News, Notes, and Nothingness
Just in case I haven't been wordy enough throughout the rest of the website, I've got this entire page dedicated to wordiness. Random ramblings flowing from my mind through the keyboard out in to the vast expanse of cyberspace!
EGO Celebrates It's Two Year Anniversary with Major Updates - November 2013
It's hard to believe that it's been two years. Two years, and 23 releases later, what a ride it's been...and it's only going to get better from here! Thank you SO MUCH for your kind support!
If you think my EGO was big before...you ain't seen nuthin' yet Baby! I've added my close friend, Ted Lizotte, to the EGO label. I've added Art LaVigne, Bob Thomas, and Bear Miller as "Alter-EGO" recording artists. I've even got special guests like Bob Baier and Tony Oxendine to lend their talents to the label as special guests.
Over the past two years, EGO has become an "accepted" square dance label known for putting out top quality music, true to the original tune. EGO has been honored to know that many of the "superstars" in the activity are featuring EGO Tunes in their programs, and we thank them sincerely for that.
This month has introduced a new "storefront" to the website. You can now download your song selections instantly rather than having to wait for me to authorize you and then manually download the songs from a third party storage site. At the same time, I've started a complete update of the site. It's got a ways to go, but it's coming along. I want to preserve that "EGO Attitude", but hopefully make the site a bit more user friendly.
In January 2014, I'll be introducing a new focus on the website. EGO is going to "Pay It Forward". For too long, I've been "talking the talk", and now I'm prepared to "walk the walk" and I invite (challenge) others to do the same as well.
Paul "Big EGO" Cote
If you think my EGO was big before...you ain't seen nuthin' yet Baby! I've added my close friend, Ted Lizotte, to the EGO label. I've added Art LaVigne, Bob Thomas, and Bear Miller as "Alter-EGO" recording artists. I've even got special guests like Bob Baier and Tony Oxendine to lend their talents to the label as special guests.
Over the past two years, EGO has become an "accepted" square dance label known for putting out top quality music, true to the original tune. EGO has been honored to know that many of the "superstars" in the activity are featuring EGO Tunes in their programs, and we thank them sincerely for that.
This month has introduced a new "storefront" to the website. You can now download your song selections instantly rather than having to wait for me to authorize you and then manually download the songs from a third party storage site. At the same time, I've started a complete update of the site. It's got a ways to go, but it's coming along. I want to preserve that "EGO Attitude", but hopefully make the site a bit more user friendly.
In January 2014, I'll be introducing a new focus on the website. EGO is going to "Pay It Forward". For too long, I've been "talking the talk", and now I'm prepared to "walk the walk" and I invite (challenge) others to do the same as well.
Paul "Big EGO" Cote
Introducing Crest Recordings by Scott Bennett
I want to take a moment to introduce you to a new source for great square dance music.
Scott Bennett is a good friend of mine, and we've been talking about him doing an EGO recording for a while. As the time
grew near, it was apparent that Scott had a ton of great ideas, and he really needed to showcase his own stuff instead of being subjected to my EGO!
So....I introduced him to Buzzy, and together they have come up with a couple great songs! "Fortunate Son" by CCR, and "What's Your Name Little Girl" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
If you like EGO tunes, I think you'll really enjoy these first two tunes by Scott on Crest Recordings. Why don't you take a moment and check out his site...and tell him Paul sent you!
http://www.crestrecordings.com/
Scott Bennett is a good friend of mine, and we've been talking about him doing an EGO recording for a while. As the time
grew near, it was apparent that Scott had a ton of great ideas, and he really needed to showcase his own stuff instead of being subjected to my EGO!
So....I introduced him to Buzzy, and together they have come up with a couple great songs! "Fortunate Son" by CCR, and "What's Your Name Little Girl" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
If you like EGO tunes, I think you'll really enjoy these first two tunes by Scott on Crest Recordings. Why don't you take a moment and check out his site...and tell him Paul sent you!
http://www.crestrecordings.com/
EGO Recordings Reach JAPAN! (11/16/12)
It took almost a year, but EGO Recordings finally broke in to Japan, and just one word explains it all. "TonyO". Tony Oxendine called a series of dances in "the land of the rising sun" earlier this month and the orders for EGO Recordings started pouring in. Over the past two weeks, I've received orders for nearly TWENTY EGO Recordings and almost every request started off with, "I heard TonyO..."
This is particularly special to me for two reasons. First...Tony Oxendine is my favorite caller in the whole wide world. To me (and yes, I realize we all have different criteria and opinions) Tony is simply the best. Beyond that, however, I am proud to call TonyO a friend. Finally...the fact that "Tony-Freaking-O" is willing to use not one, but two pieces of EGO music regularly in his program is just overwhelming to me. THANK YOU TONY! You are DA MAN!
Second, for those of you who know me (and I realize that ain't many of you), you know that for many years now, my "End Goal" as a square dance caller is to call in Japan. Yes, there are lots of other places to go and things to do, but I have always envisioned calling in Japan the perfect final "feather in my cap" to call my career complete. I've had to revise my goals several times over the years, and maybe I will have to revise again and consider that I'll never physically make it to Japan to call a square dance. At least now though, I can take comfort in knowing that even if I don't make it to Japan personally...my music has made it there, and that makes November 2012 an amazing month for EGO Recordings and me!
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu
This is particularly special to me for two reasons. First...Tony Oxendine is my favorite caller in the whole wide world. To me (and yes, I realize we all have different criteria and opinions) Tony is simply the best. Beyond that, however, I am proud to call TonyO a friend. Finally...the fact that "Tony-Freaking-O" is willing to use not one, but two pieces of EGO music regularly in his program is just overwhelming to me. THANK YOU TONY! You are DA MAN!
Second, for those of you who know me (and I realize that ain't many of you), you know that for many years now, my "End Goal" as a square dance caller is to call in Japan. Yes, there are lots of other places to go and things to do, but I have always envisioned calling in Japan the perfect final "feather in my cap" to call my career complete. I've had to revise my goals several times over the years, and maybe I will have to revise again and consider that I'll never physically make it to Japan to call a square dance. At least now though, I can take comfort in knowing that even if I don't make it to Japan personally...my music has made it there, and that makes November 2012 an amazing month for EGO Recordings and me!
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu
EGO Recordings "Scholarship'ish Kinda Thingy" (11/5/12)
I'm not sure that a "scholarship" is the correct term, but it'll do! EGO Recordings gave it's first "scholarship" recordings to graduates of Ken Ritucci's "Northeast Callers School" in October 2012. Each student at his school was invited to choose any one EGO Recording as a gift. More than 15 students took me up on the offer and you can see them listed in PINK in the "Callers Using EGO Recordings" section of the website.
Following the success of the "Scholarship'ish Kinda Thingy" at Ken's school, I will be making similar offers to other callers schools. Please contact me directly if you are running a callers school and would like to offer EGO Recordings to your students. Right now the only restrictions are that it is a one recording per caller...(EVER) limit and it excludes Alter-EGO recordings.
(Here's a whole bunch of legal'eeze just for cheap laughs. Limited time offer. Subject to change. Use caution while driving or operating heavy machinery until you understand how this product effects you. Discontinue use of this product if you notice yellowing of skin, rash, or sudden death. This offer can be requested by any callers school that doesn't include staff members who maintain a "Blacklist of Un-Ethical Callers". Contact your doctor if you suddenly feel the urge to sing any of these songs for more than 4 hours.)
Following the success of the "Scholarship'ish Kinda Thingy" at Ken's school, I will be making similar offers to other callers schools. Please contact me directly if you are running a callers school and would like to offer EGO Recordings to your students. Right now the only restrictions are that it is a one recording per caller...(EVER) limit and it excludes Alter-EGO recordings.
(Here's a whole bunch of legal'eeze just for cheap laughs. Limited time offer. Subject to change. Use caution while driving or operating heavy machinery until you understand how this product effects you. Discontinue use of this product if you notice yellowing of skin, rash, or sudden death. This offer can be requested by any callers school that doesn't include staff members who maintain a "Blacklist of Un-Ethical Callers". Contact your doctor if you suddenly feel the urge to sing any of these songs for more than 4 hours.)
November 1st'ish 2012 - EGORecordings.com - The RELAUNCH!
I might miss my November 1, 2012 goal of getting this new website launched, but not by much! With a little bit of luck, you'll be able to hear all of the full vocals and samples online right here at the site without any kind of downloads. Also, with fingers crossed, I believe you will be able to put my music right into a shopping cart and buy directly from the website using PayPal.
I hope to make the site a lot more informative and add more content, but one of the things I might have to LOSE is all of your email links on the "Callers Using EGO Recordings" page. I'm not sure yet, but it appears having all of those links on the site is flagging EGORecordings.com as a spam site. If I can't figure out a way around that the links will have to go. Stay tuned!
Ted is working on his next release which he hopes to have available in early December.
Thank you for your continued support.
Paul
I hope to make the site a lot more informative and add more content, but one of the things I might have to LOSE is all of your email links on the "Callers Using EGO Recordings" page. I'm not sure yet, but it appears having all of those links on the site is flagging EGORecordings.com as a spam site. If I can't figure out a way around that the links will have to go. Stay tuned!
Ted is working on his next release which he hopes to have available in early December.
Thank you for your continued support.
Paul
From Art LaVigne - Recording and Alter-EGO Singing Call From HIS Perspective! (10/19/12)
Let's Make A Singing Call!
Background
I’ve been calling squares since I was 13; I am now 48 so if you do some quick math you find I have been doing this for 35 years. In all that time I developed a passion for singing and in the world of square dance calling that means Singing Calls. In all that time I also developed an uncommon taste for square dance music - you see I am not and never have been a big fan of Country music… I know SHOCKER!
Actually to those who dance to me regularly should have figured this out a long time ago, I am not saying I dislike Country I just prefer rock. Of course there are Country singing calls I absolutely love, like “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend”, “Devil Went Down to Georgia”, “Swingin’” and others. But since I started as a teenager I always leaned more to the music on the Radio. Being born and raised in the 70s in Lowell Massachusetts there was not much contact with Country music, WRKO in Boston was the soundtrack of my youth because back in the 70s it was playing POP. Then in my teens it was rock stations WBCN and WAAF that dominated my listening music life.
I was calling squares at that time and there was not many POPish songs produced but I found a liking for Rhythm, Chaparral and Red Boot music (and still do) as I felt their music, while country, was the closest to POP I could get. In the 80’s Singing calls really started diving into POP with some success (think Pink Cadillac) but some missed badly as some labels (who will remain nameless) would try to “country” that pop song by removing the rock instruments and adding fiddle and banjo as if dancers would be shocked and would not take the sound of an electric guitar. Around the same time some callers started adding instrumental pop songs or Karaoke versions as patters, my first attempt at this was using Axel F (sped up a lot) as a patter, one which I still use. The 90s and 2000s brought in more Rock and Pop songs into singing calls and callers using pop and disco tunes as patters.
As a caller there is always that thought: “Someone should make song _____ into a singing call.” Back in the 80s I thought that the Monkees’ song “Papa Gene’s Blues” should be a singing call and always wanted to do it but someone beat me to it… 20 years later.
I always wanted to record my own singing calls but found that even back in the late 80s the record companies wanted over $1200 and for that I would get 50 printed copies of my song and a “good luck.” They made every dime on what they sold and even if I sold all 50 of my own copies I would not make even half my money back. I did not have that kind of money to lose. It would be just a very expensive business card.
The search for good music
Back in March of 2012 I had some money set aside to buy some singing calls. I looked at a very popular website where I always buy my music but could not find more than a handful or songs that fit my style. I was able to buy some good music a few months earlier from a couple of independent labels that only sell their music from their website and do not sell from the big music website. So I pulled up good ole Google and somehow stumble upon EGO Recordings. When I first looked I was surprised at the time they only had four songs for sale. Then I saw the words “Lady Gaga”! Hold on now! That is different! I loaded the sample of “Rollin’ in the Deep” and was blown away; it sounded like the original Adel song they did not try to “country” the song. I was hooked! I bought all the songs. I also wrote Paul Cote a letter telling him how much I liked his music. I also noticed that he had setup Alter Ego for any caller who wants to make a singing call and lose money. Yup, you read that right, lose money.
The Creation Process
I had some unexpected cash on hand having been given an unexpected bonus check from my employer and it clicked I could do what I always wanted to do: make that Singing Call record I always wanted to do. The problem was I had so many songs in my head I was not sure which to do. I thought about it and thought I have found the perfect song. I contact Paul with my idea and he reminded me that if I wanted to go through with this “You will lose money” but we’ll make the best singing call possible. I then told him the song I wanted to do, he listen to it and gave me advice that the song was too slow and it would need to be brought up 20% faster which would make it hard to call and it would lose the feel of the original song. At first I was upset but then it hit me, I took a listen to it at +20% and realized he was right, it would not work, Paul
could have taken my money, kept me happy by making exactly what I wanted to make but instead he was dedicated to making great music . So I started at square one and I went through my “wish list” again and came up with a list of three songs, I passed all three by Paul and he said all would work. Of those three my choice was “Hip To Be Square” by Huey Lewis.
With the song set things started to progress faster than I ever thought they would. Very soon Paul took the original song and cut it up into seven segments and adjusted the tempo to fit dancing, this way I could have an idea how it would sound. He also introduced me to the music master Buzzy Smith who in my opinion is a music making genius. At this point we weren’t 100% sure on how we wanted the music “phrased” did we want the line “It’s hip to be square” repeated over and over or did we want to shake things up a bit? Not an easy question to answer. Buzzy cut “rough” tracks of each idea.
What is a rough track? In this case it’s Buzzy making an all-electronic synthesized version of the song so we could hear and try the different versions. You’ll be surprised because these rough tracks are not so rough, in my opinion they were as good or better than most finished singing calls on some labels. It was these rough cuts that, with my permission, Paul let a few select national callers preview and in one case used *at a dance* to see if it worked and how the crowd reacted to it. Once we got that feedback and Paul again reminded me “You Will Lose Money” we decided to shake things up by not being repetitive and pressed forward.
There was constant contact with Paul and Buzzy during the next phase. The finish product would need a live Brass section which did come at a price but not as much extra as you would think, once I agreed with that a recording date was set and done. Buzzy then mixed the recording I was sent an almost final MP3 to cut my vocal.
Now, Ego is in Texas and I am in Maryland, it would have been nice to fly down to Buzzy’s studio to record my vocal but that would add way too much cost. Instead I found a local recording studio and they got in contact with Buzzy’s so they could put down the right kind of track. I practiced and practiced until I could call it in my sleep. I arrived and was able to lay down my vocal in well under an hour studio time. The vocal track was sent to Buzzy and the final mix was AWESOME.
I was shocked with how fast the process was, we started the ball rolling in May and I debuted the song at my club in July. Paul and Buzzy were so helpful and explained things I did not understand in a very clear way. They also have a passion for making music and are not afraid to tell you when something does not work. The other thing is honesty about this business, Paul reminded me that I would lose money so many times it was almost funny but indeed appreciated.
In The End Was It Worth It?
Yes, in the end it was worth it and I will be making another singing call with EGO. The process, while sometimes stressful it was an enjoyable stress (if that makes any sense) and I know a few national callers are now using “Hip To Be Square” which is nice but not the point of why I did this. Ego, there I said it, my Ego was the reason and what a great label name, Paul and myself are not in this to make money, we are losing money, but to know that maybe someday when we are long gone some caller might still be using “Hip” at a dance, that makes me smile. I own records that are over 40-50 years old or older that are still in my active rotation so who knows?
Art LaVigne
Please Say Hello (and goodbye) to Jill Gunzel... (10/10/12)I want to take a moment to introduce you to a lady I've just gotten to know. Her name is Jill Gunzel and she is a caller from Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Jill has terminal cancer, and just last week entered a hospice program where they will do all they can to keep her comfortable in her final days. I recently "met" Jill via email, through her friend Juanita Portz who shared her story with me. Apparently I had met her briefly at a callers school I taught at a couple years ago. I wish I had gotten to know her better. The day after Jill entered hospice, her son took her to her local square dance club, where she performed "Edge of Glory" for the first (and last) time. For those of you who don't know the true meaning of the song...it was written by Lady Gaga while she and her family waited for her grandfather to pass to the other side. He was "on the edge of glory". Today, Jill is truly on that same, "edge of glory" and I know while her friends will miss her, they will cheer as she too reaches the other side. Thank you Juanita for re-introducing me to Jill. Thank you for sharing her story. Thank you for allowing me to share it with all of our square dance friends. We love you Jill...Paul Cote. I posted these videos on October 10th. Jill passed away peacefully on Monday, October 15, 2012. Rest in peace Jill (When Juanita shared these videos with me, she apologized for the audio quality. I can't imagine that anyone would care. I know I certainly didn't. It sounds perfect to me Jill! |
A brief introduction from Jill...
Jill's first (and last) performance singing "Edge of Glory".
|
Adding Your Videos to EGORecordings.com! (8/19/12)
I've been receiving a few videos of callers using EGO Recordings at their dances and festivals. As they come in, I'll add a VIDEO link next to your information on the "Callers Using EGO Recordings" page. Recently I've added links from Chuck Witt, Scot Byars, and Ted Lizotte. I'd love to add your link too!
What Is The Process For Making An "Alter-EGO" Recording? I'm Glad You Asked! (7/16/12)
On Sunday, July 15th, I just completed my first "Alter-EGO Recording". My first client, Art LaVigne of Hagerstown, Maryland seems quite pleased with his version of the Huey Lewis tune, "Hip To Be Square". Personally, I think it is a great piece of music too.
What is an "Alter-EGO Recording"? How is it different than an "EGO Recording"? As simply as I can put it, "EGO Recordings" are MY investment. "Alter-EGO Recordings" are YOUR investment.
Prior to starting EGO, I recorded singing calls on two labels. Around 1990, I recorded "One Fine Day" on Silver Sounds. That cost me something between $250 and $500 and for that investment, I received 50 copies of the 45 rpm record. About 7-8 years ago I recorded "Cheeseburger In Paradise" on Rhythm Records. I paid $1000.00 for that recording, and received the prestige of being on Rhythm Records for my investment. Both labels were able to more than cover their production costs with my fee, and then went on to sell "some number" of copies that they also were able to profit on as well.
That's pretty much the way "pay labels" work. Unfortunately, the square dance recording industry just isn't making profits anymore, and most labels are now losing money. I am trying to do something a little bit different with "Alter-EGO" knowing that we're all going to lose. I'm trying to give back those that want to record at least most of the return...whatever that may be.
If I'm giving (most of) the money back...what's in it for me? Very simple...it allows me the opportunity to produce more quality music, that I could not afford to produce on my own. If you're willing to take a loss with me, I'd be glad to do the leg work for you.
Art contacted me with an idea for a song. Actually, the first song ended up not happening. Some songs just lose the flavor of the original when you try to adjust it for the needs of a square dance. (Tempo, time signature, format, etc.)
Here is the way things went down with Art on AEGO 101 - "Hip To Be Square", and basically what would happen with you.
1. I drill into your skull about 25 times that you are going to lose money!
2. We figure out how best to chop the song in to square dance slices. (7 64 beat figures). Your feedback is invited. You get final approval.
3. You give Buzzy a small deposit. $100-150. He then comes up with a synth "shell" of the song. Nothing live....just the form and enough music to get a good feel of what it
could become.
At this stage, we are still able to make fairly drastic changes. Your feedback is invited. You get final approval. Buzzy will then give an estimate of what live instruments will be needed and the final cost plus or minus 50 dollars.
4. You give Buzzy the majority of the cost. (probably $500 total between your deposits). He then brings In the live musicians and we make it EGO quality. Minor changes are still possible at this point, but only very minor.
5. Buzzy provides you with a semi-final mix and you go to a local studio to record your vocal to Buzzys specs. That should cost you about $40-$50.
6. Buzzy does a final mix of your vocal, and the balance is due.
7. I acquire a mechanical license for your song. (About $30.) and take that cost from your first sales. I also strongly recommend that you continue to comp the 10 or so guys I comp because they are great advertisement if they like the song, but that's up to you.
8. After that, I pay you $7.00 for every recording you sell. (I sell for $9.00. PayPal keeps $0.56, I keep $1.44)
You can see my sales right here on the site. It's not tough to count everyone in a column, subtract 10 comps, and multiply by $9.00. My music costs (on average) just under $600.00 per song to produce. The more live instruments, the more it costs. The ONLY song I have broken even on so far is EGO 102 - Edge of Glory...and it was the cheapest to produce by far.
I hope Art is willing to share his experience from his perspective, and I hope that you'll consider an "Alter-EGO Recording" of your own.
Thanks!
Paul
What is an "Alter-EGO Recording"? How is it different than an "EGO Recording"? As simply as I can put it, "EGO Recordings" are MY investment. "Alter-EGO Recordings" are YOUR investment.
Prior to starting EGO, I recorded singing calls on two labels. Around 1990, I recorded "One Fine Day" on Silver Sounds. That cost me something between $250 and $500 and for that investment, I received 50 copies of the 45 rpm record. About 7-8 years ago I recorded "Cheeseburger In Paradise" on Rhythm Records. I paid $1000.00 for that recording, and received the prestige of being on Rhythm Records for my investment. Both labels were able to more than cover their production costs with my fee, and then went on to sell "some number" of copies that they also were able to profit on as well.
That's pretty much the way "pay labels" work. Unfortunately, the square dance recording industry just isn't making profits anymore, and most labels are now losing money. I am trying to do something a little bit different with "Alter-EGO" knowing that we're all going to lose. I'm trying to give back those that want to record at least most of the return...whatever that may be.
If I'm giving (most of) the money back...what's in it for me? Very simple...it allows me the opportunity to produce more quality music, that I could not afford to produce on my own. If you're willing to take a loss with me, I'd be glad to do the leg work for you.
Art contacted me with an idea for a song. Actually, the first song ended up not happening. Some songs just lose the flavor of the original when you try to adjust it for the needs of a square dance. (Tempo, time signature, format, etc.)
Here is the way things went down with Art on AEGO 101 - "Hip To Be Square", and basically what would happen with you.
1. I drill into your skull about 25 times that you are going to lose money!
2. We figure out how best to chop the song in to square dance slices. (7 64 beat figures). Your feedback is invited. You get final approval.
3. You give Buzzy a small deposit. $100-150. He then comes up with a synth "shell" of the song. Nothing live....just the form and enough music to get a good feel of what it
could become.
At this stage, we are still able to make fairly drastic changes. Your feedback is invited. You get final approval. Buzzy will then give an estimate of what live instruments will be needed and the final cost plus or minus 50 dollars.
4. You give Buzzy the majority of the cost. (probably $500 total between your deposits). He then brings In the live musicians and we make it EGO quality. Minor changes are still possible at this point, but only very minor.
5. Buzzy provides you with a semi-final mix and you go to a local studio to record your vocal to Buzzys specs. That should cost you about $40-$50.
6. Buzzy does a final mix of your vocal, and the balance is due.
7. I acquire a mechanical license for your song. (About $30.) and take that cost from your first sales. I also strongly recommend that you continue to comp the 10 or so guys I comp because they are great advertisement if they like the song, but that's up to you.
8. After that, I pay you $7.00 for every recording you sell. (I sell for $9.00. PayPal keeps $0.56, I keep $1.44)
You can see my sales right here on the site. It's not tough to count everyone in a column, subtract 10 comps, and multiply by $9.00. My music costs (on average) just under $600.00 per song to produce. The more live instruments, the more it costs. The ONLY song I have broken even on so far is EGO 102 - Edge of Glory...and it was the cheapest to produce by far.
I hope Art is willing to share his experience from his perspective, and I hope that you'll consider an "Alter-EGO Recording" of your own.
Thanks!
Paul
Introducing Ted Lizotte and EGO 201 - Carol King's "I Feel The Earth Move" (7/9/12)
Ted Lizotte and I go back...way, way back. We go back past our 24 years of calling which began in my parents basement. (Mom STILL knows the music we performed as "The Duo!" as well as we do.) We go back past wives, and ex-wives, a house, an apartment, and a half dozen mutual jobs. We go back to high school. The class of '84. (Actually, in the interest of full disclosure, the class of '84 1/2 for me!) We go back to sophomore year, when I moved to Atkinson, NH, and despite a bunch of ups and downs, I've considered him my best friend since.
Ted and I started calling as "The Duo!" because back in the mid 80's, nobody wanted to hire a couple of greenie callers in their early 20's. We couldn't find our corner to save our lives, but after high school chorus, and driving to work together all summer long with one Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits cassette between us, we sure could harmonize. That's how we got started!
Several years later, we each went our own way. I stopped calling and dancing for a number of years while I was busy having a mental meltdown. Ted excelled to become one of the premiere callers in the north east, and the club caller for several local clubs including the Tech Squares of M.I.T.
What does it take to do an EGO Recording? Well...30 years of friendship will get you there. (Though a couple guys that have been "square dance idols" along the way might get a free pass too!) EGO Recordings will never turn a profit either. You can reinvest into another square dance song, but if there ever is a profit at the end of this
all...it will be donated to the Square Dance Foundation of New England historical library.
So, does that mean YOU can never record EGO Music? Well...I guess the answer to that is, "yes and no". My EGO will always be mostly me, and a couple close friends. I WILL, however, make my music available to anyone who can carry a decent tune through my "Alter-EGO" line of songs. What is the difference? In the music...absolutely NOTHING. It is the same exact music done with the same exact attention to detail. The difference is that an "Alter-EGO Recording" is YOUR song. YOUR investment. And
while there is next to ZERO chance that you will break even...the money that DOES come in will be YOURS. (PayPal keeps 56 cents. I keep $1.44 because I hate math. The rest is YOURS...but you'll STILL lose money!)
Anyway...EGO 201 - I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet....called by Ted Lizotte is a fantastic piece of music, and I hope you'll consider buying it.
In my next blog posting I'll tell you all about my first "Alter-EGO Recording", which is coming out in July.
Thank you for continuing to boost my EGO!
Paul
Ted and I started calling as "The Duo!" because back in the mid 80's, nobody wanted to hire a couple of greenie callers in their early 20's. We couldn't find our corner to save our lives, but after high school chorus, and driving to work together all summer long with one Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits cassette between us, we sure could harmonize. That's how we got started!
Several years later, we each went our own way. I stopped calling and dancing for a number of years while I was busy having a mental meltdown. Ted excelled to become one of the premiere callers in the north east, and the club caller for several local clubs including the Tech Squares of M.I.T.
What does it take to do an EGO Recording? Well...30 years of friendship will get you there. (Though a couple guys that have been "square dance idols" along the way might get a free pass too!) EGO Recordings will never turn a profit either. You can reinvest into another square dance song, but if there ever is a profit at the end of this
all...it will be donated to the Square Dance Foundation of New England historical library.
So, does that mean YOU can never record EGO Music? Well...I guess the answer to that is, "yes and no". My EGO will always be mostly me, and a couple close friends. I WILL, however, make my music available to anyone who can carry a decent tune through my "Alter-EGO" line of songs. What is the difference? In the music...absolutely NOTHING. It is the same exact music done with the same exact attention to detail. The difference is that an "Alter-EGO Recording" is YOUR song. YOUR investment. And
while there is next to ZERO chance that you will break even...the money that DOES come in will be YOURS. (PayPal keeps 56 cents. I keep $1.44 because I hate math. The rest is YOURS...but you'll STILL lose money!)
Anyway...EGO 201 - I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet....called by Ted Lizotte is a fantastic piece of music, and I hope you'll consider buying it.
In my next blog posting I'll tell you all about my first "Alter-EGO Recording", which is coming out in July.
Thank you for continuing to boost my EGO!
Paul
First CALLERLAB for EGO Recordings and Me! (4/6/12)
I just returned from my first CALLERLAB convention. It was a great experience for both me and EGO Recordings.
I had the chance to perform my newest recording, Sea of Love, at the record producers dance on Saturday night. I also met several people who have supported my songs
for the first time. Around a dozen callers decided to add an EGO Recording to their case too, and that gave me enough gas money to get home!
The one "learning lesson" that came out of my CALLERLAB experience is that I'm going to have to come up with a set price for the recordings. The "suggested donation range" is causing too much confusion. I was hesitant to set a firm price because in order to break even, it will be necessary for me to charge more than many other labels are charging. It's just the nature of the beast...my music targets a VERY small market.
Working on the details....
Thank you all for your continued support. EGO 105 is in production....or will that be EGO 201?
Paul
I had the chance to perform my newest recording, Sea of Love, at the record producers dance on Saturday night. I also met several people who have supported my songs
for the first time. Around a dozen callers decided to add an EGO Recording to their case too, and that gave me enough gas money to get home!
The one "learning lesson" that came out of my CALLERLAB experience is that I'm going to have to come up with a set price for the recordings. The "suggested donation range" is causing too much confusion. I was hesitant to set a firm price because in order to break even, it will be necessary for me to charge more than many other labels are charging. It's just the nature of the beast...my music targets a VERY small market.
Working on the details....
Thank you all for your continued support. EGO 105 is in production....or will that be EGO 201?
Paul
I Love My New Banner! Thank You Erin Byars and Buzzy Smith! (3/23/12)
I put a request up on FaceBook asking for a lot, and offering very little. I needed some help with my logo for "EGO Recordings". The response was wonderful...even from friends I've never met before.
Several people had great ideas. I'm still playing with some of those ideas, but Erin Byars jumped in with both feet and created the logo that is now at the center of my banner. Erin was patient through more than 20 revisions and helped me take the logo that was stuck in my brain and get it on to screen and paper. I was probably a little too tight with the control and didn't let her get as creative as she would have liked, but what can I say? She just finished drawing my "Giant E-Go!"....of course it's gotta be
all about me!
Thank you also to Buzzy Smith for creating the musical chart. That musical chart is an actual song...a song that couldn't be more perfect for a label called "EGO"!
Now just wait and see my amazing "EGO" marketing plan at CALLERLAB!
Several people had great ideas. I'm still playing with some of those ideas, but Erin Byars jumped in with both feet and created the logo that is now at the center of my banner. Erin was patient through more than 20 revisions and helped me take the logo that was stuck in my brain and get it on to screen and paper. I was probably a little too tight with the control and didn't let her get as creative as she would have liked, but what can I say? She just finished drawing my "Giant E-Go!"....of course it's gotta be
all about me!
Thank you also to Buzzy Smith for creating the musical chart. That musical chart is an actual song...a song that couldn't be more perfect for a label called "EGO"!
Now just wait and see my amazing "EGO" marketing plan at CALLERLAB!
My EGO Is Growing Around The World! (3/20/12)
With the release of EGO 104 - Sea of Love yesterday, I've been going over the list of callers who've purchased my music. It's amazing to see callers from Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, England, The Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Canada and Germany along with dozens of callers from here in the United States supporting my EGO.
Most of you don't know me, and might not "get" my slightly warped sense of humor. Some call it "dry" some call it "Yankee Sarcasm", some just call it "plain annoying",but it is just that...my sense of humor.
You'll continue to see me talk about my EGO here on this site, and yes, I like the fact that my EGO is getting bigger and bigger! That said, it is absolutely humbling to see my music being distributed all over the world...even one caller per country at a time!
From the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU!
Paul
Most of you don't know me, and might not "get" my slightly warped sense of humor. Some call it "dry" some call it "Yankee Sarcasm", some just call it "plain annoying",but it is just that...my sense of humor.
You'll continue to see me talk about my EGO here on this site, and yes, I like the fact that my EGO is getting bigger and bigger! That said, it is absolutely humbling to see my music being distributed all over the world...even one caller per country at a time!
From the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU!
Paul
EGO 104 - Sea Of Love - Final Mix This Weekend! (3/15/12)
For those of you interested, Buzzy and I will be finishing the final mix of EGO 104 - Sea of Love this weekend. With a little luck, I'll have it available for sale on Tuesday or Wednesday.
I've got to tell you just how amazing Buzzy is...
The bass and drums, which while synth, are put in individually by hand. He doesn't use a drum track...he puts in each different drum one at a time, and literally clicks each
beat. This recording includes live guitar, piano, and B3 organ as well.
The MOST amazing thing was watching Buzzy add a complete synth string arrangement. Again, these are normally done as a single "string orchestra patch", but not with Buzzy Smith! Buzzy played each and every single note for 5 different string instruments coming up with some beautiful string harmonies. He played 3 violin parts, a viola part, and a cello part all note by note. BUZZY! YOU'RE THE BEST!
I've got to tell you just how amazing Buzzy is...
The bass and drums, which while synth, are put in individually by hand. He doesn't use a drum track...he puts in each different drum one at a time, and literally clicks each
beat. This recording includes live guitar, piano, and B3 organ as well.
The MOST amazing thing was watching Buzzy add a complete synth string arrangement. Again, these are normally done as a single "string orchestra patch", but not with Buzzy Smith! Buzzy played each and every single note for 5 different string instruments coming up with some beautiful string harmonies. He played 3 violin parts, a viola part, and a cello part all note by note. BUZZY! YOU'RE THE BEST!
Welcome To EGO Recordings (3/13/12)
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!
Thanks for stopping by my new EGO Recordings website.
So far, I've only got about 2 hours invested into this project, so it's not the most purty site you've ever been to, but I think we'll get there in time.
I'd love your thoughts on the site and the music. I'd also love to hear where you've heard these songs. If you'd share the caller, the club, the date, and the location, I'd love to start tracking these songs and see how they spread across the map.
Thank You!
Paul
Thanks for stopping by my new EGO Recordings website.
So far, I've only got about 2 hours invested into this project, so it's not the most purty site you've ever been to, but I think we'll get there in time.
I'd love your thoughts on the site and the music. I'd also love to hear where you've heard these songs. If you'd share the caller, the club, the date, and the location, I'd love to start tracking these songs and see how they spread across the map.
Thank You!
Paul