A TomLucier.com crossover, because it's about Windsor music.

The response has been great to the last post.
It even sparked blog posts separate from this one, like on Chris White's (of CJAM) newish blog, Make The Road By Walking. Click on his show name to read his post. It was super informative, from a community radio perspective. VERY important.

To be clear, I think that ANY discussion is good, even if it doesn't match up with my own opinions.
And this is key.
We are meeting to discuss this further at Phog Lounge on Tuesday March 10th. It was supposed to be at The Fish Market, and follow The Last Trio's performance. However, The Last Trio has been moved to Phog Lounge, due to the taping of The Comic Book Syndicate at The Fish Market instead. I will be getting to Phog as close to 10pm as possible, but the meeting is set to happen around 10pm at Phog.

We'll be discussing all things distribution, and the future outlook of Windsor music (on a large scale) and how we can nudge that development as a dedicated group of creatives.

Speaking with Jamie Greer, who has a WICKED new blog up at www.jamiesgreer.blogspot.com we were both in the same head-space, agreeing that things are changing, and that we can either stick to the status quo, or change. And musicians can do this mutually exclusive of every other musician in the city or TOGETHER, with a mission to become a leader of alternate music distribution...through action, not discussion.

What Seas, What Shores popped in last night as well, and I threw this whole, "lose the CD" thing at them. Kyle Marchand just shook his head when talking about the bands' recent CD release. It seemed evident that they wish they had done it another way. I'm hoping he, or some of the band, will be at this discussion.

On the same eve, I tossed the topic at Stefan C. (Efan Music). He has a sweet blog going TOO! Yesssss. Here it is. Anyways, when I brought up the topic, he giggled. What was so funny? He told me that his next CD, which he has been planning, will not be on a CD! I was flabbergasted. This isn't a lost concept. Someone is already planning this. Fantastic.

To finish, I'd like to add some more insight.
Speaking to my sister-in-law, Lyn, she told me that everyone she sees in her travels (which is all over the United States - more than you or I would like) uses an iPod or MP3 player. They all use them. And I think this is the part that's lost on those apprehensive to jump into digital distribution with both feet. I have a sneaking suspicion that they do not own iPods, and thus, do not understand that CDs do not enter the equation. Forget the iPod. When phones (iPhone or other ubiquitous HANDHELD DEVICES) become the norm (3 years? Less?) people will not want CDs even more. They will want to come to shows, with MP3 players or phones, or hybrids, and plug-in to the band's computer, get the album, and get their personalized artwork (or whatever) and split.

Lyn made a great observation and suggestion. When CBC Radio 3 comes to have this show (in the summer? spring?) that a mobilization of Windsor musicians will have already needed to happen. If local performers can get "some" music together for digital distribution, the following would be possible. We can make a grand statement that anyone bringing MP3 players to the big event, will get a series of free samples (one or two songs per band) of Windsor bands/musicians in digital format- on the spot. It'd be an introduction to stuff that many Windsorites have NEVER heard before. I fully expect many unknowns to be at this large event, which I hope spans MANY venues on the big day.

CBC local wants to be on-hand for this celebration, and thus, aware of all things happening. CBC Radio 3 would be made FULLY aware of this groundbreaking offer we'd be making to all attendees of the event, and it would become national news upon its reporting. We could LEAD in a local movement to evolve our music citizenry. And it can only carry forward from there. It's a great idea! When Lyn said it, I said, "I'm blogging about this tonight."

Having one of these MP3 devices play so prominently, like SO MANY of us know, the CD has become bulky, a nuisance, and laughable as a medium for music. There's more dust on the CDs at Phog than stink in the bathrooms! Even Frank has an iPod!

Finally, I just can't believe the response I've gotten from musicians, and producers of music, telling me that this is an exciting prospect. And it's all yours Windsor! You can take it and run with it, and make something new. Make a name for music in Windsor unlike ANY class of musician has ever done before you.
Just an idea.

Let the comments fly.