A&R Select Joe A&R Select Scammers Beware hollywood, California

To Josh:

Well let me start by saying that I also have the same story as some people that have dealt with A&R Select, but, perhaps with a better ending. Unlike most who had been messaged by them through a myspace, fb, etc., I sought them out. They were on a list of companies that I had and were one of about 50 that I had reached out to. Within less than 2 days I received a call from Josh. Josh spent a couple of minutes asking what my goals were as a songwriter and he explained the $300 membership fee to me. I was simply just glad to get a response to my music and was maybe too eager to give up my credit card info and join. I admittedly had not done research before hand on A&R Select because they were on what I perceived to be a reputable list of companies. Instead, I did just the opposite and researched them almost immediately after I had already given my authorization for Josh to charge my card. To my dismay, once I googled reviews for A&R Select, I found nothing but negative claims. All claims seemed to be the same issue of A&R Select getting the $300 and not providing good service, as in no music success. This was an instant crisis for me. I had just given 300 of my last dollars to a company that I didn't know if I could trust. I could not do business under that type of stress. I immediately, in less than 24 hours, got in contact with Josh and told him that I wanted to cancel. He wasn't happy, to say the least, but he gave me their email for these situations billing@arselect. I followed this up with a conversation with the VP of the company, Joe, and he said he would make sure that the charge was reversed. I waited a few days and the charge still hadn't been reversed and I contacted Joe again by email. He called me by phone later that night to let me know he had reversed the charge and apologized for any inconvenience. Finally, within 4 business days the charge was reversed and no longer on my card. So what does this mean in regards to the artist or songwriter that wants to know does A&R Select get your music placed or can they excel your career? I don't know. I may never know. I can't say that they don't take your money and run but I can say they didn't take my money and run. Are they better than Taxi? Probably not because Taxi has been in business for so long with a LONG list of clientele. But maybe they're the young company striving to be the next Taxi. Maybe they're Steve Jobs, or Mark Zuckerberg, and just a few clients and placements away from being the next big thing. Their site does have testimonials on it but after all the different sites with negative feedback I let them dissuade me from using A&R Select. I may never know if they could've turned me into the next great songwriter but I do know that Joe did his best to make sure I was a satisfied customer and that the door was open if I ever did wish to do business with their company.

Here is a couple more emails from joe the Man Scammer. Avoid this comapany at all cost the only record deal they can give you is from a company called sonicwave records unfortunatly you can get a deal with them yourself because they are just an online music company. A&R SELECT IS ILLEGETIMATE Emails Dont LIe JOE Funny how you names all in the email. Oh look theres your number now why dont you work For the COmpany

> On Tue Feb 2nd, 2010 7:56 PM EST joe@arselect.com wrote:

Jerren, hey I wanted to take the next step here and schedule you up  for our consultation. I'm going to be putting together a detailed plan covering many things in terms of releasing and promoting your  material the right way. Im going o get familiar with the music and  suggest singles to work with for our radio campaigns. I have March  3rd around 4:00 pacific time. Please let me know if this will work  for you. Looking forward to it! Make sure you have set up your  PromoFM page. Thanks!

>>

>>

>> Joe

Conte

>> Artist Representative

>> 323-924-5897

>> joe@arselect.com

>

>

>

The information you've posted is from musicplacements.com.

Not only are we in no way affiliated with that site, but had never heard of it until today when I saw this post.  You can put some of our information after (most of which is incorrect), but that doesn't mean it came from us.


I'm not really why someone would go to all that trouble.  You must have a lot of time on your hands.

If im Not a memebr how do i have all your member Emails. The Game is up and everyone is gonaa know exactly what your doing Scammer/ A&R My A Double S you not Accredited by The BBB But you will have more complaints after i spread this to everyone on the planet hahah hope you dont have a facebook page. Behold Member only info........... Not much of a reject am I. You are exposed Josh or Joe or Drake bla bla
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Congratulations! Your application for membership to MusicPlacements.com has been approved by our A&R team. You are about the join one of the elite online music publishing companies. We have over 600,000 albums sold in the last 18 months including placements on a Billboard #6 and #9 albums.

Activate Your Account:

Producer Account Activation

Artists & Songwriter Account Activation


Only 20% of applicants are invited to join the agency, so we already recognize your talent.

We offer you one on one attention, with the experience and contacts to help you reach your career goals. We currently offer our members the following services: Label Placements, T.V / Film Licensing, Mixing, Copyrighting, Songwriting, Concierge Service, Mixtape exposure -- all at MusicPlacements.com



You can call us at 201 484 7500 / 201 484 0414 if you have any questions

Have your feedback reviewed by Tony G. Choose feedback type video, phone, or written. Click here:
http://www.musicplacements.com/service_contact.html

MIXING & MASTERED BY CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS..LOW PRICES $150 instrumental / $200 full song Click here:
http://musicplacements.com/mixing.html

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joe@arselect.com

Member Services Dept.
A&R Select
8286 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323-924-5897 main
www.arselect.com

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Bio Questionnaire- Please Fill This Out and Return Via Email!




From:


Member Services <members@arselect.com>Add to Contacts

To:

Press release/Bio info sheet (please fill out and return!)
Press Release/Bio Info Sheet

Dear artist,
Our publicity department will write you a professional press release based on your responses to the form provided below.

You can then use this bio for all of your promotional purposes.. ie. bio, website, MySpace, etc. We know that you will benefit from having a professionally written content and are happy to be an integral part of your future success!

What is a Press Release?

In the music business, the press release (or news release) is a common tool used to bring an artist or business "free" publicity. Basically, a press release is a simple, neat-looking sheet that provides news to reporters, editors, and other media people. Any publication you get from your press release will be free, so it's easy to see why writing a good press release is a valuable skill.

When To Use A Press Release?

You can use a release to notify the media about any sort of happening - such as a new single, EP or CD release, special gig, or label signing. The key thing to remember is, this is supposed to be "news", so your press release needs to be "newsworthy".


We will provide you with a press release with any gold or platinum membership. We only require that you fill out the form below so that we can write your press release accurately and effectively.


THEN:

FILL OUT AND SEND BACK TO US AT: bio@arselect.com once completed ?

NOTE: You can "tweek" this press release to taste. We understand you may want to change s few things and that's OK! We want you to love your press release and we are merely a laying the groundwork for you to finalize it however you please!

Press Release Questions:

1. Brief history of band?


2. What's the name of your new single?


3. Album title?


4. Significance of the single's name?


5. Particular theme of the song?


6. Album out yet? If not, when?


7. How does this single reflect the rest of the album?


8. Why was this the song you chose as the single to represent the album?


9. What in the song is typical of your music?


10. What is unique?


11. Digital or physical release?


12. What albums before?


13. How has this evolved your sound?


14. Awards or Acclaims so far.. IE. (big gigs,licenses, opened for such and such etc)


15. Upcoming gig plans ,…. Touring?


16. Outro message?


17. Anything you really want to add to your bio?


18. Website address -(band web site, MySpace, Pure Volume text to buy keyword etc.)


If you are working with A&R Select mainly for licensing purposes, Please feel free to mention that in your answers and our publicity dept will cater a Bio that is focused in that area.

Thanks!


The A&R Select
Publicity Department

Member Services Dept.
A&R Select
8286 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323-924-5897 main
www.arselect.com
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FAQ for your PromoFM Page!


From:


Member Services <members@arselect.com>Add to Contacts

To:


SETTING UP YOU’RE A&R STORE PAGE

Here are directions on how to get your artist page up, as well as some updates, tips, and networking strategies for your Promo FM artist store front.

First off, your mp3 player and audio page holds up to 15 songs, enabling you to sell or stream more songs. There is also a “video” section you can upload your videos if you have any.

UPLOADING MP3’s FOR SALE

When you log in to your store, you have a menu on the left hand side of the page. To upload your tracks properly, go to "create song". On the upload page you have the option to upload your mp3 as a "hi-fi" file, which you want to do. When you upload as a "hi-fi" file, you can set it for "streaming and downloading", or "streaming only". If you are selling the mp3's, make sure you set the "hi-fi" file for "streaming only". Otherwise, people can download it without having to pay for it.

Next, you have to upload the mp3 again, as a "New Vault" file. This is where people actually purchase your mp3's from. When you upload as a "digital store" file, make sure you set the price for ".99" (no $ symbols). Make sure to also enter a description for the song. Usually, the name of the song, then "mp3" after it works fine. So to sell your songs, make sure your uploading each track twice. Once as a "hi-fi" file, and once as a "New Vault" file.

PAYPAL

If you don’t already have a paypal account set up, then you need to do that. This is how you get pad for your mp3 sales. Go to www.paypal.com and set up a micro or casual account. You just go in and “sign up”. When you click on “sign up”, you’ll see three options to choose from. You want to choose “premier”. This was you can buy and sell.

When you join paypal, you create what they call a “payout email”.

Once you have your paypal all set up and you have your pay out email ready, log into your artist store and go to the top of the menu on the left where it says “modify artist”. In that section you will see a slot to enter your pay out email address. Once you’ve entered that email address, you’ll be ready to sell your mp3’s.

SETTING UP YOUR STORE BANNER

You have the ability to create a banner that covers the top of you’re A&R artist page which makes it more of a professional website or electronic press kit for yourself. All you need to do is create a banner with any photo program (paint, photo shop, ect.). Make sure your banner is 770 pixels wide, and 130 pixels high. Then you upload it to any image hosting site (photobucket, image shack, ect.). Once you have it uploaded, copy the URL embed code. Then you simply log in to your store. Go to “modify artist” at the top of the menu on the left. Once you are in there, you’ll see where to paste that URL embed code for the banner. Then your set!

**Remember: Your Banner URL or <embed> code. Must be EXACTLY 770 pixels wide by 130 pixels high

GETTING YOUR PLAYER ON YOUR MYSPACE PAGE

Your player appears on your front page as soon as you upload your first mp3.
Now the player is designed with a code you can use to place the player itself on your myspace page and sell your tracks there! When you go to "view your site", you'll see your player on the right hand side of the page. The code on the left side of the page where it says “player code”. Copy the code, and paste it anywhere in your myspace page. Even as comments, or bulletins to network with.

UTILIZING YOUR PLAYER

The player can also be sent in instant messages, posted as bulletins, or commented on some ones page. Remember, where ever you post your player, people are able to simply click and buy, download, or listen to your tracks! The player is made to be a promotional tool used to push out virtually anywhere you want to. The next time you sit at the computer to do some networking, use your mp3 player to your networking with. Remember to just copy and paste that code!

SUBMITTING TO PROJECTS WITH YOUR STORE

You’re A&R store page is also a platform for you to make submissions from home. This is perfect for artists that have a larger library of music at home or in their studio. When you log in, on your menu at the top, you’ll see an “Extra” button. Once you click that, you’ll see some other options to choose from including a “deal sheet” button. Clicking on that will show you the updated deal sheet.

Now once you’re there, you’ll see the newest project listings. There are directions on how to submit for a project right there on that page. It’s very easy to do, and it’s good to be as active as possible, especially if you’re a song writer or producer.

Remember, these project listings are only a small portion of what we submit to on a normal basis.

Member Services Dept.
A&R Select
8286 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323-924-5897 main
www.arselect.com
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AR Select


A message to all members of AR Select




Hey A&R friends!

What is going wrong with the music industry and what can you do to get your music heard? Find out at the A&R Select blog here: http://tinyurl.com/yfdf32x
Also, don't forget to follow us on Twitter! @ARselect


Visit AR Select at: http://arselect.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

I was researching this company for my husband's band. I found this site looking for reviews. As a result I looked up A & R as suggested by the employee, Josh, on the Better Business Bureau site. Yes, they are a company listed. They are not, I repeat are not, an accredited business. They do have a list of complaints, I believe 14. All similar to the original complaints description. They are listed as a Disc Jockey business. Strange? Maybe. Anyway, do your homework before giving your credit card info to any business, in my opinion.

First off, let me start by saying that that is not my number.  Our mainline is correct, but that's listed on our website.  The fact that this anonymous individual didn't know my office number means that he most likely is an artist we rejected.  Brittany was actually one of our secretaries, who most likely would answer the main line if this individual called in.