech to be successful. The Austin Music Foundation Music Industry Boot Camp is a goldmine of tips and tools for artists and bands to integrate online Web 2.0 technologies and internet best practices to most effectively promote yourself and your music.
Best of all, Music Industry Boot Camp is free and open to the public!
Monday, July 14, 6:30 p.m., Scholz Garden, 1607 San Jacinto, Austin TX
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Do you have an articulated philosophy of music? You are welcome to post it here. In the meantime, I’ll share mine. To me, the term “good” musician means a person who dedicates their entire being to blow, scrape, strum, hit, teach, sing, learn, whistle, compose, tune, or otherwise practice music to the very best of their abilities.
It has nothing to do with judgment, grades, power trips, ego eruptions, the elitist attitude that frequently assaults music. It doesn’t matter what “kind” of music it is. It has to do with being one with The Vibration of the Universe. Literally. Tuning …read more

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Bruce created a robust body of information for all good musicians before he said goodbye to his colleagues at b5media. I encourage you to take advantage of his expertise in the music business. His Music 2.0 and Music 2.0 Bookshelf pages will move you smartly toward building your personal database of helpful tips and resources from expert bloggers, a must-have for The Good Musician’s business needs.
In this age of indie music producing and promotion, it behooves aspiring musicians to gain some practical knowledge in the business side of the profession. Many schools offer degrees in music management, but you …read more

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Austin songstress Libby Kirkpatrick is playing at the Ruta Maya coffeehouse this Thursday, May 15. Along with Kirkpatrick, Michael Shay (and the Just Desserts), Mark Utter, David Rothgeb, Geoff Union, and a talent show kick off at 9 p.m. as a benefit for Jim O’Brien.
Come early for a new Environmental Film Series, 6-9 pm, hosted by Texas Clean Water Action and CLEAN (Citizens League for Environmental Action Now). Each screening starts the Austin way, with music from local singer-songwriters, and is followed by a panel discussion with time for audience participation. Opportunities to take action on environmental issues is …read more

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I was thrilled to see that my new friends, the White Oak Trio, now have two videos up. This is exciting, because now every Good Musician can hear what a piano trio is supposed to sound like. Not only that, one of the videos interposes an interview with the group and live performances. Listen, and you’ll learn oodles about what goes in to making good music, and good music being made! This is a group to follow closely…

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Kudos to Ana Wolken from Austin Sound Check, and Dexie Wharton at Pop Music Scene for successfully launching two brand new music blogs at b5media. Subscribe to these two dynamite sites and you’ll always be up to date on the latest and best sounds around, plus any dish they’ve overheard along the way.
A friend just called from Shady Grove on Barton Springs Boulevard in Austin, and I heard  Ruthie Foster singing in the background. Actually, I can hear her out my bedroom window. Has anyone not heard of Ruthie Foster? If you haven’t, then you will definitely want to …read more

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You’ve got plenty of time to get downtown to Elysium, at 705 Red River to experience the fabulous alien Luci and her band Lucid Dementia in all their madness and glory. They’re celebrating the release of their latest CD Trickery, with G-Fire and the Drishti Dancers belly-dancing troup opening at 9:30, followed by subNatural at 10:30.
Be sure to check out my dear Adzuki Bean. She always travels with Bernardette, her theramin, and Steve, her electric violin. This woman also plays harp, flute, violin, and digital camera, and sings. She’s worth the price of admission alone.
Tonight should be transcendent–Austin will be …read more

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b5media’s Music Channel is proud to welcome Claudia Snowden as the new lead blogger for The Good Musician.
Claudia brings a unique level of experience, background, and training to The Good Musician. Her career is as colorful as it is varied. She has been a professional instrumental and choral musician, arts administrator, and information and Web writer/editor for many years, frequently in exotic locations. Claudia’s education and training as a professional and academic musician provides a disciplined approach to her writing, and an ear toward well-crafted and mindfully tuned copy. From press releases to program notes, she brings an understanding of …read more

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