Thank You For Being A Friend

I have had since last Sunday to gather my thoughts and try to find a way to say thank you to all the people who co-ordinated, performed and showed up to the benefit held in my honor in Second Life. Words have really escaped me.

I really do no feel there are enough words in the English language to express how truly honored I feel at this show of love, thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity.

I was very hesitant to allow Seth and Ayesha plan a benefit in my honor. Seth said to me "Brandy, you have so many friends in SL that would love to bring you a casserole, take you to lunch, take the kids for a night to give you some time to feel better or any number of things they could do if we all lived closer. Being so far apart, this is the only way they could do anything for you, so let them help you the only way they can."

So I agreed and they commenced with planning. Five hours of live music and so many people showing up. I was so overwhelmed with the love and friendship. I was so speechless and in tears.

I don't really have any family here that can help me and my closest friends work multiple jobs and just cannot be available. So you all, my Second Life family and friends, many of you I have not even met face to face, Last Sunday, you brought casseroles, cookies, a pot roast, gas cards, etc and said here, let me help you. I am even getting all weepy (in a happy way) thinking about it still.

Thank you Seth and Ayesha for putting the event together. Thank you to Max, Tamra, Beamer, Joel and Seth for performing. Thanks to Noma who was supposed to perform but due to health issues could not. Thank you to everyone who showed up and donated or even just showed their love and support by being there and those who couldn't come to the benefit but showed their support in other ways.

You are all amazing people behind your avatars. I would like to dedicate this song to you. This is Seth's original song and he often dedicates it to me during his shows because it is about friendship and we are the best of friends. Now I give this song to you all because you have shown such great friendship in a time now when I need it and showed up "with a symphony" and casserole :)

Second Life Performers Support Each Other

One of the things I love about the live music scene in Second Life is how much performers support each other.

I am arranging an event in Second Life in support of Seth Regan’s (Mankind Tracer) Indiegogo campaign to help fund his next album, “Left of Center”. If you are reading this and don’t know who Seth and I are, he is my best friend, business partner and I manage his musical career. He is one of the most generous people I know. He is always there for me when I need someone and for others too. So arranging this event was the least I could do for him. If you don’t know his music...check HERE.

I approached a few performers and asked them to do 30 minute sets during this event. Without a blink Noma Falta, Maximillion Kleene and Savannah Coronet said yes. I also wanted to make the event more than just music, so I asked well known SL stand-up comic Lauren Weyland to be involved as well and she agreed right away.  Find the event deails HERE.

This sort of support from SL performers just made me smile ear to ear. Seth has given over 6 years to the Second Life music community with live concerts, donating his time and shows to charity events and even helping friends with personal events to cover a need. It is great to see performers coming together to support him.

Check out Seth’s Indiegogo campaign HERE

My heartfelt thanks go out to Noma, Max, Savannah and Lauren!

Second Life "Tribute" Shows

Today I ran across a group notice in Second Life that said:


Sat10th Nov =DURAN DURAN LIVE= 11.00 AM
.☺/ .: ★Ѡℍ◎:  ♫ DURAN DURAN in CONCERT ♫
./▌ .: ★ѠℍΔT: ♫Show ♪ by XXXXXXXX
./ \ .: ★Ѡℍ∈ᴙ∈: ✩XXXXX✩ 11.00 AM
THE POP ROCK GODS OF THE 80'S!  DURAN DURAN
WILL PERFORM LIVE THEIR BEST TUNES in THE DESERT!
AMAZING STAGE, INCREDIBLE LOOK ALIKE AVATARS!
BEST DURAN DURAN IN SL!

(names removed)

I have seen these sort of notices countless times. No where on this notice says that it is a recording being streamed into SL or that it is a "tribute" show. The way this notice is written is made to look like Duran Duran is actually performing live, when in actuality, it is a recording of a live Duran Duran show and there is nothing connecting this to the real Duran Duran.

I'm not a newb in SL, I get what it is and what they are doing and my question is... do they have the licensing to use the real Duran Duran's music and likeness? When I inquired to the owner of the company I was told that it was none of my concern.

I'm sure these people put a lot of time and effort into making avatars, doing lighting and putting on instruments. I've noticed that these shows do get people there and I think there is an entertainment value to them. However, they still need to be held accountable for their advertising and licensing.

This is not a live music performance, they should not be listed in Live Music in SL Events because there is nothing LIVE about the music, they should be stating that it is a "tribute" show.... saying "Duran Duran WILL perform live their best tunes" is false advertising because Duran Duran is not performing, it is only a recording of a Duran Duran performance.

I'm by no means saying these people should not do these "tribute" shows. What I am saying is advertise them as what they really are, make sure you can use the music, name and likeness legally and don't list them as Live Music when they are not.

I do encourage everyone to check out real live performers. There is a huge live music scene in Second Life and they need your support. Some of my favorites include Seth Regan (naturally), Maximillion Kleene, Tamra Hayden, The Follow (a 3 person live band) and many others. Just search the live music category in SL Events and you will find a wide variety of live performers of many genres and skill level. Check out several so you can get a feel for what is available.

My business partner, Seth Regan, also wrote on the subject of "tribute" shows: Seth's Blog

Musician Spotlight: Maximillion Kleene

Maximillion Kleene @ Luna Bliss

I have decided to start featuring performers and venues once in a while. I went over to see Maximillion Kleene today. He was performing at Luna Bliss surrounded by a beautiful green landscape. Max is a friend and also a great musician. He performs a vast selection of covers like Billy Joel, Johnny Cash, Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz.

Max is probably one of the sweetest people you will ever have the fortune to run across in Second Life. I was lucky enough to meet Max in real life at the Chicago Jam of 2010 and I can tell you that he is as nice a guy in person as in SL. If you enjoy quirky upbeat performers with a true love for music, then I highly recommend checking out one of his shows. If you are very lucky you will get to hear Max dual streaming from across the country with a fellow performer.

Max @ Luna Bliss