About a month ago we made a significant switch on THE DROP website. The adjustment came as a way to incorporate the multitude of ways that users would interact with the website. We had been using a social plug-in and it really started out working amazing. Last month I was introduced to ShareThis and I found that the plug-in was easy to use and that it actually gave the user more options to pass around the info and would be crucial in the interaction of social media to the site. The user would then be able to add or share the posts via their Myspace or Facebook but could also email them to friends if they so chose. A little while back The Drop was featured on the ShareThis site. We got sandwiched between infertility and obscure movies - I don’t think it’s a bad start.

I also had a chance to join their Publishers Group on Facebook. What I loved about this was that I then could put faces with the code writers and other bloggers/new media types who were employing the same pieces and any additional strategy that they may have. ShareThis has just been named one of the Top 20 plugins to have on Wordpress and I highly recommend it.

Film Music Weekly Magazine editor Peter Alexander released an article on the recent talk given by Dan Portnoy to the Virginia Production Alliance in Richmond, VA. Check out his take on new media, processing through the info and including a lot of links to see New Media in action.

See the article here.

Radio Magazine sat down with Dan Portnoy about a month ago to get the skinny on Radio options in the digital age. (more…)

After wrapping all principle shooting this past Saturday, The Great American Road Trip moves into post production and a release date is slated for the first installment of the trip. Starting Tuesday July 3rd and continuing each week will feature the adventures of Justin, Won, Tim and Dan as they travel from Virginia to Durham, North Carolina. The film is being released episodically through Superhero Pictures. Press release coming soon.

They’ve collaborated with the likes of Chaka Khan, Robert Randolph, Reggie Watts and Dave Matthews. They’ve performed for thousands nation wide and they are leading the return of Soul Music back into the mainstream. Dan catches up with the group as they talk about the new album (releasing July 31st on Stax), new additions and what music they’re checking out now. Also we check in with Jack Bonney from WUAG-FM as he talks about the a special compilaion disc put out by WUAG called, Taylor 25: A Nostalgic Retrospective (PS. it’s just 8 bucks)

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He’s been on MTV, BET, and Comedy Central and this week Cleto Rodriguez joins THE DROP with the lowdown on the state of Texas and the state of comedy. Cleto talks with Dan about his name in lights, Mariachi Bands and setting goals. Download it Today!

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This weeks episode is THE DROP Live! featuring Justin McRoberts. As well as being a long time friend of mine he’s an incredible story teller and a critically acclaimed musician. The recording, courtesy of Audio Concepts, comes from a show that we did in November. Make sure you check out his recent recording of Amazing Grace and www.amazingchange.com to see how you can help with the effort to abolish slavery throughout the world. Download it Today!

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2007 kicks off in a major way with Tim Sanders, 2x NY Times Best selling author of The Likeability Factor and Love is the Killer App. Dan and Tim catch up on what Albums impacted music last year, as well as talk about how like-able people stay relevant. Also Tim gives us the lowdown on what successful blogging looks like, based on the success of his own advice blog, www.sanderssays.typepad.com Download it Today!

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The Internet - Picture this: 4 Men, 1 Winnebago and 2,448 miles of seasoned highway. These three together set the stage for a journey of a lifetime on a road filled with history and painted with stories of young and old. There is only one highway that can provide such an adventure and that is “the Mother Road” herself Route 66. The highway has come be known as “the mother road,” which was given that name about 70 years ago by the world renown author John Steinbeck. The road itself gave individuals the opportunity to escape the “dust bowl” and travel where there was a greater chance of successful survival. By the early 50’s tourist attractions started to take there place along side the road of opportunity. The highway has always been a source of economic growth for all of the 8 states that it crosses through.
Before this national highway was constructed all of the existing paved roads ended at the city line, so it revolutionized the idea of traveling. Which is what we like to acknowledge as the birth of “road trips.” The art of road tripping has been lost somewhere in time. Today very few people take the time to get on the road and just drive and see what the nations highways have to offer. It wasn’t always about the destination rather the long rides in the car with the closest of friends. Presently there are only a few daring college students and many bands that dare to explore the open road.
The idea of getting out on the open road and meeting the people who have staked their livelihood on something that may not fit in a nice neat box is exciting. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, entrepreneurs of all kinds traveled to the first road that connected the country and started businesses all along the road. From greasy spoons to unique motels, they grabbed onto life and molded it to make their greatest dreams come true. The goal is to take 4 individuals with unique personalities and travel from Chicago to L.A. on Route 66 in the summer of 2007. The objective is to film the whole project and share the adventures that are made with the world. To talk with business owners and the individuals who have spent their lives along “the Mother Road” will prove to be astounding. Buckle up, Enjoy the ride, and keep checking for updates at www.thegreatamericanroadtrip.net.

In this episode find out what music has captivated THE DROP this year. Dan is Joined by Senior Music Editor, Matt Benson to get the rundown on what were the Top 20 best albums of 2006. In addition, Matt and Dan go through a list of this years best, including live shows, videos, and most anticipated album of 2007. Featuring Snow Patrol, Silversun Pickups and Saosin this is an episode you need to hear. Download it Today!

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