This month we finish up a couple of articles and stories from earlier this year. The first one is my report from Zambia. After traveling to Sierra Leone in June, I was asked to go back to Africa and speak to musicians about the US industry. The second is the final ten steps for creating a successful blog. You can view them by clicking the links below or from our main page at: http://www.onlinerock.com

ZAMBIA - I've posted some pictures, information and music from my last trip to Africa. If you are interested in checking it out, please visit: http://www.onlinerock.com/guest/zambia.shtml

20 STEPS FOR A SUCCESFUL BLOG (PART TWO) - Last month Lance Trebesch of TicketPrinting.com gave us the first ten of twenty tips to create a successful Blog. This month we have the remainder. If you spend time in the blogosphere, check out: http://www.onlinerock.com/guest/20steps_part2.shtml

FORUM QUESTION - It's that time of year that we look back to reflect on what has happened in the industry. This year saw a lot of big stories such as the RIAA lawsuits, the launch of the iPhone and Radiohead's pay what-you-want release. This month we ask; what were the biggest musical events of the year? They can either be industry related or personal. We'd love to hear your thoughts. http://www.onlinerock.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000300

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SPEAKERPHONE BY AUDIO EASE - All the walkie-talkies, distant transistor radios, upstairs TV sets, bullhorns, cell phones and guitar cabinets you'll ever need. 270 speaker impulse responses powered by Altiverb, 30 Altiverb rooms, 5 gigabyte of ambiences and sound FX, conveniently presented to you in 500 presets http://audioease.com/Pages/Speakerphone/speakerphone.html
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FREE DOWNLOADS - OnlineRock has always been a destination to download music from the latest up-and-coming bands but now we have partnered with a few labels to expand our offerings. You can download free recent music from established acts as well as bands that are just starting out. If you have a song that you'd like to feature, jus visit: http://www.onlinerock.com/partners/freedownload.shtml

CD REVIEWS - The latest from Cake and Jason Ayres, along with many others are featured this month under our CD Review section. If you have a new release, send it in to OnlineRock for a review consideration. These reviews are perfect for your press kit or web site. To submit your CD or read the latest reviews, just go to: http://www.onlinerock.com/CDreview/

FEATURED ARTIST PROFILE - Leigh Evin McCullough from Chicago is our Featured Artist this month. Armed with an acoustic guitar, an unmistakable voice, and a whole lot of attitude, this self-taught rocker pushes a little more than the envelope. Check out their profile at: http://www.onlinerock.com/profiles/leighevinmccullough_profile.shtml

PROFILE YOUR BAND - Each month OnlineRock profiles a new band or musician. If selected, you will be featured on our front page for one month. You will also be featured in our monthly newsletter. Over 26,000 bands and musicians are currently signed up to promote their music at OnlineRock. With an average of three million hits per month, this is a great opportunity to get some exposure for your music. Submit your music at: http://www.onlinerock.com/profiles/_profile_archive.shtml

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EZDRUMMER - EZdrummer is a low system requirement high end sounding drum samplers for players and producers alike. Together with a variety of EZX expansion packs it is currently the leading drum sampler in the market with kit customization, midi drag and drop capability and compatibility with all the major sequencer formats. Check it out at: http://www.toontrack.com
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GEAR CORNER - The latest version of Apple Logic Express features a redesigned, next-generation, single-window interface that includes built-in browsers, a consolidated Arrange window, simplified track setup, and pre-crafted templates for a variety of music styles and production scenarios. Intuitive writing tools make it easy to utilize any of the 1000's of included Apple Loops or to record your own MIDI samples, notate your creations in real time, and even synch-up with QuickTime movies for more manageable scoring. Check it out at: http://www.onlinerock.com/mf_store/brands/a/Apple/Apple_Logic_Express_8_705813.htm

If you have any comments for OnlineRock, just drop our Webmaster a line at webmaster@onlinerock.com. We're always open to your ideas and suggestions.

Happy Holidays!

Steve Beck
Founder

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OnlineRock - Empowering Musicians

Blogs prove to be a tricky field to conquer, especially when it comes to gaining an initial reader-base. However, once you get that reader base, great potential for increasing your online reputation is created. Lance Trebesch of TicketPrinting.com gives us twenty tips to create a successful Blog. To read the first ten, please visit: http://www.onlinerock.com/guest/20steps.shtml

ONLINEROCK BLOGS - Whether it's the latest news about your band, your thoughts on the music industry or just some quick reviews of the music that you are currently listening to, as long as it is related to music, an OnlineRock Blog makes it easy. We feel this is a great way to get the information you have to a wider group of viewers. To get started on your blog, go to: http://onlinerock.com/cgi-bin/members/blogging.cgi

FORUM QUESTION - I've recently put together a portable recording set-up on my laptop. I did this so I can go over to a friend's and record, go to the cabin or just get some ideas down quickly. It basically can fit into my back pack and, with the use of templates, can be ready to record in minutes. I find myself using this as a songwriting tool that has helped me immensely. I still write with a pen and paper every now and again but the DAW is my main tool. How do you write music these days? We'd love to hear your comments. Just post them at: http://www.onlinerock.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000294

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EZDRUMMER - EZdrummer is a low system requirement high end sounding drumsamplers for players and producers alike. Together with a variety of EZX expansion packs it is currently the leading drumsampler in the market with kit customization, midi drag and drop capability and compatibility with all the major sequencer formats. Check it out at: http://www.toontrack.com
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CD REVIEWS - The Shocking Pinks, Lazy Preacher, and Greg Roth, along with many others are featured this month under our CD Review section. If you have a new release, send it in to OnlineRock for a review consideration. These reviews are perfect for your press kit or web site. To submit your CD or read the latest reviews, just go to: http://www.onlinerock.com/CDreview/

FEATURED ARTIST PROFILE - Built By Snow from Austin, TX is this month's featured artist. This self-admitted group of dorks began in February of 2006 and have been gathering a devoted fan base at many clubs around Austin, the live music capital of the world. Check out their profile at: http://www.onlinerock.com/profiles/builtbysnow_profile.shtml

PROFILE YOUR BAND - We've partnered with Sonicbids to accept profile applications. Sonicbids let you create an electronic press kit (EPK) in as little as 20 minutes and email it to anyone, anywhere. Sonicbids offers exclusive one-click submissions to hundreds of events and daily email alerts about festivals, competitions and other music events that you should know about. Submit your music by going to: http://www.sonicbids.com/onlinerock

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SPEAKERPHONE BY AUDIO EASE - All the walkie-talkies, distant transistor radios, upstairs TV sets, bullhorns, cell phones and guitar cabinets you'll ever need. 270 speaker impulse responses powered by Altiverb, 30 Altiverb rooms, 5 gigabyte of ambiences and sound FX, conveniently presented to you in 500 presets http://audioease.com/Pages/Speakerphone/speakerphone.html
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GEAR CORNER - With the M-Audio Axiom 25 you get an array of MIDI controls in a USB-powered package that won't eat up much desk space. It has velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted key action with assignable aftertouch, 8 rubberized trigger pads for drum programming, 8 endless rotary encoder knobs, 6 transport controls, pitch/mod wheels, and a backlit LCD. Check it out at: http://www.onlinerock.com/mf_store/brands/m/M_Audio/M-Audio_Axiom_25_25-Key_USB_MIDI_Co_706313.htm

If you have any comments for OnlineRock, just drop our Webmaster a line at webmaster@onlinerock.com. We're always open to your ideas and suggestions.

Cheers,
Steve Beck
Founder
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OnlineRock - Empowering Musicians