A Million In Prizes!

As part of this year's mix exchange, I have decided to make it interesting and give a little incentive to all of you to make your mixes with particular care and excellence. In addition to doing something awesome and making someone's day within the scope of this year's mix theme: Songs Every Kid Should Hear Early--music that helped you along at any point in your personal growth, or songs you would give to a kid now to help blow their mind before it's too late (see below how i got to this theme)-- I am having a contest to give away three fabulous prizes for my favorite mixes. Here's how it works:

THE REGULAR AWESOME DMTS MIX EXCHANGE

1) You sign up to participate in this year's DMTS Mix Exchange by the sign up deadline of January 15, 2011.
2) You will get someone else's address randomly selected by me who is also participating in the Exchange.
3) You make a mix CD with love, and craft it's contents and packaging with care, including all artist and numbered track info.
4) You mail your CD promptly and punctually by the mailing deadline of February 25th, 2011.
5) Wait by the mailbox, write a thank you letter to your Mixbuddy when you get your new disc.

PHASE 2 AWESOME FOR PRIZES AND GLORY

1) Do all the things in the Regular Awesome DMTS Mix Exchange as outlined above.
2) Send a copy of your mix to me as well.
3) For all received submissions, I will review publicly on this blog, and select my 3 favorites. The top 3 will get a cool prize.

THE AWESOME PRIZES

1st Prize: A signed copy of my first book, Ham In A Pram.
2nd Prize: A signed copy of my 1st coloring book, Animals In Funny Situations.
3rd Prize: A copy of my 2011 DMTS Mix

What makes a prizewinning mix?

1) Content, Content, Content

Well planned music flow, variety, one that creates a vivid picture of the maker, and tells an interesting story, as well as being a good collection of songs that expand your music collection and your mind.

2) Packaging

I really go nuts with packaging my mixes. And when I get a mix in the mail, I really love to have a birthday/holiday present feeling about opening it, the same as the birthday/holiday present feeling i put into wrapping one I have created and sent. I like to put a variety of mixed media images into my cover art, make a fancy playlist, liner notes, laminate, wrap the thing up fancy. I have gotten some really interesting stuff over the years--re-used DVD cases, jewel encrusted wood boxes, one of those AOL mailer thingies that was cut apart and sewn back together with photographs of a road trip all over it. The list is long, but the point is, how many of us take the time to actually make anything? Some of us only once a year. Make something awesome.

3) Personal Bias and Luck

The way I figure it, having something of a weird taste in music, if I make a mix that 1/4 of the tracks are liked by the recipient, I feel like it is a success. I've gotten mixes before (and I'm sure given a few) that only one song was anything I would listen to twice. And even one new song you learn to love is a victory. When you make a mix for someone you know, it's a little easier to put yourself and the recipient into context, with shared band interests, life experience, insude jokes, what have you. The beauty and challenge of the DMTS is that you may or may not know the person getting your mix at all, which makes it all the more imperative to put a careful level of craft into your product, one that is a very thoughtful presentation of yourself in relation to the theme. It is likely that within the DMTS there is a variety of musical nerd who will give your disc a thorough spin at least once, so make that span of attention count for something. It's not often you get the complete attention of a stranger for an hour or more--even someone you know well, on some days, so this is a golden opportunity to overshare, stimulate, shed old skin, paint new hides, incorporate, discorporate, abuse the postal system with mirth, speak another language, and have a good time doing it.

As for making a mix for me, I am a cranky music snob, and I love certain songs for all the wrong reasons, and judge others unfairly. So don't try to butter me up with this. Be honest. Make a good Mix. This year's theme is all about turning the troubles of your past into a message of hope for the future. I won't judge your musical taste, but your precious artwork will be in the spotlight. So go get 'em!

A last note: I was talking to one of last year's participants about the new theme, and she said,

"Oh man, I listened to a Lot Of Morrissey. Guess I won't overdo that."

Now, it is common knowledge I don't love Morrissey. Or the Smiths. Or the Cure. But, it happens, people. You all liked someone I would be angry about hearing come out of my stereo. And the inverse is frequently true. A good rule of thumb is to never put more than one track by the same artist on the same mix disc. If Morrissey makes the cut, I will be willing to accept that at some point in your life they guy made a difference to you, and you would be willing to give that to someone else. But let's not overdo him. Or anyone. Amen.