Rich Briere

www.myspace.com/richbriere

Did you ever wonder WHY? I find myself doing it quite often....I think I'll open my Christmas present today.Posted 20 hours ago view more

  • Rich Briere

  • Male
  • Owego, New York, US

163752401||11111|http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/115/m_43013e2705cdb04dc70998ce5aad1322.jpg

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Interests

  • General

    Interests…..General
    ~~~WELCOME TO THE ROOFTOP SUITE OF SPACE TOWERS~~~

    A few things you should know BEFORE proceeding: Kindly Turn up your Speakers....Music Lives Here and I'd REALLY like you to Hear it.

    Also, this is a Firefox site...Explorer may not work well, and, should you attempt to read any further while the music is playing, YOUR computer will self-destruct, blue screen, and die before your very eyes. Do you REALLY want that to happen? I didn't think so. Take a moment to sit back, relax, LISTEN and BREATHE.

    Breathe DEEP the Gathering Gloom.....watch lights fade from every room......:^>) This site is dedicated to lowering stress~~~YOUR stress. Welcome to it and stay as long as you'd like.

    I'm a Musician, a Writer, a Nature Lover and a Marketing Guy. I know from years of Experience that "There's No Second Chance for a First Impression. These few words that you're reading right now will determine whether or not you'll take the time to proceed any further....... and I'm hoping that you will.

    Who am I? I'm just a guy and what you see is what you get. What you HEAR is what and who I am so the Song you're listening to right now means something to me.

    You'll find opinions here......I live by ONE "Rule" and that would be "Do Unto Others". Other "cares" include animals, honesty, respect and equality. And, while I try not to be too obnoxious about my feelings, I do have a bit of an "opinion" on what I believe in. One of my true treasures is meeting others with opinions....THEIR OWN opinions, not something formed from watching Television or finding nice quotes that dead people wrote 1,000 years ago. :)

    I Live For "Beauty"...be it Sonic, Visual, Emotional, Natural or Personal. So.....there's your first thirty seconds. Read on and stick around, or, if you're a really STRONG Type A, come back and read in chunks. Thanks for dropping by.

    "Poor Richard's Almanac"

    Well, on the lighter side, working for myself as an Artist Relations guy for several major instrument manufacturers during the 80's was the joy of my career as I was able to work with, get to know, and learn from folks like Genesis, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Restless Heart, The Police, Rush, Reba McEntire, Moody Blues, Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, Tom Petty, Neil Diamond, Heart and scads of others. I kept my eyes and ears open and learned much about making bands a viable "product" in a world that was quickly turning ugly. The best part was discovering that many of the top names in the industry were, indeed, amazingly gifted, talented and extremely likable. I also saw the "flash in the pan" ego-maniacs take the fast track to nowhere. The approach is EVERYTHING.

    Now HERE's a band who has it ALL.....Check out Restless Heart! Click on "Want this Badge" and put Restless Heart on YOUR site!

    Musicians are almost always terrible business people and should be...they work with different sides of the brain. I worked for Fender Musical Instruments for many years as well, and it was a wonderful learning experience. I gathered up a wall-full of awards and TONS of experience that has now really come in handy and, following my hiatus, I'm ready to apply that knowledge in other ventures.

    I've had a Space Site for two years now and I've discovered MANY things. I guess the most important would be that there are more genuinely "nice people" here than I would have guessed, lots of them are musicians and lots of them are FEMALE musicians.

    My purpose in being here is, essentially, TWO FOLD;

    I'm seeking a CHALLENGING and Creative day gig after taking a Year off to think about what I wanted to do with my life. I'm one of the luckiest guys on the planet because I've been fortunate enough to work in a field that I love, music. BUT, I was always bothered by the fact that in the "selling of musical instruments", the USING of females, or, "Babes in Bikinis" was a big part of the marketing of those instruments. Kinda made me want to puke so I'm doing everything I can to try and support Female artists while, at the same time, give my support to ALL of the musicians I've met here that have amazing gifts.

    I found myself here in Space, surrounded by very talented Singer/Songwriters who were looking for ears to hear their music. I've devoted my time in Space to trying to help them find those ears....YOUR ears. The problem seems to be that EVERYONE is screaming for attention and not taking the time to do any listening

    Some of the things I've found here are totally contradictory to the basic themes of marketing and I hope to be able to make some changes occur which will help musicians in their pursuits which focus on simply being heard. One of the most damaging things to allow yourself to fall into here is a totally ridiculous concept called TOP FRIENDS. If there's a single game that's most detrimental to you actually making a name for yourself, it's that. If you have a brain, use it and go set your Top Friends device to Randomize. You'll notice that the number of hits on your page will rise dramatically as soon as you do.

    While I don't buy in to the politics of the Top Friend thing AT ALL, I'd add the fact that I have THE BEST collection of friends in this entire place....or Space! Now, that's not up for debate, it's a fact!! Take a look around and you'll see that the people gathered here are some of the finest on this or any planet! I'm not looking to simply "collect numbers" here. I like people. I'm also not here to try to sell you anything. Space is FREE and, in many ways, you certainly get what you pay for. Fortunately, friendship is something that many offer "Free of Charge". I'm looking for quality people with something they'd like to share. Are you, perhaps, one of them?

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    I'm used to sending friends notes that say EXACTLY what I would say to them if we were sitting in our living rooms, so if you hit the add button, expect to hear from me once in awhile.

    Some folks here freak out if you actually drop by to say hello, they're not sure how to respond. If I can see your eyes in your profile picture and those eyes tell me that you're OK, I take a chance and go for it. I hope that you'll do the same.

    My interests are Music, Bass (the instrument, not the fish), canoeing, photography, wildlife, all things beautiful, and what to do with the rest of my life that will benefit YOU. Wanna' dance? Send me a note.

    MORE ON LIFE??--visit my personal "sell-you-nothing" website for a slightly expanded explanation of my views on the state of the world. http://www.richbriere.com

    ..

    ......

  • Music

  • Movies

    NEWBIE WARNING!!!Like everything else in life, there are some folks in here who are not AT ALL who or what they pretend to be. Why they do this I'm not sure, but they do, routinely, and some of them are very good at it. PLEASE know who it is that you're giving your trust to. Think you found a "Superstar" because that's who they TELL you they are? Google them. If they're not anywhere to be found, guess what? You've been had. :^<)

    Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

    This is my Friend, SPIRIT

    Spirit came to me from Alaska with a problem. His family and friends are being wiped out by "Bozo's With Bazooka's" who storm out of the sky in small planes, spook the wolves into running and then slaughter all of them with high-powered rifles.....from the Air!!! What next? Hand Grenades into the dens? That's high on the list of Sarah Palin, Republican Whack Job of the Highest Order.....so find out a lot more about her before you vote for her again.

    Spirit and I are hoping that the wolves can be taught to use ground-to-air missiles and have a bit of a Tango themselves. Surprise Mister Hunter!!! POP goes the Weasel for YOU!!

    Have a need to kill a wolf?? I'll hand you the knife myself. Now the fight is, at least, fair....despite the fact that the WOLF has NO desire to harm YOU in any way. Have fun as YOU charge the wolf! The Wolf will still die, painfully, as it tries to escape from you...but with a bit of luck on our part....so will you. :^>)

    TV
    My VERY favorite band.....and....Stevie. :)
  • Books

    Good books about all facets of music and my favorite musicians fascinate me. I CAN tell you that if you're on here and not receiving and reading "Performing Songwriter" magazine, we should talk. They hit it right on the head, month after month, during a time when nobody else did. Do I work for them? I do not, as they're out of business now......just a couple of months ago........a tragedy..

  • Heroes

    Ashe Trefendwyn Pictures, Images and Photos

    I've had a "hero" since I was in my late teens. She's a woman named "Guinnevere" and I'm still looking for her--hoping that, before I go to that "Bass Place in the Sky", I get the pleasure of spending some GREAT years with a wonderful mate. We each have a dream in life--a special Angel that we look for; Guinnevere has been mine....since the day in the late 60's when I heard the first Crosby, Stills & Nash album and a misty vision formed in my head. I'm relatively certain that I'll know her when I see her. Listen. :^>)

    Believe it or not, anyone who can make it through a day the way life is now is my hero. Life needn't be like this....living a lie and stressing ourselves to the point where we must swallow handfuls of pills in order to cope. We're a mess.....our Children are a mess and our future is bleak. Our leaders may yet still find a way to blow up the Earth as they line their pockets by reaching into ours. All we have is Hope and Dreams. Those, however, can't be stolen from us if we still have our Arts and Music. They shield us from the Wrath of Greed...but it's up to us to FIX the problem before it consumes us. It's my belief that we need to put a stop to a way of thinking that's been handed down from Generation to Generation.....take back our thoughts and make them individual......and Independent.

    The Gentle Man that you see below is Michael Tobias. He builds basses for many of the Top Players on Earth and because I was, somehow, Grandfathered in, he builds mine as well. He and I go back to my very roots in being a rep and Artist Relations guy and his as being a builder. He's even kinder than he appears and if I had to pick a #1 as far as the human that I happen to admire the most..he gets it.

    And then there would be a band of minstrels....the very best in the Land.....they Gather together from the far reaches of the earth and slowly but surely take over the planet. Why they started by taking over IDAHO,...I don't know, but I guess that every Crusade needs a beginning. :^>) I give you......

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Latest Blog Entries

Blurbs

About me:

PLEASE TURN UP YOUR SPEAKERS-- No, WAYYYYY Up!!
MySpace Tracker
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Please note as you watch these videos that some "mandatory stage wear and assorted "things" are obviously "MISSING". Those would include, but are not limited to: "Budweiser Tee shirts, Nascar Logos, CARGO SHORTS, totally wasted players, etc."...Hmmmm...that's odd. :)

I spent a LONGGGGGG time with this band....and NEVER saw them out of their "Zone". I should also warn you that Phil will kick your ass at ping-pong...and laugh at you as he does it!! The Man shows NO Mercy. :)

~~As YEARS Go By~~A Day in the Life

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The pics that you see rolling past you are, obviously, not just me. They ARE, however, people who have made my life a better one. Most are "real-life friends", past and present, musicians that I've had the pleasure of working with, and several Space Friends. Others are the "things" that make me who I am........the animals and the music. I'm in love with Love.....and with Music. I'm a Dreamer..........a Wisher of things that COULD be......

I'm a kind man, of this I'm relatively certain,...but I have a strong desire for brain washers and "terrorists" of all kinds; politicians, conservative talk-show hosts, media-morons and fear-mongers, to have buckets of water poured on them, and, like the Wicked Witch of the West, simply fizzle up and blow away in the wind.

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Toto - Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37ZaSINRDGM

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Your badge is your street sign. It's a good idea to use it.

Who I'd like to meet:

Who I’d like to meet 9/1/09
Genesis Pictures, Images and Photos

One of the bands that I've most enjoyed working with has been Genesis. These Gents are not only among the classiest men on the planet..but they're quite funny as well. Here's a Gibson Press Release concerning the M-Series Project....I'll always be very proud to have been a part of it.

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The story of the Steinberger M-Series, going all the way back to Genesis

Genesis, one of the most successful rock bands of all time, provided the inspiration for Steinberger's first full-bodied guitar, the GM.

Geoff Banks, guitar and bass technician for Genesis, remembers how it all began: "We had been in rehearsal for the Invisible Touch tour and Mike's [Mike Rutherford, lead guitarist] 5-year old son came in with his 3/4 size Explorer shape guitar. He said, "It looked bigger than Daddy's black guitar," referring to Mike's Steinberger guitar."

Geoff arranged for Steinberger to send a guitar neck, TransTrem hardware, etc., and began experimenting with style and shape. As with any important new idea, the design process had its rough moments. As Geoff recalls: "Mike and I sat down with a piece of cardboard and started drawing shapes. Unfortunately, we ended up with something that looked more like a hamburger than a Steinberger!" At that point, Geoff and Mike wisely enlisted the help of Roger Griffin, the English luthier and designer who has built many custom guitars for top players such as Eric Clapton and Andy Summers.

Roger explains how he developed the design: "I just kept drawing shapes until I got one that looked right. I wanted the curves to work with the rest of the guitar, and for proper balance, a double cutaway was best. I made a plywood cutout and Mike liked it. After some testing, we decided to add half an inch to the width for better access. Geoff suggested the binding, and Mike wanted the curved top. I put it together and we could see right away we had something really special."

Rich Briere, artist representative with Steinberger at the time, first learned of the new guitar during the U.S. leg of the Invisible Touch tour: "Geoff asked me to meet up with the band in Hartford to check out this new guitar. I was totally knocked out as soon as I saw it. It not only looked great, the balance was perfect, and it played like a dream. I called Ned [Steinberger] immediately and he joined us in Hartford the following day. His reaction was identical to mine. This guitar was hot!"

This unique international collaboration of musician, technician, designer, promoter and manufacturer resulted in the first instrument from Steinberger created by an outside designer. That's just fine according to Ned Steinberger: "I think Roger has done a fabulous job combining...Steinberger technology into a more traditional package that appeals to guitarists from all areas of music. My congratulations and thanks to Mike, Roger, Geoff and Rich for making it all happen."

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Why Am I Here?

The greatest "healer" for me, you ask???? Music....of course! A Strong belief in "something" helps us to get from Monday to Friday and then we have a couple of days to kick back and play more music or, for some, to get away from music and relax in Golden Silence. :^>)

My musical tastes developed as a result of the "British Invasion" and didn't move for quite some time. For those of you who are under 35, that "Invasion" was not the Revolutionary War, it's the period when Ed Sullivan was keeping us entertained every Sunday Night. Shindig, Hullaballoo, Dick Clark and American Bandstand were life-changing experiences for us, while Lawrence Welk and his crew entertained the Geritol Generation.

Start with the Beatles, the Byrds, and the Beach Boys and move forward from there--Kate Bush, Eagles, Jackson Browne, Buffalo Springfield, Linda Ronstadt, Yes, Pink Floyd. It seems that most of my favorite bands came from England and California. The current period in the growth of musicians is showing lots of promise in my humble opinion and since the current state of the music is, without any doubt, at its very lowest point, we can only hope that it evens out soon and begins running back up that hill. Sirius Radio and a smattering of Computer Bound Indies could lead the charge if we support it, get THEM to stop playing the same tunes over and over again, and put a crush on the two or three MEGA Corps that decide what and WHO we're going to listen to. I know, it's asking for a lot. Let's get involved.........we CAN change the world and put more than 15 people back in the clubs. Support live music!! :^>)

It seems that two-thirds of the sites I hit have a Nashville, New York or Los Angeles address and that many artists are still getting caught up in the "pay to play" scam. That statement won't make me a popular guy with the club owners who are picking your pockets because you're an artist and not a good business person, but I believe that it's something we should get together on. We'd make out better to rent halls or put up live internet sites of our own than we do now; dragging truckloads of gear to play for a half-dozen drunks at 2 am. Is it worth it? "Come Together, Right Now"..........

So what is making music all about?

I think it's kind of like falling in love--as they're both matters of the heart. There are those days when you write a tune or play with someone who has just written a GREAT one and everything just clicks, the way it clicked when you looked into the eyes of your lover and saw the Sun, the Earth and the Stars, sitting right there, close enough for you to reach out and touch. Then there are also days when love is putting up with those things about your lover that absolutely drive you insane!

“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.” Hunter S. Thompson

I've always really liked that quote as it does apply to many parts of Corporate America, not just music. Having just said that, I'm now at a point in my life where I'd like to meet and reconnect with old friends from the "business of making music" as well as everyone who's climbing onto what I see as the future of music: the Independent Labels and Distribution Network.

If you're involved in the future of music and arts and looking to create a Team of Experienced Professionals, I'm interested.......Get in touch and I'll get a resume out to you. If you need a Partner in your CREATIVE music business, LARGE or small, I might be the guy. :)

"Do what you like in order to pay the bills and you'll never have to "work" a day in your life".

I'll keep looking for that "everyone-wins, day gig" until I find it.

....

Comments

Displaying 25 of 10744 comments
  • Nov 28 2009 8:20 PM


    and to you! ♥
  • Nov 28 2009 7:56 PM

    Hi Rich,
    I hope you are well & rolling bass money notes to fill a escalator of fun.
    Just stopping by to wish a joyous noise to you family & friends.

    Best regards ENB

     
  • Nov 28 2009 5:05 PM

    Hi Rich!!!
    nice to hear from you :)
    hope you are well!



    xox
  • Nov 28 2009 3:47 PM

    Oh wow I opened one christmas present 2 days ago - I win!!! lool But I never ask. Why ... It is what it is u know ... This phylosophy. Class is doing me good I m looking at the people in multy prospectives ... Don't worry 2 much! P.s I did not contact that place jet I been 2 busy for one .. And I don't want to be famous jet!!! I m 2 busy on being just myself. :) This year I went 2 three different parties 4 thanksgiving - I m blessed eith great friends and family - it was fun! Later Lindi
  • Nov 28 2009 3:11 PM

    Thanks!
    Glad you could take some time for a listen!

    Yes it had gone trough my head, do i close the shop, And deep down inside i know i just cant.

    Cause I'm a musician, and an attention whore and i want the comments like a smoker wants it's next ciggie.

    So I'll keep on bugging the hell out of my friend's list with my music forever, here or on some other sites... :)
  • Nov 28 2009 1:00 AM

    Hello mr.Briere,
    I have a new track on my page that might be to your likings called "Lighthouse Foghorn Live".

    But i'll let you be the judge of that of course.

    Wishing you a wonderful and music filled weekend ahead.

    Stephane :)
  • Nov 27 2009 10:39 AM

    funny pictures of cats with captions
    see more Lolcats and funny pictures

    Love and smarter beings
    Hedda
  • Nov 26 2009 4:02 PM

    When you arise in the morning

    give thanks for the morning light

    for you life and strength.

     

    Give thanks for your food

    and the joy of living.

      

    If you see no reason for giving thanks

    the fault lies in you.

     

    …………… Tekumzeh, Shawnee (1768 –1813)
  • Nov 25 2009 10:03 PM

    Thanks for add and all the best from Poland ! Cheers !!!



  • Nov 25 2009 9:01 PM

    HI

    To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.  ~Johannes A. Gaertner

     

    A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.  ~Cicero

    Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.  ~Melody Beattie

     

    Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.  ~E.P. Powell

     

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  • Nov 25 2009 8:32 PM

    Hii! Rich,



    world4art.com - Orkut scraps,<br />graphic and comments


    Hugs and Love,


    Amanda xoxo




  • Nov 25 2009 6:51 PM

    Hi Rich,
    I hope you're having a lovely day. Thinking of you and wanted to say hi

    with warm thoughts... wishing you a beautiful rest of the week.
    Love and hug from Germany

  • Nov 24 2009 3:28 AM

    Hello Rich, It's just me dropping in to say thank you for the friendship.

    Always with love and respect.

    Dianna.


















  • Nov 23 2009 1:12 PM

    Let nothing disturb you,

    Let nothing frighten you,

    All things pass away ~


    ***Saint Theresa D'Avila***



    Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
  • Nov 23 2009 12:52 PM

     
    The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my inspiration. ~Claude Monet
    Hi my dearest one!
    Enjoying nature is a perfect gift 
    to start the week
    L♥ve Gaby
  • Andrea Schroeder Online Now!

    Nov 23 2009 7:33 AM

    thank you so much, dear rich.




  • Nov 23 2009 2:54 AM

    Image and video
hosting by TinyPic

    Wishing you a wonderful Monday and a brilliant week ahead.....Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

    Xxx
    Miriam
  • Nov 22 2009 6:47 PM

    For a limited time, the heart-wrenching, ever popular "Ode to Rich" is back on my profile. Couldn't have done it without the participation of Deena & Guinness Miller. Have a twizzler, sit back and enjoy! :-)

    i have a pug Pictures, Images and Photos
  • Nov 22 2009 6:19 PM

    Hello
    thanks for the add

    Rod, One1+Plus Zer0
    ╚Ш╝
  • Nov 21 2009 9:19 PM

    Mystical Forest Pictures, Images and Photos

    I hope your day is as colorful and vibrant as you Rich:)

  • Nov 21 2009 7:38 PM

    Depends on the mushroom :)

    Mushroom faeries Pictures, Images and Photos

    But I prefer the kind that goes well in a stew and on toast.

    xoxo
  • Nov 21 2009 2:22 PM

    "Ho! Ha ha!" Et cetera? LOL I posted that little gem of a cartoon in its entirety at Hedda's page as a comment and to my own profile as well. Go watch and have a chuckle, Rich. :-)

    Ah, nostalgia ... I'm going to look for the WB treatments of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies later...

    - Chip QNP
  • Nov 21 2009 12:33 PM

    Rich, I just saw this courtesy of another friend and thought of several of my friends and acquaintances that might enjoy it, you among them:


    Warm regards,
    - Chip QNP