Testing — One, Two, Three

Mickey Dolenze in headdress by ej gold, RCA studios, 1967.

Here it is Thursday morning — that’s Thor’s Day morning in the old talk, and I’m working away — some would say “hacking away” at my songs and their animations, meaning the singing heads with which I’m pairing the songs.

Well, anyway, there we were, putting songs and performers together, and it suddenly occurred to me that I’m back on the job I had when I was 24 years old, working in the A&R departments of RCA, Columbia Records, Decca Records and a few smaller companies.

What is A&R, you ask, and I’m glad you asked that question. It means “Artists and Repertoire”, meaning put the songs together with the hit-makers, meaning the video talent that’s putting the song on the charts.

Now, I know perfectly well how to do that job — I did it for a few years and got paid well for doing it, which is picking the right songs for the singer or group.

It helped that I used to sit around in the break room with Boyce & Hart, Harry Nilsson and a host of other celebrity singers, which enabled me to take the photos that I snapped for several teen magazines like Tiger Beat and Monkee Spectacular, and I was the editor and chief photographer of Mod Teen magazine.

I’m trying my best to match the face with the voice and the ideas expressed, and I appreciate any feedback I get on that issue, but keep in mind, these are not finished products, they’re just a convenient and relatively inexpensive way to produce demos, where an artist can hear the demo and decide whether to use the song or not, record it or not and maybe turn it into a hit single, the goal of any pop artist today.

Subject: Let’s Get Our Songs Out Into the World!

Dear [Your Name Here] — I hope I got the spelling right:

First off, I want to thank you for being such an integral part of this amazing creative journey we’re on together. Every note, every lyric, and every idea we share strengthens the heartbeat of this community, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished.

But there’s one small piece missing: getting our songs out into the world where they can be heard, appreciated, and shared. This isn’t just about promoting music—it’s about sharing the magic we’ve created and inspiring others. Imagine what it would mean for someone to stumble upon one of our songs and have it make their day, their week, or even change their perspective and put them on the path to Awakening and Freedom!

I know promoting might feel like extra work or outside of your comfort zone, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how we can make it fun and easy for everyone:

1. Join a Fun Challenge

We’re kicking off a little friendly competition:

Who can get the most listens or shares this week?
Who can create the most creative post about one of our songs?

Winners will get shoutouts, bragging rights, and maybe even a small reward (think: early access to a new song or something fun).

2. We’ve Made It Simple

We’ve written out some ready-to-go social media posts, emails, and messages. All you have to do is copy, paste, and hit send. No guesswork, no stress—it’s that easy. Definitely let me know if it’s still not easy enough.

3. Team Effort, Big Impact

When we work together, even small efforts add up. If each of us shares a song with just two or three people, think of how many new listeners we could reach in no time! Four people.

4. A Quick Commitment

At our next meeting, let’s each commit to one simple action to promote a song—whether it’s sharing it with a friend, posting it on Facebook, or even talking about it over lunch.

5. This Is Your Legacy

By helping share these songs, you’re contributing to something timeless. Imagine a world where our songs are remembered, passed on, and cherished. You’ve already created magic—now let’s make sure others can find it, too.

6. Let’s Lead the Charge Together

I’m kicking things off myself and I’m sharing my steps here. Join in with your own spin on promotion—we’re in this together!

7. Need a Hand? Let’s Get Help

If promoting feels like too much, don’t worry. We can partner with younger or tech-savvy friends who love our work and want to help share it far and wide. It’s about teamwork, and there’s a role for everyone.

Let’s not let these amazing creations stay hidden. The world deserves to hear what we’ve made, and it starts with us.