Bye-Bye, Baby!
2008-08-04
There's a beautiful quote from Abraham Maslow: “Life is an ongoing process of choosing between safety (out of fear and need for defense) and risk (for the sake of progress and growth). Make the growth choice a dozen times a day.”
You might have seen in CD Baby's 10th birthday announcement last March that I haven't worked at CD Baby since last year. In fact I've hardly been there since 2002. I designed all the internal systems to run without me, so that I could be free to go learn and invent new things.
But now my new projects are exciting me so much that I decided to hand over CD Baby to someone that's going to make it better than ever for you. I chose Disc Makers as the new owner because their president Tony Van Veen has been one of my favorite people for years, and I always felt they'd do a better job of running CD Baby than I would.
The CD Baby staff, location, name, and everything else will stay the same, but I think you'll start to notice more attention given to improvements that help you sell more music.
So, this isn't big news. Just letting you know that CD Baby is in better hands now, and I'm off to new things.
Wow. An example of letting go.....
I hope CdBaby will be continued with the same spirit you have created it.
Wow I commend you for your hard work and building a great company you are a great inspiration.
I hope they have the good sense not to change a thing. CD Baby is the best thing to happen to independent music in the Web's history so far. I'd hate to see it lose what makes it special.
Derek has taken a wise decision, as ever, but I am sorry to see him leave. For us, being with CDBaby has been a great help to staying in business so we hope that Tony van Veen can maintain the same ethos.
My best wishes to both these guys in these turbulent times!
Thanks for your vision and leadership at CDBaby and getting it to this point Derek. I would be less than honest if I didn't say that Disc Makers has *huge shoes to fill* and that I don't see them staying the non-hyped course you held. I hope they do, but regardless, you showed us all that it *is* possible to thrive as independent musicians online. Thank you and we all look forward to what's coming up next!
Congratulations, Derek.
As usual, you're an inspiration.
Wow - Disc Makers is now the new owner?! I hope CD Baby still keeps the same fun indie-vibe feel and great customer service it always has. I'll try to get used to the fact that you really are out of CD Baby, Derek. Nothing against Disc Makers - in fact, I've used them for each release I've had so far (8 of them)...just hoping the good things about CD Baby stay the same. And, I'm looking forward to whatever else you've got in store.
Regards,
KevOz
http://www.KevOz.com
Fare thee well! I'll always remember that time when you advised me _not_ to turn into a programmer myself - funny days during/after the dotcom crash
Wow!
I met Mr. Van Veen at the TAXI Road Rally back in 2003, and I will say that he seemed like a pretty cool guy. Very sharp, too.
Being in charge of the CD Baby brand and "experience" is an immense responsibility - and an exhilirating reality.
I've been friends with Derek for 8 years and there's an immense mutual respect between us for what the other has accomplished. I've always felt that if I could work anywhere else but Disc Makers, it would be CD Baby, because our missions are identical: serve the independent artist and help the artist achieve success with their music, regardless of how they define that success.
The weight of the responsibility of being the steward of CD Baby is almost palpable to me. The existing CD Baby team stays in place, the brand will retain its integrity, and we're very excited about tapping new opportunities for artists to sell more CDs and downloads.
Derek's built a great business these past 10 years, one for which there is a real need. I'm proud to be the new keeper of the flame.
Tony van Veen, president, Disc Makers
Wow, a big news! Congrats on leaving the past behind and moving on! You must feel very free.
I'm excited to follow you on your upcoming journeys.
ari
As a satisfied user of both services, I can only view this as a positive step for the independent musician. One hopes that Tony will operate CDBaby with the same independent, all-inclusive, non-exclusive spirit that we all know and love Derek for!
Wow!
Congrats, Derek! Keep us posted on your new endeavors
Hey, congratulations! Freedom takes over!
Exiting new days for you, my friend!
Congratulations Derek. I'd met you even before I started my management company and considered you a class act from the start.
Onward and upward sir.
~Mike Savage
Congrats.
What's next?
Good luck Derek - can't wait to work with you on your new project!
Congratulations! Now on to your new adventures!
Wow, wow, wow... congratulations, Derek! Seems like a good match with DiscMakers.
Looking forward to your next steps, and wishing you the very best! Have fun.
Hi Derek. Thanks for all your hard work in the community. We really appreciate it. And good luck with your next venture!
Karen
10 beautiful years ! All the best for the next 10 years ! I will follow your new adventures with great interest.
Margaux
Thanks for everything, Derek. All the very best to you and many happy returns on the gifts you have shared with us all in spirit and inspiration. Keep us posted.
Cile
Keep that pioneering spirit alive, pal.
-P
Congrats and happy trails!
Derek- Smart move. Good for you, and enjoy what you're doing now. Backpacking, living simply.
I've used Discmakers for most of my releases, and think they're a good company. Hope they can handle both!
Derek- Smart move. Good for you, and enjoy what you're doing now. Backpacking, living simply.
I've used Discmakers for most of my releases, and think they're a good company. Hope they can handle both!
na tash a
http://www.natashamillerweb.com
if it weren't for CDBaby i would never been heard outside of a few small clubs. i am in constant amazement of what CDBaby has enabled me to do musically and how it has given me exposure worldwide. Thanks for the vision, the fortitude in making it happen and i know the next round will be even better.
All the best Derek! What a great success story you are.
Tom.
CD baby is the best thing that ever happened to independent music and I am sad to see Derek go. He always kept it so personalized with his e-mails and cute/friendly sayings included in his inspirational words. I wish him the best and I truly hope that Disc Makers won't change a thing.
CD baby is perfect just the way it is!
Derek
CD Baby! What an immense accomplishment. Good Luck with whatever you decide is next...for the sake of the indie music community, I hope you stay involved.
So is this the end of Derek Sivers indie music biz innovations, or just a new beginning?
You are truly an innovator. Everybody is anxious to see what you do next!
Thank you for the inspiration.
Congrats Derek. I'm sure your next venture will also help others as did CDbaby. Its what you do! Best of Luck.
Derek,
I'm glad you "handed" this over to a company with a good reputation in the indie music field, nice move.
What about Hostbaby? Was that included in the transfer or do you still own it?
I'd like to hear more about the new projects you are working!
Best regards,
Michael
Congrats, Derek. 'Look forward to your next adventure. Cheers.
Woah!
I didn't see that one coming.
Thank you Derek for changing the world with CD baby. I can't wait to see how you change the world with your new venture.
Good luck Disc Makers. I hope you continue in keeping CD baby be the best thing that has ever happened for indie music.
It will be interesting to see what happens. I just hope they don't bloat it with options and deals and marketing and clutter. It's nice being as simple as it is without any hype.
Here's hoping you're as successful in your next project, whatever it may be!
Thanks Derek, for selling my albums, and paying me money
Thanks for supporting and nurturing independent music.
Thanks for being an honest, straightforward human being.
Much love and best wishes to you in all your future endeavors.
/Jeff Smoots
For he'z a jolly good fellow .
Good luck with everything, but I doubt you'll need it.
Let me know if there is ever anything I can do for...you have done so much for me and my peers.
Congrats Derek. Now the fun really begins. I look forward to participating in your next brain child. I've worked with Tony as well and think you made a wise choice in handing off the CDBaby reigns.
Well, first off I hate to see you not at the helm of CD Baby... but, I wouldnt want you to stay if you didnt want to.
You will be missed.
But like you have said you havent been there much lately anyway.
You have a life to live an I respect that... Enjoy, you deserve it.
Good for you, Derek. Best wishes in all your adventures.
Your (CD)baby is only ten~
I'm shocked and yet not surprised by this move. I've said it before: you are a true innovator.
Blaze your trail~
You have made it possible for people all over the world to access and purchase my music.
What will you do for an encore?
My lighter is lit and raised.
peace~
Rosendo
All the best Derek,
Thanks for all the help you have given us to get our music out to the children of the world.
Neil Monkey
The Funky Monkeys
New Zealand
Derek,
Congrats and thanks for starting CD Baby and allowing us indies to shop our music to the world.
Best Wishes on your new 'risky' endeavours.
"life is only a blue bag,,knock a squeeze out of it whenever you can"
Dereck, you been a pioneer and inspiration for the independent community and I'm sure you will continue to be. I wish you all the best for your future endeavours....I'll be watching closely
Way to go, Derek! I am sure you will be just as big a success in your new venture! I am glad you can do something you love
)
Lianne Drysdale
Congrats Derek & Tony, I'm sure we'll have great new opportunities in the times to come... Like direct to order cd?
Like everyone else, I wish you well! I celebrate and congratulate you for this step.
For ALL of us who have benefitted from your
vision and creativity...thank you more than you know!
My hope for CD Baby is that it can continue to build on your sense of shared and generous community.
...To boldly go, where no man have gone before! The final frontier!
To new adventures! Cheers, mate!
Congratulations Derek - thank you for everything. May your future be bright.
Derek,
You are a man that always follows your heart. That's why CD Baby was such a success. Keep me informed as to what you will be doing next.
Always follow your heart.
Love, Peace, and Blessings to you and yours
Tyrone K Sullivan
"The Muzik Director"
We love you Derek... Your personal brand has become a lovemark. Onwards and upwards...
You're an inspiration and I wish you all the best in your new adventures! Look forward to hearing about it.
What you said is what we got, that's precious in the music business!
Peace and music and best wishes.
Man, you are one way cool dude...You accomplished for so many what they dreamed might be possible but were too busy making music to execute. Thankyou thankyou thankyou for taking us around the world and into the future.
Diskmakers: you've got one tough act to follow. keep that spirit.
Derek,
Congrats! You have done a great job. Tony.. wishing you all the best with your new baby!
Keith Mohr
President
Indieheaven
www.indieheaven.com
You helped create a new vision of the artist service company as an effective device for artists to inexpensively get their CDs "out there" and to choose from an unbundled set of services in order to get control of their own releases.
The elegance in the simplicity of what your company offered materially helped change the dialogue about the recording industry, and the options available to the independent artist.
It's great that you made this contribution to the way music is distributed. It's great that you've found a buyer that you think will keep the candle burning.
I wish Diskmakers all the best, secure in the knowledge that it will keep your spirit of practicality and incremental improvement. Because you now have created the idea of a really workable artist services company, Diskmakers will understand that either it meets this need, or another company will arise to do so.
Best wishes to you in your new ventures. It will be fun to see what you do next.
best, Robert Nunnally
Derek--
This story is so inspiring. I heard you speak once at a convention, and you embody the whole notion of living in the NOW, doing what feels right today--neither resting on laurels nor fearing the future.
There's a lot to be learned from you, just in witnessing how you live your life. I admire it greatly.
Mary Ann Farley
Derek --- best to you my friend. IT has been an enjoyable decade watching you do your thing w/ CDBaby. I've referred over a hundred artists to you with no fear of them being handed a bad deal. I was in Denver the other day, hoping to meet you, but learned that the event you were to speak at had been cancelled a month earlier.
Good luck to you. I hope someday I'll actually get to shake your hand and say thank you personally for being a major inspiration to me and countless others.
chris k.
aka, goat
The Colorado Sound
Mile High Music Store, LLC
Rocky Mountain Music Network
Derek, When your "baby" grows up you've got to let it go and get on to YOUR next phase. You've managed to change the music world as we'd known it for the better and with Disk Makers the future looks good. I trust your idealism will continue into your future projects. I look forward to helping in any way I can.
Bon voyage!!!
Derek,
Best wishes to both you and CD Baby. I hope we all see what you come up with next, and can't wait!
Thanks for CD Baby,
Joseph
Cheers and congrats to both Tony and Derek. We only live once...maybe...
Derek,
congratulations for having the courage to take your dreams in new directions. I look forward the learning what those may be, and helping in any way I can.
D, we been through alot.You brought us out of retirement. What can I say. 2003 Majors tried to lock in. You Choose to stay. With Disc Makers its smart and progressive for them and the indie.
Blessings. Good. Smart. Choice makes for the right heart decesion. Were with Pacific Coast Jazz. I been with Disc Makers for a number of years.
I see major things on the Up and UP. The can be the BIG CDBABY indie for many years ahead.
Smart and wise change. Hay lets say your still the biological parent. Nothing wrong with adoptions we do it so our babies (aka Indie talk,lol) Can grow up a society of adjustments and growth. I look at it this way.
YOU were going to do it because you out grown the majors,now you can reinvent your self for the indies. Its a win win.
Were all going to the Grammies
With California FLight
100 tickets front and center
CDBABY & Disc Makers still making Babies, you'ed grown up D BABY.
CDBABY did the RIGHT Thing
Disk Makers is Great People they Know they're business of MD/PD/D/
BUSINESS
They can BUILD quicker and smarter.
WOW!
Ilove it Great
I been a Disc Makers Loyalist for over 15 years
Now out of Retirement
2 companies I started with
1.CDBABY
2. Disc Makers
You got my Blessings
dont really deal with disc makers but CD baby was awesome
i guess i will now
or for awhile
ill miss you derek
great job !!!!!
That's the way you do it, Derek! Congratulations on your miracle working skills and best of luck on your future ventures. You've done the world a world of good!
Thank you so much for giving musicians like myself a great opportunity and never-ending encouragement. Because of you and CD Baby, I found a new path. Best of luck to you, though you don't seem to need any luck to do anything. I am sure CD Baby will keep your spirit, no doubt.
Thanks again for everything.
i will miss your guidance and strength, but wish you all things wonderful. keep grabbing the world by it's tail both for you, and for all of us who follow.
much love,
rita mizrahi shamie
I hope that Disc Makers can do even a quarter of what you have done for indie musicians at CD BABY!!!!!
The last time someone bought a DD track was 7th Jan 2008. Sivers told us DD was the best thing thing since sliced bread. I don't think so. I am totally underwhelmed.
Mark Whitty
I second Mary Ann's comment above.
Kudos to you !
As an artist, I have used Discmakers since '93, before I had heard of CD Baby. When I first heard that Derek had sold, I was disappointed, as he has done an excellent job with CD Baby & Hostbaby, helping to fulfill long-sought-after dreams of many independent artists, who prior to CD Baby's founding had seemingly unsurmountable options available to get their music out to the public. My main concern was that CD Baby may no longer be as diligent in marketing the artists' music as before. But I'm sure it was not an easy decision for Derek to make, and as someone who has invested so much work into CD Baby, I don't think he would hand over the reigns to Discmakers without believing they would be able to manage it just as good or better. If Discmakers puts as much effort into CD Baby as they do their CD manufacturing business, it will continue to prosper. I'm grateful for all the hard work Derek has put into CD Baby, from its founding to present, and I'm looking forward to working with Discmakers in both arenas.
Glad to hear you are so excited about your current and future projects. I am too! CDBaby seems to be in good hands. Smiles to YOU!
Congrats Derek!!!
best of luck derek! thanks for all the help over the years & continued success in all that you do
Congrats to you derek! You made history with the indie musician. You'll always be the inspiration for many. You catered to each of your members almost personally. This is what will be hard to find when large entities merge. My thought is, the $35 charge which has never changed for all these years will now be not enough for DD and it will be increased. This truly is an end of a historical era for indie music. It won't be the same. Keep us posted though Derek. everything you touch turns to gold for the indie musician. We'll always be here to support you and your new endeavor.
A great 5 Years this has been. Will this have any impact on Hostbaby.com and DVDbaby.com?
Good luck and JHHP RECORDS, INC. and our artist wishes you the best of luck.
thanks for all the work !!!
Hi Derek,
I joined CD Baby and recommended every Australian Independant composer to join your exciting new business after seeing the results. Having been more than pleased with my CDS gaining more recognition and sales worldwide I wish you every success in all your future ventures. You are indeed a breath of fresh air to the world wide music business.
Ciao Bambino!
Derek,
Best of luck in your new ventures and thanks for getting CD Baby to what it is today. Disc Makers will have a big job ahead, but I'm sure they'll help it grow even more. Let's hope they keep the original spirit alive as you intended.
Good Luck with the new life Derek! It's been real. How else would I have made it on Itunes? ;-)
Well, I am sad because, I just got here about a year in a half ago. I hope things stay the same.I was wondering why did he want to go? Eventhough, I really do not know anybody and,I'd love to colaberate. Just remember we love you here and,um hopefully we can party in Los Angeles
Eventhough CDbaby is kind of on the go we will always work together to make music wonderful like it is today cause. " We be rollin rollin like this and, we be ballin ballin like this and".
WE LOVE YOU DEREK..
ooohhh... Disc Makers nobody won't steal our music will they? I do have an issue I asked for my song. It goes " It was you I was missin you I was kissin before I was dissin know you trippin, Baby listen out of all women why you gotta, gotta do this to me save the drama! I don't wanna fall in love. I don't want to fal in love with you". And I never got my song back they said that they had lost it or something but, it is my song. I am not trying to start anything I am just saying. I have not got paid yet and, I put a lot of money into this. So before you do decide to give them this wonderful business you created can I get a pay check?
the bumble bee said :nothing beatsbeats a failure less you try.you know that better than anyone.have fun.
Thanks for the groundbreaking site you made Derek - I think that creating something that's able to work on it's own is a great way to keep forging ahead with your own great new ideas and you made a super choice with DiscMakers & Tony Van Veen. Thanks again for all you've done for the indie music community!
Peace thru Music,
Bridget
Derek, I have enjoyed my experience with CDBaby.com. I've been a member since 2004. In 2005, thru writing and session work and CD Baby exposure, I was able to land a recording contract with a UK label. The best thing is that I am still able to do indie work thru CD Baby. I look forward to new opportunities. Thank you and best wishes.
Please continue in the spirit of the original creation. tnx
Thank you for everything Derek, good luck with all your projects, i love everything you do!
Cheers
I HOPE THAT NOTHING GOES UP TO WHERE WE CANT AFFORD TO GET OUR MUSIC OUT AS INDEPENDENT ARTIST AND LABELS.
CAUSE DISC MAKERS IS A HUGE COMPANY
AND EVERY ONE IS IN IT TO KEEP MAKING MONEY AND THE PRICES WILL GO UP IF THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO MAKE MORE OFF US.
BUT GOOD LUCK DERICK, AND I HOPE THE BEST OF YOUR CHOOSINGS THANK YOU FOR STARTING CD BABY YOUR CREATION HAS REALY MADE MY DREAM OF BEING A LABEL COME TRU
THANK YOU
FREDERICK RAY / CEO OF RAY TIME MUSIC
MY BE DISC MAKERS WILL GIVE CD BABY MEMBERS A DISCOUNT ON MANUFACTURING PROJECTS.
I,m sorry to know that you're leaving or rather have lefted. I remember leaving a comment about several of your staff members and how helpful they were to me. I was very impressed how quickly you responded, thanking me. To me it showed you really cared about customer service. (GREAT!!!!!!!!. I thank you've done and excellent job. But, I understand, God gives us all a purpose or puposes in life. And, if we don't fulfill it or them we want be satisfied until we do........
God Bless
always,
Rev Curtis J. Grant
Congradulations Derek. Thanks for all the help. Be confident that you've made the right choices. Feel secure in the decisions you've made (Disc Makers).
much success to you....
and again thanks.
you did whuuut?? awww maaannn
i hate uncertainty and discmakers might be run by a cool guy but they are a big company and even if they do a good job it aint gonna be da same, dude
Hey Derek,
You have integrity, and, I have the utmost respect for you and what you have created from scratch. I wish you the best of luck. Take care, David Carter, Corvallis
I remember when you "back in the day" when you started CD Baby.
You've done a great job, your the only honest music person on the net.
Will miss ya'
Patrique, Garry Siler Band,
ABQ Bandsonline.com
What does this mean for underground hiphop groups? Disc Makers have have a harsh stance to this style music, in the past.
DiscMakers did my first CD, and everyone I dealt with there was an inept fool. This is in stark contrast to the high level of help, support, and artistry I've always appreciated from CDBaby. I can understand you wanting to get out of the biz, and I can understand you wanting to get a good price from a big company, but overall I feel quite sad about this end of an era.
Derek - congratulations and thanks for your vision and service to other musicians. CD Baby has a well deserved and proven positive track record in dealing with indie musicians of all genre. What I have always liked about CD Baby personally is the transparency of all dealings - member admin area accounting, the plain language agreements, etc.
But, I also liked the fact that the company never seemed to place itself above the artists/customers that it served as a CD/Digital Music Retail Store. I hope Tony continues that aspect of the Derek Sivers CD Baby legacy too.
I have been involved in the digital music world since the mid-1990s and have seen companies both, thrive and fail. The companies that failed all seemed to have the common thread of kicking the artists to the curb. The companies that have thrived understood that service to the content providers (artists) was their most important business - CD Baby has been one of these type companies from what I’ve seen over the years.
Change is a fact of life. Some changes will be good and some not so good. Yes, those early times in online digital music distribution are gone forever. But, as I continue the “good fight” as an independent recording artist, in a genre (jazz) that is even obscure among “indies”, I will remember that you were one of the “good guys”, Derek. Thanks, man… have a good life…
Peace, Cb
Alec: mistakes can always happen even at the best companies. In 10 years of running CD Baby I heard more-great and less-bad about Disc Makers than any other company in the industry. They're not a "big company" in comparison to the other bigger offers I turned down. I chose them as the new owner because I know they'll do a better job of running it and improving it than any other company out there. Very sorry you had a bad experience with them, but it must have been a rare anomaly, because 99.9% of their clients I've ever spoken with were thrilled with their service.
Derek,
Best wished with your new endeavor. Can't wait to hear about it.
Even
Wow!
The end of an era. Many thanks for all you have done for all of us. You will be missed greatly - particularly that sense of "personal touch" we all got from receiving occasional emails and updates and useful advice from you. Take care. Enjoy whatever comes next. - Ted Killian
Way to Go, Derek. You have set the standard and we are all very fortunate that you came along with your BRILLIANT IDEAS to help us.
Blessings to you and your new endeavors.
Rebecca
I wanted your name to be on my million dollar check. But you have inspired me and I can only wish you luck, in what ever you decide to explore. My prayers are with you always.
Pace & Love Brother,
Kenny Simmons former member of
The Commodores
Currently With The infernos band
It's Nice To Know That Your Off To Something New But So Sad To Say That You Won't Be Able To Give Me Good Advice On My Music And How To Sell More I Was Not Expecting This At All
I'll Miss You My Friend
Dear Derek,
You know how to comfort people, even through your carrer change.
Great leadership.
Thank you for being good one.
Sincerely your friend Emily Eunjue Hayes
many thanks for your help derek..good luck and good wishes..chris
Thank you Derek for everything. I hope CdBaby will be continued with the same style you have created it. I hope you have a great new opportunities. All the best
DEREK I NEVER MET U PERSONALLY-BUT I FEEL LIKE I JUST LOST A LIFE-LONG FRIEND.GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS,GOD BLESS,AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR INDEPENDENT ARTIST AROUND THE GLOBE.
Derek... best of luck with your future. You've been an amazing and personalized leader over the years for me and many, many others. Make it happen, man!
"WTF" OMG!!!! Thats why things been kinda funky lately!!
Thanks allot Derek. Without you allot of us wouldn't be able to exsist in this business or sell music on our own terms. Your the best and good luck to you
Donald Sheffey
Weezie Productions
Yo disc makers did not give us the time of day without a shit load of money. And now they got they hands on the only thing the no to low budget artist has to fight back with. When they run yo shit into the ground and turn all these good artist in to mean ass indusrty people then you will see what was more important!!!
Dont get me wrong. Im happy for you. I just think things were going good already. Why fix what ant broken? No disrespect to disc makers This is all I got!
Thanks Derek! You've helped a lot of musicians worldwide and also myself. My very best wishes in your own life's journey.
Never made great $$$ through online vendors but at least I'm out there; Thanx to D.S. and CD BABY for keepin' it free unlike some companies like Tunec... oh sorry; we can't say that!
Thanks Derek,
you've done so much for us as independent artists. Now it is time for us to follow your footsteps and help each other.
I have an advice for inde artists. If you are just starting out and you haven't been performing, do not print more than 50 cds. If you print 1000 plus cds, they will be stuck in your basement or closet. Only do this if you have been performing alot and you are well-known in your region. (Disc Makers and other companies do the short run).
I've never liked the majors. I think they just want to sign one hit wonders and keep them in debt. So let us all build a strong inde network of commercial/internet stations, performance venues/touring,music video stations/outlets plus more. If you want more ideas, check out my new CD (INSPIRE) on www.mezonicrecords.com
www.myspace.com/mezonic
Also contact us for services such as recording, production, music videos, mixing, mastering, consulting etc...
www.mezonicrecords.com
The best of luck to you. You gave the independent artist a place to survive in this crazy business we call music. I wish you nothing But the best for you. I guess everyone will agree, if you set up another situation somewhere else in the world, if you are leading, I'm sure many of us will follow. Thank you for being a great inspiration.
Thank you Derek! You're a true visionary and as an independent musician I just want to thank you for creating CD Baby. It has been a tremendous help for me and thousands of other musicians. Best wishes, and if you can, keep us posted on what you are up to next!
Vince Madison
Derek
I have met a genius and he is you.
Best wishes for you future ... most likely it will be something quite amazing ... & earthshattering knowing your mind.
Derek, Your kindness, help and inspiration are worthy of sainthood. Thanks for everything you have done for all musicians and just being a really cool person. Many blessings (whatever flavor you choose) on your new adventures : )
Good for you!! All the best!
Derek, BIG congrats to you I have been with CDbaby from day 1! and I have watch CDBABY grow as you have helped me grow right along with you over the past 10 years, I remember when CDBABY didn’t have the connection of getting all artists’ on Digital Download companies and You will be terribly missed and please please keep us all posted on your future endeavors, I want to say to you Derek there has never been any problems with CDBABY on my behalf your staff has always been there for me and I believe that Disc Makers will do a Great Job, but you know, no one can run a Business like the original Owner because it was your Vision and your Heart and that is what you brought to us, Good Luck Derek, give my best to your Family for me, GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!
Thanks DEREK and good luck
Dear Derek,
Best wishes to you Derek. I know
CDBaby will miss you as all your
subscribers do!
I'm sure you have left CDBaby in
excellent hands, and congratulations on having the
mind and innovation to have created such a wonderful site as
CDBaby which has helped so many musicians.
I wish you continued success in all your future endeavors!
Sincerely,
Shirley Gifford
thanks. I like the personal aproach
derek will be missed and I just hope the polocies of CD baby stay the same
Derek,
Thanks for everything ...
david
Derek:
CDBaby.Com without Derek? I never saw that coming. However, you deserve a standing ovation from all of your clients for the tremendous amount of creative effort you expended on behalf of Independent Artists around the globe.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Derek, for your passionate and dedicated promotion of Indie artists.
You deserve to grow and flourish in the same manner that you have allowed us to do so through your extraordinary work as founder of CDBaby.Com.
You are truly a visionary and I look forward to witnessing the new and exciting projects you develop in your future endeavors.
All the best
Rosanne Simunovic
www.masterclasslady.com
www.timminsyouthsingers.com
Derek,
I want to thank you for having my 12
music CD's up on CDbaby.com instead of just having them sitting home on a shelf, or handed out only to a very few special people. Thank you for all of your support for myself and for all of the other independent song designer recording artists that you have helped over the years. If I wasn't in the process of moving over the last 7 months,
I am almost sure I could have put out 3 more CD's with 9 songs on each of them, but in the future I am planning on a lot more work to be submitted to the company that has taken over for you.
I hope the policies do not change.
I wish you all the best in whatever you do.
http://starduster1.com
I am sure it will be tough for anyone to take your place Derek Sivers, with the terrific job you did of getting CDbaby started.
All the best,
Song Designer,
David Weissner
I wish you all the best for the futur & this futur i us
SO LONG CD BABY..I GOTTA GO.DEREK,LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU LAND SO I CAN FOLLOW SMALL INDIE BUSINESS 4EVER.
P.S.CONGRATS & GET PAID BRO!!
I am glad for Derek, but the rest of us are going to suffer. The site has already taken on MANY terrible changes. It looks like a parked homepage and has lost all of it's "hip-ness". Other than looks, the functionality is also now changing. It will probably be a giant pile of web crap in about a year.
Derek,
You are a genius...Thanks for getting my music out to the masses...Brilliant...I hope you took gold bars instead of cash. If you are in Tamarindo, Costa Rica in the next few weeks my wife and I are taking care of an upscale B and B located on the Pacific called Villa Alegre...There are some great musicians down here...Bring your axe and your surfboard...
Regards,
Curt Campbell
www.villaalegrecostarica.com
Derek, You have doing a wonderful job of running this company and my hopes for you are the very best. Thank you so very much for giving us artists who don't have a "big name" an opportunity to sell our music.
My next hope is that Disc Makers would partner with it's clients in a more beneficial way. Such as allowing it's clients/artists to have their Cd packages done at an extra low cost so that we can produce more projects and get em' out there.
well, I care very much about all this.Out of evrything of an honest job this is it for me. I am happy with this business I am fortunate that I get to stay forever, and, if Mr. Derek wants to do what he want I am 100% with you on that. I sign my name on an agreement. And, I hope someday soon it turns into a major record lable deal with jive records or one of them. I am going to keep doing music cause, I love too.
Thank you Derek for making me
feel welcome.I like what you
said about me being the boss.
I'm learning more about promotion.If people don't know
about you sales won't come.As
the saying goes "nothing ventured
nothing gained".Good luck with
your new project.
So far I have to say my experience with cdbaby has been less than stellar. I think the original concept was great and if you were fortunate to get in when there were say...only 100,000 "members" you could expect to have your "audience" find you. Now? The numbers favor the site rather than the artist. Of course it's always been that way but now it's simply staggering. Good for you Derek. I couldn't do it.
Hey Derek, whats happening these days? I know you gotta be up to something!
Yeah, what's happening now and how can I be apart of it?
Dorian : see http://sivers.org which has all my projects and sign-up links for each. Thanks!
The recent"upgrade" is a huge dissapointment--i'm actually considering pulling out--im looking elsewhere... it may be broken beyond repair now and i dont know if i can trust Diskmakers..sad really--i loved it the way it was--why do people try to fix what is not broken?
CD Baby was all written in PHP + MySQL + Linux. Disc Makers is all Windows. They needed to integrate CD Baby into their Windows system. That's why they had to rewrite. Unfortunate necessity. -- Derek
Is there anyway to get in contact with someone at cdbaby anymore? I've called hundreds of times and can't get thru and sent email after email and still no response. This is getting frustrating!
Frustrating for me, too. I get about 5 emails a day from people having that same problem. Sorry I don't know anyone there anymore, so I have no insider advice. :-( -- Derek
Can you come back to CD Baby please? I signed up with CD Baby over two months ago and it has been the most awful experince!!
All I get are automated responses. They completely ignore my requests to have my site "finalized" I had one conversation with someone there who said that I just happened to join right when they were changing their systems over.
So basically I have two months of lost business thanks to these ignorants!
Does anyone offer a competitor to them?
Can you create one? If not, I will.
They are absolutely careless. As soon as I find the alternative I am going there!!!
P.S. Not only are they ignoring every request but they also screwed up all of the inputting I did regarding album details sample songs etc...They still haven't fixed ANYTHING!!!!! Freaking Idiots over there!
I'm sincerely sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I hear it many times a day from people, these days. I don't know what else to suggest. -- Derek
It's a disaster. Any chance they could rollback?
It seems the myriad glitches and problems with the rewrite aren't getting fixed. Issues artists and customers have seem bigger now than even a month ago - when there were already a huge mess.
IS it necessary to integrate the two systems? What would happen if they ran CD Baby as one system, and DiscMakers as another?
I'm not in contact with them, and didn't even know about this relaunch in advance, but I'm quite sure they won't roll-back and use my old version again. Sorry! -- Derek
By the way, Derek, I think it's a tribute to the brand equity that you built with CD Baby that there haven't been front-page articles in the music press about how badly Discmakers has ruined it already.
Speaking as a usability engineer, the new accounting is almost a case study in ignoring user needs and rolling onto a new system that never should have been adopted -- while giving lip service to user complaints about it. It actually gave me new appreciation for why my employer pays people like me buckets of money to make sure we don't make such a big mistake ourselves.
Personally I'm even making plans to migrate my Hostbaby site away because I don't want to give any more money to this type of management.
Really hope you made a ton of money off the sale, 'cause your former 'baby' is in its death throes at this point from a brand and artist equity POV.
Long time cdbaby artist. I made 2500.00 from 1 song, dont play live. I knew as soon as you gave me a email that you moved on something bad was going to happen. Usually companies try to improve, but you cant improve something that was created perfect!! It was a very sad day when you left and it has became much sadder, a to be soon former cdbaby artist.
David Ireland
hi derek
i know that you are no longer involved with CD Baby in any way but i feel that an official announcement or comment regarding the new website on your frontpage would be appropriate and very welcome even if it were just to underline your apparent disinterest.
hi Jim. Sorry, I disagree. I announced very widely last year when I left. And I really haven't spent more than 30 seconds on the new CD Baby website, so I really have nothing to say about it. So my only official announcement would be “Please don't talk to me about CD Baby. I left two years ago. I have no knowledge or opinions about whatever they're doing now.” Many people who read my site now don't even know I was ever involved with CD Baby, and most people know I've been gone for years. So I'm not going to do an official announcement. Sorry. -- Derek
Thanks for your reply. may I suggest that you spend somewhat more than 30 secs looking at the new CDBaby site especially at the Forum where there are hundreds of comments from disgruntled artists. Then maybe you will better understand why you are receiving emails and comments about a company you left 2 years ago. If the CDBaby relaunch had gone smoothly nobody would be bothering you about it. For me the main reason why I feel you should officially comment is because of your comment " I decided to hand over CD Baby to someone that's going to make it better than ever for you. I chose Disc Makers as the new owner because their president Tony Van Veen has been one of my favorite people for years, and I always felt they'd do a better job of running CD Baby than I would." CDBaby is part of your history and simply saying that you have no opinion seems to me the wrong choice.
I have seen the hundreds and hundreds of disgruntled posts on cdbaby.org, yes. Please see my favorite fable. CD Baby made some major changes two months ago. Maybe it's horrible. Maybe it's great. We'll see.... I really did put the company in the best hands I could, and I'm sorry to hear things have gone so horribly these last couple months. But to officially comment on it... what's the point? It's like asking you to officially comment on what the new residents of your old house have done with the paint, and then to post that comment in the newspaper. Why? To shame them? To clear your name and let the world know you disagree with what they've done? How does that help anyone? -- Derek
Q: How does that help anyone?
A: It helps your credibility as someone who is willing to "stand up and be counted". Or am I confusing you with somebody else?
It helps your former tenants (to continue your house metaphor) by making them feel they are not alone in acknowledging this "horrible mess".
It helps the current owners in their assessment of the situation.
I am not asking or expecting you to become actively involved in your former business. I simply thought it would be appropriate that you issue a comment similar to "Bye Bye Baby". Thanks for the correspondence. It's been interesting.
Thanks Jim. I understand your reasoning. Everyone knows the relaunch has been a mess. Even them. For me to make an extra post calling extra attention to that seems unnecessarily mean and unhelpful. I'm sure it'll improve. -- Derek
Everybody, please leave Derek alone. He doesn't deserve any blame for what has happened to CD Baby since Disc Makers messed it up. It was in his opinion a company that he thought would improve what he started.
CD Baby used to be a great place for the indie artist. Now it is crap. But don't blame Derek for that!
The best thing to do is look at other distribution options. Though none of them will be as good as CD Baby when Derek had it, it will be better than what the current CD Baby has to offer.
Rang CDBaby once... heard a voice speaking clear english on the other end and thought "Wow! CDBaby's first words!".
Well done Derek and everyone, as a coder am supremely jealous. Then again - retired - nah nah ne nah nah - enjoying following your exploits!
As a longterm CD Baby artist, I think the self-destruction of that great musician-centered website is one of the saddest things I've seen in the indie/online music world. Maybe one of us disappointed customers will take a grain of Derek's advice and start up a brand-new, artist-friendly competitor.
It's yet another sign of the times of this age we live in: a beautiful, friendly company, built from the ground up by a visionary entrepreneur, is sold to a gigantic (and creepy) Wall Street-oriented hedge fund and turned into just another fast buck shop for the suits and the other Big Money guys.
To continue the debate in a forum away from Derek's and cdbaby.org, check out:
http://cdbabyrelaunchdebate.blogspot.com
There is a lot of good info along with a small core of CD Baby artists who are closely monitoring the situation.
I've been reading a few of the posts of the late CDbaby, I mean. Well, listen. It was created just about perfect. How can you improve on that?
My recent release, after releasing 3 CDs with CDbaby with Derek, has been held up over 2 months with the new changes to the site,and I DID get someone on the phone when I tried to call. Hopefully we've straightened everything out, but it's taught me not to put all my eggs in one basket. Maybe I was depending too much on CDbaby.
Now I'm selling my CD on my website, downloads via SnoCap and myspace, and constantly looking for more avenues for sales including myxertones for ringtones.
I hope CDbaby gets back on track and starts to improve. If not, I've got lots of great information and a template to use to sell my music thanks to Derek Sivers.
Be Blessed.
I'd like to point out just how clearly "Alec" saw the writing on the wall back on 2008-09-25. See comment #103 above where he stated: "...everyone I dealt with there was an inept fool." What sounded like just another disgruntled artist at the time has turned out quite prophetic, don't you think?
My fellow blogger "done gone" is trying to figure out what went wrong and I'm trying to figure things out for the little guy. Please visit both his blog and mine. Thoughts welcome at IndieDIY.
What Derek did for the indie music world was extraordinary and revolutionary. The new tenants basically turned the "house" into profit driven crack lab. I guess you could say that it now blends into the neighborhood. All good things eventually fall to Entropy.
Hi Derek,
Thanks for the article!!!
Audio-Rarities
Man you got out at the perfect time.
It's a shame that the CD's are on their way out. It seems like you caught the sale right at the CD's apex.
As far as the new CDBaby, my sentiments are aligned with most of the comments above. The service is terrible and $4 per unit sold? That might have worked 10 years ago but not anymore. The key to selling CD's now is to bring the price down to consumers. If I sell a CD for $7, CDBaby is getting more money than I am for MY music, MY product.
I'm using CDBaby just to get my stuff on itunes for the exposure and cred. I instruct all potential buyers of my tunes to NOT buy it from CDBaby.
To everyone reading this; learn to use the PayPal shopping cart utility on your website. PayPal fees are nominal compared to CDBaby. It's a very easy copy-paste HTML code and you'll have to ship it out yourself; in the end. Totally worth it!
Sorry Derek, I'm writing this comment for your readers. I can't praise you enough for how cool your blog is and how smart you were to eject from the CD business when you did. You probably thought you were leaving CDBaby with good hands back then but little did you know they themselves were being bought by a greedy board of investors (http://corinthiancap.com/discmakers.html) (IE, not longer a service oriented mom and pop Ballen-run company)
Good luck to you, Derek.
Best of luck,and do keep in touch
Derek! I remember meeting you at a coffee shop in Vancouver when CD Baby just started up and my 1st CD was just in the works! CD Baby was the first place to sell my CD's for me! I admire your creativity and innovation and wish you continued success with everything you do.
Warmly,
Marnie
it's all about progress, moving on, and staying fresh. In this life, we have to always be doing what we love and staying innovative! Congrats on the movement and Thank You for handing CDBaby over to a worthy candidate that will do good for the name in the future.
Congratulations on creating an amazing resource for indie musicians to get their name out there and sell some albums on a tight budget. I have uploaded multiple albums on cdbaby and will continue to do so in the future regardless of whos in charge