WANNA' MAKE AN ALBUM?
Greetings family, friends, fans ... and "all of the above!" The full Chris Oledude "first album" project is now underway, and I hope to release it this Fall!
One new track, "White Lie," has already been recorded and is available for you to see and hear now -- but, at this time, you only get to see the full powerful video if you are a Patron! With support, I can release the FULL video (which requires license fees for various images). The song, "Rainbow Soul" will be recorded for the album with the full orchestral and choral arrangement, as will "Profit Man" and "Love Is The Way." "Man O'War," "Black-Eyed Susan," and brand new material will also be included.
The album will cost approximately $20,000 to make -- from start to finish. There will be at least 10 songs released! I believe in paying musicians and vocalists fairly for their work and there will be lots of studio time involved. For me, every month is now "Album Month!" Our quest continues! I will forge ahead and get this done – as I did with my Livestream Concert in April 2022 – and I would be honored and grateful to have your support for my efforts.
Honestly, I can’t do this alone. Please consider contributing $2.00 per month towards this project? You can do that by signing up with my official Patreon, which I launched in 2022. For the cost of a cup of coffee each month, we can create an incredible musical experience together – how about that?
As my personal Patron, your name will be listed on the Oledude Wall of Fame posted on www.oledude.rocks! (And, yes, some people may prefer to remain anonymous.) You have access to select information and entertainment from me before the general public does (and some stuff that will not be released to the general public at all!) You will get merchandise for free or at a great discount! You will have first crack at any special live performances I put together ... and you will help me pick the title of the album! You can recommend songwriters or performers you think I should work with. And, COVID-permitting of course, you will be invited to the album’s release party as my special guest.
So let me review some questions you may have at this time ...
What is Patreon?
I’m glad you asked! Patreon is a platform where artists bring to you the best-of-the-best of their work and give you greater access to who they are as people. Patreon is the most direct and inexpensive way to support artists you like in this age of music streaming and free content on YouTube. For those of us who don’t have huge record labels or brand deals paying us to create, we rely on a more grassroots approach and Patreon is my way to do that.
How much does it cost to be an Oledude Patron?
My Patreon starts at $2 a month. That’s it! Not even a cup of coffee! Cheaper than a podcast! I want to be an inflation buster, not a wallet duster! You can contribute more if you’d like (and receive more benefits), but I’m "keeping it real."
What do you do with this money, Chris?
First priority is the music. Unfortunately, or fortunately, my music can’t be recorded in my bedroom – particularly when a “live” sound is needed (real
horns, real guitars, real drums). I will be paying the people who work with me – producers, vocalists, instrumentalists. Personnel will average $100 per person per session. Studio time rates vary greatly, but for some songs I will probably need a larger space. I can tell you from experience that one can drop $2,000 at a large, sophisticated studio on one long session (which I certainly will try to avoid). Furthermore, for some sessions, the studio engineer costs are sometimes not included.
The second priority is marketing. Simply put, marketing costs money. I have learned that social media campaigns do cost money -- even when they are smart and strategic. If I have enough funds to do a simple video or two, I will make videos as well. Much has been learned since I created, directed and produced the video “George Floyd: Say Their Names”. This video, a first-time effort on a low budget, has been selected for review by more than 255 film festivals from all over the world, and it has been a Winner, Finalist, Semi-Finalist, Quarter-Finalist or Award Nominee in 147 of them. The awards included Best Short Film, Best Song, Best Director, Best Song, and more. With your support, I am confident that we can deliver an album with supporting social media campaigns and videos that have an impact.
So, what else do you offer me on your Patreon?
I already have some great content for you to enjoy, with much more on the way. I launched my Patreon with the full, unedited version of my Birthday Benefit concert on April 9th, so you can watch it again and again -- for $2 a month!
In addition, I have already uploaded the inaugural episode of my interview series “Your Life? My Life!” where I talk to some of the most interesting people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. The first episode features Professor Mark D. Naison, a Brooklyn-born historian and educator, who teaches at Fordham University in the Bronx. Naison is a respected community activist with decades of history, a commitment to making change, and a passion for social justice culture. The second episode featured my eldest son, Elijah Dixon Owens, who recently returned from three years of teaching English in Japan.
There are many more conversations coming as well as music videos, speeches, special events and we will start providing free or discounted merchandise items … all for as little as $2 per month. You can’t beat it!
I do have a goal, by the way!
By the time this album is released, I would like to point to my Patrons and proclaim, loud and clear, “You are the Oledude 1000 who made this happen!” Yes, if you subscribe and get one friend or family member to subscribe as well, we can be at 1,000 Patrons within the next eight months!
I close this message with a simple thought: I hope you will join me for the ride of your life!
Peace and love always,
Chris Oledude