Simple Sells: Produce. Publish. Promote.

Git Yer Learn On – Draft

INTRODUCTION: It’s time to “git yer learn on.” Obtaining a post-secondary education (or attending college) is actually fairly simple, especially when a community college education is an option. Community Colleges tend to be open admissions and extremely affordable compared to most post-secondary learning options. Community colleges tend to take everyone and develop them, accordingly – e.g. remedial classes, pre-requisites, and transfer programs that lead to an education at a four-year university or workforce programs that have students job ready with an applied-science degree.

Before grappling with the finite fundamentals of college (regardless of university versus community college), avoid stress when it comes to admissions, funding, and enrollment in higher education. There’s enough to fret over in life.

To work through this article, it’s important to know a few things about me and my perspective. I am an “educationalist” (as hailed by a friend an education specialist) and I enjoy edutainment. Finally, in order to embrace the admissions and the application process, this article consists of three parts of how and why you made it to this point and things to consider along the path.

Part One – explanation of edutainment which is important to consider (or not) when selecting a college or university for higher learning.
Part Two – brief summaries of the application fundamentals in higher learning.
Part Three – resources and insight to assist in thinking about choices for higher learning.

PART ONE: I want to help you “git yer learn on.” In doing so, know that society (especially Western culture) is dowsed with extremism. So, educating mass groups of learners can be aided by a special approach hailed as edutainment. Edutainment is the juxtaposition (or alignment) of education with entertainment. Education and entertainment are not mutually exclusive – they are allies. These two aspects go hand-in-hand but must not water-down the importance of learning because our society is extremely over-sensationalized. Thus, captivating the attention and interest of anyone (especially children and young adults in Western culture) requires an engaging presentation that speaks to all three learning styles: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic…… highly effective efforts make higher learning FUNdamental like the movie, Higher Learning.

Post-secondary learning and higher education cultures a person and provides a foundation of global exposure and thinking in a lasting way that is solidified through successful completion and graduation – few other learning experiences can capture this entertaining learning experience.

On a side note, don’t believe the hype of higher learning or get lost in the ambiance of edutainment! In other words, admission to college and graduation DO NOT guarantee any kind of job upon which to measure future success, though. Once you are admitted and enrolled, your path to success is determined by you and your work ethic balanced with the relationships you build and connections made through life learning so “git yer learn on.”

I Love College coupled with “Git yer learn on” is my way of entertaining while poking fun at a process for something I hold very close to my heart: Education. To explain, a student cannot “go to school.” The educated understand you “attend class” or “attend the university.” A student can go to the bathroom, go to lunch, or go to work. You can even go home, but remember…… when learning is involved….. attending the university to obtain an education is the only option.

If you are truly going to “git yer learn on” it also needs to be noted education and entertainment occur on many levels (both formal and informal). In fact, some of the most intelligent and entertaining people I have ever known were “self-educated.” Meaning, they read, studied, and committed to developing an expansive vocabulary and extended knowledge base.

Education provides the platform for cognitive and analytical reasoning. Anyone can gather facts but that doesn’t make you educated or smart There is a learning experience cultured (or not cultured) through interactions at the university or college so, again, be sure to “git yer learn on.”

PART TWO: Let’s move on to the aspects that are CRUCIAL to understand in getting on the path to higher learning. For starters, many wealthy and upper-middle class families begin planning their child’s education from the womb. If you are doing this your junior or senior year of high school, you and your parents are “behind the eight ball.” Here is a nice college planning timeline to help you stay on track (or get back in the fold).

Nevertheless, let’s discuss the components essential to college recruitment and the application process. You have to get in and “get accepted” before you can worry about enrollment and staying for the rest of the college experience.

To simplify the admissions and enrollment process, these steps are fairly universal:

Fill out an application – here’s a great article regarding deadlines and the process in general and a boring but informative video to help you. Tier 1 colleges and universities usually require letters of recommendation, personal essay, and other supporting documents in making their decision to admit students.
Testing and submitting your transcripts – without getting into the historical underpinnings leading to ACT usage with West Coast colleges and SAT usage with East Coast colleges, just know these are the two most popular options unless the institution uses “placement testing” as a third option (this tend to be strictly unique to community and for-profit colleges).
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – I cannot stress the IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD FREE so do not pay for someone to do this for you. All you need are tax returns for you and your parents. You should ALWAYS fill this out regardless of what you “think” you may receive. The FAFSA form is only available in January for the year in which you plan to attend in the fall semester.
Meet with an academic adviser or educational counselor and put a degree plan together – here is an amazing degree planning worksheet from Metropolitan State College that is very helpful.
Enroll in your classes and brace yourself for a new lasting experience

PART THREE: Let’s explore the elements of college with a twist of edutainment:

SELECTING A COLLEGE: The campus experience is the #1 component of how a prospect chooses a college. So, get out there and go visit!!! Ask questions to students. They tend to be brutally honest about the culture, student body, faculty and professors, availability of student activities and housing, meal plans, and things in general. Some of the best advice I’ve seen given on a campus tour was a prospect talking to students in the lunch room, while a recruiter was conducting the tour. Here’s a good video with many pointers to consider: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeDC29dCeyY and things to help before you get to college and once you’re ready to “git yer learn on” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wcQGXQEcTQ&feature=related

APPLICATION PROCESS: Personal essays, deadlines, and getting to know your recruiter are important! Deadline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN9b_qdJ1hY&feature=fvsr.

TRANSCRIPT SUBMISSION: Submitting your transcripts is crucial. The most important thing to remember with early enrollment or early admissions is to keep them current. You also want to make sure that any and all AP credit or concurrent enrollment classes are included in your admissions records when you matriculate.

STANDARDIZED TESTS: There is a deep standing history between ACT and SAT, which are owned by different companies like ACT, Inc. and the College Board. For more information on function, use, format, benchmarks, and test scores, you can click here to learn more about the ACT test.

FINANCIAL AID AND THE FAFSA: You get out of this process what you put in…. if you treat it like a part-time job then you will get part-time results. I know many students who have a great deal of success with www.fastweb.com but there are also many private foundation and corporate scholarship opportunities that are available (which you will not find on the web). Use your library, contact companies, talk to social organizations like Lions Club and even your local chamber of commerce.

ACADEMIC ADVISING AND DEGREE PLANNING: The most important aspect of successfully completing college and retention is the aspect of “academic advising” and “degree planning.” Just like in high school, students must pick classes and fit them into their schedule. Balancing general education requirements with upper level classes with social, financial, and personal needs can be more than challenging. A good school will have the service support personnel available to assist you. Some universities utilize mentors and/or faculty to assist with “academic advising.”

ENROLLMENT: Balance is the key to class schedules and studying. The general rule of thumb is “3 hours of studying for every hour of class.” Some can do more and some can do less.

My Music Colloquium

“I wish there had been a music business 101 course I could have taken.” Kurt Cobain

“Independent labels take nothing and make something out of it. Major labels buy that something, and try to make more out of it.” Tom Silverman, Tommy Boy Records CEO

Take the RIGHT LANE to the road of success!

As an educator, I’m finding great solace in blogging and editing blogs, my colloquium! As a musician and producer, blogging helps me sort through my thoughts and feelings about the evolution of the music industry unfolding in the last decade or so before our very eyes as it relates to production, promotion, and publishing. Having class, embracing quality, and staying ahead of the curve is important to me.

I use my experience and publishing to help others find a path to success (there’s many pathways in the long haul to REAL success and no instant gratification). So, I have created my own vantage point that allows me to walk the high ground and patrol around the nuances with as much definitive grace as can be mustered. Combining education with production through my blogs completes me: My Music Colloquium. This colloquium and series of blogs is influenced by my passions from being entrenched in performance and music listening as a child. One recent little gem that shows promise is MusicXray.com. Opportunity to make money to listen to music.

I realized at an early age there is a sense of liberty and freedom that comes with a diverse music palette and discovery of new music before anyone else. To illustrate, I embraced Metallica’s indie album (in the early 80′s) and stayed with them through the 90′s) to also include Newkleus (Jam on It) as a child. Now, I find myself listening to a good deal of independent music on the internet sprinkled with Billboard hits from the radio and satellite radio. The only thing that matters to me (from a production standpoint) is the sonic boom and overall crispness in the quality of the audio.

After reading many “Do It Yourself” (aka DIY) blogs, a blog by a lifelong friend through his 52 Weeks publications has helped me notice with more inspection, through think tanks with other colleagues and producers, of WHAT NOT TO DO. I have identified and labeled these occurrences because they adversely affect the creative process and production timeline, and negatively impact value and overall quality.

There will be a Part II to this in the interest of time. These are some of the things (which I treat as diseases because many are curable but often times the death of projects) that drive away opportunities, people, or financial gain:

Hamster Wheel Syndrome (also known as “Walking in Place”) – meaning a person gives the appearance of being successful while going nowhere and producing no measurable results, and making themselves [sometimes other people] believe something is really happening! In other words, just like the hamster in the wheel, these people truly believe they are being productive and really “moving right along.” This is a contagious disease. Get away from them immediately! Run! Don’t pass go or collect money because you’re probably playing the game Monopoly and the opportunity is like the money, not REAL! When you’re running, make sure you are not “running in place” with the contagion. This syndrome bores potential fans as much as this YouTube video regarding the importance of teaching a Mime how to “walk in place.” Hamster Wheel Syndrome resembles Jerry Wexler’s utterance, “I’ve made hundreds of legendary records that people talk about that didn’t sell.”

This is a classic nitpicking, quibbling session with Annoying Orange.

Nit-pickingitis (also known as quibbling) – people who nit-pick Experts or Professionals alienate a network of interconnected businessmen and a wealth of individuals they may never meet because people talk. If someone quibbles with me over trivial details that do not matter, then I want all of my friends to know of these negative and tiresome people; many of these people also have Hamster Wheel Syndrome. You know these folks. They usually call themselves leaders and are the most vocal, but really they are the south-end of a northbound donkey, and must be avoided at all costs. For lack of a better example, these people come off sounding like Brainy Smurf. A friend pointed out that many of those infected with nit-pickingitis spearhead a great deal of “indie” movements but never leave the scene, ever.

Non-Negotiators and Negative Ned - these people want to talk a tough one, but in the process of being in charge they alienate people and ruin the opportunity, or on the other hand they don’t have much of anything to say and fail to return to the table with other options. These deal-breakers claim to have a boat load of knowledge that produces neither tangible results nor value added support. These people wouldn’t know a submarine with a screen-door from a nuclear sub with all the bells and whistles; they are the production equivalent of an engineer who thinks Peavey or Mackie can hold a candle to an SSL or low-end Neve.

The non-negotiators argue with logic leading to commercially viable products, and think Shure mics can compete with Neuman or Royer. Let me stop there. At the end of the day (or deal at hand), they couldn’t negotiate a payment or promotion opportunity to save their life or pay their mortgage, and they cry like the baby in the video without any dialogue. The true craftsman can balance opportunities that are free (with added value) to the scale of paystyle, as coined by E 40 in the last verse of his landmark song, Rappers Ball. The real negotiators remind me of an old saying from Barry Gordy, ”Money had never been the main thing for me. It’s the legacy that was important.” In other words, at the end of the day, money comes with the success of a legacy.

Egos and Bad Attitudes – these folks stand out in a group and the rancor of their bitterness looms through the air, while at the other end of the spectrum is simply being nice and kind. Experience is showing that their cockiness and/or bad attitude is a result of insecurity regarding their success past, present or future. Hamster Wheel Syndrome is usually their motive behind their personality, too. It is imperative to avoid egos and bad attitudes because they are toxic. We all know that toxins are infectious and spread. I have seen good people become tainted and develop distrusting personalities then become categorized as egotistical or having a bad attitude as they try to rise above this toxic environment.

Some egos are inevitable and unavoidable, but the people I work with are truly kind all the way to their core. One example of the kindest music producer that will stick with me for a lifetime is Al Schmitt, a producer with 19 Grammys and hundreds of gold and platinum albums. While I was working at Capitol Records on a piano project with Al Schmitt, he was quick to share a story and answer a question. There was not a shady bone in his body and he introduced us to all of the Hollywood celebrities who stopped by to say “Hello” as if we were long lost friends. His class, quality, and graciousness will stick with me forever and I bring that to the forefront on every project to the best of my ability. NOTE: I have also learned that some people with “huge hearts” have bad intentions, but people with bad attitudes are far worse than those who have intentions that may be a bit malaligned, though not purposely malicious. Some times, in these situations bad attitudes develop so remember that accidents and bad things happen periodically – avoid letting it define your kind approach to future situations.

MichaelHyatt.com

Stupidity that results in “Stupid is, stupid does.” Stupidity is a disease, possibly curable, but it is a disease. Stupid people who are ignorant are the ones I’m talking about in this thread and I crusade from time-to-time to fight back. In the words of Steve Polyak, it must be noted, “Before we work on artificial intelligence why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?” Meaning, stupid people have the faculties and ability to learn, but choose not to enhance their knowledge base. There are many different levels of stupidity that present at various stages in pre and post production, and I am only going to discuss a few that are the most common stupid moves made by people in the business. Again, Hamster Wheel Syndrome is often affiliated with these types of people, as well. Good products and production are engrained in quality and quality control. The biggest faux paus with stupidity is closely aligned with gimmicks, doing stupid things in the name of entertainment, or associating your self with stupid people.

Although not a contagion or disease, but closely aligned with stupidity is the conundrum of “Sharpie Production.” Submitting CD’s and materials to professionals using a Sharpie IS UNACCEPTABLE and quite annoying; it speaks volumes about your professionalism (or lack thereof) and your attention (or lack thereof) to detail. These writing utensils are for office administration and files, not radio or label submissions. Sharpies are the Redneck Duct-tape of the music business and bane of existence for many program directors and A&R representatives. A program director told me, “I’d be rich if I had a dollar for every CD submitted written on with a Sharpie. If I ever meet or encounter the person who submits that ever again…… I will show them where we file them [as he dropped it in the trash].” What’s sad is I knew the person and producer. The music was amazing, the presentation….. not so much. As we sometimes joke, “it was ghetto fabulous” and trash is trash no matter how you try to decorate or present it. It’s that simple.

If you have questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me via email: trevor@trevorlane.com.

Complacent Patriot?

As the 4th of July creeps up on me, I am asking, “What type of American would I be if complacency kept me silent?” Although a bit off base, The Beastie Boys have one thing right….. “You gotta fight for your right(s)……” albeit maybe not necessarily to party in this vein, but the fight gave life to our party this weekend.

It’s hard to ignore some striking changes that will impact our future – some I’m okay with….. other changes, not so much.

To illustrate, the music business is dead or morphing into something new, the dollar is falling behind other currencies, our American educational system is now lagging behind other countries, people dependent on government is at an all time high, and capitalism is a dying or passing thought to some. These are facts.

When I think of sacrifices from the signers of the Declaration (who some prospered while others lost everything) and all the soldiers and their families who sacrificed over the centuries…… I find myself wondering……. have I become a complacent patriot?

Only time will tell, but I have decided that when something feels so utterly (and disturbingly) wrong deep down in my bones…. I’m going to speak up, maybe even loudly or belligerently. I feel as if the silent majority is losing the war on what made this country so great. I just hope I’m not alone.

So, while the fireworks are blazing in the sky, enjoy the time with your families and reflect (maybe do some research) on what our country has been through to enjoy these freedoms. There has been a great deal of REWARD and PROSPERITY, as well as pain and loss, so that people can be “fat and happy” or at a minimum just complacent. Our system is not perfect…. BUT OUR SYSTEM WORKS when people stand up and speak out.

There’s a generation of little one’s behind us…. what are we teaching and preserving for them? Be safe and take your citizenship to heart. I am.

How to be INDIE in a MAJOR way.

Just overall good advice no matter the genre or type of music in the YouTube Video below. You should also check out Full Service at http://www.fullservicemusic.com/home.php from Austin, Texas.

To personalize or not to personalize?

As I continue to develop my site, maintaining a personal edge without being too corporate or pretentious has been important to me. Well, I have really opened the door on the personal side of things and have decided to archive the first round of posts with a simple password, as we move forward. Hit me up if you want the password. It also helped me condense the material and make it easier for others to navigate.

Now that my SEO and webskills have taken me to the lead on most search engines (claiming #1 on most of them). I figured this would be a good step in bringing a professional edge to the table, as well. I have been working on getting my name “Trevor Lane” to the top of the search engines for quite some time because there are other Trevor Lanes out there! Even one who works for a major label doing what I do for all the indie kats (would love to meet him someday in person), a Trevor Lane who is a podiatrist, a Trevor Lane who is a baseball player, and some others who muddy up my search engine rankings.

So, moving forward, I hope to keep the personal edge while keeping it professional. One love! Trev

p.s. My big projects for the year have finally made it into the stream of commerce: Dangerous Rob (Way 2 Dangerous), Backwoods Bash Music and Camping Festival 2011, and Project YES (the talent show for the kids, by the kids and keyword “Project YES” on iTunes).

Git Yer Learn On – Draft

My Music Colloquium

This is a classic nitpicking, quibbling session with Annoying Orange.

Complacent Patriot?

How to be INDIE in a MAJOR way.

To personalize or not to personalize?

Protected: Thirteen Weeks – December 20, 2010

Protected: Thirteen Weeks – December 13, 2010

Protected: Thirteen Weeks – December 6, 2010

Protected: Thirteen Weeks – November 29, 2010

Protected: Thirteen Weeks – November 22, 2010

Protected: Thirteen Weeks – November 15, 2010

Protected: Tragedy into Triumph!

Protected: Thirteen Weeks – November 8, 2010

Protected: Thirteen Weeks – November 1, 2010

Protected: Thirteen Weeks – October 25, 2010

Protected: 13 Weeks – October 18, 2010

Protected: 13 Weeks – October 11, 2010

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