Paying the Piper
I realized yesterday that a piece of software I already had would make CD labels, and so have just started exploring the possibilities. Neither the image or the words or layout on this sample are likely to last til the finished product, but it's a start.
I think there is no doubt the images, as they fade in and out, have a much stronger impact with a musical layer in the background. Several of you said how much you liked the music on the sample file posted the other day. The problem is, it's illegal to sell a product with these tunes.
The selection comes from one of two CD's we have by William Coulter. The chances of being able to first negotiate the use of this music AND be able to afford it for this uncertain, small-scale project are slim to none. I hate that. This sound fits so perfectly and is among my favorite music in our small collection.
So I'm not sure how to proceed. Am I stuck with scratchy reproductions of nameless Central American flute performances that have lapsed into public domain? or free-to-use ambient-metal-fusion synthesizer loops? or a soundtrack of me humming the Ken Burns theme from the Civil war series? I looked yesterday for "royalty-free music" and "public domain music" and found the large haystack but wouldn't swear there's a needle in there anywhere.
I could offer a disk with just images, but that prospect sorta takes the wind out of my sails. If any of you have experience, expertise or wildly delusional opinions on this issue, I'd be interested in hearing.
Comments
I enjoyed this so much. Yes, you're right the music which even a far-away soul like me associates with your part of the world adds a lot. You have to find a way to do it. Do you know anyone local who plays this kind of thing and would welcome the exposure? or know anyone who does? or might?
Posted by: JeanG | March 29, 2005 6:13 AM
Surely there must be a local-based band or solo acoustic performer who would be willing to collaborate with you on this, your CD (and the accompanying credits/byline) being a way for them to reach a larger audience. Not only would this provide you with an affordable soundtrack, it would encourage other local artists *and* add another layer of "local" flavor.
(I think this falls into the category of "wildly delusional opinion.") :-)
Posted by: Lorianne | March 29, 2005 7:34 AM
Yes, actually I do have a friend from Floyd County who plays guitar, banjo and fiddle (and another bunch of musical friends consisting of the Wolfe Bros of Grayson County) that come to mind. I'm trying not to get in too big a rush; working with my local musician-friends to find something that suits and getting it to a usable format will take time. But I'm definitely looking there.
Posted by: fred1st | March 29, 2005 7:39 AM
I think you might be pleasantly surprised with your fellow artist's response if you dialog and ultimately show him your work. At worse case, there could be a royalty agreement... fancy term for "consignment" in the art world. ...what's the harm in asking?
Posted by: Carl | March 29, 2005 7:49 AM
Fred,
I wonder if you took this to the guys who run the Friday Night Jambouree in Floyd and see if if it could be made into a joint and mutually beneficial venture. Maybe the local radio station would be interested in making a recording "before a live audience" kind of thing that will be set to accompany your slide show. Then the whole thing could be wrapped up as one package giving publicity to the Friday night sessions and your photography. I'm sure many of the tourists who have had an enjoyable evening listening to the music would love to take home not just a recording but images of the area they've been traveling through. Seems like Floyd in the perfect package to me. Could be sold at the Jambouree and all up and down the Parkway.
Just my 2 cents,
Polly
Posted by: Polly | March 29, 2005 11:46 AM
Fred, Some time ago I did a pen and ink drawing depicting an image to a Petra song called "The Road To Zion." I wanted to use some of the song lyrics on the art work so I contacted the owner of the copyright. I explained that I would probably make a small quantity of reproductions of the image and possibly sell them. The rights to use the lyrics only cost me $5.00. That's right, only $5.00 and nothing more. You might try this with whoever owns the copyright for the music you want to put on your cd. Who knows, it might not be cost prohibitive. Good luck. Bill
Posted by: Bill Work | March 29, 2005 8:54 PM
hey fred,
if you want to use some of my tunes drop me a line.
bud
Posted by: bud | March 30, 2005 4:57 PM
This is an idea. The husband of Jilly at http://www.poetryhut.com/wordpress/ has performed a CD of keyboard compostions. Maybe he could colloborate with you?
You do gorgeous images.
Posted by: Pearl | March 31, 2005 3:18 PM