Editorials | White Dog Communications

Favorite Steve O “First Take” and “Front Page” editorials.

Episode IV: A New Hope (January 1998) In my first editorial column, I reflected on the history of Electronic Musician magazine and the rebellion against the belief that only the few who can afford to record in commercial studios can produce professional-quality music.	Eyes on the Prize (October 2000) Setting goals, establishing reasonable rules, and being flexible and patient helps keep people positive and productive.	Giving Back (March 2001) The best way to thank your benefactors is by helping others.
Keepers of the Flame (March 2000) We in the music industry are the keepers of the flame of musical knowledge. Do your part to keep the flame burning.	Alone at Home (July 2001) Get feedback before your project is too far into production, especially if you are trying something new or unusual.	Pro Choice (December 2000) There is no right way or wrong way to record as long as you are willing to take risks.
A Clear Message (December 2001) Media consolidation presents a danger to freedom of speech.	In Search of Cibola (May 1999) If you fail to find public acclaim, you can still accomplish something important and lasting.	Liberation Theology (October 1998) If it feels wrong, don’t do it!
Contemplating a Rat’s Rear (May 2002) Periodically, you have to step back from whatever you are doing and ask yourself, “Who gives a rat’s ass?”	Lessons Dogs Have Taught Me (August 2006) Dogs have taught me many lessons that I have found useful when dealing with musicians in a studio environment.	Giving It All Away (September 2000) If musicians won’t fight for the right to determine what we charge for and what we voluntarily give away, we might as well resign ourselves to sharecropping.
All In A Day’s Work (March 2003) The secret is to keep things in perspective.	The Land of Opportunity (May 2003) If you want music programs in the schools to prosper, let your local and state officials hear about it loud and clear.	Organization, Man (August 2001) Being well organized doesn’t guarantee success, but your chances are far better if you apply these simple tips.
Spring Cleaning (May 2000) Spring is a great time to take mental and emotional stock of your studio, your band, and your music.		When Times Get Tough (September 2003) The bottom line includes doing business in a sensible, ethical, and just way.

The complete collection of Steve O.’s Electronic Musician “Front Page” and “First Take” editorials.

January 1998	Episode IV: A New Hope	January 2003	Coming Into Site (2003)
February 1998	Something Old, Something New	February 2003	Celebrating a Revolution
March 1998	Solving the Plug-in Dilemma	March 2003	All In A Day’s Work
April 1998	I’ll Take One of Each	April 2003	One More Thing to Sing the Blues About
May 1998	A Blast from the Past	May 2003	The Land of Opportunity
June 1998	A Knave Judges A King	June 2003	We Play Requests
July 1998	The Studio of Dreams	July 2003	Life is Change
August 1998	What’s the Plan?	August 2003	Share and Share Alike
September 1998	A Bit Much	September 2003	When Times Get Tough
October 1998	Liberation Theology	October 2003	Plugging In
November 1998	Baked, Not Fried	November 2003	Listening to You
December 1998	The X Files	December 2003	Picture This
January 1999	A Modest Proposal	January 2004	Value at Any Cost
February 1999	To Sir with Live	February 2004	Starting Over
March 1999	Multiple Personality Disorder	March 2004	Guiding the Blind
April 1999	More Than Meets the Eye	April 2004	Technical Nonsupport
May 1999	In Search of Cibola	May 2004	Spring Cleaning (2004)
June 1999	Walk the Plank!	June 2004	Producing Good Music for Bad Singers
July 1999	Celebrating Independence Day	July 2004	Get It While You Can
August 1999	The Chairman of the Boards	August 2004	Creating a Multiheaded Computer Beast
September 1999	What’s in a Name?	September 2004	Can We Still Count on the Big Five?
October 1999	How Sweet it Is	October 2004	Buying In
November 1999	The Price We Pay	November 2004	Spreading Your Web
December 1999	Future Shock	December 2004	A Reviews Extravaganza
January 2000	High Anxiety	January 2005	Dangling Dongles
February 2000	Hear Ye!	February 2005	It’s Getting Better All the Time
March 2000	Keepers of the Flame	March 2005	Emulating Sliding Piatti
April 2000	It’s No Joke	April 2005	Coming Into Site (2005)
May 2000	Spring Cleaning (2000)	May 2005	You Better Mess Around
June 2000	May We Quote You?	June 2005	Smoked Out

July 2000	Simple Pleasures	July 2005	Little Things That Matter
August 2000	From the Exotic to the Mundane	August 2005	Fearless Production
September 2000	Giving It All Away	September 2005	Seq and Ye Shall Find
October 2000	Eyes on the Prize	October 2005	A Legend Passes Into History
November 2000	Back to Basics	November 2005	The Client
December 2000	Pro Choice	December 2005	That Was the Year That Was
January 2001	Fifteen Candles	January 2006	It Was 20 Years Ago Today
February 2001	You Better? You Bet!	February 2006	Reviewing the Reviews
March 2001	Giving Back	March 2006	Blog Is a Four-Letter Word
April 2001	‘Tis Magic	April 2006	The Expedition
May 2001	Studio Integration	May 2006	Meals and Media
June 2001	A Midyear Review	June 2006	The Analog Revival
July 2001	Alone at Home	July 2006	The Man Behind the Curtain
August 2001	Organization, Man	August 2006	Lessons Dogs Have Taught Me
September 2001	Weaving Home	September 2006	Doing It Because You Can
October 2001	What? A Card?	October 2006	A Site for Sore Eyes
November 2001	Lessons Learned	November 2006	The Final Mix
December 2001	A Clear Message	December 2006	AES Online
January 2002	Trivial Pursuits	January 2007	Get On the Bus, Gus!
February 2002	No Explanation Necessary	February 2007	The Rest of the Story
March 2002	Still Alive and Well	March 2007	Podcasting Bread on the Waters
April 2002	A Time for Us	April 2007	Why Bad Things Happen to Good Plug-Ins
May 2002	Contemplating a Rat’s Rear	May 2007	Get the Picture
June 2002	The Tortoise and the Hare	June 2007	Of Death, Taxes, and Roundups
July 2002	Wrongs or Rights?	July 2007	Be Prepared
August 2002	Says Who?	August 2007	Happy Trails
September 2002	Big Mac Attack!	These articles are reprinted from the pages of Electronic Musician magazine, a property of NewBay Media, and are used with the permission of its publisher. Many are only available in digital form on this site. For more EM content and information about the magazine, please visit www.emusician.com.
October 2002	Take Me Out to the Ballgame