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INSIDE May 2010
Contents 5
LEGAL BRIEF: Beginning a New Phase
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COVER STORY: Karen Clark Sheard
9 Don’t Lose Sight of Who You Are: Indie Artists and the MySpace “Top Friends” Complex 10 VOCAL COACH: Do You Know What Type Vocal Cords You Have? 11 VOCAL HEALTH: Protecting Your Voice Against Spring Allergies 12 IMAGING: Your Best Opportunities May Be Literally Around The Corner 13 Keeping Your Gift Fresh: How Continued Education Helps
On the Cover: Karen Clark Sheard Photography by Jeffery Cross and Mark Delong
14 INTERNATIONAL: Marlin Award Nominations 16 INTERNATIONAL: Canadian Artists Need Alliance 19 Eco-Friendly Entertainment: How Green Are You?
5 Copyright: Get It In Writing Before You Record www.airplay360.com
Do You Know What Type Vocal Cords You Is Your CD Ready 9 10 for Airplay? Have? AIRPLAY 360
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE What Will It Take to Get You To The Next Level
May 2010 / Vol. 2 No. 10
PUBLISHER Ace Alexander
erhaps you are right at the door of the next level in your ministry and career. The door is right there with your name on it but the longer you wait to access it, the further away it seems. Your feet get heavy so that you cannot pick them up to walk over to that door. So what will you do? What will it take to get you to that door so that you can go to the next level? Our featured artist and cover story this month Karen Clark Sheard recalls her near death experience and how it propelled her to new levels in her life, ministry and purpose. I hope you find inspiration in her story and find courage to do what is necessary to open the door to the next level in your life. If you’re an artist, maybe it’s time to start your own label. If you’re a label owner, maybe it’s time to break new talent with your record company. If you’re a music industry entrepreneur, maybe it’s time to introduce that new product or service that will be a blessing to so many people. Believe me, the next level may offer a new challenge for you but it can also be a positive life changing experience for not only you but for all those around you.
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 has been featured at Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Industry Retreats, Gospel Announcer Guild events and other industry conferences.
May 2010
ASSISTANT TO PUBLISHER Jacqueline Hill EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Ashley Hill Michelle Slater EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS Adrian Anderson Linda “Chocolate” Berthier Ursula Edwards Kathy Grant Angela D. Green, Esq. Dileesa Hunter Nicole B. Simpson, CFP Delroy Souden 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.
Ace Alexander Publisher/Founder
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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Louise M. Moore
AIRPLAY 360
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.
Get It In Writing Before You Think You See Some Money ver the years, I have come in contact with artists and producers from various genres of music. One of the things that I have noticed about them is their need to have a certain mood and atmosphere while they are creating in the studio. I totally understand this and respect their creative flow. When they get on a roll in the studio nothing dampens the mood quicker than an attorney talking legalese. However, what does more than dampen a mood, but actually breaks your heart, is an awesome Spirit-filled song that will never be heard because the creators cannot come to terms on copyrights and publishing. What I have seen time and time again is artists and producers going into the studio to create and the parties never discuss copyrights and publishing, or they talk about it but they never put anything in writing. Then, once the song or album is completed, everyone starts thinking, "This album very well may be my ticket to success." I call it the, "I Think I See Money Syndrome." I have seen people in Gospel music actually flip the script and go back
on their very word because of this syndrome. Legally they can do this because in the world of copyrights nothing is binding until it is in writing. That's what breaks my heart. Gospel music should represent more that just business as usual. The word of God says that we should be as wise as a serpent but as gentle as lamb. Therefore, you cannot ignore the things that you need to do to protect the gifts that God has given you. Make sure you have a blank split sheet on you when ever you go to a studio. If you have the time to negotiate, execute a collaboration agreement before you begin. The bottom line is to get a clear understanding on copyright and publishing before you create and GET IT IN WRITING. 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 part owner of Key II Entertainment, an artist management company. She is also founder and CEO of Positioned for Millions, a music publishing and registration service – www.positionmenow.com.
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Photo by Raymond Boyd
BY LOUISE M. MOORE
aren Clark Sheard embodies the success that most Gospel artists would love to achieve. But despite the fact that she has won Grammy, Stellar and Dove awards, she says life hasn’t always been kind. Karen insists the “rough roads” in her life have led her to this place and time in her life—divine destiny. For her, it’s the beginning of a brand new phase. As the youngest member of the legendary Clark Sisters and as a solo artist in her on right, Karen has been on the artist roster of several major labels. But today, she is not only artist but president of her own independent record label. She and husband Bishop J. Drew
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Sheard who serves as CEO, teamed up to form Karew Records with the record company name being a combination of both their names. The current roster includes The Clark Sisters and Karen herself. “The Clark Sisters Family Christmas” album (2009) was Karew’s debut project and Karen’s just released fifth solo album “All In One” is the second release on the newly formed label. Debuting at #3 on Billboard’s Gospel Chart, “All In One” features the phenomenal single “Prayed Up” which is steadily moving up Billboard’s Gospel Singles Chart. In a candid interview with AIRPLAY 360, Karen talks about the new phases inr her life and how she’s balancing it all.
A360: Why did you decide to start your own record label? KCS: Of course, this has been a longtime dream of mine being in this industry and having different experiences that I have gone through with different record companies and it pretty much led me in learning through my experiences to end up having my own label and making my own decisions. It’s a family owned company. A360: So, how is your family involved in the operation of Karew Records? KCS: My husband spearheads it. He’s the CEO and my daughter (Kierra) is over the artistic area and my son (J. Drew II) is over the A&R. Here we are trying to implement a good team with a good marketing plan and with EMI as the distributing company. A360: W hat challenges have you experienced in starting your own label? KCS: I had some challenges in the beginning. I’ve learned that throughout life when you try to take a risk and branch out to do something different to go to the next phase, you run through some rough roads but God is developing me (as an entrepreneur) and has taken me through those rough roads and in the area now where things can be smoothed out. But here I am now with my new CD and, of course, it’s doing very well so those rough roads really paid off. A360: In 2001, you had a near-death experience. How did that experience change your life? KCS: My life has changed so drastically in knowing that I can take this testimony and implement it with the ministry that I do in letting people know that God still heals and delivers and to hold on to worship and praise. I was actually in a coma for a month and a half. During the surgery I had a blood clot that traveled to my lungs and caused them to shut down and the blood clot then began traveling toward my heart and that’s when the doctors caught it before it got to my heart. The doctors gave me a two percent chance. That’s when my health was failing. But I had
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faith before I went into surgery, believing that God was going to cover me, not knowing that I was going to go through that. It just goes back to the faith of believing that the God that we serve still heals. Actually when I was in Intensive Care, God showed me that it was because of my worship and my praises and my prayers that He stored up for such a time when I couldn’t praise Him. That was one of the revelations that came upon me. It was God letting me know, “I haven’t forgotten you. You’ll never be alone as long as you are connected with me.” Because there are times when you cannot pray for yourself. But after I went through this, my ministry in speaking has definitely gone to another phase. It’s like a whole different phase of my life has transpired since this experience and I know it’s for the betterment of me that God has taken me in this direction to get me to my destiny where He wants me to be. There’s not a day that goes by without me thanking God for that. A360: You have a major role in the Gospel s t a ge p la y “Churc h Girl. ” Ho w is th at experience for you? KCS: Of course, I was a little leery at first because of the stripping that was going on in Continued on Page 8
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KAREN CLARK SHEARD Continued From Page 7
the play which they have a certain level that it goes to and I’m very careful because I’m a bishop’s wife but when I saw the play and read it, the message was so powerful. Because we that are in the church are losing our children not knowing where they are because we don’t raise them in the church like we were raised and making sure that it’s mandatory and a priority. “Church Girl” is another opportunity for me to deliver ministry.
“The Clark Sisters’ Family Christmas” (2009) was the first CD released on Karew Records.
A360: Speaking of acting, I understand that you will be in Aretha Franklin’s movie about her life. KCS: Yes, she selected me to play one of the artists in one of the groups that she was in. And, I thought that was such a great honor for her to embrace me. A360: Randy Jackson of American Idol has mentioned you as being one of his favorite gospel artists. How does it feel to receive that kind of praise? KCS: I count it a blessing that people still give us (The Clark Sisters) respect. When I talked to Randy, he was so respectful and it really overwhelmed me that someone of his caliber 8
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was giving that respect (to me and The Clark Sisters) and that’s because of the Christ in us and the way we were brought up. And, I realized that it wasn’t just my vocal ability but Randy mentioned that “you all stood for something” and that really blessed me. A360: How does it really feel now that you are independent and no longer on a major label? KCS: It feels good to me to know that I can say that I am walking into entrepreneurship. At a certain stage you have to make a move and go to the next phase. And, here I am at the next phase. When EMI came to us with an offer which was the Clark Sisters’ last project (“Live..One Last Time”), I believe that was in God’s plan in making that good connection because we had dealt with other record companies. Of course, there was a plan in connecting us with EMI. Right now I am really excited that I can make my own decisions along with having a major company that has proven itself to be honest. I’m just walking in my dream right now and it was very easy. When you know that God has a plan for you, you’ve just got to have faith and believe. If things don’t go right it’s for a reason and that’s why I’m where I am today. Even though I had some rough roads and it may have seemed like I was never going to get here, I kept the faith that I was going to walk in my dream. For more information on Karen Clark Sheard visit www.karewrecords.com.
Don’t Lose Sight of Who YOU Are Indie Artists and the MySpace “Top Friends” Complex BY DELROY SOUDEN
or me, it is not easy addressing certain topics without offending some; however, I must firmly say that my motive is not to offend but to bring to light what I am passionate about. Even though I am very much aware that not everyone will embrace my opinions with open arms but I must speak my mind no matter what the outcome may be. W hy is it that some artists are so fascinated by major artists to the point where I go to their MySpace pages and am saddened by what I see? Why in God’s name do independent artists feel that they must have all these major artists as their “top friends?” What is the benefit in doing so and does it help you sell more of your CDs? As an independent artist, you have to stand out in the crowd on your own and not in the shadows of others. Obviously, it must make some of you feel good about who you are as an artist that you feel the need to have these artists displayed so prominently on your pages, but in building a foundation and a platform for yourselves, to focus all the attention on you is what you need to do.
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It is okay to admire someone but don’t go overboard with it. It is ok to place some of your fellow Indie artists prominently on your pages. You’re all in this thing together and must show love and support to each other. When I visit your websites, I want to see YOU, not a bunch of major artists who don’t know you from Adam! Don’t seek out every photo opportunity that comes along with these artists; don’t sacrifice who you are and your hard work otherwise you’ll be forgotten before you are even known. Some of these artists have already gone gold and platinum in record sales while you are still struggling to go plastic with your projects! Why not let the attention be on you and on your fellow independent artists; why not make them your top friends and support each other that way? Delroy Souden is Internet entrepreneur, recording artist and radio personality. www.ensoundmusicawards.org
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Singers, Do You Know What Type of Vocal Cords You Have? BY DILEESA HUNTER
irst, just as we are all different on the outside, we are likewise different on the inside. We all have different vocal cords. Some of us have thin, long vocal cords, and others of us have short thick ones. The difference between the two is the sound they produce, and the effort it takes the singer to produce that sound. The long, thin ones produce a lighter sound. These voices tend to have a naturally fast vibrato which allows more ease with runs and coloratura. Their voices, even at the strongest, are characterized as 'light and thin' and quite often 'high'. They also tend to be very flexible in the upper registers of their voices. The short, thick ones produce a heavier, meatier sound. These voices tend to produce a mid- tempo to slower, wider vibrato and are remembered more for their power and 'color' rather than vocal tricks. Even at their lightest, their rich tone color is always present. Their voices tend to also have the most flexibility in the middle to lower registers. While these voices can master the same
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‘tricks’ that lighter voices can, it may simply be more of an effort. Think of it as the difference between a race car and a heavy duty truck: A race car is smaller and lighter, thus it has an easier time maneuvering tight corners at fast speeds. It also can go from 060 mph in 5 seconds flat. The heavy duty truck on the other hand does not have as easy a time in tight situations and although it is able to go at monster speeds, the weight its carrying causes it to exert more effort to perform that task. Make sense? No need to run to the Ear Nose and Throat doctor to find out what type of vocal cords you have! Just listen to your voice and decide which is easiest, Michael Jackson, or Anita Baker? Learn to gauge yourself and what is most comfortably 'you' Dileesa Hunter is an Atlanta-based vocal coach, singer and owner of American Singing Studio www.americansingingstudio.com.
Protecting Your Voice From Spring Allergies pring allergies can significantly alter the voice. Voice is not simply formed at the vocal cords. In fact, the vocal cords themselves simply produce a sound very similar to the sound that pursed lips p ro d u c e a s a ir is blown th rough th e mouthpiece of a trumpet. When the mouth piece is connected to a resonating chamber such as a trumpet it produces a sound that is characteristically identified as a trumpet. As singers, and speakers, our resonating chamber is everything that is located above the vocal cord -- the throat, mouth and nose. This resonating chamber is what gives our voice its characteristic sound. Alterations in the resonating chamber due to allergyinduced congestion and inflammation will change the characteristics of our voice. These changes in addition to posterior
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nasal drainage can put extra strain on the singer and can lead to vocal cord damage (specifically chronic cough and irritation). Nasal steroid sprays are frequently very beneficial in treating these symptoms while having very little negative impact on vocal cord f u n c t io n . T h e y a re o b t a in e d o n ly b y prescription. See your primary doctor or an otolaryngologist if you suffer from these symptoms. 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 ) where he specializes in the prevention and treatment of voice disorders of singers, performers and professional voice users. In addition to his medical doctorate, he holds a doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics. His experience as a surgeon, scientist and singer/songwriter permits him to provide voice, ear, nose and throat care to his patients with unique and unparalleled insight.
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Your Best Opportunities May be Literally Around the Corner BY ADRIAN ANDERSON
believe if you have been reading the columns in AIRPLAY 360 you have grown to have a deep respect for what it actually takes to be profitable and successful in the music industry. This is good because it is only going to take more and more work to achieve your goals. There are victories along the way no doubt; however, if you are committed to this being what you must do and are purposed to do, then you’re all the more inspired to continue. With that said, you have got to keep the think tank going - smile. Ok, let’s go! It's time for you to make accessions and check the summer climate and calendar of events for the season. Although many events are planned a year prior, there are always last minute opportunities as well as events with shorter lead times. Keeping yourself on the pulse of the community will help you know how to navigate and supply the musical need. Music is always needed. It's just a matter of who will provide the service. I just attended a Convention in Los Angeles for the Cosmetic Industry and since I am building a beauty brand, I focused on this f act. That said, if recognized, I sign autographs, take pictures, etc. with the wonderful fans that our group Trin-i-tee 5:7 has gained over the years. What I do consider is that there are many artists and managers that could pitch themselves to be included in these type of events to bring 12
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attention to any of the vendor booths if not directly with the Las Vegas Convention overall. If our new record was about to come out, I would have informed my manager about the convention for business purposes, it's just not time yet – smile. Think of offering a jingle (Gratis) to a local business you believe in with the agreement that your music will be played in their place of business. Include your CDs to be sold for a limited amount of time to be included in the agreement. Give the owner/manager a copy for them to listen to and follow up in a week or two to see how they enjoyed the music. You can't be afraid to put yourself out there. They just may say, “Yes!” Network in your community and see what type of conventions many of your business owners attend. This is an investment in growing their consumer base and if you do your due diligence you just may be the solution to a challenge a community business is having. Go to as many businesses as you truthfully believe you will be a good match with. It's all about meeting the need, sometimes in unexpected ways. You will always have to spend time and money on growing the reach of your product (music) so ensure that it is spent wisely and pro vid es a positive return. Adrian Anderson is a motivational speaker, beauty entrepreneur and member of the award winning trio Trin-i-tee 5:7. Follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/adriansmile.
K EEP YOUR GIFT FRESH How Continued Education Helps BY NICOLE B. SIMPSON, CFP
s a certified financial planner, I have an obligation to attend continuing educations classes to maintain my credentials. This is also required for each license I hold in the securities and insurance industry. In order to maintain relevance and operate with excellence, education is critical. Education is a lifelong journey. What are you doing to ensure that you are nurturing your gift and operating with excellence? While you may be anointed to sing, preach or even organize, in order to be the best, you must continually learn. Your gift may open the doors of opportunity, but consistently being at the top of your class requires discipline and education. You may think that as a singer or a writer, you are limited in your options of how you can move from good to great. However, instruction will provide strategies and ideas of how to maintain success. You are responsible for investing into your ministry and business. You should be willing to learn from others through conferences and classroom instructions. You must invest into being the best in your vocation or ministry. Breathing techniques, improving your writing skills, and sermon preparation instruction all enhance what your natural capabilities are already. Expanding the way you operate and conduct business will serve as a help, not hindrance. Listed are a few suggestions of the investments you should make into your ministry and/or business.
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Attend monthly networking affairs. Connecting and establishing relationships with individuals in the same or similar businesses will allow you to bounce creative ideas and strategies around. They help to eliminate costly mistakes from successful people who have been in business longer. Join a professional organization. Almost every industry or field has a professional organization that provides industry trends, updates to adjustments of any tax laws that affect your industry, and overall marketing strategies and support. Sign up for monthly industry newsletters or magazines. The best place to get valuable information and marketing ideas is through newsletters and magazines. Searching through these documents will help you find a mentor, provide you with information you did not know and steps to improve your business practices. Attend national conferences. Attending a co n f e re n ce allows you to learn th rough classroom instruction, walk away with marketing tools and/or ideas on how to improve your business, and contacts that will serve to be invaluable in the future. If you want to go from good to great, from Continued on Page 17
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INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE
Gospel Reggae Artist Monty G Gets 20 Marlin Awards Nominations BY LINDA “CHOCOLATE” BERTHIER
he first Bahamian to ever be nominated for a whopping 20 Marlin Awards is Reggae and Dancehall sensation Monty G. This is the second time in a row that Monty has captured the top spot; he was nominated for 13 Marlin Awards in 2008. It is very rare being nominated for this many awards at one time in Marlin history and the only one other artist who has scored higher is Trinidad & Tobago Gospel Soca artist Sherwin Gardner who holds the overall record with 22 nominations during the 2004 Marlin Awards season when he submitted two albums for nomination consideration at the same time, his Lion of Zion debut project “Leaning” and his bestselling album to date “Closer”. Sherwin is nominated for four Marlin Awards this year. Monty receives such a high number of nominations this year due to the work on his latest full length album “World Domination” and mostly due to many featured appearances on other nominated artists recorded singles, albums and music videos. Mont y was nominated for six awards for material from his “World Domination” album including one for Reggae Hip/Hop Recording of the Year for the single “My Hood is Your Hood” featuring American Urban recording artist Canton Jones and Reggae Recording of the Year for latest radio release “Idol Shepherd”. He was also nominated for Producer of the Year along with his sonic partner DJ Frost for their production work on a number of top releases including their mixtape compilation “Streetlight Mixtape Vol 4”, Mr. Lynx latest project “Seeds You Sow” and “Never Let Go”, the debut album by Positive, one of the most sought after new
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Monty G
artists in Caribbean gospel. Monty appeared on a wide range of nominated releases including the single “Protestors”, nominated for International Recording of the Year with Christafari and the gospelreggae.com AllStars as well as Music Video of the Year Duo/Group for the single “Goodness of Jesus” with Lynette White, Yankee B and dancehall artist Shelly Thunder. Trailing Monty with 11 nominations each are Gospel Soca sensation Nigel Lewis from Trinidad & Tobago with his band “Sound Mind” and Jamaican Reggae and Praise & Worship artist Jermaine Edwards. This is a bump in nominations for Nigel who was nominated for nine awards in 2008, winning two of them. Nigel received nominations in many of the top categories this year including Song of the Year for his hit single “Jesus Team” & Album of the Year for his third full length gospel album “Light up the Darkness”. Singer, songwriter and producer Jermaine Edwards has emerged as the top nominee for Jamaica scoring a number of top nominations
INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE
including Reggae Recording of the Year and Song of the Year for his dub anthem “Make You Smile” and Album of the Year for his sophomore disc “Destiny”. Neo-soul singer/songwriter Russell Leonce from Trinidad & Tobago follows close behind with 10 significant nominations including New Artist of the Year, Jazz Recording of the Year as well as Packaging of the Year and Album of the Year for his debut Soul, Rock and Pop disc “Culture of Love”. Bahamian Hip/Hop artist Najie Dunn scored nine nominations including New Artist of the Year, Hip/Hop Recording of the Year and Reggae Hip/Hop Recording of the Year for his super smash “Wan Take Life” that features Monty G and Reggae artist Junior Reid. Several artists walked away with eight nominations including Trinidad and Tobago’s female sensation Dixie Ann Hunte-Blackman, former Miss Bahamas (1992) Richa Sands, Trinidad & Tobago newcomer Joel “Positive” Murray who earned nominations for New Artist of the Year as well as Dub Recording of the Year & Song of the Year for his first hit single “Never Let Go”. Positive was also nominated for Music Video of the Year-Solo for his second hit single “Hold Me Closely”. Reggae, Dancehall & Soca artist Koen Duncan scored seven nominations including two in the most prestigious categories of Song of the Year for his acoustic/reggae gem “Seek Christ” and for Album of the Year for his sophomore offering “Shine High”. The final event of Marlin Weekend 2010 will be held from Thursday October 28th to Saturday October 30th in Nassau Bahamas. There are over 100 artists participating in the Marlin Awards this year representing 15 countries. For more information visit www.marlinawards.com.
Monty G received 20 Marlin Award nominations.
Nigel Lewis received 11 Marlin Award nominations.
Linda “Chocolate” Berthier is a Caribbean jazz/reggae artist and co-host of the radio show “Caribbean Hour”.
Jerrmaine Edwards received 11 Marlin Award nominations.
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INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE * INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL SCENE
Canadian Artists Need Alliance BY KATHY GRANT
he Canadian Gospel Music Industry is by and large an independent one. Most if not all, are independent artists without a label. Few are supported by one of the two independent Toronto-based labels. Canadian organizations such as SOCAN (the Canadian equivalent of ASCAP & BMI) and FACTOR, the Canadian government’s funding arm to foster music creation and touring in Canada, have been very instrumental in promoting and providing resources for Canadian Gospel artists and companies. More can be done; however, artists and companies can think outside the box and generate new coalitions and partnerships with Angel Investors, Technology R&D companies, potential sponsors, established promoters and managers south of the border who understand the needs of this market and are interested in partnering to bridge the gaps in Canada. Those who have been toiling in this industry for over 20 years have not been recognized as trailblazers. The groundbreakers and ground shakers who have remained in the industry and can verify their status of longevity, are largely not respected across the country – largely due to lack of infrastructure. Many, in order to tour, have had to tour elsewhere (U.S., South America, E u r o p e , C a r i b b e a n e t c . ) Noted attempts to recognize legendary Canadian Gospel artists have been made by the AGMM (a now defunct organization), the Vibe Awards (also defunct), the MAJA Awards (an organization in limbo) to bring light and relevance of the Canadian Gospel Artist. Now, the only award program in Canada which
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awards Gospel artists is the Covenant Awards, Canada’s equivalent of GMA’s Dove Awards. Notwithstanding this bleak picture, there is currently a growing crop of New Canadian businessmen and women, artists, broadcasters, artist managers, distributors, promoters, planners, event organizers, publicists, choir directors, Internet promoters, churches and pastors endeavoring to champion the cause of the Canadian Gospel music industry. However, this infrastructure still needs to be connected. Pastors and churches need to work with those promoters working for their Canadian clients. Canadian artists need to educate and elevate their ministries. Broadcasters, managers and promoters need to become more visible across the board so that Canadian and American artists will be able to maximize their advertising and promotion dollars. Canada needs more managers conversant with grooming artists to have a triple threat mentality and preparing artists to engage in activities which will create multiple streams of income for themselves and their team. Kathy Grant is a gospel artist, radio/ TV host, CEO of KGM Enterprises and founder of Canadian Gospel Music Conference. She is a radio host on Canada’s CHRI 99.1 FM.
YOUR GIFT, EDUCATION Continued From Page 13
mediocre to operating with excellence, or if you simply want to stay relevant, you must invest into your education. A perfect final affirmation as to the necessity of this lies with marketing. Regardless of what career you select, you must let others know what you do in business or ministry. Years ago, the best way of communication may have been in street promotion, word of mouth, or attending functions and/or events. Today, if you are not familiar with social media networking and the need to communicate consistently with your audience, you will find that any level of success is far below what you could be receiving. Besides, you should always want to be a potential client’s first option, not last resort. Nicole B. Simpson is a certified financial planner, author, speaker, and disaster planning specialist. She has been featured in Black Enterprise Magazine and has appeared on Money Matters with Lynn Doyle. She is also a Profile to Success Award recipient from BET.com. For more information go to www.nicolebsimpson.com .
“Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.” - Les Brown
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Eco-Friendly Entertainment? How GREEN Are You? BY URSULA EDWARDS
n Genesis, God places the responsibility of caring for planet Earth on humans. Needless to say, we have not been good s t e wa rd s wi t h t h e a s si gn ment of preserving our planet’s delicate nature or properly handling its resources. As the debate of global warming heats up or cools down (it really just depends on what perspective you have), the question for those of us in the entertainment industry is what are we doing to be more conscious of our contribution to an Eco-friendly Entertainment Industry? DID YOU KNOW? A CD/DVD is considered a class 7 recyclable plastic. To manufacture a pound of plastic (30 CDs per pound), it requires 300 cubic feet of natural gas, 2 cups of crude oil and 24 gallons of water. It is estimated that AOL alone has distributed more than 2 billion CDs. That is the natural gas equivalent of heating 200,000 homes for one (1) year. It is estimated that it will take over 1 million years for a CD to completely decompose in a landfill. These implications and its impact on the planet are beyond alarming and further indicates that we have been derelict in our duties as good stewards. It is important that we leave an inheritance for the next generation, so to answer the question, Lord, what do we do now? I created www.airplay360.com
Eco Entertainment or Eco-Ent. Eco-Ent is leading the charge to produce less waste in entertainment. By using eco-friendly music download cards instead of CDs and encouraging customers to be eco-conscious, the amount of plastic normally used in manufacturing and packaging a CD is severely reduced. Additionally, because the music content is digitally downloadable, the delicate balance of our environment is preserved. The cards we offer range from recycled materials, to cardboard, to seeded cards that will produce plants once they decompose. Even better than all that, is the fact that these cards promote faith-based ideals and business. Each download card is uniquely customized and designed for individual organizations or business groups as free advertising tools to give away to their customers, thereby spreading the Good News and sharing the wealth. And, to go a step further, Eco-Ent will host quarterly professional networking mixers to discuss even better ways to be earth-friendly, bring together like minded business people and introduce new resources to the marketplace. Do your part and log on to www.ecoent.com, create an account and download your eco-friendly music or entertainment today. If you would like to find out how you can get your music on our playlists or you have a business that you would like advertised, send an email to Ursula@eco-ent.com. Ursula Edwards is CEO of Urban Gospel Alliance International, Inc.
AIRPLAY 360
May 2010
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