As 2010 winds down, so does the convention lineup. I’m working very hard on the new album, rehearsing with a drummer for live shows we’ll book in 2011, and trying to keep my subscribers as happy as possible. One thing they keep asking for is another UStream concert, so I’m only too happy to deliver!

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Matthew Ebel Live via UStream, December 2010 – 88.4 MB MP3
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(Also available as individual tracks.) – 88.5 MB ZIP
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As I mentioned in emails, blog posts, tweets, and smoke signals last week, it’s time once again for the annual meeting of the minds. Since not every VIP could make it to the Beer Bash this year, we streamed the Town Hall meeting live and got feedback from as many subscribers as could tune in. If you’re a member, just log in to see the video for yourself!
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With the advent of a new year, it’s time to change the setup. Since I’m going to be playing a lot more live-in-person shows this year, I’m working on a setup that’s more organic. With just my piano and voice, I was able to rock out for two solid hours for an amazing number of UStream viewers.

Since the show was so long, this one will be uploaded in two parts. This month you’ll get the first half, an hour chock full of new tunes and old favorites!

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Matthew Ebel Live via UStream, January 2010, part 1 – 79 MB MP3
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(Also available as individual tracks.) – 79.3 MB ZIP
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Let it never be said that Matthew Ebel is devaluing human contact. Though many of his recordings are taken from UStream shows (at least until he gets a booking agent), he has always felt most comfortable with a more immediate audience. Especially an audience of his VIP fans!

This month’s live recording is a little shorter than most- just over half an hour. It’s also taken from a portable recorder, not straight from the sound system Matthew usually uses. The vibe in the room, however, was so good that we had to share this recording with the rest of the subscribers.

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Matthew Ebel Live at the VIP Beer Bash 2009 – 51.7 MB MP3
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(Also available as individual tracks.) – 51.6 MB ZIP
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Just a video update from Matthew Ebel.

• The “I Blame The Spy” video contest is now over, results will be announced soon!
• The annual VIP Goodie Bags have now been ordered and will be shipping out soon. If you’re a VIP, you’ll get yours either in the mail or at the Beer Bash.
• It’s not too late to sign up for VIP Beer Bash 2009. If you’re a VIP member, be sure to grab a ticket here. If you’re not, you can still become a VIP at matthewebel.net/subscribe… but tickets are closing soon!
• Last, the new Matthew Ebel dot net Store will be opening soon with Songs from the Vault, vol. 1. Now you can grab the songs that you missed from the first six months! You’ll need to be an All-Access or VIP subscriber to get that, tho!

This one was written by Matthew for Spring 2009′s VIP Song Winner Tony Carcieri.

So, what I would like would be something for my 2 boys (ages soon to be 6 and 7) who mean the absolute world to me (ask anyone who knows me on FB). Without them, I would not be the man I am today…Would love something in there about how their mom and I are not together anymore (divorced) but how we both love them totally and unconditionally.

Since I am a fan of creativity, I will let you decide on style (as long as it’s not Polka, Rap, Bluegrass).

…I live for my boys. They are my world, my priority. People say, I do not know what I would do without my kids. I can truly say, from my heart, I would be lost without them. I love them so much Matt. It’s hard to picture life before them.
-Tony Carcieri, VIP Member

Well, Mr. Carcieri, hopefully this will convey what you’re feeling. Congratulations on winning the first VIP song from Matthew Ebel dot net!

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Two Stars – 5.3MB MP3
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Since the VIP’s are like board members at Matthew Ebel dot net (dividends paid in cool shwag annually) and the All-Access subscribers are like share holders, it’s time to ask them how best to proceed with a particularly tricky issue facing the site.

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This question recently came up on Yahoo Questions… something we really don’t like to see, but anyone who’s been alive and digital for the past 10 years knows that piracy will indeed happen. We’d like to give people legitimate means of purchasing songs, but we also don’t want to sacrifice the exclusivity that you folks are paying for!

We need to find a way to make expired songs available. How can we do this without making the subscribers feel like it’s just another music store? Here’s what we’re thinking (and we want your feedback on this!):

Sell Members-Only Archives

• Run the songs as we have been for the last 6 months. Matthew will keep releasing new material that the All-Access and VIP Members get as part of their monthly subscription.
• Once a song has expired, it’s gone… for 6 months. Wait, 6 months? Didn’t we say exclusive for 12 months in the FAQ? Yes… but we’re not going to release the songs to non-members just yet…
• When 12 songs or more have expired, release them as a Members-Only Archive. You’d still need to be a member to purchase the album, but new members could still grab old songs on a volume-by-volume basis.
• These would NOT be Members-Only Albums. Matthew still intends to release albums that VIP‘s get as a free download and All-Access members can purchase- such as his planned Christmas album he hopes to release this fall. Archive albums would only be there to let newer members buy old songs.

So what do you think? Would this be acceptable to you as paying members? Please leave a comment right here in this thread and let us know how you feel. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated!
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This is an update for the VIP subscribers only. For more information please check out the Subscriptions page.

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Just a few quick notes from Matthew:

• If you haven’t already added your shirt size to your profile, you might want to do that before the VIP Goodie Bags are sent out. Your profile can be edited at https://matthewebel.net/backstage/profile.php
• It’s time to plan the annual beer bash! If you think you can make it to Boston sometime this summer, please vote for the party details HERE
• It’s almost time to pick the first of 2 annual custom song winners! Stay subscribed and keep your ears on the VIP feed for the announcement…

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