The following was contributed by Chris Burton, a good friend of The Bluegrass Blog. Knowing how many of our readers are part time bluegrass performers, we asked Chris to discuss his recent experiences – and success – getting his debut solo release out and distributed online. The project features a mix of Chris’ original material and bluegrass classics, and features performances by original Lonesome River Band member Jerry McMillan, Amanda Smith, Ron Stewart and Blinky Moon Boys. Commenting is enabled on this post, so please feel free to share your feedback.

After two or more years of recording on a digital multi-track recorder in my basement, I finally released my first solo project The Way I See It a few months ago. The Bluegrass Blog was nice enough to do a post that talked about the project and about my plans for distribution, which mentioned the fact that the CD was being distributed to digital download services. The Blog Masters have suggested a follow up to help other unsigned artists with distribution, which obviously translates to sales and music getting heard.

Here is what is happening with my project, with a few simple suggestions that hopefully can make a project more successful. Chris Burton “? The Way I See It currently has been distributed to 19 download services. Some are very well known, some are not. It can take from 2 weeks to 3 months to get up and selling on any of these nineteen sites. It is available now on these popular sites: Apple iTunes, Sony Connect, Music Net, MSN Music, and a number of others.

How did I get the project sent to all of these services? It was easy. I signed up with CD Baby.com. For $35 they create what equates to an online store for your project. Bio, sound clips, a price that you set, accounting, etc. As a member, I can log on to the site and check any of the information about my project I want to (sales, hits which are listed daily, etc.). I can also change things (price, clips, bio) at any time. CD Baby keeps $4 per unit sold, and the rest comes back to me.

After setting that up, they asked if I wanted to distribute the project to digital download sites. Let”s see, do I want just CD sales or am I willing to take a cut of each song that is downloaded? The answer is pretty easy. The song downloading industry is certainly not in decline. After CD Baby”s cut, I receive about $.60 per download, depending on the site.

The CD is also available through the biggest Bluegrass distributors in the country, County Sales in Floyd, VA, The Record Depot, in Roanoke, VA, and at Barnes & Noble (Roanoke only). Some folks in Japan just ordered 5 units the other day from the Record Depot! It might not have been carried by these distributors or stores, but here is why it is:

First of all, the music is good (how could I not say that?). Secondly, the packaging is first class. The professional photo ($100), 4 panel layout ($200), and a price of $1.70/unit (1,000) or so for 4 color printing and CD replication through the wonderful folks at DMA in Canada is very hard to beat. Incidentally, DMA uses Sony-Canada for all CD replication. The project has a barcode, is with a record label (Slaughterhouse Music), has a number (0045), etc. which is attractive to retailers and wholesalers. These things add credibility. If you don”t have a Label behind you, make one up!

Chet Rhodes at The Record Depot told me he gets a lot of projects that people want him to carry but the production and details are so lacking, it does not make sense for him. The liner notes on my project are also extensive. To me, song explanations, who played and sang what, what the project is all about, and many thanks add another dimension to a CD. I think most people appreciate that these days. It doesn”t hurt to have a quote of praise from another artist on the back either.

Anyway, just some suggestions for artists to get their music heard. Remember, the musical package you produce is important, but the details are important also. If you are going to do it, don”t do it half way.