C.G.’s Tips of the Week – Advice From The Certified Genius

How’s everyone doing? Good I hope. Happy new year everyone, here’s some new advice for the new year from your favorite producer.

Tips for life: Be thankful. The only thing guaranteed to us in life is death so I’ve come to realize that a lot of things that we take for granted like food, shelter, health and clothing really are blessings. If you look at any third world countries there are people starving to death and dying of malnutrition. Be grateful for what you do have and try not to focus on what you do not have.

Tips for producing/beat making: Diversify. Try new things musically. Don’t be afraid to go out of your element and make a pop or hip-hop beat. Even try some R&B or cross genre tracks. I used to strictly do more rugged and grimey east coast hip-hop. Over the past two years though I really worked on creating my own style and just doing my own thing musically and I have been getting a lot of great feedback. For an example, check out my new remix/cover song to G-Unit’s “Stunt 101″ here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFF1CsN4ZQU or here C.G. Productionz \”Stunt 101\” Remix/Cover Song (same link)

Tips for song writers/artists: Promote. However you want to do it is up to you but you need to promote yourself. Whether you want to use Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, etc. is your choice but you need to get your music out there. People need to know and hear what you’re doing. In most cases a label doesn’t sign artists that don’t already have somewhat of a fan base (not in all cases but generally speaking). Even if you don’t want to end up with a major label you still need to promote because independent artists need a fan base to. Once you have the music or the movement that catches people’s attention you’re halfway there; now you just need to keep their attention.

Tips for finance: Buy assets, not liabilities. Keep this in mind especially when you start making excess money or get a raise or nice bonus. Even if you’re an artist, producer or song writer. Don’t blow your big check on a brand new Benz or big mansion (liabilities: items that depreciate in value and don’t make you any money). Instead, buy some real estate or talk to a stock broker and invest in some stock (assets: items that can make you money, if done correctly). Before investing in anything or buying any real estate it’s very important to educate yourself and make sure you’re working reliable and professional people on your investments. There’s no sense in blowing a few thousand dollars on new designer clothing and then struggling when the money dries up. The truth is, you never know when you might be out of a job or when your music won’t be the center of attention anymore. For these reasons, I believe it’s very important to purchase assets rather than liabilities. Suggested reading: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel.

I hope this advice helps to bring in the new year on a positive note for everyone and I wish everyone much love and success for 2011. Ending on that note, I’ll talk to you guys in another two weeks. Don’t forget to leave some comments and feedback too!

Thanks,

Posted by Christopher “C.G.” Gallucci of C.G. Productionz

P.S. My second mixtape Payback: Certified Genius Volume 2 will be released on Monday, February 28th. Stay tuned for that, especially if you like the remix that I posted!

Today, I wanted to share a post with you from a blog I’ve been checking in on lately. The blog is Slowcoustic and they recently did a post which points to another post from a blog called ClickTicket. These posts list what they feel are the Top Twenty Music Review Blogs.

I figured some of you might be looking for a little more in music review department, because, as I’ve admitted in my latest podcast, I am not the most frequent blogger on the planet. (note: the fact that 500+ of you stick around points to the fact that I am possibly the luckiest music blogger on that same planet). Read the rest of this entry

Guest post: Treadmarkz is my brother-in-law, a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and the author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com.

Some Country music purists would probably say that anything that warrants the name “Alternative Country” is not really Country. But ultimately it is the domain of the fan to judge what an artist is or is not, to them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Jennifer Dixon.

A little country sensibility with a style that hovers along the cusp of blues, pop, jazz owing to a stint on Memphis’ legendary Beale Street, and nearly a decade in Nashville, her new CD, “2 Years” is the fruit of experience. She did not come out of nowhere.

Which makes it all the more uncanny that she has been labeled “un-Nashville.” Read the rest of this entry

Image via Wikipedia

If you are an artist or band looking for a place to send your music demo and/or get your music into TV, movies, ads or games, I have a few suggestions for you. Check it.

Music Licensing

Music Licencing 101 – If you are looking into getting your music on TV shows, movies, advertising and/or video games, check this program out.  I am taking Aaron’s – the teacher at Music Licensing 101 – 90 Day Challenge now and I have already had my tunes accepted into a few publishing library’s so I can tell you that he knows what he is talking about.

You can sign up to get his free ebook here (affiliate link) to get a solid  introduction to getting your music in placed.

Also, you do a Google search for “music industry directory”.

All-in-One

Indie Bible -For a measly $34.95, this 330 page music marketing Swiss Army Knife will show you how to get access to 4000 music publications willing to do reviews, 3200 radio stations willing to play your songs along with 1200 other resources looking to help you get the word out. They also have a long list of labels out there that might be looking for what you have to offer.

I know this works because the Musicgoat is listed in here and I get bombarded with tons of mail – e and snail – filled with CD’s, mp3′s, press releases, review requests, etc.  Go get a copy now (affiliate link).

Between those to resources you should be well on your way to getting your music out there. And if I missed any, let me know in the comments below. Good luck!

WAIT! You don’t want to miss the next review, podcast, music promotion tip or whatever else music related we decide to put out here. Subscribe to the Goat now for the all time low price of free and you will get all the kick ass content from the Goat fast and easy. Just subscribe to Musicgoat.com newsletter by email now and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it .

Guest post: Treadmarkz is a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com

Buddy Holly wrote his own songs. Chuck Berry wrote his own songs. Little Richard wrote his own songs. Paul McCartney and John Lennon, being devoted followers of all three, began writing their own songs early, and often. McCartney wrote rough versions of “I’ll Follow the Sun” and “When I’m Sixty-Four” in about 1957. And many of the originals from the Beatles first album were written by John and Paul around that same time. They knew that it set them apart from the other up-and-coming bands.

But rock n’ roll had changed drastically by 1960. Holly was dead, Berry was in jail, Little Richard had become a preacher, and Read the rest of this entry

I just wanted to pass this on since I imagine most of you have huge library’s of MP3′s, like myself. Here is a post on a site called Killer Tech Tips about organizing your MP3 collection.

Check it out. Let me know if you use any of this stuff already.

Thanks for the introduction CK. I’m glad to post for you, it’s an honor. Ok, my first entry into the Goat, so here we go. I feel no pressure. (Yea, right.)

Now that yet another of my favorite bands has decided to “pursue individual interests,” I’m left again to wonder what the future holds for myself musically. I look to Serj Tankian (lead vocalist, System of A Down) to heighten my interest immediately.

Serj is unloading the bands’ first solo project on October 23rd, oddly titled, “Elect The Dead.” He has been pushing his project almost overwhelmingly on Myspace.com.

Although only two singles have been released, it’s obvious that this album will not sound much like System at all. Serj amuses with Read the rest of this entry

First, I want to thank Jersey Todd for giving me some publicity. What a guy!

Next, if you are here because of Jersey Todd, welcome. I figured I would give you a quick tour.

First thing you are going to want to do is check out check out is the About page. There is a method to my madness and you should know up front.

Second, check out some of the reviews I’ve done for some very deserving artists. I have a ton of people sending me stuff to review all the time and every chance I get I share it with you.

Third, I do like to talk stupid and share humorous music related stuff every now and then. There are a few examples for you in the humor category.

Once you have checked it all out go ahead and subscribe. If you made it that far you are going to want to hang around for much more of the same.

Anyway, thanks again for stopping’ by. I know she’s not much to look at right now but a new Musicgoat them is in works as we speak (can’t wait). See you soon.

Note to all of my dedicated readers (and listeners), make sure you swing over and check out The Jersey Toddshow. He’s a lawyer who really likes Indie music and sharing his opinions. Good stuff!

Thanks again JT!

This stuff comes right out the “I wish they had this stuff when I was a kid” category. Check out these sites and develop, or start learning, your guitar chops.

Pick your medium. I’ve only found three but I just bet there are quite a bit more

Via video – GuitarTricks.com

Via email – GuitarTips.com.au

Via blog – GuitarMX.com

Like I said, I just bet there are a ton more out there. Come on…share the love brothas and sistas! Show us what you got in the comments below.

Hey! Do you want a really short blog post telling you where you can go kill some time and maybe even write a hit single?

I thought so.

Go now and check out the website Chordstudio. You can choose your very own chords and then pick the instruments to play them.

No musical talent required and you might even learn something. What could possibly be more entertaining than that?