It’s been a moment since I’ve written an article. This particular article was written because I’ve been asked by several bands how to effectively market. I can only speak on my experience which has worked for me but I’m sure results vary. Below is a list of 5 things which provide great value in marketing for my own band and businesses.
1. Create an effective website.
I hear ya, “Facebook, Instagram, tiktok, and every other social channel is all I need”. Although social platforms provide the “push” of info effectively, it falls short in the ability for you to have total control of your message or content, furthermore is subjected to comments, scrolling, and other advertising. More importantly, you’re missing out on what most folks do when they are looking for bands.. search. Social media platforms are great if someone knows your band but if not, you’ll want to consider the power of a website which provide a 24/7 marketing opportunity to stand out from all the other bands in your area. Because you’ll have full control, you will be able to craft your content in a way which sells the band with video, audio, event dates, as well as reviews. Just make sure you keep it updated, make it mobile friendly, and remember you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Hit up Harlow Media if you need more info.
2. Create an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) for your band
An EPK is a digital collection of content or promotion material which is provided to talent buyers, venues, and just about anywhere you want to play. Having one can set you apart from masses of bands who tend to rely on just saying they are a good band without anything to back them. The key ingredients to an EPK are Bio, Photos, Video, Music, Reviews or Testimonials, Website and Social Media Links, Highlights, and Contact info. Many bands feel like they just don’t have enough material to start one, however, an EPK can be a living product which is updated as your band and content grows.
3. Network / Make friends with other bands and venue owners
I’ve always found that you are a product of who you hang around but I think Sylvester Stallone says it best
“If you hang around with nice people you get nice friends, hang around with smart people and you get smart friends, hang around with yo-yos and you get yo-yos for friends. It’s simple mathematics.”
Sylvester Stallone
Point is the entire world of any business is based on relationships. Making connections with great humans who have the same passion as you is powerful. I cannot count the number of gigs I’ve gotten because I’ve simply known people or other bands who have recommended my band or venue owners who I’ve befriended. I’ve also watched bands completely get blackballed by folks because of the way they treated people or talked with venues. The good news is we’re extremely fortunate in this area to have some amazing humans who support our scene, and most will go out of their way to support you. Whether it’s making friends with venue owners or people, please be genuine, real, and respectful.
4. Video Posts
Music as a medium has always been just that, an audio representation of art. Back in the old days (not too long ago LOL) people would sit back and listen to records and let the music take over their bodies and mind. It literally was a way to escape and imagine things while the music played. As technology evolved and music television appeared “MTV”, music slowly became only half of the equation with video actually making or breaking the song itself.
Fast forward to today and video is just about the only thing which will catch someone’s attention for maybe 10 seconds.
So why is video important? Because the content you shoot or provide, even if it resonated for 10 seconds put your band in the mind of that individual and the law of leadership in marketing is “the first in the mind is the first to succeed”.
Don’t overdo it but people like to be connected to what is going on in bands lives. Consider shooting a bit of a song here and there, producing a promo video, or maybe talk to folks on your way to a show to promote it. Statistically you will have a better chance of connecting with user bases, certainly a better retention rate than just words.
Example Promotion:
5. Stand out / invest in visuals
Standing out is a simple statement but hard to execute without the right tools. As your band grows and you can afford it, recommend investing in your brand and look.
Produce a logo or have a professional do it (vector format if possible)
Produce digital flyers for your shows (use logos for your band and venue with clear show dates)
Invest in a banner backdrop to display when you play out will pay massive dividends to implant your bands name in those listeners heads. Scrims also provide for a good visual.
Wear outfits at shows that distinguish you from the listeners (not going to get into the cargo shorts debate! LOL)
Invest in lighting elements, stage props, or visuals which can have a great impact on your performance and growth.
Invest in merch such as shirts and even give them out if you have too.. walking billboards yo!
Consider doing the other things in this article!
Thanks for reading and supporting our local music scene. I’m hopeful that these tips may provide you or your band success in your endeavors.
ve·loc·i·ty: the speed of something in a given direction.
In this article, I’ll scratch the surface into its meaning specifically with project management and how it might assist your band in delivering on your goals and managing expectations.
In no way is this short article going to explain the principles of waterfall, sprints, agile, scrum, critical paths, or any other type of project management lingo but it should give you a small primer to consider that project management methodologies can actually assist in band management, if used properly.
One caveat: Like any tool, it only works when placed upon the right objects and in the case of bands and members, those who are open to the concepts of tracking progress as well as setting goals. Frankly, these types of things are difficult to implement because some will consider it too “serious” and the entire morale could shift for the worse. In other words, if you are just jamming for fun, this probably is not the article for you or your band (most bands in reality). For those remaining, use at your own risk.
Bridging project management and band management (it can be the same), Velocity encapsulates movement, forward projection, and specifically defines what a band should be able to achieve during a time period. In agile methodologies, we call those time periods “sprints” but for this article and in regards to band management, we’ll just call it “next rehearsal.”
In the simplest terms, Velocity is a measurement of movement or accomplishments.
So, “How do I use it?” or the better question, “What do I use it on?”
To keep it high level, this article will use the concept on learning new songs with a band. Learning new songs is something every band will certainly do and the struggle is real. The below story is fictitious, or is it?
The scenario: You just formed the ultimate rock band “Crotch Rocket”. The players are the best in the area and you plan to do some of the more complex songs on the Nickel Back albums.
The goal: You got a gig lined up at Madison square garden (Ms. Madison, the old lady that has a nice little garden in her back yard down the street). The gig is only 3 months away and your band needs 40 songs to be able to play the event (it will surely have record label executives watching you ready to sign you for playing the cover tunes so well).
The bands response:“Too easy, we can totally learn 10 songs the first week, and then maybe 15 the next week since we’re kicking ass, and then another 15 more the next week. We’ll be ready in 3 weeks and we’ll be ROCK GODS! Matter of fact, let’s go ahead and book us in 3 weeks, we don’t even have to wait 3 months!”
The plan: Band Leader: “By next rehearsal (next week), learn the first 10 tracks from Nickel Backs first album. Because I’m a good band leader, here are the official tabs so we’re all on the same sheet of music.”
The band:“No problem boss, we’re gonna kill this. This is gonna be awesome, we’re fully committed.” “We’re already the best band in the area!”
The next rehearsal:
Guitarist: “Hey man, uh, man, I got busy at work and didn’t have time to learn any of the new songs”
Singer: “what songs were we suppose to learn?”
Bass Player: “man, I learned it in a different key”
Drummer: “I learned my parts” (they didn’t.. but nobody can tell)
Band leader: “FML”
And… that starts the measurement. The velocity is the measurement of what actually occurred. The bands desire was 10 songs, the bands actual velocity was 0, zilch, nadda. 0 is bad.
Ok, I’m being a little dramatic, let’s give the band Crotch Rocket some credit and say they actually were able to accomplish 3 songs (in a week). And just like that, the band velocity is 3.
The problem: 3 is not 10.
The bigger problem: Turmoil is brewing and they don’t even know it. Without setting expectations and valid achievable goals quickly, Crotch Rocket may not make it to even see the gig.
Where velocity comes in: Based on this new velocity number, the band leader is now armed with some realities. The band, as much as they wanted to do 10 songs a rehearsal, was able to only really produce 3. That velocity of 3 is the new standard (which hopefully will increase).
Side note: It also important to note that songs, like tasks, in project management can vary in complexity so velocity can change and would need to be measured over multiple rehearsals to really determine the capability of the members versus their perceived abilities internally. By a few more rehearsals, the band leader can generally access what the real velocity is (an average).
The math: With a little math, we can gather that timeline in reality looks a bit different from the original expectation:
40 songs / velocity (3) = 13.3 weeks (rehearsals)
Uh oh! That means that 13.3 rehearsals put Crotch Rocket over 3 months (13.3 / 4) before they will be able to perform!! They are gonna have to cancel Madison square garden!!
Fortunately, for Crotch Rocket, they realized that building the ultimate rock band is hard and armed with this new reality of velocity, the members were able to prioritize some things, decrease complexity in song choices and increase their velocity to a solid 5 to make the gig.
And that’s the thing, velocity is something which you continue to measure to effectively manage what can be done. It resolves so many issues with false hope, missed expectations, and unproductive rehearsals.
There are so many facets I could go into but this article would then be a book but I’ll mention that effective planning and asking members to determine their own velocity is important to measure so it’s not constantly a struggle for members. Being in a band is about having fun after all and I can tell you even more fun when you have a high performing band where expectations are managed.
Ok, let’s wrap this article up:
Velocity can help your band analyze what you have delivered in a previous rehearsals and what is achievable going forward, making the process more efficient and attainable. Not only will it make your band more efficient, it is also a great communication technique for all the band members when it comes setting expectations.
Common Challenges
A common issue within even committed bands is 80% of the members will learn all the material but 20% do not. Unfortunately, with this case, the velocity is still the same, it’s based on the entire band and not individuals (i.e. the bands performance is based on the worst members performance). This process can quickly put a spotlight on members who constantly don’t meet the standard which can be a bad experience. Some members will be encouraged to get things together and others may just not care which can lead to lots of other issues to include resentment and removal of the member.
Band members typically don’t want to be held accountable. Many will start to consider the concept of having predefined tasks “a job” and worse, being “tested” at rehearsals. If not properly explained that it’s not a test or job, the members can start to resent the entire process, leading to a negative experience.
This concept doesn’t need to be forced on every little thing within a band. Use it where it works best for your band and make sure everyone on is on board with the concept, or, as a band leader, execute these measurements in private and just forecast within your internal plans.
This doesn’t solve band problems like drama, arrogance, girlfriends, or really anything other than helping to plan effectively. If anything, it can lead to more problems if not effectively implemented with willing members.
I hope you found the article interesting and if you implement it, I hope you have the same successes I’ve had with my bands I’ve used the process with. The current band I perform with went from a properly managed plan to 2 rehearsals to playing a festival. Finding members who can adopt the process and have the same commitments can do extraordinary things. It can work, just over communicate and give it a chance. Cheers.
In any profession I know of, being professional is what sets you apart and makes you desirable. It puts you at the top of your game and creates credibility in each of your actions. It builds trust and relationships.
However, for whatever reason, there are always some bands and musicians that appear to be incapable or struggle at acting professional. It’s hard to determine if this comes from a rebellious standpoint of rock n roll or if it’s just complete ignorance on how the real world works, or just lack of care in general but it’s all fascinating to me.
This article is written to share 4 things which could easily be perceived as “unprofessional”. It’s common sense yet I’ve seen this stuff throughout my years and some of it as recent as this weekend across my web surfing. I’ve even learned these lessons personally and plan to never go back (most of us have).
These things are tough to write about because it sounds like a bitch session and “shooting the messenger” is a real thing but it’s still worth the share and it’s targeted for folks who are truly taking music seriously and choosing to work it like a profession.
If you are saying “duh” then you are likely a professional and this article is NOT for you. However, maybe it’s worth the read because I’m sure you’ve seen the same things in your journey and it will make you shake your head and smile.
1. You’re Late
Time is our most valuable possession. You can’t buy it and once it’s gone, you can’t get it back. This one applies to the entire spectrum of music life to include making it to a rehearsal on time or making it to a sound check of a gig on time. Consider this, major artists have been booed off stage because they were late, and those were paying customers.
From both a gig (venue) standpoint and band member standpoint, being late creates a credibility issue. It causes 2nd and 3rd order consequences which can ultimately lead to band breakup or removal as well as not getting future gigs at venues. It’s that serious.
If you are going to be late, communicate it quickly and prevent it in the future as much as possible. Things happen and can be excused but being in a band is hard enough and being late all the time plants a seed which can destroy your crop. I cannot think of a single member that was kept in a band that was constantly late. Some could say it goes down to a character thing and values but that’s another article. I almost want to provide the wide array of excuses I’ve heard but then I’d embarrass the people who have used em in this area so I’m gonna hold tight and take my own advice of #4 below!
2. You don’t know your material
At the gig: It seems pretty obvious that you would not want to perform a song you did not know in front of a crowd right? Then why do bands and musicians consistently go ahead and try playing that song they don’t really know on stage? Some will even announce to the crowd that “ we don’t know the song but we’ll do it anyway” in some way to lessen the blow of suckdom. End result, exactly as they said.. they didn’t know it. And yes, I did this when I was young.. guilty as charged! LOL
The question must be asked at this point, was the $5 or even $100 tip worth it? Was it worth it for that one person in the audience who yelled out “free bird” when the rest of the bar patrons are thinking “this band / musician sucks”? Was it worth it to the venue who paid for quality but sees and hears something different? Oh, and don’t forget the cell phone footage on Facebook which clearly shows your best for venues and club owners to review for future gigs.
At rehearsal: Again, pretty obvious but.. if you are the musicians that does not learn your songs when others in the band have learned their material, it makes you unprofessional and a liability. Bands cannot maintain any level of momentum with an anchor and it breeds resentment. The professional thing would be to lay out what you can do and then deliver or move on to others who have the same commitment. Not learning your music = wasting others time. It’s professional to be respectful of others time, the most important asset.
3. You can’t handle your alcohol
The overused but still reliable banter “the more you drink, the better we sound” is used across America. It provides a little humor and ultimately helps to sell more drinks for the venue you are playing. However, it’s intended for the crowd and not the band. Fact: your band doesn’t sound better the more it drinks. The more your band drinks on stage, the worse it sounds and those things like #2 break out.. “hey guys, let’s do that one song, these people will love it”, knowing that nobody knows it and the vocalist cannot sing it nor knows the words (time to break out the phone.. lol). Net gain… 1 person likes it, the rest.. not so much. Yeah, I’ve been guilty again.. dammit.
Admittedly, I’ll cruise through facebook live video of bands because I’m looking for the best bands to book at the venue and I ultimately see bands across the states that drink to a point of sounding like total crap. These are good bands with bad actions or bad band leaders allowing it. These videos are on the web and there is no way for the band to try and say “man, we were drunk.. that’s why it sounded so bad”. How is that even an excuse? There is just no escape from looking unprofessional and its out on the web for everyone to see over and over.
I’m thankful cell phones were not around when I was young. I mean, I wish I had video of my playing a long time ago but the stakes are so high if you are in a band taking it seriously with cameras everywhere. The competition is fierce and there is certainly more supply than demand so getting drunk makes no sense to me.
BTW, I’m not suggesting to never drink but I’m suggesting that you’ve rehearsed so much for the gig and to consider the fact you can screw the entire band and venue if you can’t control yourself. Point is, what other professional service would you pay for that you would be ok with someone being drunk? Why would a venue hire you if it’s going to become a $hit show and it’s been documented online?
I’ll leave this subject with this: I speak with bands occasionally that will talk “business” and work their band as a professional business but then have this exact activity. I’m all about a good time but if a band was truly a business and you had to put food on the table with it, I don’t think getting drunk at your job would be a smart move.. I digress. Actually, maybe that is the deal.. these people are not really in a business or really don’t need it for food.. it’s just a hobby. Ok, I digress now. LOL
4. Your mouth overloads your canary ass
Our community is so small that our theme song should be “heard it through the grapevine”.
The quickest way to find yourself unlikable as a musician or band is to talk crap about other people and bands. It spreads so so quickly and everyone knows it. I assure you, you are not as good as others, especially if you have to say it to yourself and your friends or put others down.
I get it though, you don’t like that band or maybe that person rubs you wrong. However, being a true professional means not discrediting or talking about other musicians and bands or even venues. Let the person / band actions speak for them and the rest will work out without you having to say anything or get sucked into the conversation or as an accomplice in many cases around these parts. We owe it to each other to be kind and supportive. The people and bands that are at douche level 11 are easily spotted without anyone having to say anything.
I’ve found being professional also requires to have an open mind without prejudgment. As someone who is connected fairly well to the community, I hear so much stuff and I can tell you that the majority of negative stuff I’ve heard on bands / people is not remotely true. I can tell you that the people in our community are amazing people and we’ve got an amazing amount of talent yet some don’t get the opportunity because others have heard negative comments..etc. Again, let the actions of those people / bands speak for themselves. You might be surprised that everyone actually has more in common than not and there are some really cool players in the area that may have been improperly labeled.
Last, when I see musicians or bands call out each other online, it truly makes me shake my head in disbelief. I’ve seen local folks who will comment on someone’s ability when they themselves have little to no experience or ability (the ol’ put someone down to raise me up thing) . When things get posted online, it’s no longer on the grapevine, it’s action, it’s not professional, and folks will always remember how you made them feel, especially in a public forum.
Ok, there we go. 4 blatantly obvious things which can make you look unprofessional. I’d love to hear your opinions or even your disagreement, you have the right to be wrong (joking). I’m hopeful the content will help everyone pause and say, I’m so glad I’m not like that. If you recognize some of the behavior in yourself, it’s never to late to make a change. My entire life has been experience (surviving mistake) and some of the stuff above (and below) is what I’ve learned in my journey. I’m not proud of many things but I’m proud to be able to share and hopefully prevent you from making some of these simple mistakes like i did when I was young.
Bonus: if you are still reading this, here is a bonus.
#5 You’re too loud
Your loud amp directed at the audience doesn’t sound as good as you think. The louder, the better? NO. The volume you have on stage or volume of your PA can have a direct result on future patrons, gigs, and how you sound to an audience. I’ve seen people leave shows because it’s too loud and I’ve seen bartenders who could not perform their jobs because of it. I’m speaking from personal experience. PLEASE, PLEASE, know the room and play to what’s best for an eventful night of music and not a painful one, louder is not always better. Many pro bands are now doing silent stages (other than drums) and the control of the mix is incredible. In ears are also a great resource to consider.
What exactly is “groove”? I’ve spoken with other musicians about it and there’s not really a clear cut definition. Most people say it’s just something you feel. But what if you don’t? Let’s try to dive in and figure it out exactly what groove is and how to find it.
Groove gives music life. It has an influence on others that gets them moving and swaying and dancing to the music. It makes music more memorable, and is one of the ingredients that brings out emotions in others. Groove is basically the swing and flow of a beat or song. If a beat has a good feel to it, it has good groove. Learning to feel what you’re playing, and playing with feel is an important step for any musician. Learning to play with groove comes with experience. It is a skill that needs to be learned. It comes more easily for some than others. Some people have natural groove. If you find yourself struggling with groove here are some tips that may help.
1. Count with the Music Music is made up of repeating patterns of beats. Most commonly patterns of four. You need to be able to feel where those patterns start and finish. Learning to count out loud with the music really helps here. Before you can start grooving to any beat you must feel the pulse of the pattern. This takes a bit of practice. Listen to the pattern and try to count the quarter notes in your head. Developing your internal clock is what every musician needs to do. When you can feel the pulse of the song, you will be able to play around it and accent certain notes and beats.
2. Move to the Music If you want others to move to your music, it helps if you move to it yourself. While you count, tap your foot, sway your body, nod your head or wave your arms…whatever. It will help you feel the music, and also help you to play in time. Moving as you play your instrument is a key ingredient for playing with groove.
3. Loosen Up If you feel tight and mechanical, you’ll sound that way too. If your fingers, wrists and muscles in general are tense, you’ll find it hard to put those little variations into your playing that are so important to groove. Tension inhibits movement, which makes you slow and sloppy. Speed and precision come from loose and relaxed muscles and a stress free playing posture. The common denominator and most important aspect of any technique is a natural, relaxed, comfortable motion that produces the desired sound as effortlessly as possible. I consider a motion to be “natural” when its movement gives the fullest range of motion, least resistance, and the most relaxation.
4. Jam with Others For some of you, setting up a home studio has robbed you of a social life. Well, it’s time to get one back again. Learning to play with others is an important musical skill, and really helps in learning to play with groove. If you can’t find any real friends, then jam along to your favorite songs (the dreaded “trackwork”). Playing with others for fun or a gig gets your mind right for being technically correct and perfect. It also teaches you to play something that fits in with what the others are playing, and to think about the roles each musician is playing. Playing with someone who has a good feel is one of the best ways of picking it up yourself
5. Learn to Listen When you’re playing with other people, learning to listen to them will help with improving your sound and feel more than anything else. You learn to complement one another’s playing by blending or contrasting with what others are doing. You’ll never learn to play with groove together unless you can hear and feel what the others are feeling. A bass guitarist needs to listen to the kick drum and lock in with what it is doing. A rhythm guitarist can often find inspiration in what the snare drums are doing. A keyboard player or lead guitarist can add interesting “phrases” when the other instruments are less busy. And you can learn to make room for one another’s playing. To drop out on what you are doing so that someone else can take over.
6. Use Eye Contact Eye contact can help with this too. I rely on eye contact more and more as my tinnitus gets louder. I can watch the way the other musicians are moving their bodies, and move mine in sync. It really helps in picking up the feel of their playing. I can watch the drum stick hitting the hi hat and the rhythm guitarist strumming. Using eye contact helps me to focus so we can stay sharp as a group. And it makes it easier to communicate a change in direction if we are looking at each other. Of course, you don’t want to ignore the crowd and stare at one another, or give each other the evil eye – though I do often try to make my other band members smile. But when I’m playing in a group, I make sure I look at the other musicians fairly regularly.
7. Don’t Emphasize Every Note This is a big one. Groove comes by emphasizing some beats more than others, and anticipating or holding back on certain notes. Playing every note with the same intensity is mechanical, boring and lifeless. Rock emphasizes the back beat. Beats 2 and 4. Experiment with emphasizing different beats or emphasizing half a beat early or half a beat late (reggae 101). If you take a chord progression from a familiar song and emphasize different beats, it will sound like a whole new song.
8. Leave Gaps in the Rhythm Incorporate some silence into your playing. Besides emphasizing some beats and playing the others quieter, silence on the occasional beat can add an extra flavor, and give the groove a different feel. From time to time during a song have all of the instruments abruptly stop playing for a beat or two – or even a whole bar. The effect can be very dramatic. “Less is more.”
9. Play Longer After all, there’s is no substitute for time. The longer you play with your band the more natural it’ll be to find the groove. Learn each other. You can anticipate changes in the song based on body language and become more effective at “groovin’ ” with each other.
How important is groove in the music you play? How do you achieve it? If you have some tips to add to the list, let me know in the comments.
It’s Christmas time and as I think about something to write about, it seems appropriate to maybe write something about a wish list. I’m not talking about that perfectly tuned and amazing SUHR or LUXXTONE guitar (hint hint – tele style with tremolo please LOL), rather a wish list compiled from what a community member, venue owner, and musician might want.
This article was written with the intent to hopefully share that regardless of the role we play, we’re all the same, and we simply want to enjoy our passions and have the best times of our lives. Although I’m sure there are more wishes, this list might invoke some thought and perspective. Ultimately, if we respected the wishes of all roles, I believe we would have an unstoppable music scene and find more joy together in this world called the Music Entertainment Business.
The Community Wish List
We would like…
A prosperous local community where members support and promote each other.
To be respected regardless of what genre of music we play, what type of gear we use, or what level we are on our journey.
Musicians / bands to share experiences with one another.
For musicians / bands to quit talking trash about each other (we all know who you are).
To work with cities / venues to establish a better music scene.
To put on a huge concert celebrating our diverse community (hint hint).
The Venue Wish List
We would like…
Musicians / bands to come see the venue, introduce themselves, and create long lasting relationships.
Musicians / bands to respect the amount of time, energy, money, and risks associated to allow bands to perform.
Musicians / bands to have a video, bio, or Electronic Press Kit (EPK) prior to trying to get booked.
Musicians / bands to be punctual, professional, and respectful to the team.
Musicians / bands to connect to the audience and entertain and for patrons to purchase merch from the musicians / bands.
To see musicians / bands supporting each other and promoting the venue.
To partner with musicians / bands to find a winning strategy for everyone.
To not resort to other entertainment options and keep the doors open.
The Musician / Band List
We would like…
The opportunity to share music with people and have fun.
For venues to give a chance to play original music or covers.
For venues to respect the amount of time, energy, and money invested in a single performance.
For other musicians to share venues names, contacts, and experiences or lessons learned.
For players to commit at the same level, learn their material, and be reliable.
To be able to record my songs.
To be able to make a living doing music or get paid for my talent.
For people to realize just how hard it is to be a musician.
As I wrote those rather quickly, I realized the list could go on and on but if you break it all down, the theme is all about Respect and Relationships. As a musician, we must respect what the venue provides for you. As a venue, we must respect what the musician provides to you. As a community member, we must respect each other. None of this works great until we can gain respect.
It’s my personal wish that this next year is filled with opportunity for everyone, regardless of the role you perform. Each of us has been impacted greatly by the pandemic and the ever-growing alternative entertainment choices available (karaoke, digital jukeboxes, Netflix, football..etc).
Live music has not gotten easier, and it’s time we all work together. Other than the really big shows, live music has been greatly declining at the local levels with venue closures across the country. I wish that relationships be forged across all roles to realize again we’re all the same and simply want to enjoy our passions.
Thanks for reading this and I wish you a Merry Christmas and rocking New Year!
