Wammies^TM 2001 Nominations

It's time for current WAMA voting members to submit nominations for the 16th Annual Washington Area Music Awards (The Wammies) to be held at the State Theatre, Sunday, January 20, 2002. The 2001 Nomination Ballot is included in this newsletter. The WAMA Board voted not to make any changes in the rules for this year. Take time to read the Wammies Nomination & Voting Rules.

The Membership Decides

Your Nominations Count - Send In Your Ballot

As with any voting process, the more people who participate, the more representive the results. Your nominations are very important. Sometimes only a few votes can make the difference of an artist being added to the final ballot.

For many, the Nomination Ballot can be daunting. If you are looking for hints and suggestions, you can use previous nominations as a guide. They can be found on the WAMA website at http://www.wamadc.com/the_wammies.html. Members are encouraged to make use of the Washington Post MP3 site, washingtonpost.com/mp3, to search for nominees. Members are also encouraged to upload their music as soon as possible.

Another place to look would be the recent past issues of WAMA News at http://www.wamadc.com/wama_news.html. Even if you are only familiar with a handful of artists in just a few categories, send in your ballot - it counts.

Self-Nominations

While it's true you can self-nominate, it takes many nominations to have your name placed on the final ballot. One nomination or a few nominations is not enough to qualify for the final ballot. Many people who nominate themselves receive only one or two nominations and therefore do not qualify for the ballot. Those nominations could be spent more wisely.

Do you have a realistic chance to be a nominee? If not, nominate the artist(s) you believe have made the most significant career gains. Your nomination could possibly be the deciding vote for another nominee. That will go a long way toward maintaining the integrity of the voting process. WAMA strongly encourages you to nominate more than yourself - it's the WAMA way.

WAMA Pages 2001
New Directory Features Discounts Galore

Have you checked your mailbox? You may have already received your WAMA Pages 2001, which features a greatly expanded WAMA Member Discounts section. A three-page listing of discounts available to you just by virtue of your membership: 10% off instrument accessories, 10 or even 20% off studio rates and duplication, and 10 to 25% off live sound production, plus discounts on web design, discounted advertising rates in local music publications, discounts on CDs and cassettes at local record stores, and even a discounted membership in another local arts organization. Membership has its benefits! Don't forget to bring your membership card with you, and be sure you thank them for supporting the Washington area music community.

Another invaluable resource offered to independent musicians and other industry professionals in this and every year's WAMA Pages is the Media section of the listings. Newly researched and updated, this year's directory contains nearly 200 listings of relevant and interested contacts in various print, radio, and television outlets, both member and non-member. The vast majority of these reporters, researchers, publishers, programmers, and producers were personally contacted in the past several months by WAMA's media verification staff, their contact information verified, and included only if they answered "yes" to the question: "Would it be appropriate for local area arts and entertainment people to send you stuff?" They're waiting to hear from you.

And of course you can consult your WAMA Pages at any time for information on our 1,100-plus members, from Acquisto to Zuro, and use it to network with them as artists, agents, presenters, distributors, engineers, lawyers, managers, producers, songwriters, accountants, and of course, fans. Everything you could want as a member of the Washington area music community is all there, sorted by name, company, and profession.

Local Notes

• MX Music Guide is `the insider's guide to the Capital area music scene,' featuring listings of live music clubs, musical instrument stores and service, record, tape, and CD stores, recording studios and duplicators, and stereo stores and service (many of which actively participate in the WAMA Member Discounts program). Look for the Winter/Spring 2002 issue this November, and in the meantime, check out www.mxmusicguide.com.
• Acoustic pop singer/songwriter Bill Parsons, along with his co-writing guitar player Eric Weinberg, were recently honored to be finalists in the Lake County Folk Festival Songwriting Competition in Chicago, IL. Additionally, Parsons' latest release Special Delivery received a coveted 5-star rating from Independent Songwriter magazine, which selected Bill as their August 2001 Artist of the Month.
• The historic Avalon in Easton, Maryland, has gotten a facelift, complete with a new stage, a better sound system, and a touchup of paint. In addition, a new website launched September 1st, www.avalontheatre.com.
• Fro m Take Me Out to the Go-Go Magazine: `During the season finale of the MHz Urban television program, Michel Wright, Queen of the Midday at WPGC FM, was greeted with a surprise phone call from DC Council Member Kevin P. Chavous, who made an announcement of the City Council's ceremonial resolution to pay tribute to her for the creation of the `neighbor-flava' program. This program, which began as a local forum recognizing talent and achievements, has proliferated to become a community-based resource for artists, entrepreneurs, businesses, and hometown heroes where they can network, be seen and heard."
• The Allegany Multi-Cultural Festival is now accepting CDs and tapes of groups of different nationalities and ethnic musical styles to play at the festival, August 9-11, 2002. Interested musicians can submit press packages to: Charles Cheek, Allegany Multi-Cultural Festival, P O Box 452, Cumberland, Maryland 21501, or call 301-724-5700 for more details.
• At the 24th Annual Chorus America Conference held in Toronto, the ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming was presented to the Choral Arts Society of Washington. Eligible for the award through their performances of choral music written since 1975, the Choral Arts Society was recognized for its 1999-2000 season entitled, `The 20th Century: Our Legacy for the Future.' Additional consideration was given to them for the inclusion of world premiere commissions by composers such as Mark Adamo, Glenn Burleigh, Augusta Read Thomas, and Lee Holby, as well as local premieres, and performances of worthy but under-performed works.
• The Washington Performing Arts Society named Carmen Boston its new Youth Education Manager, to work with WPAS staff and board, local schools, and community partners to strengthen education initiatives and continue to integrate youth programs into the WPAS performance season.
• Temple Hills, MD-based hip-hop group The BWC performed at the 2nd Annual Billboard, BET R&B Hip-Hop Conference and Awards, at the New York Hilton in New York City. The BWC were one of seven acts chosen to perform at the event, which featured panels and an awards ceremony. The trio performed songs from their upcoming release, The Balance.
• The Baltimore Songwriters' Association put on a benefit concert at the Mattin Arts Center of Johns Hopkins, proceeds from which went towards a music scholarship for a Baltimore city high school senior.
• The United States Air Force Band, `America's Band', turned 60 this September, originally organized at Bolling Field in DC in 1941. The Band has grown from the original four members under command of Lt. Col. Alf Heiberg to include groups such as the Singing Sergeants, the Silver Wings, the Air Force Strings, High Flight, and the Diplomats trio, many of which tour by military airlift.
• From Danielle Westphal: `I sang in a popular piano bar in Paris, France, this summer. The place is called Le Sherwood and is right next door to the famous Harry's New York Bar where Gershwin and others have hung out through the years. ... It helps to be fluent in French and sing in French, but the audience mainly wanted to hear American jazz standards `they really love our stuff there.'
• Blue-eyed soul singer Darryl Cline is branching out, currently working with Julia Nixon and putting out three albums at the same time. In the next few months he'll release a country album which includes performances by Danny Gatton and Mike Auldridge, a live CD, and a 14-song CD titled Give Them Wings. Lately he's been seen at Camden Yards singing the national anthem. And check out the studio news to find out about his recent project at Omega Studios.
• Doug Derryberry recently introduced the crowd at Iota to his new friends, the Heydevils, a New York-based band he joined in early 2000 as its lead guitarist. Since January, Heydevils tunes, crafted primarily by bassist Michael Corn and vocalist Cliff Mays, have appeared at washingtonpost.com/MP3 as the top download `Song of the Week' ten times. AOHell generated the most attention, being the top download for five of those 10 weeks. Derryberry's reputation has been built producing albums, with John Alagia, for Dave Matthews Band, Ben Folds Five, Vertical Horizon, and a long list of other charting artists, as well as playing lead in Bruce Hornsby's band.
• Singer/songwriter Pam Steinfeld shared the stage with Richie Havens, Angie Miller, Lindsay Amore, Crabmeat Thompson and other musicians at the Rehoboth Folk Festival. The benefit raised money for the Center for Inland Bays as well as the Rehoboth Beach Kiwanis Club. Pam's debut CD, Open Hands, is available at www.PamSteinfeld.com, www.amazon.com, and the Barnes & Noble stores in Bethesda and Falls Church.
• Sev's trailer with all their equipment was stolen late in the afternoon of October 1st in Burke, VA. If you know anyone involved or have any information please email sev247@yahoo.com. The trailer is a black 2-wheeler with one big door on the back locked by a padlock. There were a few stickers that may have been removed by now. There is a possibility it may be in New York by now. Thanks to Guitar Center Sev will not cancel any upcoming shows.
• Cherrysmash's song In A Rut has just been selected for the soundtrack to a series of high adventure sports and kayaking videos distributed nationwide. The current videotape in this series is called Twitch2000 and features artists from the Northwestern US.
• Pete Papageorge of Once in a Lifetime Music reports to WAMA that he worked on HBO's orginial movie Shot in the Heart, the story about Gary Gilmore, in a speaking role as a tower guard. He also recently worked on another movie, Disney's Tuck Everlasting, as a dog handler, and this summer he narrated an autobiographical Commuter Library book called The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglas: An American Slave.


WAMA Pages 2001 Correction
• The contact information for Lion and Fox Recording was not included in their ad on page 73. Their information is:
  Lion and Fox Recording
  6100 Lincolnia Rd
  Alexandria, VA 22312
  (703)941-6100 Email: fox@lionfox.com URL: lionfox.com

New Releases

• Meteor Records has released Superconnector, the fourth CD by Cubic Feet, a band comprising Baltimore-based songwriters Mark Davison and Woody Lissauer. Produced by Pete Solley and engineered by Shelly Yakus, the CD has 13 tracks. Maryland-based Fowl Records coordinated their re-release of Cubic Feet's previous three albums, Across the River, Passenger in Time, and Inside Rail, so that they were scheduled for the same release date as well. Meteor Records can be contacted at (410) 252-2094, or on the web at www.meteorrecords.com, and Fowl Records can be found on the web at www.fowl.com.
• The Bad Influence Band announced the release of a CD of original material called Tastes Like Chicken. Their third release is available on Badblues Records (Music so good it's bad...), has 11 tracks, and features the lineup of Michael Tash, Roger Edsall, Bob Mallardi, Jay Corder, and David Thaler, as well as guest appearances by Pete Kanaras of the Nighthawks, Cindy Cain, Mary Shaver, and Janine Wilson. For more information, check the band website at www.badinfluenceband.com, or call Badblues Records at (301) 972-4270.
• Changamire released her debut jazz CD, Only Human.
• Cinema8 has finished their debut recording. Guests include Schiavone McGee (Fighting Gravity) and Joe Quigley (Jewel). Produced by Bryan Martin (David Byrne, Babe the Blue Ox) and mastered by Scott Hull (Steely Dan, Garbage), the 10 tracks will soon be available for purchase. Check them out on the web at www.Cinema-8.com.
• Ruffcore has released a new album by Hevewae, F.A.T. Beats. Check it out online at www.cdbaby.com/hevewae.
• Lea Coryell released his first CD, Cornbread & Rum. The musicians: Lea Coryell (lead vocal, clawhammer banjo, guitar, harmonica), Joan Kennedy (vocal, guitar), Ralph Lee Smith (dulcimer, harmonica), Don Stallone (vocal, concertina, melodeon, bones, forks), Dennis Doyle (vocal, guitar), Martha Doyle (vocal), Bob Dagostaro (fiddle), and John Gorozdos (vocal, tin whistle). Recorded, edited, mixed, and mastered by Bill McElroy at Bias Recording (Springfield, VA) and Slipped Disc (Richmond, VA). For more information visit www.shenandoahacoustics.com/coryell, or email leacoryell@hotmail.com, or phone (703) 471-9042.
• Doug Pitts, singer/songwriter based in New Market, MD has a new double-CD, Edgewise; this follow-up to his Kicking the Breezes, has the same `eclectic modern folk/Celtic/jazz/acoustic prog rock' feel that distinguished the earlier work. Both are available via Amazon.com, cdbaby.com, or from Doug himself (dougpitts@aol.com). Info regarding him & his music on his page at theorchard.com.
• 1999 New Artist Wammie-winning Mary Sue Twohy celebrated the release of The Risk Involved, on Azalea City Recordings' new imprint, Carroll Street, at the Institute of Musical Traditions on September 17, alongside the release of Franklin Taggart's debut CD Falling All the Way. Produced by Pete and Maura Kennedy and mastered by Grammy winner Charlie Pilzer, The Risk Involved features original songs and songs co-written with Darryl Purpose, Mary Gordon Hall, and Franklin Taggart, as well as songs by Nick Drake, Nanci Griffith, The Kennedys, Si Kahn, Kevin Briody, and Richard Thompson.
• Five-time Wammie Award winner Adam West has signed to The Telegraph Company record label for their upcoming album Right On! in the USA. Germany's People Like You Records is licensed to release Right On! in time for their European tour in September 2001; Telegraph will release Right On! in January 2002 to coincide with their U.S. West Coast tour in February 2002. The US release of Right On! includes 12 original songs while the European release will have a bonus track: a cover of the Saints classic Erotic Neurotic. Check out Adam West on the web at: http://fandangorecs.com/adamwest.
• Shawn Persinger is Prester John's new CD, Peerless, hit stores September 11th. Comprised of 10 instrumentals and 5 vocal tunes, the sound has been compared to John McLaughlin and Ani Difranco. In support of the CD release, Shawn will embark on a 40-show East Coast and Mid-West tour starting September 1st. Visit the webpage for more info and tour dates: www.PersingerMusic.com.
• Singer/songwriter Jack Kid recently released Espresso Ecstasy, his second CD on the NewFolk indie label. Among the CD's thirteen original songs are two fingerstyle guitar instrumentals, Kid's political spoof Move Washington DC, which includes Billy Novick on clarinet, and Ghost in the Family, recently awarded Finalist: Folk/Country in the Unisong International Song Contest. Hear it at www.cdbaby.com/jackkid, or RealAudio samples of songs are on Jack's website, www.JackKid.com. CD's may be ordered through Folkweb: www.folkweb.com/jackkid/index.php3#espressoecstasy.
• Acoustic bluesman Catfish Keith's all-instrumental guitar CD, A Fist Full of Riffs is now available. For more info and secure online ordering, take a look at www.catfishkeith.com. Look for Catfish on tour this year in the USA, UK, and Europe.
• The Humbuckers announced the release of their new rock a cappella album, Never Said Thanks. With four originals and six covers of groups like Blink 182, Radiohead, and Matthew Sweet, Never Said Thanks is all a cappella with every sound on the album produced by the mouths of The Humbuckers (except some clapping toward the very end). The Humbuckers are selling the album at their live shows for $12, and it is now available online at HumbuckerMart for $12 + $2 shipping per CD. Listen to clips of covers and original tunes from the album like No Tomorrow and Bitter Citizen, and check out studio photos and bios, at www.Humbuckers.com.
• Vocalist Mark Greene, formerly the lead singer for the soul group The Moments has just released Tribute To Johnny Hartman, a collection of ballads accompanied by some of the top jazz players in Washington: pianist Larry Eanet, saxophonist Charlie Young, bassist Steve Novosel and drummer Mike Smith. Listen to sound bytes and buy it online at: http://www.dcjazz.com/markgreene.
• Richard Nash has released a 15 song CD Asleep in a Field of Poppies on Nightshade Records. Nash plays piano, synthesizer and bass. Peter Romano plays percussion. Bernadette Garner is the composer/producer. Recorded by Ron Vento at IQ Studios. The CD is available at amazon.com and CDBaby.com. E-mail Richard at RNNightshade@aol.com for additional info.
• Replicant Records released Jimmy Wilson's second CD entitled Future History, blending Jimmy's trumpet with Chester Thompson and Dennis Chambers on drums. Scott Ambush, Gerald Veasley, Gary Grainger and Geoff Hazelrigg accompany on bass. George Hazelrigg plays keyboard and guitar. Mark Wood on violin; Gary Thomas on tenor sax and Dave Fairall on sax and clarinet. Alfredo Mojica on percussion, with Dawn Robinson on vocals. Niela is introduced on vocals and dialogue. Hazelrigg/Leonard make their debut CD for Replicant Records with Foreword, a fresh look at the style of the early Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays years. Pianist George Hazelrigg along with bassist brother Geoff light up the jazz scene along with wonderfully talented Dan Leonard and fiesty drummer Brian Guttridge. Produced by trumpeter Jimmy Wilson. Check out Future History and Foreword on www.replicantrecords.com or send e-mail to: jwilson230@aol.com.
• Afro/reggae/world/pop artist Mamudu celebrated the release of Stone Man with a live concert at the Cramton Auditorium, Howard University, on August 12th. His new 15-track CD was put out by Stone Man productions and carries the essential message `Stop the Violence.'
• `Raga jazz' artist Broto Roy released Total Immersion, a CD of live performances as part of both a trio and a quartet, at the Kennedy Center and at the National Folk Festival 2000, that follows up on his previous release American Raga and his participation as an accompanist on Soul Grooves and Rescue. The instrumentation includes guitar (Paul Bollenback), sitar (Krishna Mohan Bhatt), saxophone (Carl Grubbs), bass (Billy Kemp), drums (Mike Smith), violin (N. Shashidhar), and tabla (Roy), and the album is dedicated to `all the natural sounds we have lost due to noise pollution.' Check out www.broto-music.com.
• The Sarah Fridrich Band self-released Various Live Recordings, 4 tracks including a performance at the Year of the Rabbit Cafe in Bowie, Maryland. For info, email sarahffridrich@yahoo.com.
• Flatpicking Guitar Magazine released a compilation CD that sets New Standards for Flatpicking Guitar, featuring 15 acoustic guitar players playing duets of all original material. On the web: www.flatpick.com.
• Charlottesville's Devon put out Long Sleeve Story on Three Word Records.
• McLean's Eddie from Ohio, after playing a number of dates in September, including New York City, was inspired to release a benefit CD entitled 9Eleven Relief, featuring patriotic numbers and hymns like America the Beautiful and Down the River to Pray. The disc will only be available at shows or through Bulletproof mail order and will cost $10, profits from which will benefit relief efforts following the September 11th attacks. For more information, visit www.efohio.com/9eleven.html. Or check them out at the Warner Theater in DC on October 26th, tickets available through Ticket Master, (202) 432-SEAT. They will be touring on their recent release, Quick, recorded at Cue Studios' Red Room and put out on Virginia Soul Records, at least until lead vocalist Julie Murphy Wells goes on maternity leave.
• The Howard University Choir, conducted by J. Weldon Norris, Ph.D., released Our Heritage: A Collection of Negro Spirituals and Work Songs, which serves as a collection of `probably the one single musical art form that has survived from an inhuman past.'
• Steve Ducey released Trust Your Stars on Laurel, Maryland's Mystery Track Records.
• Bill Kirchen's Tied to the Wheel is now available on Hightone Records, performed `with Johnny and Jack' and produced by Bill. Recorded at a variety of locations including Marin County, California, Floresville, Texas, and locally at Wally Cleaver's in Fredericksburg and Rose Recording in Bowie.
• Colleen Shanley recorded This Time with Jim Robeson at Bias and chose Charlie Pilzer at Airshow to do the mastering. Check out www.colleenshanley.com.
• Moonfire's Present, Past, and Future is an album of `Celtic traditions and new inspirations,' available on Takoma Park's Azalea City Recordings. Recorded by Jim Robeson at Bias with some additional recording by Pete and Maura Kennedy at Maple Ridge in Reston. Log on at www.moonfiremusic.com, or www.azaleacityrecordings.com.
• Bryan Fine's new CD, The Predator Collection, is currently available. Check him out at www.bryanfine.com.
• The WPG Trio, consisting of Blues Webb, Benjie Porecki, and Gary Grainger, will be releasing Small/Medium/Large on Severn Records in November, to much fanfare from the Washington Post and the DC-area jazz community. Their combined discography and live credentials include work with Ken Navarro, Richard Smallwood, Chuck Brown, Gladys Knight, and many more.
• Cerulean Groove is currently promoting their debut CD, The Cue-Stick Sessions, playing as a three-piece acoustic group. Check them out at www.ceruleangroove.com.
• Little Pink's Cul-de-Sac Cowgirl CD was released on Adult Swim, recorded by Don Zientara at Arlington's Inner Ear with some additional recording in Nashville and mastering in LA. To contact them, log on at www.littlepinktheband.com.
• Integrity Music released 1999 Wammie nominee David Bach's latest CD, 5thousand Words, featuring 12 new songs and collaborations with Bobby Read from the Bruce Hornsby Band, Juju House from Chaka Khan/Arrested Development, Stanley Whitaker from Happy the Man, and Omar Miguel from the Mystic Warriors. Besides being featured on BET's Jazz Central television show this season, the David Bach Consort will be touring on this album. Dates and additional information can be found at www.davidbachmusic.com.
• A Month of Sundays self-released a new CD entitled Click, recorded with Wammie-winning producer Marco Delmar at Recording Arts in Fairfax and mastered by Bill Wolf in Arlington. Check out www.amonthofsundays.org.
• WAMA Hall of Famer Donal Leace has begun work on a new CD at Recording Arts. Marco Delmar and Donal share production credits.

Music News

Crosstown Jam Rescheduled

The WAMA Crosstown Jam originally planned for September has been rescheduled to Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20, 2002. The event will still be held at the Millennium Arts Center. The Jam will include more than seventy artist showcases, workshops on music business topics and exhibits. For further information contact dcmusic@wamadc.com.

AFIM and NARM Join Forces

The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) will join forces with the Association for Independent Music (AFIM) to blend AFIM events into the 2002 NARM Convention & Trade Show, set for Saturday, March 9, through Tuesday, 12, at the San Francisco Marriott. The schedule will include AFIM's `Crash Course' for industry newcomers (which will actually take place on Friday, March 8, the day before the official start of the Convention), one-on-one meetings between indie labels and distributors, the Indie Awards presentation, seminars, and a member lounge. Membership in either organization will qualify companies to attend the 2002 event.

All Convention & Trade Show activities will be open to both NARM and AFIM members. Registration, housing and booth sales will be handled by NARM.

NARM serves the music retailing community in the areas of networking, advocacy, information, education, and promotion. Founded in 1958, the Association's 1,000 member retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and suppliers of entertainment software and other products and services represent 80% of the music retailing industry. www.narm.com

AFIM is the organization of the independent music community in the U.S.A. Its members include independent labels, distributors and suppliers. Founded in 1972 as NAIRD (the National Association of Independent Record Distributors and Manufacturers), the organization has grown from primarily a distributor group to encompass all aspects of the independent music business world. www.afim.org

MAP Offers Treatment Services

The Musicians' Assistance Program is an organization of music professionals that makes it possible for members of the music industry to receive treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, regardless of their financial situation. MAP was started in 1992 by Buddy Arnold and Carole Fields-Arnold and has a provider network of treatment programs throughout the United States. If the individual has been in the music industry for a minimum of five years, MAP will pay all or part of the treatment costs. Anyone interested in a referral or in making a donation can call 888-MAP-MAP1, or check out www.map2000.org.

Songwriter's Guide on Tape

Amazon Earbooks released You've Written a Song, So Now What?, a guide to the business of songwriting, written and narrated by Aaron Meza, regional director for The Songwriters Guild of America in Hollywood, CA. The one-hour recording delivers information on copyright, song demos, pitching to publishers, royalties, alternative markets, publishing contracts, and networking tips. Amazon Earbooks can be reached at (310) 716-4626, or on the web at www.amazonear.com.

Music Review And Contest Site

The official launch of MakeaStar.com, a new music review and contest site, was announced in Hollywood on August 13th. Accredited members of the Industry Review Board listen to each submission and rate it in various categories, and then the 16 top-scoring songs of each week are entered into competition in which fans get to vote on their favorites. For more information, contact artistrelations@makeastar.com, or call (714) 532-2284.

Film and Television Music Guide

The 2001 edition of the Film and Television Music Guide has been released, a directory listing of contacts who can get your music into film and TV. There are 18 separate, tabbed sections with updated listings for soundtrack departments and licensing personnel, music publishers, music supervisors, music libraries, composers, scoring stages, studio and network music departments, managers and agents, clearance companies, ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. Call the Music Business Registry at 800-377-7411.

Media Factbook 2001

The United Way has published its Media Factbook 2001 with current names, addresses, and phone numbers of Washington area media (general print, radio, tv, wire services, magazines). To order one send a check for $9.50 to: Communications Department, United Way of the National Capital Area, 95 M Street., SW, Room 306, Washington, D.C. 20024. For questions, call (202) 488-2060, or go to www.unitedwaynca.org.

Blackfriars Playhouse

Queen City Acoustic will be producing all its shows this season at the new Shenandoah Shakespeare's Blackfriars Playhouse on Market Street in downtown Staunton. Check out www.shenandoahshakespeare.com and click on the Queen City Acoustic icon to view their page. QCA is looking for volunteers whose duty would be to receive artists' photos and press releases electronically and then distribute them, also electronically, to a group of newspapers, periodicals, and radio stations. Each volunteer would be assigned a city and would be resposible for investigating that area's media sources. If you would be interested, send an e-mail to dockeryj@cfw.com.

Darkangeles Signs Management Deal

Arlin Godwin and his electronic music project Darkangeles have been signed to an exclusive artist management contract by Simon Austin, former manager of Midnight Oil, for his own (with former Depeche Mode manager Andy Franks) London-based Y-Management Ltd. After the act conducted a do-it-yourself advertising campaign placing full-page ads in high profile dance and electronic-music publications in England and Hollywood earlier this year, Billboard Magazine reported at the end of March that the track Obscene (2001 Club Mix) had reached #20 on it's `Hits of the Web' chart. By April of 2001 Darkangeles had placed three different songs at the Number One position on mp3.com's Electronic Chart and broken repeatedly into the upper Top 40 on the whole site. This drew the attention of Austin, who has already secured recording deals for a number of his other artists and intends to seek a major publishing deal to capitalize on Godwin's catalog of over 145 completed songs. Darkangeles will be marketed separately as a recording project and is currently recording a fourth full-length album due out January 2002.

Institutionalized Traditions

The Institute of Musical Traditions is a non-profit arts presenting organization dedicated since 1981 to preserving and promoting folk music and cultures. They have recently announced their 20th anniversary season schedule, primarily being presented at Paint Branch U. U. Church in Silver Spring and also at the NOAA Auditorium. President David Eisner, speaking about the need for the public's participation in the preservation of non-commercial folk music, both live and in arenas such as public radio, says: `I'm asking you to vote with your dollars and rear ends.' Check out their website at www.imtfolk.org, or call (301) 587-4434 to order tickets to an IMT event. The IMT, along with Community Music, Inc., is also presenting the 16th Annual Holiday Concert featuring Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with special Quebecois guests Matapat, on December 8th at the NOAA Auditorium. 100 seats are donated to Montgomery County and area organizations for distribution to needy families and attendees are encouraged to participate in the Marvelous Toy Drive and bring a new toy for a needy child.

Bill Holland Receives ASCAP Award

WAMA congratulates Billboard's Bill Holland on ASCAP's announcement that he'll be receiving a Deems Taylor Special Achievement Award for his continuing Billboard series on the now-repealed work-for-hire law that defined artists' recordings as record company property forever. Deems Taylor was a highly regarded music author and critic in the ‘40's and ‘50's, and ASCAP bestows annual awards in his name to authors of books and articles, including Ralph J. Gleason and Whitney Balliett in the past. Writes Holland: `It's definitely the hot-cha music industry writing prize, with Large Fries and Biscuit. The judges this year, by the way, were not industry functionaries, but artists.'

From The Kennedys Newsletter

`Last week, we played a free show at the Bottom Line in Greenwich Village' a show that encouraged folks in the neighborhood to come out and be amongst friends and listen to music. We had no idea what we were in for. The show lasted over 6 hours and was simulcast on WFUV. Jackie DeShannon sang What the World Needs Now Is Love, Willie Nile sang You Gotta Be a Buddha (In a Place Like This), and Phoebe Snow sang the Ray Charles arrangement of America The Beautiful. But the high point of the night was when two New York City firemen stood up and expressed their own feelings about being part of the rescue effort. Although they said they weren't heroes, the crowd obviously thought differently and gave them a five-minute standing ovation. One of the greatest moments of our whole career followed when we segued right out of that applause into Life Is Large. The stage was filled with great musicians that night, but there was no question who the real heroes were: the New York City Fire and Police Departments.'

Severn Distribution Deal

Severn Records announced their new distribution deal with Midwest Artists Distribution (MAD). The Illinois-based distributor will add Severn Records, a label known for its high quality blues and jazz recordings, to their growing roster of independent labels. Severn also announced that Chicago's Lou Pride recently signed a five record deal with the Maryland-based recording company. Recording sessions for Pride's first Severn release began in June of this year at Severn Studios, a 24-track analog facility located in Crownsville, Maryland. Pride, together with the Severn Studio Band featuring Steve Gomes, Johnny Moeller, Robb Stupka, Benjie Porecki and Bill Heid, cut twelve songs. Produced by Earl and Gomes, the release is in the final stages of production, scheduled for a spring 2002 street date. For more information on Lou Pride or any Severn Records recording artist visit www.severnrecords.com.

Flatow Moving Up

Reflecting increased service to West Coast members, including education aimed at both Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) members and the broader industry, Joel Flatow was named RIAA General Manager, West Coast Affairs. In addition to serving as a resource and point of contact for RIAA West Coast members, the office will host industry forums, panels and discussion sessions in Los Angeles on a variety of current topics and public affairs. Flatow will also remain Senior Vice President for Artist and Industry Relations.

Future of Music

The Future of Music Coalition is a not-for-profit collaboration between leading independent musicians and experts from the worlds of technology, public policy and intellectual property law. The FMC seeks to educate the media, policymakers, and the public about music / technology issues, while also bringing together key stakeholders in an effort to come up with creative solutions to some of the challenges in this space. The FMC also aims to identify and promote innovative business models that will help independent musicians and the public benefit from new technologies. Check out the web at www.futureofmusic.org, or contact them by phone at (202) 518-4117. Made possible in part by a grant from the Center for the Public Domain.

WFMA Weekend

The 17th Annual World Folk Music Association Benefit Weekend is scheduled for January 18-19, 2002 at the Birchmere in Alexandria. The benefit will feature a tribute to the late Harry Chapin, founder of World Hunger Year, with family and friends performing. Tickets for general sales will be made available in November. For more info, visit the WFMA website at www.wfma.net.

Romance

Steve Fisher of Adam West and Ali Bates, (now Ali Fisher) were married. Bates Fisher? - (there must be a pun in there somewhere). Adam West just returned from a very fruitful tour of Europe (their second) and their new album, Right On! will be released in the States in January on the Telegraph Record Label. A West Coast tour is planned for February.

Final Curtains

Charles Ables

Charles Ables, a Washington, DC native and longtime bass player to Shirley Horn, passed away on Monday, October 8, 2001. Born in Mississippi on July 23, 1943, Ables once worked with Ray Charles as a guitarist. According to the Washington Post, when he asked Shirley Horn if he could work with her, she remarked that she didn't need a guitar player, she needed a bass player. Whereupon he promptly took up the electric bass and joined The Shirley Horn Trio. He remained a part of Horn's band for over 30 years, performing with her all over the world and contributing to her recorded albums, including the GRAMMY-winning I Remember Miles (Verve Records).

Reggie Brisbane

At the beginning of September the Washington music community lost a great drummer...and a great guy. Reggie Brisbane was a founding member of Claude Jones, an influential DC band in the late 60's and early 70's. After the breakup of Claude Jones, Reggie went on to play and record with Gil Scott Heron. Though Reggie was more active in business ventures than music recently, he still found time to play with The Mystery Band. A Hindu ceremony bade fond farewell to Reggie on Sept. 8.

Matt Sheppard

After a long bout with cancer drumer Matt Sheppard passed away in September. Matt played with the popular Washington group Sageworth and Drums in the 60's and 70's. He later became the road manager for Walter Egan (Magnet and Steel), toured with Pecos and then became tour manager for the Beach Boys.

David Scales

Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences go out to the family of our fellow Washington area musician, David Scales, missing and presumed dead in the Pentagon attack. David is the pianist/composer member of Don Bridges' and Bobbi Bliss' group, Bridges To Bliss. Bobbi writes: `David was a member of SAW and WAMA ... He's also one of my best friends and my only candidate for ‘the finest person I've ever known.'

Extreme Noise Fest

The Campaign to Reduce Workweek Productivity (CRWP) is currently accepting submissions from Washington area artists and performers who wish to be part of the 2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Extreme Noise Festival, to be held in DC next summer, dates tba. Sounds that will be considered include rhythmic noise, power electronics, experimental ambience, tribal industrial, manipulation of electronic devices and found objects, and other fringe elements of the region's progressive and underground music scenes.

The performance component carries a particular significance in determining who will play at the festival - photos or a synopsis of live production elements should be included. Video artists are also being sought to provide visual accompaniment throughout the festival performances. This year's festival included performances from Washington groups Communion, Spirit Trap, and some guy who removed raw meat from a pinata, along with Mid-Atlantic groups such as Neptune, Sikhara, and Koonda Holaa and the Beetchees. Please submit press kits, etc. to: CRWP, 1728 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 207, Washington, DC 20007. For more information contact Raoul Burnhard at toutestpermis@hotmail.com.

Beyond The Region

Candace Asher

• The Storegut Festival is a special version of Norway's annual Hovleriet Festival. Following in the footsteps of previous festival headliners Carlene Carter, Heather Myles, Duane Jarvis and Rosie Flores, Candace Asher had the rare opportunity to perform her music there. Candace's independently produced, self-titled CD, released on her own label Crazy Wisdom Music, has generated much attention in Europe in the last year. Several tracks off the CD have been in the top 20 on numerous country/americana programs throughout 2001 in Belgium and the Netherlands.
  
  In the spring of 2001, Candace's song, A Face in the Crowd (a track off of her CD) landed on the International Country Music Association's (ICMA) premier country compilation. Currently, a second track, One Tender Tear, from Candace's self-titled CD is getting airplay in Europe and Australia. The song is on the award winning Hotdisc country compilation released August 1st. Serviced to 800 international programs, the feedback coming in from programmers is that the song is quite strong.
  
  In July she closed a distribution deal with Country-on-Broadway for the United Kingdom. In August, she closed a licensing deal with Germany's Taxim Records. 8 countries in Europe will soon carry Candace's CD at retail. Candace will be touring with her brand new Epiphone guitar and Sabine tuner, thanks to the sponsorships she just received from both companies. For more information or to schedule interviews, contact Crazy Wisdom Music at crazywiz@bellsouth.net.
  
  
• Eugene, Oregon's Epiphany Road self-released Santiam Sun, Umpqua Moon: An Oregon Song Cycle, a 14-track narrative accompanied by an insert featuring photography of the Oregon wilderness. For ordering, email epiphany@pond.net or phone (541) 343-7177.

Workshops, Conferences

Black College Radio Conference

The Million Dollar Black College Radio & Music Conference will be held March 15-17 of 2002 and will honor Tosha Love, music director for V103FM in Atlanta, Jerry `Smokin' B', program director for Hot 97.5 in Atlanta, David Jurman, VP at Columbia Records in New York, Renee Atkins, CEO of Georgia-based Sound Impact Marketing, Nicole Sellers of Atlanta's J Records, and Earwax Record Store in Atlanta. To stay up to date, call (404) 766-1275.

Singing and Songwriting Workshop

Fairfax Public Access Channel 10 and the Shark Club will be presenting `Brooks and Blume: A Singing and Songwriting Workshop,' on November 17th, 2001, from 10am to 5:30pm. Registration will be at 9am at the Shark Club in the Newgate Shopping Center in Centerville. The cost of this workshop is also $75.00 per person, and group rates are available. Brooks will address topics such as songwriting techniques, writing lyrics, composing melodies, and the psychology of singing, along with Jason Blume, who is one of the few songwriters to have singles listed on the pop, country, and R&B charts at the same time. Blume has written Grammy-nominated songs for superstars such as the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, as well as country music stars Collin Raye, John Berry, and The Oakridge Boys. If you have any questions, contact Kristin Neuberger at (703) 621-0500, or (703) 573-1090 x1050, or via email at in10tion@hotmail.com.

National Arts Marketing Project

The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington is sponsoring the National Arts Marketing Project (NAMP) workshop series. Targeting emerging and small arts organizations that may not have a staff position dedicated to marketing, `Marketing, The Tools of the Trade' is a series of workshops designed to help arts organizations learn and improve basic marketing strategies and boost audience development skills. The various workshops, taking place from October 30th, 2000, to March 19th, 2001, and being held at the Kennedy Center and at U Street's Cada Vez, cover topics such as `Branding Yourself in the Market' and `Measuring Your Results'. There is no charge for CAGW members, but pre-registration is required. For quick attention, email erappoport@cultural-alliance.org, and include your name, membership information, organization, daytime phone number and the workshop(s) you will attend. For non-CAGW members, the cost is $30/workshop. Contact Eileen Rappoport at (202) 638-2406 x24 to register and charge by phone.

Choral Auditions

Coral Cantigas announces auditions for their 11th concert season, 2001-2002, auditioning for: sopranos, altos, tenors, basses, and a piano accompanist (only the piano accompanist is a paid position). Coral Cantigas, directed by Diana Saez, is the only area choir specializing in music from Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean. The 2001-2002 season will include classical and folk music from Latin America, music from Ariel Ramirez' Misa Criolla, excerpts from the 19th-century Brazilian Requiem and contemporary Brazilian rhythms. For more information, visit www.cantigas.org, or to schedule an audition, call 301-816-2314.

R&B Women Profiled

Ladies of Soul charts the ups and downs of seven female performers of the 1960's. Frequently overlooked by the star-making critics, each of the women profiled in this book -Maxine Brown, Ruby Johnson, Denise LaSalle, Bettye LaVette, Barbara Mason, Carla Thomas, and Timi Yuro- had recording contracts and gave live performances to appreciative audiences. With honest recognition that their careers did not surge into the mainstream and gain stardom, they recount to Washington-area author David Freeland their individual stories of how they struggled for success. They address compelling issues, including racism and sexism within the music industry, the hardships on the road, conflicts with male managers, and the competition in the recording business. DC's own Ruby Johnson appears on the cover.

Berkshires Residencies

Cummington Community for the Arts invites artists of all disciplines to apply for residencies at its rural site in the Berkshires (Western Massachusetts), 3 hours from Boston and from NYC. Artists receive private living space and studio. Apply at least 2 months in advance of desired dates. Groups, such as performance ensembles, may apply also. Children can be accommodated during summer months. For more information, contact: Cummington Community of the Arts, RR 1, Box 145, Cummington, MA 01026; (413) 634-2172.

Studio News

Omega Recording:

Ed Petersen reports that it's a busy time for the folks in Rockville. With regard to the events of September 11th, NBC TV is currently playing nationally a piece recorded at Omega on September 15th featuring a children's chorus and piano arrangement. On September 20th, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and the World Children's Chorus collaborated on a patriotic number called One Dream at the studios. And on the 27th, an all-star gathering of local artists including Cathy Ponton King, Bill Starks, Greg Hardin, Jeff Watson, Patty Reese, Deanna Bogart, Cherie Grasso, Pete Ragusa, Marge Calhoun, Tommy Lepson, Ruth Logsdon, and Mike Cotter, organized by Junior Cline, made a recording of Cline's song Give Them Wings, from which the proceeds will go directly to the Red Cross, and which was featured on NBC-4's 4 o'clock news on Friday the 28th. In other news, Omega is also participating, alongside a collection of local vocalists and instrumentalists, in the preproduction of music for the movie Gods and Generals, a prequel to Gettysburg, as featured in a recent Washington Post article.

NPR Studios:

Simone Steverson tells WAMA that among a number of programming-related recordings, including a performance my renowned violinist Midori, Dave Barnes has begun mixing on a new project and David Maddox recorded a 37-minute piece to be used by the Nature Conservancy.

Lion and Fox Studios:

Jim Fox is proud to relate that Chuck Brown's latest release, a recording of his January 20th show at the 9:30 Club entitled Your Game... (put out by Liaison Records), was mixed, engineered, edited, and mastered in Fox's own Studio A. The 40 2-hour tracks were recorded live by Big Mo's Greg Hartman in the Big Mo truck, and the record, which features guest appearances by members of Trouble Funk and Rare Essence, was produced by Liaison's Tom Goldfogle and Becky Marcus.

Shuman Recording:

Scott Shuman hosted a CD release party at the Sunset Grill in Annandale for the 2nd album from his own Jackson Street Band. They have been working with the Crow Valley Band to <@147>develop a sense of community in the DC blues scene, as opposed to competition. In the studio, Scott's been doing production work for Henry Townsend and for Albert King's pianist Silver Cloud, working first in St. Louis, then coming back to Virginia for overdubs and mixing. He's also taken on a mastering project for Paul Grupp and Gold to Go, out of LA, is working with jazz guitarist Jim Stepheson, and expects to wrap up sessions with R&B singer Little Sonny Warner by the end of the year. Plus the Flying Cows of Ventry Bovine Interventions album has been recorded and mixed down and is ready for mastering.

Bias Recording:

Bias Recording recently opened its studios to producer/engineer Marty Frederickson (Mick Jagger, Aerosmith), who recorded a tune with Shawn Colvin. The song will appear on the soundtrack for the upcoming movie, Serendipity. Engineer Mike Griffith cut a track with R&B singer Erykah Badu for the soundtrack of the movie Training Day. The song was produced by Dr. Dre and features rap artist Common. Bob Dawson produced and engineered a funk-flavored track, Feel Good Friday, for songwriter Steve Sparks. The track will feature the vocal talents of singer Bobby Byrd. Engineer Jim Robeson is working on a project with Bernice Johnson Reagon of Sweet Honey in the Rock and her daughter Toshi Reagon. Also, Jim is cutting tracks for blues artist Cathy Ponton King.