GEM CITY STARS part 3 - Get UR pOpCoRn RDY - This episode features Life In Idle a local Dayton Ohio post emo group. These guys are awesome. They've been playing out together for years, and it shows. They are really connected as band and focused on their craft. I love what they have to say about the music industry. If you are an artist - then this film is for you. It's a blueprint on how to navigate yourself as an artist in this complicated world we call the music industry. You will hear insight from people that know what they're talking about. I love their outlook on this subject and even I have a better understanding now on where I fit within the music industry. So thank you to everyone that has been involved. Ive always wanted to be an advocate for artists. Im an artist, my wife is an artist, and my kids are artists (as all children are). Like I said, Ive learned a lot making this film but the main points are this - Making Art and Music is first and foremost suppose to be FUN. Also, I think local art is vastly under appreciated in our society (which isn't good for anyone) AND Artists just don't have the money like the majors due to market and advertise. But if this is what you want to do for a living (music being your main source of income) know that you are going to struggle & You need to acquire 1,000 true fans. You need those true fans email accounts. DIRECT TO CONSUMER. And John from Life In Idle said this - "Always do it for yourself - and eventually people will come along and say - Hey that did it for me. "And that's all artists want at the end of the day. Some acknowledgement and appreciation. But it's hard to get that from a fan or anyone for that matter unless you have a story to tell and you are true to yourself. Oh and don't suck. lol But always do it for you. One of my college instructors said this once - If you can put a smile on one persons face from your music, then you've done your job". - Dole Shaffer

Part 2 features Mark Thomas III aka TYS Markie! This dude is a huge personality and I think you're going to like him. I should've mentioned last time that the intro music to this documentary is from none other than Dayton's very own Eric Mummey. He just released a new album The Vision - Mumm E. and I think his music is great!

I also need to shout out a man who most people have heard of in my community - Moe Beats - When I was working at ICB - I heard his name all the time. He was an amazing mentor and overall great leader and I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet him. I LOVE making this documentary and everyone that has been apart of it and willing to participate have been awesome. So thank you for making this possible.

I hope you enjoy part 2 of my new series GEM CITY STARS.

I don’t own the rights to the ending music. It’s “Don’t dream it’s over” by Crowded House is owned by UMG . Universal Music GroupEDUCATE - INSPIRE - PROMOTE

Im excited to announce that the first part of my documentary "GEM CITY STARS" is now available for your viewing pleasure.

The first episode highlights an evening with Luther Suede, Davion Luster, Trey Luster and Jasmine Yvonne in Cincinnati at a show called the Dayton Invasion in OTR. I also feature two poets that I thought were just tremendous - Nick Fury and Zorn Face. Ive never made a film before, but always wanted to.

My objective here is to Inspire - Educate - Promote.

©2023

Bill Thompson is a voting member of the Grammy's, and Course Director at Full Sail University who resides in Orlando, Florida. He's done well for himself in the music world and has a lot of great insight concerning the music industry. Listen to hour 30 minute conversation where we discuss niche markets, saturation, promotion, the difference between analog and digital recordings and much more.

Season 3 Episode 2 - Justin talks to Dole Shaffer (Music/Video Producer) about struggling as an artist, how important it is to consistently create, and pitfalls in the music industry. 

This week I speak with my wife Sarah Cavin Cost. We've been married for 12 years and believe it or not - There are still things we don't know about each other.

Listen to our dual questionnaire as we discuss her future projects that are currently in the works, her most memorable moment performing on stage, and what will the next Justin Cost album cover look like?

Danny Neff and I love to talk music. He just started his second radio station/company called NeffTunes. Dan still operates WSUT Straight Up Tunes Radio and has a massive following.

Meet Dole Shaffer. He was my instructor at ICB and inspired the heck out of me. He has recorded over 3k songs and now works at iHeart Radio.

We talked about not focusing on public opinion when releasing music, opening up for groups that have an established fan base, finding iconic voices and much more.

Dayton Ohio music artist Brice Meriwether and I have a past. I recorded/produced his first album - which to my knowledge has never been released. Always enjoyable to work with and he always has a catchy tune up his sleeve.

Meet Joseph Bargdill. We worked together at ICB and he is now an instructor at the Greene County Career Center. He has produced movies, worked at WKEF/WRGT, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and he writes his own novels.

We discuss how to deal with failure, jealousy and the roller coaster of life. Joseph Bargdill has a great outlook on life saying things like "Losing is Learning" and "don't lower your expectations".

Check out his new novel Cartel Sunset "Crime pays, But at a Cost". Its a story about greed vs love.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WVQWCC1