Hardrush Music - Artist Newsletter

Newsletter 01 - 05 - 05

1.RUSH2005

2.Country Gospel Compilation

3.Australian Contemporary Blues Compilation

4.New Releases

5.Awards

6.Tours

7.International

8.Production Price Increases (Get In Quick!)

9.Brothers In Arms

1.RUSH 2005 Compilation

A big thank you for your patience regarding this compilation. We have never had so many promises and agreements broken as with this release, but it is certainly going ahead. This CD should have been out at the end of March, but we had to reconfigure this project due to line up changes – for whatever reason. With a 3 strikes you’re out rule, some artists will not be considered for future releases. All artists involved will be considered for the proposed RUSH’05 Tour (if it proceeds - Item 6. Tours) and certainly for promotion in the North American market (see 7. International)

Some artists have not yet provided photos for the CD artwork which is now in progress. Also, please send any relevant video footage that we may use in making a 15, 30 & 60 second DVD / TV promo

2.Country Gospel Compilation

This CD is looking very strong with a great line-up of dedicated artists. Upon consultation with media and artists, we have decided to go with the title “God’s Own Country – Australian Country Gospel Music At Its Best” We are almost ready to roll with artwork and mastering to commence this week.

Promotional tour being developed with considerable artist interest. (see 6 Tours). US & European market contyacts being built upon with sampler requests arriving aplenty.

3.Australian Contemporary Blues Compilation

Another strong compilation featuring some of Australia’s best Bluesmen (and Blueswomen!) Gaining strong interest by blues associations within Australia and overseas (we have been asked to produce the same format for New Zealand).

We plan a major push for this amongst ABC & community radio as well as direct sales via the various blues clubs and retail outlets. International Blues network also to be extensively marketed through to get export focus underway.

East Coast tour/s proposed and looking good (see 6 Tours)

4.New Releases

May

HRDM0005 - Home Again And Free - Buckley's Chance - classic Australian folk music from the ex-patriate Aussies in London - spreading Australian bush music to Europe and beyond! If you know about how successful the Bushwackers were in the 1980s then you know where we are heading with this. Produced by Doug Jenner.

Jun

HRDM509 – This Train – Pete Bennett & Steve James. Top blues recording with tributes to some the greats from Bibb to Ella to Davis. Can't get enough of this and we see great potential for this national and potentially overseas. Launch Mt Kembla Hotel NSW on 19 June

HRDM0026 - RUSH 2005 - Youth music compilation featuring rock, hip-hop, pop and rap. Kelvin Fahey is the producer on the Hardrush label. Launch on ACC tentative.

Jul

HRDM0027 - The Best Of Australian Country Gospel Music - great music from 14 artists in this growth genre. Kelvin Fahey is the producer with Woodhead Studios to do final engineering and mastering.

Sep

HRDM0029 - Australian Contemporary Blues Music - a mighty effort gathering some ofg the nation's leading blues folk to profile thier skills and enthusiasm for those blues ! Producer is Martin Erdman & Kelvin Fahey. Launch at a Blues festival.

5.Awards & Festivals Deadlines

30 Jun - National Folk Festival (pdf)

30 Jun - National Gospel Happening Festival (pdf)

31 Jul - Australian Gospel Songwriting Competition (pdf)

6.Tours

RUSH2005 Tour - delayed due to outstanding issues with performers on CD - still not finalised and so not even at mastering or graphics stage. We apologise for the delays which also cause us great frustration - we missed our US launch !!!! Probable tour (if at all) is late July. Could write more but will bite my lip (Kel)

Australian Country Gospel Showcase Tour - now this looks like happening in a bigger way than we anticipated. Tour set for September to include all eastern states - including Tasmania !

Australian Contemporary Blues Showcase Tour – this looks like getting some corporate backing (in addition to Hardrush Music) with the compilation artists invited to participate. East coast at this stage – the usual pubs and clubs – with supporting assistance and patron from regional blues clubs

Australian Music Showcase Promotion USA 2005 (See 7 International)

7.International

Austrade has recognised Hardrush Music for the purposes of Export Market Development Program for the 2004-06 years and we intend to make the most of it.

Australian Music Showcase Promotion USA 2005 ! Looks like a huge year ahead with confirmed air tickets for our headline artist Gavin Chatelier. We are working with key radio stations, schools, churches and Austrade to make this happen. The full year budget is close to $70,000 very significant and eligible for Export Market Development Grants.

All artists with some own funds, a basic tour/promotion plan and time availability during July - September interested please contact Kelvin for further information. Please note that this is for serious performers who are ready, willing and able to tour with a degree of self sufficiency. We won't consider those with just fantasies of being stars and an ego too big to get in the door.

8.Production Price Increases (Get In Quick!)

We have been advised by several of the CD factories that we deal with of significant wholesale/distributor price increases from 1 July. So if you have your CD ready and want it on the Hardrush Music label we can still get these done competitively for now. Indicative prices are $970 for 500 CDs with 4 page colour booklet & 2 side inlay colour or $1,370 for 1,000 CDs with 4 page colour booklet & 2 side inlay – both including GST, but excludes freight to your location. Graphics and mastering packages from $400 per CD, Barcodes @ $25 for 5 years with renewable option.

Contact Kelvin for further information

9.Brothers In Arms

Please keep in your thoughts and prayers your fellow companions who are having trials and tribulations of late:

Rolley O’Brien (QLD)

Dave Battams (husband of Bev)

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