Guest post: Susan Kemman resides in South Park (no kidding), is a Prog music nut and is the Assistant Director of  - and talent scout for – the The Highest Independent Music Tour in the World, The South Park Music Tour. Take it away Susan!

The Summer will be brimming with competitions, festivals, tours and holiday bashes;  many opportunities for getting your Band a gig or a little name recognition.   Talent Searches, Tours and Battle of the Bands  pay out prize money or comps equal to what you would earn at a gig, ALL for just a one hour performance.   Networking with the Bands and Industry people at these Events can offer tremendous earning potential by breaking you into new Venues. 

Here are some simple tips to get an edge over your competitors: Read the rest of this entry

As I prepare my next podcast – which will feature acoustic music by the way – I just wanted to share another great podcast with you. I discovered a few weeks ago and is headed for the blogroll. The name of the podcast is E Town. Their moto is “Music. Ideas. Community.”

I just love the format of the show. It is recorded in a theatre in front of a live audience – the sound quality is impeccable. It features interviews and short sets by two different artists that come from separate backgrounds and influences. At the end of the show the two artist – who may have never met – get together for an impromptu jam on some cover tune.

Some of the bigger names that I’ve heard on the show are Ben Harper, Steve Earle and Jakob Dylan. But, you will – without a doubt – find yourself Googling some of the other names that you hear. All the artists on E Town are top notch.

Other than the music, there something which also makes the show stand out. Each show they give an “Echievement” award to someone who is out there making a difference in the world. Some of the things that these everyday individuals are accomplishing in the name of helping out their fellow man are unbelievable. Inspiring to say the least.

Overall, here are all the words that come to mind when I think E Town; mellow, laidback, thought proving, feel good, inspiring, acoustic, absorbing. It is just a great show to listen to if you just want to kick back or be inspired (and who doesn’t want that). Also, the fact that it is live in front of a studio audience gives it a warm, personal and ambient quality just sucks you in.

Now do your soul a favor and check out E Town.org.

I don’t have ton of time to give an entire review of the Cross Canadian Ragweed show I attended last night at the House of Rock in Eau Claire, WI but I just wanted to let you know that they were great. Great songs, great energy, great playing and just an all around great show. After seeing them live I am a believer and a big fan. Read the rest of this entry

I just wanted to share a few quick thoughts with you concerning the Airbourne and EndeverafteR show I attended the other night at The Rock Night Club in Maplewood, MN.

The guys from EndeverafteR were polished and extremely entertaining. Throughout the show all I was thinking was “these guys get it.” Speaking as a child of the 80’s hard rock/metal scene, these guys could hang with the best of them. Read the rest of this entry