Independent Music

Independent music has always been an enigma over the years, but in recent times the advent of technology relating to home recording, digital distribution, and the Internet age have converted distant dreams of independent musicians into realities.

Independent music, or indie as its fondly known, is certainly an avenue for taking your music to the masses, and to be devoid of a major label is certainly a blessing in disguise.

Starting up with your music endeavor is the toughest part and to take it to the audience is equally tough as well in this competitive independent music online market. The common notion among musicians is that, they can leave their music speak for itself, but to stand out and carve a niche for themselves in such a medium requires them to do more than that.

The first thing to do in independent music is to make your presence felt, meaning, your music should be heard by as many people as possible. It is in this case that platforms like myspace, reverb nation and my country space kick in. They have a huge portal for independent music, and they let you showcase your ability to audiences worldwide, thanks to the Internet. They also provide innovative online music marketing solutions which help promote your music or your brand in general and who knows, may be create an independent music label. So create a unique media kit including a logo, a one page bio including a business card with all your contact details on it and most importantly a CD of your music.

Digital distribution is definitely the way ahead, so make your independent music downloadable from as many sites as possible. Social networking is a powerful medium that can take you to dizzy heights, so be there on all networking sites.

The independent music online market is a rat race, and to be ahead you need to be on top of your game all the time and do much more than your previous one. When you put all of the above in place, what you do is create a brand for yourself, so if people who like what you do keep coming back for more, that is when you can truly believe that you can sustain your growth and be successful in the independent music online market.

avis mbs

October Song Fest At Loretta Lynn's Ranch Sign Ups

Folks from all over are invited to come to Loretta Lynns Ranch at Hurricane Mills for three days of camping, food and fun this October 2-4. The October Fest at Loretta Lynns Ranch is several events in one. Its 3 days of live music performances, dancing, Classes, Door Prizes. Canned Goods and Pie judging. Games booths and more.

Songwriters from the novice to the pro will share their original songs on multiple outdoor stages. Hit Writers from the past, present and future will be showcasing their tunes with live music. There are Open Sing Rings that Song Wranglers can join in or start. There is a Co-writers Corner for on the spot writing and sharing a new tune. If ya still can't sleep after all the stages close there is an after hours Camp Fire Sing Ring down by the creek. The Fest welcomes all forms of songwriting. Everyone who comes will have an opportunity to share their original lyrics, songs or music.

You can also register to attend 3 days of classes all about the craft and businesses of being a songwriter. Pro Instructors who have been there, done that, will share their secrets and personal experiences about what it takes to be successful in the business of music. Attend all or parts.

There will also be dance bands Friday and Saturday night with door Prizes. Sunday morning to afternoon is Gospel and Contemporary Christian singing . Sign your church group or individuals to come sing and play.

There will be Home Canned Goods and Pie Judging competition. Register your Pickles, Bean Relish, Green Beans, Jellies and other home made canned goods for a chance at the Blue Ribbon and other prizes. Apple, Peach and Pumpkin pies will also be judged.

Try your luck at the Watermelon Seed Spitting, Skillet Toss, Golf Chip Shot, Horse Shoe Toss, Ugly Contest, Balloon Toss and other family activities. Arts, Crafts & Music booths of all kinds will be on hand for your browsing pleasure.

And if that werent enough to do..... Loretta Lynns Dude Ranch is complete with a Full Service RV Park & Campsites, Swimming Pool, Playgrounds, Canoeing, Paddle Boats, Nature Trails, Mini Theater, Lynn Plantation Home, Butcher Holler Home Place, "Coal Miners Daughter Museum." The Old Grist Mill Water Wheel Houses, Fan Museum, Western Town and more.
So come hang with the gang for the three day weekend & find your place in the mix. We are located about 65 miles due west from Nashville and east of Jackson. The October Fest at Loretta Lynns Ranch is now accepting sign ups for performing & non performing songwriters, classes, Gospel singing and general admissions, booths, canned food and pie entries, skillet toss, seed spiting and more for the October 2-4, '09 happening. For information visit http://www.SongWritersFestival.com or call 931-296-4067 / 615-424-1491 or email Ranch@SongWritersFestival.com

ERIC DE FONTENAY

Jim Duff & Necessities - Jim Duff's MySpace Blog |

Jim Duff & Necessities - Jim Duff's MySpace Blog |

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Jim Duff and the Necessities

Jim Duff and the Necessities

September 12th Stanford Folk and Bluegrass Festival

Main Street

Stanford KY 40484

606-365-2533

Show starts at 4pm to 5pm EST

Click below for map and directions

Map

amnews.com - The Advocate-Messenger in Danville, KY

Click on the links to read what the Advocate Messenger has to say about "Lincoln Pride."

http://www.amnews.com/stories/2009/08/10/ent.52011.sto

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Listen to Lincoln Pride by Jim Duff MP3 Music Downloads on Napster

Listen to Lincoln Pride by Jim Duff MP3 Music Downloads on Napster

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Letter To Lincoln County Kentucky Fiscal Court and P&Z

Almost a year has past since the Lincoln County Fiscal Court unanimously approved Hometown Wireless’s plan to provide all of the residents of Lincoln County with true wireless broadband service. In our plan we proved to the court that we could provide coverage to the entire county by using existing towers located in and around the county. I have attached to this letter, a propagation study conducted by a certified RF engineer that confirms the feasibility of the plan. While the Fiscal Court granted Hometown Wireless permission to collocate on several water tanks as it turned out they did not have the right to do so. However, this did not affect Hometown’s plan to provide coverage to all residents in Lincoln County, only temporarily prolonging the start of our build out plan. After revising our build out plan, Hometown has begun to do exactly what we said we would do, which is to provide all of Lincoln County with true wireless broadband service.

Currently Hometown provides coverage to one third of the county. Our existing coverage area includes Stanford, Crab Orchard, Broughtontown and parts of Waynesburg and Kings Mountain. We also serve over 70 customers in Lincoln County with true high-speed wireless broadband service and will extend our coverage farther into Waynesburg, Kings Mountain, McKinney and Hustonville by the end of January 2010.

At present, Hometown has also submitted an application for grants through the Dept. of Agriculture in order acquire additional funding to expand our coverage into Lincoln, Garred and Casey counties.

In so doing, Hometown has followed all of the rules and regulations in order to conduct business in Lincoln County. We have received no special treatment from any Government entity in Lincoln County and would expect the same for our competition. Therefore Hometown would like to ask the Fiscal Court why they are considering changing the rules and regulations for Wimax Express? Wimax Express has not displayed any interest in providing coverage to all residents of Lincoln County. Wimax has never submitted any plan showing how they wish to cover the entire county with broadband service. But what Wimax has done is shown no regard for the rules and regulation of the County by building towers without approval or permits.

Wimax requested that Fiscal Court wave the permitting fee but was denied by a vote of ALL the Magistrates. Permitting fees are an associated cost of doing business and therefore should be paid. If Wimax knowingly cannot afford the permitting fees why are they in business? Why did they build a tower knowing that they were breaking the rules and regulations? Why should Wimax be treated any differently from other broadband providers that serve Lincoln County? Broadband providers such as AT&T, Sprint or T Mobile have not built towers in Lincoln County; “build to suit” tower companies, who paid the same fees that Wimax refuses to pay, built all of the towers in Lincoln County for “collocation”. These tower companies do not build towers to provide any kind of telecommunication or broadband services; they only build towers in order to lease space to companies wishing to provide telecommunication and broadband services.

If you change the rules for one company who will be next? Both P&Z and the Fiscal Court could set a precedent that could decrease property values in Lincoln County by allowing towers to be built in places that could be served by existing towers. The Kentucky Public Service Commission drafted the existing ordinance that Lincoln County has adopted and the rules were created to prevent proliferation of commercial towers, and to preserve the property values of residents that live adjacent to towers that transmit signals for commercial use. Wimax and Hometown are no different from any other broadband company wishing to do business in Lincoln County, including AT&T. Hometown sees no reason why Wimax cannot collocate on existing towers in Lincoln County. Hometown feels that P&Z should request an RF propagation study from Wimax showing why they cannot provide coverage utilizing existing towers in Waynesburg, to serve the existing 30 customers they claim they will loose. Why should the Fiscal Court and P&Z base their decision to change the rules because one man, who’s credibility is in question, says that he cannot provide service to the folks in Waynesburg using existing towers? P&Z should request proof. The reason why I question Mr. Housner credibility is because in his letter to P&Z he states that I am from Nashville Tennessee, when in fact I was raised in Waynesburg Kentucky. My grandfather was the late Clarence Barnett who served his community his entire life with Barnett and Demrow Funeral Home. I’m a graduate and was all state in football from Lincoln County High School. My family’s service to this county would seem to overshadow any efforts Mr. Housner might ever accomplish.

I left Lincoln County 20 years ago to pursue a career in the telecommunications industry. For the past 19 years I have provided consulting services to the worlds largest communication companies including AT&T, Sprint and T Mobile. Mr. Housner provides no solution to the problem but in contrast creates more problems for both the Fiscal Court and P&Z and has proven his lack of credibility in his attempt to defame me along with the Fiscal Court members who voted to approve Hometown Wireless’s plan, to cover the entire county with broadband coverage. Mr. Housner was quoted in the IJ saying that County attorney Daryl Day was my cousin; this not even being close to true proves, once again, Mr. Housner will say anything to distract people from the truth.

As I’ve said previously, the Fiscal Court unanimously approved our plan to provide broadband coverage to the residents of Lincoln County and we will do just that. My word remains my bond. We would request that the Lincoln County Fiscal Court honor the agreement they made with Hometown Wireless by simply enforcing the rules that are already in place. As far our part, Hometown Wireless will build out its network to cover the entire county because we follow through on our word.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jim Duff