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Hello Just Plain Folks,

I am here to introduce you to Blazetrak!

Blazetrak

Blazetrak.com is a website that allows you to seek opportunities and advice directly from industry experts and celebrities. We have some of the BEST minds in music including: Rich Harrison, Paul Worley, Rodney Jerkins, Makeba Riddick, Bryan Michael Cox, Adonis. Cristyle, Don Cook, LaShawn Daniels, Wally Wilson, and many more. They are all looking for new songwriters for new projects, AND they will give you a VIDEO response directly, for each and every submission made. YOU decide who to submit to and you get a video response in return...Guaranteed!

This is NOT a free service and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the service within this post. This is a REAL and LEGIT company.

Thank you,
Blazetrak
www.blazetrak.com

Mods, If this is not the proper forum for this post, please advise.

We get that here already. Thanks.

And for free.

If I got to pay I want something worth while... like a keg of beer

Blazetrak, (I strongly suggest you offer up a real name, otherwise folks will be skeptical)

What is the fee for this feedback service? We have some industry mentors who will do custom critiques and are excellent educators (which is different than being famous which doesn't assure anyone that you can teach anyone anything). You can also get custom critiques from TAXI and they have active and recently unemployed major lable A&R folks doing their screening and feedback.

Hopefully you'll spend a little time here and contribute to the community and if you do folks will often give you a serious look in return.

Thanks for the note by the way, it is much appreciated.

Brian

My Name is Ron Harrison, and I am one of the founders of Blazetrak. Each professional on our site has his/her own fee depending on who they are and what projects they currently have available. I also want to note that BLAZETRAK does not determine the fees, the professionals do. We are just the portal. Its like working with an attorney, if you want to work with a high profile attorney with a HUGE track record, then you are going to pay more per hour. If you want a VIDEO critique from Paul Worley, who has generated over $1 Billion sold in music he has written or produced over his career, or Rodney Jerkins who has countless billboard #1's and Grammy awards, then you can expect a higher fee. Its all about demand, track record and opportunity.

In regards to critiques from A&R's, no offense, but anyone can be an A&R or claim to be a part of certain projects, but unless Clive Davis walks in the door (and you see him walk in), who really knows who is behind the creative process. Again, not to take away from anyone or anything they can or do provide. At the end of the day, if the message/advice was useful, then its worthwhile. All of our Pro's on Blazetrak are highly recognizable and visible, and that fact that you receive video evidence from them proves that fact that they actually listened and paid attention. As we all know, getting seen and heard by the right people who can ACTUALLY make something happen for you is the toughest part of this business.

Now if you just dont think it worth it to play some music for a guy like Paul Worley, then that is just your opinion and I respect that. But in Nashville, I know there are thousands of people who would give anything for a chance to sit in his office for 5 mins...with Blazetrak, you can now do that...and you dont even have to be in Nashville. smile

Hey Ron,

Good of you to come back, and talk sraight.

I think the problem we're seeing with most such services, is that it's not about the service, and it's not that these folks haven't done tremendous things in their career.

It's that there are MANY folks who are just not ready, professionaly, to present material in a pro manner, who think, by buying someones time, that they are somehow "connected".

There's nothing wrong with the service, it's just that it is percieved, right or wrong, as taking candy from a baby.

Their are many industry pros', whom I ask their advice. Wether it be on an arrangement, on the choice of vocalist, on the choice of instrumentation etc. And they do it for free, they do it because relationshps have been built up, and their track record is worth noting.

Would they charge for it ? Probably not, they would consider it bottom feeding.

The only queston I would ask, is..... "If you get a submission, which was totally nowhere near ready to be submitted, would you politely say, NO, I'm not taking your money". And then, advise a suitable course of action.

cheers, niteshift

Niteshift,

Very valid points and a GREAT question! If you have relationships with industry pros who u can reach out to regurlarly, then you are in a great situation personally. But for every 1 of you, there are probably 20k people who do not have that level of access or relationships. Here is a REAL Blazetrak example: Talented 18 year old kid (Guy Furious) from the UK...no relationships, no access, no clue how to break into music or how to get discovered in the US. Finds out about Blazetrak on a messageboard just like this. Spends $50 and submits to Jeff Haddad (Manager of the Pussycat Dolls) Jeff responds via video in a few days, and personally calls him. Now the kid is signed to Jeff and is already working on his 1st single and will be in LA next month. There are talented people in cites with 1 stop light and a population of 1300. How can they develop these types of relationships? What are thier opportunities?

All of our pros on Blazetrak are literally bombarded with requests for advice, help and guidance on a level that none of us would ever be able to understand. Imagaine walking to your mailbox in the morning, and you cant even see the mailbox because of all the letters and CD's left there (True story). But beleive it or not, there is a desire to still reach out and help and find new talent, but it has to be in a controllable away that makes sense. We feel like we created that solution with Blazetrak.

And to answer your last question. YES, and it has already happened. Our pros have the right to decline a submission for any reason in which the customer receives a full refund no questions asked. Some submissions are clearly just a shot in the dark with no thought or quality, and they have been declined by our pros. One thing about Blazetrak is that we are ALL VIDEO so our pros probably have more of an incentive maintain a good reputation more than anyone.

Thanks

Hey Ron,

Can't disagree with anything you've said.

I've seen the site, and the industry pro's you've got there, and their markers speak for themselves.

What I'm concerned about, is that JPF is refeered to as a "grass roots" songwriters site. So, everyone here, from the novice, to the Grammy and Emmy and JPF Award Winner, from the guy who is scratching out his first piece on a notepad at the kitchen table, to the guy that has done remarkable things in his profession....... are all treated equal. Upon the quality, and consisstency of their last works.

Anyone can put up their work, and get qualified and unqualified feedback, to where it may be going.

How would you compare your service in relation to a peer to peer review site. ( Remembering that "peer" is related, and relatively weighted to past performance )

cheers, niteshift

Nightshift,

I would say that difference lies with the opportunity. Peer to Peer is exactly that...peer to peer. We all measure success differently, but at the end of the day I think its safe to say that all musicians want their music to be heard by the masses, and having a peer to peer relationship or website, or messageboard really doesnt help with that aspect and/or movement. After you have gotten some great advice from your peer, now what? You are still in the same place you were before, only now maybe you have an improved product. You still need to get it into the hands of someone who can move the meter. I believe we have those types of personalities on Blazetrak. Rodney Jerkins likes your song writing skills, next week you are in the studio with Madonna writing to a Rodney Jerkins track. Clearly that is a dream best case scenario, but we do know for a fact that Rodney has the relationships and ability to make something like that happen...and more the meter...the level of talent just needs to be there for him to do it. You cannot get that in a peer to peer (or free) environment.

Thanks,
Ron

Hey Ron,

Well, we have a lot of opportunity here also.

Just ask the guy who made AI, or ask the guy who won his forth consecutive Grammy last year, or ask the guy that played on Madonna's and MJ's records, or ask the guy that has Elvis's keys player ( from the Vegas shows ) still playing with him, or ask the guy...... etc etc.....

You sound like you're selling dreams. We sell them here too, but it comes for free, with a damn good dose of reality, and a kick up the ass as to how difficult this business has become.

In one way, I think it's kinda sad, that such people have to prostitute themselves. A sign of the times I guess.

I honestly don't think you present any more opportunity than anyone else. Real players don't sell their contacts or relationships, nor do they rent them.

Is this just another "stars in their eyes" for the uninformed masses ?

cheers, niteshift

Well this conversation sure took a turn. LOL. Good luck in your endeavors.

If anyone else has any other questions, I will try not to "prostitute myself" and answer them to the best of my ability.


Thanks,
Ron

Hey Ron,

You're always welcome here mate. There are many avenues. Yours is one of them.

We're a pretty tough bunch here. There's too many "I got close" dudes who want to sell a "service" to the unsuspecting.

Are you one of them ? I don't really think do, but I'd approach your service with caution.

If you hang 'round, you might learn something, and give something back in return. You have a depth of knowlege which would be apppreciated here. For free, of course.

cheers, niteshift

PS - my hourly rate starts at $80, but I still wouldn't join your team.

At the end of the day, its a value proposition. Either you see the value in having a 5-time Grammy award winning producer/songwriter evaluate and consider your work on video, or you don't. Whats funny is, the people who don't see the value are the same ones who would purchase a plane ticket at 5x the price of Blazetrak to fly to LA or Nashville in "HOPES" of meeting the same person or someone on their level to help them further their career, or spend thousands of $$$ in studio time perfecting a song, then have no outlet to get it into the hands of a difference maker, or spend a couple hundred bucks for a weekend songwriters convention that sends them home with a backpack full of literature. I could go on and on with hundreds of ways people spend money in order to get the their music into the right hands. I could have Paul McCartney, Bono, Quincy Jones and Clive Davis on Blazetrak, and people would still not see the value in the site, but yet try every other "traditional" money spending way to try to get in touch with them or in front of them. Its all about perception I guess.

PS - you cant "join" our team, you actually have to be invited based on verifiable credentials, track record, demand, and current opportunities you have available. We turn down folks daily just looking to try to make a quick buck..not sure if u would fit the bill chief.

That's Ok bud. Hehehehe..... Can you send me a formal rejection letter ? I'll paste it on the wall with the others. It must have a pretty leeterhead though, to add to the collage.

You're a good sport. At least you believe in your product. Please stick around, and enjoy the fun. JPF folks may be a little mad, but in a fun way.

cheers, niteshift

Thanks Ron for the post, I did check out your site, and I did sign up. I will be keeping an eye out for postings I feel I would be a match to. Hopefully I will post a sucess story here in the next few months. I appreciate JPF for allowing all of us to come together for the purpose of networking and improving our music.

Time is a valuable commodity. With successful celebrities, writers, producers, managers, executives, etc..., their time is mostly spent doing what they do best that leads to their success. In the entertainment industry, it is not uncommon for millions of people to share the dream of becoming the next "star". The truth is, not everyone is a star.

With that said, the fee being charged is not in place so much as to reach in a person's pocket as it is to weed out those who aren't willing to do whatever it might take to find success. Yes, you could definitely go find people who are willing to offer you advice and critiques for free. Yeah, you could probably find those who might be able to take a risk and sign ya. We all know how far and few between that is.

The fees aren't unreasonable. IF you think you're ready and you think you have material that can compete with the stuff already out there on the radio, then the rewards can potentially far exceed that "fee" you're paying to get someone in a position to do something for you to listen. Most of these fees are less than a hundred bucks. One song placement will most likely get you a few hundred bucks at worst. A hit song can get you a few thousand or more.

Is it worth the risk for you to go out on a limb and do something you normally wouldn't do? With someone like Rodney Jerkins taking a listen and giving you video feedback, I would think so.

I looked at the website. Looks pretty good to me. Do I need this service? Not really. Would I be opposed to using the service? No. I'd consider it. Do I think I am ready? I don't know, maybe.

Any avenue is worth looking into. Not every avenue is worth taking. This one is at least worth the consideration. They have a refund policy as well.

One piece of advice I would give those of you who are considering something like this. Make damn sure you have something completely marketable to present to the featured pro. First impressions matter. Choose your most marketable songs. Choose the best demos. Treat this as if you were being considered for a high level job with a major corporation.

If you don't have material that is ready to compete with what's on the radio, then don't waste your time and don't waste the time of the pros.

That's all I have to say. For those of you who are considering taking the plunge, good luck. I hope you make it somewhere. I'll be rooting for you.

Ron, I've heard of you before. I don't remember where or when, but I know your name. I probably heard it in conversation with someone I know. I just know I recognize your name. I could be mistaken and be thinking of someone else, but I am pretty sure I have heard your name spoke somewhere.

Rodney Jerkins is a pretty big name. He was recently on a judging panel with P Diddy on P Diddy's show STAR MAKER. I had a friend who competed on that show. One of Rodney Jerkin's artists signed under his Darkchild label recorded a song of mine last year. Didn't go anywhere and that same song got picked up by an Australian Idol contestant from last year for his album.

Anyway, Blazetrak seems cool. I'm gonna show some people your site and talk to some of my cowriting/production partners about it.

Peace

Thanks for answering questions Ron, there is always a great deal of doubt and skepticism in any business, especially the music business.

I have never been hurt by anything where services offer opportunities,but then again I have always believed and have never been shown other wise, that anybody LOOKING for you can really help you at "that level of help"

You could be the exception I don't know, but I like the whole concept and lay out of your program and site.

For me and perhaps some others it's about HOW much you want something. Taxi is great organization, it didn't take but a few weeks to figure out exactly what the deal was there and how it worked. Once I did, I knew for the most part it couldn't benefit me. I could tell from the reply sheets and the listings and the lay out.
But is is real, honest and upfront and people can benefit from it.

Here is the DEAL I agree with my friend Gregory,
A- What is your music worth to you?

B- How much do you want to complain about having So little opportunities? I mean really I know darn well how hard it is to get any one with any clout or contacts to listen to your stuff.

C- What else are you doing? Are you taking any chances?

D- How much faith do you have in yourself?

I will try your service to find out exactly what it's all about and how it works and what the benefits are and could be.
I think you're highest submission is $75.00

The money, never mind the time I have spent on my music in my lifetime is staggering compared to my income.
In "music career world" $75 is nothing!

From this post you may catch an idea of how passionate and committed (or should be committed) I am lol

Hopefully your pros will hear just how passionate in my work...
I'll read the details and prepare for a submission or two if it lines up with my material.

Thanks
Mike

Okay looking at it more closely

Found a submission for $250.00 but the PRO was in the Hip Hop Pop world\ although it didn't state that on the site as far as i could see. Have to see what genres the others are looking for and the costs..

Questions?

Do the featured pros change? Vary?

Do you hold on to the submissions? Or are they returned or if by email/upload are they deleted from your files?

Thanks

Thanks Sharla, and good luck. Is there anyone in particular you would like to see on the site accepting submissions? We do take requests and if it makes senses on our end, we will make an effort to secure certain professionals for customers if there is enough demand.

Ron

Gregory, do you secretly work for Blazetrak? LOL! You hit the nail right on the head, and I couldnt have said it any better myself. Thank you for your comments.

Mike, thanks for your comments as well. Let me answer your questions:

Featured Pro's: We change the feature pro's (and opportunities) all the time. There really is no formula to it, if we get a new pro, chances are we will feature them (especially if its a bigger name). We also try to keep some diverstiy in regards to genre, opportunities, AND industry (as u probably already know, we are not just a music site, our newest pro is Edyta Sliwinska from Dancing With The Stars).

Files: We do not delete the files. The reason we dont do this is because each of our pros has his/her own control panel and submission catalog. This gives them ability to go in and revisit previous submissions that were made specifically to them. They can mark a submission as a favorite, then come back 2 months later and sort their submissions by a number of different categories to find anything. Just because they may not have a use for you or your work today, does not mean they wont tomorrow. And dont worry, u clearly still own all the rights to your submissions, which is clearly stated in the terms of use.

Ron

Haha, are you implying you want to hire me? Lol :-)

I've been around the block and I've been a member of Just Plain Folks since 1999. These folks who are members here are really awesome people. The range of experience is also vast within the JPF community.

Not everyone is a professional and not everyone is an amateur. In fact, not everyone here is looking to create music on a professional level. Some people do it because it's a hobby. Some people ARE looking to try and break into the music business, but don't know how to go about doing it. Blazetrak is for people like them, but is open for anyone to use its services.

That's the facts as I see it.

I started out as a naive kid who need to be thrown into a forge and molded. Honest to God, sometimes I think I am still in that forge. Rodney Jerkins probably feels the same way sometimes too. Brian Austin Whitney has offered me advice throughout the years and nudged me in the right direction. I've made friends along the way and I am still making friends who offer a nudge here and there as well. I am grateful for everyone who has been part of my life, including the encouraging cheers from the fellow JPF community.

Once you earn your spot within the community, these folks will bed over backwards to defend your honor and integrity against anyone who might challenge it. Trust me, these are good people. Please be patient with them and get to know them. Over time, you will see know what I am talking about.

It's like jumping on a plane in the USA and landing in England. The people speak english and there are similarities between your background and their background, but at the same time, the culture is still vastly different. The same thing applies here. The more you make yourself home within the JPF community, the more you will be treated like a native. :-)

I owe a lot to Brian Austin Whitney and the fellow JPF'ers for believing in me.

Anyway, long story short. I've been on a long journey. I've been through the military and took life changing detours along the way. I've met some wonderful people and some of my bestfriends work with some of the best the music industry has to offer. Private Message me if you want to talk specifics.

I know how busy people on their grind are. There are a ton of people trying to break into the industry and there is only a small percentage who are at the stage where the industry is ready for them to be part of the trend.

So when it comes to soliciting material to people already in the game, it becomes stressful because they can't help everyone. Charging a fee is a way to get those who aren't serious enough to back off. The proof is in the pudding. At the end of the day, it's the individual's decision to choose whether or not to use a tool that could help them construct the vehicle toward success.

These pros don't need the money. What they need are fresh faces and fresh talent. Excuse my french, but they just don't want to wade through the BS to find the diamond in the rough. Yeah, there's gonna be people who pay the money expecting the pro to tell them what they want to hear. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. If you submit a song that isn't up to industry standards, they're going to tell you that. It's all up to you.

All good points fellas.

I guess the bottom line is "Have you been through a filtering mechanism, before you decide to to submit" and is the submission spot on the money for the genre ?

There's many that write all sorts of tunes, which are not No 1 hits, but have their place in the overall scheme of things.

The weirdest thing I did lately ( yes, I know, I do a lot of weird things LOL ) was mixing in a mountain blues with harp and mandolin, into a southern crunk beat, for a commercial.

Didn't get the gig, but it was worth a shot, and that's what the client wanted, and was willing to pay good money for it.

That is of course, someone paying me. Not the other way around.

Paying for an introduction ? I don't know, still sounds like a dating agency, but sometimes things work out Ok.

Don't be worried about me Ron, I'm just some old fashioned dude who can't get his head around the tail wagging the dog.

cheers, niteshift

You say that all replies will be delivered by video, this could be a problem for me, I am on dial up, for me to watch a three minute song on u-tube take over an hour to download. A 15 minute report could ruin a day.

Thanks for your reply Everett. Video is the ONLY way you actually know that the person you selected is the person who did the review. There are several companies out there who CLAIM this executive or this company or this whoever will see your submission, then you pay your money, and make a submission. If you get anything back at all, maybe its some kind of written correspondence that a janitor could have typed up. You just never know who is responding to you...You always know with Blazetrak because u see them. We are the ONLY company to guarantee videos, or 100% refund