Journal
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May 1st, 2008 @ 6:50PM
Well, here is my latest journal. I have written only a half dozen or so "articles" or blogs or journals on line since I got my first website 12 years ago, or since I got "on-line in 1985 with BBS's or 1988 with AOL or prodigy boards, or the "pho" listserv of music industry digerati. I decided to stop after Michael Robertson got read back all his on line pho postings at his deposition in UMG vs. Mp3.com. I sat next to Robertson in court and he was shaking like a leaf. That was before he sold the company to UMG for 375 million. A company that never made any money. UMG screwed it up and sold it for 5 or 8 million or something.
I think that writing lots of personal stuff on the internet is stupid. I see people writing about their jobs, their marriages, their business plans, their politics, for all the world to see, like it was a letter home from camp. A text searchable digital letter home from camp, publicized to the world. I don't get it. I know that the Paris Hilton generation has gotten into internet coitus cell phone movies as a method of meeting people, but I think I value my privacy. And my privates.
BLOGS. WIKI's. WIDGETS. These are moronic marketing words. They piss me off. I was an English major. And a philosophy minor. I can think straight in English. I don't no marketing wizards.
Did you know that Dmusic was the first music social network? I kicked out all the fans. I'd rather be mp3.com improved for collaboration than Myspace. Still do. Oh well. I am not one to chase crowds. I actually got into the internet music thing when Robertson sold Mp3.com. I saw an independent music industry emerge and thought it should be encouraged and preserved, rather than sold to music industry cretins who would kill it. I am not motivated by money, although I have an expensive lifestyle in some respects. Old cars and guitars, mostly. I don't take vacations or go out at night. I am an alpha male on beta blockers, and I own three or four changes of clothes. That doesn't count the college clothes that I still think I should fit into.
I admire Michael Robertson. He admittedly knew nothing about music. He just saw people searching for MP3's. So he bought mp3.com from Marvin Pollock III for $1,000, put up some news and away he went. We was a computer guy. I think he grew up in a trailer park. My father was a doctor. I am a musician and a lawyer (or vice versa, depending on the year). Its interesting to me that mp3tunes, Robertson's latest venture, hasn't much more traffic than Dmusic. See what money does to you?
Robertson is a great on-line writer. He makes me sound like e.e. cummings. I am trying to imagine a context in which this post would be read back at me in a lawsuit. "Mr Feldman, tell us about these old cars and guitars". BTW, If you want to see me play a guitar, search "1964 SG" on youtube. Buh Bye!
ps: Admit it. Isn't it nice to read things where the writer uses PARAGRAPHS! Where the hell is the spell checker? Where's my emoticon?
User Comments
Distilled1
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Date: May 2, 2008 @ 2:00 PM
although I have been one to post lots of crap on the net (bad music included!), I couldn't agree more with your statement of how freely personal information is given away.
And I included do it, and I am not a Paris Hilton Generation, infact most of friends my age do not use the computer, unless they have to for work. the real funny thing is to check there pages out that they try to make.
I guess I fell in and became addicted, and it all started with prodigy! then MP3.com, that was for the bands music. I came to DMusic because it was and in my opinion still the best "musicians" social networking site!
I'm no English major, hell I flunked English all through High school, but it sure is nice to read in paragraphs, but you could add a few of these too! ...
Thank god for Firefox's instant spell checker
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leflaw
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Date: May 2, 2008 @ 2:57 PM
best "musicians" social networking site!
I like that!!!!!!
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ShadowMom
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Date: May 2, 2008 @ 3:47 PM
I have essentially done everything you say you don't do. Repeatedly. And it makes me wonder what I'm doing here, too! Am I fired? 
But I am capable of writing in paragraphs, and I can do it without an emoticon in sight. So if I do write in full and complete sentences and perfect paragraphs, can I keep my job or do I have to go to that other place?
I don't call myself a musician, but I have a basic understanding of music, and a real love for it. Still, if you want me to shut up, you can just ask. You don't have to write it in your journal where absolutely everybody can see it.
P.S. Yes, it is. And I am spell checker.
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leflaw
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Date: May 3, 2008 @ 12:24 PM
Hey, to each his own!
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ShadowMom
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Date: May 3, 2008 @ 4:07 PM
To be honest, I've learned that you're right. Most direct questions about my private life just don't get answered.
But, to the point, I've been thinking about that idea all day-- the best musicians' social networking site-- and if we get that live jam thing working, that would be a great way to advertise the site. I can imagine artists joining to jam with other artists instead of simply getting the most listens every day. We already have quite a few who collaborate and it works out great for all the parties involved.
I can't help it... 
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leflaw
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Date: May 3, 2008 @ 5:55 PM
for the musician in all of us
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leflaw
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Date: May 3, 2008 @ 5:56 PM
who the hell doesn't sing in the shower?
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ShadowMom
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Date: May 3, 2008 @ 6:01 PM
I can hear me if I do that.
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Distilled1
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Date: May 4, 2008 @ 7:35 AM
for the musician in all of us
thats a great marketing line, are you sure your not a marketing guy too?
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leflaw
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Date: May 4, 2008 @ 10:18 AM
Hmmm... I'm starting to like that!
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ShadowMom
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Date: May 4, 2008 @ 2:12 PM
DMusic: Who the hell doesn't sing in the shower?
"For the musician in all of us" -- that's really a very good line, though, because it can be a bit daunting for musicians who are just learning. It sort of says, come one come all.
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leflaw
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Date: May 4, 2008 @ 4:28 PM
and who doesn't sing in the shower?
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ShadowMom
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Date: May 5, 2008 @ 7:17 AM
Well.... the nice officer told me last time that if he had any more complaints from the neighbors, I'd get to meet a nice judge. I decided to abstain for the time being. It keeps peace in the neighborhood.
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joycedavis
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Date: June 13, 2008 @ 10:41 AM
i damaged my vocal chords so that i can't sing more than a few words at a time, and can't even tune a guitar anymore without getting painful muscle spasms - but i do write lyrics and i do humm and whistle - does that make me a musician or just social? : ---jd
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