Top Podcasts for Musicians Wanting the Best

There are countless ways to discover new music on line, and a growing trend is podcasts. Podcast is an audio broadcast similar to a radio broadcast that has been converted to digital format, usually mp3 and is made available for listening and downloading via the Internet. iTunes is one of the leading ways to download podcasts and most are offered free of charge. Podcasts also can be enjoyed "live" via the internet at the time of broadcast. The beauty of many of the podcasts about music is the behind the scenes interviews with the musicians and experts in the music field. This makes for a great way for fans to discover more about the artists and for musicians to discover the treads in the music business. Many also have 'call in' feature, where you can call in and ask questions of the host and their guests. Not much different than an 'on air' radio broadcast.

Another similarity is the vast number of shows offered. To find the best ones can be a daunting task. Blogtalk Radio is the leading place to find the best shows and the best variety of music. But a quick search of Blogtalk will uncover over four thousand shows geared toward music and the music industry. For fans, it is a goldmine, but for musicians who want to gain exposure, it can be a hassle to find the ones that not only understand the world of Indie music but have a good listening base, and work hard to draw in even more to listen. To help you out, let me tell you about the top five podcasts for musicians to focus on.

Champagne Sundays

Hosted by Mother - Daughter team of Nancy Reid and Lisa Smith, this show not only offers some of the best music but great interviews with musicians, authors, and a wide variety of guests.
Champagne Sundays is a part of The Big Blend , which includes an on line magazine, Big Blend TV, and a variety of Blogtalk shows.

WSF Radio

Hosted by "Indie Lady A" - Adrienne Manson . Lady A's love of music comes shining through as she interviews only the best in the Indie music scene. WSFRadio also has 'listening parties' where select artists music is highlighted.
WSF Radio is a division of Abundant Waters Management that includes AWM Records.

Indie on Air!

A show geared toward true music lovers and for musicians themselves. Top Indie musicians share their experiences and music and talk shop with Jeff "Classic" Popka, making it a great show for musicians to tune into as well.
Indie On Air! along with Planet L.A. Records & Not For Sale Campaign are sponsors of the Abolitionist Tour! coming in 2011 to bring awareness to the cause of Human Trafficking.

Twitter Tuesday LIVE!

Butterflies Radio uses a platform called podomatic on podomatic.com to bring this unique podcast to their internet radio audience. An interactive show geared toward their twitter friends base, they bring some of the best in Indie music, and those who mention @allindie on twitter can recieve kudos on the air from the host, Mark. By using twitter, they are quickly building a strong listening base and are bring fans and musicians together.
Twitter Tuesday LIVE! is part of Butterflies Radio Network, strictly geared towards the promotion of Indie Musicians.

UStreamTV

UStreamTV is becoming the hottest thing for music, and one look you can see why. Not a traditional 'podcast', UStream is a videocast - the music fans and not only hear, but see their favorite DJs, hosts, and musicians. In the music category alone, there is over 182,000 broadcasts, more than any other platform on line. The reason is simple, people are visual and they like to fell they are a part of something. With UStreamTV, they can hear and see the hosts, ask questions or simply chat via text with the rest of the listeners.

Many bands are using UStream as a way to personally connect with their fans. The Damien Cripps Band out of Perth, Australia is a great example. Every show they have is streamed live from location and front-man Damien Cripps has a weekly 'video blog' where he and some special guests chat with the fans and let them know not only what is going on, but that they appreciate the fans as well. This has allowed them to expand their fan base globally.