Okay… it seems that everything in the known world has now been digitized! While this has been a long awaited resource for media, and a seemingly never-ending process, it really is the way that artists should want it in the end, don’t you think?! Since the late 90’s, we have taken analog sources of all our favorites, i.e., music, movies, books and pictures galore… and brought them into a much easier format of use, storage and lasting memories. You don’t have to worry about albums warping in the trunk of a car, tapes getting unwound and pulled apart by the kids, and now we don’t even have to worry about a cracked or crushed jewel case. All we need is our iPod or iPhone, and a computer to sync it to.  The digital age has been a Godsend for the artist. Even since 2004 and my last recording project, I had no idea how much it has changed. In the last 3 weeks I have placed my new CD “By My Side” all over the place digitally in cyberspace. Where once you needed a record label to place a music release on a store shelf… now barely anyone goes into a store to purchase their music, unless you’re at the mall!  iTunes, Amazon, Zune, Rhapsody, and other sources have become the way to “get” your media. The great part is, the artist of any genre can also occupy a vendor space in their store. All you need is a product to promote…and time! Time is the key word I might add. In the past 3 weeks “By My Side” began on my host site http://www.ReverbNation.com , and from there I purchased a digital media distribution package which connected me with accounts on some 15-20 different media sources online, including iTunes and AmazonMp3, etc. From there, certain websites then send your info to other websites without as much as you even clicking your mouse. Before 3 days go by I have invites from 3 or 4 more digital sources asking me to upload my music onto their databases. Then the Internet Radio Stations get involved. After spending more time and sending more uploads, “By My Side” has made it onto 2-3 various streaming radio station online. Now I am in the process of submitting my material to PandoraRadio, and my account should be active soon. There are now multiple ways to be “heard”… you just have to be diligent, creative and persistent with your time and the promotion of the music.

Lastly, I submitted 31 songs last week to CCLI.com, and I now have an artist profile being created in the Christian Copyright Licensing database in Portland, OR. This is where they keep track of all the copies of worship music used by churches throughout most of the known world. My catalog of music consists of all original work from “By My Side”, as well as past releases in the last 10 years or so. This catalog that will appear is not functional quite yet, but in about 2 months it will be active. Should a Worship Leader desire to use a song for their worship service, they can simply click it and it will take them to my download page on my website. As copies are counted at CCLI, this will determine it’s usage, and creates a steady record for where and how my music is being used in the church.

Until next time, I hope you are enjoying the CD if you have purchased or downloaded one. If you haven’t yet, please click the CD on my website at order your copy now!

-Dan