Jordan Rudess starts PledgeMusic Campaign for TWO Solo Albums

[Shadow2222]

Here is an excerpt from the description:

... For "Explorations," we will be creating an entirely virtual orchestral experience. We will bring virtuoso instrumental players into the studio and not only make an audio recording but also capture them on film with the goal of creating a unique, visual experience.

My solo piano album entitled "Explores" will be created as a completely interactive iOS app experience in addition to being made available in a CD and digital download format. You can sit back and simply enjoy the album or add your personal touch or play a duet with me and share your version with your friends.

Your Pledge will Pre-Order the new album.
Your pledge, no matter which item, experience and price secures you an early access full album download before the street release date. Guaranteed.

It also unlocks access to the updates page, where I'll be posting exclusive videos, tracks, photos and even blogs – all of which chronicle the making and release of the album. It's our private diary, and an inside look at the studio.

I'll see you... on the virtual pledge road.

Jordan

https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/jordanrudess

The minimum pledge is $10 and guarantees you the "Explorations" album (which may only be the 25 minute track). Notice that there are two albums coming, the orchestral "Explorations" and the solo piano album "Explores." There are many cool rewards such as an app, signed artwork by JR, and even DT related ones such as 2 aftershow passes for $500.

The goal seems to be $80,000, and as of this post, he is at 15%.

All of the pledge rewards, including the album itself, are set to be delivered/done by February of 2014.

[Implode]

Look at those rewards! Phone call, Skype lesson, house concert? That's awesome. 

[Shadow2222]

Yes they are! I had to do the aftershow passes for me and my DT buddy.

[goo-goo]

Pledged for both cds and the dvd.

[Shadow2222]

Wow, not even a day in and he has 18% of his goal already, with a ton of the big rewards remaining.

Speaking of the big rewards, a couple aftershow passes and tickets are gone, as well as all of the Skype lessons. In fact, someone has even pledged for the house concert (was it you TempusVox?  ).

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Wait, really? Was not 5 concerts the starting bid?

[Shadow2222]

It looks like someone withdrew the house concert. It was at 4 when I checked.

[Scrub206]

It's times like these where i wish i had an extra 10 grand laying around.

[Aythesryche]

It's times like these where i wish i had an extra 10 grand laying around.

Depending on where you live it would be a lot more. 10k for Jordan, $1000-$5000+ for plane ticket (Depending on how generous you are with business-first class seating.) plus hotel for a night or two ($100-500+ per night). I'd definitely offer the guy either an awesome home cooked meal or offer him out to a great place to eat. (50-200+) cab fare, rentacar, misc fees could be a few hundred more bucks. I wouldn't even think about it unless I was willing to set aside at least double that $10k amount.

[wasteland]

It's times like these where i wish i had an extra 10 grand laying around.

Depending on where you live it would be a lot more. 10k for Jordan, $1000-$5000+ for plane ticket (Depending on how generous you are with business-first class seating.) plus hotel for a night or two ($100-500+ per night). I'd definitely offer the guy either an awesome home cooked meal or offer him out to a great place to eat. (50-200+) cab fare, rentacar, misc fees could be a few hundred more bucks. I wouldn't even think about it unless I was willing to set aside at least double that $10k amount.

Unless he played for free and employed the pledged money for all the business you just wrote. 

[Aythesryche]

The 10k fee doesn't cover airfare or other expenses honey. It's stipulated in the description of his offer.

[Perpetual Change]

That's really, really steep You could get a decent Baby Grand for that!

[Meatrose]

I am excited to tell you about this brand new award that was just added -- A Virtual Lunch with me via Skype (maximum 15 minutes), only 5 are available. Let's plan a lunch and have it over Skype. We can talk about my new albums, the new Dream Theater album or whatever you like. Hmm, maybe some pizza? Grab your lunch award before they are soldout.

Bring out your wallets people, imagine telling your friends that you "just had lunch with Jordan Rudess". 

He's added a couple of new rewards lately, be sure to check them out.

[rumborak]

I have zero interest in JR's musical endeavors, but I gotta tip my hat at his business acumen. He knows how to spin something for monetization without selling out.

[Fisi]

Hey folks, only 8 days remaining, and he's only reached 85% of the goal. Go pledge now if you want this to happen! There's still one phone call left if that's what interests you. 

[Shadow2222]

Yeah, and if you aren't familiar with how these pledge systems work, if he gets even 1 dollar less than his goal, he will get nothing, so I really hope he can reach it.

[Lolzeez]

You guys think he can ship the signed cd all the way to Turkey? If so,my money is ready.

[MoraWintersoul]

You guys think he can ship the signed cd all the way to Turkey?

He can.

[Lolzeez]

You guys think he can ship the signed cd all the way to Turkey?

He can.

Well,he is a wizard after all. 
You gonna get one for yourself?

[TL]

Pledged for the two albums.

I really wish it stated the amounts for the goal, and how much has been pledged so far. I think some people would be more likely to pledge money if they knew how close or far he was from his goal.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I don't understand, if he doesn't reach 100% of his goal he won't do any of the stuff people have pleged for?

[robwebster]

I don't understand, if he doesn't reach 100% of his goal he won't do any of the stuff people have pleged for?

Yes - the people have pledged money, not actually donated it. The money only goes through, the project only launches, and the rewards only happen if he reaches his goal. Otherwise, there'd be a risk that people would spend £50, £100, in some instances thousands of pounds, dollars, rupees, whatever on an album that's never going to be financially viable.

[MoraWintersoul]

You guys think he can ship the signed cd all the way to Turkey?

He can.

Well,he is a wizard after all. 
You gonna get one for yourself?

Nopesies, don't have the proper internet payment methods for this at my disposal. I hope he makes it, though, so I could get the CDs later when they get on my shortlist

[Lolzeez]

You guys think he can ship the signed cd all the way to Turkey?

He can.

Well,he is a wizard after all. 
You gonna get one for yourself?

Nopesies, don't have the proper internet payment methods for this at my disposal. I hope he makes it, though, so I could get the CDs later when they get on my shortlist

Give me your adress for a signed CD. And some 15 year old geeky prog snob. 

[BlobVanDam]

It jumped up in the past day or so from 80-something to 99%. A big contributor?
I didn't think it would make it, but with 4 days left, it should easily make it now!

[Fisi]

It jumped up in the past day or so from 80-something to 99%. A big contributor?
I didn't think it would make it, but with 4 days left, it should easily make it now!

Yeah, that's really cool. Good job! 

[robwebster]

Hurrah! Yes, I thought this was going to just fall short when I saw it at 85%, too. What is the goal? How much does each 1% represent? Got to be at least $60 dollars, if the minimum plege is a tenner and there's over 600 backers.

[BlobVanDam]

Hurrah! Yes, I thought this was going to just fall short when I saw it at 85%, too. What is the goal? How much does each 1% represent? Got to be at least $60 dollars, if the minimum plege is a tenner and there's over 600 backers.

No idea what his goal is set to. This site is like the introverted cousin of Kickstarter, because it doesn't tell you anything.

[robwebster]

Appropriate, for a kickstarter aimed at Dream Theater fans. We can probably work it out, roughly, from the number of people who've taken each prize.

Which is also appropriate for Dream Theater fans.

[BlobVanDam]

But it doesn't even tell you how many each prize had to begin with, does it? And the majority of donations will likely be the unlimited ones that thus won't give you a figure.

What if he's only $5 away from his goal, and my measly donation could put it over? I'd never know!

[robwebster]

Well! I was thinking, if it's on 99%... I'm earning, now, I might pop a couple of quid in the box. I'm assuming most prizes came in multiples of five. Certainly, it's unlikely that he was offering exactly nineteen pairs of aftershow passes - probably closer to 25. Look at comments, you can see if more than one person's donated for that one - it's more research than I'm particularly bothered by, but... between $10,000 and $15,000 looks like a reasonable approximation. It's definitely more than $6,470, cos some of the prizes are gone, and some of those prizes are for multiple thousands, so I'd say certainly over $10k.

[?]

I would pledge if there was some payment option I could use. Hopefully someone will help Jordan reach the goal!

[Shadow2222]

Well! I was thinking, if it's on 99%... I'm earning, now, I might pop a couple of quid in the box. I'm assuming most prizes came in multiples of five. Certainly, it's unlikely that he was offering exactly nineteen pairs of aftershow passes - probably closer to 25. Look at comments, you can see if more than one person's donated for that one - it's more research than I'm particularly bothered by, but... between $10,000 and $15,000 looks like a reasonable approximation. It's definitely more than $6,470, cos some of the prizes are gone, and some of those prizes are for multiple thousands, so I'd say certainly over $10k.

I did the mathematics near the beginning of the campaign, and I'm almost positive his goal was $80,000.

[robwebster]

Well! I was thinking, if it's on 99%... I'm earning, now, I might pop a couple of quid in the box. I'm assuming most prizes came in multiples of five. Certainly, it's unlikely that he was offering exactly nineteen pairs of aftershow passes - probably closer to 25. Look at comments, you can see if more than one person's donated for that one - it's more research than I'm particularly bothered by, but... between $10,000 and $15,000 looks like a reasonable approximation. It's definitely more than $6,470, cos some of the prizes are gone, and some of those prizes are for multiple thousands, so I'd say certainly over $10k.

I did the mathematics near the beginning of the campaign, and I'm almost positive his goal was $80,000.

Aha! Nowhere near $15,000, then. Excellent sleuthing, sir - how did you get that?

[Lolzeez]

Signed copy of Explorations or both the albums on CD? I'm really stuck here.