FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Index


  • 1)  How can I contact you?
  • 2)  I am looking for a photo; Can I use your pictures on my Web site? Can I get an autographed picture?
  • 3)  I have memorabilia/autographs of XXXXXX; can you tell me how much it is worth?
  • 4)  Will you answer my eMail?
  • 5)  I am looking for lyrics
  • 6)  I am looking for a certain song that a certain Star performed. Can you help me find it?
  • 7)  I am looking for recordings by a certain artist. Can you help me.
  • 8)  I am looking sheet music to a certain song; can you help me?
  • 9)  My Great Grandfather died and left me 25 boxes of Sheetmusic dating from 1700. How much is it worth?
  • 10)  My Grandfather died leaving 25 boxes of 78RPM Records. Can you tell lme how much they are worth? --Do you buy records?
  • 11)  Can I link my Web site to yours?
  • 12)  How can I get my website linked on the Big Bands Database?
  • 13)  Can we Search both the Big Bands Databases and The World Wide Web from your homepage?
  • 14)  Can we Translate any of the pages on the Big Bands Database Plus?
  • 15)  Can I Download it from your site? I am looking for a certain song in midi, mp3, wma, etc, form.
  • 16)  I am doing a research paper/school report on XXXXXXX; can you give me more information?
  • 17)  Generally speaking, do you buy/sell any musical memorabila such as autographed books, sheet music, 78 RPM/LP Vinyl records, Rare Photos, etc., jewelry, etc., etc. Can you tell me who will (buy/sell them), etc., etc.


    How do we contact you?
    At the bottom of virtually every online page (including this one you are now reading) is a "hotlinked" eMail prompt. Just "click" on that prompt and an eMail form will pop up on your computer. Write your message, and just 'click' the "Send" button. For your convenience, here's one of our 'hotlinked' eMail prompts: mlp@nfo.net

    If you are sending information or material not presently online, please let us know that the information is NEW and not an update. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MATTER THAT IS COPYRIGHT MATERIAL, without expressly letting us know. In fact, do not send any copyright matter without first getting our permission.

    PLEASE NOTE:
    If you are writing about a speciific page topic, please remember that we have well over 1000 pages online. We have no way of knowing exactly which pages you were viewing at any given moment. Accordingly, responses will be greatly speeded if you can tell us:
         1.  Which pages you were reading. Sometimes, it helps if you give us the URL.
         2.  Tell us the Topic, or Line, or words to which you make reference.
         3.  Tell us exactly what it is that you wish us to understand, add, delete, edit, or otherwise
              change. And, please point out just why we should make the change.

    You should understand, that due to the history of our site, many errors still do exist, and WE EARNESTLY SOLICIT YOUR HELP IN CORRECTING THESE ERRORS. But we do have to know just WHAT PAGE YOU WERE READING, what item you found wrong, and what you wish us to do, - and why we should do it.

    REVIEWING, you will get a much faster answer if you can tell us the page that caught your interest, what is wrong, or needs attention on that page, and what we should do.

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    I think there is false information on this site. Who do I tell?
    Tell us! Although we always try to get facts straight, we do sometimes err. If you think a fact is wrong on the site, please don't hesitate to tell us. We'd be more than happy to check it out! mlp@nfo.net, Murray Pfeffer. (Be sure to follow the above guidelines when writing us. )
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    I think that I have more information that would be of interest to researchers using the Big Band Database Plus site. Who do I tell?
    We are always interested in receiving more information on any of the subjects found on our site. Simply send an eMail to mlp@nfo.net (Murray Pfeffer) giving us the needed information, and we shall endeavor to place it online fairly promptly, if it seems appropriate. (Be sure to follow the above guidelines when writing us. )
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    Will you answer my eMail?
    We do try to answer as much eMail as we can; however, the volume of incoming mail here is such that sometimes we are unable to answer. (Sometimes, we do answer, but quite delayed.) But, it is our policy to try to answer all mail. Again, if you suspect your eMail was lost, please don't hesitate to resend it.
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    I am doing a research paper/school report on XXXXXXX; can you give me more information?
    All of the information we have is on this site. If there is information you cannot find on this site, you may be able to find a more complete biography at your local public library.

    We are a Public or Private school. How may we reprint one of the pages shown on the Big Bands Database Plus?
    It is our policy to grant free right to reproduce any of our pages to an ACCREDITED educational institution. Simply, write us at mlp@nfo.net, (Murray Pfeffer), let us know the URL of the page in which you are interested, and we shall promptly answer. (We usually ask that a link back to us (http://nfo.net) be shown somewhere. )
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    Can I use your pictures on my Web site?
    Many of the photos on our site are Public Domain. That is, they are publicity photos of one type or another. As such, our permission is not required.

    However, some photographs on our site are exclusive with us (usually - or perhaps always - having been obtained directly from the Artist or Artist's family. We will try to answer queries about specific photos. For these 'exclusive' photos, our permission to reproduce is indeed required.

    Please note that Accredited institutions of learning (and many 'non-profit' sites) are almost always given permission to reproduce photos and other matter from our site.

    I am looking for a particular photo of XXXXXXX; can you help me find it?
    To find photos not shown on this site, please visit one of a number of on-line image banks. Some suggested sites are: Corbis Images Corbis Images, and The Motion Picture Television Photo Archive.

    Can I have an autographed photo of XXXXXX?
    Unfortunately, The Big Bands Database Plus does not distribute autographed photos, music or any other memorabilia of any sort whatever .

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    I have memorabilia/autographs of XXXXXX; can you tell me how much it is worth?
    Unfortunately, The Big Bands Database does not serve as an appraiser for Sheet Music, autographs, Photos, or other memorabilia associated with various musical stars, books and such.

    My Great Grandfather died and left me 25 boxes of Sheetmusic dating from 1700. How much is it worth?
    Again, we are not an appraisal site. We may suggest you use the resources shown on our Links - Sheet Music page.
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    My Grandfather died leaving 25 boxes of 78RPM records. How much are they worth?
    Do You buy records??
    Sorry, but again, you must remember that We are not a Recordings appraisal service. Furthermore, there is no fast "25 words or less" answer. The selling of old records is a complex art.
    No, we do not buy records!

    SOME GENERAL INFORMATION FOR APPRAISING AND SELLING RECORD COLLECTIONS:
    Good information on the grading and appraising of your records may be found at The Record Collectors Guild, and their appraisal page at The Record Collectors Guild

    In virtually every instance, the Seller MUST present the buyer with a COMPLETE LISTING of the records stating the total quantity of records being offered for sale, and (for EACH individual record) the label name, the artist name, the condition of each record/paper sleeve, and the type of music (Folk, Swing, Pop etc.) IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT PERMITTED TO SAY : "Tell me what you want, and I will see if I have it." . If you are unable to catalog your entire collection, -- then donate it to the local library, or salvation army store, or give it to friends.

    Generally speaking, buyers of whole collections do not pay top prices. This is because they are 1.) offering the "convenience" of taking records off the seller's hands, and 2.) they assume that a large percentage of the records will be unsalable due to the records being commonly available from dealers, cracks, scratches, etc. Very often these 'whole collection' buyers will offer between 1 and 5 cents per record. ONLY if they see a LIST of records with something that they want, will they offer a higher price.

    Sellers should also be aware that if the buyer is not local, and cannot pickup the records, then it is the SELLER'S responsibilty to pack the records safely for shipment. If the records do not arrive safely...the buyer does not pay. To ship 33-1/3 RPM (vinyl) records is not too difficult, but shipping 78 RPM records can be a real problem.

    One excellent starting point is Collector/Author Tim Gracyk's website. There are articles on a good number of subjects of interest to collectors, buyers and sellers of records. For your convenience, here are some "hotlinks":

    Tim Gracyk's Site, with General information on record collections.

    Gracyk's Tips For Selling Your Collection of 78s

    The Value of old 78s (with Price Guides)

    Gracyk's Notes on Selling Opera Records, it is best to remember that Opera recordings are "Great To Hear, Hard To Sell"

    Still other information are shown in our "LINKS" section, on Phonograph and Recording Information. There are links both for "SELLING", and for "COLLECTING". Perusing that page may help.

    Still another guide is the Goldmine Record Album Price Guide and Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records. These guides can be purchased at larger bookstores (Barnes and Noble, Borders, etc.) as well as on-line at Amazon.com. eBay's search engine will show recent sale prices.

    ADDENDA:
    One good source for replacement stylii, cartridges, turntables, and all accessories is "Garage-A-Records". Their web URL is: http://www.garage-a-records.com/ - 1-888-800-7597 (NOTE: We are NOT connected with them in any way.)

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    I am looking for information that is not on your site, can you answer my question?
    Most of the information we have is already located somewhere on our site. However, if we are able to answer a specific request, we shall earnestly endeavor to so do. (But please remember that due to the volume of mail received here daily, our response could be delayed. You may always repeat the request if you feel it was lost.
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    I am looking for lyrics
    As you know, Lyrics are copyright material, and we do not offer any lyrics whatsoever.
    Very often, "Googling" -- "Song Title" (inside the quotes) will yield results.
    In addition, we do maintain a "Links" page with Lyric Sites listed. Here's the "hotlink" to that page: http://nfo.net/lnx/llyric.html

    For example only, one good source for lyrics of songs in the 1920 - 1950s is the link marked Top 40 - Lyrics World. Of course, other sites listed may also be able to belp.    (NOTE: We are NOT affiliated with ANY other site whatsoever.)

    Many sites try to list lyrics without paying royalties. Thus, many lyric sites remain online only for short periods of time. Accordingly, one may find many lyric links to be "broken". When you find "broken" lyric links on our site, please do let us know.

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    I am looking for a certain song that a certain Star performed. Can you help me find it?
    I am looking for Recordings by a certain Star. Can you help me find it?
    We are unable to do record or song searches for our readers, both because of time constraints and because we have no way of knowing which CDs, LPS, Tapes, etc., may be in stock at any given moment in thousands of Record Shops around the World. (Please also remember that we are a non-profit site. We do not sell anything to anybody, and we are not connected with any sellers anywhere.)

    The BigBands Database Plus has provided several pages that may help our visitors in their searching.

    Please do keep in mind that we are also not a discographical site.
    You may wish to peruse our "Phonographs and Record Collecting" page, where there is much useful information. On the page, you may find two NEWSGROUPS where one may post a message of inquiry, and there is also an address for the "Records Research Society", - a group of Amateur collectors who are sometimes able to help. (Some additional discography references may be found our our Credits Page)

    Another possibility is to post a message on our Bulletin Board page Visitors to our site may 'click' on the "Bulletin Board Form" prompt near the top of that page to post your request.

    Never underestimate the power of a Google Search.
    (For your convenience, here's a 'hotlink' to Google Search, a few paragraphs below.)
    We must point out that often the best source of information on Songs, or Recordings is your 'local' Record Shop. Shop owners have many discrographical tools at their disposal, and may be the best persons to ask for information on song titles, availability of recordings, etc. Remember, they WANT to help. They make a profit by selling you something.

    You may also try searching for a song title on most all Commercial Record Shop sites. As one example only, 'click' this Barnes and Noble prompt. (We are NOT affiliated with them or any other shop.) Near the top of their page is their "Search" box. Just enter an Artist or Title, and they will instantly tell you if the song is currently available. This is an EXAMPLE only... most other pages will have such a Search Box for your use.

    The 'Barnes and Noble' link above is just one example. For your convenience, we do list many other music shops on both our Records, -Shops, Labels and Video Page, and on our Sources Pages. Many shops now have their own internal Search boxes for you to use.

    AGAIN, Please note that we are NOT connected with any dealer anywhere. Visitors to our site are urged to take all normal precautions when purchasing anything from any of our Lists, which are provided as a public service only.

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    1.)   I am looking sheet music to a certain song; can you help me?
    2.)   I am looking sheet music to a certain song; can you send them to me?
    1.)   We have no way of knowing just what sheet music dealers around the world may have in stock at any given moment.
    2.)   We are Not sheetmusic dealers and do not supply music,
    In an effort to help, we do maintain a "Links - Sheet Music" page with information on where to buy, trade, sell, and collect music. "Surfing" those links may help.

    You may get to the pages by normally logging on to our site:       http://www.nfo.net/
    then place your mouse over the "Resources" prompt on our Navigation Bar, and click on "Links - Sheetmusic".

    For your convenience, here's the "hotlink" directly to that page:      http://nfo.net/lnx/lsheetmu.html

    AGAIN, Please note that we are NOT connected with any dealer anywhere. Visitors to our site are urged to take all normal precautions when purchasing anything from any of our Lists, which are provided as a public service only.

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    Can I link my Web site to yours?
    Of course you can. No need to ask us to link to our Web site, as a matter of fact, we welcome it.

    Here are some code examples showing how to do it.

    The code for a TEXT ONLY link to us may be as simple as:

    <CENTER>
    <font=4 face="Arial" color="#000080">
    <A HREF="http://nfo.net/"> <b>THE BIG BANDS DATABASE PLUS - http://nfo.net</b></font></A>
    <BR> A World of Musical Information!
    </CENTER>

    It will look like this on the Internet:

    THE BIG BANDS DATABASE PLUS -http://nfo.net
    A World Of Musical Information

    Or you may prefer this code:

    <p> <CENTER> <font size=5 face="Arial" color="#000080">
    <a href="http://nfo.net/"> <b>BIG BANDS DATABASE PLUS </b> </a> </font>
    <br>
    <font face="Arial" color="#000080"> <b>The </b> </font>
    <font face="Arial" color="#FF0000"> <b>ORIGINAL</b> </font>
    <font face="Arial" color="#000080"> <b>(and still the best)</b> </font> </p>

    which will look like this:

    BIG BANDS DATABASE PLUS
    The ORIGINAL (and still the best)

    An even simpler TEXT link could be just

    <CENTER>
    <A HREF="http://nfo.net/"> <b>THE BIG BANDS DATABASE PLUS - http://nfo.net </b> </A>
    </CENTER>

    And, this is how it will appear on your page.

    THE BIG BANDS DATABASE PLUS - http://nfo.net

    If you do not wish the Link to be Centered on the page, you may omit the <center> tags and use just a <div align="right"> (or 'left') tag instead, with the corresponding </div>. Here's the code :

    <div align="right">
    <A HREF="http://nfo.net/">THE BIG BANDS DATABASE PLUS - http://nfo.net </A>
    </div>

    and the link will appear as (for the 'right') tag:

    If you wish to use a GRAPHICAL link, just "Right Click" on the images below and save it to your directory.    You may scale the pictures to your desired size, or if you wish, just contact us, and we will give you the code to scale it, or eMail you a gif of the size you require.

    The code to use is:

    <center>
    <a href="http://nfo.net/"> <img src="bblogosm1.jpg" alt="Big Bands Database Plus - hhtp://nfo.net"> </a>
    </center>

    And, this is how it will appear on your page.

    BigBands Database Plus -- http://nfo.net



    Another button that you might use is:

    <center>
    <a href="http://nfo.net/"> <img src="bbbutton1.jpg" alt="Big Bands Database Plus"> </a>
    </center>

    And, this is how it will appear on your page.

    BigBands Database Plus



    Another button that you might use is:

    <center>
    <a href="http://nfo.net/"> <img src="BBLogo2.gif" alt="BigBands Database Plus"> </a>
    </center>

    And, this is how it will appear on your page.

    BigBands Database Plus


    Another button that you might use is:

    <center>
    <a href="http://nfo.net/"> <img src="bbdb.gif" alt="BigBands Database Plus"> </a>
    </center>

    And, this is how it will appear on your page.

    BigBands Database Plus

    And again, you may use EITHER the <center> or the <div align="right"> tags. For example, to place the logo on the RIGHT side of your page, use this code:

    <div align="right">
    <a href="http://nfo.net/"><img src="bbdb.gif" alt="BigBands Database Plus"></a>
    </div>

    And again, you may use EITHER the <center> or the <div align="right"> tags. For example, to place the logo on the RIGHT side of your page, use this code:

    <div align="right">
    <a href="http://nfo.net/"><img src="bbdb.gif" alt="BigBands Database Plus"></a>
    </div>

    And it will appear thusly:

    BigBands Database Plus

    You may Right 'Click' on this either of the two buttons above, and save them to a file on your computer, then upload them into the same online directory in which the file calling it resides. IF you wish, you may eMail us and we shall attach a copy of the image in an eMail to you (or ask us for further help if needed).

    Or, if your website uses a Dark Background color, you may wish to use a "Reverse" logo:

    BigBands Database Plus

    Once again, just right click on this reversed logo to save it to a local file.

    If you have any problem making this "hotlink", - one that your readers simply click - just send eMail to mlp@nfo.net (Murray Pfeffer) and we shall promptly reply with the very easy instruction. It is also possible to use different Colors, type sizes, bold print, and such. We are still searching for other LOGO GRAPHICS. If you have a good one that you might contribute, please do let us know.

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    Can We Reciprically link on Your Web site?
    1.) Getting linked on our site is as easy as 1-2-3.
    All of Link entries are done automatically, via a script.

    Presently, there are two methods of getting your website linked on:
    1.) Our "Links" pages
    2.) Our "Working Bands Registry"

    To place a Link on our site:
    1) Log on normally to our site at:       http://nfo.net
    Place your mouse cursor over the "Resources" prompt on our horizontal Navigation Bar (near the top of the page). Then "click" on "LINKS"
    Then 'click' on the "Links Form" prompt (top of page),
    or 'click' here:      http://nfo.net/lnx/lnxform.htm

    2) Fill out the form... it is straight-forward, - there are no problems.

    3) Please note that the 1st entry line is required.     We have to know on which of our 40 or so LINK pages you wish your link to appear.

    Also remember, that as a non-profit site, we do NOT sell, rent, share or show ANY of the form information to anyone, - whatsoever.

    Please note. It is your responsibility to keep us informed of any changes in your Web URL. Should any of our visitors report that your site is unavailable, we simply DELETE the link. (Because, we do not have the manpower or desire to constantly monitor thousands of links.)
    In a day or two, after we have received your form, the link will appear, and we shall notify you via eMail.

    While it is not a requirement, we would consider it a courtesy for you to link back to us. ("Click" here for help!)

    2.) Getting listed on our Working Bands Registry is easy.

    Log on normally to our site at:       http://nfo.net
    Place your mouse cursor over the "Databases" prompt on our horizontal Navigation Bar (near the top of the page). Then "click" on "Hire A Band"
    Then 'click' on the "ALL BANDLEADERS Please use this REGISTRY FORM" prompt (near top of page),        or 'click' here:   Working Bands Registry Form

    2) Fill out the form... it is straight-forward, - there are no problems.
    In a day or two, after we have received your form, the link will appear, and we shall notify you via eMail.

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    Can we Search both the Big Bands Databases and The World Wide Web from your homepage?
    Yes! At the top of our Main Database Pages (for example: http://nfo.net), we have a "Google Search" bar. Simply enter the desired words, and 'click' on either the "Our Databases" or "The WWW" radio buttons. Here's the very same Google Search facility with a few extra usuage hints shown.

    Search all OUR Databases or the WWW with Google!™

    Google
    Search www.nfo.net  Search WWW 

    Search Tips -
       * Put quotes "around a phrase" to search for the EXACT phrase.
       * No quotes will return pages containing ANY of the words typed.
       * Put + (plus) symbol before a word required to be on pages returned.
       * Use the - (minus) sign to look for pages without that word.
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    Can we Translate any of the pages on the Big Bands Database Plus?
    Certainly. There are two methods.
    Visitors to our site may use both Google and Altavista to translate any of our pages.

    "Click" here for Google
    "Click" here for Altavista

    To use either of the above:
    Simply highlight the URL Address showing at the top of your Browser.
    Then Copy (control+c) and Paste (control+v) the address into the space on the translator.

    EXAMPLE:
    Type http://nfo.net into the blank space provided.
    Choose a language, and 'click' the Translate button.
    To translate any of our other pages -- or pages on any other site - just paste or copy the appropiate "http:// " into the blank space.
    NOTE: There may be a slight delay for Translations to finish. .

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    Can I Download it from your site? I am looking for a certain song in midi, mp3, wma, etc, form.
    Basically Not. Songs are copyright matter (as are Lyrics), and we tend not to get involved with such activity.

    The songs that you do find on our site are believed to be in the Public Domain. (If not, we will remove them.) Those songs may be downloaded in the usual way. (Right 'click' with your mouse, and "Save Link Target").

    We might also suggest using the "Google Search" line shown above, and also at the top of most all our online pages. (See the question just above for the same engine.)
    Simple add the name of the tune you are seeking, and the type, in this form:
             "Limehouse Blues" + midi
    Yes! Use the Quotes around the Song Title! Very often, you will be rewarded with a site where you may listen or download.

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    Generally speaking, do you buy/sell any musical memorabila such as autographed books, sheet music, 78 RPM/LP Vinyl records, Rare Photos, etc., jewelry, etc., etc. Can you tell me who will (buy/sell them), etc., etc.
    No, and No. We are a Non-Profit site, and we do not buy or sell sheet music, or Records/CDs, or anything else for that matter.
    If you are interested in buying/selling sheetmusic, please re-read the section 9) above.
    If you are interested in buying/selling records/collections, please re-read the section the 10) above.
    If you are buying/selling, photographs, autographs, books, or any other memorabilia, please re-read the section the 3), above.

    You may wish to place a Post on our Bulletin Board page.
    If so, just run your mouse cursor over the "Resources" prompt on our Horizontal Navigation Bar (near top of any page), and "click" on Bulletin Board. Near the top of that page, you may 'click' for our "BULLETIN BOARD FORM", and just follow the simple instructions.
    Of course, there is always ebay.