The Social Freelancer: Media, Music, TV & Film

Ideas, like large rivers, never have just one source.- Willy Ley
I have always been drawn to rivers. Near them, I can be alone with my thoughts and yet still connected with the rest of the planet. It’s all tied to my youth, and much time spent splashing around in streams, skipping stones and camping with my family, most often near some stretch of serene river.

The feeling of being connected and yet all alone is still with me today, and rivers have become one of my favorite photographic challenges as well.

I have spent much of the last 25 years bouncing back and forth between Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, personally, professionally and musically. In my travels I try to avoid the mind numbing Interstate experience in favor of Texas Highway 281 and the towns and scenes along that path. Recently I took these shots of the Pedernales and Blanco rivers in the Texas Hill Country, compiling a collection of images for a video to the song The Flood by Trace Relations.

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Danger is lurking on Facebook.

Actually, no. Facebook is just a thing, a bulletin board we can all post to in a virtual space. The danger is lurking in your head.

We’re all making assumptions about each other and the world around us, everywhere, all the time. Along came Facebook, a breeding ground for bad assumptions. The old joke becomes painfully true:

To assume makes an ass out of you and me. (ass + u + me)

What’s the story?
Recently I was talking with a very good friend and colleague, who I have known for more than 30 years. We live in different cities, but keep in touch via email and Facebook often, less often via phone than we used to. My friend tragically lost his brother several months ago, and he was referring to his brother’s death in a phone conversation, and I had no idea this had happened. I certainly would have sent some condolences, or gone to visit my friend during this time, had I known.

We both made unfortunate Facebook assumptions. Read more…

New track added! “Tell Me What’s the Reason” by Trace Relations with special guest, Dallas’ blues maestro Hash Brown Calway.

This Youtube playlist streams four music videos from the debut release “Prosperity Street” from Trace Relations Band. A smokin’ Dallas based rhythm section combines with soulful guitar from San Antonio, ending up in Texas Blues, and Americana groove territory. Vocalist Tracy Ready funnels 20+ years of bouncing between these two iconic Texas cities, personally and musically into an eclectic debut release, guaranteed to improve your mood.

Click “play” arrow here to see all 4 videos, back to back, with a :10 second introduction. Read more…

A thought this morning: “Content is King” is a myth.
From my earliest foray into social media and blogging, I have heard the “Content is king” line and believed it. It makes sense that if you don’t have anything interesting or informative to say, few will pay attention. Now I see that having great content is important, but it’s just one of the keys to the puzzle. I wish that merely posting inspired writing, photographs, quotes and other popular content were the keys to attracting millions of eyeballs to this blog, but alas, this is not so.

Great content is nothing without REACH. Read more…

Will Rogers, the American humorist once said:

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

True, but I have found that sometimes the temptation to just lay down on the tracks is great. I get weary of the turmoil and confusing nature of life.
Maybe you can relate to this scenario of mine:

I’ve had some “good fortune” and a bunch of bad too. Read more…

South Texas Soul: The San Antonio Sound – Augie Meyers, Doug Sahm and the history and influence of South Texas on popular music of today. Documentary filmmaker Tracy Ready examines the influence of German, Polish and Irish immigrants in South Texas on popular music styles including Country, Tejano, Blues and Rock and Roll, from a unique perspective.

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What to do with Social Media? Be careful, but have fun… Here are four quick tips for surviving social media, hope you find it helpful.

1. Use common sense. Simple. Don’t put your home address anywhere on your websites, blogs, profiles, anywhere. I keep a business mailing address that is posted on my sites, but it’s no one’s business where I live.

2. Avoid personal attacks. Follow the age old advice “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” This is sometimes hard to do in life, and on the Internet, but it is vital to your social networking efforts. Having conversations online about things that you are passionate about is great for building your reputation, but watch your words! If you take issue with something someone has posted, respond with fact and supportable opinion, do not attack the person who posted it. Likewise, as soon as someone launches a personal attack against you, restate your qualified opinion on the subject, then let it go – disengage from the conversation. I have seen many instances of people getting involved in a “tit-for-tat” argument online that quickly dissolves into juvenile name-calling antics, resulting in all parties looking like fools.
Read this -> Social Media Smart Move: Be an Aggregator, Not an Aggravator

3. Remember, the Internet is full of kooks, but plenty of sensible people too. Sometimes its hard to tell who the kooks are at first, but watch what people write about on a regular basis, and soon their true colors come through.
READ ON, Post comments at bottom of this page, I love the feedback. What do you think of this post?>> Read more…

Simple stuff! If someone “likes” or “retweets” your postings on Facebook, Twitter, or any social media outlet, RETURN the FAVOR.

RECIPROCATE! It works. I wrote this post in 2011 and since then it has been one of the most shared articles from my blog. Hope you enjoy, and will leave a comment below. Is this helpful to you?

What makes you feel good? For most of us just being acknowledged for something we have done does the trick. When someone mentions me or posts one of my articles, it warms me up. One little mention lets me know I’m not just “spittin’ in the wind” with social media.

What’s the easiest way to thank someone? Reciprocate!
On Facebook or Twitter it’s easy to thank someone. Post an update and use the “@” symbol in front of their name. That becomes a link to their profile and (on Facebook) shows up on their wall or (on Twitter) shows up in their “mentions”. As soon as that person checks in with these services they will likely see that you have mentioned them or gave them credit for a compelling post.
>>>READ On to see how I do it and who is on my Top 15 “Reciprocators” List>> Read more…

Yes! I get to sing some with great friends and fine musicians in my old stomping grounds this Saturday afternoon. Stoked. Come see us, do the “hello” and groove a bit…
Miss Neesie and Tin Can Trio plays an afternoon set (1-3pm) this Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Boneshakers in San Antonio, Texas. Excellent musicians, eclectic set list, happy faces, these folks always put on a fine show. Jump blues, cajun, gospel, rock n roll… yes, it’s all good….
Like!-> Miss Neesie on Facebook
Follow!-> Bassist, Music Writer Jim Beal on Twitter
The Gig:
Boneshakers
306 Austin Street
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 319-8155
Saturday, April 13, 2013 1-3pm

TWEET UP WITH TUNES, SAN ANTONIO STYLE!
Please use these hashtags for the event: #TinCanTrio #TraceTrio #Boneshakers
If you know me through Facebook, Twitter or this blog, in San Antonio area:
COME ON DOWN, LET’S DO THE “HELLO” AND GROOVE A BIT THIS SATURDAY 1-3 PM

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