Since Coolfer is now reader-supported, I will occasionally have pledge drives to collect donations from my readers. Coolfer has never been about making money, but I do need something for the many hours I put into the blog. This is an experiment. Honestly I don't know the best way to solicit donations, but I figure giving something back has got to be better than just taking donations.

Thank you to the readers who have already given a donation. Your contributions will help me continue blogging. If you have not yet contributed but would like to give something, here is your chance.

August is the first pledge drive. I'm shooting for 100 donations in the month (getting a late start because the laptop was in the hospital). The donations can be of any size. Suggested donation is $15 but, again, anything is appreciated. Even just a few bucks would be great.

As I said before, this can be classified as a business expense for business and tax purposes. As far as the IRS is concerned, Coolfer is a periodical.

If you want to/can can give more, here's what you'll get:

• $25 will get you a round of drinks if you happen to live in or are passing through Nashville.

• $50 will get you in a raffle for one of my favorite concert posters (frame not included). I have a Steve Earle at the Fillmore in March 1998, a Pavement at the Fillmore in July 1999 and a Guided By Voices at the Great American Music Hall in April 1995 (poster is by John Howard). I'll pick one donor and give him/her any one of the three.

• $1,000 will get you a five- to seven-page research paper on the music-related subject of your choosing. Why not put an industry-experienced MBA student to work for your company? Limit two (for the sake of my school schedule and sanity). If you're interested in this option, email me so we can talk about the finer points.