February 2000

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(PUT THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR NOW!)

Yes, this is earlier than usual. We decided it was insane to keep trying to have the AGM and board orientation around "Flatland time" (not to mention that a lot of you were at the beach in June instead of coming to our fabulous meetings), so we’re moving our year end date. We know you’re thrilled! (We are.)

SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2000, 2:00 p.m.
(This is not a joke!)

Cambridge Room, Travelodge Hotel
(main level)
4177 Albert St., Regina

Nomination forms have been sent (to participating and corporate members only). We encourage you to consider running or nominating someone that you think would be appropriate. We are looking for victims candidates who are experienced and active in the industry, are willing to put in a few hours per months for board meetings, and maybe sacrifice their personal life to the God of Flatland. Please contact Marian if you have any questions about nominating or running for board positions.

We did a lot of stuff last year! Like…

opened 3500 pieces of mail    received 1400 faxes   sent 2280 faxes    wrote twenty five 20-page applications    answered 3000 phone calls and made 4000 phone calls   responded to 5000 e-mails coordinated 18 FACTOR juries and 3 Flatland juries   organized 250 volunteers   attended 75 meetings   sent out 6000 pieces of mail   produced 1 Flatland Music Festival   assisted with 1 Huron Carole co-produced 1 Cultural Export Forum   co-produced the first Prairie Music Week Festival, Conference and Awards Show   organized 1 Business of Music seminar   and the rest is just a fuzzy blur.

No, we’re not going to talk about all of that at the meeting. Just the important stuff, like our plans for the coming year and where you think we should be going. Please come and give us your two or three cents!

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Flatland Music Series TAKING ROOT

What started as a tiny little "what if" is taking its first tentative steps this month, as the Flatland Music Series is launched.

When the Government of Saskatchewan announced the creation of the Cultural Industries Development Fund last spring, we decided to use our share to initiate this series.

After many months of research and planning by the lovely and talented Tony Martin, our premiere tour will take place in rural Saskatchewan. The idea of the Series was to address several key problems: the lack of training and skills available to rural musicians and songwriters - particularly young impressionable people who aren’t even sure what careers are available in music; the lack of all-ages venues for live music in rural Saskatchewan; and the lack of performance experience for young bands.

To that end, we set about contacting high schools across the province to offer free workshops for their students, arranging shows in venues or areas that don’t normally host live music, and trying to find funding to pay for it all. Harder than we thought it would be, but we hope that this is just the beginning of an ongoing tour circuit that will cover every high school and small town in the province.

The first Series, featuring Five Minute Miracle, Another Wave, and local artists in each town, will stop in Melville, Yorkton, Weyburn, Estevan, Esterhazy, Carlyle, Moosomin and Kamsack.

If you have any questions about the Series, please contact Tour Coordinator, Tony Martin at (306) 347-0676 or email info@saskrecording.ca.

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2000-2001 SASKATCHEWAN MUSIC & SOUND RECORDING INDUSTRY DIRECTORY DEADLINE EXTENSION

The Deadline for entries and advertising has been extended to February 29. After that I will be calling to harass those of you who don’t have yours in yet. You think I’m kidding, don’t you?

We should have the shiny new directories back from the printer by the end of April.

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FEEDBACK!!!

SRIA members have been sent a survey. (Those of you with email addresses will also be forwarded it via email for ease of reply.) PLEASE take the time to answer the questions and send it back to us. We are counting on your responses to give us direction as we plan our upcoming year.

This survey is completely anonymous and will help us to provide better statistics of our industry to the provincial government, sponsors, and so forth. We still have to prove that we exist as a vital part of the economy, contribute to the tax dollars they collect, and are not the dregs of society. It is anonymous, so don’t worry about being audited if you put different figures than what’s on your income tax returns. We want the real story, so we can represent you accurately.

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FLATLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL 2000 JULY 7-9

A reminder to send in your applications to perform at this year’s Flatland Music Festival (our 5^th!).

Please fill them out carefully, as we really do need all the information requested.

Criteria for this year’s festival are:

• Performing artists and groups must be based in, or originally from, Saskatchewan;

• Your performed set must contain 75% original material, unless you perform in a "traditional" genre;

• You must fill out the performance application entirely, including SINs if you opt to be paid union rates.

Talent and style of music will be the largest factors in choosing this year’s lineup.

Even if you aren’t chosen this year, we keep your submission on file and can recommend you for other events, because we know you’re interested in playing.

The "compilation CD" question is on the form, but we’re not sure yet if there will be a Flatland Music 2000 compilation released. (By the way, Flatland Music 99 is an AWESOME CD, and if you don’t have your own copy yet, you can purchase one from the office or flatlandmusic.com for 15 measly bucks!)

Please give Lorena a call if you have questions on the requirements or union involvement.

Applications for Craft and Food Vending at the Festival were recently sent out. If you know of anyone who would be interested in this information, please let us know.

Pencil July 7-9 on your calendar for volunteering. We require over 200 volunteers to keep the festival running smoothly and will require area coordinators. If you want to put your name down already, call us! We love volunteers (and it’s lots of fun)!

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SHOW YOUR SRIA MEMBER CARD!

Membership cards are being mailed separately to active SRIA members, entitling you to some awesome discounts at Saskatchewan retailers and service providers. Your cards are non transferable, and contain your membership expiry date (they’re not valid if you let your membership expire).

Businesses who come on board in-between card printings will be published in The Session, so watch this space for new additions.

If you have something to offer and would like to be a participating merchant, please contact Lorena or Tony at (306) 347-0676 or email lorena@saskrecording.ca.

Participating Businesses

• Adelphi Music and Comics (Saskatoon): 15% discount
• Bach & Beyond (Regina): 10% discount
• Brass Orchid Postfx (Saskatoon): 25% discount on Edit Suite/Editor/Compositing Time for SRIA member Music Videos
• Budget Car & Truck Rental (Regina & Saskatoon): 10% discount
• Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (CARAS) (Toronto): 10% off a new membership
• Cave Studio (Regina): 10% off studio time
• CD Express (Saskatoon): 10% discount (certain conditions apply)
• Centennial Music (North Battleford): 10% off selected merchandise
• Earthling Sound Studio (Regina): 20% off recording and production fees
• Frank Almer's Music (Prince Albert): 10% off selected merchandise
• Global TV (Regina): 10% discount on video production
• Green Duplex Design (Saskatoon): 10% discount on website design
• Grind Recording (Pense): 10% off recording time
• H.E.L. Music (Saskatoon): 10% discount
• John's Music (Moose Jaw): 10% off selected merchandise
• Kelsey’s (South and East Regina locations): 10% discount on food (excludes liquor)
• Lela’s Music Centre (Kindersley): 10% off merchandise
• Music Books Plus: 10% off (www.musicbooksplus.com) - advise of SRIA membership, if order by web put 'SRIA Member' in comments field.
• Music Craft (Weyburn): 10% off most merchandise
• Olive Waller Zinkhan & Waller (Regina): free half-hour initial consultation
• Port-Trax Recording Studio (Caronport): 10% discount on studio time; short runs - 1 free CD for each 5 manufactured (up to 5 free)
• Prince Albert Music Centre/Music Academy (Prince Albert): 15% off merchandise
• Print-It Centres (Regina): 10% discount to a maximum of $300
• Protrax Digital Inc. (Regina): 25% discount on studio time - some restrictions may apply, call for details
• Remote Recorders (Saskatoon): 10% discount on studio time
• Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (Saskatoon): 10% discount on remaining Saskatchewan Chamber Orchestra Series concerts (March 19th, April 2nd). 10% discount on remaining Music for A Sunday Afternoon Series concert (March 5th). 10% discount on 2000-2001 Main Series concerts, fall 2000-spring 2001. Tickets available only at the Saskatoon Symphony office.
• Sawchyn Guitar (Regina): 10% discount on guitars & mandolins
• Twister Audio (Regina): 10% discount on manufacturing
• X-ray Design (Regina): 10% discount

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PRAIRIE MUSIC WEEK 2000 September 28-October 1, Saskatoon, SK

Jen Gibson, the new General Manager of the Prairie Music Alliance, will be submitting updates to The Session on a regular basis.

Let me start by saying I’m very excited about this year’s event in Saskatoon. Winnipeg may have rocked, but this year in the S’toon we’ll show Canada how Saskatchewan rocks majestically!

One of the reasons I took this job was to improve that sad state of affairs we usually find at industry conferences. I’ve been to a few in my life as a musician, and I’ve never felt like I came away learning anything I didn’t know already. Now, that’s either because I’m so dern smart or the information I was longing for just wasn’t offered. I’ll let you decide (ok, so I never was really famous…).

The bottom line is those talking head panels do not work. Sitting in a hot and stuffy room listening to some record company mogul tell you why you’re not worthy just doesn’t help. Sound checks shorter than the measly intro you’re about to get don’t improve your band's performance. Sound familiar?

I want to model this year’s Prairie Music Week after Saskatchewan’s All Indie Weekend in 1997, presented by SRIA. I’ve heard more positive and enthusiastic comments about that conference than any other so far. I also want to take some of the great topics presented at SXSW and Folk Alliance and expand on them to suit our members.

Most of all, I’d like to hear from you. Yep, that’s right, you, the one reading this right now. I want to know what you want in YOUR Prairie Music Week. Email me at pmweek@sasktel.net and tell me what you hate about conferences, what you thought was excellent about AIW and any ideas you have for this year’s event.

The Prairie Music Alliance was created to ensure that musicians and music industry professionals residing in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba could MAKE A LIVING and still live right here on the Prairies.

Wouldn’t that be great? (Then I wouldn’t need this day job.)

Watch for Prairie Music Award Nomination forms in April, and Festival Showcase Applications to follow in May.

- Jen Gibson

Special thanks to The SOCAN Foundation, providing funding assistance for The Session.

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OFFICE HOURS

Just a little reminder that although we generally keep "regular office hours", you should always call ahead before dropping in. Things like meetings, errands and illness mean we aren’t here all the time, and we wouldn’t want you to make a trip over for nothing!

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FLATLANDMUSIC.COM

The new store look is up!

If you created a direct link to your album listing in the store previously, please check it now, as most of the pages will have new paths - your old link will no longer work.

Please note that your album(s) will be removed from the store if we do not have any copies of it in stock. You will be notified in advance when we require more units.

Now that the technical work is finished, we’ll be getting to the paperwork. Expect to hear from us soon.

saskrecording.ca

Apparently, the SRIA website was out of commission near the end of December/early January. Since we were on "holidays," I wasn’t aware of this problem until I checked our stats.

This was the first time the site was unavailable in roughly three years, so I guess we can’t complain too much.

Anyway, if you haven’t visited lately, check out the new Songwriting section under the "education" button and new posts in other areas, including info on Flatland 2000.

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MEMBER CLASSIFIEDS

Early 1900 upright piano, good condition, rosewood color. Custom made in Montreal (1904?) by the Canadian Piano Company. Mechanically sound. $700 OBO must sell, no room. Will deliver to Regina. Lori Daku 306-781-3039, Cell 306-539-6783.

LEFT BEHIND at Flatland 1999, a certain piece of drum gear. Apparently nobody’s missed it yet. If you were a performer and can describe it give us a call, (306) 347-0676.

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CARAS/JUNO UPDATE

The Juno Awards return to Toronto this year with a brand new statuette to celebrate. Individually hand-made, the human image born of molten glass is wrapped in a spiralling blank musical staff that emerges from a half-sphere base. This is the first time that the design of the award has been changed in the twenty-nine year history of the Juno Awards.

Coming into Metro Toronto Convention Centre Saturday, March 11 and Skydome on Sunday, March 12, the Juno Awards celebrate excellence in Canadian Music. This marks the first time that the awards will be presented over two days.

Nominees were announced on February 2. Saskatchewan connections include…

• Farmer’s Daughter (Best Country Group or Duo)

• Joni Mitchell - "Taming The Tiger" (Best Pop/Adult Album)

• Red Bull "World Hand Drum Champions ’98" - "Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording"

• Chester Knight & The Wind "Falling Down" - "Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording"

• Sweetsalt "Sweetsalt" - "Best Gospel Recording"

Congratulations everyone!

Confirmed performers this year include The Barenaked Ladies, Our Lady Peace, ProzzSk, Diana Krall and Sky.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductee is Bruce Fairbairn.

Tickets for the Juno Awards 2000 are on sale now through Skydome box office and Ticketmaster. Prices are $25.75, $50.75, $75.75, or two-night dinner packages are available through CARAS. Sunday night’s show will be broadcast live from Skydome on CBC Television. For further media information, contact Jane Harbury Publicity, (416) 466-5020 or email jhpi007@total.net; or CARAS, 1-888-440-JUNO, www.juno-awards.ca.

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COOL WEBSITES

www.soundbyting.com - a website put together by the Recording Industry Association of America to explain in plain english what is legal and not legal concerning MP3s, downloading, etc.

www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html - 10 Myths About Copyright, another informational site keying on Internet usage.

http://www.webcom.com/wordings/artofwrite/artofwriting.html - Art of Writing Webzine, articles & interviews for writers.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6346/ - Writer’s Toolbox, a launching point to a ton of writing sites.

www.theiceberg.com - launching pad for streaming radio stations 1groove (dance), 2kool4radio (alternative), and primeticket.net (live shows & panels).

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INDUSTRY NEWS

• Blank Tape Levy update: The federal copyright board finally announced the rates for the levy which will compensate the music industry for revenue lost to home taping:

23.3 cents on blank audio cassette tapes over 40 minutes
60.8 cents on blank MiniDisks
5.2 cents on blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs

The levy, which came into effect December 17, is expected to raise $9 million this year, which will be used to compensate artists and copyright holders worldwide.
The recording industry had proposed a levy of 25 cents on every 15 minutes of blank tape. The Canadian Private Copying Collective, which is in charge of collecting the levy, says it has a plan to mitigate the impact on advertisers, religious organizations, broadcasters, law enforcement agencies, courts and educational institutions, among others. The Collective, which also represents songwriters, composers, producers and performers, is negotiating deals between manufacturers and importers and organizations requiring more than 1000 cassettes. Associations or societies representing people with perceptual disabilities, such as the blind, are already exempt from the levy.
The tariff decision comes a year after federal legislation made it legal for private citizens to make recordings of copyrighted music.

• Summer School for the Solo Voice, July 9-14 is an intense study in singing for singers, teachers, accompanists and conductors. A high calibre staff of people who excel in both performing and teaching provide daily classes, master classes, choir, and recital time. Private lessons also available upon request. Classes offered include vocal technique, posture and breathing, musical line, interpretation, International Phonetic Alphabet, pedagogy, musical theatre, drama, performance anxiety, performance etiquette and stage presence, accompanying, conducting, choral techniques and vocal care. Participants choose the classes and levels that are best suited to them - designed to meet the needs of beginner to senior level singers of any voice age 12 and up. The staff will include Lisa Hornung, Dianne Gryba, Chris Kelly, Ron Long, Joy McFarlane-Burton, Bernadette Fanner, Angela Leson, and others to be announced. The program is held in a spacious facility with four halls, two stages, five pianos and two grand pianos. Located in a lovely city park in downtown North Battleford, Sask. Enrollment is limited. The cost is $175.00 with billeting available for an additional cost of $100.00. As well, there are several nice campgrounds, a Provincial Park, hotels and motels in the Battlefords area. For more information, an application, or to sponsor a full or partial scholarship for someone in your community, please contact Lisa Hornung at (306) 445-3831 or email jjc37@sasktel.net. Summer School for the Solo Voice gratefully acknowledges the support of the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association, Battlefords’ Community Cable and the Saskatchewan Choral Federation.

• The Saskatchewan Music Festival Association (SMFA)’s Lois D. Webb, President, is pleased to announce that Saskatoon will be the site of the SMFA Concerto Competition, March 4th & 5th in Quance Theatre, University of Saskatchewan. Saturday March 4th the preliminary competition will commence at 10:30 a.m. and continue during the afternoon & evening. The judges will hear one movement for this preliminary round and will select finalists to perform their complete program Sunday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00, again at Quance Theatre. The winner of this competition will be the featured soloist in the upcoming seasons of both the Saskatoon and Regina Symphony Orchestras. Admission $5 per day.

• RIAA vs. MP3.com: The Recording Industry Association of America has filed suit for "blatant infringement" of copyright laws. "The foundation on which (their) services are built is an unauthorized digital archive of the most valuable copyrighted recordings in the world," says RIAA. "Simply put, it is not legal to compile a vast database of sound recordings with no permission and no license...(you can’t) take protected works simply because you want them."
  When an MP3.com customer buys a CD online through an MP3.com partner, the CD's songs can be transferred immediately into the customer's account. A consumer can also put an already-owned CD into a disk drive, have the CD recognized and its songs transferred into their account. MP3.com bought 40,000 CDs, ripped each CD’s tracks into MP3 format and created a database. Many of the copies transferred into customers’ accounts actually come from the database on MP3.com’s servers, not from recordings individually owned by consumers. (Consumers are allowed to make copies of their recordings for their own use). "The copy was made by MP3.com, not by the consumer," notes Entertainment Law editor Lon Sobel. "I couldn't imagine how they thought it was legal."
  In response, MP3.com told its users to help by signing up their friends. "To preserve your rights, we need your help. The question is, to whom does the music belong? When a consumer buys a CD, does the industry get to tell the consumer where she can listen to her music?" He portrayed the RIAA as seeking control over consumer use of a CD after it is purchased. "(You) apparently believe that you have the right to control the content even after the user buys it. We disagree." Apparently Mr. Robertson doesn’t get the meaning of the word "copyright".

• …and vs. Napster in a lawsuit alleging that Napster has created, and is operating, a haven for music piracy on an unprecedented scale - a "giant online pirate bazaar". Napster has claimed it is trying to promote unknown artists, but its own site advertised "you can forget wading through page after page of unknown artists." Users log onto Napster servers and make their previously personal MP3 collections available for download by other Napster users who are logged on at the same time. Napster provides the facilities and means to engage in massive copyright infringment.
  "Many companies are promoting artists without also trading in pirated music files," points out a RIAA spokesperson.

• Time Warner Inc. and Britain’s EMI Group PLC announced plans to merge their music interests into a global music giant valued at about $20 billion. The newly formed organization will be a joint venture called Warner EMI Music. The deal could set off a new round of deal-making and joint ventures. It would be subject to the approval of EMI shareholders and of regulators in the U.S. and Europe. A rival bid for EMI could still emerge. Talks between Time Warner’s Warner Music Group and EMI began before Time Warner entered separate talks that led to the earlier announcement that America Online Inc. plans to acquire Time Warner. That deal is now valued at about $142 billion. Taken together, the AOL and EMI transactions would dramatically bolster Warner’s presence in music at a time when the Internet is making it ever easier to buy and deliver music to consumers. Warner and EMI both have vast catalogues of past releases from such artists as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart, the Doors and the Eagles.
  The deal could also raise antitrust issues. In the U.S., EMI and Warner will have a combined total market share — current albums and catalogue — of 26.52% for last year, fractionally higher than Universal’s 26.39%.
  - Wall Street Journal, Jan. 24

• An estimated $4.5 billion is lost annually in counterfeit CDs and downloading off the Internet. "Piracy has become a huge black market industry that crosses continents and is backed by organized crime," said Adrian Strain of International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (the organization that represents the industry and seeks to pressure governments to get tough with the pirates). Strain pointed the main finger of blame at Ukraine, Hong Kong, Poland, and Southeast Asian countries as the prime black market producers. The IFPI reckoned that the worldwide CD market had climbed 20% in a year to a total of 400 million units. "This is not little cassette factories but big-time trading links with organized crime behind them," he said. "The equipment is mobile and the pirates can switch to countries where there is weak (copyright) protection," he added. The IFPI is pushing for increased penalties, strict CD factory regulations, forthright policing, and a warning to East European countries that their accession to the European "rich man's club" depended upon their agreeing to a clampdown on the counterfeiters. The Internet is transforming the way the industry trades and Strain said, "We need to crack down hard here as well. We estimate there are up to 100 million illegal tracks on the Internet at one time." Stamping out piracy was vital, he said, to ensure that consumers, record companies, and retailers could all do business with confidence on the Internet.

• We’ve received some information from a marketing/promotion company in Germany. If you are investigating this market and would like to have the information forwarded to you, please email lorena@saskrecording.ca.

• BMG Germany Tries Copy-Protected CDs: Blaming piracy for a 9.8% drop in sales, the company debuted the first copy-protected audio CDs in German music stores in late January. Within a week consumers complaining that some of the copy-protected CDs were unplayable - 3-4% of the 100,000 sold. BMG had pre-tested the technology on 1000 players and were confident that there would be no "play problems". They plan to try again once they’ve redeveloped the technology.

• The Queen City Kinsmen present Rock'N The Valley July 14 -16 in Craven, Sask. Tickets are on sale now. All money raised from Rock'N the Valley goes back into our communities. Confirmed talent so far includes Styx, Harlequin, the Stampeders, Queen City Kids, Doug and the Slugs, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Nick Gilder (formerly of Sweeney Todd), BTO (Bachman Turner Overdrive), and Regina's own Men Without Shame. Early bird ticket prices until Feb. 29 - Weekend Pass $99.00, Daily Pass $45.00. Reserved Camping $30.00. For more info or to reserve your pass call 352-2300 or 1-877-644-2300.

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Ramblings From a Twisted Mind: When they said she was caught with drug-filled baggage, I thought they meant Bobby Brown…

When Whitney Houston was caught with half an ounce of marijuana, media attention turned again to the issue of drug abuse in the topsy turvy world of rock. Or maybe the topsy turvy world of schmaltz.

Anyway, I decided to find out if Saskatchewan musicians were using drugs. The musician whose words you are about to read agreed to an interview - as long as I agreed not to reveal his name. What I discovered could shock you. You may want to sit down.

- Twisted Girl

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ARTIST & STUDIO NEWS

• Congratulations to Chester Knight and the Wind, winner in the category of Best Duo or Group at the 1999 Canadian Aboriginal Awards (December 5).
• Morally Sound, Another Wave, Into Eternity and Skin Tight Orbit performed at the second annual Boxing Day Bash, which took place at The Exchange in Regina. STO will be entering Cave Studios this month to begin laying down new material
• Nickeltree held a release party for their latest CD, "Weatherproof", on December 22 at The State in Regina.
• 5 Star Productions is pleased to announce that they will be handling the recording, photography and artwork for Trinidad Christian artist Garland Headly. Rob Palacol will be doing keyboards, programming, sequencing, co-producing, engineering and mixing with Miles P. Yohnke on this project, scheduled for release April 18. Rob Palacol’s second album is underway. And, Inner Ear Studios has undergone some renovations.
• Whooosh traveled to B.C. for December performances. Check the touring page for updates on Whooosh's website at www.whooosh.com. At the end of January/beginning of February, Whooosh also made a short tour to L.A. and back, including a date at Luna Park in West Hollywood with Red Delicious.
• The Fancy Ladds performed at Lydia’s in Saskatoon on December 30 and are working on their first album.
• New trio Fire Lily consists of Laura Herman (songwriter, vocals, guitar, clarinet, etc.), with sister Glenna Herman (vocals, harp, horn, accordion, etc.) and brother-in-law Brian Herman (string bass and vocals). They debuted in December. (See Coming Gigs.)
• Les Fabian has released his new CD, "Sha-La-La". Check out his website at www.LesFabian.com and the review in this Session
• Paddy Tutty recently made the CANCON list of airplay on folk radio in the U.S. featured on the FOLK-DJ Discussion List on the ‘net. Cuts from her latest album "In the Greenwood" were played for 20 weeks. In late December Paddy was in Richard Harrow's "Living Room" studio in Calgary re-mixing her earliest self-titled recording from the original masters, and re-mastering her second album "Who Liveth So Merry" (originally on vinyl!). She plans to release a CD of most of the material from these albums. Paddy made a guest appearance on Robert Godfrey's CFCR-FM folk show "So Many Roads" in Saskatoon on January 17, chatting with Robert and playing cuts of her albums, favourite musicians, influences and some unpublished goodies. She was also a featured performer at the Mid-Winter Celtic Festival on February 5^th in Regina.
• Congratulations to Eva Gold on a stellar review in the latest Canadian Musician.
• Crooked Creek has been working on their new album with Glenn Ens of Audio Art at his new location in the old Rumley Building. They will launch the album "Lucky Stone" in concert at the Broadway Theatre on March 30, 8:00 p.m. Tickets $8.00 advance and $10.00 at the door - available at the Theatre, by phoning Roy at 668-1317, or email rmsydiaha@quadrant.net. Check out their new website, www.quadrant.net/sydiaha/Crooked_Creek.html.
• Melanie Laine (Saskatoon) and Dean Kush (Regina) have won the Best Vocal Duo or Group honours in the 4th annual "Talent on Tape" competition, sponsored by the British Columbia Country Music Association, for their tune "I Have Memories Too" (with thanks to Ray Bell for all the help). Melanie and Dean traveled to Vancouver to record a song called "We're Coming Too", written by Peter MacLean of Vancouver, which was the winning song submission in the contest. Melanie and Dean were the only out of province contest winners. They’ve been working together for the past year and are in the process of writing and selecting songs for Melanie’s much anticipated upcoming CD, "I Have Memories Too".
• "Life + baggage" (named after and featuring the song of the same title) by Sarah Stefanson was recently accepted to the 25th Street Theatre's 2nd Annual Women's Festival. Sarah is writing, directing and acting in the play.
• Things are in transition for Five Minute Miracle - new goals, new drummer, new ambitions, new management, new booking agency, etc., including writing songs for another album, scheduled for a September 1 release date.
• Marilyn Faye Parney was featured recently in a W5 news story…in her music career, European radio has been especially supportive of her new album "Unbridled Heart" and she will be touring Europe in 2001. The new single "To Say I Love You" debuted at #70 on the Cancountry charts and was recently at #16 on CJVR, Canada’s "Radio Station of the Year". The first single was "How Can I Dance With You", charting #79 nationally. Marilyn continues to tour western Canada on an ongoing basis, having completed a busy year with performances at several casinos, clubs including Packers Place, The Grand Pub & Grill and The Adobe Inn as well as many rodeos including the Jasper International Rodeo, Golden Rodeo and Merritt Rodeo. Her new album recently garnered a favorable review in RPM, stating "with the release of this album, she leaves no doubt she can croon or sing with the best of them." The album also received positive reviews from Country Music News, Country Wave, and Country Magazine.
• Congratulations to Jason Cullimore of Regina, whose song "The Beat of the London Underground" was a runner-up in the Jazz category of the 1999 John Lennon international songwriting contest, to Patsy Pulai, whose song "Love Binds All Wounds" was a finalist in the 1999 Unisong International Song Contest, and to Eileen Laverty, whose song "Tread Softly" is the Saskatchewan finalist in the National Songwriting Competition.
• Gayleen Froese has a new web address for her newly redesigned site, http://listen.to/Gayleen. You can email her at rabid-following@home.com.
• Precision Disc & Tape has changed their name to CD Express. They have entered a partnership with Music Manufacturing Services and undergone some nifty renovations.
• The Saskatoon Composers Performance Society, in partnership with the Musicians Union and the City of Saskatoon, held a concert on January 30 at St. James Anglican Church. It featured the premiers of seven compositions: Irish Tea in Darkness by Lia Pas and David Grosse for voice, piano, fretless electric bass; When Friends Share, as well as Sky, Earth & Sea and Come to Me by Landis Maitland-Whitelaw for clarinet, violin, cello; Three Scenes as well as Out In Waves, Matins and Dance in the Ghats by Lia Pas for violin and piano; Cree Winter by Stephen Fullenweider for oboe, bassoon & string quintet; Listen by Alex Brooks for voice, vibraphone, chamber orchestra; Trio by Murray Bremner for violin, cello, piano; and Three Movements From Proverbs by David Kaplan for piano, percussion, chamber orchestra. Other performances included Choral and Toccatta in C by Alex Brooks for woodwind quartet; Chorale in Perfect Time dedicated to Gyorgy Kurtig by Gyula Csapo for piano and great drum; and Sarah Bande (Magnetique) by Gyula Caspo pour L piano solo. For further information please call Dr. Monte Keene Pishny-Floyd at (306) 652-3205.
• Dundurn based duo Nihkamohk ("sing" in Cree) are currently working on their first self titled CD at Turtle Island Music.
• New Music Productions has just completed a major upgrade to Studio A and the addition of Studio B. New equipment includes the Soundtracs Virtua digital recording console with full moving fader, touch sensitive automation, 5.1 and lcrs mix capability. They’ve also made the switch to ProTools with a full blown Mix Plus system, loads of plugins and 24 channels of 24 bit i/o and added a Doremi Labs V1m digital video player/recorder. Studio B is their new packaging suite and consists of a Spectral 16 channel digital workstation, a Mackie 1604 console, DAT, CD etc. as well as full access to all the equipment in Studio A through AES digital lines. All computers in the facility are networked with a 100baseT highspeed network which allows for easy file transfer anywhere. Still in demand is their ISDN patch capabilities with recent patches to Vancouver for Casino Regina and Direct West, Toronto for MySask.com and lots of others. Check their website at www.newmusicproductions.com for pictures of the new suites. SRIA members are welcome to pop down for coffee and the 50 cent tour!
• Rory Allen’s Christmas CD, "Rory Allen - I'll Be Home for Christmas" is nearly sold-out and their New Years’ Eve show at the Turvey Center, Regina, was a HUGE success.
• Huge is preparing material for a new EP to be released this spring.
• Stephanie Thomson will be entertaining Canadian armed forces at bases in Greenland, Ontario and Newfoundland from February 28-March 11.
• 1999 was a big year for the Touchtone Gurus! They spent more than 300 days promoting their CD, "Shoegazing", released on January 1, 1999. They performed alongside Canada’s best known groups such as Big Sugar, Nickelback, Wide Mouth Mason, 54-40, the Headstone and the New Meanies. More of the same and then some is in store for the Gurus in the year 2000. They continued to promote the album (nominated for Best Independent Recording of the Year at the COCA Nationals 1999) by doing a number of western dates with the Northern Pikes Reunion Tour, January 2000. Immediately following their Pikes tour, the Cross Canada Karma tour kicks in, with the Dalai Lamas, another great group from Saskatoon. Cross Canada Karma will begin on Vancouver Island February 1, continuing east to the Maritimes, and ending on March 31.
• Meathead Records of Thunder Bay is producing a box set of Canadian independent music. Among the 175 artists featured in the set will be A Thousand Years, Into Eternity, Lungbutter and Sarah Stefanson. Watch for its release this spring.
• The rumours are true! Kevin Churko is currently working in Switzerland with the infamous Mutt Lange. He’s already worked on a song for The Corrs and Britney Spears. His official title is "programmer" which means anything from keyboard stuff to engineering in this case. His brother Cory Churko is also with him working as a "programmer". "I’m learning a lot and having fun but am under a lot of self inflicted pressure to ‘measure up’ to Mutt's standard’s which are as high as they get", Kevin reports. Locally, the song he worked on for Shandar Gray, "Gimme’ Some Mo", has been getting the heck played out of it on Z99. Congratulations Kevin - it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy!
• The 13^th Annual Emma Lake Fiddle Camp is set for June 11-July 6. This year’s instructors include Calvin Vollrath, John Arcand, Sandy Cameron, April Verch, Everett Larson, Patti Lamoureux, Gord Stobbe, Kim de Laforest, Kendra MacGillivray, Bruce Molsky, Gray Townsend, Paul Dacier, Antoinette Korte-Prokosch, Freddy Pelletier and Ray Bell. Call (306) 780-9494, sces@gpfn.sk.ca.

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THE SONGWRITER’S CORNER WELCOMES SUBMISSIONS

Please visit the new Songwriter’s section online at saskrecording.ca (under the "Education" button) to read works of poetry and lyrics. New works will be posted regularly. We soon hope to start a message board so songwriters can share their comments and suggestions.

Send submissions to: Songwriters’ Corner, #114-2001 Cornwall St., Regina, SK, S4P 3X9, or email to lorena@saskrecording.ca.

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SEND STUFF HERE!

Please note: SRIA just provides the information - please use your discretion when applying to labels, publishers, song competitions, etc.

• New Music West "A & R Conference", May 12-13, deadline for showcase submissions is February 29. Application form enclosed.

• The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, June 23-July 2, is now accepting applications for festival performers, and also from musicians and high school students for the High School All-Star Band and Choir. Applications online at www.saskjazz.com, or call 1-800-638-1211 to have faxed.

• American Songwriter is sponsoring a lyric writing contest, with a new contest cycle beginning every two months. (Canadians are welcome to participate.) For details visit www.americansongwriter.com.

• A new publisher is accepting original songs of all styles. Send 3 songs on CD or cassette with lyric sheets and SASE. All songs will be considered * prefer positive upbeat material, must be unique. Contact Listen Loud Publishing BMI, 1006 Hyde Park Court, Cleburne, TX, 76031 USA. Email jbeaurpe@flash.net.

• Construction is underway on the new Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax, slated to open in April. Facilities will include a special event room with fully equipped stage, the 3,000 square-foot Compass Room featuring a balcony and spectacular view of Halifax Harbour, and a 160-seat entertainment lounge. The boardwalk amphitheater on the harbour side of the property adds to the casino’s entertainment facilities. The entertainment lounge will host live acts up to six nights a week. Special performances will be scheduled for the other function rooms. Interested artists may forward promotional kits, containing photos, bios, CDs, videos and other materials to Aimee Moore c/o Casino Nova Scotia, 1959 Upper Water Street, Suite 1700, Purdy’s Wharf Tower One, Halifax, NS, B3J 3N2. Contact: Lisa Bugden (902) 496-4651.

• Turner Classic Movies has announced a partnership with Film Music magazine to host the Young Film Composers Competition, giving young composers (ages 18-30) the opportunity to compose and record a musical score for a silent film in the TCM library. MP3.com is the entry point - composers must upload their score to MP3.com. Visit www.turnerclassicmovies.com/music for an entry form to submit a demo score for a 90-second silent movie clip. 20 finalists will be selected from all entries received. The grand prize winner, who will be selected in May, will have the opportunity to compose and record the score for a to-be-announced silent film. Deadline for entries March 8. Contact Justin Pettigrew, Turner Classic Movies, (404) 885-4638, email justin.pettigrew@turner.com, or Mark Northam, Film Music Magazine, (818) 729-9500, email mnortham@filmmusicmag.com.

• February 25 is the deadline for showcase applications for CAPACOA 2000 (the Canadian Arts Presenting Association Conference, Ottawa, Sept. 10-12). CAPACOA’s showcase mandate is to promote work new to the Canadian touring market, whether by an artist new to the market or new work by an established company. Call (613) 562-3515 for membership info and applications.

• Saskatchewan Express seeks original songs for their 2000 summer tour. Send a lead sheet and cassette to: 3304 Dewdney Ave., Regina, S4P 3V7, Attn. General Manager, by March 31. Call (306) 787-8173 for details. (Note - no compensation noted.).

• (Repeat) Music Business Daily is calling all new releases for inclusion in their Future Hit area. Send your CD's and tapes to Music Business Daily, c/o talkmusic.com - Raleigh Office, 10720 Peppermill Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614, USA, email mbd.list@talkmusic.com.

• Music label accepting Christian and secular music: r&b, hip-hop, rap, reggae, gospel, country, and contemporary Christian. "Absolutely no filth music is accepted." Gods Gift Music, Inc., PO Box 5701, Huntsville, AL 35814 USA, website www.godsgift-music.com.

• NQ Records is looking for submissions of finished demos/CD's in jazz, blues, light rock/pop or/and exceptional new country ballads. 3 projects in the planning/joint venture compilation, to include promotion. NQ Records, Attn. A. Howard, 2820 Redwing Court, Tampa FL 33610 USA.

• Toby Darling Limited is a UK based publishing company affiliated with PRS/MCPS but with worldwide links to artists, management companies and labels. They are currently looking to expand their catalogue in all commercial styles and can offer help in the following areas: pure songwriters requiring worldwide pitching of their material, and performing acts requiring royalty collection/administration in the UK. Send your material or contact: Toby Darling Limited, 37/39 Southgate St, Winchester SO23 9EH, Hants, UK. Phone/Fax: 01962-844480, tobydarling@hotmail.com, www.tobydarling.com.

• The Leader Post and Star Phoenix should be kept informed of your CD releases, gigs, etc. Are you keeping them in the loop? Send stuff to:
  Gerry Krochak, The Leader Post, 1964 Park St., Regina, SK, S4P 3G4, gkwhatson@dlcwest.com.
  Cam Fuller, The Star Phoenix, 204 5th Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 2P1, spnews@sask1.com.

• (Repeat) Submit your independent albums to the CBC Library: Attn. Sandy Ruhr, Record Library, CBC, Box 540, Regina, SK, S4P 4A1.

AIRPLAY

• Worldwide Radio is a 24-hour Internet only radio station with eight music formats and over 1 million listeners. For airplay send your music (CD or Tape) to: Attention: Department 101, Worldwide-Radio, PO Box 887, Topeka, KS 66601, USA. Call (913) 286-0911, email Program Director at Pd@Worldwide-Radio.com, website www.worldwide-rado.com.

• Accepting promo CDs, LPs, singles, etc. for possible airplay. Send to: Attn. Music Department, WMUA Voice, 102 Campus Center, U. Mass, Amherst, MA 01003, USA. Phone (413) 545-2876, www.wmua.org, email wmua@stuaf.umass.edu.

• The weekly Music Spotlight radio show broadcasts on KCLA 99.3 FM-Century Cable in the Hollywood and Los Angeles markets with a worldwide Internet simulcast. Currently accepting submissions for airplay. Visit www.musicspotlight.com/msrsfree.htm for info or email kcappetta@budgetelectronics.com, (310) 214-1883 Tues.-Fri. 10-6 and Sat. 12-5 Pacific time. Send your CD with a brief bio to Music Spotlight Radio Show, c/o Budget Electronics, 4803 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503, USA. All submissions are subject to approval and will not be returned, include your email address to be notified of receipt and airplay schedule.

• KCRW - All music is considered for airplay; we listen to EVERYTHING that comes in the door. Programming is widely eclectic, including world, electronic, pop, jazz, classical, folk, hip-hop and more. Accept most formats including DAT, vinyl, CD and cassette. Send submissions to: Music Department, c/o KCRW, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405, USA. Email mail@kcrw.org, www.kcrw.org.

SONGWRITING COMPETITIONS
(enter at your own risk)

• The Great American Song Contest - all entries will receive a written evaluation from a judge. Sponsored by the Songwriters’ Resource Network. Deadline is Oct. 18. Application and guidelines available from www.songpro.com.

• The One Song a Month Contest is a "for evaluation only" contest - no fees - sponsored by the Songwriters’ Drive-In. Get info from www3.sympatico.ca/charles.crepeau/OSMCrule.html.

• "SongRider Studios" contest - Limited to 64 entries per judging cycle, $20 fee. Get more info from www.angelfire.com/biz2/songwritingcontest/index.html.

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NEW SASKATCHEWAN INDEPENDENT RELEASES

For info and audio clips on these and other Saskatchewan artists, visit the artists section or flatlandmusic.com!

HIGHWAY 49
(It’s Just About Time)
This 12-track album is a mixture of originals by members Jack Lowndes, J.J. Guy, Cy Lowndes and Brendan Lowndes and covers (including Brown Eyed Girl, Copperhead Road, Livin’ on Love) in a folksy-country style. As three of the four band members play mandolin, it’s featured prominently throughout. It shifts into an old-time sound with the instrumentals "Correction Line Hop" and "Old Paint" polkas, "Faded Love" and "Afternoon Tea Waltz". Standout track is "Ocean Mist", a subtle and smooth instrumental. It was produced by Ley Ward/executive producer Flo Frank, recorded, mixed and mastered at EON Studio in Meacham.

NICKELTREE
(Weatherproof)
Nickeltree’s second album follows fast on the heels of their self-titled ’98 release. The eleven tracks (plus one hidden) were written by the trio (Kevin Baker, James Irving and Colin Lynn). While their Hip influence appears at moments, they maintain a unique sound (largely attributable to the mmmm-mmmm low lead vocal and some very nice complements of backing vocals). My favourite track is Harley Loftus, although they’re all strong. "Weatherproof" was produced by Nickeltree and recorded, mixed and mastered by Michelle Garuik at Grind Recording, Pense.

JOHNNY D.
(What It Takes)
"What It Takes" was recorded and mixed by Mark Schmidt at Earthling Sound Studio in Regina, produced by Johnny D. with assistance by Mark Schmidt and mastered by Michelle Garuik at Grind Recording in Pense. Pre-production was done with Craig Jarvis at Audio Art Recording, Saskatoon. The dozen album cuts were written by Johnny D. in a range of easygoing blues/roots arrangements varying from the 12-bar "Early Morning Wake-Up Blues" to the reggae-flavoured "Man from Jamaica".

LES FABIAN
(Sha-La-La)
Les’s debut was completed by a number of participants - mostly mixed and engineered by Jared Kuemper, with some tracks engineered and mixed by Dwayne Harder, and some additional engineering by Kent Regier. The project was produced by Les and mastered by Nick Blagona at Metalworks. The eleven hooky pop/rock tracks were written by Les and have an ‘80s-influenced tinge accented by his vocal style, which at times brings to mind Simple Minds and U2. The album has a nice warm sound and covers a good range of moods.

RODNEY EDMUND
(Live off the Floor)
As the title notes, this album was recorded over two days at Grind Studio and maintains a spontaneous live feel. The artist is actually a duo comprised of Rodney Laporte, who writes all the songs, plays rhythm guitar and provides the vocals, and Edmund (Teddy) Hesketh on lead guitar. It was engineered, mixed and mastered by Michelle Garuik. The twelve songs are mostly bluesy singer/songwriter ballads with my favourite track being "What Will I Do", featuring a subtle string accompaniment.

GO WEST
(A Vital Collection of Western Canadian Music)
While not strictly "independent" (there’s a few major label artist tracks included), this compilation succeeds in shining the spotlight on the best independent music the West has to offer. 32 tracks feature The Dalai Lamas, downhere, Wide Mouth Mason, Red Bulol, Bob Evans (Sask.), Shines N F-Roc, The Smalls, Zubot & Dawson, Colin James, Brad Prevedoros, Ian McDougall (B.C.), Mood Ruff, Load, The Weakerthans, Mark Reeves, Tuesday’s Girl, The New Meanies, Big Dave McLean, Knut Haugsoen, Marcel Soulodre, Jennifer Hanson (Man.), Capt. Nemo, Jann Arden, Huevos Rancheros, Rockin’ Highliners, James Keelaghan, Jr. Gone Wild, Ian Tyson, Dick Damron, Cindy Church, Big Miller, Tommy Banks (Alta.) and cover the complete range from singer/songwriter to hip-hop. With that much music you’re sure to find something you’ll love, and something you’ll be pleasantly surprised by. Available from www.flatlandmusic.com.

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Credits

The Session

Content Author: Lorena Kelly
Editor: Marian Donnelly
114-2001 Cornwall Street, Regina, SK, S4P 3X9 Canada
Phone: 306.347-0676 Fax: 306.347-7735
Session Email: lorena@saskrecording.ca

The Session is published every two months by the Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association
For reprint permission or to obtain additional copies, please contact the above.

© Lorena Kelly 2000   All opinions herein are the author’s own.

The Session is posted online approximately one month after publication. Archive issues are posted too!

The Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association

#114-2001 Cornwall Street, Regina, SK, S4P 3X9 Canada
Phone: 306.347-0676 Fax: 306.347-7735
Flatland Music Store Website: www.flatlandmusic.com

SRIA STAFF:

Marian Donnelly, Executive Director
Chair, FACTOR's National Advisory Board; Member, Cultural Industries Development Council, Saskatchewan Cultural Export Initiative, Cultural Human Resources Council; Funding and General Programming.
Email: info@saskrecording.ca

Lorena Kelly, Program Coordinator
Newsletter, Membership Communications, The Saskatchewan Music and Sound Recording Industry Directory, Website, Advertising, Flatland Music Store
Email:lorena@saskrecording.ca

Tony Martin, Tour Coordinator
Flatland Music Series
Email: info@saskrecording.ca

SRIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive: J.P. Ellson, Pres.; Rockina Frassetto, Vice-Pres.; Derek Bachman, Treas.; Lorri Solomon, Sec.; Directors: Brenda Baker; Michelle Garuik; Shaun Grover; Leroy Harder; Jason Plumb; Jay Semko; Don Warkentin.

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