Website Links and Other Information

Local bands, musicians, and artists

Ron Hull and the Island Jazz Players Ron is now back from Phoenix and is living in Manitowoc.
Folklib.net All things related to Wisconsin music and musicians. This is a interesting undertaking to document regional music, info will become the source for a coming book "FolkLib Index: Wisconsin Discography".
The Kevin Wells Project Contemporary jazz, Kevin works opposite our band at the Seasons, a great player and a great band.
Jack Grassel, A Jazz guitarist in Milwaukee I recommend you hear.
Rick House Band, A hot rock band (and friends of mine in the Cincinnati/Middletown area. They let me jam with them on my last trip back to Cincy.
Nate Lopez, Nate plays a unique eight string guitar and has a distinctive solo style. He was nice enough to let me jam with him while I was in the Nappa Valley in 2006 to celebrate my wife's birthday.

Local Interest

The Seasons Restaurant an American Bistro, premiere dining since 1997. Vision - offer not only the best in food but also a premier atmosphere in which to enjoy it.
The Scene Online Northeast Wisconsin's only alternative paper, The Scene.
Octoberfest A festival in Appleton, September 26th and 27th, 2003
Appleton Rules! All about Appleton, all the shortcuts you need
Lawrence University Conservatory of Music - Jazz and Improvisational Music
Lawrence University Karen Leigh-Post, Assistant Professor of Music
Regional Arts and Entertainment Local Music links
Appleton Art Center Information about local art events and artists
Fox Cities Online listing more than 2,000 Fox Cities websites

Web Development

Jason Samsa Information Technology Solutions - authored my web page
Leibold Associates, Inc Graphic Design and more

About Jazz, jazz guitar, and where to buy CDs

PG Music Band-in-a-Box, Jazz Guitarist, and Powertracks programs
Jazz Songlist for Band-in-a-box 4,000 songs or so
Rayzoon Jamstix Virtual Drummer, using sampled drum sounds and brushpak for jazz
Classic Jazz Guitar Includes a feature on Cal Collins from Cincinnati
Howard Roberts Jazz guitarist - a tribute site with historical information
Charlie Christian Legend of the jazz guitar
Hank Garland Jazz guitarist - History on Hank and CDs for sale
Vision Music A must see for all jazz guitarists, extensive links
Jimmy Bruno An extraordinary jazz guitarist
Just Jazz Guitar A great magazine
Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Inc One stop for music instruction
The Music Resource One stop for Jazz CDs - lowest cost, best selection

Reference Information/music history, legal issues

A Passion for Jazz! music commentary, history and education.
Kohn Music A primer on the law of webcasting and digital music delivery
Songfile Online music licensing for mechanical rights, etc
Boycott-riaa Controversy regarding the Recording Industry Association of America
Creative Commons devoted to expanding the range of creative work available for others to build upon and share.
Public Domain Music Music and lyrics written by an American author and published in 1922 or earlier are in the Public Domain in the United States

Regarding copyright law - I believe I now understand copyright law regarding distributing mp3s. Current law considers every download as the equivalent of a CD, requiring one to pay for mechanical rights for any previously copyrighted song - for each song download! Note that song copyrights are usually owned by a music publisher and not the artist who wrote the song. I'm not even metering the downloads, I could get into lots of trouble.

Mechanical rights cost 8 cents per 5 minute song, but there is a 500 song minimum fee. Meaning - $42 ($2 handling fee added) per song for the right to press 500 CDs, or for 500 downloads. For ten songs on a CD, mechanical rights will cost $420, for twenty songs the cost is $840. The only way out of this obligation is to download no more than 30 seconds of the song mp3, like CDNow does. I hate that. And the legal issues are not over. ASCAP and BMI are making a case there should also be a performance fee paid on MP3s, like a radio station pays. They want another cut of 8 cents a song as well. SO...

I'm now doing research into songs in the public domain that require no fees. Mostly, songs written before 1922. Also, there are other licensing approaches to copyrighting songs. Shortcuts are included above. Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning!