Articles written by Matt Mckay

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About me - Matt Mckay

Matt McKay has been writing for over 10 years, and has been a professional in the music industry as a performer and songwriter for over 30 years.

In addition to music, McKay has been involved in the printing industry as a business owner, and in the document

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Personal Finance > Smart Spending Bring back old-time bartering: 1 of 43
Bring Back Old Time BarteringI'll give you three summer squash for two gallons of milk. I'll change the oil in your car if you can watch my kids for a couple of hours on Saturday. Cattle farmers trade beef with vegetable farmers, carpenters doing repairs in exchange for electrical work. In the proverbial nutshell, bartering i... More..
Entertainment > Music Business Is radio giving artists the exposure they need: 1 of 18
If video killed the radio star, radio retaliated and killed just about everything else, including new, independent artists. Music as art, music as expression, musical styles that deviate from the norm, have all been ignored and turned away by corporate radio. We eat what we are fed, and we are fed what the radio stations feed... More..
Entertainment > Music Business Music Tips for up and coming bands: 1 of 16
$ 50,000 Solo Musician Performer GuideI have been playing in rock bands since the late 70's. I started young, and like many teenagers, had aspirations of being famous. My bands would play original music in the Boston night club circuit for little or no money, and the competition was so fierce, that you generally played for fr... More..
Education > Alternative Education (Other) Learn anything through self-teaching: 2 of 16
I don't know about you, but learning can be a tedious and frustrating prospect. Boy, I can remember loathing math class in high school. I didn't like it, I didn't get it, and I only cared enough about it to get a decent grade. French class was the same deal. Foreign languages just didn't click with me and still don't.History,... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes The search for meaning in modern-day music: 1 of 8
"Been a long time since I rock and rolled, Been a long time since I did the stroll" Hmmm. The uncontrollable emotions I feel when I hear those lyrics are like nothing you can imagine. Such meaning, such insight, so ridiculous.You probably recognize these lyrics from a band that some claim to be among the greatest bands ever. ... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Is classical music dead?: 6 of 38
I do love classical music, and most every other musical style, as they all have their merits. But notice that I mention 'style' rather than 'genre.' To me, a music genre is a particular category of music such as rock, jazz, rap, folk, country, classical, etc. But these can also be defined as musical performance and writing st... More..
Health & Fitness > Asthma Asthma: Symptoms and treatment: 3 of 18
As a chronic asthma sufferer since I was a toddler, I've tried most every treatment in the book, and have been in many scary and potentially life threatening situations. I have exercise induced asthma, allergic response asthma, and stress induced asthma. I've tried the maintenance and rescue medications all chronic asthmatics... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Unusual people: 2 of 12
Boston Massachusetts. Singers, songwriters, screen writers, authors, musicians, activists, documentary filmmakers, artists. Boston, like most major cities, is home to many artists and creative people. Some are unusual, many are not, but a few are of genius quality. These people are unusual just by the sheer volume and scope o... More..
Relationships & Family > Blended Families Is it possible to have a happy blended family?: 8 of 45
A good friend of mine is the father of two children. A 20 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. The children have different mothers from two previous marriages, whom they live with. The children get along fine during the few visits when they see one another. My friend pays child support, and sees his children regularly.Hi... More..
Business > Web Advertising Using online advertising to promote your business: 5 of 24
I'm online, trying to find a florist a few towns away to deliver Valentine roses to my wife. Ten listings come up, but I find only one in town. I know there are at least 2-3 others, but have to call directory assistance to find them. I go with the one whose information is right in front of me, as I really don't have a lot of ... More..