JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Industry Message Forum Live shows from the Bluebird Cafe on SecondLife!

The Blubird Cafe has a presence in the SecondLife virtual world and broadcasts live shows including the Sunday Writer's Night show. For more information about the Bluebird in SecondLife you can go to http://www.bluebirdcafesl.com/

As soon as I heard about this I had to check in out. I went to the free show last night and got to see a live video feed. It was great. The first hour, The Westerly's performed. I love their harmonies. Then the writer's night show began. They had 9 writers last night and I enjoyed most of them. The featured writer was David Berg who wrote or co-wrote “Somebody” performed by Reba McEntire, Rodney Atkins’ “If You’re Goin’ Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows)” and Keith Urban's "Stupid Boy". Between songs he spoke a little about the business. The show was fantastic and I highly recommend it. It wasn't quite like being at the real-life Bluebird, but you still get to see up and coming Nashville songwriters perform their songs live and the audio/video quality is great.

You can get more info about SecondLife and the software at www.secondlife.com . SecondLife (SL) registration is free. It is a virtual world where where you create an avatar, a 3D figure to represent you in the virtual world. Second life also has a complex economy using Linden Dollars. You get L$250 to start and can buy more if you need them for shopping, attending events, buying virtual real estate or tipping people who perform live in the virtual clubs (done with shoutcast, I'm going to give this a try). Linden Dollars can also be converted to real dollars. The current rate is about L$270 = US$1. Some people make a little extra income buy creating a virtual product and selling it through a storefront to other SL residents or through performaces.

You guys should broadcast our show on August 2nd at the Bluebird. We have a stellar lineup of JPF Major Award Winners (Erika Luckett, Cheley Tackett, Melody Guy, Bob Malone, Janis Ian, Chris Young and Kim McLean). It's the 6PM show though we're trying to start it a little early.

Brian

I don't run it Brian, but I met the person who does. I'll run the idea by him next time I see him. I think it's a great idea. If there were enough JPF'ers in SecondLife, JPF could have a virtual chapter and maybe even get one of the virtual clubs to let us perform on a regular basis.

Unlike the Bluebird shows which use Quicktime to broadcast live audio and video, most performances in SL are audio only, using Winamp and ShoutCast with the avatar of the performer on the virtual stage while other people's avatars watch or dance. It's interesting knowing that the performer could be anywhere in the world sitting in front of their computer singing and playing.

Hi Brian. I spoke to the people who run Bluebird SL. They said that all that would have to be done to broadcast the JPF show is you'd have to sign a release. I hope you're able to work it out, I'd love to see the show.

They will be broadcasting "In The Round" shows live for a fee of L$750 (SecondLife $) which is around US$3. This week I saw that one show will include Jeffrey Steele and another will include Bob DiPiero.

P.S. If anyone here is on Second Life, let me know I'd love to meet you. My SL name is Vincent Merricks. I would have used my real name, but they don't let you choose your own last names yet. You have to choose from a list, so not to many people could use their real name. But we're use to dealing with aliases, aren't we?

Hi, Todd,

I have had a lot of trouble registering with SecondLife. I tried a few times, but all it let me do was choose my SecondLife name and password. It would not let me use the forums or any SL activities without paying money. After I chose a name and a password it asked for all of my credit card information to process payments. Is this how it really works? Everyone keeps saying it's free. I am truly confused!

Emily

We would never be able to get many if any of those artists to sign releases. I am sure that RCA wouldn't even consider it. So much for that idea!

Brian

Hi Emily. There's supposed to be a way to sign up without giving your credit card info. I gave mine when I signed up, but went into my account and made sure I had the free account and that I wouldn't be charged the monthly fee for a premium account.

If you have a credit card on file with the game you can use it to buy Linden Dollars, the worlds currency. A lot of people don't bother since they don't need any or can make some inside the virtual world.

I bought $10 worth of L$, so I'd have enough to go to one of the "In The Round" shows which cost L$750 or around 3 real dollars. By the way, the show was amazing. I saw Bob DiPiero ("Blue Clear Sky" - he's a great entertainer, but doesn't have the best voice), Tim Nichols (“Live Like You Were Dying”), Bob Morrison ("Lookin' For Love"), and Jim Collins ("It Just Comes Natural"). They talked about how some of the songs were writeen and how they got to where they are today. To me, it was well worth it. Last night I saw the free Sunday Writer's Night show which is always a treat.

Hi Brian. I can understand being leery about signing a release and I'm not affiliated with the Bluebird or Second Life, so I'm not sure what the language of the release would be. It seems though that all the featured performers and In The Round performers are signing it.

I think almost every show happening at the Bluebird is being broadcast in Second Life now. I see at least one show every night this week in the schedule here BlubirdCafeSL All the shows are broadcast live and can't be recorded from within the virtual world, but I'd have to see the release myself before I'd even think about it.

It's not that there's anything wrong with the release or anything to worry about. But when you're dealing with a major label artist (not the artist, but the major label people involved) and they are doing a free show to a small audience like our thing, it's a lot to get them to sign anything and in some cases they simply aren't allowed. Rather than throw any friction into the system, better to not worry about it.

Brian

Well this sounded like a great idea but after spending 45 minutes trying to negotiate the site I finally gave up.
Signing up was no problem but once there I never could find my way to the Bluebird.
Poorly designed site IMHO.

Where is this "MAP" they keep referring to? I never did find it.

When I launch the application and click connect I get an error DNS could not resolve the host name.. The support forum was no help.
Very confusing site.

Hi, Bill,

I TOTALLY agree with you! I have been on the SecondLife web site many times, trying to find my way around without much success...confusing web site.

So many people rave about SecondLife - I am not too impressed at this point.

Emily

Hi Bill. You and Emily are right about the Second Life site being hard to figure out and about help being hard to find. I've had a hard time trying to find information, too. Sometimes the forums are a better resource and can be accessed from the main page. The BluebirdSL isn't on the Second Life web site though. You have to download and install the software and when you run it you can log into the virtual world and the button that brings up the map will be on a toolbar at the bottom of the screen. I find the map pretty useless though. It's easier to just hit the search button and type Bluebird, then there's a button that teleports you to that area. Bill, I searched the SL support area for your error. I'm sending you a private message with what I found in case you're still interested in trying.

I actually created my SL account last year, but after about 2 weeks of trying to log on and looking for help I gave up. When I heard about the Bluebird in SL a week ago I figured I'd try again and didn't even look at the web site except to download the program again. I installed and ran the program (luckily I remembered my name and password) and I got right in without a problem. Since then I've seen 3 shows at the BluebirdSL and I'm going to be performing at one of the virtual nightclubs. I'll be glad to try to help anyone that needs it.

I got your PM Todd
Thanks.
It seems the Virtual World application won't run if you are on a wireless network. Not sure if it will work on my PC that is wired to the router. I'll give it a try tomorrow.

One more try at least. The Bluebird stuff makes it worth it.

I've been performing in SL for over a year and a half now. As Todd says, it's normal for resident musicians to stream audio only and have their "avatar" present - which is much more interactive than what I saw at the Bluebird. I enjoyed the show I saw, which included Don Schlitz (writer of a huge string of country mainstays) and his buddy Vince Gil. It was an enjoyable show, but they never even acknowledged the SL crowd, as I said it was a very different experience. Normally an SL show will have the artist thanking tippers by name, usually acknowledging regulars and new faces, and usually also engaging in some back and forth with the audience. In a lot of ways it's more intimate than even the smallest club gigs, since you can read chat going by (and people don't have to shout.

As for getting on, if you've gone through the website part of the signup, you need to download the client for your platform (it's like an online game) and the bar to entry is somewhat high: you must have broadband and a reasonably "gaming" capable PC (Real, somewhat current 3D card, decent processor, etc).

Once you have the current client (and they are updating it regularly) you run it and put your login credentials into the login screen. Then click connect. Once there there is a set of instructional areas that help you figure out what your doing (basically) Once you've gone through the orientation it lets you get to the main "grid". If you've never run a 3D game of a 3rd or 1st person "shooter" it can take a while to adjust.

@Bill: the Map is the button 2nd from the right on the bottom next to inventory. You have to actually get connected to get that on screen though.

@Emily, it's not a website, it's a 3D platform. THe website just gets the account set up. I do believe they cut off access to the forums to anyone w/o payment info on file to cut down on the astroturfing that some people were engaging in. You can provide info w/o them using it, but I wouldn't bother until you've gotten logged on to the real service. If you've never downloaded and run the SL Client, you've never actually logged in.

Hope this all helps a bit. If any of you makes it past orientation, I'm Kaklick Martin there. I do a regular gig every friday night @ 9 PST (the standard timezone of SL). I do other shows as availability allows.

Nice meeting you in Des Moines Brian. I'd just been thinking it'd be cool to start up a JPF chapter in SL. I bet there's already a lot of JPF members in there.

this is all so futuristic and strange to me...I feel like a dinosaur. I barely know what people are talking about. Sounds like the Disney movie "Tron" or the "Matrix" Are you guys making all this up?

Thanks, Bryan,

I appreciate the lengthy explanation! Now I know just how "technologically challenged" I really am LOL
I will go back to the site and try again...

BTW...I am also a CAL ARTS graduate - BFA Music 1979

Emily

I hope more songwriters are able to get into Second Life. Last night, for $3, I got to watch and hear Bob DiPiero (Blue Clear Sky, Daddy's Money), Chris Wallin (Something To Be Proud Of, Love Me If You Can), Tony Mullins (How Forever Feels, Me and My Gang) and Marv Green (I Hope You Dance, Amazed). They put on a great show singing their hits, joking around and telling stories about the songs and the business. I've met a few musicians, a lyricist and others from the music business in Second Life. I also met and spoke with Bryan Baker aka Kaklick Martin (see 3 posts back). I'm realizing that as well as seeing the broadcasts from the Bluebird and socializing with other musicians and music fans, there are networking opportunities as well.

Necro-posting now, but I thought I'd come back to this thread and mention that I think it would be interesting to create a JPF "Chapter" in SL. We could use it to do regular get-togethers, be a point of contact and help for JPF folks who want to come in to SL but are having problems. I think I'm up for it. Any other takers?

/me waves at Emily! One of these years I'll manage to get back to one of the big reunion shindigs they put on, but living in the midwest, it gets tough to budget for a west coast trip. Guess you must have got that detail from my website, thanks for looking.

Was great meeting you in-world Todd, hope we can get together sometime again soon.

btw Herbie, I noticed you're from Chicago - about 900 SL residents were in your town August 24-26th at the 3rd annual SLCC - Including a bunch of musicians, and several of them I met were from right there in Chicago. Was a great time.

DANG why didn't I know about it? sounds like fun!!!

Hi Bryan! Great meeting you in Second Life as well. I'd love to have a JPF chapter or other similar and active group in SL.

I don't think many people realize the opportunities that Second Life provides for musicians, songwriters and music fans. The Bluebird shows are a fantastic resource, but there are other things going on as well. For example, I performed for the first time in SL at an open mic event last night. I had a great time and the small crowd (10 people) seemed to enjoy my songs. I've got a fan club with members now and I've been invited to come back and play again. I'm also scheduled to do a show next Wednesday at a different venue where the crowd is usually much larger (30 or so) and have offers from other clubs to do gigs where I'll get paid anywhere from $4 for an hour up to $50 for an hour and a half show depending on the venue. That's what I'll make in real dollars for sitting at my computer, playing my guitar and singing my songs. There are literally thousands of clubs and venues in Second Life. The music community and audiences include people from all over the world, so my songs are getting a lot more exposure than if I just played local clubs in the real world. I think Second Life is great and look forward to how it evolves as it continues to grow.

WOW...this sounds great. Unfortunately, after trying many times, I have not been able to access Second Life. It's too bad that their web site is so confusing.

Emily

I'm with you Em. I consider myself pretty PC savvy and I could never figure out how to access it either.

So I am leaving for Nashville real early tomorrow morning.
I should be there in time to make it to the Bluebird 6 PM show.

I just wanted to repost Bryan's instructions on accessing Second Life for Bill and Emily (in case they missed it) or anyone else who may want to check it out. The first thing you do is create an account at http://www.secondlife.com/ There is a link in the top right corner of the site that says 'Join' or a box on the left that says 'Sign Up Now'. After that..

"As for getting on, if you've gone through the website part of the signup, you need to download the client for your platform (it's like an online game) and the bar to entry is somewhat high: you must have broadband and a reasonably "gaming" capable PC (Real, somewhat current 3D card, decent processor, etc).

Once you have (and install) the current client (and they are updating it regularly) you run it and put your login credentials into the login screen. Then click connect. Once there there is a set of instructional areas that help you figure out what your doing"

In the Welcome area there are volunteers who help people new to SL and you can ask questions via the text chat. If you get that far, you can IM myself, Vincent Merricks, and if I'm around I'll be glad to help out. I'm sure Bryan, Kaklick Martin would be glad to help as well. If anyone has any questions, feel free to leave me a message here or email tcsongs@yahoo.com

I tried to get on, I got my name Herbietunes Freenote!!! but it would not let me log on. It said something about the path not being recognized...GGrrrrrr

I did everything required and my PC and internet connection will compete with any as far as speed or graphics. Nothing worked. The only thing I determined is I have a wireless network in my home and everything goes through the router. It seems that may be the problem.
I have enough headaches in my life. I don't need another one. When they figure out a reasonable easy to navigate site I will try again.
But for now it just is not worth the hassle and hoops I will have to jump through to log on.
Too bad, sounds like a fun site.

Bill,

I'm with you on this one. I'm a very busy person and just can't devote any more time trying to figure out Second Life....I followed all of those directions and
still had no success getting onto the site. It's really frustrating, as many people seem to think it;s a great way to network and perform.

Emily

P.S. Have a great Nashville trip

OK, Bill & Emily,

Possibly part of the problem is the misconception that it's a "site" - as in fully accessible from the 2D web - it's another whole platform, that requires a whole new client application (like your browser is a client of the web). If I'm completely off-base here, forgive me. I'd also mention that there is a new client released every few weeks, so If you've created an account, you might check back once in a while. (or contact Linden Lab support, but that might not be all that helpful). Sorry things are not working for you.

Just thought of one other major issue out there - I believe there are issues with running SL on Vista machines with ATI graphics cards - the open GL driver for that is broken on Vista - doesn't affect me, as I run a Mac, but it may be one show stopper for some of you at this point.