Tag: independent music career growth

  • Why 2025 Changed Everything: Music Tech, Direct Fan Connection, and What’s Coming in 2026

    Why 2025 Changed Everything: Music Tech, Direct Fan Connection, and What’s Coming in 2026

    Goodbye 2025, it’s been nice knowing ya. But I’m damn glad to give you a swift kick out the door. There’s been some awesome highs and a few horrid lows. Here’s looking at 2026 with delusions of grandeur while giving a 2025 review.

    Starting with the road of improvements. This year brought a massive redesign of my website. Part of it is thanks to building a new backend and more advanced server. The tech part has been more blessing than curse, and I happy about that.

    Along with the redesign came the added feature of bringing the email list under personal control, where there isn’t a 3rd party with prying eyes. Plus I’ve added features of fan levels. A lot of work but worth every painful minute of frustration that now works as intended.

    Another massive feat was releasing music every week. Talk about a massive undertaking, and I’m finally getting into the swing of it. 2026 will see more of the same, new releases every week. What’s more awesome is how my website can integrate each new release with the fan list.

    The music releases are also building to Atmos versions. Which is exciting and fun. They bring back the giddiness of what made music feel special when I was growing up. Which is exciting.

    Publicity cover art

    Along with the music releases are the new animated covers. Sadly it’s only Apple Music that currently does animated covers. Though non Apple Music users can still see the animations right here on jodywhitesides.com.

    Getting used to the new tech of it wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were some tragic setbacks. For every step back it’s been three steps forward. And with just a puzzle piece or two left to complete the entire picture, I’m stoked with what I’ll be able to announce in 2026.

    It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of the clown show in the White House. That has been a tremendous bummer. What makes it worse is having to inadvertently see it and hear about it every day. I like it better when politicians are not a constant never-ending news cycle.

    Which leads to the ironic lead off single for 2026: Publicity. A song all about what it takes for fame. Good news, bad news, it’s all fake news. Oh what a prophetic lyric that became. That now comes with the updated mix and master you can now get right here in full studio quality. Not that watered down streaming.

    So yes, I want to engage you more on a personal level. Not via social media, but between you and I. Which is what all the work in 2025 was for, to make 2026 a year to really shine for the music and the direct connection between you and I.

    I’m telling ya, 2026 is gonna be bright.

  • The Creative Roadmap Behind My Bold New Music Releases This Year

    The Creative Roadmap Behind My Bold New Music Releases This Year

    Ready To Love 2017

    Mere hours into the new year and I’m ready to love 2017 already. See, I got to spend time with my main squeeze at a really amazing party somewhere deep in wine country (a.k.a. Napa Valley, CA). Cool friends, cool place, great times. That’s an amazing way to get the new year started off right.

    Happy New Year to you!

    Ultimate New Music

    My first thing I’m ready to love 2017 for is new music. My ultimate new music. That doesn’t mean I’m not looking forward to new music from other artists, but I do have a lineup of some amazing tunes. Tunes that cover a gamut of lyrical ideas – plus they are all sonically different as well as being stylistically different too.

    love 2017

    In a time of when so many songs and artists all start sounding the same, I’m still sticking to the catch 22 land of proven difference.

    Deliver More Themes

    My second reason to love 2017 is another juicy opening theme. It was easy to miss last year when I snagged the opening theme to Nightwatch on A&E. A clever show that follows the engaging stories of police, fire and EMT heroes working the night shift in New Orleans. The show has been a rousing success.

    I’m looking forward to having the opening theme on yet another show. I get all tingly thinking about having two shows running concurrently with music I created as their opening salvos.

    Not sure how many Alan Thicke had, but I’d definitely love to measure to the number he had. I envision hitting 10 in my future.

    Increase Live Performances

    The third damn good reason to love 2017 is for the work I plan on putting into performing more live shows. There’s something in the works that should lead to the initial explosion for a particular song released a few months back.

    love 2017

    I’m excited to be talking to some managers and agents about taking the show on the road and bringing it to you!

    jody-whitesides

    Plus it means getting the share the music with you. Which is what I want my 2017 to be all about.

  • My Music Has Its Own Digital Greeting Card Now

    Good Monday Morning to ya!

    It’s going to be an awesome week. But before I get to much news. I have to tell you that I’ve found a way for you to help spread the word about my music. I call it an MP3 ePostcard. You might be asking yourself, what the hell is that?!? Well, it’s a nifty little eCard like you’d get from Hallmark.com only different. Check out my new ePostcards and see what I mean. Have fun spreading the word. Oh, and the best part is, it’s totally free – can’t beat that!

    Now, I got wind from the Music Connection Magazine that I’ll be getting a review later this week, booyah! The show in Hermosa is going to kick major ass. And to top it all off: STAR WARS III coming in mere days!

    Have a great day!

    Jody