https://metaldevastationradio.com/hominid-mike Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:20:01 -0500 https://metaldevastationradio.com/hominid-mike/blog/3755/another-one-bites-the-dust-g-googles-other-social-media-platform-to-shut-down https://metaldevastationradio.com/hominid-mike/blog/3755
Google+ set for consumer (personal) account shutdown on April 2, 2019

With so many new Social Media platforms on the rise that bring a fresh take on the phrase.... It's not surprising that sites that stay irrelevant or are a close knock off to ones that already exist fall to the wayside.  One of which is Google's G+, and I'm not even sure why it was a thing, perhaps to compete with Myspace and facebook.  However, at the time YouTube was already taking off, there was no need for another social media platform. 

I'm not surprised to have received a notice stating that my account would be disappearing, sort of.

" Your Google+ account is going away on April 2, 2019. Learn More "

blow is a copy of the letter in the learn more link;
January 30, 2019



In December 2018, We announced   our decision to shut down Google+ for consumers in April 2019 due to low usage and challenges involved in maintaining a successful product that meets consumers’ expectations. We want to thank you for being part of Google+ and provide next steps, including how to download your photos and other content.
On April 2nd, your Google+ account and any Google+ pages you created will be shut down and we will begin deleting content from consumer Google+ accounts.   Photos and videos from Google+ in your Album Archive and your Google+ pages will also be deleted. You can   download and save   your content, just make sure to do so before April. Note that photos and videos backed up in Google Photos will not be deleted.
The process of deleting content from consumer Google+ accounts, Google+ Pages, and Album Archive will take a few months, and content may remain through this time. For example, users may still see parts of their Google+ account via activity log and some consumer Google+ content may remain visible to G Suite users until consumer Google+ is deleted.
As early as February 4th, you will no longer be able to create new Google+ profiles, pages, communities or events.  See the full   FAQ   for more details and updates leading up to the shutdown.
If you’re a Google+ Community owner or moderator , you may   download and save   your data for your Google+ Community. Starting early March 2019, additional data will be available for download, including author, body, and photos for every community post in a public community.   Learn more
If you sign in to sites and apps using the Google+ Sign-in button , these buttons will stop working in the coming weeks but in some cases may be replaced by a Google Sign-in button. You’ll still be able to sign in with your Google Account wherever you see Google Sign-in buttons.   Learn more
If you’ve used Google+ for comments on your own or other sites , this feature will be removed from Blogger by February 4th and other sites by March 7th. All your Google+ comments on all sites will be deleted starting April 2, 2019.   Learn more
If you’re a G Suite customer , Google+ for your G Suite account should remain active. Contact your   G Suite administrator   for more details. You can also expect a new look and new features soon.   Learn more
If you're a developer   using Google+ APIs or Google+ Sign-in, click   here   to see how this will impact you.
From all of us on the Google+ team, thank you for making Google+ such a special place. We are grateful for the talented group of artists, community builders, and thought leaders who made Google+ their home. It would not have been the same without your passion and dedication.
_____________

By ridding of all the "personal" accounts... I'm assuming Google is just switching tactics here, and not totally ditching the platform.  Sounds like they are gearing up to compete with Linked In...... perhaps we will see a re-branding here folks.

Peace and Love, 
       hominidXmike


]]> Sun, 03 Feb 2019 13:18:18 -0600 https://metaldevastationradio.com/hominid-mike/blog/3699/is-your-stuff-not-getting-played https://metaldevastationradio.com/hominid-mike/blog/3699
  Whether you submit to a Podcast, Internet station, or local station the DJ's and/or Stations have certain pet peeves and requirements for submissions.  If the specifications are not met, or instructions are not followed, you may not get your stuff played (or get blackballed all together).  





  NOT taking yourself/band seriously.   I can't speak for any station, including MDR , but I can speak for my own company.  This is one of, if not, the biggest way to get your material blackballed.  If you don't take your music career seriously, why would/should anyone else give you a chance?  I may be a little harsh here, but I work to hard at what I do to get my time wasted on a joke.  There are differences between a satirical band and a band that is just unprofessional.

  Too many billing cities.   It's okay if you are registered to several music platforms such as; Spotify, Badcamp, Soundcloud, iTunes, etc.  In fact, it is encouraged.  However, if you have different billing cities (where you are from) on all of the accounts, that's a problem.  It is extremely unprofessional, and how can I do my part in promoting your music if it's not 100% clear where you are from.





  Tagging and Format.   When Submitting material, be sure to send the correct format and make sure that your material is tagged correctly.  Personally, I will tell any artist or band that contacts me from the get go what is expected when submitting music for my shows.  Typically, if your material is not tagged correctly or send me any other format than what I ask for, I will not ask again.   Nor am I contacting you for the correct information to tag them.




  Ok, I know what you may be thinking.  However, these guidelines are not set because we are picking on you or making you jump through hoops for nothing.  It's because the music industry is a hard business, we try to give everyone a fair shake, but if the are just not willing to work a bit for what they get.  I/We won't waste My/Our time. 



  Quite honestly, it is also to protect you and/or your band against piracy.  Again, I can't speak for other stations, but Metal Devastation Radio (MDR) is required by Streamlicensing to obtain the correct information for all music played.  This is so you get credit and paid royalties for any and all material aired on our station.































]]> Sun, 27 Jan 2019 23:29:37 -0600 https://metaldevastationradio.com/hominid-mike/blog/3695/are-you-getting-your-royalties https://metaldevastationradio.com/hominid-mike/blog/3695


   As I have stated before in my videos, I have been doing this (promoting bands) for a long time.  Since the turn of the century, that's over 19 years to be exact.  Yes, I know, I am old.  I could just feel the eyes bulge on the younger generations as I typed that.



 

  In the last installment, you may recollect that I mentioned needing the proper information for Streamlicensing purposes and one of those purposes stated was so the artist or band played can get credit or royalties for being played on air.


  Throughout the years, I have come across bands at live shows and via messenger chats that have stated that they have never seen a check/funds from royalties.  Despite uploading to, and, being played on several music platforms (spotify, pandora, iTunes, etc), being played on air, and featured on podcasts.

 

 I'm not always the best at explaining things.  So, I reached out to our good friend , Theresa Lambe of ResaD Promotions, who represents the Tucson based hard rock powerhouse,  TRIBULANCE.   


  Resa, as we call her, was ready to drop some knowledge on your boy, and spoke about the topic on a personal level.  "Bands have to work hard too. Not just have stuff handed to them. And sadly, it will cost."

  

  Lambe, went on, and further explained what she meant by the statement, "Well here's the deal... royalties don't just come just 'cause your song is out there. It has to be registered." Which pretty much verified what had been stated in a previous installment of this Blog.  In fact, I asked if my previous statements of "don't get lazy, put some effort into what you are doing," "take your band seriously or no one else will," and "Your band is your brand" were in fact accurate.  Her response was "Yup. Invest in your band."  


  Again pulling from personal dealing with the band she represents, "They get like 2 or 3 cents, maybe even 5 cents per spin. It's not a lot and it's based on the station size. And obviously cutting a check for 5 cents won't work they let it add up. So after like 10 bucks, they'll pay. So it takes a bit to add up." 


  As for the bands that have approached me, she had words for them too, "Chances are, they never signed up. and even if they did if you were the only one playing them, that would take FOREVER to get a check." and went on with advice for bands, "We don't make bank, which is why you want as many stations as you can get."




  I asked if she could state how one goes about registering for royalties, Resa stated, " Sign up through bmi, Songtrust...any type like that. Do a search and see what best fits them."
Some websites to check out are:
https://www.bmi.com/creators/royalty/how_we_pay_royalties
https://www.songtrust.com/













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