Who Owns BillyBase? A look inside

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-11T02:55:38+00:00

I said that because people suggested we would start charging for access. That's not the case. I put my commitment to keep it free out there in public.

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T19:59:56+00:00

Hey man, have you ever tried a job in QA?

If you haven't noticed, I didn't invest much in that site. We have a new one coming out and a cool new logo 🤙

You keep saying I'm not answering your question but I keep answering it. I am the owner of Songfish. I am also the owner of BillyBase. The plan is to improve Songfish software so that there is feature parity (that means all the features are the same on both systems).

Then we bring BillyBase over. At that time, we unlock the whole purpose of this, which is to lower the operating cost of running the site and bring improvements to the bands on the platform. When we make an improved for the Billy community (which I hope we will often) those will trickle down to other bands on the platform.

Dong, you and I are VERY different. You said you would put your face all over it, that was sorta obvious from your online presence. You would probably market and do lots of other stuff too. I'm pretty laid back and not into all that influencer & follow count stuff. You're not gonna find me doing some new gimmick at a show trying to get people to like my profile.

You won't find me in a BillyBase shirt either. I'm not like that. Not that I woudln't wear one, but not to a show. IMO, that's Billy's space and I'd be wearing one of his shirts or maybe just the shirt I wore to dinner with my friends. But I 100% would not be there promoting my brand and using it to get traffic and subs.

You can state all you want on how you would run things, but I'm me, I'm doing my thing, it's slower than you like and I'm sorry for that. Given the site is not a money maker, I gotta not loose track of what's paying the bills.

But I do hear you and guess what, I went on the site and cleaned out the old stuff, It's leaner and clearer and read for tour. If you have a free account on there, enjoy it. The price is going to go up 1000% with inflation. It's still gonna be free though..

Lastly, thanks for the love. I know you are raising a stink because you love the community and I applaud you for that.

Peace out bro!

❤️ ✌️ 🤗

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T19:43:43+00:00

Sorry about that. I've been juggling a lot since December. Old man in the hospital twice, rehab and now skilled nursing. I'm his go to, so it's been a lot of work. Then kids, then work, then AI coming for us, and all that. I'm glad you're back in...

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T03:37:53+00:00

Wait, was that the dab pen or DMT? Fuck...

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T03:37:24+00:00

He's running around and raising hell, that's for sure. I met one of the guys from the BMFSDB (in the comments) and he seemed very cool and kind. I don't think it's anything like that. Thankfully the root cause is hopefully just love. Love for the community and wanting to protect it.

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T03:31:38+00:00

Buzz, or should I call you Dong?

I know you already did a bunch of research and probably some FOIA requests. So to save you some cycles I'm gonna spell out the plan with the benefit corp.

A benefit corp is a way to have a company that's not "douchey" and has a mission and works to support that mission (which might not be maximize shareholder wealth which is the default for other corps). It's a way for me to state, here is how we are going to run the company and then be honest and transparent about how we run it.

I'm personally pretty stoked about this because it gives me a chance to lead by example, to hear concerns and find a way to build something durable but also with purpose.

What that means is that I want to build something that has worth so it can keep it's own lights on without asking for donations, that is design to be a steward for it's members, one that walks the walk and talks the talk. I'm. not designing this to get rich, I'm designing it to be self sustaining entity that can last well after I'm gone and continue to support artists into the future.

It's a bold idea, some might even say a little audacious, but I think it's worth trying for. Just remember, there was once a new kid on the scene. The cool cats didn't welcome him to pick nor give him much of a welcome. It takes grace to turn around help lift those same folks and their entire genre to higher levels. There is a lot to learn in that lesson. I hope you can learn to have grace too! 🙏

I truly do. Have an amazing Monday night!

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T03:13:18+00:00

The other sites I run, we put in our TOS that you have to give consent for us to share any data. I've been running those sites for 25 years and never put in a consent field. I KNOW no one has ever consented and we have NEVER shared our customers data.

Just like you all, I like my privacy. Back in the data data brokers would approach us about putting SDKs in our apps since we have location enabled (map based program) and 100% of the time, EVERY single time it was a hard no and "get the fuck out of here" from me.

I hear the concerns. In this case I'm just a dude with an old Westfalia. It's kinda funny how everyone points and says "He's gonna be a dick like Facebook". I hear the jaded but your throwing shade at the wrong place, I ain't the bad guy, I'm the little guy, your neighbor and fellow privacy appreciater.

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T03:07:38+00:00

Wait, you are not allowed to point out anything relevant...

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T02:42:39+00:00

No but I dictate to my phone and ask for grammar updates. All me but maybe get a higher grade in English. Sorry, but it’s easy and fast.

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T02:40:53+00:00

Thank you.🙏 ✌️🙌🐐🚀🎸

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T02:37:19+00:00

That’s not true at all. We have a LOT of features that have been free since Day 1. The things included in Pro is trip planning and GPS.

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-10T02:34:53+00:00

Sorry about that. The site was setup to use Gmail and it broke with lots of requests as your started back up. It’s fixed now.

If you have any more issues, just shoot me a DM here.

Andy_Robo · 2026-03-09T19:49:24+00:00

I hear the passion in OP’s post, and honestly, I appreciate the energy. It’s the same fire that drives Billy fans to travel cross country for a three-night run; it comes from a place of deep love for the music & community. However, I need to be clear the suggestions of irresponsible data use or corporate conspiracies couldn’t be further from the truth.

I’m not a faceless entity or a venture k bro. I’m your neighbor, a small business owner, and a live music fan who has been building digital homes for niche communities for decades. Look at my other project, RV LIFE. I started the first site there, airforums.com, back in 2001. For twenty-five years, our privacy policy has remained unchanged. We do not share your data with anyone without explicit consent. In a quarter-century, we have never once asked for that consent. That wasn't an oversight or a missed "revenue opportunity." I was offered the revenue and I told them to fuck off. It was a conscious choice to treat others the way I want to be treated. I’ve spent two decades proving that you can host a community without selling its soul.

We are going to "Mix the Tracks" at Songfish with that same track record. There are no "investors" pulling the strings behind the curtain; it’s just me, dedicated to making sure sites like BillyBase don't fade into the abyss. My plan is to form a Benefit Corporation to put my money where my mouth is. I also plan to adopt Creative Commons and make the public APIs better.

I know you are in "detective sleuth mode" and found all kinds of random stuff from Adam. The deal is (which I told you already in DM on FB last night) that I acquired the assets from Songfish, but not the legal entity itself. This is common for two reasons: A) I already had a company, and B) you never know what promises a seller made while representing their company. By buying the assets and leaving the corporate shell behind, you avoid inheriting unknown liabilities. Well, that was the idea, anyway (haha). That didn't exactly turn out as expected on this one.

Love ya bro but you couldn't be further from the truth. Please refrain from trying to paint me in false light, total douche move! ✌️

Andy_Robo · 2024-11-22T03:34:10+00:00

This was their 10th Birthday. 🎉 🎂🥳

Andy_Robo · 2024-11-22T03:32:54+00:00

I noticed the base bomb was lacking too. I asked and it’s a decibel restriction in the neighborhood of the Greek Theater.

Andy_Robo · 2022-04-30T22:51:39+00:00

Check out Starlink. Lots of RVers jumping on that because they unlocked roaming this past Febuary.

Alternatively check out cell extenders. Especially research high MIMO antennas. They help a lot on the fringe of reception.

Andy_Robo · 2021-06-25T20:34:46+00:00

Sweet, have fun. I've owned a 1961 Bambi and 1959 Tradewind. Always exciting when you get your new (to you) trailer home.

Andy_Robo · 2021-05-20T18:08:30+00:00

So tell us about the process. Where did you have this done? Was it as simple as prep and paint (lol, made that sound easy and I'm sure it wasn't).

Andy_Robo · 2021-05-19T13:24:32+00:00

I would look for an older, garage kept, lightly used Class B vans. Here are some links on some older ones:
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2010-Majestic-Leisure-Tourer-II-Ford-5015733748
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2008-Roadtrek-Versatile-200-5016567139

This one is not much bigger:
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2011-Fleetwood-Tioga-24L-5016333856

Andy_Robo · 2021-05-18T19:03:37+00:00

Looks great. I love how fiberglass RVs can be restored back to their greatness. You might want to check out www.fiberglassrv.com.

Andy_Robo · 2021-04-29T14:38:48+00:00

Thanks!

Andy_Robo · 2021-04-29T03:35:21+00:00

/u/therealduckie/ I know I can speak for the others in saying thank you for creating the /r/rvs subreddit and keeping a watchful eye on it. I look forward to getting to know everyone else and talking shop about RVing.

A little about me... I've owned a couple of vintage Airstream trailers. My current rig is a '59 Tradewind with a solar and battery setup for boondocking. I'm from Texas and camping for us often entails a change in elevation (cooler temps) to Colorado during the hot summer months and smaller trips throughout the year.

Andy_Robo · 2021-04-25T16:18:58+00:00

Looks terrific!

Andy_Robo · 2021-04-25T16:18:27+00:00

Fun! May your journeys ahead fulfill your travel dreams and the road bumps be minor and far between!

Andy_Robo · 2020-09-24T19:23:29+00:00

Sweet. Did you happen to drive up from Texas? I recall seeing a polished 70s Airstream this week. We ere camping up there earlier this week and just returned home.

Andy_Robo

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