(from https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/music-promotion/influencer-marketing-for-indie-musicians/?utm_source=en&utm_medium=email&utm_content=btn&utm_campaign=diy_en_all_040121) ". . . What is an influencer?. . . According to our Modern Music Glossary, an influencer is: “Someone who has significant knowledge and a large following in a specific cultural landscape and can use that to influence purchasing decisions or trends among others who are part of that same community. Influencers often use social media to voice their opinions on the goings-on in their community.”. . . In the music industry, an influencer could be a critic who influences those who read their reviews, a label that defines listeners’ tastes, or a video creator on YouTube who uses music to connect with their followers. . ."
". . . (1) Attorney General Karl Racine has opened a criminal investigation into Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, when his supporters sacked the Capitol to try to stop Congress from certifying Biden’s win. . .
(2) Cyrus Vance Jr., the Manhattan District Attorney, is investigating potential tax crimes, insurance fraud and other financial crimes under state law. . .
(3) There are two investigations in Georgia, one where Trump pressured Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) to “find” enough votes to let him win. . .
(4) At the same time, Leticia James, the New York attorney general, is conducting a civil investigation of the Trump organization’s alleged fraudulent real estate practices. . .
(5) In addition, two Democratic congressmen and the NAACP have filed lawsuits over the insurrection under the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 which bars violent interference in Congress’s constitutional duties. . .
(6) Trump’s niece, Dr. Mary Trump, has filed a lawsuit alleging he cheated her out of part of her inheritance. . .
(7) Trump is also fighting lawsuits by E. Jean Carroll and Summer Zervos, who allege that Trump sexually assaulted them and then defamed them when they called him out. . .
(8) He is also accused of paying hush money to two other women, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. . .
(9) Twenty-four other women have accused Trump of sexual assault or harassment (https://twitter.com/postcards4USA/status/1317560278100463616/photo/1). . .
(10) He is also facing fraud charges with respect to a hotel in Panama, another hotel in Chicago, and misuse of 2017 inauguration funds. . .
(11) The AP has suggested that his Seven Springs country mansion may be one of his biggest problems. He has claimed tax deductions for a conservation easement that exceeds the value of the estate by more than double the cost. . .
(12) Trump is reportedly personally responsible for repaying $300 million in loans over the next four years, according to a New York Times analysis of his tax records. . .
(13) He has also issued a statement ordering the GOP to stop using his image and name to raise money; He wants it all to come to him, which could leave the Republican National Committee strapped for cash and affect some individual campaigns. . .
(14) Attorneys have sent cease-and-desist letters to GOP committees demanding they stop using his name in fundraising appeals, but the RNC has rejected the order.
(from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/30/opinion/biden-stimulus-infrastructure.html) ". . . Michael Gerson, the former George W. Bush speechwriter and now columnist for The Washington Post . . . (wrote) “One of the United States’ venerable, powerful political parties has been overtaken by people who make resentment against outsiders the central element of their appeal. … Elected Republicans who are not bigots are generally cowards in the face of bigotry. And that is a shocking, horrible thing.” . . . The key to winning that fight is for Joe Biden to succeed well enough and long enough for this antidemocratic Trump version of the G.O.P. to flame out and be replaced by a new, principled, center-right Republican Party . . . (by ensuring). . . the success of Biden’s two gigantic spending bills and deal a knockout blow to this pathetic dumpster fire called the Trump G.O.P. That would be a gift to both liberals and principled conservatives — and to Lady Liberty. . ."
. . . an opportunity to hear some current work from the guys in OHO, this one entitled 'The Hours'. The concept of hours, days, years; or time in general has been the topic of countless songs and other entertainment vehicles. As we mature, we tend to appreciate the value of what used to be called 'quality time', which I employ to mean time applied to a substantial activities that result in something positive. When you accept the fact that your time is finite, you tend to want to make every bit of it count.
". . . party's only what you make it. Make it into the BEST you can . . . "
Seems there are more and more You Tube videos of bands playing cover versions of older music. They're playing it very well. The technical quality of both audio and video is impeccable. It sounds damned good. But they're playing it just like the record (like the original recording). Sometimes the arrangement, instrumentation and vocal is exactly like the record. If you close your eyes, you might think you're listening to the original. BUT IT'S NOT!
Essentially, it's 'Full-Body Karaoke.' Right? After I've heard several of these, I get a yen for the original. Let's face it, with digital remastering the original comes very close to the young, new cover version on a technical basis. Why go to all the trouble?
I only ask the question, and this is my rant for today. But as an original musician, who (maybe, just sometimes) feels under-appreciated and under-supported, I cringe at the number of highly-recommended cover music videos presented to me.
Make no mistake, I completely appreciate any and all musical efforts. I am a firm believer that MUSIC IS MAGIC. The talent, skill, time and financial investment in these videos is, I'm sure, substantial. Kudos. But on a purely personal level, I prefer an original composition, original approach to a genre or a blend of multiple genres, because there really is no limit to the twists and turns an original artist can employ to create something new and possibly different.