Ask Andrew...

[Andrew]

How can a band get signed on mr records?

I'm looking for (old and new) great talent....GREAT songs...old school sound must have something new in the mix and new style bands must have old school melodic rock in their veins.

Bottom line - great performers, strong vocalist and killer MELODIC songs. Style can vary, but must have these attributes...and a great production.

[Andrew]

What's the name of the new Nelson album?

Lightning Strikes Again

Nevermind the probability that no one outside of our community knows about it, Andrew, but didn't you tell the brothers that Dokken's last album has the very same name?

Actually, when the album was being touted in August of '09...it was titled Lightning Strikes Twice...perhaps Drew misspoke, and that is still the name.

My mistake...TWICE it is....

[S2M]

and the question about how much it costs to finance a MRFest?

Inquiring minds......

[Andrew]

Seriously, how much scratch is needed to put on one of these shows together like MRFest?

I was thinking roughly 75,000...but what the fuck do I know....lol

I just spent 2 weeks doing the financials to wrap up my tax obligations for the last financial year.

The show should have cost $40k....ended up costing $70k (and that was including HUGE "mates rates" deals from all including some bands that played for the love of it) and I only made back $50k.

So...you can understand why I'm not prepping a 2011 show.

[S2M]

Seriously, how much scratch is needed to put on one of these shows together like MRFest?

I was thinking roughly 75,000...but what the fuck do I know....lol

I just spent 2 weeks doing the financials to wrap up my tax obligations for the last financial year.

The show should have cost $40k....ended up costing $70k (and that was including HUGE "mates rates" deals from all including some bands that played for the love of it) and I only made back $50k.

So...you can understand why I'm not prepping a 2011 show.

Are you responsible for their travel and lodging?

[S2M]

With all your industry contacts could you corral enough donated merch to have an MR auction here to offset the cost of the next one? Couple that with asking for an extra $100 per weekend ticket (for a total of $275 for Fri, Sat, & Sun)....those two additions alone should offset plenty. Plus starting the ad campaign earlier....seems doable. At least to a hack like me....

Also, you could team up with T-bone, and Dan from HH and get something going with both sites....plus, we're (and by we're I mean ME) going to pester you about it every day....

[rockinfayrose]

I have a question, Andrew -

When will the pre-ordered MR CD be mailed out to us anxiously awaiting customers?

[Andrew]

Seriously, how much scratch is needed to put on one of these shows together like MRFest?

I was thinking roughly 75,000...but what the fuck do I know....lol

I just spent 2 weeks doing the financials to wrap up my tax obligations for the last financial year.

The show should have cost $40k....ended up costing $70k (and that was including HUGE "mates rates" deals from all including some bands that played for the love of it) and I only made back $50k.

So...you can understand why I'm not prepping a 2011 show.

Are you responsible for their travel and lodging?

You bet.

Venue / Travel (all flights & incidentals) / Hotels / Ground Transport / Riders / Backline (Artist and Venue) / some band appearance fees (big $) / Tickets etc...

A shitload of work and mental stress.

[Andrew]

With all your industry contacts could you corral enough donated merch to have an MR auction here to offset the cost of the next one? Couple that with asking for an extra $100 per weekend ticket (for a total of $275 for Fri, Sat, & Sun)....those two additions alone should offset plenty. Plus starting the ad campaign earlier....seems doable. At least to a hack like me....

Also, you could team up with T-bone, and Dan from HH and get something going with both sites....plus, we're (and by we're I mean ME) going to pester you about it every day....

Dan from HH was a show sponsor as he was the first - always a great supporter.

As for ticket prices...I only sold 500-ish at whatever rate I had this year. Not sure bumping it up would do any better!

And donated merch - maybe...but that would be appealing to the die hards that already put their money where their mouths are. There just needs to be more of those folk willing (and able to afford) to get out for the weekend.

The current economy really hit hard....I figured folks would make an exception for this event, but it wasn't to be.

[Andrew]

I have a question, Andrew -

When will the pre-ordered MR CD be mailed out to us anxiously awaiting customers?

Already in the air...

[Andrew]

With all your industry contacts could you corral enough donated merch to have an MR auction here to offset the cost of the next one? Couple that with asking for an extra $100 per weekend ticket (for a total of $275 for Fri, Sat, & Sun)....those two additions alone should offset plenty. Plus starting the ad campaign earlier....seems doable. At least to a hack like me....

Also, you could team up with T-bone, and Dan from HH and get something going with both sites....plus, we're (and by we're I mean ME) going to pester you about it every day....

I'd only contemplate some kind of event with a free venue and AT LEAST $20k in coporate sponsorship up front. Not likely to happen

[S2M]

With all your industry contacts could you corral enough donated merch to have an MR auction here to offset the cost of the next one? Couple that with asking for an extra $100 per weekend ticket (for a total of $275 for Fri, Sat, & Sun)....those two additions alone should offset plenty. Plus starting the ad campaign earlier....seems doable. At least to a hack like me....

Also, you could team up with T-bone, and Dan from HH and get something going with both sites....plus, we're (and by we're I mean ME) going to pester you about it every day....

Dan from HH was a show sponsor as he was the first - always a great supporter.

As for ticket prices...I only sold 500-ish at whatever rate I had this year. Not sure bumping it up would do any better!

And donated merch - maybe...but that would be appealing to the die hards that already put their money where their mouths are. There just needs to be more of those folk willing (and able to afford) to get out for the weekend.

The current economy really hit hard....I figured folks would make an exception for this event, but it wasn't to be.

I'm not sure the economy had anything to do with it other than the fact that some fans....and I'm not mentioning any names...Canadian Deb. chose to go see EM for the umpteenth time, rather than spring for an MR sponsored event. I mean, you had people fly in from Europe. So....

I think it is more of the case of people not putting down that 3rd donut, and cutting out a couple of Starbuck coffees each week. By the time the concert season starts they'd have extra scratch. I think the price was a great deal for what people got. How about a price hike for a Meet & Greet package? Only the diehards would pay it, but you'd raise extra revenue. This may sound cheesy, but how about an auction or raffle for the chance to get up on stage and sing a song with one of the bands? Or how about getting someone to film the damn thing and make it available for purchase?

You and I butt heads sometimes cause I'm an arrogant, cynical prick....but I would like to see another one happen. Use us to get the word out. Start up a Street team for MRF3..Most of the serious fans are on the Noticeboard, and HH...make some noise!

And I would seriously consider asking for a small membership fee here....expand MR-X. Raise that fee. Ask for help.

[S2M]

With all your industry contacts could you corral enough donated merch to have an MR auction here to offset the cost of the next one? Couple that with asking for an extra $100 per weekend ticket (for a total of $275 for Fri, Sat, & Sun)....those two additions alone should offset plenty. Plus starting the ad campaign earlier....seems doable. At least to a hack like me....

Also, you could team up with T-bone, and Dan from HH and get something going with both sites....plus, we're (and by we're I mean ME) going to pester you about it every day....

I'd only contemplate some kind of event with a free venue and AT LEAST $20k in coporate sponsorship up front. Not likely to happen

Does that $20k corporate sponsorship need to be paid back?

[Andrew]

With all your industry contacts could you corral enough donated merch to have an MR auction here to offset the cost of the next one? Couple that with asking for an extra $100 per weekend ticket (for a total of $275 for Fri, Sat, & Sun)....those two additions alone should offset plenty. Plus starting the ad campaign earlier....seems doable. At least to a hack like me....

Also, you could team up with T-bone, and Dan from HH and get something going with both sites....plus, we're (and by we're I mean ME) going to pester you about it every day....

I'd only contemplate some kind of event with a free venue and AT LEAST $20k in coporate sponsorship up front. Not likely to happen

Does that $20k corporate sponsorship need to be paid back?

No. Sponsor gets naming rights to event or whatever they want/need as far as advertising partnership or presence at the show. They give me the money to use....they get advertising etc..

[S2M]

How about this....Make a contest out of it. Whoever gets you your $20k from sponsorship for a 3rd fest gets the show in their city....ok, even *I* have to admit that's genius....only in U.S., of course.....

[Andrew]

How about this....Make a contest out of it. Whoever gets you your $20k from sponsorship for a 3rd fest gets the show in their city....ok, even *I* have to admit that's genius....only in U.S., of course.....

As screwball as that sounds...I like it!

[Andrew]

You and I butt heads sometimes cause I'm an arrogant, cynical prick.....

Nothing wrong with that. As long as you agree with me

I prefer people that speak their mind...most of the time

[S2M]

How about this....Make a contest out of it. Whoever gets you your $20k from sponsorship for a 3rd fest gets the show in their city....ok, even *I* have to admit that's genius....only in U.S., of course.....

As screwball as that sounds...I like it!

Do you have to be a promotor or venue manager to get a band press kit to shop around? Cause I'm sure sponsors might want to know exactly what they are dishing the ducats for....can you get a tentative list of who you'd even want at the show? I'll start on this dilemma as early as next week.....I vote for Brian Howe, D2, House of Lords, Tyketto, and Nelson right off the bat.....

I'm sure the Swedes are out, right? No Crazy Lixx, Wig Wam, or Reckless Love....too much money to get them?

[Andrew]

How about this....Make a contest out of it. Whoever gets you your $20k from sponsorship for a 3rd fest gets the show in their city....ok, even *I* have to admit that's genius....only in U.S., of course.....

As screwball as that sounds...I like it!

Do you have to be a promotor or venue manager to get a band press kit to shop around? Cause I'm sure sponsors might want to know exactly what they are dishing the ducats for....can you get a tentative list of who you'd even want at the show? I'll start on this dilemma as early as next week.....I vote for Brian Howe, D2, House of Lords, Tyketto, and Nelson right off the bat.....

I'm sure the Swedes are out, right? No Crazy Lixx, Wig Wam, or Reckless Love....too much money to get them?

I'm sure they'd play for free, but flights and extras would put a $10k price tag on one single band.

And no, you don't have to be anyone to shop an idea around....and I would never even begin to think of a line-up, but there is always melodicrockfest.com to reference to.

[artist4perry]

Are you O.K.? Not getting to over cooked with everything my omnipotent Wombat friend? How are the projects going?

[Deb]

I'm not sure the economy had anything to do with it other than the fact that some fans....and I'm not mentioning any names...Canadian Deb. chose to go see EM for the umpteenth time, rather than spring for an MR sponsored event. I mean, you had people fly in from Europe. So....

Funny Mr Sean, I don't recall seeing you at the first MRFest either? Flying out west to California compared to flying out east for this western Canuck is a huge price difference.....as much as I would love or wish I could afford to, I can't go to everything.

[Andrew]

Are you O.K.? Not getting to over cooked with everything my omnipotent Wombat friend? How are the projects going?

Slowly!

[Deb]

How about this....Make a contest out of it. Whoever gets you your $20k from sponsorship for a 3rd fest gets the show in their city....ok, even *I* have to admit that's genius....only in U.S., of course.....

As screwball as that sounds...I like it!

Do you have to be a promotor or venue manager to get a band press kit to shop around? Cause I'm sure sponsors might want to know exactly what they are dishing the ducats for....can you get a tentative list of who you'd even want at the show? I'll start on this dilemma as early as next week.....I vote for Brian Howe, D2, House of Lords, Tyketto, and Nelson right off the bat.....

I'm sure the Swedes are out, right? No Crazy Lixx, Wig Wam, or Reckless Love....too much money to get them?

I'm sure they'd play for free, but flights and extras would put a $10k price tag on one single band.And no, you don't have to be anyone to shop an idea around....and I would never even begin to think of a line-up, but there is always melodicrockfest.com to reference to.

Aren't alot of them based out of California? Have it in LA, no flights?! But then venues might be more expensive maybe?

[S2M]

How about this....Make a contest out of it. Whoever gets you your $20k from sponsorship for a 3rd fest gets the show in their city....ok, even *I* have to admit that's genius....only in U.S., of course.....

As screwball as that sounds...I like it!

Do you have to be a promotor or venue manager to get a band press kit to shop around? Cause I'm sure sponsors might want to know exactly what they are dishing the ducats for....can you get a tentative list of who you'd even want at the show? I'll start on this dilemma as early as next week.....I vote for Brian Howe, D2, House of Lords, Tyketto, and Nelson right off the bat.....

I'm sure the Swedes are out, right? No Crazy Lixx, Wig Wam, or Reckless Love....too much money to get them?

I'm sure they'd play for free, but flights and extras would put a $10k price tag on one single band.And no, you don't have to be anyone to shop an idea around....and I would never even begin to think of a line-up, but there is always melodicrockfest.com to reference to.

Aren't alot of them based out of California? Have it in LA, no flights?! But then venues might be more expensive maybe?

Raise $20k, EM fan, and you can have it in Seattle...which, I assume, is the closest U.S. metropolis to you.....

[Deb]

How about this....Make a contest out of it. Whoever gets you your $20k from sponsorship for a 3rd fest gets the show in their city....ok, even *I* have to admit that's genius....only in U.S., of course.....

As screwball as that sounds...I like it!

Do you have to be a promotor or venue manager to get a band press kit to shop around? Cause I'm sure sponsors might want to know exactly what they are dishing the ducats for....can you get a tentative list of who you'd even want at the show? I'll start on this dilemma as early as next week.....I vote for Brian Howe, D2, House of Lords, Tyketto, and Nelson right off the bat.....

I'm sure the Swedes are out, right? No Crazy Lixx, Wig Wam, or Reckless Love....too much money to get them?

I'm sure they'd play for free, but flights and extras would put a $10k price tag on one single band.And no, you don't have to be anyone to shop an idea around....and I would never even begin to think of a line-up, but there is always melodicrockfest.com to reference to.

Aren't alot of them based out of California? Have it in LA, no flights?! But then venues might be more expensive maybe?

Raise $20k, EM fan, and you can have it in Seattle...which, I assume, is the closest U.S. metropolis to you.....

Would rather somewhere in California, a lot more people would attend than if it was held in Seattle. And if I raised $20k, Andrew could have it right here in Cana-f*ckin-eh!

[kat1994]

Hey Andrew,

Any news regarding Taxxi and and unreleased material (heck i would love to have a CD release of Expose)?

"Still in Love" and "Forever" are magical songs.

[Andrew]

Hey Andrew,

Any news regarding Taxxi and and unreleased material (heck i would love to have a CD release of Expose)?

"Still in Love" and "Forever" are magical songs.

Waiting for them to approve everything at this time... Hopefully will have 11 track CD ready for release February.

[G.I.Jim]

Andrew... have you ever heard from your friend in Sweden about the song from us? Did he ever even receive it?

[Moon Beam]

Attention! Distrust abusive salesmen!

Why not invite them over for a sip of sauce and then slug em Sir?

[Andrew]

Andrew... have you ever heard from your friend in Sweden about the song from us? Did he ever even receive it?

Nope...never recieved it. I guess it was never sent?