~ RUSSELL'S BLOG ~
{ March 23, 2024 }
"Just Talkin Music Podcast has been since last summer www.blogtalkradio.com/justtalkinmusic and I love this format to now talk off the cuff with any subject in the music industry. There have been great discussions so far with usually a couple of episodes each month. We have the occasional guest and play a song in the middle of each show. Check us out live or listen to past episodes. Hope all is well and keep on rockin!"
{ December 28, 2023 }
"As we approach 2024, Happy New Year and maybe as a New Years resolution set your mind to do whatever you want, reach for the stars. I can recall back in 2011, I was in a band with some work colleagues having fun, but at some point my desire was to record in an official studio, they did not share my desire, satisfied only playing cover songs material. At this point I was writing my own original lyrics. I forged my own path, finding my own voice and passion combined with talented musicians to release my own solo album Original Lyrics Dream in 2013. The message here "Be true to yourself, if there is a thought pursue it, don't let the negativity of others weigh you down, like two 25 lb dumbells on your shoulders. Happy 2024"
{ November 17, 2023 }
"Hi there, it's been a while happy holidays as we approach Thanksgiving & Christmas for your families, please enjoy this precious time. I have a new podcast with my friend Bill Miller "Just Talkin Music" off the cuff conversation about all topics in the music industry. The icon is on my home page, just click and listen. Two new songs coming up in 2024, going to start production on the first single in February 2024 so stay tuned. All the best, Russell"
{ March 5, 2023 }
Original Lyrics Dream Radio, sad to say is coming to an end, final episode on March 9th at 8:30pm. It has been a blessing to me, back in May 2019 the idea of bringing on artists to discuss their inspiration behind the lyrics and music was always a dream of mine. We had incredible guests take their time to give advice and pay it forward to the new singer songwriter musician. I hope we were successful to provide quality entertainment, music and conversation. Thank you Bill Miller for joining me on this journey, we developed a lasting friendship. You will continue to see me and my music throughout social media, all of my episodes will be stored on my website www.russellfoisymusic.com. As I closed the show every week, "remember everyone try no matter what you're told". Thank you Russell Foisy
{ October 17, 2022 }
"My new single "Dream" has been out since September 6th on all of the streaming platforms and doing very well. Very interesting story on how this track was arranged, I was hearing indie pop with a kick drum as the instrumental and I had worked out the melody and lyrics. I found a brilliant Italian soundtrack composer Glock-9ne in Instagram. We spoke got some music business out of the way and six edits later working my voice recorder, Instagram and gmail, he was complete on his side, I could take his file and go into the studio to record my vocals. Amazing process to collaborate with an artist overseas. We speak on Instagram every week promoting this great track. You can set your mind to do anything you want!"
{ June 20, 2022 }
"EXCITED to be releasing new music 'Causeway Bridge EP" for the first time since my second release in 2016. I wait at least two years before any new music, add a couple of personal issues and covid in 2020 and almost six years will go by like that. Five track EP being released on June 30th and now switching to an EP format to get the music out sooner. EP stands for extended play, longer than a single and shorter than an album.
Nice mix of rock and acoustic tracks with subject matter and lyrics with meaning, I hope you appreciate. I love everyone involved in the studio process Kory, Steven, Mike, Colleen and Johnathan, thank you for making my dreams always come true. Thank You Russell"
{ January 22, 2022 }
"Happy New Year everyone, where has the time gone? May all your new year resolutions come true. I just came back from an emotional day celebrating the life of my friend Western Guitar Bob Cummings who passed at the age of 77 on November 4th 2021. We performed all the classics Bob loved so much and I know he was watching today. It was cold Florida residents feel 50 degree tempatures like it is 20 degrees, did not matter, as the people who loved Bob were present at Eagle Lake Park singing his praises. Thank you Candy for putting this together and remember your dad is always with you"
{ August 1, 2021 }
"After four and half years, I return to record new lyrics and new music at Clear Track Studios in Clearwater Florida on August 3rd. My previous recording was in 2016 and I usually wait at least two years to record again, the additional time personal issues and COVID-19 fears. I have missed this so much. A huge thank you to Kham Loraamm for the seven years of recording collaboration and wish him well in Seattle. Kory Manchester is a singer songwriter musician I have known since 2016 and have performed with him on many occasions and I thank Kory in advance for our future collaborations in studio and live gigs. This project will be a five track EP each track different from the rest and the projected release date is early 2022. Hopefully I will produce 17 new tracks over the next three years. Be well and continue to write new original lyrics"
{ March 28, 2021 }
"My goal for this blog section is always to keep you informed on the music industry. Fact: In 2020 all the steaming platforms combined made 10 billion in revenue, interesting where is the songwriters cut? The Music Modernization Act is passed legislation to protect the songwriter and their copyright from being compromised. Please go online and read up on the background of this important law.
The MLC or Mechanical Licensing Collective in Nashville recently enforced and has collected 434 million from all the streaming platforms combined Spotify, Pandora, Apple, Amazon and many more. It appears they are not paying their fair share to the artist and a great example, on 294 streams of my track "Angel" I was paid a whopping 0.82 cents, when do I break $1.00 on 1000 streams? lol... Please go online again to themlc.com and become a free member. They work hard and support the artist.
Keep on writing great songs! Peace Russell "
{ November 27, 2020 }
"Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I just listened to an interview with Paul McCartney and he was talking about the early Beatles songs in which he and John signed away all rights to their music publishing early on. Three buyers later, Michael Jackson of all people actually bought the entire Beatles catalog in the 80's, incredible. It is tempting as a young artist when there is no money coming in, to sell your publishing song writing rights. This is royalty revenue that can be yours for a long time. Hold on to your publishing rights for the great lyrics of the songs you worked so hard to create. Please stay safe....."
{ April 18, 2020 }
"The definition of the word hero are the doctors, nurses and medical personnel that sacrifice and care for the sick during covid19. We are in uncharted territory as artists, as we hope music gathering, festivals and concerts will return soon. We can do so much in social media to spread the love of music to each other. Here is my contribution song for covid19. All the best Russell"
{ November 26, 2019 }
"Happy Holidays everyone from Russell. The music connections I have made in the last eight years on a local and global level have been so special all because I walked into Clear Track Studios in December 2012 to tour and inquire about recording my own songs. Once in your lifetime you have to record one song, this is an experience like no other and do not listen to the A.N.T.S. Just do your thing! I wish you and your family a safe holiday season"
{ July 17, 2019 }
"Sorry for the length of time between posts, as a singer songwriter out there, do you constantly have a melody in your head? To link with lyrics for your new original song. This is a constant process for me and can inspire at anytime. Think of the genre and the instruments, it's so much fun and not work all. Keep on creating new material and bank it for future use". Please check out my new show Original Lyrics Dream Radio every Thursday night 7pm EST"
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/originallyricsdreamradio
{ February 11, 2019 }
"Hi everyone, Russell here, great news for the Songwriters with copyright and streaming royalties being increased. We deserve this and we work hard to create our art. Please read this article and always create lyrics and song as an original artist. "
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2019/02/06/u-s-copyright-royalty-board-crb-war/
{ October 13, 2018 }
New Bill Passed
"Hi, all artists out there, the House, Senate passed the new Music Modernization Act, which closes loopholes for streaming services to pay what is due. We all feel music creators should be able to make a living, just like any other industry. We accept the revolution of music, streaming and singles have replaced the CD. I do not feel you tube should play your music for free, that is another conversation. Have a great day."
{ April 29, 2018 }
Gigs
"Let me say I have great respect for any artist or band that plays live on stage and most of the sets performing are all covers and four hours long with a couple of 15 minute breaks. We pick and choose gigs that will highlight our original material with some covers. Four hour gigs are tough on the voice night after night. At this stage in my life, music is not about money, although it would be nice, it's about enjoying your craft."
{ March 24, 2018 }
Florida Baby.
Florida Baby.....
Posted by Russell Foisy on Saturday, March 17, 2018
"When words are hard to find, Music Speaks. A good friend gave a picture to hang with this text, how true. How important to be around other artists you are on the same page and sessions come easy. Meaning linking lyrics, melody and chords to complete a song. Life is too short reduce the tense. When you consider how much you love music, should words be easy to find? Peace."
{ July 8, 2017 }
A Word from Russell
"Hi everyone, I hope you like my website, the design and the tracks on my home page. Please visit me on fb, twitter, you tube, instagram and Reverbnation. All artists out there, you should be on social media to highlight your talent and songs. See you here soon! Best, Russell"
{ May 13, 2017 }
Music is Ageless
"Please remember music is ageless, I heard someone say to me one time "I am past my prime" No way, there are singers, songwriters and musicians in their age 80's and 90's jammin today as we speak. BB King and Chuck Berry alive were performing in their 80's. I wrote a song called Stomp the A.N.T.S. primarily about people telling you can't do this or you can't do that. YOU CAN, it is better to try and fail than to not try at all. Remember,a song is a lyrical story and you have many stories to write, sing and perform. Have a great day "
{ March 27, 2017 }
Open Mic
"What is this you may ask? This is a great platform to sing or play your instrument in front of people. I just started co hosting an open mic in a venue called Organic Life Coffeehouse and there are so many great open mics. My friend Harvey Myers, check him out on Reverbnation, hosts the most successful one I know at Nauti Nancy's Restaurant in Clearwater Florida. Sometimes gigs are hard to come by and in open mic, you just sign up and play a couple of songs. This will build confidence with your performance and it is a lot of fun, you will meet new people and possible some new fans as well. Good Luck!"
{ January 26, 2017 }
"First blog of the New Year, Happy 2017 everyone. I hear often from artists, "I do not want to pay for someone to play my music" Let me explain this process. Advertising is essential for any business, think of this as paying to advertise your brand. Reverberation is a great example of an incredible online platform that allows you to promote your music at a very economical cost. You can also send your press kits with songs, videos, social media stats and press for gigs and many decision makers in the music industry.
Back in the day, record labels paid DJ's to play their artists music. I like the phrase return on investment and I am also an entrepreneur, if you have a passion for your craft, you go for it and dream one day, your songs receive major mainstream FM airplay or ends up in a movie or TV. You have to spend money to advertise and build your music brand. If you ever get a chance watch the TV show Shark Tank, here the entrepreneur pours their heart out seeking an investment from the sharks, the key here is all of them have spent their own money to build their invention, their dream and product to sell. The same applies here with your music. Get your music out there and everywhere, pay to advertise your music brand. Remember No Risk, No Reward."
{ December 29, 2016 }
"As you play live shows and gigs, you have a long set list of original and cover material. In our set list we practice a 90+ song list to try to get the timing and the performance the right way. The memory of cover song lyrics is always a challange, the use of the lyric stand well position so you are not staring directly at it, is ok. I could use a ipad or small tablet, but I am nearsighted, meaning small text at a distance is difficult to read. For example, the orchestra players use sheet music stands to play their compositions. The piece of equipment is common place.
I position my stand at an angle to my left side, just in case I have to quickly glance or get stuck. Your head and eyes should always be directed at your audience in the performance. I would study daily all the lyric words of your songs in repitition,with the final goal of full and complete."
{ December 27, 2016 }
"Where are the revenue streams in music today? They are still present, gone are the large volume numbers of cd sales. The CD can be sold at your gigs and online, but the massive sales numbers are gone. You can use your cd as a calling card and investment with all of your tracks. This has to be professionaly recorded and mixed. Here is where the music revenue is:
1, Digital downloads on itunes, apple, amazon, google play for 0.99 each.
2. FM and web based radio airplay royalties
3. Songwriting publishing royalties
4. License your music through radio and tv and all forms of media
5. Playing gigs,selling cd's and merch
6. Become a producer of other artists (I am a producer of two other artists)
Keep in mind 100% cover bands do not qualify for 1-4 and 6, as they are not original lyrical artists. Please remember work hard to advertise your music through all forms of social media, as you would any start up business. If your music is out to the world for people to hear, you never know. No risk, no reward."
{ December 18, 2016 }
"You are a singer,songwriter and do not play a musical instrument. Your voice is an instrument, as you control key, tone and pitch, the same as an individial uses their fingers on guitar chords. Take care of the voice and there is one combination with coconut oil, pure lemon juice and honey, microwave for 1 minute. This will coat,soothe and clean your vocal chords. I have spent so much time writing, recording and vocal practice, there is no time remaining to pick up a guitar and play. I will at some point, with the help of my friend Kham, learn the fine art of the acoustic guitar. Be very proud of only being a singer,songwriter, if this is your choice"
{ December 10, 2016 }
"Being in a traditional four or five piece band can be a great experience or not. You are one fourth or one fifth say, so your creativity could be voted no by other members. Historically look at all the groups that had issues with egos, opinions and creativity differences, it is a shame. Do you remember Steely Dan, famous for Peg,Aja, Deacon Blues,Reelin in the Years, Rikki Don't Lose that Number and many more hits, well their core group were two people Donald Fagan and Walter Becker. When they recorded in studio, they brought in great musicians and live in concert they brought on stage great musicians to perform, but the core group "Steely Dan" were only two members.
Russell Foisy and Kham Loraamm follow the same model, Kham provides awesome guitar, bass and violin for all of my works and as we record under our separate names with our own original title and song lyrics in studio we utilize and we surround ourselves with great musicians such Josh Gould, Spencer Bradham, Colleen Bradham, Leon Morley, Harvey Myers, Gary Michal Sintes, Desiree and Joshua Sherman, Jamie Antanano and many more, but our core group remains as two.
When we perform live we call ourselves Artists One Show https://www.facebook.com/artistsoneshow/ here we combine Russell's original songs, Kham's original songs, classic covers and current alternative covers, keeping it fresh and versatile through the set list. Kham & I bounce ideas off each other and always on the same page and allowed each to be creative without the no vote. In the future we may record a cd under our Artists One Show performance name with both of our works on the same cd. Be free to be creative and follow through on your thoughts, this is freedom of expression in the arts."
{ December 9, 2016 }
"Songwriting is a wonderful process as an original artist, the title, verse, chorus and or bridge lyrics should tell the complete story. I take great pride in the listener fully undertsanding what the song is about. You start with a blank pad or a blank word document, oh no, what do I do? Take the pressure off right away, I have not completed a song ever in one set time frame. You may want to put the headphones on and listen to some cool music, as you write. I like emotion, life experience and current events as subjects. There is plenty to write about here in these three categories.
I always start with the chorus, then each verse and if you are stuck without thought, save what you have and revisit at a later time. No pressure. You cannot be productive when you are struggling for words. There is no better feeling when your entire song is complete, an ahhhh moment."
{ December 7, 2016 }
Welcome to Russell's Blog, here I will discuss the music industry and as an artist myself, where we are today. Stay tuned and check in for new blog entries. Here is my first one:
"As an original singer songwriter, the first step is to professionally record your songs and the only place to record is Clear Track Studios in Clearwater Florida http://www.cleartrackstudios.com/ even if you have to fly in, this experience will make a lasting impression. People that are 100% vested in your creativity and craft. In 2012, I walked into Clear Track and inquired about my first project to record my own cd with original songs. Please be sure to get in plenty of practice before booking your studio session, as time is valuable for you and your engineer. There is only one, I will work with and this is Spencer Bradham, please ask for Spence. Here you layer the track, first with a click track, guitar, bass, sound effects, vocals, drums in this order. Your sessions are usually five hours and it will be very difficult to complete one song in this time frame. After each session, you will receive a bounce down cd, so you can listen and make potential edits".