|
|
|
Monday, May 5, 2008
New Music From SickleEye
We got the hot new song from SickleEye - Tremble. It's so rockin' that we're posting the demo!!!
It's Back...
May 13th is the lucky day that the John Vento and the Nied's Hotel Band - The Way That You Roll CD is officially back. It's the same CD minus one of the cover-songs. But you can hear it now.
A little licensing issue came up between the label and a cover-song that was included in the first run. We were able to intervene and moderate the matter to a peaceful conclusion. In fact, it was a very civil matter, handled with great cooperation from everyone. No one walked away unhappy and there were no ill-feelings.
Alternate Versions
Here are the original versions of John Fiore's 2 songs, "Mr. Cool" and "The Way That You Roll", from the John Vento and the Nied's Hotel Band - The Way That You Roll CD.
New Music From Tony And Yaa Delayed
Production of all new material from
has been delayed for a month or 2. Yaa had to deal with some personal issues but will be back to complete the project very soon. Unfortunately the delay will run this into some other projects, and production will be done whenever time is available. Tony is already committed to several major projects this year and his schedule is filled, but he's committed to completing things as soon as he can. We're going to have more information next month.
New Graphics
We're cleaning up some of the graphics on the site. The Music area has a new media launcher that will be popping up this month. Nothing else is major - the rest will all be very subtle. Let us know what you think. We always love to hear what you have to say.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
TME SHUTS DOWN AFTER OVER 20 YEARS!
If you are still reading this beacause you believe that - then you are an April fool.
Business Awards
We have the details on 2 great business awards we just received. First for from Global Six Sigma and Business Improvement Awards 2008 for overall business operations and internet presentation improvements. Second was an honor from the Princeton Premier for our President and CEO - Tony Marinacci for business management. We also have a pretty successful administrative staff that is doing some great business in their own ventures.
We have also received many mentions throughout the year in regards to our Publishing and new Recording divisions. It is our new mission to make them as strong as our concert and live entertainment services have been. Awards for them are a Plaque or a Grammy.
More Online Music Options
We're launching an effort to offer more online options. This will not only make our music more available, but will also allow us to sell single songs more easily. Look for us on iTunes, Rhapsody, Zune, among many others. You will also be able to purchase some CD's from CD Baby. We're going to have more information next month.
Due Date
A follow up to a story last month ... Bill and Kelly Domiano are expecting the baby in July.
Congradulations To An Old Friend
Congradulations to our old friend Terry McCausland. He's been breezing through the competition as a contestant on the TV show "Nashville Star," the country music version "American Idol." Terry sang on Tony Marinacci's song It's Not Your Fault. CLICK HERE for an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune and read more about it.
We always knew he'd be doing some big things ... it was only a matter of time.
Goodbye to 2 Legends
A member of our extended family and Philippine music legend,
Toti Fuentes passed away on Saturday March 22. Along with being the band leader with major acts that Tony Marinacci worked for, he was also a fellow band member with Bogie on many major tours. He was also very helpful with the development of the intro part in the song Our Love that pretty much launched Tony Marinacci's first big songwriting deal in the early 1990's. CLICK HERE to read the Fame Watch Blog about it.
Pittsburgh Steeler broadcaster Myron Cope passed away in February. Anyone who's seen a Steelers' highlight in the last 30 years has heard his spastic voice. If you haven't seen the highlights then you know about the invention he had called "The Terrible Towel". Many of us here have met him, he was the very small, very quiet, very nice guy ... but get him excited and ... "YOI, no TRIPLE YOI"
Two really great people who will be missed and always remembered fondly. They became legends in and beyond their hometown.
Monday, March 3, 2008
It's A Baby
We want to congradulate our own Bill Domiano and his wife Kelly on the great news that we can expect a baby soon.
New Studio Stuff
There have been quite a few upgrades to the studio over the winter. We have added another workstation and another editing station. We've also added a dedicated machine that runs all the software synthesizers and samplers. We did extensive testing of our new software and have added about 20 software-synths and about fifty plugins. As if that's not enough - we've also added over 80 sample sets of classic and rare synthesizers from 30 manufacturers (Moog, Oberheim, Arp, Korg, Roland, among others) from mostly the early to mid 1980's. There's even one from the late 1970's that is the size of most living-rooms ... no keys all modular (who knows why but it's here). These are very-high-quality recordings of the actual synth. They were recorded as multi-notes over several octaves so each is an exact duplicate of that synth - NOT AN EMULATION. These have all been loaded into our samplers and are available at the click of a mouse and can then be even further modulated. They have been compiled from the private collection of our owners and are being made available for the first time as standard gear in our studio.
Construction is also to begin this month on our new isolation booth. We will also be re-doing the Recording page (in a couple of months) to give a more comprehensive visual explanation to what we have and what it can do. We will still only be available by appointment only and openings are still at a minimum. SORRY FOLKS!
More Studio News
Word is in from the resident Rasta - Tony Smith, that State Of Hearts studio is in the midst of being re-done at it's new location. They will now only be available to private clients, but we will be doing our drums there again soon.
Tony Marinacci and Precious Yaa
Tony Marinacci and Precious Yaa are collaborating on a few new originals. Production is already underway on at least 1 new track as you read this. No word yet on a release date.
Daryl Strodes
Fans of Daryl Strodes will be pleased to know that he has sent more tracks to the states to be published. He hasn't given up on the label - but it wasn't as simple as it should have been because he's still in China. So until things clear he's still busy writing.
Tons Of Shows
There's more great music to be heard ... We have a bunch of great artists that are keeping very busy with shows. Please make sure you get a chance to check them out. In fact, go check out any local show. There's a ton of great talent around right now.
John Vento is keeping busy as the front man for the Businessmen who also features our writers John Fiore and Nick Zannit. He is also fronting the Nied's Hotel Band with our writer Stephen Christopher who also opens many of their shows. James Buckley continues his steady pace of shows all around the Pittsburgh area. SickleEye are playing throughout central Pennsylvania this spring and summer. Tony Smith is still one of the great live or session Reggae drummers and continues to tour with many bands through the US. If you're ever in Shanghai, China - drop in and see Daryl Strodes. He will be glad to see a friendly face.
Monday, February 4, 2008
The State Of Local Entertainment (Part 2 of 2)
Last month we hit upon the effects government actions has on a local entertainment scene. This month we will talk on the local scene itself. This is Pittsburgh Pennsylvania - USA but could be any city in the world. Basically, there are a few great things happening. Major labels are watching the area like never before. There is a local talent pool that has not been seen in this town in 15 years. A batch of young club owners are bringing life back to the night.
However, there are negative counters that are occurring that completely negate the positives. Truly gifted people, with the desire to move ahead in this business, that are squandering chance after chance by not taking the leap. Opportunity only knocks once ... maybe twice ... but never will a beam of light shine down on the dotted line you should sign on. Between September 2006 to December 2007 we were in contact 7 times by major labels to give a reference in regards to a local act. Five contracts were offered to various acts of which 2 were actually signed and they were hip-hop artists. Of the others, one of the acts split-up and 2 others never even responded. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Another major pitfall is the entertainment selection to the public. We have a bunch of dance clubs but few places that showcase local live acts on a regular basis. The ones that do, bank too hard on the local scene or too hard on touring indie acts. There doesn't seem to be a club willing or capable to support a major local band and feature them. There also seems an unwillingness by any band to call a place home. All of this is a clear indication of how fractured the local band community really is. There are no bands roughing it out. There seems to be a combative as opposed to any competitive attitude. Clubs can't come up with any good steady formats to develop a following. There are no under-21 options, and there is no one demanding what they want to be entertained with.
The Rock, Pop and Hip-Hop radio stations have opened a little to local acts, but the Rock radio stations continue to play in rotation only a certain limited amount of local music, unfortunately by bands that are no longer together on a full-time basis but they do provide other opportunities. WDVE is leading the way buy giving some a chance to perform live on the air during some pretty prime times and the WXDX has their show on Sunday nights. Also they both sponsor many events throughout the summer.
Local indie labels are signing and recording a lot of young acts but then fall short or do nothing to promote their music or advance careers.
There is certainly nothing wrong with playing in a band in a club every weekend just for the love of it. For some looking for more lucrative means, there is simple advise to give. Bands have to get more aggressive for their fans. You can't just sit and wait. Sometimes you have to exert yourself a little more than creating a web page. Get serious about you business and a business will think about getting serious with you. Send your CD's out. Flood the radio stations. Don't fear rejection. Make people hear you - not stumble upon you. Keep hittin' those clubs but find a home and a following. When you get too big for your hometown then go straight to the bigger cities. Move to one of the music cities if you wish to make any kind of living. The industry is there and people trying to make it are there. Otherwise you are standing still, doing nothing and no one would invest time or money in a business that is doing that!
Fans have to support the bands. Call the stations and make requests. This is your most powerful voice. Make them play it. Go to venues or buy their CD. Every venue or promoter worth a dime has a website - email them and tell them who you'd like to see. But most of all, demand what you want then go out and support it!
Come on Steel City - UNITE!
CD Recalled
Due to a licensing error BPG, Inc. has been forced to recall the John Vento and the Nied's Hotel Band's "The Way That You Roll" CD. TME has stepped in to help resolve the issue. More info and a new release date will be forthcoming.
Updates To The Site Complete
Again, we apologize for the down time this month here at the site. We were upgrading the host serving company when everything went haywire. We have it all under control now thanks to our great guys Bill Domiano and Chris Tant. Chris finds the problem and what he can't fix Bill has an answer for the problem.
Monday, January 7, 2008
FOX Sports Net and the Pittsburgh Penguins
FOX Sports Net will be using our stuff as music bed for some Pittsburgh Penguins highlights. Tony Marinacci's song "Can't Take Another Day" or "All The Answers" for the Pen's Play Of The Month. So when you see those Penguins highlights keep an ear out to.
The State Of Local Entertainment (Part 1 of 2)
We have been fortunate over the last couple of decades to be a top-notch company. We always say we're an entertainment company because at one time or another we have done just about everything in entertainment but we have been primarily known as one of the top providers of backline support to major concerts in the northeastern USA. The company is now becoming one of the more respected studio production outfits around. Having always been able to change to meet the demands of an ever evolving industry, we have been pretty successful at most endeavors at not so much at some others. We had our people tour with major entertainers and bands as well as run venues from arenas to stadiums. One thing will always remain the same though, we live and work from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In fact, if you print our logo on a piece of paper and cut it ... it will bleed black and gold.
We have been a part of the local live entertainment scene for quite awhile, though, more prevalent at times than others. In the late '80's we helped many clubs and bands organize themselves for the onslaught of talent that was coming up. We consulted on the increase in power the hair-bands needed for their bigger sound and lighting systems and how it was just too much for the one plug that was on the stage. Often doing the wiring and hook-ups ourselves. We even managed some of the clubs (RIP - The Decade, Forbes Studio, The Banana, Stage One, Graffiti and Zelda's). We also had a pretty good booking referral system that included over 200 entertainers - from animal acts and bands, to exotic dancers and magicians.
In the '90's we helped the major venues by welcoming Star Lake Amphitheater (now Post-Gazette Pavilion) and saying good-bye to old friends like the Syria Mosque. Now in this decade, along with our growing recording and media services, we see a blend of the other two as new venues are in the planning stages and being built. There is also a presence of new talent that hasn't been seen around here in about 15 years. All this isn't to brag about all that we've done, but it does give evidence that we are experts not only in professional entertainment but also the local scene. So, we have been giving our view of the state of local entertainment for a couple of years now in hopes of improving the place we call home.
This year we're doin it in 2-parts. The first is one we have not really ever publicly commented about but feel it needs to be addressed. First we're gonna talk about the government - or as we like to call it - the grubba mit.
About every 10 years or so the local entertainment industry is hit with a new 10 percent tax. In the '80's it was the "Entertainment Tax", in the '90's it was the "Amusement Tax" and now it's the "Drink Tax". The first 2 had a significant impact on the local entertainment industry. The "Entertainment Tax" is the sole reason why Star Lake Amphitheater was NOT built in Allegheny County of which Pittsburgh is in the center of. The reason it is in Washington County was a direct matter of politics and logistics (and a near disastrous helicopter ride over the Laurel Mountains). It was a 10 percent tax on all major entertainment events but it affected the concerts the most. Not only was the entire event taxed (on grosses averaging $825,000) but then each vendor (Artist, Promoter, Venue, Merchandise and Concession) would also be taxed. It had such an impact that in one year the Civic Arena went from 10 to 20 major concerts a year to only 3 over a 5 year period and 7 over 7 years total, while the amphitheater went to average 30 major concerts a year for 4 years before the tax was reduced to 7 percent and now to 5 percent, which is now on par with other cities. It was also a major blow to the local showcase lounge and venues but not as much to the bars.
As soon as the "Entertainment Tax" was cut the state imposed a 5 percent "Amusement Tax" which now not only included concerts but also movie theaters, amusement parks, fairs, carnivals and bars with poker or video machines, as well as bars that charged covers for bands or pay-per-view events. Other cities dropped one of the tax but our stayed and it affected the concert industry and made the Pittsburgh area a "B-Class" town.. It was the last straw for disposable incomes that now had to choose more carefully how it was entertained. Now the state is imposing a 10 percent "Drink Tax" on all poured drinks AND 6-packs or 40's for take-out per order. For people not from around here - going to the bar to have a shot-n-a-beer is a birth right. This tax will raise over $20 million a year to HELP fund our public transportation system. But the state is making quite a buck from booze. It also runs the Liquor Control Board (LCB) which is a fancy way to say the state owns all the liquor stores. The state only allows cases or kegs of beer to be sold at beer distributors and other alcohol to be sold at only state owned liquor stores. In fact, Pennsylvania wineries have to "sell" their product to the state then "buy it back" to sell at the wineries!?! All this to the tune of the LCB making $500 million (yes-that's half a billion Dr. Evil) in PROFITS in 2006.
Now what happens to that money afterwards if not exactly known but the work "PROFIT" does have a specific meaning. How the city of Pittsburgh must have mass layoffs because of $6 million to balance the budget. People can't get a pot-hole fixed in front of their house and a friend who is a city police officer just got laid off and has 2 kids. Sure we've lost half our population in the last 20 years but we still have the same size government. There is going to be a new casino in downtown Pittsburgh that will gross $250 to $300 million a year and all-said-and-done will be taxed close to 50 percent a year. I hope taxing the entertainment of our citizens is done for awhile. Avoid enjoying those dreams in your sleep at night ... they may be next!?!
John Vento CD Available At The Webstore
We will now have John Vento's CD "Reflections Of An Average Soul" available at our webstore. It was originally released in 2002 and includes four songs that TME publishes; "Hourglass", "Day The Lady Cried", "Grow Up Fast" & "Brother". All the other tracks are equally well written and were produced by Buddy Hall.
New Shipping And Handling Rates
Our shipping handling rates on CD's will be going back to $2.00.
Forums Are Gone
We've removed our forums. Activity was pretty low and was just filling up with porn links ... and they weren't even good porn links!
Pardon The Interruption
Yes - we did this last year to ... You may be experiencing some interruptions to the site in the middle of the month. We will be changing host servers again. In order to provide you with the best experience that we can we ask that you be patient while these changes take effect. Our new server will allow us to post more content as well as some other things we planned on doing in 2007.
| Get The Player | ||||||||||||
If you can not play the links above then download one of these excellent programs
|
||||||||||||
|
|
1998-2008
All rights reserved.
Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
Designed by - TME and Bill Domiano's Web Studio
Current Company News Articles
