[mplpost] PoetMan Acoustic Rainbow sampler

[Jack Cooper]

> Hi all,
>
> I just got a 'spam' solicitation from PoetMan Records to include a song on
> their next sampler issue. The message starts with:
>
> "You've recorded your new CD of songs, you've worked so hard and risked so
> much...how will your music get attention out there without costing money
> that you really don't have to spend?"
>
> Wow, how can they see so deep into my soul from so far away?
>
> First thought was.... I wonder if my manufacturer has a side deal with
them
> to pass on email addresses of new clients...hmmm? Or did everyone on the
> list get this? Or is this some internet crawly spy thing gathering names
and
> numbers?
>
> I've watched the whole growth of radio samplers. I've never had the cause
to
> use them before. Regardless of their come-on, what's the experience of the
> list? Are you for 'em or agin'?
>

Hi, Bill.

I think I was mentioning to you at Ken B.'s my set of ill-fated experiences
involving a CD sampler.  This was the one.  Here's my *direct* experience:

The essence of what they are promising is a timely database of acoustic
radio programs who are aware of, and have agreed to accept the
compilation CD's for airplay consideration on their program(s).

I received a hard copy of their mail database.  This was purchased for an
additional $50 from Poetman, in the form of mailing labels. The purpose
was to send the recipients on their list to

a) remind them of my appearance on the current CD sampler, and
b) tell them how to contact me to receive my whole CD.

I started noticing some strange things about some of the Canadian ones.
Like, they had ones addressed to CBC Toronto's old AM call letters.
They also had one addressed to Cate Friesen care of CJRT.  Curious,
I started looking up some of the other recipients on the internet.  My
estimation, from about the 30 or 40 I randomly plucked, is that
at least 60% of the database was inaccurate, obsolete or so unspecific
as to render sending a postcard useless.

I called Poetman and pointed out what I found, assuming they regularily
did follow up calls in between compilations, in order to cull their
database.
Wrong.  They asked me to give them a list of whatever errors I find, because
"the onus is one the musicians to update the information".

Ouch.

Frankly, I was too embarrassed and deflated to take any specific action
against them.  I had just spent over $1000 CDN for the privelege of having
most of the money thrown in waste bins around the world.

Why would I be so naive to do this in the first place?  Well, I was
originally
told about the compilation by an acoustic radio dj who spoke very highly of
the compilation.  I had also seen names of musicians appearing on previous
compilations who would lend the enterprise some credability.  Also, I
erroneously assumed that the database was actively tended to.

The whole experience for me was ill-fated.  I have a separate experience
regarding the compilation I wanted to re-count in a separate thread, since
it's one of those sure-fire self inflicted bouts of idiocy that, whenever
anyone
tells me they are having a bad day, I relate my experience and a giggle or
smile inevitably occurs.

Anyway, the reason these compilations continue to exist and receive money
is the same reason why countless others chase elusive carrots from
innumerable
sticks.

There is a slow and steady way of doing the research and compiling the
information,
but I was drawn to the path promising instant results.  Plus, I was
flattered
to be accepted.

FWIW, I have received about a dozen or two e-mails as a result of the
compilation.  Internet and folk-dj searches indicate a handful of radio
plays
as a result of the compilation.  I still have on my list of things to do is
to send
e-mails and CD's to the appropriate Canadian and U.S. programs, so I
apologize to those who are scratching their heads in frustration and
wondering
why I just didn't spend the appropriate hours on folk-dj and the web doing
my homework and sending my CD's to them directly.  It all just takes time,
which is scarcer for me than money.

Ta-ta,

    Jack Cooper

p.s. - although I addressed Bill directly, I changed my mind part of the way
through and decided to copy the list with my response.  I thought there
might be some nuggets of amusement or value.


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