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International
C. M. A. Newsletter January 2000 Bobbie Patterson, Publisher /
Georgia Woodall, Editor /Kathy Sue Loudermilk, Writer P. O. B. 271238-Nashville, TN
37227 / Email: intlcma@aol.com/ ON THE
WEB AT: www.radiocountry.org AWARD
SHOWS ANNOUNCE DATES The King Eagle Awards Show & Festival announced the dates for
Nashville’s largest and most important event for unsigned artists. Due to
popular demand they are adding a day, making it a three day event. As in each
of the last seven years, it will be held outdoors near the Nashville Airport.
The event will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the last three days
of September. They are adding a new feature. Non-Major record companies will
be allowed to purchase one hour each to showcase their artists, in Nashville.
They will be in total control of their hour long segment of the show, and may
feature one or more of their artists. For details, call Jason Hawkins or Jeniffer
Foxx, at 615-391-3132. This event is so important to the non-major label
music industry, the Tennessee state legislature issued an official
proclamation naming the King Eagle Awards Show & Festival the largest
independent music event, in the history of Nashville. The official
proclamation was signed, by Tennessee’s Governor, Don Sunquist. This year
non-major record companies from across the nation and around the world will
have a chance to shine, at this important event. The major labels have several
awards shows, which are important to them. Their only use to folks who are
not signed by a major label is in our fan roles. We all like country music,
and to one degree or another we are all fans. With this in mind, TNN and
"Country Weekly" have announced their televised awards show for
signed major label artists will be held June 15th. This date gives it a
connection to the other CMA’s FanFair. The other CMA is an organization for
artists who are signed to major label recording contracts. Each year they
sponsor FanFair, in the month of June. FanFair was started as a street
celebration, years ago. Ernest Tubb and others would set up flatbed trailers
and do free concerts. Nashville’s music offices practiced open house. The
Johnson sisters became involved because of their leadership roles in Loretta
Lynn’s Fan Club. Under their guidance, FanFair was open to all and grew. Soon
unsigned artists from around the world poured into Nashville. Each artist
usually arrived with a small group of dedicated fans. FanFair grew beyond
being a street celebration, and for a few years was centered at the
auditorium. During that era, Nashville music offices were flung open to the
public. Many set up food and small bars. I remember one block party, where a
pickup truck was filled with beer and ice. All the offices on 16th. avenue
had their doors open. Bands played in the street and there was a feeling of
brotherhood. Willie Nelson was a major star, but he still had time to drink a
beer with me and exchange stories of the road. I was a 19 year old girl
unsigned and hoping for a break. Karen Wheeler, Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty,
and Loretta Lynn were all highly successful artists signed to major label
deals, but we all had one thing in common. It was our love for country music
that cut through star status. This young girl of 19 and dozens of other
talented unsigned artists were treated with respect, kindness, and
consideration, by the big stars of that time. OUR
GOLDEN FUTURE Satellite radio will begin broadcasting later this year. Drivers
anywhere in the 48 states will be able choose any form of music they want to
hear. With two separate companies each beaming 100 hundred channels of radio
programming, the noose the major labels and their flunkies at the other CMA
have on radio will be broken. If you have a high quality recording project,
you’ll be able to get airplay. The internet is already breaking the noose the
major labels had placed on distribution. You can sell high quality product,
without being in the chain music stores. The internet will be making still
more contributions to choice. Thousands of radio programs are on the
internet. Now; you have to have your computer connected to a phone line and
the audio quality is less than perfect. However; wireless internet connections
are spreading rapidly and audio quality is improving. Soon, the same
satellite receiver that picks up satellite radio in your car will provide
internet access. Before long cars all over the 48 states will have access to
tens of thousands of internet radio programs. People will have the ability to
choose the type of country music they really want to hear. Our 400+ chart
reporters have kept a window open where good music can get airplay, no matter
which label it carries. Many of them will have internet radio programs, and
so will many other country music lovers. This is such a wonderful time
to be alive and to be in country music. The next 18-24 months will bring more
change than the last 30 years combined. Change creates opportunities for
those who embrace the change and don’t run from it. Loretta Lynn had to drive
across the country doing interviews and leaving records with small radio
stations. You’ll be able to sit at your computer and be interviewed all over
the planet, while internet disc jockeys download your music, and play it for
their listeners. Just last week, Wrangler Gene’s program was listened to by
people in 45 states, New Zealand, Africa Australia, Europe, and Canada.
That’s what country music is really about. It’s about real people singing songs
about real life experiences, real country disc jockeys choosing to play it,
and real country fans choosing to tune in. As someone once said, "it’s
about three chords and the truth". Wrangler Gene needs more good music,
for our internet radio show. We want country, country gospel, cowboy, and
western swing. Please send it to, I. C. M. A. Radio Show, P. O. B. 271238,
Nashville, TN 37227. Folks from all nations are invited to send Wrangler Gene
your best. We’d love to be able to feature more Canadian, European, and
Australian country music. Folks, Wrangler Gene can’t play, if he ain’ got it.
Take advantage of the coming changes! Seize these wonderful opportunities! It
takes months to put together a high quality album, choose the right promoter,
get product manufactured, distribute it to world wide radio, have web pages
designed and built, and all the countless other things that go into creating
a successful artist. Don’t fall into the trap of waiting, until it’s too late
and others have already beat you to the goal. Don’t fall for the big lie
spread by the major labels. Nothing worthwhile is free. All of the major
artists pay for their own productions and promotions. Even if you really do
sing better than any major artist out there, your production still has to be
paid for. Producers, studio owners, musicians, and backup vocalists are human
too. They live in houses, drive cars, eat food, have kids in college, and
need money just like everybody else. They don’t work free! They don’t work
free for the big stars and they won’t work free for you. If you wanted to
start a lawn mowing business, you would know you had to have a mower, a
truck, a phone line, business cards, an advertising budget, and the
willingness to work. Until; you had those things you would never be any
competition for the people already, in that business. Until you have a high
quality recording project produced and a solid professional promotion
program, you will not be any competition for the people already in the music
business. You have been told that if you have talent you don’t have to have
money. What a crock of crap! You have been told that if they ask for money
they are crooks. The people who spread those lies are trying to eliminate
competition. Name one person who was ever a success at anything without
investing money, time, and sweat. Success don’t come easy and it never comes
free! I don’t want your money. I don’t produce and I don’t promote. I don’t
have a dog in that fight! I don’t care who you choose to work with, but
choose somebody and go to work. Don’t sit still and let these great
opportunities past by you. These next 18 – 24 months are going to be the most
exciting, most wonderful period the music business has ever seen. Hundreds of
new careers will be launched. Fortunes will be made and legends created! It
will make the lottery look like small change but you can’t win the lottery,
if you don’t buy a ticket! You can’t have a music career, if you don’t have a
great production and promotion program. If you really want a career in music,
now is the time to act! CAREER
OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE JOB SECURITY A music career means being in business for yourself. Starting a new
business is not for everyone. Some people prefer the security of a regular
paycheck. The United States Border Patrol needs a lot of good people. The pay
goes up to about $50,000 per year. For more information call (912) 757-3001
Extension 0920 or visit their web site at www.usajobs.opm.gov. SONG
CONTEST Ambassador Charlie Ray is hosting his 7th song and lyric writing
contest. He has already purchased space at our web site. 10 winning songs
& 10 winning lyrics will be posted on the internet for 1 full year. Entry
fees are $20 per song or lyric, 5 for $80, and 10 for $150. Mail to: Song
Contest, 107 Music City Circle, Suite 106, Nashville, TN 37214. Must be
mailed before March 16th. TOURS Some time ago, we reported that Johnny Nielsen of Denmark and a concert
promoter from Poland were planning to have several American acts tour Europe
this summer. The promoter is having problems and the tour may not come
together this year. Johnny does needs music for his radio show and the tour
may happen. Mail music, photo, and biography before 2-15-00 to Johnny
Nielsen, Marievej 24, DK-5700 Svenborg, Denmark. For U.S. tour review, mail
music, photo, and biography to GraceLand Entertainment 9 Music Sq. S. , #409,
Nashville, TN 37203.
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