the TrueFans AMP— Issue 118

Algorithms aren’t your friend. The platforms you rely on today will change  tomorrow— owning your audience is the only way to future-proof your career. — Ariel Hyatt

In This Issue... 16 pages (about 23ish minutes to read) You'll Get...  

• Recommends— Ariel Hyatt’s book From Buzz to Bond 

• Your BIZ— The Future of Music Marketing Is No Marketing at All Commentary by John Fogg 

• the Greatest Singer Songwriters of All Time— Dave Van Ronk the Mayor of  MacDougal Street. 

in partnership with Jason Blume 

• Feature Article— How Hard Would You Work for a Hit? by Jason Blume 

• PS from PS— Why Live Music? 

Here’s the playlist

• Recommends— Ariel Hyatt’s book From Buzz to Bond 
If you care about building a real music career— not just a momentary flash of attention—you’ll want this book. 

“Hyatt’s book is not selling hype an’ hustle— she’s showing and telling you how to  turn any and all audiences into TrueFans and creating a career Forever.” 

Ariel Hyatt’s From Buzz to Bond may be the most valuable and actionable book an  independent Music Artist can read right now. It’s not about chasing fame, going viral, or gaming the algorithm. It’s about doing the real work— building genuine connection,  trust, and belonging with the people who love your music. 

Hyatt, founder and CEO of Cyber PR Music, has spent over 25 years helping artists go from obscurity to sustainability. She’s worked with thousands of musicians across every genre— developing strategies that actually build careers, not just followers. Her  approach is grounded in Artist-First reality: practical, human, and honest about what it  takes to last. 

Here’s why this book matters: 

• It bridges the biggest gap in music today— attention versus relationship. Hyatt shows how to move beyond “getting noticed” to being known, creating deep, loyal fan connections that translate into streams, ticket sales, and lasting support. 

• It’s built on real data and real stories. She shares behind-the-scenes examples of independent artists who turned small beginnings into thriving communities  through authentic communication and consistency. 

• It’s step-by-step practical. Each chapter gives you clear, doable actions— from  email marketing that actually works, to how to tell your story, release music  strategically, and build systems that sustain you. 

• It’s a mindset shift. Hyatt helps you stop chasing numbers and start building  bonded fans— people who will be there through every song, album, and tour. 

• It fits perfectly with the TrueFans philosophy. What Ariel calls bonding is what we call Fans Forever— the kind of connection that creates both emotional and financial sustainability for artists. 

This is the rare book that’s both inspiring and usefully real. It tells you what to do, why  to do it, and how to keep doing it when things get hard. Hyatt understands that for most Music Artists, success doesn’t come from a single viral moment— it comes from a thousand moments of genuine engagement, consistency, and care. 

If you’re serious about making music your life— read this. Study it. Apply it. 

From Buzz to Bond isn’t just a book about promotion; it’s a book about transformation — yours and your fans’. 

Highly recommended by the TrueFans AMP™. 

Because buzz fades— but bond pays.  Forever. 

• Your BIZ— The Future of Music Marketing Is... No Marketing at All Commentary by John Fogg for the TrueFans AMP™ 
(Inspired by Sam Saideman’s Billboard essay, October 28, 2025) 

For decades, the music business has been chasing its own tail— every few years obsessed with the latest “must-do” marketing hack. Spotify playlists. TikTok trends. Car videos begging for pre-saves. Whatever the flavor, it’s all been another round of the same old: chasing algorithms instead of connecting with actual human beings. 

Sam Saideman, co-founder and CEO of Range Music and one of the smartest young minds in the modern music business, just put it beautifully: 

“The future of music marketing is... no marketing at all.” 

And we and me at TrueFans AMP™ couldn’t agree more. 

Post-Algorithm Reality 
Saideman describes what he calls a “post-algorithm world— a moment when Music  Artists and fans alike have learned how the sausage is made. Everyone knows the “game.” The fake spontaneity. The engineered virality. The algorithm is no longer fooling anybody. 

What audiences crave now isn’t another trick to “game the feed” (or feed the game).  They want what’s real— music that matters, connection that’s human, and artists who  are authentically themselves. 

That’s not marketing. That’s meaning. 

And it’s exactly the foundation of the TrueFans philosophy that creates Right Now  Money and Fans Forever. 

Community Over Customers 
As Saideman writes, “A Reddit thread, a Discord server, or a fan club where people feel ownership will be far more impactful than any car selfie video.” 

We’d call that the difference between building community and building customers. 

The smartest artists today are done shouting at strangers through algorithms. They’re  listening to their real fans— and creating spaces and places where those fans connect with each other. That’s where loyalty lives. That’s where income multiplies. That’s where art turns into culture. 

Culture Over Campaigns 
Audiences don’t want to be marketed to. They want to discover. Saideman nails it: 

“Audiences crave moments that  
feel found, not fed.” 

As a TrueFans practitioner, we call that belonging. And belonging doesn’t come from a campaign. It comes from shared emotion, shared story, and shared meaning. 

Micro Over Macro 
Forget chasing followers. Forget virality. Saideman’s right again: “A 5,000-person  Discord server that lives and breathes your music will outperform passive followers  every time.” 

We’ve seen it happen. Small, passionate communities drive real income, ticket sales,  merch, and career longevity. They’re the living proof that micro is the new macro. 

Algorithms deliver impressions. Communities deliver connection. And connection is  what keeps fans— forever. 

Listening Is the New Marketing 
Saideman closes with a line that could hang on the wall of every TrueFans Artist: 

“Music marketing isn’t about shouting louder; 
it’s about listening closer.” 

That’s it. Listening creates loyalty. Authenticity builds trust. Culture carries your  message further than any campaign could. 

The future of music marketing isn’t invisible— it’s alive. It’s happening in the spaces  where artists and fans meet without the noise. That’s not “no marketing.” That’s  TrueFans. 
__________  

TakeAways: What Music Artists Can Do Right Now 

1. Build your micro-community. 
Start small. A few hundred true fans who feel like insiders are worth more than ten  thousand casual followers. 

2. Be human, not a headline. 
Post what’s authentically you. If you hate doing it, it shows— and it won’t connect. 

3. Stop chasing virality. Start creating value. 
Make content that starts or joins a real conversation. Don’t sell— share. 

4. Listen more than you speak. 
Pay attention to what your fans love, ask, and feel. Let that shape your art and your  offers. 

5. Make culture, not campaigns. 
Your fans don’t want marketing— they want meaning. Give them that, and they’ll give  you everything else. 

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About Sam Saideman 

Sam Saideman is co-founder and CEO of Range Music, a division of Range Media  Partners, and one of the industry’s leading voices in artist management and modern  marketing strategy. Known for his work with artists like Lauv, Quinn XCII, and Chelsea Cutler, Saideman blends deep digital insight with a human-first approach that puts authenticity and community at the center of an artist’s success. 

• the Greatest Singer Songwriters of All Time— Dave Van Ronk the Mayor of  MacDougal Street. 

“If the art of the American folk-blues revival has a secret conductor, then  Dave Van Ronk is its maestro— the one who pulled the strings behind the  scenes while the rest of us heard only the music.” 

Dave Van Ronk’s name may not immediately evoke stadium tours or multi-million  record sales, but for musicians, Songwriters, and serious Music Artists the world over, his is a legacy of craft, influence and breadth that places him squarely among the  pantheon of greatest Songwriters of all time. From the coffeehouses of Greenwich  Village to ragtime guitar solos, from mentoring rising stars to reshaping folk and blues  tradition, Van Ronk’s impact bears study for anyone serious about “making money and having fans forever.” 

Origins & Early Breakthrough 
Born June 30, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York, Van Ronk came of age in a working-class,  jazz-rich milieu. He acquired a ukulele at twelve, a guitar at thirteen, and absorbed the sounds of Bessie Smith, Jelly Roll Morton and traditional jazz before being drawn into  the folk-blues world. In the early 1950s he settled in New York’s Greenwich Village,  the heart of the folk revival, and soon earned the affectionate nickname “Mayor of MacDougal Street.” 

“He was a founding father of the 1960s folk and blues revivals… he more or less invented the milieu of the young white city folk-blues.”  
— Michael Gray  

Though he would never achieve the mass-market Songwriter status of some of his peers, Van Ronk’s first album Dave Van Ronk Sings Ballads, Blues & a Spiritual (1959)  marked him as a serious musician capable of blending folk ballads, blues and spirituals  with an original voice.  

Musical Style & Production 
What set Van Ronk apart was his fusion of strands: ragtime guitar playing, jazz influenced chord voicings, deep blues sensibility and a rough, resonant voice. He drew  on traditional roots yet never sounded only like a revivalist: he brought his command of jazz and ragtime into his guitar work, as shown in later albums like Sunday Street (1976) where he tackles ragtime classics such as Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag. 

“Dave’s guitar-and-voice craftsmanship set a very high bar— he taught the  young ones even if he wasn’t personally that likable, they felt an obligation to  help the younger musicians.” 

Production-wise, Van Ronk’s recordings often paired the solo voice-and-guitar intimacy (a hallmark of the folk Songwriter model) with a musician’s dedication to arranging,  phrasing, and musicality. He didn’t chase pop chart trends; rather, he brought depth: his album Dave Van Ronk, Folksinger (1962) is considered a vital touchstone of Americana. 

Hits, Albums & Sales 
Van Ronk wasn’t a hit-machine in the commercial sense— his strength lay in albums,  arrangements and live performance rather than Top 40 singles. Among his key recordings: 

• Dave Van Ronk Sings Ballads, Blues & a Spiritual (1959)  
• Dave Van Ronk, Folksinger (1962) 
• Sunday Street (1976) 
• From…Another Time & Place (1995)— nominated for a Grammy in the Traditional Folk Album category. 

His version (and arrangement) of the traditional song House of the Rising Sun became  especially influential— notably for what it inspired in others. While exact sales figures for Van Ronk are hard to pin down, his recorded output spans over twenty albums and his live reputation was substantial in the folk/blues community. 

Concerts & Collaborations 
In the heyday of the Village folk scene, Van Ronk held court in coffeehouses, bars and  festivals. He not only performed his own sets but mentored younger artists— hosting  them in his apartment, trading guitar licks and songwriting tips. Some illustrative  connections: 

• He befriended and influenced artists like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Phil Ochs and  more. 

• He recorded and performed songs by Joni Mitchell (That Song About the Midway  appears on Sunday Street).  

Though he rarely drew large pop-style collaborations, his role as a collaborator and  mentor was central: his guitar-and-voice work, his gigs in the Village, his support of  other artists all contributed to the fabric of the folk revival. 

Inspirations, Activism & the Personal Side 
Van Ronk’s musical inspirations were wide: early jazz, ragtime, traditional blues, folk  balladry. He cited the anthology compiled by Harry Smith and musicians like Reverend  Gary Davis as key influences. Politically and socially, while not front-and-center in the  mainstream narrative, he associated with the 1960s folk scene’s ethos of social justice,  protest and counter-culture. (For example, his memoir notes participation in community and cultural events of the era.) On the personal front: 

• He married Terri Thal in the 1960s, later lived with Joanne Grace, and ultimately  married Andrea Vuocolo, with whom he spent his final years. 

“In Greenwich Village, Van Ronk was king of the street, he ranged supreme.”  — Bob Dylan 

• He remained fiercely loyal to Greenwich Village— he rarely left New York for extended residence and reportedly never learned to drive for years. 

His personal life, while not always in the spotlight, informed his music: his gravelly  voice, his guitar technique, his storytelling all drew from decades of lived experience in the Village, in jazz clubs, in folk coffeehouses. 

Legacy & Influence 
For Songwriters and performing artists today, Van Ronk’s legacy is two-fold:  craftsmanship and mentorship. He may not have written dozens of chart-toppers, but he elevated acoustic guitar technique in folk/blues, set a high bar for arranging traditional material, and inspired generations of singers and players. 

Joni Mitchell said that Van Ronk’s rendition of her Both Sides Now (which he titled  Clouds) was her favorite version. His arrangement of House of the Rising Sun is widely  regarded as a foundational blueprint for later folk-rock incarnations. A section of  Sheridan Square in the Village was renamed “Dave Van Ronk Street” in his honor. 

He said: 

“You can’t be afraid of failure and you can’t be afraid of success, because  either one gets in the way of your work.” 

“Never use two notes when one will do. Never use one note when silence  will do. The essence of music is punctuated silence.” 

For modern Singer Songwriters, bands and instrumentalists, Van Ronk offers a case  study: approach your craft deeply, honor tradition, build your voice, channel influence  but don’t become it. In short: become the artist who others look to, not just the artist  chasing the charts. 

Why He Belongs in the “Greatest Songwriters” List 
While Van Ronk may not have amassed hit singles or global brand recognition, his body of work, his guitar-and-voice craftsmanship, his role as mentor and influencer, and his ability to shift tradition into new life make him indispensable for the serious Music  Artist’s bookshelf. His songs and arrangements continue to be studied, covered and admired. He exemplifies the songwriter’s songwriter. 

Outro  
If you are a Music Artist— whether solo Singer, Singer Songwriter, band member or  instrumentalist— the career of Dave Van Ronk teaches you this: depth, authenticity,  musicianship and influence matter. Let your songs, your arrangements, your live  performances, and your role as collaborator speak. Van Ronk didn’t chase pop stardom he built substance. And in doing so, he left a legacy that will help Music Artists “make money and have fans forever”. 

And Finally, Two Tributes...  
• n memory of Dave Van Ronk— thank you for building the path so that songs, guitars and voices in coffeehouses and festival tents could soar. Your legacy lives in every fingerpicked chord, raw vocal take and artist who dares to dig deeper than the chart. 

• To the “Mayor of MacDougal Street”: you may not have filled stadiums, but you filled the souls of artists. Your influence echoes in the next generation of Songwriters who learn that arrangement, authenticity and craft matter as much as the hook. 

in partnership with Jason Blume

• Feature Article— How Hard Would You Work for a Hit?
by Jason Blume 

It’s easy to believe that some Songwriters and singers are geniuses— and that brilliance flows from them effortlessly. Sometimes, this is true. But often, amazing songs are the result of talent paired with grit, determination, and an unwillingness to settle for anything less than the very best we are capable of. 

Bruce Springsteen’s first two albums were commercial failures, despite earning some  critical acclaim and a relatively small number of fans, who loved them. 

He was told by execs at his record label, “Go make a single. If it sounds like it could be  on the radio, we’ll pay for the rest of the album.” 

Columbia Records made it clear: Springsteen’s record deal was on the line. 

Inspired by Phil Spector’s writing and production, 24-year-old Springsteen began  writing a song— Wild Angels— that felt different from anything he’d previously done. 

He kept working on the lyrics, filling his notebook. Every draft ended with the same  line: 

Tramps like us 
Baby, we were born to run. 

The song was introduced to the band. 

“I think we had the song— or the bones of the song— and I was interested first  in getting the sound right,” Springsteen said. “So we recorded the song with very few  lyrics. And because we didn’t really know how to get the sound we wanted, it took us a long time.” 

Work on the instrumental track went on for weeks, but even more effort went into  getting every word, every nuance, every syllable flawless. Sometimes in the middle of  recording a vocal take, he would stop and return to his notebook, look at the page and  think— sometimes for an hour, two hours, or more. 

When delivered the finished track, the A & R exec half-listened while taking phone  calls, then said he, “hadn’t been able to absorb it.” 

Springsteen’s manager, Mike Appel, leaked the track to radio programmers and DJs  who had previously played Bruce’s music, attended his shows, and were fans. 

As the track gained traction at radio stations across the country— Columbia’s execs took notice. 

Springsteen and the band received the funding and the go-ahead to finish the Born to  Run album. 

That was 50 years ago. 

At the time of the single release, Billboard described Born to Run as "one of the best  rock anthems to individual freedom ever created," describing it as "a monster song with a pile-driver arrangement that could become Springsteen's biggest hit yet." 

So ...Was the song a #1? 

Not even close. 

Amazingly, it peaked on Billboard’s chart at #27, but was certified double platinum for  attaining more than 2 million sales. 

Lessons: 

Sometimes, it takes sweat, time, and stubborn persistence to get a song and/or recording right. 

Not everyone can hear a hit. 

Sometimes, it takes unorthodox means to grab attention. 

If you want traction— (you've got to...) take action! 

About Jason Blume 
Jason Blume is one of the few songwriters to ever have songs on Billboard’s Pop,  Country, and R&B charts—all at the same time. His hits have been recorded by Britney  Spears, the Backstreet Boys, and country stars such as the Oak Ridge Boys and Collin  Raye. A respected teacher and author, Blume has shared his expertise through  bestselling books like 6 Steps to Songwriting Success and This Business of Songwriting, as well as workshops and lectures around the world. Through his writing, teaching, and mentoring, he’s helped thousands of aspiring songwriters turn creativity into craft—and craft into career. Scroll up to the gold in partnership... box to learn more about Jason

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• PS from PS— Why Live Music? 

Because... It's good for YOU— All of You. 

Not saying your doctor is about to prescribe attending or performing... Well, we could.  Research indicates that live music, dancing, and shared experiences can help reduce  stress, enhance mental health, and improve brain function. 

Basically, science confirms what your heart already knows: Going to a live music show  is good for you. Performing one... Even better! 

1. Music Literally Boosts Your Brain 
That post-show glow you feel? It’s not just the lighting, it’s neuroscience! Music releases dopamine (that feel-good chemical) and oxytocin (they call it the 'Love  Hormone”) and it reduces cortisol (the not-so-fun stress hormone) 

Live music activates multiple regions of your brain, much like a festival: each stage and  set improves mood, focus, and emotional regulation. Research suggests it can also enhance memory and increase cognitive flexibility. 

Bottom line: Live music shows may be doing more for your brain than your Sudoku puzzle. 

2. Dancing = Joy (and a cardio) 
Propaganda we’re not falling for: dancing is just for extroverts and TikTok trends.  Whether you’re swaying, line-dancing, or jumping with the crowd like it’s Ozzfest 1999, movement triggers endorphins, those all-natural mood-enhancers that don’t let stress and anxiety into the party. Plus, dancing boosts cardiovascular health— more of that. Please! 

And get this: researchers say dance can improve emotional expression and social  connection. So yes, your awkward performance of the sprinkler is technically  therapeutic. 

Human Connection Heals 
Your social brain is just as hungry for shows as you are. Group music experiences also  release oxytocin, also called the “bonding hormone.” It helps build trust, warmth, and  that sweet unspoken vibe between strangers in the same cozy room. Harvard University also found that strong social ties are essential for happiness and a long life. Why do we think that is? Group music experiences, especially in intimate settings, create shared  emotional resonance, thus building a healthier, stronger community. 

At a live music show, you’re not just meeting people, you’re recharging your social  brain and community. 

4. Supporting Artists and Venues = Feel-Good Altruism 
Supporting local artists and small venues isn’t just a neighborly thing to do; it actually  ignites your brain’s reward system. Science reveals that acts of generosity and  community support boost happiness more than personal gains! When you support  emerging musicians and indie spaces, you’re fueling a creative, cultural ecosystem and  yourself. And the Music Artists themselves...? You guessed it. 

That ticket they bought? The tee they’re wearing? All scientifically proven to spark feel-good vibes. 

5. Curiosity Sparks Creativity 
Saying yes to the unfamiliar is brain-boosting— exploring new experiences keeps your  mind open, agile, and eager to take in more! Novelty triggers dopamine and charges  neuroplasticity; your brain’s ability to grow, adapt, and think in new ways. 

Continued curiosity can create improved problem-solving, enhanced emotional  regulation, and increased resilience.

Live music shows are built on curiosity: new artists, new fans, new spaces. Your brain  loves it, and your curiosity = fed. 

Ready to give your mind & body a boost, find a live music show near you and make a plan to attend. 

Ready to give your mind & body a boost, do a live music show near you and make a plan to perform.

Until we speak again…

Thanks for reading. Give us your feedback.

And PLEASE, if you've got any Singer Songwriter friends, pass the AMP on, because... It’s Time... for a Change. Big Time. Past Time...