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International Country Music Association Newsletter February 2002 Post Office Box 271238, Nashville, TN 37227 On The Web: www.radiocountry.org Email: intlcma@aol.com Publisher: Scarlett Vanek Editor: Bobbie Patterson Music Reviews: Rhett Ashley Research Assistant: Dale Roberts Circulation: 76,500 Plus ************************************************** The Following DJs Need Your Music Rob Davidson, PO Box 230, Braidwood, NSW, 2622, Australia rothshir@sci.net.au Algirdas Klova, Arkliu 20-11, Vilnius, Lithuania klova@takas.lt Cousin Lynn, Hillbilly at Harvard, WHRB-FM 389 Harvard St. Cambridge, MA 02138 Hillbilly@whrb.org Rein Wortelboer, Akelei 10, 5803 CA Venray, The Netherlands Rein.Wortelboer@nld.xerox.com ************************************************** Want A Gold Record? At last, there is a legitimate way for non-major label artists to earn gold certification for their albums. Until now, the only gold certification available in the U. S. A. was based on sales. You had to sell 500,000 copies of your album. It was a target no independent artist could hope to reach. All that has changed. Airplay International monitors worldwide radio play of Country, Gospel, and Americana. They have a custom computer program which cost tens of thousands of dollars to create. Only a skilled computer programer could understand all the details, but here's the part we understand. DJs and music programers in the U. S. A. reports the songs they are playing in light, medium, and heavy rotation. Overseas DJs just report they played a certain song. The information is fed into the Airplay International's computers. The program assigns a number value to each reported play. This number is based on the level of rotation and the estimated size of the radio audience. The points are cross indexed by song, album, artist, record label, writer, and other factors. When total radio play points for any one of those factors add up to 50,000 the computer will certify it as having achieved airplay gold status. No gold standard can be easy to achieve. If it was, it wouldn't be a gold standard. However; if you have received large amounts of airplay, you might want to check into it. Having some of your music certified "Airplay Gold" could be a valuable thing to have in your promotional tool box. They even offer a Gold Record. Provide your hometown newspaper with a photo of you holding your certified gold record, and you're almost sure to get a lot of valuable publicity. Hometown radio and television stations might be interested in doing interviews. Used properly a gold record could be worth its weight in gold. Contact Airplay International for details. airplayint@aol.com ************************************************** Your Chance To Help Kids Get A Music Education The Woodrow Wilson School PTA in Newton, Iowa. Is having a fund raiser for their school on February 22, 2002. Their PTA is trying to promote the Arts in several areas of our programming. They have donated money to "Music is Instrumental" which helps pay for instruments of low income students in the area. They need donations for an auction to raise money for their school. A donation of autographed pictures, videos, CD's or anything that would be of interest would be helpful to their cause. Barbara Crawford, 1518 S. 16th Ave. West, Newton, IA 50208 craw@netins.net ************************************************** Correction In our January newsletter, we reported Mike Headricks of Country Discovery Records was closely connected to Gary Bradshaw of Arizona. We were in error. They have done a very limited amount of business together. Several of Mike's production clients give him excellent references. Several overseas DJs give him high marks for quality productions. ************************************************** Unsigned Artist & Writer Music Event Of The Year All Forms Of Country, Americana, Gospel, & Bluegrass Music Are Welcome. All Food & Beverage Proceeds Support American Veterans. Mission Statement The event has Five goals. 1. It is a showcase event; where unknown singers can be discovered. 2. It is a seminar event; where singers, songwriters, & musicians can learn valuable career building information. 3. It is a networking event; where songwriters can meet artists and artists can meet people from numerous record companies in a relaxed outdoor setting. 4. It is a songwriter's dream. You can pitch your songs directly to singers, record companies, and publishers. 5. It is a fun event; where you can sing your songs, meet old friends, and make new friends. Bring your cameras and video equipment. You'll want to record a lot of great memories. You Can Showcase For 30 Or More Record Companies & Show The Nashville Music Industry What You Have To Offer! You Can Perform On A Different Stage Everyday. There Are No Stage Fees. Dozens Of Booth Spaces Are Available Free With Your Ticket Purchase. Reserve Early. Just bring your gazebo tent, table, and chairs. The booth space is free with your paid ticket purchase. You Can Meet and Get To Know Industry Leaders Such As Record Labels, Booking Agents, Disc Jockeys, Reporters, Producers, Promoters, Press Agents, Publishers, & More Why You Should Be At The Festival Because you'll meet more music people in three days, than you can anywhere else in three years. You never know who might be able to open a door for you. The friend you make at the festival could be a major label artist next year. The guitar player you jam with may be playing for Garth or Shania, next year. The singer who likes your song might be in the top 40 radio charts, next year. There is no substitute for having friends in the music industry! Dates The dates of the festival have been carefully selected to give you maximum attention from Nashville's music community. It is just a few weeks before FanFair. This means you will be the center of attention. The big names will not be performing down the street. During FanFair; Alan Jackson, Garth, Reba, Faith Hill, and other stars get all the attention. On Memorial Day weekend, this is the biggest music event in Nashville and you get all the attention. Memorial Day weekend is the first 3 day weekend of the summer. You will have time to travel without missing work. The weather is pleasantly warm and the humidity is low. Motel room rates haven't been increased because of FanFair and traffic is not backed up for miles. The exact dates are May 25 through May 27, 2002. That is Saturday, Sunday, and Memorial Day. Location Of The Festival It is just 7 miles from the heart of Nashville's Music Row. This makes it easy for Nashville's music industry to come by & see you on stage. It is just 1/2 mile from Interstate 40. This makes it easy to drive to and find. It is less than 1 mile from the Nashville International Airport. This makes it easy to fly in for the festival. There are numerous hotels within easy walking distance. This means having a free parking space is easy. Oprymills Shopping Center and the beautiful Opryland Hotel are about 6 miles away. Some family members will want to go shopping & sightseeing. They can stroll along the banks of a manmade river and through a tropical garden inside the hotel lobby. The track stages will close, at 7 PM. You can visit the downtown entertainment district just 8 miles away. Visit the Wildhorse and Tootsie's Orchid Lounge. Party in the clubs of historic Printers' Alley. Or; go to the Grand Ole Opry, Saturday evening. What's New & Different This Year We'll be able to handle twice as many bands, because we'll have two band stages? They will be open from 4 PM till Midnight. We'll be able to handle more vocalists, because we'll have more track stages. They will be open from 10 AM till 7 PM. We'll have more to offer songwriters because we'll have a special stage for songwriters to showcase and pitch their original songs. Things will run more smoothly because we have improved the system. We gained experience from last year. This year, vocalists who are performing without bands will be assigned a color. Each stage will have a different color banner. If you are assigned the color red, you sing on the stage with the red banner. Each night, we will move the banners. The next day, you just go to the stage with the red banner. At the end of the festival, you will have sung on three different stages in three different locations around the festival grounds. Your ticket will show which color you have been assigned The track stages will be set up and ran by karaoke DJs. You may select songs from their catalogs or they can play your tracks, from your CD. The track stages will be able to mic your acoustic instrument. If you will be bringing a band with you, reserve your stage time as soon as possible. When all available time slots on both band stages are gone, they are gone. This Festival Has Been Endorsed By The Following Country & Gospel Music Associations And Organizations: The International CMA, The National Traditional CMA, The Country Music Organizations Of America, The Nordic Country Music Organization of Sweden, The Lone Star State CMA, The Greater North American CMA, The Georgia CMA, The Arizona CMA, The Wisconsin CMA, The Nebraska Country Music Foundation, The Ohio Country Music Alliance, The World Wide Country Music Organization, The International Gospel Music Association, The Intercessory Prayer Council, and Trinity International. The Festival Will Be Held On Eight Beautiful Acres At 2864 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 Take I-40 exit 216 (Donelson Pike north) turn right at the third light. It will be on the left, about 1 block. For A List Of Motels, Interactive Map, & Ticket Order Form Visit: http://www.nashvillemusicfestival.com For More Information, email c4promo@aol.com or call 615-252-8202. ************************************************** Romance Anyone? Cat's Pajamas Bed & Breakfast is a B&B is in a bungalow built in 1918. You'll enjoy fireplace, wood floors, large bedrooms with comfortable queen-size beds, flannel sheets, down comforters and pillows. Breakfast is always creative and delicious and features organic fruit, cage-free eggs and shade-grown coffee. They offer a discount to music folks & are in the heart of Nashville. casadedj@earthlink.net ************************************************** Super Bowl Pre-Game Show Wynonna Judd will be a part of the pro-America concert prior to the Feb. 3 Super Bowl. She will join Paul McCartney, Yolanda Adams, James Ingram, Patti LaBelle, Barry Manilow and others. ************************************************** Music Reviews, By Rhett Ashley We don't want to embarrass anyone. We no longer publish reviews of less than 3 Stars. We send those reviews & our advice directly to the singer. If you would like your music reviewed, send it to the address at the top of this newsletter. Mark it "Attention Music Reviews." Oregon, Kylie Raye, "The Woman In The Moon," 12 sides, The lady sings with attitude, and has the talent to support it. 4 Stars Nashville, Mark Wehner, "All Those Friends Of Mine," 11 sides, Strong songs, production, vocals, & mix make this one a keeper. 4 1/2 Stars California, Jim Nettles, "My Angel," 7 sides, His vocal approach is different and grabs your attention. The production is weak. 3 1/2 Stars Georgia, Nicole Davidson, "Just Being Me," 10 sides, This country girl was born with a rock, in her cowgirl boot. 4 Stars Nashville, Daylon Wear, "Texas Twister," 12 sides, His cut of "What's She Doing, In Denver," make you feel the pain of loneliness & fear of loss. 4 Stars Nashville, Buddy Jewell, "One In A Row," 12 sides, He does songs about new love with hope & conviction and songs about love gone bad with painful experience. 4 Stars Massachusetts, Steve Bardsley, "Childhood Ambition," 14 sides, Best described as Country/Folk Fusion with a better production it would be awesome. 3 1/2 Stars Maine, Kelly Parker, ""Kelly Parker," 5 sides, Her vocals are so strong, you almost forget the imperfect production. 3 1/2 Stars Kentucky, Sondra Rankin, "Sondra Rankin," 7 sides, She's as pretty as Shania and sings better. 5 Stars Nashville, Mike Manuel, "Building A Better Country," 10 sides, Country gospel is adding fans everyday. Albums such as this one explain why. 4 1/2 Stars Nashville, Kathy Chiavola, "The Harvest," 13 sides, "Labor Of Love," 12 sides, "From Where I Stand," 14 sides. She does Bluegrass, Traditional Country, and Mountain Folk as well as any of them have ever been done. 5 Stars Tennessee, Pete Bene, "Hold Your Horses," 11 sides, Take straight ahead country songs, production & mix and throw fine vocals. It'll work every time. 4 Stars Nashville, Mike Breen, "No Excuses," 11 sides, "Past Lives," 11 sides, The songs are good. The production is better. His voice is clear & fine. 4 Stars United Kingdom, Nemo James, "The Best Of Nemo James," 16 sides, Songs, production, & vocals have a 1960s folk music quality you've just gotta like. 4 Stars Nashville, Jon Michaels, "Live From Douglas Corner Cafe," 13 sides, Each & every song has a message you need to hear, told with style. 4 Stars Arizona, Kenny Love, "Tuff Country," 16 sides, From crying in your beer country to high stepping dance tunes, he does it all. 4 Stars Nashville, Kenny Butterill, "No One You Know," 12 sides, The power of Waylon with the style of Neil Diamond 4 1/2 Stars New York, Andy Germak, "Color Through The Smoke," 12 sides, Story songs delivered with a punch to the heart. 4 Stars Florida, Bobby Hodge, "The Bobby Hodge Collection," 20 sides, Traditional songs & production with a spotlight on a strong traditional voice. 4 Stars Nashville, R. B. Stone, "Country Rocker," 12 sides, He's recorded 11 albums & toured in 24 countries. He does it right. 5 Stars Nashville, Craig Bickhardt, "Easy Fires," 12 sides, He explores the depths of longing & loneliness, in a top drawer fashion. 4 1/2 Stars Canada, Danny Mack, "We All Fall Down," 11 sides, You hear a lifetime of rough experiences in his voice. His deliver is honest and damn good. 4 1/2 Stars Virginia, Terri Allard, "Loose Change & Spare Parts," 11 sides, The melancholy in her voice make you want to whip the man who did her wrong. 4 1/2 Stars California, Jim Bearden, "Sky Pilots," 16 sides, A production as strong as the songs and vocals is needed. 3 Stars Canada, Tammy Fassaert, "Corner Of My Eye," 12 sides, It's good stuff. The Celtic & Bluegrass influences add a wonderful flavor. 4 1/2 Stars Alabama, Southland Band, "Respect," 9 sides, The band is good & the lead singer is even better. 4 Stars Canada, Joe Stanton, "There You Go," 14 sides, The highly skilled product weaves around and support his rich baritone vocals. 4 1/2 Stars Virginia, Meade Skelton, "Country Till The Day I Die," 12 sides, A voice this good deserves a better production, but overall a good album. 3 1/2 Stars New Mexico, Vern Batty, "A Wink Is As Good As A Nod," 11 sides, Good songs and a simple production forces one to focus on his interesting & appealing voice. 4 Stars Texas, James Ballew, "Life Is Good," 3 sides, Simple demo but great songs and vocals suggest a lot of potential for this singer/songwriter. 3 Stars United Kingdom, Lee Lindsey, "L," 11 sides, Pop, light rock, & country are all done her way. Her way is a damn good way. 4 1/2 Stars Florida, The Billy Johnson Band, "The Billy Johnson Band," 5 sides, Toe tapping honky tonk country leaves you wanting more. 4 Stars Virginia, Carl Wayne, "It Won't Stop Loving You," 10 sides, The uptempo songs are good & the ballads are better. 4 Stars Texas, Renee Carlyle, "Street Of Broken Dreams," 9 sides, The daughter of a Baptist preacher man does positive country with the style & grace of a real Texas lady. 4 Stars United Kingdom, Alan Mc Culloch, "Hey Mr. Sunshine," 13 sides, He knows how to make the ladies hit the dance floor. 4 Stars Texas, Michael Ballew, "Rodeo Cool," 18 sides, Years of singing in smoke filled honky tonks have developed a real cowboy voice. 4 1/2 Stars Nashville, Tecia Mc Kenna, "Off The Beaten Path," Her voice reminds one of Kitty Wells, at her best. 4 Stars California, Thad Cockrell, "Stack Of Dreams," 9 sides Production & vocals are good. Better song selection would have helped. 3 Stars North Carolina, Michael Reno Harrell, "Second Wind," 13 sides, Traditional instrumentation, songs, and vocals take you back to the roots. 4 Stars |