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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 favorite internet news sites. Take the time to watch “Sly Fox” and Black President.

Then unplug, get out there, and make a difference.

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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 to help you become a better blogger.

Darren is currently sponsoring a Problogger book competitiont with the one remaining Problogger book on his desk. Even if you don’t enter the contest, his book will show you what you need to add value to your blogging. To enter, all you have to do is tell Darren why you need his book in 250 words or less. If you don’t win, buy it!

Here’s one of Darren’s vidcasts.

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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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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 to the Ultimate Tone. Blissed out on sound.

When you are attentive to the detail, the nuance that makes that particular piece thrilling to you, you are best able to thrill your listeners. I think of myself as a string, or pipe–a musical conduit to channel what the composer wanted us to hear as well-tuned and compelling as I am able. Able through practice, by paying attention to the basics so that the sense of the music as described by the composer has captured me in its flow, and I am able to include my listeners in that flow. That goes for all music, written or not, structured or extemporaneous, solo or combo.

It doesn’t stop there. Your listeners take that flow and are transformed, radiating those vibrations everywhere they go. No worries about whether it was note perfect, who cares if there’s a kid in the background somewhere, it just means that you’re reaching an important audience. New minds to introduce to music.

I hold myself responsible as a good musician to be an exquisite human instrument, whether singing, playing, whatever–fully engaged in mindful musicianship.

So send me a hundred words on your Deep Thoughts about Music.

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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 can quickly grasp the basics at most any community college, informal class offering, or independent music organization, sometimes for free, or a modest fee. Even a single online class can give you an idea of how to keep your business side running at a dull roar. Certainly take advantage of any opportunity to participate in workshops, master classes, jams, any sharing of relevant information that could mean the difference between being a happy good musician and a miserable good musician.

This is part of the good musician’s informal training, which according to commenter Eugene Cantera on Rick Blincoe’s thoughts on formal vs. informal music training, benefits from a balance. I’ll take my musical information any way, any time I can get it.

So Bruce, thanks for all the fish and especially the great tips! Good luck with hypebot.com, Skyline Music, and all your endeavors. We’re sure to cross paths across the music blogosphere. *Waving bye-bye*

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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 presented with each event.

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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 check out her amazing voice and style. She will mesmerize you, captivate you, make chills run up and down your spine, and you’ll more than likely have to dance up a storm.

That’s one of the amazing things about Austin music. You don’t have to wait for SXSW or ACL Festival to hear superb music of every kind. It’s all over town, all of the time. Everything from Beatles cover band The Eggmen to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. We just need better public transportation.

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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 resplendent in her gothness. Three of the top goth/industrial/universal bands, with belly dancers, no less. If you’re in town, the energy will draw you through the curtains…to the other side. Got to get me a Luci button.

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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 a clear, concise writing style to Web page copy. From board member to performer, Claudia has spent a lifetime in music of all kinds–she knows precisely what it takes to both promote and create outrageously good music.

Claudia currently works, plays, and makes music in Austin , Texas.

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