AIRPLAY 360 August 2010 by AIRPLAY 360

August Cover April Nevels

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE Be in the Know, Get Knowledge NOW

August 2010 / Vol. 3 No. 1

PUBLISHER Ace Alexander

n today’s world, knowledge is king. It always has been important but today that knowledge may be just a couple of clicks away on the Internet or even on your smart phone. Prior to all of these technological advances, we depended on libraries, bookstores or other sources to gain that knowledge. My point is that access to information has never been easier; so, there’s no excuse for not being educated about your craft. In AIRPLAY 360, we do our best to provide you with information that will help to advance your career and ministry but we encourage you to go a step further. Research more information on entertainment law, vocal health, imaging, radio promotion, finance and any other area that will make a significant difference in your life and career. Think about it. If you haven’t reached your potential, it could be a piece of information, a nugget of knowledge that you don’t know that’s holding up your progress. Is there a better way of promoting your music that will get the attention of radio, distributors and consumers? How can you network with other artists and ministries to make sure that the message of your music ministry reaches a broader audience? Find the answers, get knowledge and implement them and be amazed. Never ever underestimate the power of knowledge.

Ace Alexander Publisher/Founder Ace Alexander is an award winning radio personality and national music programmer for Sheridan Gospel Network. He founded AIRPLAY 360 in June 2008 as a complement to his seminar “How to Get Your Music Played on Radio” which was featured at Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Industry Retreats, Gospel Announcer Guild events and other conferences.

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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Louise M. Moore ASSISTANT TO PUBLISHER Jacqueline Hill EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Ashley Hill Michelle Slater EXPERT COLUMNISTS Adrian Anderson Linda “Chocolate” Berthier Tina A. Fears Kathy Grant Angela D. Green, Esq. Dileesa Hunter Antonio Neal Nicole B. Simpson, CFP Chris Squire Mark A. Williams, M.D., Ph.D. LOGO DESIGN Aziz Peregrino-Brimah ADVERTISING LTL Entertainment LLC AIRPLAY 360 published monthly www.airplay360.com The Ace Alexander Group, LLC

Copyri ght © 2008-2010 AI RPLAY 360, The Ace Al exa nd er Gro u p LL C and LTL Entertainment LLC. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Readers are free to forward this web magazine to friends and colleagues. DISCLAIMER: The articles and resources in AIRPLAY 360 are not intended to be a substitute for professional consultations. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this web magazine, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

AIRPLAY 360

August 2010

INSIDE August 2010

Contents 6

COVER STORY: April Nevels “Krazy Praize” by Louise M. Moore

LEGAL: Illegal Downloads… How to Deal With Them Legally by Angela D. Green, ESQ

FINANCES: Why Now is the Best Time to Refocus, Set New Goals by Nicole B. Simpson, CFP

VOCAL HEALTH: Health Screening for Your Voice by Mark A. Williams, M.D., PhD. How to Have a Healthy Singing Voice by Dileesa Hunter

On the Cover: April Nevels – Photo by Keith Major

How to Record Great Vocals

August 2010

IN THE STUDIO: Tips for Recording Great Vocals by Antonio Neal

IMAGING: Pack Well… You’re Going Places by Adrian Anderson

INTERNATIONAL: Caribbean, Canadian Gospel

14 Illegal Downloads: What to Do

by Antonio Neal 4

AIRPLAY 360

by Angela D Green, ESQ

BY LOUISE M MOORE

or contemporary gospel artist April Nevels, using her amazing voice to sing praises to God is her life. With vocal styling that has been compared to that of Karen Clark Sheard, Oleta Adams and Mary J. Blige, April is a gifted psalmist with a unique ability to convey her emotion and bare her very soul with each lyric. “If you start telling me I can’t sing (anymore), you’re going to kill me,” says April. “It’s my breath, my life support.” So, three years ago when her marriage ended and religious people started saying she had nothing to sing about anymore, it nearly silenced her forever. The Youngstown, Ohio native and youngest member of the popular gospel group the Nevels Sisters, lost her praise. After plummeting into a deep, dark well of depression that resulted in two suicide attempts, finally and appropriately, April Nevels emerged

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AIRPLAY 360

victorious and stronger than ever with a new purpose and an awesome testimony. She reclaimed her praise. “Krazy Praize”, her debut solo project on New Jersey-based 7-Places Records, features a heartfelt, personal collection of 14 songs like the first single and title track “Krazy Praize”, a contemporary, uptempo call to praise. And the powerful worship ballad “Jesus You Are”, the second single from the album, is currently gaining momentum with national radio airplay. According to Billboard’s most recent BDS (Broadcast Data Systems) report, “Jesus You Are” is the second most added gospel song behind Smokie Norful’s “No One Else.” In an interview with AIRPLAY 360, April shares how she came back from a dire situation and why she delivers each song with so much passion and genuine emotion.

A360: I’ve heard you mention before about the depression you went through during your divorce. What songs on your project really speak to that situation that you were in at that time? AN: “Jesus You Are” is a song that spoke to a situation that I went through right as I was recording that particular song and my producer Robert Sayles made me get behind the mic and use that pain to deliver that song and I didn’t want to but he insisted that I get behind the mic and sing through what I was feeling. But I was really able to deliver it.

all the chips fell? God. He never ever left. I’ve been singing all my life but until I went through that dark, dark time where I tried to kill myself twice could I come out on the other side and really understand the meaning of all these songs (on my project).

“. . . until I went through that dark, dark time . . . could I come out on the other side and really understand the meaning of all these songs.” A360: What caused your depression? AN: It wasn’t really the pain of the divorce that caused the depression but it was the way I was treated for making the decision to get a divorce. That’s what caused the depression and suicide attempts. I never ever could have imagined that a decision to end my marriage would have caused the backlash I experienced. I was ridiculed, ostracized and told I didn’t have anything to sing for anymore because I didn’t allow God to fix my marriage. I was told I didn’t have a testimony and God didn’t want my praise. Pretty much nobody wanted me. I did get to a point where I believed it too that (God didn’t want anything from me). But God just kept on showing up and very blatantly and I remember saying to God, “Why don’t you just leave; everybody else has.” A360: So the songs on this “Krazy Praize” project are really relevant for you. AN: A lot of these songs on this project are like April on the other side. Before divorce, I couldn’t sing these songs effectively because I hadn’t gone through that dark, dark moment. I had to go through that dark moment in order to get to a ‘Krazy Praize.” I had to go through that dark, dark moment to know that ‘Jesus was my refuge’ (as referenced in ‘Jesus You Are”) and to know that everybody else that I was looking to and thought would have my back and that would cover me, they really didn’t. But guess who was there when

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April Nevels and the producer of “Krazy Praize” Rob Sayles

A360: This is your first solo project. Why now? AN: It kind of snuck up on me. Of course, I’m still with my sisters very actively. We just got off the road and are in the studio working on new material. But me and the producer on my project, Rob, became good friends and he took a liking to the texture of my voice because of some of the songs he had written and he was like, “If you ever do something on your own then definitely I have to do the project.” Well, 7-Places Records which is a joint venture between my brother Emmitt Nevels, Jr. and Dr. Clyde Maxwell, Jr. had released its first artist, my brother Emmitt, and I was a featured soloist on his project. So when we would be out of town with my brother, Rob would meet us at the hotel and that’s how we actually recorded “Krazy Praize”. I actually did that in a hotel room when we were on an engagement for my brother. I told Dr. Maxwell that we did this really hot song called “Krazy Praize” and he really APRIL NEVELS Continued Page 8

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August 2010

APRIL NEVELS Continued from Page 7 liked it and wanted to move forward with it. Of course, I was hesitant because I’m like “Wait a minute. I’m not trying to do any solo project right now because I’m with the sisters.” It was like a runaway train and I started loving it. I was loving the material. I was loving singing because me and Rob had such great chemistry and the songs he had written were so personal because he knew different things I had gone through. I mean with us being friends already, over the years, I would tell him about something that just happened (in my life) and he would be like, “Listen to this song I just wrote last night.” And it would be about my situation. So it was so easy for me to sing the material. And, I started liking it and wanting to do it. So when they (7-Places Records) came to me about this proposition of moving forward with a solo project, I said, “Most definitely, as long as it does not hinder what I’m doing with my sisters.”

having a nine to five job and knowing how I’m going to meet obligations every month. And, in this situation I’m in right now, this is not necessarily the case. I don’t have a nine to five. This (singing) is all I do. I’m a college graduate. I have a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership so I never had difficulty in finding employment so when I surrendered and told God I would go ahead and do this full-time and it got a little shaky, I said, “I’m going to get me a job and I said ‘Lord if it’s not your will for me to get a job then don’t let nobody call me back.’ And nobody called.” But every month God blows my mind on how he makes provisions for me.

I know that God called me to sing. I know that I have to do this; I don’t have a choice. A360: Speaking of your sisters, how difficult is it to be a solo artist and be a part of a group too? Does it make it any easier since it’s your sisters? AN: It’s not difficult for me at all. I absolutely love it. I have set priorities and I’m pretty clear, focused and set on those priorities and I don’t veer from them. So as far as scheduling, if I get a call for an engagement, it goes on my calendar when I lock it in I forward it to my sister Debra Jordan who handles dates for the Nevels Sisters so when a date comes in for the group, she doesn’t book that date unless it’s something that is just mandatory that the group has to do. But a great conflict has not happened yet. Up to now everything has been going smooth. A360: What has been your greatest challenge of doing music ministry full-time? AN: I know what God has called me to do. I know that God called me to sing. I know that I have to do this; I don’t have a choice. I submitted and surrendered to God and told him I would do it. It was a struggle initially because I’m used to

August 2010

AIRPLAY 360

The pain of divorce, depression and suicidal moments and April’s triumphant survival of it all, is what resonates in April’s life and ultimately in her music. “I didn’t see how I would make it out but God never left me,” says April. And, she’s not looking back. Instead, April Nevels is moving full speed ahead but through every thread of her career and life, rest assure that she will ALWAYS have a song in her heart and a praise that no one can take away. “Krazy Praize” is available on iTunes, at www.7-places.com and at Best Buy.

www.ensoundradio.net

www.cjbradio.com

www.praize1029.com

www.thepowerofgospel.com

www.chri.ca/site

Legal Brief Illegal Downloads . . . How to Deal With Them Legally BY ANGELA D GREEN, ESQ.

ith the rise of illegal music downloading, has come the demise of the music industry of old. Although there are several ways to legally obtain digital music through such companies as iTunes, Amazon.com and others, music professionals are still experiencing a decline in sales. The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) along with Music Rights Now, are sending out a call-for-action to everyone in the music industry. Their goal is to seek legislation that will compel Internet service providers to take action when their customers are illegally downloading entertainment properties. Their research shows that countries where this type of law was enacted, the music business in that particular country showed signs of recovery.

As a music industry professional take it upon yourself to find out what is really going on. Although physical CD sales have been on the decline for quite some time, Soundscan is starting to report a decline in digital sales as well. Something is going on and it is not to the benefit of the creators of music. For more information on this and other issues related to the music industry, go to www.musicrightsnow.org or www.narm.com. The articles and/or legal tips provided by Angela Green, Esq. are for informational purposes only, concerning general legal principles. You should consult your legal counsel for answers to specific legal questions. Angela Green is an entertainment attorney in Memphis, Tennessee and also part owner of Key II Entertainment which is an artist management company. She is also founder and CEO of music publishing and registration service Positioned for Millions. www.positionmenow.com

TERMS EVERY ARTIST SHOULD KNOW Exclusive Songwriting Contract A contract where the songwriter transfers to the publisher copyright ownership of all songs written during a specified period of time in exchange for salary and/or royalties.

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AIRPLAY 360

August 2010

Why ‘Now’ is the Best Time to Refocus, Set New Goals BY NICOLE B. SIMPSON, CFP

ugust represents a new beginning. As the summer begins to wind down, families prepare to send their children back to school. Everyone must make adjustments to a new routine that will accommodate one another’s schedule. Children expect to experience something new; new school, new teachers, new friends, new challenges to overcome. The season for fun in the sun is almost complete and this is a great opportunity to establish new goals and create new agendas. This shift in the season creates an opportunity to reset goals you originally established in the beginning of the year with a new attitude. Most people, given the current, challenging economic times, made a decision to gain control over their destiny. Their intentions were pure but after a few setbacks and unexpected expenses, they settled into what was familiar. But there is still a chance to begin something new. Listed below are a few goals that one can begin to research and place into action before the end of the year. Pursue A Higher Education. If you committed to pursuing a higher education or exploring a new career path but you missed all of the deadlines, use the beginning of the school year to get a jump start in 2011. Beginning now will literally guarantee you can overcome all obstacles between you and education, including the financial hurdles.

August 2010

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Set Financial Goals. You decided this would be the year you would gain control of your finances. As you reel in the summer spending, evaluate how much money you spent for recreation and fun in the sun. Use that money to replenish or establish an emergency savings account. Most people spend a lot of money during the summer months with limited savings. You can shift that amount into something tangible. Review Your New Year’s Resolutions. While it may be near the end of the year, you still have time to accomplish at least one goal. Review your list and select one goal that is most important to you. Beginning to achieve that goal will help you overcome any personal feelings of inadequacy and failure. In addition, it will encourage you to dream big dreams in the upcoming year. Make a Commitment to Yourself. Most individuals struggle within themselves when trying to improve their character and their life circumstances. Become willing to be honest with yourself and your vulnerabilities. The only way to improve who you are as an individual, is to identify where you continually fall short. Acknowledging your weaknesses will allow you to address the issues head-on. If you don’t give up on you, others will see your determination and your commitment to self and want to assist you in pursuing destiny. Nicole B. Simpson is a certified financial planner, author, speaker, and disaster planning specialist. www.nicolebsimpson.com

Vocal Health Have You Had Your Health Screening for Your Voice?

How to Have a Healthy Singing Voice

BY MARK A WILLIAMS, MD, PhD

BY DILEESA HUNTER

ost people are aware of blood pressure, cholesterol and cancer screenings. These have a clear and easily recognized value of performing as they can help prevent death by allowing the institution of early treatment. To the person who uses his/her voice professionally, or whose ministry is significantly tied to the use of the voice (i.e., singers, teachers, radio personalities, preachers, salesmen, attorneys, etc.), loss of the voice can be associated with death of a ministry and/or career. I recommend that any professional voice user has a screening of the voice. This involves a thorough inspection of the vocal cords and an assessment of their functioning. Ideally, it would also include a thorough head and neck evaluation by a qualified otolaryngologist who specializes in voice care. I estimate that if I scanned a 100 voice choir, I would identify approximately 20 people who are harboring problems that may affect the voice. People perish for lack of knowledge -promising careers and ministries similarly perish. The best way to protect your investment (as an individual, employer or record label) is to protect your instrument -- your voice.

Mark A. Williams, M.D., Ph.D. is an otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose & Throat doctor) in Nashville, TN. He is the founder of the Voice Care Center of Nashville ( www.entson.net ) and holds a doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics.

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f you are a smoker, STOP. Smoking doesn't take you from soprano to alto, its takes you from soprano to nothing. • Drink plenty of clear fluids daily. Singing is an athletic activity that involves the entire body, so you must be hydrated. • Increase fruits and veggies. Why? Again, singing is athletic!! Just as a track runner prepares for a race by eating right, so should singers. Now, more specific to singers, it is important to recognize that many times we wear our voices out before we even get on stage! How? The way we speak. Please remember, our speaking and singing voices use the same vocal cords. So, talking in a loud cafeteria, on the phone with the car windows down, rounding up the kids, all wears on our voice. People who consider singing their vocation must 'baby' their voices. Here are some tips: • Find a note that you can easily hum on, and speak on that tone. It may sound funny at first, but your voice will love you for it. • Make people move in closer to hear you, as opposed to you shouting over a noisy room • Limit phone conversations in the car, or at least wind the windows up and turn the radio down! • ALWAYS stay hydrated. • When you are sick, REST. Trying to sing when you are already sick with a cold or flu can cause permanent damage, so take it easy. Dileesa Hunter is an Atlanta-based vocal coach, singer and owner of American Singing Studio. www.americansingingstudio.com

AIRPLAY 360

August 2010

IN THE STUDIO

6 TIPS for Recording Great Vocals BY ANTONIO NEAL

he art of recording vocals is more about preparation than actually laying down your vocal tracks. What you do to prepare beforehand will help to determine how productive your studio session will or will not be.

4. Drink Plenty of Water. Make sure the water is room temperature and not ice cold because very cold beverage can cause your throat to constrict. Lemon in your water can help to clear your throat of mucous.

1. Get Proper Rest. On the day that you have to record vocals, make sure you are up at least three to four hours before your session. Hopefully, you would have had a good night's rest prior to the morning of your recording. It's amazing what proper rest can do for the quality of vocal recording.

5. Warm Up Your Vocals. One of the most important things to remember is to properly warm up your vocals before singing. You're in the studio to record master vocals, not to warm up. Besides, time is money!

2. Eat Breakfast. On the day of recording, make sure that you eat a good breakfast about two hours before hitting the studio. You should never sing on an empty stomach because you need energy from food to perform; however, eating too much will cause your stomach to be full and will adversely affect your diaphragmic breathing. 3. Avoid Food or Beverage That Irritate The Throat. Dairy products, caffeine and salty and spicy foods are throat irritants and should be avoided prior to recording vocals. Yes, I know it's hard, but you will have to avoid those cheese eggs and that hot cup of coffee! A little sacrifice goes a long way. 14

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6. Maintain a Good Attitude. Your attitude in the studio is very important so make sure you stay positive and listen to your engineer and producer. Their job is to bring out the best of your gift and deliver a quality product for the world to hear. me. Antonio Neal is a Grammy nominated, Dove award winning producer and former EMI recording artist. His vocals and producing credits are on several artists' projects including Nicole C. Mullen, Stacie Orrico, Joann Rosario and Lil Iroc. Antonio is also co-founder of Beyond Potential Urban Music Gathering and Beyond Potential University. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

Pack Light and Well . . . You’re Going Places BY ADRIAN ANDERSON

ou have learned how to creatively and economically promote yourself a.k.a. your brand. If you have not then, go back and read every AIRPLAY 360 issue that has come out for the last two years because you have a lot to learn. You now have to assess and determine if you have covered all the aspects of your target market. If you have then guess what? You get a new target! Never become complacent in your approach towards your career or anything for that matter. What I mean is this: You now only have to maintain nurturing the ground that you have covered; however, you now have to place your attention in other markets. Now this does not necessarily mean that you'll see an ideal place for you and that is not the point. However the point is that “you just may!“ You could find ideal placement and fit that you would never consider because you never ventured into the unknown. It’s time to learn about the broader landscape of life. Ask your peers what is the most unique and different thing they have ever done to expose their gift to a whole new world. You will be surprised and learn from their accomplishments. Also, make sure you congratulate them on the successful results. Always acknowledge and be supportive of just rewards. Take day trips and take company tours that are open to the public. Get inspired and

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look for the niche markets for instance a small business that you could bless their employees with your music as a ‘thank you’ for the unique work they do that benefits society. You have to always seek beyond what you know because no one human being knows everything and you'll meet some amazing people! You never know who God will place in your path. You only have to be willing to take the journey. Be Wise, Be Kind, Be Daring and Dream, Adrian Adrian Anderson is a motivational speaker, beauty entrepreneur and member of the award winning urban inspirational trio Trin-i-tee 5:7. Follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/adriansmile.

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August 2010

INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE

Caribbean Artist Spotlight

DJ NICHOLAS

Known in his early years as 'Nameless' and singing mostly violent gun songs and explicit lyrics, Nicholas was a teenager who began searching for his true identity. He sought refuge in the Rastafarian faith believing that Selassie was God and became totally immersed in the religion. Knowing that he was raised in a Christian home he prayed for Gods guidance because he was confused about the path he was taking. He eventually got saved and baptized and developed a passion for gospel music. He has since ministered all over the world and released two highly acclaimed albums. • Released first album ‘DJ Nicholas On the Shout’(2005) • Released second album ‘Louder Than Ever’ (2008) • Won 2006 Maia Award for Artist of the Year Award and New Artist of the Year Award • Won 2006 Joe Higgs Music Award for New Gospel Artist for his debut project ‘On the Shout’. • Won 2006 Marlin Awards for New Artist of the Year and Duo of the Year for ‘Holy Ghost Church’. For more information visit www.djnicholas.net. Contents of this article piece were contributed by AIRPLAY 360 International Columnist Linda ‘Chocolate’ Berthier.

August 2010

AIRPLAY 360

INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE

International Artists, Diverse Genres

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AIRPLAY 360

August 2010

airplay360@aol.com www.airplay360.com

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August 2010

www.atlantagag.com

www.westcoastpraze.com

ARTIST MANAGEMENT IGA Talent Management & Consulting, Inc. Damon Stewart dstewart@igatalentmgmt.com

Kingdom Global Management & Booking 32 Parade Drive Greenville, SC 29605 Tel: 404-664-0715 Fax: 864-243-8747 www.kingdomglobalmanagement.com

INTERNET

SINGERS

Musicians4You.com

Deanna Ransom

www.musicians4you.com

Gospel Jazz R&B www.cdbaby.com/cd/deannaransom1

Linda ‘Chocolate’ Berthier

LEGAL Angela D. Green & Assoc. P.C.

Caribbean/Reggae/Jazz www.lindachocolateberthier.com

www.myspace.com/adgreenlaw

Management: Johnny Blanks 646-210-1880

Positioned For Millions www.positionmenow.com

CHOREOGRAPHY

SPECIALTY

MUSIC DOWNLOAD

Stage Ready LLC Choreography, Fitness Training and Artist Development info@stageready.net www.stageready.net

Nicole Simpson, CFP Certified Financial Planner Disaster Planning Specialist www.nicolebsimpson.com

GRAPHICS/DESIGN

www.digigospel.com

Creative Marx Handmade Jewelry

D3 Entertainment

West Coast Praze www.westcoastpraze.com

RADIO

VOCAL CARE

CHRI – 99.1

American Singing Studio

215Flyers.com 1.877-215FLYERS www.215flyers.com

Christian Jukebox

www.americansingingstudio.com

www.thechristianjukebox.com Aziz “Zee” Peregrino-Brimah getresults@bezworks.com www.bezworks.com

www.creative-marx.com

TELEVISION

Michelle Duffie Contact www.d3egroup.com

www.chri.ca

Bezworks Design LLC

Brown Angel Apparel www.brownangeltees.com

DigiGospel.com

MUSIC PRODUCTION FINANCIAL

Kathy Grant Mahon

En Sound Radio www.ensoundradio.net

Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists of Nashville www.entson.net

Power of Gospel

INTERNET

www.thepowerofgospel.com

En Sound Entertainment

WGFE PRAIZE 102.9

www.ensoundentertainment.com

www.praize1029.com

www.airplay360.com

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