JPF Home Page Forums Mid North US Chapter Message Boards Chicago Chapter Message Board Some possible REASONS to get together

Alright. I recently introduced "Oak Park Mark" to the board and I'm a little embarrassed that no one has shown up for some chatter.

Therefore, I've taken it upon myself to not only rear up the age old idea of some local meetings, but also to brainstorm some REASONS for meeting. You know, things that should concern songwriters and original tune performers in Chicagoland.

Here are some meeting topics:

1) How to write your promotional press kit. (you know, to submit to venues to get gigs to play for people?)

2) Working in a Recording Studio. (I for one, would be glad to host this meeting at my studio in Glenview.

3) Things you need for an artist website

4) How to get the most out of your website

5) where and how to promote your shows

6) How to solicit for artists to record your songs.

There! That's 6 topics.

If we meet once or twice a month, that's three to six months of material to discuss.

What do we think? Is the game plan shaping up? We all know much of this material is on this very website but, as I'm sure many of the instrumentalists here know, it's often easier to learn something with a person in front of you than it is from reading a book or a web page! Let's mobilize! Let's interact! Let's make Chicago the kind of music scene it should be! Full of determined, informed and invigorated artists and writers.

Like I said, I'd be willing to offer my studio for a sunday afternoon as a first step towards meetings with agendas. What do you people say?

Wow, everyone should slow down their replies because its hard for me to keep up reading them.

***crickets chirping in the background***

I'm shocked to find Chicago members this uninterested in a forum about music and getting together.

Oh well, I appreciate the rest of the forum and drop me a line when any other member feels like getting together.

Take care my fellow City of Broad Shoulders musicians.

Regards,
Oak Park Mark

Hi guys!

I wish I had read this topic sooner, but I've been living in the studio for the last several weeks trying to get my next album done. I guess I should check back more often.

I tried to get a meeting together this last month, but no one replied. I just think there are a lot of busy people here right now, especially this time of year. I definitely wouldn't take it personally.

I do want to say that I am willing to do whatever is needed to try and get something started. Even if two or three of us meet, it is better than not meeting at all. Consider me a most-willing participant.

Take care,

Ross

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www.soundclick.com/rosscrean

Consider me interested.

Some more reasons:
1) It's good to network with other musicians
2) It's good to learn from other musicians

Some more possible topics:
1) How to get started playing live
2) How to self-manage

B.
bandmm@yahoo.com

hey B and Ross, thanks for responding!

so, in terms of geography, we have oak park, mcHenry, the Loop and me in glenview. That's quite a range! We got west, north, central and north west.

Is there a middle place to meeT?

Hey there!

I am much more familiar with Oak Park, but I'll go wherever. Doesn't matter.

Ross

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www.soundclick.com/rosscrean

Very happy to see other people reply. Ok, it depends on the day of the week. I saw B has an open mic night on Saturdays in McHenry, and I have on Thursdays in Oak Park.

MM what do you have in Glenview? Friday would be great too. I'd prefer a weekend date to get together to talk, then get up and play in front of some folks (pun inteneded).

Just let me know what works for everyone. Even if the four of us meet, it would be a good start.

UPDATE FOR MY OFFER TO HAVE A HOLIDAY PARTY AT OUR HOUSE: The contractor decided he couldn't do install the insulation and drywall, so our place is out until its finished. Anyone know of a very good contractor who's inexpensive? How does the saying go: Service, Quality, Cost - Choose any two. :-(

Nice to see you guys shaking the tree. I'm in the south suburbs. Right now I have no car, so its useless for me to talk about participating in anything. Id be at the mercy of whomever I could rope into bringing me to this or that event.

Having said that, a couple of guys I play with like to go to open mikes and jam nights. Oak Park isnt too far. maybe I can get them to come up. If I can, I'll be sure to let you guys know. We used to go to the Cubby Bear a lot when they had their open mikes. I don't know if they still do. It's an on and off thing. We used to go to the Morseland Club. It closed, but now I understand it's open again. We also go to LaRosa's in Hammond sometimes because it's out here where i live.

Anyway. Nice to see the board so active again.

Thanks guys!

Keep it flowing.

Hold it, now. Where is there an open-mic on Saturdays in McHenry? Or is this the Richmond one mentioned in the other post?

-Shawn

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http://www.phantompower.org/

Actually, I don't host anymore. I'm more interested in concentrating on performing, so I've been performing at a few open mics in the area.

As far as meeting somewhere - anyplace between McHenry (where I live) and Schaumburg (where I work) is OK.

I've been MIA for a while (as I tend to do) but I'd like to consider meetings as well. Once every month or two would be good for me but I currently have NSAI meetings once a month on Sundays and that's my usual meeting night with my collaborator.

I could still make some Sundays, depending on which ones. I live in Norridge so Oak Park is no big deal for me to get to.

It's been difficult to get this group together but if we could get something started and get some momentum going, that would be cool.

Buzz