Artist who embrace the internet and connect with their fans

[TimothyBFan]

I know we've talked in other topics about how certain artist really utilize the internet to connect with fans or introduce their work to new fans and promote themselves and how others absolutely loathe the web.

The reason I started this thread is because I absolutely love artist that do that, I feel like they really care about their fans. I can think of several artists that do this either thru their own websites, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc... I have several on FB, but wonder about any that others here might know of. Plus I have a fantastic story of one who is really doing something special for his fans, via a message board, for Christmas. I'll get to that story in a second.

Some of the artist I follow and really involve their fans on Facebook:

Jonny Lang -- he's always posting his pictures or fan pictures from his shows and post something from every town he shows up in.

Slash-- he's hysterical!!! Reports about anything he happens to be recording, tells stories about his wife Perla, etc. Thanks his fans the morning after every show and tells what's next.

John Waite -- Always thanking fans, posting pics, etc.

Sammy Hagar- Very funny guy also. Runs all kinds of contest for concert tickets, albums, etc.

Robert Cray- Whenever he's on the road, lets everyone know where he is or will be. Post pictures from the road. Pretty quiet when he's not touring tho.

Now for my (and about 100 others) special Christmas present from an artist I LOVE!!! As some here know, I'm also a member of a message board for the band Sweet. Well Andy Scott, the original guitarist, who still tours with his own version of Sweet, announced ON A BLOG that he links to us ON THE BOARD that he had a special treat for all the members on the board for Christmas and he'd let us know what it was, beginning of December and that it would be a month long endeavor to show his appreciation for all their fans.

Come the first of December, true to his word, he gave us a link and told us that every 2 days he would give us a free download of a song from a live concert that we could download ourselves and make our own cd. How freaking cool is THAT!?!?!? He leaves the song up to download for 48 hours each, so if you don't get it, you don't get it. It's been very fun getting all of them. Today was our 8th song, (Love Is Like Oxygen). They are very good quality downloads and something that only us members would know about or ever get.

This comes from a guy who, when told by a friend of his who is also on the board, about a woman in the US who has been a huge fan for years but has never gotten much on the band because not much about them in the us, made sure that she not only got a new cd and concert program, but made sure that they were both autographed by the whole band. Yeah---that was ME. In that package, I also received an autographed Sweet hat, bumper sticker, guitar pick and several pictures.

Now that's the way artist should treat their fans, in my opinion!!!

[VAisForEagleLovers]

That is so cool!! Good for you, really! I, too, have a lot of artists that I like on FB that push items out often. The Who, Pink Floyd. I 'like' a lot of Contemporary Christian artists and they post their concert schedules, when and where a CD is at a reduced price, videos, and even take prayer requests and ask for prayers (a serious fan interaction there). JD Souther and Jack Tempchin push things out at least once a week. Which is great because who has time to go to all those websites and look things up?

I definitely agree that artists that do these sorts of things will be the ones who are most successful. I can honestly say that a lot of these artists, I had never seriously considered going to their concerts but now, if they're in the area, I'll buy a ticket.

I haven't gone out to any other forums or fansites, but I'm thinking, when I have time, I'll search on Bob Seger and see what I find.

[Windeagle]

I follow Carbon Leaf, who had a hit a few years ago with "Life Less Ordinary." I've seen them live half a dozen times and they always go above and beyond. They connect with their fans onstage and they always encourage people to come chat after the show.

They also do all the social media stuff, though I only follow them on Facebook. They post almost daily with tour updates, backstage videos, holiday greetings and blog links. Sometimes they even ask for restaurant recommendations in new cities they play! They also encourage fans to post and share videos from shows on YouTube.

And they listen and respond to their fans' feedback. Before their NH show recently, someone requested their song "The Sea," which a couple other fans (including me) seconded via Facebook comments. At the show, they introduced a song with the comment, "We don't usually play this at winter shows, but it's by request." Then they played the first notes of "The Sea." The audience went wild and I was punching my husband's leg going "That was me! That was me!"

Having recently gotten reacquainted with the Eagles, I am struck by the difference between these two bands when it comes to technology. It's old school vs. new school. One shuns the internet and curses its existence. The other lives by it. Funny how times change.

So for anyone looking for a new band to check out, see Carbon Leaf next time they're in your area, or check them out on YouTube. Their live shows are amazing. You won't be disappointed.

[WalshFan88]

Slash-- he's hysterical!!! Reports about anything he happens to be recording, tells stories about his wife Perla, etc. Thanks his fans the morning after every show and tells what's next.

I know! Some of his posts are hilarious! And he posts pics a lot too.

[Prettymaid]

I don't think the ones I like acually do the facebooking themselves....Jackson Browne, for instance.

Kevin Cronin does for REO Speedwagon.