[HANASHIR:11904] Beth's CD

[Cantor Brad Hyman <cantorb...>]

Hey Beth and all:

Just some other things to consider:

1) When you're broke, you're broke. I know from experience about such
things. Nonetheless...this has not stopped me from getting things done the
"right" way. Therefore, your wonderful friends have agreed to play for free,
and will play without money in advance or after the recording session. This
is, technically, legal "enough," because nothing in writing is really all
that binding anymore. Everyone who would contest such a verbal agreement in
the future would probably find a way to do it no matter what was signed or
agreed upon. This is why field trip waivers signed by parents to "release
the school from responsibility" does not stop angry, frustrated parents from
suing the schools.
2) Perhaps you can raise the funds necessary to pay them a little bit beyond
the cost of production. Finding willing sponsors is an interesting way to
find out if your "followers" are going to buy the thing in the first place,
and viola...you have an instant demographic. Ask rabbis, cantors, and anyone
else in the synagogue world to check their discretionary funds for a bit to
help you out. Maybe the congregation is willing to produce the whole thing
in the hopes of "first rights" on selling it in the gift shop.
3) Don't forget to pay the ASCAP or any other publishing fees if any of the
"Jewish music" is not original. The brilliant composers who have given us
many of the gems we think are worth recording have either already done it
themselves, or have many other people who have ASKED them for their
permission first. Make sure you at least have their permission to do it if
you can't pay them anything. The cost of recording something that is not
yours is relatively cheap when you consider the fact that you're probably
not going to press a million copies the first time out.
4) Kol hakavod for getting your S#$% together and recording in the first
place. I know that I have fantasized for years about going into some studio
and laying down some things of my own (and a few of the aforementioned gems
of others) but it has just been threats. You're almost going to actually do
it, so I am insanely jealous of you right now.

May all your recording dreams come true!

>From The Home Office Of:
Cantor Brad Hyman
215 S. Madison Avenue #207
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 396-9612


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