Traces of You by Brenda Ribeiro

CD REVIEW

10/14/2010

******INFORMATION******

Name of Artist: Brenda Ribeiro

Album Title: Traces of You

Album Title: Songs From The Soul

Genre: Easy Listening

Label: Indie (Brenda Ribeiro)

Produced By: Gary Long

Manager: Scott January

Recorded/Mixed/Mastered By: Gary Long

Studio: Nomad (Carrolloton, Texas)

Arranger: Timothy Ayers

Co-writer: Timothy Ayers

Studio Musicians:

Eric Tolliver

Denis Campos

Mike Smith

Tim Ayers

Paul Wiggins

Links: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brendaribeiro

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brenda-ribeiro/id393463452

Reviewer: Lee Alford

Company: KleerStreem Entertainment

CD REVIEW

First things first. Yes, this review is off it's original schedule. Why, I noticed Brenda's Birthday is today....it's late because I wanted it to be my birthday present to her. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRENDA!!!

This album, as I understand, remains a work in process. It currently has 3 songs on it with more to come.

I first heard Brenda sing a few years ago and her passion combined with her wonderful voice caught my attention, even though it was at a Karaoke event.

After I received these 3 songs, I did what I always do with new recordings; I listened to them to get a feel if I wanted to listen to them again. After the first one started, I had to stop what I was doing, because of the 'connection' it made with me through a beautiful strong voice endowed with soulful passion.

Now, after listening to all 3 songs with and without headphones, I give Brenda's 3 song CD 4 ½ Stars. I am tempted to go 5 Stars, but, I don't want her to get a 'big' head. :) However , I did rate one song 5 stars...the highest rating I give anyone.

Song #1....TRACES Of YOU

Listen here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brendaribeiro or here http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brenda-ribeiro/id393463452

This is the song that stopped me. It's that captivating. It reminds me of that EF Hutton commercial that says: When EF Hutton speaks, everyone listens. When Brenda sings everyone listens. Brenda's voice combined with her beautifully written lyrics comes from her soul.

My feelings during this song were real with that great connecting feeling we cherish with all songs. It's soulful and I felt very truthful.

The best songs, as we all know, are based on one's life's experiences. Traces made me feel I was being told about Brenda's life experiences through her beautiful vocalized lyrics.

The choice of instruments are superb!

Not a complaint, but, this song at 6 minutes and 6 secs should be reduced to under 6 minutes for royalty reasons, if possible.

Song #2....TRENCHES

Listen Here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brendaribeiro or here http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brenda-ribeiro/id393463452

Easy listening on this song in a bluesy real to perfection way.

Conveyance of how deep one must go to connect; a sort of protection from all the hurt in this world. But, the one real connection is with God.

Instruments are awesome, with keys in step with lyrics.

Rating 4 ¾ Stars out of 5

Song is 4 minutes and 18 seconds.

Song #3....LOVE YOU BACK

Listen Here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/brendaribeiro or here http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brenda-ribeiro/id393463452

All of us search for everlasting love, at first, through mortals here on earth. To me, this song, is Brenda connecting with an unwavering love that will never forsake her, through good times or not so good times. To me, this song states clearly, God's love is the 'perfect' love that never fades or fails us, even if we do HIM occasionally.

Brenda nails all the lyrics and gives this song passion extraordinaire!

I love this songs arrangements and instruments are awesome.

Song is 4 minutes and 19 seconds.

My rating is 5 BIG STARS

FINAL THOUGHTS

Pick this CD up....it's great....and one you will treasure forever!!!

Additional Information about Brenda

Bio

Brenda Ribeiro was born in Turlock California and exposed to music at a very early age. Both of her parents were Christian Music Recording Artists who taught her and her sister to sing and harmonize as a family group. Her first public performance was at the age of two and she began writing songs at the age of 14. Spending part of her childhood and young adult years in Northern Nevada, she was involved in musical theater and also performed as entertainment for venues such as MGM Grand Reno, The Nugget and The Miss Nevada Pageant. She was well received for some of her original Gospel and pop material by secular audiences but her heart belonged to the purposes of God and His calling upon her life. She attended Capital Bible Institute in Sacramento California to prepare for ministry at the age of 20 then soon made her first move to Southeast Texas. After returning to California she served in music and worship ministry for fifteen years, which remains her most, beloved musical expression. As a professional jingle singer, and TV spokesperson, she has a heart for taking the Love and Light of Jesus into the market place where it needs to effectively be seen. Having also had a career in the modeling industry while secretly hiding the physical and emotional effects of domestic violence, Brenda has a passion for helping those who suffer from a broken identity and the devastating effects of abuse in the lives of men, women and children. Her journey has led her to discover who she is and the faithfulness of an ever-present God. The heartbeat of her message is one of hope to encourage those who hurt or hide behind a mask of perfection allowing the perfect love of Christ to minister grace, healing and restoration.

Behind the Tunes & lyrics

These are three of many songs I wrote during a cocoon season of healing from trauma due to life altering tragedy brought on by the mental illness of a loved one and the tragic death of a very close friend which followed. It was during my darkest and loneliest days that I discovered the presence of God to be what the scriptures describe as "the lover of my soul"...I developed a sort of "Love Affair" with my creator and wrote these songs to reflect my passionate desire and heartfelt thanks for His healing presence that has changed me from once being a victim of abuse to a strong, well equipped woman on a mission to help others to believe in themselves and the God who loves them so much!

Her unique style is derived from diverse musical influences that range from Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Johnny Cash, Faith Hill and Gospel roots.

Finally, Brenda runs a very successful Decorative, Art, and Design Business.

http://web.me.com/pjvideo3/Decorative_Art_and_Design/by_Brenda_Ribeiro.html

Rehearsals & Music

by Tom Jackson

Sometimes I have to ask myself: what IS wrong with this picture?

I’ve done numerous rehearsals with one of the biggest artists in music today. Millions of records sold, huge tours, radio, TV, awards for everything from best artist to best video to best entertainer. And the awards keep coming.

Rehearsals with this artist are always a joy – creative, lots of energy, ideas floating out of everyone. There’s a great attitude from the artist and from all the members of the band.

I always feel an atmosphere of freedom in those rehearsals, too. No one cares who gets the credit, there are no egos, and everyone feels the freedom to take chances. No one is afraid or too insecure to make a mistake or try something because it isn’t cool or because they don’t want to appear goofy.

This artist has said they “want the best show possible” and they want to learn all they can about onstage performance.

On the other hand, one of my Live Music Producers was preparing an artist for a showcase for some labels. She was bummed a little because the members of the artist’s band she was working with told her they wouldn’t take any instruction from her. They had been playing for years, so “thank you very much, but we don’t need any help.”

(A little background here: all the players in this band have worked day jobs for years, and in the meantime they’re waiting for someone to finally “get what they are all about” and give them their big break.)

Quite a difference in attitude from one artist to the other! You have to notice the correlation between the attitude/thirst for knowledge/work ethic of both artists to the number of records sold and awards won, don’t you?

I remember one day last year, after I left rehearsal with this particular superstar artist, I dropped off the masters for my DVD series at a friend of mine who was doing the duplication. He introduced me to the people who work for him. One of the guys he introduced me to played in a band trying to make a living doing this music thing – this was his day gig until that happened.

My friend, who has seen their show, told him what I did. He mentioned I could help the band a lot, and he told him he should hook up with me. Immediately there was an awkward silence in the room. So I asked him how his band’s show was.

“Oh yeah, our show rocks! We don’t need any help.” Hmmmm…right.

The State Of Music Industry Investing

EXCLUSIVE MUSIC INVESTORS WHITE PAPER

"Looking across the spectrum of previous music industry investments...(most) are held hostage to, and will remain a prisoner of, the large label system that has dominated the music industry for decades."

Investment dollars flowing into music startups have dwindled. Some of the drought can be blamed on a poor economy, but the music sector has also seen more than its share of failures and false starts. It may not be easy to make money investing in music, but Bruce Warila says its far from impossible if you look in the right places.

Hypebot readers may know Bruce Warila from his contributions to Music Think Tank. He is an entrepreneur, analyst and part time investor that has been working with (including making small investments into) artists and various industry startups over the last five years.

Bruce has put together an exclusive three page white paper for Hypebot that outlines the state of current music industry investing and why he thinks the real investment opportunities have yet to be uncovered. Click here to download the PDF.

Tips For Better Shows

You’ve updated your website; you’ve setup some great viral marketing with MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, NOW WHAT?

Play live anywhere and as often as possible is the best way to build a following. The larger your following, the more in demand you will be. If you learn what makes venue owners happy and you do it, then most likely you will have a standing invitation to come back as often as you want to.

A few suggestions:

• Email blasts to your fans
• Create traffic to your website with regular, purposeful communication on social sites. And when you send fans to your website, make sure there is plenty of new video, audio, photos, and so on to give them something exciting and fresh to look at.
• Cold calls. Call every venue, promoter you can find and then follow up each lead. I understand these concepts are not new but they work.
• Work for free

We need to be creative and smart with our time and resources. Keep in mind that at the same time as you are cold calling, emailing, and communicating with fans, you could go to a church, a coffee shop, or some other venue and play for free. After all, most places will take a chance on someone who is doing the gig for free.

Then if you get in there you have a few options to make some money anyway. You can sell some product to make a few $$. If you have aligned yourself with a charity you can make some $$ (and help others at the same time).

But the bigger point is this: all of this is good (experience, exposure, and generating a little income) – BUT, if you are amazing LIVE, they will book you again. And the next time, they’ll pay you!

Bottom Line for Success remains: Live shows and building your fan base. You can have the best of everything else, but unless you focus on these two, it's unlikely you will play a venue more than once.

All roads do lead to the stage, where you and your band have the best opportunity to connect with fans by creating special moments and memories that will gain you the most important thing in your music career: TRUE BLUE FANS.

Certain Days; Do Certain Things

Hey, What Day is It? (Getting Into The Consumers Head)

Are you planning your music marketing according to specific days of the week? You should be? Check out this post for sure-fire ways to make the most of your online promotions.

Monday
It’s Monday! Do you know who’s watching you? Monday is considered the day of fresh information. Everything is new new new! Consider this: the average 9-5er arrives at his/her desk in the morning (please refer to obese man above), turns on the computer, and tunes into msn.com for the week’s political news, reviews on which movie did best at the weekend box office, and anything else that might be hot off the press. On Monday, people want to know what they’ve missed since Friday (though is probably not much).

Do you take Mondays seriously? Treat your music like a job. Try to have something new on your page each Monday. Whether it be a blog, new shows on your calendar, a quick news update, new photos from the weekend’s show, or new video. The options are limitless and its not like you have to revamp your page every week…just do a little at a time.

Rule of thumb: If you build it, they will come. Read more about this at Drawing Traffic to your Website(s)

Wednesday
In college, my Communications professor told me something I will never forget: most people open their email on Wednesdays. Yes, this has been mentioned on Grassrootsy before, but its worth mentioning again. Wednesday is a unique day. Because it finds itself smack dab in the middle of the week, its the one day that you’re least likely to get “Out of Office” replies. More people at their desk = more people reading their email = more people visiting your website. Optimize on this. Send your newsletter on Wednesday mornings or afternoons if possible. Stop by Email Marketing – Making Sure People Read What You Write for more tips.

Rule of thumb: Send emails on Wed…in the morn or after lunch. Check out Grassrootsy’s additional blogs on Email Marketing here.

Weekends
Stats prove that few erpeople read emails and surf the internet on the weekends, but the people who do are more likely to read through an entire email and will spend more time on your web page than they would on a weekday. For example, if you sent an email on Wednesday, you might get 100 people to open and they would spend an average of 45 second skimming through what you write. But on a Saturday, only 40 people might open up the email but spend a full 3 minutes reading it entirely.

So if you’re posting a blog or sending a weekend email, make sure it’s not time-sensitive. Perhaps you can post musings, and non-essential thoughts. Take it from msn.com: Their weekend news bits are usually reposts of information that that was already used earlier in the week.

Rule of thumb: Never send an email on the weekend that you would send on a Monday or Wednesday.

Trent Reznor Explains What A Musician Needs To Do To Be Successful In MW2

Pretty much every other person who's ever read the site has sent this one in today, so I figure it's worth writing up. We've talked for a long time about how unknown/up-and-coming artists can embrace new business models to be more successful these days. In fact, five or six years ago the only artists who were doing these kinds of experiments were the up-and-coming ones. And when we did that, people complained that "well, sure, this works for the unknowns, because they have nothing to lose, but it's not a real business model." And then, in the last couple of years, with folks like Trent Reznor and some other well known artists embracing new models, suddenly the refrain changed: "well, sure, this works for them because they already have a huge following... but it'll never work for everyone else." What was silly was that they were both effectively doing the same thing: better connecting with fans, and offering them something of scarce value to buy. In my more recent presentations, I've been careful to show how artists big, medium and small are all successfully embracing new models based on this formula:

Connect with Fans (CwF) + Reason to Buy (RtB) = The Business Model
And those who are embracing it are finding that it works and works incredibly well in many cases. Yet, still people want to insist that it can't work. In fact, Reznor himself heard this when he mentioned that the Beastie Boys new offering (built on the Topspin platform) was "how you sell music today." In response, the second wave of naysayers listed above came out to complain, so Reznor decided to respond by explaining how new artists get noticed, build a following and build a business model these days. And the formula is basically: connect with fans and give them a reason to buy... and use free music to do both of those things. He does note, that if you want to be a superstar, you probably need to sign with a label, but doing so will mean giving up pretty much everything: control, profits, ownership. However, if you just want to be a success...

* Forget thinking you are going to make any real money from record sales. Make your record cheaply (but great) and GIVE IT AWAY. As an artist you want as many people as possible to hear your work. Word of mouth is the only true marketing that matters....

* Parter with a TopSpin or similar or build your own website, but what you NEED to do is this - give your music away as high-quality DRM-free MP3s. Collect people's email info in exchange (which means having the infrastructure to do so) and start building your database of potential customers. Then, offer a variety of premium packages for sale and make them limited editions / scarce goods. Base the price and amount available on what you think you can sell. Make the packages special - make them by hand, sign them, make them unique, make them something YOU would want to have as a fan...

* The point is this: music IS free whether you want to believe that or not. Every piece of music you can think of is available free right now a click away. This is a fact - it sucks as the musician BUT THAT'S THE WAY IT IS (for now). So... have the public get what they want FROM YOU instead of a torrent site and garner good will in the process (plus build your database)....

* Have your MySpace page, but get a site outside MySpace - it's dying and reads as cheap / generic. Remove all Flash from your website. Remove all stupid intros and load-times. MAKE IT SIMPLE TO NAVIGATE AND EASY TO FIND AND HEAR MUSIC (but don't autoplay). Constantly update your site with content - pictures, blogs, whatever. Give people a reason to return to your site all the time. Put up a bulletin board and start a community. Engage your fans (with caution!) Make cheap videos. Film yourself talking. Play shows. Make interesting things. Get a Twitter account. Be interesting. Be real. Submit your music to blogs that may be interested. NEVER CHASE TRENDS. Utilize the multitude of tools available to you for very little cost of any - Flickr / YouTube / Vimeo / SoundCloud / Twitter etc.

* If you don't know anything about new media or how people communicate these days, none of this will work. The role of an independent musician these days requires a mastery of first hand use of these tools. If you don't get it - find someone who does to do this for you. If you are waiting around for the phone to ring or that A & R guy to show up at your gig - good luck, you're going to be waiting a while.

Great stuff, as usual, and certainly reinforces the point: it's certainly hard work, but it is doable. If you're unknown, use this process to get known. Once you're known, you can start to implement all different elements of the business model, using the music to make scarce goods much more valuable and start earning that way. Great advice for artists big, medium and small...

Yosemite

Fuck this!

That’s what John Muir said after being blinded in an industrial accident. A file pierced his eye and he thought his vision was history. But after a month in a darkened room, his vision returned and he walked from Indiana to Florida.

I know, I know, that was a hundred years ago. More, actually. But that’s not the point. The question is, are you working with your head or heart? At some point you’ve got to stop being who your parents want you to be and start being who you are.

I hadn’t been to Yosemite since 1973. Not much has changed. That’s how it is with the physical world. It outlasts us. We’re just a blip in time. We think we’re forever, but despite all the hosannas, even Michael Jackson’s music will soon be forgotten. It’s not human nature, it’s Mother Nature!

Yosemite is an amusement park of the mind. Rather than going on rides, being turned upside down by mechanical contraptions, you look at the landscape and your mind does somersaults. How did this happen? It’s hard to imagine a glacier that creates Half Dome, and how can El Capitan be almost perfectly vertical?

At the visitor center near Yosemite Falls there’s a bit of cell service. But you get no e-mail on your BlackBerry, you’re disconnected from everything deemed important. You’re placed in natural perspective. We’re here for such a very short time. What do we want to do, what do we want to accomplish?

Money won’t help you if you’re hiking in Tuolomne Meadows and it starts to rain. Rich people get no better view from Glacier Point than poor. In Yosemite, we’re all in it together.

On a nature walk behind the Ahwahnee Hotel, the ranger told us the John Muir story. It’s stuck with me. It’s shown me that those Americans not on the cover of "Us", not featured in the "Forbes" 500 are not losers, but in many cases winners. Money is not the only priority. You need it to live, but how much?

Would you rap if there was no Biggie, no Jay-Z?

Would you play the guitar if there was no Eddie Van Halen?

Would you be in the music business if David Geffen hadn’t made all that money?

If not, give up. Please. You’re hurting yourself. And you’ll leave no lasting mark.

But if you need to play, don’t lament that you’re not a millionaire. The music should be enough. If you’ve got a roof over your head, if you can pay the bills, you’re on the map. Affecting a coterie deeply is more important than being a momentary comet, burning brightly and then flaming out.

So don’t do what you should do, do what you want to do. Even if your chosen field is not perceived to be a road to riches. Who knew all those chefs would become stars on the Food Network? Who knew you could make a career in extreme sports? Who knew gaming would outstrip both music and movies in revenue?

I’m not saying to forgo an education. Fundamentals are important. Only by establishing a foundation do you have a place to build.

It’s time to establish your own independence. To make your own decisions. So when you’re on your deathbed, surrounded by loved ones who will soon reach their demise also, you’ve got no regrets.

--By Bob Lefsetz

Booking/Getting Gigs

1. Think Locally - The best place to start looking for gigs is in your own backyard. Get to know the music scene in your area. What venues and promoters are willing to give up and coming bands a chance? What bands in your area play live often and might need a support act? What venues in your area put on touring bands, who might need a local opening act? To get a gig, all of these factors can come into play. Approaching the right venues will open doors to you, and there is strength in numbers, so working together will the other bands in the area will increase the opportunities for everyone. (Plus, you can share gear!)

2. Get your Promo Package Together - Have a standard package ready to introduce yourself to venues and promoters. Much like the package you use when you send a demo to a label , this promo package should be short and sweet. Include a short demo CD, a short bio or one sheet to introduce the band, and some press clippings, if you have any (especially ones that review live performances). If you're going to approach people by email instead, cut and paste the info into the body of an email and include a link to a site where your music can be heard. Don't send attachments - most people won't open them.

3. Approach the Venue - To get a gig directly with a venue, call and find out who is in charge of booking bands and send them your promo package. They may tell when to contact them again. If not, give them about a week, and follow up by phone or email. Keep trying until you get an answer. If you've haven't played live much, your best bet is try to get on an existing bill with a band that already has a bit of a following. Keep in mind that if you book with a venue, you may be in charge of promoting the show yourself and paying venue rental fees, unless you are invited on to an existing concert bill.

4. Approach the Promoter - If you'd rather not self promote and take on venue fees, you can approach a promoter to get a gig. Send your promo pack to the promoter and follow up in the same way you would with a venue. If a promoter agrees to get you a show, they will book the venue and promote the show for you, but you may need to send them posters you have made yourself to do so.

   If the promoter doesn't want to put you on by yourself yet, ask them if they have any shows you could play as an opening act. If they say no, check in from time to time to remind them you are always available as a support act.

5. Understand the Deal - This is the trickiest part for most bands. First, understand that when you are just getting started, you often will not make money on your shows. In fact, you may even end up out of pocket. That doesn't mean it was all for nothing - building up your fan base will mean you do make money on future gigs.

   If you do make money, you will either have a deal where you get paid a pre-agreed amount no matter how many people turn up, or you will have a door split deal . Either deal is fine and fair. Focus on building your audience and not the money right now.

6. Play the Gig - Sounds obvious, I know, but the way you handle the gig can have a lasting impact on your ability to get future shows. Show up on time for the soundcheck and if there are other bands playing, remember everyone needs time for their soundcheck. Be professional - there is likely to be free drinks around, but remember everyone is there to hear your music, not to see if you can handle your beer. Don't sell yourself short by getting on stage in anything but your top shape, ready to play a great show. Play a good show, be courteous and professional, and you'll soon be getting more show offers!

Tips:

1. Don't Get Caught Up on the Deal - This is worth repeating. Your goal is build up your audience. Promoters and venues are taking a chance on you when you are just getting started - they will be more willing to give you a chance if you don't have a lot of financial demands.

2. But Don't Pay to Play - If you're putting on your own show, of course you may have to pay a venue hire fee and you may to pay some promotional costs. However, don't pay money simply to get on a bill, and don't trust anyone who asks you to.

3. Invite the Press - Keep the entertainment writers at your local papers informed about your activities and always invite them to the show. Also, keep your local radio stations up to date on what's happening with your band and when you're playing.

4. Respect the Guest List - Guests lists have a way of getting out of hand, fast. Don't push it with promoters with the guest list when you are trying to build up a name for yourself. If you're part of a larger bill, you may not even have any guest list spaces. If you do, use what you have and be done with it. Don't try to get 50 of your closest cheapskate friends into every show for free. You'll get a bad name for yourse

True Blue Fans (TBF)

Up & Coming Artist should be aware their livelyhoods will depend how well they learn these two very important pricipals that will lead to them, developing successful careers:

1. Fan Base Building....I call them True Blue Fans. These are your tribe members, that will purchase/spend at least $100 / year on merchandise/door fees. They will bring at least 5 new TBF into your tribe each year.

2. Realizing ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE STAGE. This is so much more than what any artist may think.