Steve Raybine:
Blog #1
Welcome to My Organization!
Hello everyone and welcome to Steve Raybine's World Wide Blog. During the course of my weekly blogs, I will be discussing many issues related to music and the music business--some more controversial than others. You will have an opportunity to submit your comments to the Blogs–please sign in and share your opinions with us! I hope to see you on a daily basis as I inform and challenge you to consider the topic of the day. Now, on to the first blog!
In the music business, it's virtually impossible to survive on your own--you need the support of close allies and associates. In my case, I've assembled a group of people that help me fulfill the various functions required to promote myself and my music. These highly-valued independent contractors, who are paid for their services, are essential to any success I achieve within the music industry as a performer, composer and recording artist. Let me introduce my business and musical team members to you for BAD KAT Records, LLC:
THE BUSINESS TEAM: Part A
A.) Rob Laughlin, Attorney at Law (CARDINAL ENTERTAINMENT):
Rob is my music attorney. We've collaborated together since my first CD (Balance Act) was released in 2000. Here are some of the many duties Rob fulfills for the team:
1.) Rob negotiates and drafts all complex contracts. Many times, these contracts require persistent and complicated negotiations. Moreover, there is often legalese that can only be interpreted by an attorney.
2.) He pursues concert venues for the band. This work is typically done by an agent, but Rob also functions in this capacity. He frequently assembles promotional packs and other press-related items that need to be sent to industry people. He also drafts great letters for the press kits--a certain skill is involved with the personalization of these letters. He speaks on my behalf regarding pending
concerts, etc.
3.) Rob also sends out certain mailings that require his attention--this can range from radio liners to discussions with magazines; journals, etc.
4.) Rob also serves as my official photographer. Photography is one of his hobbies and he has taken many photos of me and/or the band for press purposes.
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B.) Chris Cooke:
Chris is my website designer. He's been working with me since the release of my second CD (Bad Kat Karma) in 2005. Here are the duties Chris fulfills for the team:
1.) Chris has designed and maintains my website (www.steveraybine.com) on a daily basis. He constantly updates it with pictures; new press materials; etc. Whatever is required to keep my website functioning professionally and consistently is his domain. Websites need constant attention and require a great deal of maintenance.
2.) Chris has designed my Facebook page and regularly contributes pictures and press-release information to it.
3.) Chris has designed my MySpace page(s) and keeps it current with friend requests, etc.
4.) He provides some photography. He will occasionally attend concerts and take pictures for press purposes.
5.) He is responsible for packaging and mailing out CD's that are sold through my website.
6.) Chris recently set-up a Twitter account for me.
7.) He sets up jazz-related internet sites for me that I need a presence on (my profile, etc.).
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C.) Dwight Thomas (DAPrint Music Preparation/Publishing):
Dwight prints my music and fulfills other music business necessities associated with my publishing, copyrights and internet music downloading. Dwight has worked with me since Balance Act was released in 2000.
1.) Dwight prints all of my music.
2.) Dwight is responsible for filing and paying for all of my music copyrights with the Library of Congress.
3.) Dwight files and purchases all of my mechanical licenses with the Harry Fox Agency etc., so that I am legally protected to record other composer's songs (cover tunes).
4.) Dwight is responsible for making sure that my CD's and individual songs are available for purchase and internet downloading on CD Baby; Rhapsody; itunes, etc.
5.) Dwight files my Music Registration Forms for my songs with BMI, so that I can collect my composing and publishing royalties from radio play, etc.
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D.) Patrick LaVelle, CPA of Dutton and Associates, P.C.:
Patrick has worked with me since the release of In the Driver's Seat in 2009. He is my personal accountant and tax specialist.
1.) Patrick files my taxes, which are quite complicated due to the nature of my multi-faceted business.
2.) Patrick provides legal information involving accounting or tax-related procedures.
Note: Prior to Patrick joining the team in 2008/2009, Ron Bauers functioned in this capacity.
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E.) Steve Raybine, President and Owner of BAD KAT Records, LLC:
1.) I consult daily or as needed with the members of my business or music teams regarding their specific duties. It is my job to make sure everything is progressing forward and that we're all accomplishing what needs to be done as efficiently as possible.
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THE BUSINESS TEAM: Part B
A.) Dan Griffin and Premiere Media Solutions:
Dan and his company prints/duplicates my CD's and singles. Dan has worked with me since Balance Act's release in 2000.
1.) Dan is responsible for overseeing the printing/duplicating of my CD's. He makes sure the entire CD package is assembled correctly prior to printing.
2.) Dan obtains the bar code, which appears on the back of the CD package. He checks the mechanical licenses for accuracy before going to print.
3.) Dan and his staff are responsible for the graphic design of the CD. This was a particular success on my most recent CD, "In the Driver's Seat," which was coordinated entirely by Dan and his graphic-artist staff.
4.) Dan and his company print my singles for radio play. Singles require a different design and orientation than regular CD's.
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B.) All That Jazz, Inc.:
Cliff and Jason Gorov and Marcy Schmitz promote my music to radio and internet radio stations worldwide. They have worked with me since the release of Bad Kat Karma in 2005.
1.) Cliff and his team have the challenging job of promoting my music to radio stations. Thus far, I've been played on over one hundred thirty (130) radio stations, satellite TV-radio stations worldwide.
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C.) Smoothjazz.com:
Sandy Shore and her staff promote my music on the internet. They have worked with me since the release of Bad Kat Karma in 2005.
1.) Smoothjazz.com promotes my music worldwide on the internet.
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THE MUSIC TEAM: PART A
A.) Chris Acker:
Chris is the executive producer of my CD's. He has worked with me since the beginning of Balance Act in 2000.
1.) Chris' responsibility is to oversee every aspect of the recording process of my CD's. A gifted recording engineer, Chris is my executive producer.
Note: Prior to In the Driver's Seat, Chris was the primary recording engineer and mixer for my first two CD's. He also used to print my music before Dwight Thomas assumed that job.
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B.) Doyle Tipler:
Doyle is my chief recording engineer; co-producer; CD mixer and horn-section composer. He wrote horn parts for Bad Kat Karma in 2005, but In the Driver's Seat was his first major project with me.
1.) Doyle's primary responsibility is to record the CD.
2.) He is responsible for mixing the tunes on the CD.
3.) He wrote all of the horn-section parts for the various tunes (In the Driver's Seat).
4.) He edits the singles for radio if it is required.
5.) Doyle co-produced the CD with Steve.
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C.) Doug Van Sloun (Focus Mastering):
Doug masters the CD's. He has worked with me from the beginning since Balance Act in 2000.
1.) Doug is responsible for mastering the CD(s).
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D.) Steve Raybine;
Composer, performer and co-producer.
1.) It is my primary responsibility to compose the music for the CD's.
2.) I rehearse the band; play and record my parts; consult with my exec.producer and co-producer; transpose music for horn players; check the mixes and masterings; etc.
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MUSIC TEAM: Part B; The Musicians
1.) David Raybine: Alto Saxophone (co-front man)
David records and does gigs with the band.
2.) Stan Harper: Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophones (Horn Section)
Stan primarily records with the band.
3.) Dan Cerveny: Keyboards
Dan records and does gigs with the band.
4.) Mitch Towne: Keyboards
Mitch only records with the band.
5.) Jeff Scheffler: Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Jeff records and plays gigs with the band.
6.) Steve Gomez: Acoustic and Electric Bass
Steve records and plays gigs with the band.
7.) Craig Balderston: Electric Bass
Craig primarily records with the band.
8.) Calvin Hansen: Drums
Calvin records and plays gigs with the band.
9.) Grant McMullen: Drums
Grant plays gigs with the band.
10.) Joey Gulizia: Percussion and Drums
Joey primarily records with the band.
11.) Chris Acker: Trombone (Horn Section)
Chris primarily records with the band.
12.) Curtis Pelster: Trumpet (Horn Section)
Curtis records with the band.
13.) Doyle Tipler: Trumpet (Horn Section)
Doyle plays gigs with the band.
14.) Steve Raybine: Vibes, Percussion, Composer/Arranger; Band Leader; co-front man
I record and play gigs with the band (rather obvious).
You've now been introduced to my entire organization. We are a team and like any team, rely upon each others' skills and individual talents. This is a fun and harmonious group of people--can't say this was true of the other organizations I've been a member of in the past, unfortunately. Remember: when you assemble your business and musical teams, make sure that everyone understands their role(s) and are generally good-natured to work with--life is far too short to deal with difficult and self-centered people. Good luck!
Steve Raybine
Copyright 2009 Steve Raybine
All Rights Reserved
http://www.steveraybine.com/
http://www.myspace.com/steveraybine
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