Johnny Otis and Etta James: Reunited at Last

 

 

 

By Lori Spencer

Yahoo! News

* A longer, in-depth version of this obituary appeared in This Can’t Be Happening! and OpEdNews

 

From their first meeting in 1953, the fates of Johnny Otis and Etta James seemed almost magically entwined.
Spunky little Jamesetta Hawkins, then 14 years old, was overheard rehearsing a song with her girl group The Creolettes in a San Francisco hotel bathroom. Outside the door, Johnny Otis’ ears perked up. “I knew instantly when I heard Etta sing in that bathroom audition that she would be a star,” he said decades later. “I heard the raw talent she possessed before she had developed.”

Johnny Otis – already famous for hits like “Harlem Nocturne,” “Castin’ My Spell on You,” and “Willie and the Hand Jive” – was also known as a radio disc jockey and a keen talent scout. His other discoveries included Big Mama Thornton, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Little Richard,…

Story continues here.

Music Industry Internships

By Lori Spencer

 

Many of today’s music industry experts originally began their careers as college interns. Music industry internships provide invaluable experience for young aspirants and offer a chance to learn the ropes of the music business. Types of music industry internships vary widely, from performing clerical tasks to working in promotions and marketing, or recording studio apprenticeships. Perks and bonuses may include free concert tickets and the opportunity to meet famous musical artists. Not all the work is glamorous, however; interns are frequently assigned menial jobs such as running errands, fetching coffee, answering phones and cleaning up the studio after hours.

Music industry internships can be the key that opens doors in a business that is notoriously difficult to break into. College students typically…(cont’d)

 

Read the whole story here: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-music-industry-internships.htm

Fix That Damned Skipping Record!

By Lori Spencer

 

If your treasured vinyl records are skipping, there could be several reasons why. Dirt, dust or other debris in the grooves of the record are the most common cause of record skips. Your turntable’s arm may need balancing, or the stylus could be worn out. The good news is that all of these problems can be fixed with a minimum of cost and effort. The bad news is, if the skipping is being caused by…

 

Continued at: http://www.ehow.com/how_8209913_fix-record-skips.html

Digital Preservation of Audio Cassettes

By Lori Spencer

 

Magnetic audio cassette tapes deteriorate over time to due age, wear, dust and temperature/humidity fluctuations. If you have some cherished recordings on cassette tape that you don’t want to lose, back them up to a digital format quickly and preserve them forever.

This is a simple process using basic sound recording software. Some popular free software choices are Audacity and WavePad (both are Mac compatible), or you can just use the Sound Recorder program that came pre-installed with Windows. In this tutorial we will be using Audacity, although the…

Continues at: http://www.ehow.com/how_7346684_record-audio-cassette-computer.html

How to Take Care of 78 RPM Records

By Lori Spencer

 

Collectors of 78 rpm records treat their old shellac discs like rare and precious jewels, as often they are worth a great deal of money. Even the casual collector can learn much about caring for their 78s by talking to an experienced professional collector, curator, or trader of vintage records. Old 78 rpm shellac platters are extremely fragile, vulnerable to chips, cracking and breakage. They require special care and handling at all times and must be stored in conditions conducive to preservation.

Cleaning

Step 1

Use a damp terrycloth lint-free towel to remove surface dust and dirt. Never apply alcohol cleaning products to shellac discs — this strips the surface. For general cleaning, water works just fine. If the disc is really dirty, mix some mild dish-washing liquid with the water.

Step 2

Rub gently in the direction of the grooves. To prevent cracking of the disc, do this on a soft flat surface like a bed or sofa.

Step 3

Rinse or replace the towel frequently if cleaning more than just one or two records.

Step 4

Follow the cleaning towel with a dry towel.

Step 5

Lay the record out to dry overnight. Do not place it back in the sleeve until completely dry.

Storage

Step 1

Store your records clean. Dirt and dust in the grooves can scratch the records when the box is moved around. Organic compounds react with the shellac, attracting insects such as silverfish. These little critters love to eat paper sleeves and record labels.

Step 2

Keep your record boxes high and dry. Humidity above 85% promotes mold growth and porous 78 record sleeves absorb moisture. Store them off the floor in the event of a flood or plumbing leak.

Step 3

Avoid storing 78 rpm records flat; this puts pressure on the records. Store them upright, on edge, in clean new sleeves. Do not allow the records to lean as this causes warping. If storing them in a box, make sure the discs are fully upright and flat against each other, held in place with a divider if necessary.

Step 4

Monitor the temperature where the records are stored. High temperatures will warp 78s, especially if they are not stored flat and upright. Room temperature should not exceed 75 degrees.

Playback

Step 1

Use a fresh new needle for every record if you’re planning to play the 78s on a vintage Victrola. Bear in mind that the heavy tonearm and steel needles on these older record players wear down the grooves much faster than modern equipment.

Step 2

Invest in a high-quality modern turntable with a 78 rpm speed setting. (These are still available from specialty retailers.) If you have very rare or valuable 78s, it is strongly recommended that you only play them on modern electric turntables, not old Victrolas.

Step 3

Copy your 78s to a digital format, such as burning them to CD or to your computer. This saves wear and tear on the original records, while allowing you the pleasure of listening to them as often as you like.

Tips

When it comes to vintage recordings, 78 rpm collectors are merely stewards of historical artifacts. Much like a museum curator, your goal should be to do as little damage as possible and preserve them for future generations.

Warnings

Take extra special care of the record label: collectors and 78 rpm record buyers will pay top dollar for labels that are in excellent condition. Labels that are torn, stamped, marked or damaged reduce the value of your record significantly. Never immerse your records in water or wet the label when cleaning; this will cause labels to bubble or peel.

Key Concepts

• 78rpm record collecting
• 78rpm record care
• 78rpm record cleaning
• 78rpm record storage
• playing 78rpm records
• 78rpm record preservation

References

• 78rpm: Frequently Asked Questions [http://www.78rpm.com/faq.htm]
• The 78rpm Home Page: Repair Tips [http://78rpmrecord.com/repair.htm]
• Tim’s Phonographs and Old Records: Assessing the Condition of Old 78rpm Discs [http://www.gracyk.com/assess.shtml]

Resources (Further Reading)

• Kix: Vinyl Record Collecting Resources [http://kixsoftware.com/vinylresources.html]
• 78rpm Records [http://78rpmrecord.com]
• Garage-A-Records: Record Cleaning Products for 33, 45, and 78rpm Records [http://www.garage-a-records.com/cleaner.html]

User Bio

Lori Spencer has written professionally since 1986. She is the author of three nonfiction books, is writing her fourth and provides content for eHow and LIVESTRONG.COM. She also produces and hosts a weekly radio show. Her subjects of expertise include history, media, music, film and the performing arts.

How to Broadcast a Radio Station at a Business Within the Copyright Laws

By Lori Spencer

 

If you enjoy playing the radio as background music for employees and customers at your place of business, you may unwittingly be violating copyright laws. Without a proper license or permission from the copyright owner, re-broadcasting music is illegal. The best way to avoid this potential problem is to simply acquire a license from Broadcast Music International (BMI), the American Societyof Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) or the performing rights organization…

Read more: How to Broadcast a Radio Station at a Business Within the Copyright Laws | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/how_8530148_broadcast-business-within-copyright-laws.html#ixzz1ODrLVCp2

What Are The Catalog Numbers on Vinyl Records?

By Lori Spencer

 

Vinyl records fell out of favor with the music-buying public after compact discs emerged in the mid-1980s. However, many people wisely held on to their old record albums, knowing they would become collector’s items one day. Indeed, vinyl albums that are particularly rare or in mint condition now command high prices on the collector’s market. In order to learn more about a vinyl record and its worth, you must first begin with the catalog number.

Read more: What are the Catalog Numbers on Vinyl Records? | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/info_8518643_catalog-numbers-vinyl-records.html#ixzz1O74qN1Gr

How to Change Your Voice When Your Record Yourself

By Lori Spencer

 

Whether you’re a professional voice-over artist, a video gamer, or just want to spoof your friends with a prank call over VoIP, voice-changing software gets the job done. You can easily change your voice from young to old, male to female, high to low, and create your own game character voices using special effects — the possibilities are endless.

Many voice-changing (or voice-cloaking) software programs are available. Free programs tend to deliver poor sound quality and don’t offer many features. Pro versions $10 to a little more than $100, as of May 2011…

 

Continued at http://www.ehow.com/how_8406270_change-voice-record-yourself.html

How to Break Into the Radio Industry

By Lori Spencer

Radio has always been a competitive and challenging industry to break into, even more so in the age of media consolidation. Jobs that pay well are few and far between, often requiring relocation to a city far from home. Computer automation of radio stations means less airtime available for live personalities. The frequent turnover of station management and format changes presents little job security; typically an entire staff is let go when a radio station changes hands. Despite these drawbacks, if you still want to become a radio programmer, there are some time-tested methods for getting your foot in the door.

Although a college degree is not necessarily required to become a radio programmer…

Read more at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-become-a-radio-programmer.htm

Programming a Country Music Radio Station

By Lori Spencer

Programming a country music radio station is a challenge these days, radio programmers agree. What programmers can’t seem to agree on, however, is a format. While some DJs, program and music directors say this fluidity signals a healthyperiod of growth for country radio, traditionalists warn that playing too many crossover artists dilutes the brand. The good news for country radio today is that programmers have greater freedom in creating and defining their station’s unique sound. Whether playing traditional country or blazing new trails…

Read more: How to Program a Country Music Station? | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/how_8419816_program-country-music-station.html#ixzz1N1C2XEhC