A Note From Brian Vander Ark For EVERYONE!!!!
(A Note From Brian Vander Ark, one of my favorite singer/songwriters):
Dear Friends,
In the past few years, many changes have occurred in the music industry.
Slumping record sales and massive firings have major labels scrambling to come
up with new ways to capitalize on and exploit new talent.
Fortunately for me, having shunned the major label route, I am somewhat
unaffected. Relying on my friends, and the good will of my fans, I have been
able to sustain a living recording the music I believe in, all the while touring
as much as possible without going broke.
The good news is, it's time to record a new album. The target is late September
for a November release. More good news - legendary producer Bill Szymczyk
(http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov04/articles/szymczyk.htm) has signed on to
produce. Bill has recorded some of the greatest bands in the history of rock
and roll, but is best known for his work with The Eagles. (He produced one of
my favorite records of all time, Hotel California!)
The bad news is, having spent the majority of the profits for the last album on
a self supported tour, I don't have the money to record it.
Now, before you delete this message (or report me as spam!), consider this
offer.
The months of July and August are fairly slow for me. I have only a handful of
shows, which is typical for an artist like myself. What I am offering are
"Living Room Concerts" or "Back Yard BBQ with BVA" or ...well, you get the
idea. In an effort to raise money for the new album, I would like to spend the
months of July and August playing shows in the living rooms or backyards of the
fans who have been so true to me over the years. I imagine that I can play 3 to
4 shows a week (or more!), anywhere in the country, at your request. Imagine a
one hour (or more) show with me sitting on your couch or at your dining room
table or in your backyard, playing at your birthday party, or your daughter's
"off to college" party (or whatever) performing your favorite songs from my solo
career or songs from The Verve Pipe. That's right, you would be able to choose
the setlist, any song written and recorded during my career!
Costs. Hmmmm...
I've always tried to be a friend to the working man. I've worked as a waiter, a
car washer, a chicken cleaner (!), a sales rep, a bartender and more. You name
it, and if I didn't DO it, then I applied for it! That being said, I want to
keep the costs at a minimum. I probably would not travel with a PA system, so
when the parties are a little more intimate, I will sing with no amplification.
Just me and the guitar. If the party is going to be larger (25 people or more
invited) then you'll need to rent one of those little portable mini PA systems.
My manager and agent would kill me if I quoted a price here, so let's just say
that if I'm available, and if it makes sense that I'll be able to walk out of
your party with a little $$ for my new album, then I'll consider ANY offer.
(Please keep in mind that this is a fundraiser, so I'll have to make SOMEthing!)
I would ask that the weekend days and nights be a little more money. I would
have to ask that travel expenses (flight, hotel and car rental, if applicable)
be extra costs for you. I don't fly first class, or stay in expensive hotels,
etc., and I'm the king of Priceline.com, so I can travel cheaply. Those of you
who have read my journals know that I am no diva, and I've been known to sleep
in my car on occasion.
A few more perks for you. The person (or company) who throws the party, will
get their name (or company's name) in a "Special Thanks For Being A True
Supporter Of Mine" section on the album jacket. You'll also get the new album
signed to you personally, thanking you for your support.
You can charge admission to the party, but I would ask that it be by "invitation
only", so we can make it for you and your friends only. If everyone chipped in,
ultimately, your cost would be nil. The location would be of your choice, but I
would have to stay away from bars or restaurants, and other performance venues
because that defeats the purpose!
One final note: All of the bookings are subject to approval by my management.
Sorry - that sounds so official. What it means is that though I may be able to
play your rehearsal dinner, I may not be able to play your wedding! And what
THAT means is that all of this is meant to be a fun way to get in front of fans
and raise a little money.
That's about it. If you are interested, please contact David at
spoiledbratmanagement@hotmail.com as soon as possible. This will have to be a
first come, first serve, booking situation.
Thanks so much for all of the support over the years, especially my insistence
on trying to pull off "crazy" stunts like these!
Best, and hope to see you soon!
bva
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Dear Friends,
In the past few years, many changes have occurred in the music industry.
Slumping record sales and massive firings have major labels scrambling to come
up with new ways to capitalize on and exploit new talent.
Fortunately for me, having shunned the major label route, I am somewhat
unaffected. Relying on my friends, and the good will of my fans, I have been
able to sustain a living recording the music I believe in, all the while touring
as much as possible without going broke.
The good news is, it's time to record a new album. The target is late September
for a November release. More good news - legendary producer Bill Szymczyk
(http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov04/articles/szymczyk.htm) has signed on to
produce. Bill has recorded some of the greatest bands in the history of rock
and roll, but is best known for his work with The Eagles. (He produced one of
my favorite records of all time, Hotel California!)
The bad news is, having spent the majority of the profits for the last album on
a self supported tour, I don't have the money to record it.
Now, before you delete this message (or report me as spam!), consider this
offer.
The months of July and August are fairly slow for me. I have only a handful of
shows, which is typical for an artist like myself. What I am offering are
"Living Room Concerts" or "Back Yard BBQ with BVA" or ...well, you get the
idea. In an effort to raise money for the new album, I would like to spend the
months of July and August playing shows in the living rooms or backyards of the
fans who have been so true to me over the years. I imagine that I can play 3 to
4 shows a week (or more!), anywhere in the country, at your request. Imagine a
one hour (or more) show with me sitting on your couch or at your dining room
table or in your backyard, playing at your birthday party, or your daughter's
"off to college" party (or whatever) performing your favorite songs from my solo
career or songs from The Verve Pipe. That's right, you would be able to choose
the setlist, any song written and recorded during my career!
Costs. Hmmmm...
I've always tried to be a friend to the working man. I've worked as a waiter, a
car washer, a chicken cleaner (!), a sales rep, a bartender and more. You name
it, and if I didn't DO it, then I applied for it! That being said, I want to
keep the costs at a minimum. I probably would not travel with a PA system, so
when the parties are a little more intimate, I will sing with no amplification.
Just me and the guitar. If the party is going to be larger (25 people or more
invited) then you'll need to rent one of those little portable mini PA systems.
My manager and agent would kill me if I quoted a price here, so let's just say
that if I'm available, and if it makes sense that I'll be able to walk out of
your party with a little $$ for my new album, then I'll consider ANY offer.
(Please keep in mind that this is a fundraiser, so I'll have to make SOMEthing!)
I would ask that the weekend days and nights be a little more money. I would
have to ask that travel expenses (flight, hotel and car rental, if applicable)
be extra costs for you. I don't fly first class, or stay in expensive hotels,
etc., and I'm the king of Priceline.com, so I can travel cheaply. Those of you
who have read my journals know that I am no diva, and I've been known to sleep
in my car on occasion.
A few more perks for you. The person (or company) who throws the party, will
get their name (or company's name) in a "Special Thanks For Being A True
Supporter Of Mine" section on the album jacket. You'll also get the new album
signed to you personally, thanking you for your support.
You can charge admission to the party, but I would ask that it be by "invitation
only", so we can make it for you and your friends only. If everyone chipped in,
ultimately, your cost would be nil. The location would be of your choice, but I
would have to stay away from bars or restaurants, and other performance venues
because that defeats the purpose!
One final note: All of the bookings are subject to approval by my management.
Sorry - that sounds so official. What it means is that though I may be able to
play your rehearsal dinner, I may not be able to play your wedding! And what
THAT means is that all of this is meant to be a fun way to get in front of fans
and raise a little money.
That's about it. If you are interested, please contact David at
spoiledbratmanagement@hotmail.com as soon as possible. This will have to be a
first come, first serve, booking situation.
Thanks so much for all of the support over the years, especially my insistence
on trying to pull off "crazy" stunts like these!
Best, and hope to see you soon!
bva
--
To unsubscribe/change profile:
http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=59920586a-9cb7032b
To subscribe:
http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=20661q
Our address:
po box 141515 | Grand Rapids, Michigan 49514
Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com