Greetings and Happy Holidays!

Earlier this fall I had the amazing opportunity to visit Montenegro and speak to musicians, club owners, media, law enforcement and government officials about intellectual property rights and how they affect musicians in the United States. At first I questioned why they would want me to head these discussions but looking back on my history in the music industry, it made perfect sense.

In 1999 I founded OnlineRock as a place for musicians to sell their music in a downloadable format. This was three years before Apple launched iTunes. It was also during the Napster pirating days which had a dramatic effect on this new business model. Then in 2004, OnlineRock released the Autumdivers’ CD of which four songs were illegally used by a major television network during a worldwide sporting event broadcast. Ironically they are also members of the RIAA.

If you’d like to read more about this trip please visit: http://www.onlinerock.com/guest/montenegro.shtml

FORUM QUESTION – It looks like 2005 is almost over. At the beginning of each year we ask what your musical goals are for that year. Well now that this year is almost over, we’ll ask if you’ve achieved those goals. What were they and did you finish them? Let us know by posting your comments at: http://www.onlinerock.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000204

INDIE BIBLE – The new Seventh Edition of the Indie Bible is now available! It still remains as the only resource totally dedicated to those artists that have recorded a CD or demo. All 8,500 contacts listed in the Seventh Edition are services that can and WILL help Recording Artists gain more exposure for their music. Check it out at: http://www.onlinerock.com/partners/indiebible.shtml

FEATURED CD – Although we featured this CD a few months ago, Gregory Paul’s “Awake from the Flash” CD is now officially released and a deluxe edition is available plus you’ll get a free CD when ordering. Here are some recent reviews:

"This New York upstater must be a studio rat. This is his fourth LP (two are with the band Autumdivers) of making an acoustic guitar expand and shimmer into multicolor soundscape, to back and bolster his confident voice (which bears minor resemblance to Radiohead's Thom Yorke). An expert picker (see the 10-minute soft monster title track) he is equally adept at banjo, keyboards, and violin; anything to create a neo-symphonic climate for his soft-croon to swan dive into. Very, very, transporting"
- Big Takeover

"What a way to start an album. An ambient build-up that seems to shake your nerves, creeping and crawling its way into your body and brain like a slithering snake. Gregory Paul, the frontman for New York’s stellar indie pop band Autumdivers, whom I gave big props to when I reviewed their self-titled album, shows his skills as a solo artist. Paintings of musical tapestries and pin-ups of melodic pop arm the album with a soundscape unlike any other, proving that we as humans have only begun to experience our musical potential. Experimental pop-rock with psychedelic undertones that coast through melodies and harmonies like a speed boat, “Awake From the Flash” could potentially be the singer/songwriter album of the year. Get this album now!"
- Smother.net

Take a listen at: http://www.onlinerock.com/gregorypaul

LINE 6 GIVEAWAY – Last month's winner was Robert from Hockessin, Delaware. There are still more chances to win other exciting Line 6 products. This month we’ll be giving away your choice of one of the new ToneCore Pedals. There are five new pedals including Dr. Distorto, Ottofilter, Liqua Flange, RotoMachine and Verbzilla. Register to win at: http://www.onlinerock.com/line6form

CD REVIEWS – This month’s featured CD Review comes from the Eric McFadden Trio and their latest release “Joy of Suffering”. OnlineRock will review your CD and post it on our Web site. These reviews can be used for your promo kit, Web site or in a press release. To submit your CD or check out the latest reviews, just go to: http://www.onlinerock.com/CDreview

ANNOUNCE IT! - Do you have a CD or a gig you would like to announce to thousands of musicians and music fans? OnlineRock regularly sends out a newsletter to its members. Nearly 25,000 bands and solo artists have registered at our site. The number of members is growing rapidly, as are the services, features and information OnlineRock offers them. For only $10.00 you can add your announcement to this newsletter. http://www.onlinerock.com/announceit

FEATURED ARTIST PROFILE – Thanks to a non-stop work ethic and hard hitting melodic rock songs, Vancouver based Tourist have not had to venture far from home to gain a growing popularity with fans and media alike. Their dynamic live show and local radio presence continue to win over new fans domestically while their overwhelming success on the internet has netted new fans globally. Check out their profile at: http://www.onlinerock.com/profiles/tourist_profile.shtml

We've partnered with Sonicbids to accept profile applications. Sonicbids let you create an electronic press kit (EPK) in as little as 20 minutes and email it to anyone, anywhere. Sonicbids offers exclusive one-click submissions to hundreds of events and daily email alerts about festivals, competitions and other music events that you should know about. Submit your music by going to: http://www.sonicbids.com/onlinerock

MYSPACE.COM – OnlineRock has a MySpace page. It’s another great tool for networking. Feel free to drop by and say hello at: http://www.myspace.com/onlinerock

If you have any comments for OnlineRock, just drop our Webmaster a line at webmaster@onlinerock.com. We’re always open to your ideas and suggestions.

And finally, I just wanted to thank all of our members, partners and team who have made this the best year in OnlineRock’s history. We look forward to making 2006 even better.

Rock On,
Steve Beck
Founder