Spotify Is Stomping Beats Music, But For How Long And Will The Freemium Models For Streaming Music Be The Future?

Reading a plethora of articles around the ever changing and evolving landscape of the music industry, is a constant reminder to us that in this industry, it's all about adapt or die. If you think you are going to be making a living off selling cds and hitting the road, you should just stay at home, save the gas money and the frustration. Instead focus on the big picture about cultivating your audience and perfecting your craft to the utmost. Fans will find your music through all the channels available and if they are listening in droves, it is time to start a plan of action.

Whiskeydick, The Bastard Sons Of Texas, Dominates Itunes Alt County Charts For Singles and Albums

Whiskeydick, The Bastard Sons Of Texas, Dominates Itunes Alt County Charts For Singles and Albums

It is a great feeling to see that Whiskeydick is dominating the charts for Itunes Alt Country albums. Fritz and Reverend Johnson are some of the hardest working and touring folks we know and the proof is in the puddin'! 

Order your copy of album from our store

Or download from Itunes

Black Eyed Vermillion Releases Never Shed A Bloody Tear

Black Eyed Vermillion Releases Never Shed A Bloody Tear

Gary Lindsey of Black Eyed Vermillion has served up one hell of an album with his latest batch of blue eyed punk rock soul. BEV won't be hitting the road outside of Austin and maybe a few other select Texas cities until late spring of 2015, so get over to Itunes and download the new batch of material. Have a listen to one of the brand new tracks below.

The Go Devils Featured On New Releases Now

The Go Devils Featured On New Releases Now

If you haven't had your ear to the underground on what's happening as of late, we have a solid injection of American Roots music for ya. Do yourself a favor and get dialed in to the Go Devils new album, Appalachian Book Of The Dead. It's now available for purchase on Itunes and ready for your headphones to be blasted full tilt.

Altco Music's Shelli Coe, Debuts On Itunes Country New & Noteworthy

Altco Music's Shelli Coe Debuts At Itunes Country New & Noteworthy

We are proud to announce that Shelli Coes 'A Girl Like Me"is available on Itunes and Amazon not to mention availability worldwide in the coming weeks. Shelli is a world class vocalist and write as well as performer and her music doesn't rest on the laurels or her ancestry. Classic to contemporary country she picks a great mix of covers and originals and the musicianship and production is far above other releases in the market.

Is Corporate Radio Dead? Think Again and Pay Attention To The Actions Of IHeartRadio

IHeartRadio is just Clear Channel flexing its corporate muscle

The music industry never fails to live up to pure entertainment. Varying groups create award shows to potentially portray their niche importance. Then you can have large radio conglomerates that want to leverage their own business model by showing how vast of a reach their business model is by creating an awards show, new theater and a vehicle for huge advertising dollars. Yes, corporate radio is still alive and well in 2014 and Clear Channel wants you to believe they are breaking new music with the syndicated playlists that dominate their 800+ radio station charts. 

This once again proves that ya gotta pay to play. Unless that is, you are DIY and realize that Youtube is by far the largest tv network, radio station and media channel combined and available to anyone and everyone far and wide. Go get creative and make life happen on your own terms.

Find out more on Businessweek.com

"The March 26 announcement of finalists for the first-ever IHeartRadio Music Awards featured typical names: Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, and so on. It doesn’t matter who will win on May 1st. All that matters is the rapid growth of this very unique brand.

Despite its friendly, fuzzy, techy, Apple (AAPL)-sounding name (that little “i” in front—and the “Heart,” of course), IHeartRadio belongs to the biggest and baddest conglomerate in the radio business: Clear Channel Communications (CCMO). Launched in 2008, the IHeartRadio product mixes big media access (content from 800 local Clear Channel radio stations) with the big data analysis featured in the music recommendation systems of smaller companies such as Pandora (P) and Spotify. You can use IHeartRadio both to access your own user-created customized digital stations and to stream good ol’ terrestrial radio. This sets IHeartRadio apart from the pack.

The big budgets of Clear Channel allow you to download an IHeartRadio app for any device you want. Unlike so many tech startups that usually feature apps only for Apple and Android devices, IHeartRadio apps are available on Windows (MSFT), Kindle (AMZN), and yes: Blackberry (BBRY).

The IHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, CA

On the streaming side, the product is already No. 2, behind only Pandora (and ahead of iTunes Radio, Spotify, and Google Play (GOOG)). It has been growing fast, from 10 million registered users in May 2012 to 40 million just 18 months later. The analytical intelligence (knowing to play songs similar to ones you already like) behind the customized streaming product comes from the Echo Nest, which was recently bought by Spotify, a direct competitor to IHeartRadio. For now, Spotify says it will allow the Echo Nest to serve other streaming audio sites. For now.

Having big-wallet backers allows some interesting experiments, such as playing the same song repeatedly in an endless loop for 13 days. It has facilitated cross-promotional branding on Clear Channel’s radio stations, a music festival, and now the award show.

That’s why it doesn’t matter who wins the awards. The true winner is Clear Channel, which has found a way to marry the old-school strengths of ubiquity and publicity with digital, customizable content. Clear Channel manages to stay modern as it expands its streaming site into a full-fledged brand."

Rory Kelly Featured On Itunes Blues, New & Noteworthy

Huge congrats to Rory Kelly for his feature on Itunes - Blues, New & Noteworthy

If you missed our post a while back about the album process and symbology of Rory Kelly's new album dive on in. This was a damn fun project and huge congratulations to Rory Kelly, Pops Kelly and Billy Miller for conjuring up one amazing album.

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In the paragraphs below I get deeper into the meaning and symbolism behind Rory Kelly's new album design. The symbols were drawn together as a way to spell out what exactly Kings Never Sleep can be interpreted as metaphorically. In this case, it's hidden knowledge and the ability to rise up. It is the equivalent of the viewer and or listener to stand on the edge of a high platform and jump into water below for a soothing swim. For many, the symbols are just art placed in an eloquent manner but then again, if you are reflecting on the music of Rory Kelly and his career path paired with his musical prowess, these symbols take on far more of a significant meaning.

Dive in and enjoy as the journey is the true destination.

Follow Rory Kelly on Facebook

Order the new Rory Kelly album



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Anything that is worth having is worth working for. Whether it be saving up for your first new car, buying a home or wanting the sexy new Gretsch down at Guitar Center. Hard work and effort are the only way to achieve these goals along with one other element. That other element is the one for which it is free to obtain and is limitless in scope and can never be taken from you. Knowledge is the great conqueror, the great divider and ultimately the great saviour for anything you set out to achieve.

Conspiracy theorists thoroughly enjoy speaking on the illuminati and clandestine groups with the supposed aim to take over the world. Granted there are individuals that seek ultimate power, but human nature at it's core is forever seeking to be on top of the food chain and remain there. In my rationale this helps to make the struggle for power sensible while looking at it from a the viewpoint of trying to understand what is at the root of the issue, whether good or bad. Does it make it right or just, no so way in hell. But then again, we are just surveying the facts presented and its up to us to create our own judgement.

Rory Kelly album cover coming together

Hidden knowledge is where conversations get interesting and you can learn to decipher an individuals philosophy by the symbols around them. Everything we see and read daily is part of a larger scope of symbolism. Some of the iconography that was present hundreds of years ago, doesn't resonate today. Some of the images are persistent though, as the meaning has shifted within the lenses of how culture gazes upon it. When you see the fish on the back of a car as a bumper sticker or emblem, that individual is representing their Christian beliefs. So have you ever heard of a caduceus?

The hidden meaning within the intertwined snakes reflects a spiritual awakening, while also representing safe passage. In this rationale, thinking on the biblical story, was the snake tempting Eve with the apple of knowledge really malevolent? Remember that history is written by the conquerors so it is always in their favor to shine the best light on their cause. Snakes have been forever painted in a darker shade since then, but they remain a full time tenant in the realm of symbology. The way the story spells out to me is that life is simply about choice and you need to stand on your own two feet and be responsible for your actions. To think that women have been scorned for centuries due to this biblical story is to understand the power of symbolism. The same could be said for the swastika as it was around for thousands of years as a symbol of fertility. Read and interpret the full story as there are two sides to every coin.

Rory Kelly album cover art

The all seeing eye or the Eye of Providence is consistently seen as a symbol of the illuminati but actually represents the sun. The symbol is based upon Egyptian beliefs of viewing the sun for illumination and thusly where the the Illuminati's name is derived. The all seeing eye didn't get a triangular shape around it until the Renaissance period and was used as a Christian symbol representing the triune godhead. As time went on it was then adopted by the Masons as a symbol for the Great Architect. So if you want to really interpret Masonic lore, just ask. The hidden knowledge of all Masonic Rites is that you just have to ask and the gates will opened for those that seek out the knowledge. Thusly, the first step in becoming a Mason is you ask a member to join and you are invited to join as an Entered Apprentice.

Now lets get back to why the there is a triangle in the background. First of all, its not just a triangle but an Alchemical Fire or "Blade". This hidden symbol is based upon the fire within. For the album cover it is a reflection on Rory Kelly and the music he, Pops and Billy invoke. The upward lift of the Alchemical Fire symbolizes the rising energy that helps to bring us to the divine. Can music do this? Damn right it can. Just watch listeners get lost in a trance at shows. This is how powerful of a potion that a musical trance can have on its listeners.

So how does all this relate to the title "Kings Never Sleep"? That is the ultimate hidden symbol and within any individual to seek out. Anyone can be a king as its just a metaphor. As an individual walking the path of enlightenment and continually seeking out wisdom, you are becoming wiser and bolder in your approach. The light of knowledge never goes out or falls asleep as it is omnipresent. It may dim from time to time, but it is and will forever be at your fingertips.

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." - Marcus Garvey

Antiseen Is The Epitome Of Punk Rock, RIP Joe Young

ANTiSEEN is getting the recognition they deserve, front page of all of Itunes, RIP Joe Young!!!

Cultural impact is a tough notion to categorize. Members of ANTiSEEN have bled on thousands of stages, toured hundreds of thousands of miles in old vans, crossed continents and lived their lives for the art known as Punk Rock.

Even though we lost Joe Young today in this life, his legacy lives on and can be measured by how quickly the barometer of the entertainment business swung in the favor of ANTiSEEN and recognizing their body of work. Thank you Itunes for recognizing 30 years of punk rock and doing it on their own terms and for featuring them smack dab in the middle of the most viewed music portal in all of the world as a tribute!!!

ALL HAIL JOE YOUNG and thanks to all the members of ANTiSEEN FOR KICKING ASS FOR 30 YEARS AND DOING IT ON YOUR OWN TERMS!!!! FUCK ALL YALL!!!!!!!

Does Country Music Breed Republican Sentiment?

Pandora: your music reveals your politics

Big data is measuring all aspects of our lives whether you care to pay attention or not. Each click on a keyboard and every website visited is logged into a vast database and forever stored until someone is ready to access the personal information about all individuals. Take a guess who wants to know all about your personal preferences? Yep, the music industry.


Companies such as Spotify, Beats, Pandora, Itunes, etc. have invested a plethora of capital into analyzing listeners preferences through data algorithm's to help coordinate play lists according to your song and band choices. Could the future in films such as iRobot truly a reality? By measuring the data predictions are you a republican because you listen to George Strait? Is every hip hop listener a wannabe gangster? Time will tell.

Here Is How Getting Featured On Itunes Works...

Stevie Tombstone featured in Itunes New & Noteworthy Country for his single "Kevlar Heart"

Just in case any of yall were wondering about how we keep getting solid features in Itunes and other larger media outlets, here is how it works, plain and simple.

Itunes for example, chooses what it deems music (albums / singles / artists) that will sell, as they are in business to turn a profit. Being ranked in the top 10 of Fortune 500 companies worldwide proves they are already beyond successful and payoffs from PR companies, just won't work. This leaves the album placements as their choice for what to feature. Therefore, by the quality of Stevie Tombstone's new track Kevlar Heart he is hangin' right up at the top with the other acts in this screen shot, Stevie is being deemed "one to watch" that could go huge.

Being that we have gotten huge features quite a few times over the last 4 years as a label proves one thing. As an indie label putting out great music, we can deliver the soundtrack to your life on the same level as the majors. Mucho kudo's to Husky Burnette for being featured for 15 straight weeks now and JB Beverley for landing at No. 1 on Amazon's digital music charts.

As we finish up this year, folks we have some big things lined up for 2014 and this is just a preview of what is to come. Our pendulum is about to swing firmly back to the rougher side of the tracks. We will be making some big announcements in the coming weeks on new albums coming up and the great bands about to melt faces for 2014.

Stay tuned, drink up as we are about to Crank up the Marshall stacks.

Check out the brand new video we filmed for Stevie Tombstone with "Would You Die For Love"

Brand New Stevie Tombstone Video - Would You Die For Love

Screen shot from Stevie Tombstone's brand new video - Would You Die For Love on Altco Recordings

Brand new video we shot with Stevie Tombstone, with about 80% being filmed on an Iphone 5. All video was color corrected and edited using Premiere CS6

"From the Slow Drunken Waltz EP. This song asks the age old question - Would You Die For Love? Recorded 2011 in NW Arkansas this tune features Jerry Jones on Harmonica.A stripped down approach to country blues with a gospel undertone. From ALTCO music available on ITUNES."

Download the track from Itunes

 

Stevie Tombstone Lands On Itunes Country Charts

Stevie Tombstone is featured on Itunes Country New & Noteworthy for the week of 11.26.13

The era we live in now, akin to many in the past is full of hype, perceived relevance and one in which media outlets can be bought. Paying for a digital marketing campaign can help to quickly cast a wide shadow, but does it leave a lasting foot print?

Artists struggle in our new era of digital media, as they are continually thinking about the rules that were set into place from decades past. If you don't like how things are moving, just break the glass ceiling above your head and realize the only one standing in the way of broken glass, is you. 

This is a straight forward and no nonsense approach. But then again, anything worth having is worth working for. Laziness will get you nowhere and in the long haul the practice of self defeat is a worse haunt than any abandoned house or insane asylum could ever be. 

After listening and really absorbing the depth of the artistry within Stevie Tombstone's music, it is easy to witness his continual push of boundaries and limitations. Does he look outside of himself to conjure up new ideas? Surely, he does. What also sets him apart is critical thinking and forever examining his approach. 

Stevie is like many savvy individuals that will go the extra mile. There is reward in the long haul, but it just takes that much more of a commitment. 

Download Kevlar Heart from Itunes

4 Questions With Husky Burnette

A short time ago Husky Burnette stopped by the compound and we wanted to get a few answers to some lingering questions we had. Watch a short clip of Husky Burnette and find out more about the dude that is conquering on the Itunes charts.

Pick up a copy of the album in our store

Go to Itunes and download it 

Husky Burnette has been featured on Itunes New & Noteworthy for ten straight weeks

Husky Burnette Strikes A Chord With Dirty Riff Raff

Husky Burnette featured for 8 straight weeks on the Itunes New & Noteworthy charts

There is a new sheriff in town that is running the show. He strikes a chord with dirty riff raff and is known to frequent East End Blvd. Folks, Husky Burnette is kicking ass and taking names with week no. 8 on the Itunes Blues Charts.


Get your copy on CD

Download the album from Itunes

Portrait of Husky Burnette for his new album, Tales From East End Blvd.

Husky Burnette Featured For Week 6 On Itunes Blues

Husky Burnette featured for 6 straight weeks on the Itunes New & Noteworthy charts

Staying power is something you hear about in fights, endurance races and for folks that have longevity in their careers. Husky Burnette is proving with his new album that dedication to your craft shows on a much larger scale, when a company such as Itunes continues to rally behind his new album, Tales From East End Blvd.

Get your copy on CD

Download the album from Itunes

Portrait of Husky Burnette for his new album, Tales From East End Blvd.

Husky Burnette, Featured Artist On Itunes Blues For 5 Straight Weeks

Staying power is something you hear about in fights, endurance races and for folks that have longevity in their careers. Husky Burnette is proving with his new album that dedication to your craft shows on a much larger scale, when a company such as Itunes continues to rally behind his new album, Tales From East End Blvd.

Get your copy on CD

Download the album from Itunes

Husky Burnette, Featured Artist On Itunes Blues For 5 Straight Weeks

Husky Burnette Featured On Itunes Blues 4 Straight Weeks

Husky Burnette featured for four weeks in a row now on Itunes Blues

4 weeks of launching from the top turnbuckle and no signs of tagging out. Husky Burnette is conquering the squared circle of Itunes Blues! Do yourself a favor and pick up this great album either through our store, Itunes or from Husky Burnette at his live shows.

Buy the album from Rusty Knuckles Music

Download the album from Itunes

Husky Burnette Featured On Itunes Blues For Two Weeks Now

Husky Burnette featured as main artist on Itunes Blues page for week #2

To say that we are stoked to be seeing Husky Burnette front and center on Itunes Blues page is an absolute understatement. This is a hard fought battle for recognition and exposure for a guy that makes his living as a musician.

I knew the album was great once I heard some rough tracks back in February, but now others are starting to hear just how solid this album is. Huge thanks to Buck Thrailkill and J.B. Beverley at Rebel Roots Studio for capturing the sounds. Cannot thank Itunes folks enough for choosing to feature this album and for all the hard work and dedication that Husky Burnette puts into his live shows, crafting his tunes and most of all for being a humble individual. 

Crank it up folks and get your day started right! 

Order your copy of the album

Download the album from Itunes



Now that we have your attention to Husky's new track, Beat & Lowdown, do yourself a favor and dive into another song below called "That Liquor". 

The Blues are a religion and Brian "Husky" Burnette sho' 'nuff preaches it. You can feel the testimony as he blends Delta Blues, Rock n Roll and Electric Blues. His music is gritty, soulful, southern, low-down and dirty. Husky, who hails from Chattanooga, TN, followed in the family footsteps of rockabilly kings Johnny Burnette and Dorsey Burnette, writing, recording and touring with several national artists over the years. Two of which that stand out are lead guitar position for legendary singer/songwriter Roger Alan Wade and the supporting act on tour for Hank Williams III. He has shared the stage with many others such as Leon Russell, T-Model Ford, Kenny Brown, Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Shooter Jennings, Scott H. Biram, Col J.D. Wilkes (The Legendary Shack Shakers/The Dirt Daubers) and J.J. Grey and Mofro. 

Husky recently signed with Rusty Knuckles Music to release his next LP, “Tales From East End Blvd.” in August 2013. The new album was recorded and produced by J.B. Beverley and Buck Thrailkill at Rebel Roots Studio and features Shooter Jennings, Billy Don Burns and J.B. Beverley, among others.

Order your copy now on cd and digital

Have a sample of That Liquor

Husky Burnette - Tales From East End Blvd. - Album Cover

Husky Burnette for Mayor of Chattanooga, TN

Scene 2 at Aardvark Screenprint, which prints, all the Rusty Knuckles merch. Huge thanks to Greg Clayton!

Scene 4 at one of downtown Raleigh's great parks.

Scene 3 on top of a parking deck in downtown Raleigh. Kitty Barks working for a unique shot

Scene 7 - Raleigh Beach damn

Scene 7 - Raleigh Beach Dam

Husky Burnette Is Now A Featured Itunes Blues Artist

Husky Burnette featured as main artist on Itunes Blues page

To say that we are stoked to be seeing Husky Burnette front and center on Itunes Blues page is an absolute understatement. This is a hard fought battle for recognition and exposure for a guy that makes his living as a musician.

I knew the album was great once I heard some rough tracks back in February, but now others are starting to hear just how solid this album is. Huge thanks to Buck Thrailkill and J.B. Beverley at Rebel Roots Studio for capturing the sounds. Cannot thank Itunes folks enough for choosing to feature this album and for all the hard work and dedication that Husky Burnette puts into his live shows, crafting his tunes and most of all for being a humble individual. 

Crank it up folks and get your day started right! 

Order your copy of the album

Download the album from Itunes



Now that we have your attention to Husky's new track, Beat & Lowdown, do yourself a favor and dive into another song below called "That Liquor". 

The Blues are a religion and Brian "Husky" Burnette sho' 'nuff preaches it. You can feel the testimony as he blends Delta Blues, Rock n Roll and Electric Blues. His music is gritty, soulful, southern, low-down and dirty. Husky, who hails from Chattanooga, TN, followed in the family footsteps of rockabilly kings Johnny Burnette and Dorsey Burnette, writing, recording and touring with several national artists over the years. Two of which that stand out are lead guitar position for legendary singer/songwriter Roger Alan Wade and the supporting act on tour for Hank Williams III. He has shared the stage with many others such as Leon Russell, T-Model Ford, Kenny Brown, Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Shooter Jennings, Scott H. Biram, Col J.D. Wilkes (The Legendary Shack Shakers/The Dirt Daubers) and J.J. Grey and Mofro. 

Husky recently signed with Rusty Knuckles Music to release his next LP, “Tales From East End Blvd.” in August 2013. The new album was recorded and produced by J.B. Beverley and Buck Thrailkill at Rebel Roots Studio and features Shooter Jennings, Billy Don Burns and J.B. Beverley, among others.

Order your copy now on cd and digital

Have a sample of That Liquor

Husky Burnette - Tales From East End Blvd. - Album Cover

Husky Burnette for Mayor of Chattanooga, TN

Scene 2 at Aardvark Screenprint, which prints, all the Rusty Knuckles merch. Huge thanks to Greg Clayton!

Scene 4 at one of downtown Raleigh's great parks.

Scene 3 on top of a parking deck in downtown Raleigh. Kitty Barks working for a unique shot

Scene 7 - Raleigh Beach damn

Scene 7 - Raleigh Beach Dam

Dive Into Kara Clark's Albums On Itunes

Whether you purchase albums in cd or digital format isn't a concern to us. The big thing we would dig is that you just check out the band or artists and continue to find great music. As the outlets change from indie stores to online retailers and huge outlets such as Amazon, there is more music than ever. Kara Clark is one of those artists that we feel is a cut above the rest. Just check it out and have a listen. She is the songwriter that will take you on a long journey and leave you reeling on the other end of this canyon highway, with a bitter sweet crooked grin knowing another voyage is about to begin.

Check out Kara Clark on Itunes

Kara Clark featured on Itunes