SOURCE: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY REPORT

It began with a simple message on Bootsy Collins’ twitter page to his more than 400,000 followers, which simply read “If You Build It, They Will Funk.” Fans had no idea he was referring to the upcoming debut of Bootsy’s Funk University, an online bass school for players around the planet to study under his direction.

Bootsy’s Funk University begins its first semester on July 1, 2010 with enrollment based on a first come, first serve basis. Currently, interested players are encouraged to sign-up for exclusive information at the funk university. Registration for enrollment is set to begin in April for the summer launch.

As Funk University’s Lead “Professor,” Bootsy will provide extensive lectures on funk, the bass, and his body of work with James Brown, George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic, and solo projects. In addition, Collins has arranged an impressive ensemble of the music world’s finest players to provide an intense curriculum designed to promote and teach funk to intermediate and advanced players. The lectures, lessons, and exercises will be accessed through streaming video, with tablature downloads available. Bootsy’s bass school will also hold “office hours” where students are able to get their questions answered online. The entire staff will be reviewing and holding regular competitions throughout the year.

As for the upcoming launch of the Funk University, Bootsy states, “The best day of my life was when I graduated from P.U., the next best day of my life will be to see students graduate from F.U.” The launch of Bootsy’s bass school falls on a big year for Collins who is set to release a new album in the Fall titled “Boot-Z-Class University” that features an all-star cast, along with the release of Bootsy’s Signature Bass by Warwick. As for the motivation of launching The Funk University at this point in his career, Collins remarks, “Funk don’t funk around for nobody, so get funked up while you can.”

Bootsy’s Funk University is produced by SceneFour–the notorious L.A. creativity house responsible for projects with Al Gore’s Current TV, MTV-U, Nine Inch Nails, The RZA, Marilyn Manson, The Pixies, and Beck.


FULL DETAILS: http://musicindustryreport.org/?p=17982

Spam... but appropriate...

Awesome! Can't wait to sign up. This just made Funkslap Mama's day.

So if I could get a bachelors in funk... that would mean I get a BS at FU?

sounds awesome, where do I sign?!

Did any of you sign up to get the emails from FU? I did, and I have the chance at getting a golden ticket to be able to sign up before the general public!

I have to see more of what it is about but it is 29.99 a month. It looks like there is online lessons and collaboration type stuff.

It could be worth a try for a month or two just to see what is all about. It starts July 1st.

I've been getting the emails, but I think I'm going to pass on the deal.

Unless it comes with a "I'm a funkateer" baseball cap.

I'm already paying for private lessons, so I'm disinclined to spend more. But I am curious to see what they have to offer.

(My handle is "Funkslap Mama," after all. Maybe someday I'll actually learn how to funkslap. )

I signed up knowing there would be some sort of price to pay, and I think it's kind of steep, honestly. But hey, it's Bootsy Collins. If I can get the cash flow going a little bit better, I'll do a month or two, because God knows I haven't learned a damn thing about funk in my four years of bass playing.