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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > soliciting ideas for new MBH webpage
soliciting ideas for new MBH webpage
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kudzurunner
3363 posts
Jul 09, 2012
8:01 PM
I've just created a new page for this webiste, in line with a promise I made many months ago. It's just the vaguest outlines of an idea at this point, but I believe it could become a valuable resource. Please take a look. (It's not in the menu):

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/resources_for_harp_pros.html

I'm interested in suggestions for what I should put on the page.

The purpose of the page is clearly stated in the header and subheader, but I should expand on it briefly. What I'd like to create is a must-see, frequently-used page (or pages: there could be sub-pages linked from the page) for blues harmonica players who are actually out there playing gigs: touring pros, weekend warriors, regulars in local scenes, and all variations on that theme.

Among other things, it could include:

--links to important resources: Bassharps International GigList, Joe Filisko's "You Missed Monday" newsletter with its list of blues harmonica gigs in Chicago

--short and longer essays on specific topics of interest to club and festival performers

--links to, and lists of, booking agents who handle harmonica-based acts

--of great interest to me: downloadable press lists, organized (ultimately) by city and/or state, donated by players who have created or been handed such lists, and utilizable by any player entering that territory

I'm playing a gig at The Twisted Tail in Philly, and Mikey Jr., a great harp player who books the club, sent me an amazingly complete press list for the Philly area. I said to myself: imagine if we pooled all those lists. Imagine if we could create a centralized clearing house for such lists. This is precisely where the internet offers communities such as this one the possibility of truly coming together in a way that benefits everybody at nobody's expense. Instead of complaining about how the live music scene is shrinking, what if we supercharged the publicity side for every harp-based gig that one of our members was playing?

Here is a way that MBH can truly serve the community.

So please take a look at the page, and offer your suggestions.

If you've got something that deserves to be posted or linked on this page, please feel free either to post it here or contact me directly at: asgussow@aol.com
Rick Davis
499 posts
Jul 09, 2012
9:31 PM
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/resources_for_harp_pros.html

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-Rick Davis
electricwitness
48 posts
Jul 10, 2012
1:12 AM
First of all let me say, thank you! I am so excited about this resource!

Other than the items you have listed in this post, I have questions about how to get sponsorships or become an endorsed player, a booking agent, a manager, etc., other than get to the point that I don't need them anymore. :)

Maybe a resource relating to travel related items, such as where to stay or not stay, in the areas you may be performing. Trustworthy mechanics, other musicians who are willing to lend a hand, music stores, etc..

I love the idea of creating a proactive community, working together to promote harmonica music, musicians, and events.

I would also be happy to help with this page, in anyway that I can.

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Electric Witness Reverbnation

Dick Earl's Youtube
Littoral
551 posts
Jul 10, 2012
6:10 AM
*Don't sub-divide too much. The open forum leads me to conversations that I might not engage in otherwise. I often learn something I didn't expect. For example, a beginners page would get lost. Which Amp/Mic posts look redundant but new insights often emerge that I wouldn't get otherwise.
Noodles
73 posts
Jul 10, 2012
7:19 AM
To achieve additional site traffic, the information has to be frequently changing OR be a point of reference.

Here’s some initial thoughts:

An ongoing column discussing the technical side of Diatonic and Chromatic harmonicas.

“Heard it Online.” A gathering of insightful or instructive postings generated by the MBH forum. Perhaps 5 or 10 of the best thoughts from the prior month.

“The Woodshed” A reference section of scales, etc, where one can practice harp directly on the page. Perhaps a revolving set of backing tracks.

A list of equipment techs, organized by city for the traveling pro.

Online guests. A live, streaming interview where enthusiasts can watch at a predetermined time and actually write in questions and get a live response. I chatted with Charley Musselwhite like this.

Recorded telephone interviews, like the Magic Dick session.

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Noodles
CBH 2016 Chromatic available for trade
kudzurunner
3364 posts
Jul 10, 2012
7:52 AM
@noodles: Achieving additional site traffic wasn't something that crossed my mind as a reason for creating a new page. It would be great if that happened, but it's not a priority for me.

Providing useful information for those of us who are actually playing live and studio gigs and releasing music for radio airplay was a key priority. So, too, was economizing my own investment of time. I just don't have the time to continually update the page. Wish I did, but I don't.

I really like your idea about equipment techs organized by city.

I'm planning on writing something soon about how to read and negotiate a contract; how to figure out the appropriate price to charge for your services; what the relevant variables are.

Last Edited by on Jul 10, 2012 7:54 AM
Noodles
74 posts
Jul 10, 2012
8:26 AM
@kudzurunner

I'm planning on writing something soon about how to read and negotiate a contract; how to figure out the appropriate price to charge for your services; what the relevant variables are.
---------------------------------------------

I would advise strong caution against anything that could be construed as legal advice or subject to even the most remote allegations of price-fixing. Appropriate disclaimers are in order and sometimes the dogs cumma barkin’ anyhow. It’s a hassle and potential expense you don’t need.

When I had the XXXX-L forum, we discussed specific (and not-so-specific) prices for services, equipment, etc., and the legal demons were upon us. Be careful.

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Noodles
CBH 2016 Chromatic available for trade


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