Wendy V's Local Blend

Volume 10 Issue 5

May/June 2003 - Writer/Editor: Wendy Vickers

 In this issue:

A catch up issue: Peppermint, Barking Dog Records, Scott Marrs, Barb Ryman

Promotion workshop sponsored by MAS

Related Links:
 
 Gig Calendar

Just Plain Folks

 Links to musicians playing around the area.
 
 Radio Regulars page

What this newsletter's about.

Matter of FAQ: So what's it (normally) take to have your CD mentioned in Wendy V's Local Blend? Click here for the guidelines!

Singer/songwriters, venues: Have a web page full of gig dates? Send me your link for the gig calendar! 

Life Happens...

My apologies in advance. This will be a bit short and a bit different this time out. After nearly three years, home ownership was an okay idea, but I've decided it's time to re-simplify life once again. If you have ever bought or sold a home, you know what's involved time wise.  So, I have had to make this issue simple and sweet. 

I thought this time out we'd catch up on some folks I've covered in years past and see how they've grown in their careers and what they're up to. As this started coming together, it was interesting to consider the scope of how these artists or ventures have grown since I first wrote about them. I also realized perhaps it might offer some hope and encouragement to read about what the results of time, patience, perseverance and dedication can accomplish. I thank the folks for being faithful in staying in touch and letting me know what's happening. Even though I am managing many details these days and it may not seem like I'm paying attention...really, I am!

Labels:

In 1996, I heard from a Fargo area musician named Linda Coates who with her husband Mike began a small label to market their music and  three other artists.  Barking Dog Records/Raptor Studios has since grown by leaps and bounds.  Their ever-expanding artist roster includes acts which span folks, classical, bluegrass and Americana.   Margot Wagner, Brennan Leigh, Harris-Coates Duo, the Deb Jenkins Band, Russ Peterson and others are earning rave reviews and awards!  Raptor Studios also continues to thrive, playing host to many diverse musical projects around the Upper Midwest.

Peppermint began in 1997 by David Weeks and Andy Carlson, who managed the acoustic duo Storyhill and marketed their recordings. Today, Peppermint provides support services for several carefully selected artists, including mail-order sales, online ordering, recording distribution, periodic newsletters with tour schedule information, and mailing lists.  Peppermint has also released three sampler CDs, including artists such as Peter Mayer, Becky Schlegel, Ellis, Stuart Davis, Brenda Weiler, Justin Roth, Chris Cunningham and several others.

Artists: 

During the 90's, Scott Marrs was one of the many artists regularly performing around local coffeehouses in the Twin Cities. Scott's had a bit of national success --he's been touring all over the country and even gaining a great endorsement from Christine Lavin! Scott releases his latest CD, "Poem of Life" in May. The CD release party happens May 9 at 7 pm at Unity North Church in Coon Rapids. 

One of the most exciting "success stories" I've had the privilege of watching from an early point is Barb Ryman's. When I met her she was a speech therapist who was releasing her first CD. That CD, "Winds of Good Fortune" had some very gratifying local and national recognition, as did her follow-up CDs, "Lay Me Open", "Like A Tree", and her latest, "Falling Down to Heaven". Today Barb performs all over the country, she is a winner of the 2002 McKnight Composer Fellowship, and in March performed at a Writer's Night at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Wow, wow!

Again, those are just a few stories. There are more to be told. Press on and working on yours....

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A reminder that soon the outdoor concert series gets going in earnest! The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board summer concerts for Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Falls begin in June.

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MAS SPONSORS PROMOTIONAL SEMINAR/WORKSHOP WITH WENDY VICKERS

 Saturday May 31, 2003
 Music Tech College, corner of 10th Street and Exchange, St. Paul, MN
11:00 am until 2:00 pm

Cost:  $30.00 members/$35.00 non-members

 New to promoting yourself and your music? Wondering what others out there are doing? Looking for some tips on how to find markets and make a good impression when communicating?

 The Minnesota Association of Songwriters presents "Promoting and Marketing Your Musical Talent", with Wendy Vickers, writer of the "Wendy V's Local Blend" online newsletter at www.wendyv.com and longtime supporter of local musicians. It's your chance to pick up pointers on promotion, and share your success stories and network with others!

 Here's what's covered:

-Planning your priorities 
-Giving some thought to how music really fits into the scheme of the rest of your life. Defining what "there" is when "getting there." How does your music affect family, friends, day job, etc.? Determining your promotion task. 
-Creating your press kit 
-Practice on putting together your bio--finding and communicating your uniqueness, responding to questions to help make up bio content, preparing a press kit
-Making contacts
-Building an audience relationship, importance of a mailing list,  the components of a good artist web site, e-mail etiquette, phone messages and calls, cover letters
-Researching for opportunities
-Compiling contacts, use of the Internet, library, publications to track down organizations, broadcast and print media, etc. researching the radio market, tracking, follow up possibilities
-Dealing with doubts, fighting the fears that create roadblocks on the journey, building your self-confidence

This seminar/workshop provides tips for the beginner to the advanced.  Get those basic items started and/or updated and take another step forward to your goals!  Please call Vicki Logan at 651-257-4857 to reserve your spot.

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Sometimes it just helps to talk...

Books are great resources as you make your music promotion plans...but sometimes it just helps to talk out your plans and know someone is listening to you. Books can't talk back to you, give you encouragement or feedback on what they think you're doing right or wrong.

Maybe you've been to one of the bigger music seminars and wished you'd had the opportunity to ask specific questions of the pros about your plans...but there just wasn't time for individual attention.

Once again, Wendy Vickers offers affordable individual consulting services for bio writing and general suggestions for the basics of marketing, resources, etc. on your CD or music. One hour, one week, or one month--Wendy partners with you to help develop an action plan to get you started in sharing your gifts and talents!

Groups, bands, musical acts of 4 or more --Wendy can facilitate a special session just for you! Wendy's classes and seminars feature her critically acclaimed materials:  
Booklet, "Promoting and Marketing Your Musical Talent"  
CD, "Out of the Jar...and Into the World"

Contact Wendy or go to www.wendyv.com for more information on consultations!
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