Now on “Google Play”- Android Market

Real quickly:

Most of you know that my CD “Seconds” has been in the iTunes store from the start, but for those of you who only like to purchase music via The Android Market Place, if you search “Bob Gentry” there, you’ll see that the album is now listed for purchase(also my Free App is there too).

If size matters..the new MP3′s posted in Google Play are 320 kbps. :-P

Thanks for the love!

 

Posted in MP3s, Music, Social Media | Comments Off

Now for Free in the Android Market as well as iTunes.

Download the FREE Bob Gentry Mobile App below!

Bob Gentry on AndroidBob Gentry on Apple App

YES…the FREE app is now in the Android Market as well as iTunes. Please download at the links above…hey, it’s FREE!

I know it’s been a while since my last update, but I’ve been pretty steady on Facebook, Twitter, and FourSquare. My website is already bombarded with links to those places…or just ask, and I’ll link you personally :)

Below is a NEW EDIT to the 28 Days song from the Seconds CD. Feel free to skip the silly intro. It made me laugh when I saw it. Please read the disclaimer on the YouTube link before you start sending hate-mail.

 

Posted in Blogging, California, Demos, Hollywood, Lyrics, MP3s, Music, Random Thoughts, Social Media, Techie Stuff, Uncategorized, Videos | Comments Off

The “Official” Beat Into You music video!

[It's also posted in HD]

There might be some video tweaks down the road. I also have a Band Only edit that I’ll release down the road…we shot soooo much stuff..it was a challenge getting everything into the 2:39 minutes :) So much to chose from!

Now that the video is somewhat together, the hard part is getting people to watch it! If you like what you hear and see, please repost, like, share, bribe, blackmail others to watch..etc…

I posted a list of credits on the YouTube page with links to all the actor’s websites. If you get a moment, be sure to show them some support by checking out their web links. Everyone donated their time, talent, and energy to make this happen and I’m extremely grateful!!

I also posted a few behind the scenes photos on my Facebook page.

Posted in Hollywood, MP3s, Music, Social Media, Videos | Comments Off

Download my FREE App from the iTunes Store!

Bob Gentry iPhone App
Who doesn’t like FREE stuff? I’ll be adding exclusive MP3′s and other content on the app that won’t be available other places.

It would be of great help to me if you would download my app…and then tell everyone you know who has an iPhone, iPad, iTouch and future iThings, to download it too!!!

Right now, the app is only available for free in the iTunes store, but maybe down the road, it will make its way into the Android, Palm, & Blackberry Market.

You can either click the image above to get the app or this link to be taken directly to the iTunes Store.

I’m EXCITED!

Posted in Blogging, California, Friends, Lyrics, MP3s, Music, Random Thoughts, Social Media, Techie Stuff, Videos, Web Design | 2 Comments

How to make QR Codes (a few options).

Bob Gentry QR Code
I’m sure some of you have seen these little boxes posted at various places no? They’re popping up more and more. I saw one posted on a poster at the mall and scanned it (out of curiosity). I was pleasantly surprised that a 25% Coupon popped up for some various store. A neat little marketing tool eh?

Well, just in case you’re not sure what I’m talking about, this little box is called a QR Code… It’s basically a barcode that can hold a ton of information. You can scan them with any cell phone barcode scanner (most new cellphones have these built in, or you can download one from the iTunes or Android Store).

So yeah, if you pull out your cell phone and scan this, it shows some of my info (I left out my mailing address intentionally, but you get the idea). Right now, these things are pretty hip…and geeky-fun. As a musician trying to promote a CD or a Facebook/Twitter Page, Website..etc… I will find uses for this. So far, the biggest use has been adding a smaller version of the QR Code as a signature on my emails [People can scan it and have whatever info I want to give them automatically added to their cellphones-without them having to enter it manually].

So a few options to do this… one is just to search your app store for “QR Generator“… Android has a free one called QR Droid and iTunes has a QR Maker (free version and some for $0.99).

Also, you don’t even need a smartphone or an app to do this. There’s quite a few websites that can generate these for you for free. One I think is SUPER EASY to use, is the TEC-IT website. Here’s the link…once you’re there, just fill out little form and it’ll generate the QR Code. Their site has some other goodies as well.

There’s other sites that do this too…just thought I’d pass along the info in case anyone wondered what this was all about.

Oh… on the back of new T-shirts I’m selling, I have a QR Code linking to my website. Silly, but fun.

Posted in Random Thoughts, Social Media, Techie Stuff, Web Design | 2 Comments

My New Apple-Friendly and Mobile-Friendly Website

Well, I’m still tweaking the site…but if you’re viewing this on a iPhone or iTouch, you should be seeing a Mobile-Friendly version. Also, if you’re on an Apple product that doesn’t have Flash, my home page is now different as well (but only shows up different if you’re on Apple).

It was kind of a pain in the ass but needed to be done… and so, it’s done ;)

Happy Easter Weekend!

Posted in Blogging, Random Thoughts, Social Media, Techie Stuff, Web Design | 7 Comments

A Well-Oiled Indie Music Website

Bob Gentry iPhone AppLately, I’ve been trying to get my “online-self” (as well as my life) together. For years, I was doing pretty good at maintaining my musical online presence, but I made the mistake of slacking off a little. Where I once religiously wrote in my journal, I slowly let it all slide into the land of Status Updates, with just close friends involved on my private Facebook account.

But this year? I decided to step back up to bat. I released a new CD, and I’m now gearing up to release an App for the iTunes store (The App should be available as a free download in the app store in about 4 to 6 weeks and I’m excited about it). The thing about the App is, without a functioning Blog, Facebook, Twitter all tied in, the app is kind of useless… so that’s why I’ve been trying to put some WD-40 on this rusty website.

In theory, when I update my journal, if you have the app on your iPhone, you’ll be able to get the news there…you’ll also be able to hook up to my Facebook and Twitter and all those Social Media things. And of course, it doesn’t cost you guys anything. I’ll be sure to do an update when the app is available–but as you can see I’m excited about it NOW.

I’m also working on shooting a legit music video for the song “Beat into You.” It’s still in the very early stages, but there is a plan forming. I say legitimate because all the old video clips on YouTube are just random clips thrown together to a track(just to give people something to look at while they listen). There’s never been any sort of REAL official music video for any of the songs. We’re going to change that soon…and I’ll be updating on all of that soon too.

With all of this stuff…the only reason I’m able to do it (other than because I have some good friends willing to help out) is because the technology has finally made things a little less costly for independent artists. To be able to make it happen without having to donate a kidney is NICE! All of the techie-stuff helps level the playing field…all that said, if given a choice, I still want the major record deal- so feel free to hook me up eh? ;) Until then, we all just push on doing what we love.

In other news, you’ll notice a few changes to my right sidebar on the journal… under my Calendar, there’s a “Tip Jar” … I removed ALL Google Ads because they started to look junky, and for the little bit of change they were bringing in, it just didn’t seem worth it. If you like what you hear or read, and feel like leaving a Tip, just enter an amount to donate via PayPal. There’s no need to donate though, unless you really feel the urge to help support an indie artist/blogger. Mainly, I’d rather having you reading, and not feeling any obligation…but the option is there.

My website might be a little deceiving…I get many people who pop in and read my bio and just assume that I’m rolling in dough. I’m not. I’m lucky if I Break Even….but I DO feel lucky that I get to do what I enjoy. So to those who have purchased my CDs and have helped spread the word about me and the website, I say THANK YOU!!! Spreading the word is better than any financial tip I could ever get ;)

Lastly, I’m sorry to say that my old comments were deleted. Not by choice though… I was using a comment system called Intense Debates and people were complaining to me that they were posting, and their comment were not showing up. I tried every setting I could to try to fix it, and nothing worked. It could have been just me, but after searching, I read that others were having the same sort of issues. So NOW? I have something called Disqus. So far, so good.

Posted in Blogging, Music, Random Thoughts, Social Media, Techie Stuff | 5 Comments

I’ll Take The Rapist for $200 Alex… “That’s Therapist!”

The story I’m about to tell is one that I probably shouldn’t be telling. Mainly, it embarrasses me… but it is kind of a funny story, so uh…screw it. [I'm living on the Blog-Edge here]

If anyone is a FourSquare friend of mine, and follows the silly places I check in, you’ll notice that there’s often Spas and places like that– mixed in with the usual Fast Food joints and Bowling alleys. I like to try new Spas out all the time because they’re all a little different from each other. For example, one place might give you a massage that will leave bruises on you, while another will stretch you into pretzel-like positions(kind of kinky actually). And here in Los Angeles? There’s so many of these places that you can usually get a pretty good deal.

So lately, I’ve discovered the joys of self-pampering Spas, and getting Facials [please hold your jokes until the story is over]. I know this doesn’t sound very manly, but I’ve never claimed to be some sort of lumberjack …and damn it, they feel pretty awesome, so shut the hell up until you try it ;)

On with the story…

You ladies know that these places usually have a long waiting list, but since I’m a guy who is terrible at planning, I usually just walk in and see if they’ll take me at the last minute. Most always, they’re booked and I have to return at another time, or look for another place.

So, the other night I looked for a new place to get a nice relaxing face rub to make me feel 20 years younger[again, shut up!]. The few places I popped in to? As you might guess…. they were unable to take me. Grrr. [Pays to plan ahead, I suppose.]

After driving around, I spotted a new Spa and walked in.

“Hello, I know you guys are probably booked, but I thought I’d stop to see if you have someone here that can do a Facial…. yes, I know it’s Last Minute…”

The girl said that their “facial person” wasn’t in, but that they could give me a massage.

“Well…uh.. I don’t really want a massage right now… I just finished eating and I’m a little overly-stuffed… not sure I’m up for someone to be digging into me right now.”

The girl wasn’t taking “No” for an answer. Suddenly, I’m in some sort of price reduction battle. After each “No” she kept dropping her 60 minute massage price. It started at $80 (which is a little high) and the price kept dropping as I started to head for the door. Just as I was about to walk out, I heard “Forty Dollars!” Uh….$40.00 is a little too good to pass up for an hour massage in my book.

SOLD!

So I walked back in the room where there’s a massage table and the usual scented candles and meditational music playing. The “therapist” tells me that there’s these little shorts I can put on if I want and to get under the sheet, and then she leaves the room to give me some privacy.

As I’m undressing and placing my clothes on the hanger, I see a cleverly placed sign that said something like “Please do not touch the girls… and sexual harassment will not be tolerated..etc..“…or something like that. Now, I’ve been at a bunch of message places before and I’ve NEVER seen a sign like this. I suddenly felt like I was in some sort of strip club, or that I was in a place that was used to getting raided by the police! I started to think “What the hell is going to happen here?”

I put on the little shorts and got under the sheet face-down as the girl came back in the room. The massage started out pretty normal… For those of you who don’t get massages, they usually ask you what type of pressure you like, or if you have any pain areas causing trouble. This started out like that, but somewhere along the way, I felt like I was being MOLESTED. Suddenly, a very normal massage turned into “I didn’t expect your hand to go THERE!

I  know what you’re thinking: So what’s wrong with that?!?!? LOL

Well, all that would have been ok I guess if that’s what I came there for, but it just caught me off-guard.

Ok, this is TMI but let me just say… for me, it doesn’t matter who or what is doing this…but if you’re spending the majority of the time massaging me (as I’m relaxing on a bed in the dark) and you’re only concentrating on my inner thighs and surrounding groin area, I’m going to get a damn erection.

This continues for about 30 minutes and then the girl says very quietly “ok, turn over“….

Uh, really? Now I have to turn on my back? This is NOT a good idea.

I turned over and grab the super thin sheet to try and help cover myself a little. Within seconds, she’s back to massaging my inner thighs and pulling my legs apart. Suddenly I hear “Why don’t you take off your shorts?

IS THIS FOR REAL?

This was soon heading to a path of No Return and I needed to stop it, so I said … “Ya know, I REALLY think it’s a better idea if I leave my shorts ON” …and wouldn’t you know it, right after I said that, the “massage” ENDED!

I guess all of this would have been just dandy if I walked in expecting something like that, but seriously…I was just looking for some place to put a hot towel on my face and I ended up feeling like I was attacked. I’ve had hundreds of massages at various places around Los Angeles and none were quite like this.

That’s all I have to say… I probably shouldn’t have shared this, but when I told this story to my friend, they found it amusing(and probably wanted to book an appointment). And I AM here to amuse and entertain :)

I wouldn’t be surprised if this post gets me more FourSquare Friends. But if I start showing up as “Mayor” of a certain Massage Place, don’t look down on me ok? [kidding]

 

Posted in Hollywood, Random Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 42 Comments

Missing Post

Sorry to take down the blog entry. I’ll explain more later…

….ok, it’s “later

Let me first say that I was NOT told to take down the posts by anyone (I don’t want that rumor to get started).

So yeah, you guys feel free to use any one of these posts as a place to communicate with each other. Until you win the 5 million, it’s better to remain anonymous on this site(f.y.i.)

People are still coming to the blog looking for things they might expect in their audition cities, but those questions will have to be answered by others.
Sorry to delete the post with all the Audition conversation from before. I was told I was being “monitored” (from a music friend of mine) and I started getting all paranoid. Normally, something like that would just make me speak out more, but I have some other auditions for stuff coming up, and I don’t want to be the guy who gets blacklisted over something silly–I already have enough strikes against me as it is. Hope you guys understand.

I really was trying to help. It makes me happy to know that I did get to help a few people get past a few rounds and save them hours of wait-time, but it annoys the hell out of me that I have to type on blog-eggshells. Such is life.

For anyone else who stumbles here looking for info. Google and Bing the audition process. There IS other info out there (it’s just all scattered).
So to any newcomers, feel free to post your stories and advice to others here. Just don’t use your real name if you do that. That’s the best I can do right now.

Wishing nothing but the best to the people who made the show. I know it’ll be a huge smash and I look forward to watching!

Just give me a special thanks when you win your 2nd Grammy ;)

Posted in X-Factor | 28 Comments

If It Ain’t Broke…

Why do I keep trying to fix it?

It’s fun to learn what these little journal plugins do. As you can see I’ve added a few new things to the blog.

My favorite new blog toy is this link to a world map of web hits and locations within the last 24 hour (you can change the setting and zoom in or change the location). It’s WILD.

I’ve also added the Flags to the right sidebar … There’s a huge list of other languages for translation. I’m not sure how accurate it is, but it might be of some use eh? [Trying to get this back working, another plugin is fighting with it].

I’ve been using something called “Intense Debates” for comments on this journal and it’s been working just fine, but I’m wanting to switch to “Disqis” (which is basically the same thing but it seems a little slicker…plus is has a cell app for super easy replying while I’m not at the computer).
I have Disquis loaded on my Tumblr Micro-Blog . If you look as the way the comments are set there, it’ll give a better idea of what I’m talking about.

Right now, I can’t seem to figure out how to import the old comments into the new system so I’ll hold off on doing that(I have some important info on one of my old posts that people are still using and I don’t want to pull the plug on them). Another reason I’ve been wanting to change commenting tools is because I’ve been getting emails from people saying “hey, I’ve been trying to comment and it’s not showing up”–not sure why some do and some don’t. -It’s not as though I get a ton of comments on the blog stuff anyway, so I’ll hold off before I do any big switch.

Ok, time to walk the dog.

Posted in Blogging, Random Thoughts, Techie Stuff, Web Design | 20 Comments