Al K

Gene - can you confirm if Mike received his copy yet?

John - I just want to make the point with Ryko that if they'd send the Robert Gordon and Kelly Willis CD's to that (or any)publication, why wouldn't they send a Raspberries CD also? Is the publication based out of DC?

OK gang...looks like it's "grass roots" time again. Both Richard Cromelin at the L.A. Times and Mike Marrone at XM were on the "media friends" of the band list I gave Ryko last MAY! They were to receive their copies FIRST!! JohnO - give me the name and address of the mag you're referring to. I'll *kindly* let the fine folks at Ryko know about these miscues...again. Thanks for the feedback, and keep it coming! Al

Our grass roots marketing efforts apply to the club circuit also - feel free to call your HOB - type facilities (1000 seat venues), get the name of the talent buyers and let 'em know there is demand for a Raspberries show. The talent buyers at the clubs will let the promoters and agents know there is a demand, and that will only help our cause to get the band out to play some shows!

Sorry about that, Tony - we had so many CD's and DVD's laying around the Midwest Regional Shipping facility and we tried to keep them all organized...but then we noticed the Raspberries discs and those from Jim's private collection all looked the same - round, shiny, a hole in the middle - and we just figured it didn't matter which ones we put in your set. Jim was mumbling something as he took special interest in filling your order - something about "Interchangeable"...

Whaddya mean "If it lasts more than 4 hours I should call my doctor" - I won't call my doctor, but I WILL CALL EVERYONE I KNOW AND HAVE A PICTURE TAKEN TO PROVE IT!!!

excuse the grammar faux pas - but you get the idea.

Business 101. Free Weekly rags have just one source of income - advertising. The more people who pick up the free rag and page through it, the more advertising revenue is generated. So if one of the "journalists" or "editors" comes up with an idea - a "hot button", to spark emotion, controversy, etc. and in turn increase "circulation" and therefore attract more advertisers, the powers that be are all over it. So...the best way to make 'em pay is to hit 'em where it hurts. By all means write letters and post your opinions to their online comments section, but better yet, contact Mr. Farrar's boss - the editor / publisher of the rag, and simply let him or her know that this unprofessional, irresponsible, uneducated form of "journalism has done was to make your mind up not to ever pick up one of their "magazines" again.

Say Hello to my little friend...

Phil, et al... The sets were shipped in the order they were received - You ordered your LE on December 13th. Al

As of tomorrow morning all Special Edition orders received through yesterday, August 13th will be in the mail. Remember, the Limited Editions went out first, then some Special Editions were mailed late last week, with the remaing Special Editions going out tomorrow morning. Canadian and overseas orders usually take longer to be received. Keeping this info in mind, if you are concerned that you should have received your set please PM me with your full name, address, and when you ordered your set. I'll look into it for you. Al

As of tomorrow morning all Special Edition orders received through yesterday, August 13th will be in the mail. Remember, the Limited Editions went out first, then some Special Editions were mailed late last week, with the remaing Special Editions going out tomorrow morning. Canadian and overseas orders usually take longer to be received. Keeping this info in mind, if you are concerned that you should have received your set please PM me with your full name, address, and when you ordered your set. I'll look into it for you. Al

Why is that odd?

I know this is gonna be a deal breaker for some and the masses may very well be outraged and calling for my scalp after I share this ...but...and I need everyone to sit down for the bad news and have a loved one nearby... Not everyone who gets a Limited or Special Edition package will receive...bubble wrap.

My opinion is that the "weighting" factor for Indie stores is out of sync for this release. Ryko and I have been reviewing the retail and wholesale orders, and with the exception of Transworld (FYE, Coconuts, Wherehouse, Sam Goodys, etc.) the HUGE majority of orders are from Indie stores and one stops.

I understand your anger and frustration, Marc, but what they're enjoying is NOTHING compared to what you'll be receiving. It is very interesting that I randomly decided to check out EC.com now, because just before I logged on I just printed your label and packaged your order - it will hit the USPS tomorrow. Al

Wally's hair remains intact.

Check out the WNCX.com homepage for another image of Eric, Jim and Michael Stanley as well as access to the interview. Nice to get some hometown love!

Straight from Ryko after investigsting the various messages on the Live On Sunset Strip sales page: "Amazon has never been out of stock, regardless of what the site said over the weekend. They automatically adjust ship times based on demand and orders." From this updated info, it seems that Amazon is a reliable place to order.

The Trans World Entertainment group, a national chain of retail music stores - FYE, Coconuts, Wherehouse Music, Strawberries, Spec's Music, Planet Music, Sam Goody, etc. - has FAR AND AWAY been the national retailer that has best supported this release . The website is below for you to locate the stores and locations in your area. http://www.twec.com/corpsite/stores/ And again, the independent music stores have been very supportive. Find a local indie store and ask for it - even if they don't have it, they can usually get it back in stock within a couple of days...generally the indies are much quicker at re-stocking than the national chains. Thanks, Al

The spot will be shown TONIGHT at 7:36 pm EST during the George Michael "Behind The Music" episode and again at 10:54 pm EST during the "100 Greatest Songs Of The 80's" feature! Check it out!

It was on TWICE tonight between 10 and 11pm. Let me know what you think.

Keep your eyes on VH1 Classic for the "Live On Sunset Strip" TV commercial! It played TWICE during the channel's "Behind The Music" George Michael episode that aired tonight! It ROCKS!! Al

The first two are from a couple of weeks ago...the rest are from right now!!

Here's some photos from Raspberries World Headquarters, where our staff continues to work their fingers to the bone.. We WILL be shipping the Limited and Special Editions this week! Dave and Wally sign the Limited Editions at our National sales and marketing office Signing done! The space in the shipping department at the Midwest Satellite Warehouse fills up as as the limited and special editions are being readied... 2nd shift warehouse clerk Jim Bonfanti cuts bubble wrap at our East Coast manufacturing facility 2nd shift warehouse supervisor Barb Bonfanti carefully readies the lyric sheets for shipment Merchandising Supervisor Denise Kaston delicately numbers the Limited Editions at a secret location