Taken at my last Sugar Bar gig on Sept 23, 2009

This lovely Upper West Side music venue and restaurant is owned by legendary songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson (“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)”, “Solid (As a Rock)”, “You’re All I Need to Get By”), and I’m excited to be performing there again.

Nearest subway stop to Sugar Bar:
West 72nd Street Station; Trains: 1, 2, 3

For dinner reservations, call (212) 579-0222

March 31st – Carla Lynne Hall plays Ashford & Simpson’s SUGAR BAR

• Moxie Entertainment: Carla Lynne Hall
• Date: Wednesday, March 31st 2010
• Time: 9:00pm
• City: Carla Lynne Hall in New York, NY
• Venue: Sugar Bar
• Address: 254 W. 72nd St. (Bet Broadway & West End Ave.)
• Venue phone: 212 579 0222
• Country: United States
• Admission: $10
• Age restrictions: No Minors
• Notes: This show at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar is presented by Make It Happen Entertainment
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

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This new site is currently under construction, and will eventually take the place of all the other music business related blogs that I have floating out there in the blogosphere. I’ll be consolidating all of the various online music marketing content that I have on this site, and I’ll eventually delete the rest. Future plans include a new newsletter and e-courses for musicians, and I’m very excited!

Best to keep my online music marketing issues in one basket, as opposed to scattering them around. I’ll keep you posted.

Check out Online Music Marketing at Online-MusicMarketing.com

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Supernova
Lyrics and music written by Carla Lynne Hall

I’m no Galileo, but I know what I find
A new discovery, so glad that it’s mine
It’s not a satellite invading my view
Out of the blue, the brightest star is you

Supernova, in the galaxy of you and me
Supernova, I can’t fight the laws of gravity

Brand new constellation you can see in the sky
A silly Capricorn, a sad Gemini
Don’t need a telescope, just your naked eye
Out of the blue, the brightest star is you

Supernova, in the galaxy of you and me
Supernova, I can’t fight the laws of gravity
How did our worlds collide in a thousand points of light?
You shine so bright, Supernova

There’s no other planet where I would like to be
Hope I do for you what I know you do for me
Thank my lucky stars in the heavens above
Your celestial body is all I’m dreaming of

Supernova, in the galaxy of you and me
Supernova, I can’t fight the laws of gravity
How did our worlds collide in a thousand points of light?
You shine so bright, Supernova
Super…….

©2004 Carla Hall/Soulflower Selections/ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission.

Supernova – Carla Lynne Hall – vocals; Christian Cassan – guitar

Supernova photo credit – NASA Blog

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FINALLY, IT’S HERE:TWITTER FOR MUSICIANS!!!

Twitter for Musicians is my straightforward, easy-to-follow strategy guide that will help musicians build their online presence by using this fun and popular social media site. This eBook is available for instant pdf download for only $10 at http://Musician-Tweets.com

Quicker than sending an email, Twitter is a popular social networking site that enables musicians to start and build musical relationships in 140 characters or less. Musicians who are unfamiliar with Twitter often get bored before they see the beauty and opportunity of Twitter. If you’re a musician who has given up on your Twitter account, or wants to learn how you can use it to build a buzz about your music, Twitter for Musicians is for you!

Did you know that you can use Twitter to:

* Build your fanbase
* Book gigs
* Sell your MP3s
* Meet and communicate with other musicians and music fans
* Get new visitors to your website, MySpace, etc
* Contact music industry professionals
* Learn the latest indie music news and trends
* and more!

Many of the tactics outlined in this 35-page guide can be implemented right out of the box. Twitter for Musicians also includes case studies of musicians who have used Twitter successfully, which will help inspire new ideas that you can also use.

“Carla Lynne Hall is an amazing strategist.” – Ariel Hyatt, Ariel Publicity

“Carla Lynne Hall is like your cool-ass aunt that gives you the real deal about the music business.” – Darrell McNeill, Executive Director, Black Rock Coalition

“Carla, thank you so much for your insights – you really have inspired me!” – Emma Wolfin, songwriter

Take a peek at Twitter for Musicians’ Table of Contents:

How Can Twitter Help Musicians
The eBook’s Introduction which details the many ways that Twitter can boost a musicians’ career

For Beginners Only
If you’re totally new to Twitter, this section teaches musicians how to get started, from scratch.

Find Your Twibe
On Twitter, no band is an island. How to find and make Twitter friends

Develop Your Online Brand
Before you build your presence on Twitter, or any other social networking site, it’s good to know who you are, and what you want to stand for

Win Twiends and Influence Tweeple
Good Twitter etiquette, and how to wield your influence like a Twitter Ninja!

Promote Yourself and Your Music!
How to promote yourself, your music, and videos – within 140 characters!

Case Study: Amanda Palmer
Learn how this singer/songwriter used the power of Twitter to make $19,000 in a few days

Case Study: Imogen Heap
Learn how this singer/songwriter used Twitter and video blogs to record her CD, and sell out her performances

Samples of Actual Music-Related Tweets
Tweets from songwriters, musicians, and bands that attracted responses and results!

Twitter Musician Resources
Lists of musicians, music websites, podcasters and other helpful music folks on Twitter; Lists of free Twitter tools to help you manage your goals, and your time

Suggested Reading
A short bibliography of helpful books and guides for indie musicians

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About Carla Lynne Hall:
Carla Lynne Hall is a musician and music marketing consultant based in New York City. Her mission is to make music and share her knowledge with other musicians. As a musician, she has released three CDs on her Moxie Entertainment label, and has toured the world as a singer/songwriter, and professional vocalist. Her current CD SUPERNOVA has been described as “Norah Jones meets Sade for tea on their way to meet The Beatles.”

Carla has also spent a number of years behind the scenes in the music industry: Synch Music Licensing at EMI Music Publishing; Director of Marketing, Juna Entertainment (music management); Musician Mastermind Forum Manager, Ariel Music Publicity; Street Team radio promotion, Hot 105 FM, WHQT (Miami, FL).

Carla has given indie music lectures at many venues, including ASCAP, Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, The Indie Music Forum, and Philadelphia Music Conference. She is also the host of Musicians Lunch, a monthly musician’s gathering in NYC, and other cities around the US.

As well as being an Associate Writer for MusicDish.com, Carla is also the former music business columnist for Vibe Magazine, and her writing has been featured in publications around the world. She is the author of The DIY Guide to the Music Biz and Twitter for Musicians. Carla also blogs about the life of an indie musician at Rock Star Life Lessons.com

Twitter for Musicians is available for instant download at http://Musician-Tweets.com

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Wow.

For so many reasons, last night’s show at The Sugar Bar was an amazing experience – and I’m still recovering!

If you were there, you know how much fun we had. Here’s a little video clip that I took of the audience with my Flip camera. Maybe you’ll see yourself!

If you couldn’t make it, the video will give you a little taste to hold you til the rest of the video is edited.

Thank you so much for a wonderful night.

- Carla

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I’m happy to announce that my next show will be on Wed, Sept 23rd at Sugar Bar, the lovely Upper West Side spot that’s owned by legendary songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson. You may remember their famous tunes “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “You’re All I Need to Get By”, “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)”, “Solid (As a Rock)”.

This show is a part of Make It Happen Entertainment’s “Rock & Soul” Series, “where the line between Rock & Soul blurs, morphs and merges while each genre maintains the integrity of the music!” Special thanks to Danny Brookings for booking this gig!

Sugar Bar’s website reads:
If you want sweet, Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar can satisfy that tooth. Of course you can fill up on your sugar intake anywhere, but the Sugar Bar offers a different kind of sweet. We are talking sweet music, soul-stirring riffs, runs and melodies in a cozy environment, with delectable cuisine you can find only at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar. Presenting a fresh alternative to the mundane, the Sugar Bar, is an intimate full service restaurant, where every table has an excellent view of the stage.

Intimately immersed in big flavors, live performances, and our signature Sugartinis, an evening here might begin at the watering well where specialty cocktails and a selection of cultural appetizers set the mood and whet the appetite.

Carla Lynne Hall Solo Performance
Wednesday, September 23rd
Ashford & Simpson’s SUGAR BAR
254 W. 72nd St. (between Broadway & West End Ave.)
NYC
COVER: $10
TIME: Doors-7:00pm
Show-8:00pm

For dinner reservations, call (212) 579-0222

This venue has a great vibe, and I hope to see you there!

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The following essay was originally published September 18, 2001 in my snail mail newsletter, The Soulflower. Since then, the President and Mayor have changed, as well as my tattooed sweetie. In addition, The Soulflower went from snail mail to email. Regardless of the personnel and technological changes, the message has remained, and I’m happy to share it again, in its original form. – CLH

The Week After September 11th, 2001: A Musician’s Perspective
by Carla Lynne Hall

This morning I woke up spooning my sweetie. In the dawn’s shadow, I noticed his rumpled hair, and the symbol for chaos tattooed on the back of his neck. I took a deep whiff of him, and felt grateful and humbled. It hit me suddenly that there’s a woman on the other side of New York City who started her morning last Tuesday in a similar fashion. And in a single moment, her life was changed forever.

There’s nothing like a slap in the head to provide clarity. I feel like we weren’t paying attention before, but we sure are now. More than ever, I feel it’s important to keep true to your life, and the dreams that have brought you this far. Our consciousness as a nation has been raised. Many of us are thinking, what is important to me right now? Things that seemed so crucial last week don’t even rate a thought today. Other things that had been taken for granted have gained much importance. I read somewhere that there’s an old Russian custom in which people sit down to say goodbye before they take leave of one another. I mean really say goodbye. The practice came about from dangerous times when people knew that there was a chance that they might not see each other again. I thought it was quaint when I read it, but I’m digging that custom myself right now. I want everyone I love to know it, and dammit, I want to play music.

I’m a late bloomer in many senses of the word. I think of the many years that I spent thinking about being a working musician instead of just going for it. The time wasted dreaming about accompanying myself on guitar, but not actually doing it. The times that I was too nervous and scared to sign up for an open mic. Last month I participated in a “Month of Fear” experiment in which I overdosed on the things I was afraid of. For me, that was playing guitar in public. One month and eleven open mics later, I have conquered that fear. Until last Tuesday, I was proud of that accomplishment. Now all I can think of is, what took me so long? Why didn’t I do this before?

And I realized something: Life is too short to be afraid.

President George W. Bush and New York Mayor Guiliani urge for people to go back to work, to begin again. For some, that will take a while. There is no longer an understanding of “business as usual”. But to regain our strength as a nation, we must continue. How am I supposed to tell you to keep playing? How can I suggest that you get up and practice your instrument this morning? I feel guilty to speak of making music now, but I must. Because we are musicians, this is what we do. Others will look dumbfounded at you while you make plans for your next show. How dare you be able to think of getting a record deal at a time like this? I’ll tell you why: we all cope in our own way. We are feeling vulnerable now, but we cannot give up our lives.

If there is a backpocket dream you’re holding on to, by all means follow it. In the wake of last week’s tragedy, our excuses don’t amount to a hill of beans. If you don’t do it now, when will you? We can build a historical record of this time musically, and help those who cannot express themselves. It’s important for the bankers to return to Wall Street, but it’s just as important for musicians to write songs, play shows, and keep going. This is how we fight the good fight.

Ars longa, vida brevis: Life is short; art is long.

###

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Success Leaves Clues
by Carla Lynne Hall

Excerpted from The DIY Guide to the Music Biz

So you want to be a rock star? Or perhaps you want to sell 5,000 copies of your CD? Or maybe you just want to pack the house for your next gig. “How do I do that?” you ask. In this life, there are no guarantees, but one way to become closer to your goals is to study how other successful musicians and performers got where they are. I’m not just talking about Behind the Music, although those shows are an education of their own. I mean studying the techniques that others have used to become successful.

In Anthony Robbins groundbreaking book Unlimited Power, he writes, “Success leaves clues. It means that if I see anyone in this world producing a result I desire, I can produce the same results if I’m willing to pay the price of time and effort. If you want to achieve success, all you need to do is find a way to model those who have already succeeded.”

This is a brilliant concept. Even if you tried, there is no way that you could really be a clone of anyone else. However, you can still learn skills from the best if you’re willing to put in the time. Be original, but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

We live in a wonderful time where information is as close as our fingertips, thanks to the Internet. A visit to the Google search engine can lead you to new ideas to take you closer to your dreams of success. Reality shows such as American Idol and Making the Band give you a private (although biased) peek into the world of the platinum-plated music industry. If you’ve decided that you want to reach the top, then you have to do your research before you get there.

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Tonight, August 31st, I’ll be appearing on the Homegrown Radio NJ Podcast from 7-9:30pm EST. Hosted by Carl Worner, this podcast will feature me performing live, as well as sharing songs from my musical influences.

Tune into Home Grown Radio NJ!

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You asked for it. You got it! “Twitter for Musicians” is the next workshop that I’ll be presenting in NYC on August 29th in NYC. If you’re not using, or haven’t gotten the hang of, Twitter yet, it’s a great social networking tool that enables you to get your point across in 140 characters or less. If you didn’t already know, Twitter is my favorite social network, and I’ve been able to start and build musical relationships via Twitter in less time than it take to send an email.

Did you know that you can use Twitter to:

* Build your fanbase
* Book gigs
* Sell your MP3s
* Meet and communicate with other musicians and music fans
* Get new visitors to your website, MySpace, etc
* Contact music industry professionals
* Learn the latest indie music news and trends
* Get your point across in 140 characters or less!
* Play Strip Twitter (okay, just checking to see that you were paying attention!)
* and more!

People who are unfamiliar with Twitter often get bored before they see the beauty and opportunity of Twitter. If you’ve given up on your Twitter account, or want to learn how you can use it to build your music business, this workshop is for you!

Twitter is a fun way to meet and communicate with other music lovers, as well as build a buzz about your music. This workshop will include case studies of twitter musician success stories, as well as video presentations and handouts. You can bring your laptop if you like, but you will not need a computer to enjoy this workshop.

Workshop is limited to 30 attendees. Please click here to reserve your seat via PayPal:

Twitter for Musicians Workshop
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2009
Time: 1-3pm
Price: $40.00
Location: Center for Arts Education
14 Penn Plaza (alternate address is 225 West 34th Street between 7th & 8th Ave)
Suite 1112 (11th Floor)
New York, NY

I look forward to helping you meet your music marketing goals via Twitter!

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