Indie Telco Local Content Workshop Information
Quick Jump Menu to this Issue’s Articles December 15, 2004 Overview Pre-Holiday Expo The Video Phone Is Here Last Minute Shopping Ideas
Last Minute Shopping Ideas
by Ken Pyle ([email protected]), Viodi, LLC
December 15, 2004 Issue
We understand that Viodi View readers are discerning gift givers. The Viodi View reader clearly wants to give something that is special and cannot be found anywhere else. Without further adieu, please allow me to introduce Viodi’s first annual Last Minute Gift Shopping Tips. The one thing most of the following artists share is, like the independent telcos, they are also truly independent. So, as you read along, please be sure to turn up the VOLUME as a few of the artists’ songs are available for your immediate listening pleasure.
Music:
Bill Fielding – Many Viodi View readers may recognize this name as a former executive with companies, such as Next Level, E/O Networks and Seiscor. Retired from the telecommunications industry, Bill recently shared with me some of his original music he created during a sabbatical in 1984. He has a sound that is very warm, familiar and takes me back to my youth for some reason. He has some clever lyrics that could probably make the charts, given the proper promotion. His instrumentals would make great background music for a video production. To contact Bill about licensing or purchasing his music, send an email to [email protected].
Kurt Iverson – Kurt has supplied Viodi with numerous songs as background for various bumpers and videos. His music is great for setting a mood. His influences range from classical to new age to jazz. He also has an album of children’s music that is supurb. A great joy to work with, I highly recommend one of Kurt’s CDs for those “hard to buy for” people.
Moody Blues – Ok, so the Moody Blues are not exactly an independent band, but I just bought their latest CD, December, and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a traditional Christmas CD that has the Moodies sound. I believe this is their first CD, since their 1964 debut, where they actually play some songs, such as In the Quiet of Christmas Morning, White Christmas and In the Bleak Midwinter, that were written by other artists. As one would expect, they also have several original compositions. The interesting thing is that CD I purchased from the store had been duplicated, not replicated, indicating that only a limited run of the CDs were made. Be sure to ask the retailer, if you don’t see it on the shelf.
Randy Shattuck – If the person on your list is looking for a guitar virtuso, whose influences range from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Chet Atkins, then you will want to get them a CD – homage or happy little notes are both good choices – from Randy Shattuck. I have the good fortune to hear his stylings every Sunday, as he leads the band at my Church. His instrumentals are not only good listening, but they make great music for scoring videos. In addition to his musical talent, Randy is a marketing and graphics virtuoso here in the Silicon Valley with his company The Shattuck Group. Randy has been nice enough to contribute his eclectic version of
Greg Talbert – Greg is my cousin and is the one who introduced me to the band America (Ventura Highway, Horse with No Name, etc.) way back when all of the members of America were younger than 21, which sort of dates me. Greg has a style that is a bit folksy and raw – not over produced. His lyrics are from the heart in the best tradition of country and folk. His CD, “Friends. you know who you aren’t” will be available next month on CDBABY.COM
Susan Werner – I have never spent so much money for a song, as I did Susan Werner’s Barbed Wire Boys, but it sure was worth the money as it has become a bit of an anthem in our efforts to connect the Heartland and Hollywood. Susan is truly an independent artist from the independent state of Iowa. She now makes her residence in Chicago, but she is touring quite a bit of the time. Her musical styling is all over the map and that’s probably one reason she has never been a huge commercial success. Her lyrics are clever and her voice is soothing. I highly recommend all of her work, but I especially like her CD Midwestern Saturday Night because she mentions San Jose in one of her songs on that CD.
Videos
Ken Pyle –So this isn’t exactly a video, but give your loved ones a chance to spend the day with me. Although this may sound like torture and something you would want to give to your enemies, this really is a useful and cost-effective gift. We have put together a one day workshop that is designed for the telco new to the video business. We come to the telco’s facility and provide a primer on all aspects of the video business. It is a cost-effective way for a telco to get their entire team up to speed and on the same page with regards to video. At the end of this intense day, the team will be better equipped to deal with the array of video vendors and better absorb the messages heard at industry conferences. And by purchasing this gift, you will be giving a great gift to my wife, Jane.
There Goes A Spaceship – Any of the DVDs from Dave Hood Entertainment are highly entertaining for kids and adults alike. In the Pyle household, we have been watching the Spaceship video lately, but there are on the order of 26 videos from which to choose. For an independent telco, Dave Hood Entertainment has the live show, which is something to consider for 2005 as a way to create a month-long, marketing event. You can buy these videos from a retailer, but I would go to Dave Hood’s web site as there is greater variety.
Yellow Pages – Paul McKellips, co-founder of Viodi and an independent producer extraordinaire, is the star, writer, director and producer of this independent comedy. You might say that we did a comparison test with this film and a budget comedy that was in the theaters a few years ago. We first saw the big budget film in the theater (title of the movie slips my mind) and then watched the Yellow Pages DVD. Yellow Pages was the unanimous choice as the funnier of the two movies. And besides that, this lighthearted movie is something the whole family can watch together. Best place to find it is at Amazon.
YesVideo – Bored with other people’s work, why not create your own? YesVideo takes old VHS, film, miniDV and converts them to chapterized DVDs, complete with a custom printed DVD case. For something like $25, you can convert to 2 hours of old video to a new DVD. Alternatively, you could purchase a DVD recorder from Philips or Go Video that incorporates their technology. I just submitted a few tapes for conversion, so look for a future article that gives an update on this useful service.
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