Audio is ready, just gotta do the last few bits.

If you’re reading this, cheers!

And come back later this week.

The big news time behind the scenes was my RSS feed–the thing that lets you subscribe for free with iTunes or Google Reader or whatever other free program you choose.

iTunes changed their spec a while back, making my categories “Public Radio” invalid, but I’ve not bothered to do anything about it. Well trying to update my feed on FeedBurner for this show, I kept running into all kinds of errors with my syntax (double quotes, aprostraphes, etc.).

So I downloaded the 30 day free evaluation version of FeedForAll and setup a few episoded using it. I then made a stripped down template of the feed entry created by the program and proceeded to cut/paste all my previous feed information (iTunes description, HTML codes for photos and links, etc.) into that new kosher syntax. Doing 21 shows took a while, but, whew, now it’s done!

Thanks for your patience… I know this has been the longest gap between shows–ever. But I have Show #20 recorded and I’m editing it now. Thanks to Kelli and listener Brandon, it’s gonna be great with a very special guest interviewer, special interviewee, and the usual top quality music and comedy!

Hey there, after getting a kind email from a Kevin on the West Coast of U.S.A, I thought I’d post to say I’m still here and am working on Show #20. I’ve got the music, almost sorted the comedy…

but my last two attempts at getting an interview have failed. Please be patient and stay subscribed! We’ll get there.

cheers,
Kevin

Hey there faithful listener (and reader!).

I’ve just lined up Len (the brother-in-law of Peter).

I’ve got two really special songs, and I shoud be able to find some comedy that’s worthy of your listening pleasure.

Give me a week or two.

cheers,
Kevin

Okay, I briefly mentioned on my last show that some changes are coming to this podcast. I’ve always been envious of shows that had loads of listener content. It’s wonderful the way you never know who you’re gonna hear from on Quirky Nomads and it’s cool to hear conversations on the Keith and The Girl forums turn into the bulk of material for a whole episode. Wichita Rutherford is genius for the way he incorporates the listeners in his “secret word” element of each wonderful show.

Spreading Out

I put up a page when creating this website to ask folks to help me by doing their own interviews. I understand that’s asking a lot. But I have received some feedback saying this show is worthwhile and folks enjoy the interviews. Well, to be honest, I think I’m running out of material and the future of FirstPersonShow.net is now largely in the hands of listeners and other podcasters. I’ve contacted a handful of podcasters to try and sell the idea of some more people contributing FirstPerson interviews.

Sitting down for at least thirty minutes (I find an hour is ideal) to listen to someone might be incompatible to many of the portable media generation, but if I didn’t think the stories and information was worthwhile, I wouldn’t have done this podcast for a year. Plenty of people benefit when someone does an interview for this podcast:

The interviewee. We all thrive when we’re valued. We all walk a little taller when people take interest in us. There’s a very strong message that is communicated when someone bothers to sit down with you and spend some quality time asking and listening about your life, your family, your adventurous summers as a child, your wild stories from those old college days or even things that you learned from your grandparent or father.

the interviewee’s family. I hope you don’t find it morbid, but I think death is just part of existence–like life. Don’t be upset, but our parents aren’t always going to be around to tell us these stories of our uncle Jerry or aunt Edith. If you have any brothers or sisters.. If you have any children or neices or nephews… Then the odds are good that someone is gonna grow up someday who can appreciate hearing one of their ancestors talk about life a number of generations ago. Many of us have home movie footage of parties or vacations. We have photos of birthdays and stuff. But how many have in our family archive a collection of stories or memories or even just some quirky little mannerisms to remember our loved-ones by?

The interviewer. It’s rewarding to have these conversations. You might learn something (I always do). If you interview someone a bit older than yourself, then you have to slow down. That alone is worthwhile in the world where we’re always busy busy busy. This whole thing of listening to someone and showing them that their life is interesting and important is a good thing to do, and I think the karma will come back to you for it.

Format Ideas

I do have a few interviews that I’m still hoping to do. My wife’s school teacher from many years ago, my wife’s closest surviving relative (Auntie Toby). Still, I don’t know how I’ll be able to squeeze out another years’ worth of interviews. Someone very wisely said that for a podcast to work both the listener and the podcaster has to get something out of the process. It’s hard to explain, but I feel I’m not searching for that elusive something that the interview is likely to give me anymore.

Another change would be for me to tell stories. That’s pretty scary as I don’t see myself as a naturally gifted storyteller. But I’ll keep thinking about it and maybe there are a few stories that I like enough to risk recording and podcasting them.

Sure I could carry on with the music, I’m still enjoying finding and sharing great indie artists and unknown songs. Sometimes I hit a dry spot… but never for too long. But this podcast is called FirstPerson because it’s primarily about the interviewee. It’s not meant to be about me or the comedy or primarily even the tunes. I don’t want to just do another music podcast (there are plenty of them already).

I don’t like giving up and dropping things. So I really need to find a way to change the Interview element of this show. Can you help?

more incentives?

It feels like a show is due, and I’ve got the segments all together. I just need to finish editing it. Check back in soon.

Cheers! (US=thanks)
Kevin

Just a quick update to say I know a show is about due.

(thanks Phil for asking)

I’m booking an interview with a South African friend, and deciding whether to use some interview footage I got a few months ago. I have another South African and a Kiwi to choose from.

Either way, I hope to get Show #12 out soon.

cheers,
Kevin

Vote & Decide who get’s played on this show

So far Arthur Yoria is miles ahead and looks set to win. To make things exciting, I’m gonna bring back the 2nd place winner with some undisclosed honor–just to try to make things interesting and get folks voting. Arthur might be hard to bump off first place, but 2nd place is anybodies guess. Come on, email your friends this link and ask them to vote:

http://FirstPersonShow.net

You’ll be deciding which artist gets more free exposure and you can turn-on your friends to some great tunes.

WIN A FREE CD from a 1stPersonShow musician

So far FirstPersonShow has featured what I think should be the very best “hit song” from the best of the best independent artist I’ve found. I’ve scoured and searched, deliberated and daudled.. deciding which song to play from each artist. Now it’s time to play another song from an artist I’ve already featured. This is a first, so I thought I’d involve you the listener in my decision-making process.

Look on the right of http://FirstPersonShow.net and you’ll see a poll. Vote for your fave. The winner of the poll will be the one I play in the next show!

Brother Love’s Music featured on Show #1 1 CDs remaining, one to Loraine

If this was a regular “radio station” contest then your chances of influencing the vote would be tiny. Your vote would be one out of thousands, maybe tens or hundreds of thousands. But this podcast has less than 50 listeners (so far) so your vote really will matter. Let your friends know about the show, ask them to listen to the show with your favourite artist and see if they’ll vote along with you.

Arthur Yoria ’s Music featured on Show #3 one CD left

Win a Free CD

Email me or click here and leave a note at the bottom of the page if you want to be entered in a prize drawing for a free CD from one of the Second Show musicians! Again, there’s nothing to buy, it’s just a way to say thanks for giving me some feedback and taking part in this interactive part of the show. (I’ve already got two autographed CDs ready to give away to one of you faithful listeners!)

Julie’s Music featured on Show #5 Bob claimed this signed CD

No Strings Attached

There’s nothing to buy, no catch. It’s just some fun and a way for me to see what folks think.

Ann ’s Music featured on Show #5

Spam Sucks!

I promise I’ll guard your email address with every fibre of my being, never ever letting it get in the hands of any of those nasty spammers.

Derek’s Music featured on Show #5 Kelli won this signed CD

Okay, I’m back and I have a couple of interviews “in the bag” as they say. Just need editing and putting together.

Interesting that while in the States I heard podcasting mentioned twice on mainstream radio. On the other hand, most people I spent time with are online very seldomly, have never seen an MP3 player, and aren’t gonna be listening to podcasts at all.

Hey! someone’s taken my First FirstPersonShow.net Poll! wow!

thanks,
Kevin

Just a quick note to say it’s gonna be at least a few weeks before my next show is posted–but It’ll be worth the wait, it’s gonna be good! After finding a handful of new music websites, and going through loads of songs, I’ve found my two songs for the next show, and I think they’re great!

More about the music and techie stuff about me & my seven year old testing a dual-microphone setup coming soon.

I’m gonna be away from the internet for a week or so, but while I’m away I might get some interviews which would be great.

Interview-wise I’ve got plenty of interesting folks with great stories to share.

I’ve just lined up an interview with Rod, an old colleague who’s a writer and who will undoubtably have some great stuff.

I’ve just recorded an interview with Doug, a neighbor who tells of his capture and 5-years as a prisoner-of-war.

Pat pretty much inspired this whole project. Her very interesting stories and gifted delivery combines tragedy with humour–keeping me on the edge of my seat. All this from a “regular person”. I’m still working on getting her story recorded.

I’ve got more material from Maurice and my wife’s Granny, Joan ready to edit and publish as well!

Subscribe now and you’ll get these interviews and their shows as soon as they come out.