Feel free to copy, link or otherwise use this page in any manner you see fit. If you utilize this site and appreciate the creation of it and my hosting it, consider contacting me for a trade. Just click to view my Bruce Springsteen Trade List.

    With the advances in data storage technologies, many concert recordings of various bands are now available from private traders.  This page details how to start your own CD collection, and is geared to help those who wish to collect shows by Bruce Springsteen and Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band.  These instructions can also pertain to other bands, such as Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and The Grateful Dead.

    B&P stands for "Blanks and Postage." This arrangement allows a new trader who has a small or non-existent collection to acquire shows. In return for sending blank discs with return postage, one can end up with excellent shows on CD. It is important to note that shows are NEVER sold, and the practice of sending more blanks than the show requires is frowned upon...unless an extra is included in case of a burning error (aka a "coaster").  Remember, it is your choice to participate, and you can choose to accept this arrangement or make arrangements for other terms.

    An individual who has a show to offer will post an announcement to a newsgroup.  You apply and are selected.  Or you could post an appeal and garner a response.  You are then given instructions, and an address.  You send off the required number of blank CD-R discs, along with a return mailer with sufficient postage.  The trader takes your blank discs and records the concert onto those discs, and then mails them back to you.  The trader receives nothing in return for this service. The community exists bacause of the willingness of its members to share.

    The first step in participating in a B&P deal is to locate a B&P offer.  I've found the best place to locate these deals is the Usenet newsgroup rec.music.artists.springsteen.    This newsgroup has B&P notices from individuals frequently, and has established the third Sunday of each month as "B&P Day".  On this day, many people post B&P offers and your chances are good of being accepted.

    Resourcesfortraders.com is a good source for finding someone to do a B&P with.  You may be able to locate other sources, depending on what band you are interested in. 

    One thing to check before you reply to an offer, is whether the original message has any replies.  When a trader has filled his offer, he will usually reply to his original message and append the word "CLOSED" to the end of the subject.  Check to make sure that the offer is still open before you reply.  And if a deadline has passed, don't reply or grovel.  Honor the trader's request and keep looking.

    When you see a B&P offer that interests you, make sure it is what you really want.  If the offer contains the word "analog", it generally refers to a cassette tape offer.  Usually, an offer will only refer to a show date.  For Springsteen shows, you can find set lists online at;

• Simon's Spingsteen Tape List
• Rich Breton's "Brucelegs" Homepage
• Bruce Springsteen, All His Music
• BruceBase (Database of setlists)

    There may well be other sites on the net with set lists, but these are some great reference sources.

    Once you've determined that a B&P offer is something you would like to have, you need to quickly respond to the offer.  It is important that you do so in the manner indicated in the message.  Here's a typical B&P posting;

>>For B&P Day this month, I'll offer up my first CD-R, 12/31/75 @ The Tower Theater in Philadelphia.  This show fits on 2 CDs, and my burner works best with made in Japan TDK, Sony, HP, or Fuji discs.  You must be able to get blanks in the mail in the next three days.  I'll take the first five people who respond via e-mail.<<

    There are several things in this offer that are important.  The first is the show being offered, December 31, 1975.  Also note that you'll need 2 blank discs, and made in Japan Sony, TDK, HP, and Fuji are preferred.  If you send other discs, such as cheap generic bulk discs, they may fail in the traders CD burner, and he will have made three handy coasters for you and you don't get the show.

    Also, the time period is important.  If a deadline was given and you can't make it in time, the trader will end up sending back your blank discs, and you will have prevented somebody who could have met the deadline from getting the show.  Most traders keep shows on their hard drive to make copies, and don't want to keep the same shows on their hard drive forever.  This is why they like to conclude the B&P as quickly as possible.

    A very important part of the above offer is that the trader will accept the first 5 people who e-mail him.  This means that you must get your message off quickly.  Some traders pick random requests, and stop accepting requests at a certain time.  And make sure you send your request in e-mail (which is usually the preferred method) and not post it to the newsgroup.  

    When you do reply, it helps to add some of your personality to the request.  Even though some traders accept the first X number of people, it helps if you don't treat them as robots.  Messages like "Sign me up for the B&P" don't help your cause at all.  Here's how I would respond to the above fictitious offer;

>>Hi There!  And thanks for posting such a generous offer.  I used to trade tapes, but stopped after getting many lousy quality tapes.  I'm just starting to get into shows on CD, and don't have anything yet.  My first show was 12/31/80, so I'm gonna try and trade for that show if I can get in on your B&P.  Thanks again for the time you're taking to make the show available.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Rave On!<<

    You usually will hear back about the B&P in a day or so.  If you don't hear back, that generally means that you didn't get in.  Don't fret over it, just keep looking around until you get in somewhere - sometimes it takes a little bit.  

    When you do hear back, you'll receive an e-mail that includes instructions and an address.  This message may look something like this;

>>Congratulations, you made my 12/31/75 B&P.  Please send 2 blank CD-R discs to me (most branded discs work fine, but generics have been known not to work).  Please use my address below, and make note on the outside stating, "B&P" and the show date.  Be sure to include a SASE (bubble) mailer as well as proper return postage (attached) and a note telling me which show I am burning for you. Thanks and happy B&Ping...

Joe Trader
123 Any Street
Anytown, USA 12345<<

    Before you do anything else, reply to the message and tell the trader that you acknowledge your acceptance and are preparing the materials for immediate shipment.  Let them know what your estimated timeframe is, and how you can be contacted.  And be sure to WRITE DOWN and save the name and details of the B&P somewhere. Trust me on this one!

To participate in a B&P, you'll need several things. You can get everything you need at Office Max, Staples, or most office supply stores to do your B&P. I use the following;

    Bear in mind that these items may be available through other sources at better prices. Blank CD-Rs can be bought in bulk, often in spindles of 25 to 50. However, you need to remember that the discs you buy need to work in other people's burners. The people doing the B&P will let you know what discs work for them, and everybody I've worked with so far has accepted Sony, Fuji, and TDK. They seem to be the Maxell of CD-Rs.  It is not necessary to buy "Audio" discs, as these are the same as "Data" or "Computer" discs with licensing fees included in the price!

    Also, if you can find a smaller envelope than the 9x12 Tyvek for shipping there, that the bubble mailer will fit into, use it. Some traders have a hard time getting the large envelope delivered to their residence.  Many people find that manila envelopes will work just fine.

Doing the Deed

Now, here's what to do with the assembled materials:

	1. Jewel Cases will usually not survive the shipping, and add significantly to the postage costs.  So take the required number of discs and place them into either clamshells or Tyvek sleeves. I got mine from American-Digital.  Clamshells provide better protection, but increase the postage cost.  Most people find that sleeves work fine.
	2. Put an address label on the bubble mailer, to reflect that it will be coming FROM the trader TO you. Be sure to use a return address where this mailer can be delivered to you.  You can write directly on the envelope if you prefer, especially if it will keep the weight under 3 ounces ($0.77) or 4 ounces ($1.03).
	3. Put the discs into the Bubble Mailer.
	4. Write a short note explaining the B&P deal you've arranged, including the show you are getting and your e-mail address.  Be sure to mention how happy you are that this kind person is willing to do this for you.
	5. Put this note into the bubble mailer with the CDs.  Do NOT seal the Bubble Mailer.
	6. Take a large Tyvek envelope and put an address label on it FROM you TO the trader.  If possible, put the show date on the envelope somewhere, or next to/under the trader's name.  You can also write the information directly on the envelope, if you prefer.
	7. Put the UNSEALED Bubble Mailer into the Tyvek envelope.

    Take both of these envelopes to your local post office, or proceed as listed below if you already know postage rates (I don't). Actually, I send my stuff from work, where we have a postal scale in shipping. You can also take the materials to a local commercial shipping center, like Mailboxes USA, but you'll need to actually watch them to ensure that they do everything correctly.  Often, the person doing the work will not be the person you talk to.  Ask if they can take care of it while you're there, or go elsewhere.  If you find that your packages always cost the same to mail, just use stamps in that amount.

   Going International? Be aware that your local postage can not be used to return the package to you from another country.  There are several solutions to this dilemma, the key being to work out the situation with the trader in advance.  You can always convert small amounts of currency and send that along.  And some traders welcome additional blanks instead of postage.  Just be sure to ask the trader how they prefer to handle international postage. A good idea for international trades is International Reply Coupons (IRCs). These are coupons you buy in Post Offices in your own country. The trader can then exchange these in his own Post Office for stamps. The exchange rates in US Post Offices is $.60 or $.80 per coupon. Another good resource is the U.S. Postal Service International Postage Calculator.

    If it took you longer than 3-5 days to get the package out, you should send a notice off to the trader that you've got the package in the mail, and remind him of the deal. Then all you have to do is sit back and wait for the bubble mailer to come home to roost!

    It will normally take 2-3 weeks for your show to arrive, sometimes longer, sometimes faster.  Understand that traders live normal, full lives like the rest of us.  And dubbing a show for you can tie up their entire computer.  So, be patient and keep checking that mailbox.  If you don't hear anything and a month goes by, feel free to inquire about the status of your B&P.  Use your own judgment here.

    When your show arrives, inside you will find your original CD-Rs, only now they contain the show you requested. (Note that some traders will send you back the show on different blanks.)  Also, the show may come back with no notation on what show it is.  You'll need your note from when you sent the package out (you DID write it down, didn't you?) to figure out what show it is.  Most traders will write small numbers on the inside ring of the CD to indicate the disc number (1,2,3).

    I listen to the show several times for enjoyment and to get an overall feel for it.  Then I do one pass of critical listening, to make sure that the show is trade-worthy.  I then e-mail the trader, letting him know what I thought of the show, and thanking him again for taking the time to enhance my personal collection.  I may also ask the trader any questions I have about the show, such as lineage and sources, etc.

    If I have any problems with the show at all, I contact the trader immediately to see if my CDs reflect his masters, or if I got a bad copy.  I let them know specifically what I'm hearing and where, and what I think it might be.  If you treat the trader as a friend who is helping you out, you'll get a much better response than treating him unkindly.

    I use software to track my collection and trades.  Personally, I choose Tape Tracker.  I like the ability to enter a trade into Tape Tracker and have it keep track for me, instead of having to remember it all myself.  It allows me to take on more trades and B&P's than I normally would be able to.

    I hope the information I've included here helps you get started with B&Ps.  Remember, B&Ps are aimed at getting you started.  Once you've got some shows and the ability to burn copies, you can graduate to trading shows.  And don't forget to offer up a B&P occasionally to the new guys!

    Thanks and kudos to the amazing community at rec.music.artists.springsteen for helping me to get started with B&P's as I convert my collection to CD.    Please forward any corrections to this page to me via e-mail.

    OK, you made it this far - and hopefully soon you'll have earned some gratification and gained some knowledge.  And if you utilize this site and appreciate me hosting it, consider contacting for a trade. My Bruce Springsteen Trade List!. And check out the TREE information below...

    When dealing with TREES in trading groups, identify your level of participation (Seed, Branch, Leaf) within the tree. A SEED begins the TREE and is the source of the TREE'S master disc(s). The SEED fills the "upper" BRANCHES who, in turn, fill the "lower" BRANCHES who then fill the LEAFS.

      NOTE: BRANCHES must be able to burn shows DAO (disc-at-once)! Anyone unable to burn a show DAO, should register for the tree as a LEAF.

SUGGESTED CODE OF ETHICS FOR TREES

• Use quality discs (Sony, TDK, HP, or Fuji made in Japan) unless specific brand is requested by your Branch
• Use 80 minute discs to ensure sets are not truncated (cut short)
• Leafs should promptly forward B&P to Branch unless other arrangements are agreed to
• Branches MUST be able to burn 80 minute discs DAO (disc-at-once) and agree to reburn shows that are erroneously burned TAO (track-at-once) at the Branch's expense
• Branches should be able to turnaround their Leafs' discs promptly (within one week of receiving B&P is the expected norm)
• Shows are not to be truncated (no removal of narration, applause, or songs to reduce disc space)
• Branches requesting 2:1 (two discs for each one to be burned) are not encouraged!!!

    ALWAYS consult with your BRANCH or the host of the TREE for specific instructions.