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Eight Singers And Two Bands Received Recording Contracts, At This Event

Don Chapman has had a highly successful career as a professional songwriter. He has written seven number 1, Billboard hits. His song, "When The Grass Grows Over Me," was awarded "Song Of The Year," during the nationally televised C. M. A. awards show. Mr. Chapman will conduct a seminar on songwriting, at the Second Annual American Karaoke Society's Talent Search. Last year, eight singers and two bands received recording contracts, at this event. More than 40 record companies are expected to scout the stages, for unsigned singers. For details, visit www.karaokesociety.com and click on the red talent search banner.

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These DJs Play Independent Music

Most of these DJs will have websites. We suggest going to www.alltheweb.com and entering the DJ's name and country, in the search box. We advise sending either an email or a postcard with your email address, before sending music. Some European countries charge the DJs import taxes and duties, if your customs sticker is filled out
incorrectly. Check with the DJ, before you fill out the customs stick and place it on your package.

Sonja Mertens, Wiekevorste Stwg 3, B 2270 Herenthout, Belgium

Tino Poleur Gonzales, 17 Rue Des Areines, 4100 Seraing, Belgium

C. Paulus, Chaussee de Heusy 81, B 4800 Verviers, Belgium

Tony Ottenburgs, Rode Kruisstraat 6, 3830 Wellen, Belgium

Guy Weyers, Van Haeftentlaan 39, 2950 Kapellen, Belgium

Jean Yves Louis, 11 Rue de Petit Bois, 6140 Fontaine L'Eveque, Belgium

Raymond Swennen, Postbus 42, 3960 Bree, Belgium

Rene Huysmans, Molenstraat 59 Bus 1, 2300 Turnhout, Belgium

Mia Heylen, Hoevestraat 5, B 2235 Hulshout, Belgium

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Famous Dutch DJ To Attend 2nd. Annual Talent Search

One of the best known European DJs is Rein Wortelboer. He has been given numerous awards and titles, by American country music organizations. These include the Ohio Country Music Alliance, the Nebraska Country Music Foundation,
the Lone Star State Country Music Association, and several others. Rein will conduct a seminar, at the 2nd. Annual Talent Search sponsored by the American Karaoke Society. The event starts August 29 and will run through Labor Day September 1, 2003. For details, visit www.karaokesociety.com and click on the red Talent Search banner.

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Heard On Music Row

The buzz on Nashville's Music Row has been about the amazing explosion in demand for more traditional music. The sales of real country music, bluegrass, country gospel, and bluegrass gospel music are climbing. As usual, the independent labels are ahead of the much larger major labels. The major labels are each owned by some international conglomerate. These big slow moving companies are ran by committees which report to other committees. One of my favorite definitions is that of a camel. A camel is a horse designed, by a committee.

The smaller independent labels are able to reach a decision and change directions much quicker. Most of those have already made the switch. They are not switching to Hank Williams, Senior and Mother Maybell Carter. They are going back to an identifiable country sound. When you hear the first few bars of a song, you are not left wondering if it is country, pop, or something else.

Signs of this shift, are popping up everywhere on the row. The most amazing example has taken place at the major labels' CMA. The organization has been ran by Ed BensonJr., the last several years. It and the multinational conglomerate owned major labels, have been chasing the pop music market. In doing so, they appear to have created a form of music the public will not buy. It is too pop for country fans and too country for pop fans. The conglomerate owned and committee ran major Nashville labels and their C. M. A. have been scratching their heads wondering what to do. Their share of American record sales has dropped to about half what it was just a few years ago.

While this is occurring, bluegrass, gospel, and identifiable country music has been gaining market share. The C. M. A. ran by Ed Benson, Junior for the conglomerate owned major labels is starting to wake up and smell the coffee. This was proven when they invited International Bluegrass Music Association to share offices with them. The I. B. M. A. new address is 2 Music Circle South.

It is amazing that someone as glib, urbane, and polished as Mr. Benson will actually share office space with the I. B. M. A. His past words and actions would lead one to believe, he sees real country and bluegrass people as common uncultured ruffians.
He has gone from being haughty and regal to being sycophantic and obsequious. The transformation has been interesting to observe.

I assume that if asked, Mr. Benson would say he's doing it because of a deep lifetime love of country music. Chances are he would never say he was just following orders from his major label masters. He would have us believe, his actions have always been driven, by his abiding ardent love for country music. Personally, I find that implausible.

If he said, he has devoted his life, to the service of country music. I would be reminded of the time Grandpa had me take his cow to the neighbor's farm to have her serviced. I am convinced Mr. Benson has gotten country music thoroughly serviced up. There is good news. The I. B. M. A. and Nashville's independent labels are hard at work. Under their guidance, country music is getting over the unmitigated servicing Mr. Benson gave it.