Lynne Taylor Donovan Releases New Single

Lynne Taylor Donovan will release her new single "Turn To Stone" to all radio/media in Canada and Australia May 12. A perfect follow-up to Lynne's hit "Sugar Lake","Turn To Stone" was originally recorded as an album track and released to a limited number of stations. It has now been re-mixed and re-mastered as a single. "Turn To Stone", in a departure from the more traditional one-instrument solo, features harmonica, percussion, and fiddle in a series of mini-solos.

The album version is already on radio across New Zealand on the New Zealand Country Music Network (TLC). "Turn To Stone" hit #8 on the EU/UK charts.



LYNNE TAYLOR DONOVAN TO RELEASE VIDEO

"Turn To Stone" video will be in general release within two weeks of the single. CMC in Australia and Channel Zero TV in Canada already have video for the song.



"Excellent material...If I could give it 12 (out of 10) I would!...Wonderful!..."

BBC Radio Newcastle, UK



"Very strong song - provocative vocals...great fiddle and guitars"

Radio Ariane, Belgium



"...atmospheric and nicely arranged...."Country Music and More Magazine � UK



"Very original and well produced" - Country Music Roundup magazine, UK



"Incredibly good record"

Radio Osttirol, Austria



"The phones are already lighting up - It sounds so much like Martina meets Faith with a European ambient sound. I can tell why it did so well in Europe."

PD - WCTO Pennsylvania, USA


http://www.lynnetaylordonovan.com

Deadline Approaching for 18th Annual USA Songwriting Competition

The deadline for the 18th Annual USA Songwriting Competition is fast approaching. Winning songs of the 17th Annual USA Songwriting Competition will receive airplay on a nationally syndicated radio program "Acoustic Caf�" as well as Sirius XM Satellite Radio. This is the first Songwriting Competition that gives airplay to the winning songs, giving deserving bands, songwriters the recognition and exposure they deserve. Entrants stand to win a grand prize of over US$50,000 in cash and music gear from sponsors, making this the largest prize in the songwriting competition. Sponsors of the 2013 Competition are: New Music Weekly, AirplayAccess.com, Loggins Promotion, Sony, Audio-Technica, D'Addario Strings, Presonus, iZotope, Propellerheads, Notion Software, Recording Magazine, Acoustica, Sonoma Wireworks, Acoustic Caf� Radio Program, LivewireMusician.com, Reverbnation, Broadjam, Sirius XM Radio and Sonicbids.



SUCCESS AFTER WINNING

USA Songwriting Competition has a long history of having winners getting recording and publishing contracts, have their songs placed on the charts as well as having their songs placed on film and television. The top two winners of 2011: Nenna Yvonne and Alexander Cardinale have been signed to Interscope Records after their win.



2009 First Prize winner (country) was signed to Universal Records. 2005 First Prize winner (Pop) Kate Voegele was signed to Interscope Records the year after she won and had her winning song hit top 40 on the Billboard Charts, her latest album hit Top 10 on the Billboard 200 Album charts this summer. 2007 Overall Grand Prize Winner Ari Gold had his winning song "Where The Music Takes You" hit #10 on the Billboard Dance Charts. Darrell Scott, winner of the country category of the 2005 USA Song writing Competition had his winning song cut by award winning country singer Faith Hill. The 2010 winner in the instrumental category, Christopher Tinn won two Grammy awards in 2011. Mike Schmid (Pictured) is a professional keyboard player and he has performed on hit TV show "American idol" as a backing keyboard player. He has also toured with hit artists Miley Cyrus and Jessica Simpson.



Nenna Yvonne (Overall Grand Prize Winner, 16th Annual USA Songwriting Competition) has been signed with Thump/Universal Music Group. Sally Nyolo (2012 USA Songwriting Competition First Prize Winner, World category) is signed to RCA Victor/Sony Music. Alexander Cardinale (2011 USA Songwriting Competition First Prize winner & Overall 2nd Prize) won Hollywood Music in Media Award for "Best Song in a TV Show" on "90210" with the same song he won for USA Songwriting Competition "Traffic Lights". Judges include A&R managers from record labels such as Warner, Capitol Records, Universal, BMG/SONY Music.



Songs may be entered in 15 different categories including Pop, Rock/Alternative, R&B and Country. Entries are accepted from now through May 31, 2013. For more information, visit: http://www.songwriting.net

The Luna Park Going 'Acoustique'

Right at the heart of one of Vienna's oldest amusement parks ('Boehmischer Prater', established in 1883), 29 and 30 June 2013 will see 6 folk and blues acts take the stage at Tivoli in what Wickerl Hapta, spokesperson of promoter 'Kulturverband Boehmischer Prater', tagged '1. Acoustique Festival'. Says Wickerl Hapta, 'It was high time to finally have current developments in music - a re-discovery of singer-songwriter and acoustic blues styles - reflected in Tivoli's programming. Given that we can do open air events, we will be able to put on a well-deserved showcase of the acoustic music scene of Vienna and beyond.'



Which takes us right to the festival bill of '1. Acoustique Festival': Saturday, 29 June 2013 will have Vienna's 'Die Blues Buam' (translates to 'The Blues Boys') churn out their swamp blues-flavoured blend of Afro-American and Viennese tradition, adding to a unique luna park experience.



Talking of the 'beyond': singer-songwriter Stefan van de Sande from The Netherlands will be next to hit the stage, in for another stint of accomplishing his mission of what Scottish newspaper 'Aberdeen Monday' recently called 'sharing his songs with people'.



Headlining a truly inspiring Saturday's bill will see us go even further beyond, experiencing the soulful vocals and guitar playing of one of the godfathers of Austrian blues, Rudi Biber from Vienna and Ft. Myers, USA, with his congenial musical mate Tonci 'Mr Nylon' Marincic from Split, Croatia, fretting away on his acoustic axe at breathtaking speed.



A - hopefully - sunny - Sunday summer afternoon, and time for two strong women - Martina Baumann & Claudia Fenzl, musicians and actresses from Vienna - to take us closer to the meaning of power and how to give works by Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, Kate Wolf and Tom Russell an entirely new face.



Next to hit the stage are 'sparse and powerful' (says Mike Lidskin of Twirl Radio in Sacramento, California) acoustic blues duo Runway 27, Left from Vienna sporting their deep connection with roots music and original material from their first album 'Weekend Warriors' (2011), having already gathered radio airplay in the UK, the USA, Spain, The Netherlands, Australia, Germany, Austria and Macedonia.



Back to the bedrock of Austrian blues and folks: Johann 'Zappa' Cermak (having been the frontman of the legendary 'Bluespumpm' for 36 years) and Judith (having been the voice of the 'Wild Irish Lasses' for 22 years) will be headlining the second day of '1. Acoustique Festival' with their eclectic mix of blues, Irish folk and country, providing the final highlight of two days of acoustic music delight.



1. Acoustique Festival - festival bill:



Saturday, 29 June 2013

Rudi Biber (AT, USA) & Tonci Marincic (HR)

Stefan van de Sande (NL)

Die Blues Buam (AT)



Sunday, 30 June 2013

Zappa & Judith (AT)

Runway 27, Left (AT)

Martina Baumann & Claudia Fenzl (AT)



To get your ticket and festival passes for '1. Acoustique Festival', call 0043-650-7178204 or go to http://www.tivoliwien.at/. Advance ticket sales: Fridays through Sundays.

New Orlean's Rapper Crix Green Is "Keepin It Ben Franklin" With New Mixtape Release

New Orleans - Like a leaf on a barren branch, Crix Green emerges and has defiantly thrown his crown in the hip hop ring of champion spitters. Virgin Island born, but dirty south bred in New Orleans, this contender plans to not only knock out the competition, but stomp all over them. His newly released mixtape, "Keepin It Ben Franklin," hosted by DJ Scream, from his Clear Vision Entertainment label, has already put naysayers on alert, because like the title of his single release, "I'm On It," Crix Green is all over it, under it and through it.



His bravado didn't come cheap though. A real hustla who has been in the streets since early childhood, Green had to actually lay low before he could get behind a mike. "Waiting on a statute of limitations to run its course is real talk when you rapping real game and not fake believe like the 'boss rosses' in the game," he will tell you.



"Keepin It Ben Franklin" is 12 tracks that roll deep through the dirty dirty and emerge unscathed, much like his own personal trials and tribulations in life. "My mixtape is uncensored pages out of my life. I love hip hop but hate what it has turned into. Anyone can drop a release about 'da life and get a hit now, whether its their story or the story of someone next to them. My lyrics were born from not only my blood but the blood of my brothers. I represent for the underworld that's still unda because though I have survived, it is not about my sole success. It's about sprouting more green and blazing a path for others."



"Keepin It Ben Franklin" puts the listener on immediate blast with the "Intro" track that bangs beats like bullets firing past the haters. Green keeps it 'G'd' up with "Get It" but softens his blows with "Playa Ways" rappin over a R&B rhythm with a smooth flowing chorus laced by a honey flavored female vocalist. The artists takes it a step further when he mixes up his swag on the jazz tinged, saxophone trimmed "Real Talk." The current single however, "I'm On It" makes is plain though, Crix's last name is "Green" for a reason.



The sheer personification of his unyielding confidence, relentless determination and focused vision will propel Crix Green to the head of the rap game. From his perspective, when you have survived bullets, the Feds and snitches, everything else is a pretty easy.



Roll with Crix Green at www.CrixGreen.com

MEOW Con Seeks 100 Female Artists To Perform

May 1 is the final deadline for the opportunity for female musicians in all styles of music to apply for an official showcase at MEOW Con � the inaugural international three-day music conference on the state of women in music.



Produced by Musicians for Equal Opportunities for Women (aka MEOW), the conference will be held October 24-26, 2013 at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin, Texas. There is a total of 100 available performance slots and artists in all genres of music are encouraged to apply. Selected artists will receive complimentary registration for the conference.



Keynote speaker for MEOW Con is legendary "rock chick" Suzi Quatro (pictured left). Since beginning her career as a bass player 50 years ago, Quatro has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. She will also receive the prestigious Woman of Valor Award at a dinner in her honor on October 24th. Past Woman of Valor Award recipients are Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart (2000), Patti Smith (2005) and Fanny (2007).



MEOW Con is the only conference of its kind. Not only will it feature panel discussions, workshops, performances, a trade show and networking opportunities, but it will also examine the cultural impact of how women in music are perceived through the lens of film, literature, blogs and traditional music journalism.



Showcase applications will be taken in three ways, through Sonicbids, PayPal and through the mail. All entries must be postmarked or completed by midnight on May 1 to be considered. Applications will be selected by a team of industry experts.



"Our goal is to elevate the state of women in music in every way," explains MEOW Director Carla DeSantis Black. "We want to ensure that women have opportunities to achieve success on their own terms, and that artists at every level of their career have a voice. MEOW Con is the place for everyone to strategize ways to end sexism in this industry."



The cost to attend MEOW Con is $200 through June 30th. Women of Valor Dinner tickets are $125 and sold separately through www.meowcon.eventbrite.com.



To apply to perform or for more information, visit the official MEOW Con web site at www.meowcon.com.

Passion For Music And The Arts Brings Local Guitar Builder And North Carolina Non-Profit Together

For the fourth year running, custom guitar builder Jay Lichty has painstakingly crafted an heirloom quality guitar and donated this treasure to the Western North Carolina based non-profit LEAF for a fundraising raffle. Lichty has crafted over 100 instruments (guitars and ukuleles), and professional musicians from Japan to Nashville are playing and praising Lichty's handcrafted instruments.



LEAF is an organization established to build community and enrich lives through the arts and music, both in North Carolina and internationally. Given the tremendous success of the first guitar raffle, Lichty decided to make this donation an annual tradition. The LEAF staff "is thrilled with the amount of money raised through the annual guitar raffle and with the generosity of both the Lichty and LEAF communities." To date, over $10,000 dollars have been raised by the annual Lichty Guitar Raffle.



The 2013 Lichty raffle guitar was crafted by Jay Lichty in his Tryon, North Carolina shop. Every guitar Jay builds is a one-of-a-kind, and this year's raffle guitar is no exception. It is a dreadnought-sized acoustic guitar with beautifully figured Ambrosia maple wood for the sides and back, Englemann spruce top, a cherry burl rosette and camel bone nut and saddle. Ambrosia Maple is the result of a beautiful collaboration in nature. Maple trees, environmental conditions, tiny beetles, and fungus create just the right palette and the result is a stunning foundation for a guitar, both visually and acoustically. The list price for this guitar is $4,200.



Raffle tickets are $10 each and may be purchased via phone at (828) 686-8742, online at http://leafticketsales.org (online sales include a $5.99 processing fee) or at the Lake Eden Arts Festival. Total sales are limited to 500 and the winning ticket will be drawn at the fall 2012 LEAF Festival in Black Mountain, NC on October 20th. The winner does not have to be present.



Learn more about the raffle, see images of the guitar, and hear sound bites at:

* http://lichtyguitars.com/2013/03/13/win-a-guitar-2013-guitar-raffle-leaf/

* Learn more about LEAF, an amazing non-profit providing quality programming both in Western NC and globally and purchase tickets at http://www.theleaf.org.



###



Handcrafted and built-to-order by North Carolina luthier Jay Lichty, Lichty instruments combine the highest quality materials with premium exotic and domestic tonewoods for heirloom quality custom-crafted acoustic guitars and ukuleles. Lichty single-handedly builds each of the 25 instruments he produces a year - creating award-winning works of art played and praised by professional musicians from Japan to Nashville.

http://www.lichtyguitars.com

iTunes Distributor Pays $1.5 Million To Indies

Venzo Digital Pays $1.5 Million To Indie Artists



PRESS RELEASE � (BIRMINGHAM, MI) � April 25th 2013 � Xeinge Group, the parent company of Venzo Digital, the state-of-the-art distribution technology platform has reported substantial growth in music sales to date. Venzo Artists has generated over $1.5 Million in gross music sales since its official launch in January 2012. More than 3.5 million units generated from digital content.



Venzo Digital is an online music platform that helps people sell their music online to stores like iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and eMusic for free. Artists using the service are able to sell unlimited music while earning 80% royalties on their music sold.



"Venzo Digital has shown great promises for us as a barrier to entry into the new music business. To be able to generate over $1.5 million and 3.5 million units in one year since its launch without any venture capital funding is truly unprecedented. More than 90% of our gross sales milestone came from iTunes, 5% coming from Spotify, and the other 5% coming from the rest of our digital partners. We look forward to reproduce these kind of results from this business with our app business by the end of 2015." Says Kevin Rivers, Founder/CEO of Xeinge Group.



Venzo Digital was recently awarded the "Top 25 Companies to Watch in 2012" from AlwaysOn. Apart from its digital music business, Xeinge Group wholly owns NZOD, Rivers Bank, and its upcoming business AvertizeMe. Each businesses focus on iOS apps, investments, and marketing respectively.



About Venzo Digital

Venzo Digital is a web platform that enables users to sell music online to stores like iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and eMusic for FREE! Users are able to deliver unlimited music, music videos, and ringtones while earning 80% royalties from their music.


http://www.venzodigital.com

Delirium Celebrate Aurovine Accelerator Win

Aurovine is a music platform for independent and unsigned bands and labels. It differs from most other music services in that it offers promotion and exposure to bands who engage with the platform.

The accelerator series rewards bands who get the most streams and downloads over a fixed period. To be eligible artists and bands simply need to be registered on Aurovine.




Delirium were formed late 2009 and the 3 piece grew up together with a common love of music. Band members - Matthew Hindley, guitarist and lead vocalist. Alex Kamentschuk, bass and backing vocals. Lee Watkinson, drums and backing vocals.



Matt started playing instruments when he was 8 while Lee started playing drums when the band formed and Alex started bass around the same time. As well as thier close friendship and similar music tastes - they do admit that the attraction of the rock and roll lifestyle helped fuse their inception and work ethic.



In terms of musical influences they cite Green Day, Sum 41, Status Quo, The Raymones, The Sex Pistols, The Yardbirds, The Rezillos, Clint Mansell, Misfits, Drop Kick Murphys, CKY, The Clash, Eminem, Hollywood Undead, and The Arctic Monkeys, just to name a few.



They are currently gigging regularly across multiple venues in the West Midlands and would like to move out further and reach more people.



They rehearse every weekend at Matt's garage where they have their own little set up. This is because they all have standard day jobs and university on the week days and so it helps them to reduce the costly lifestyle of an unsigned band.



The Accelerator package included a professionally produced 250 x CD package (in association with Gillies Audio), stage banner, promotional package, Pro press release and Gold promotional package (in association with Mi2N), Pin badges and social media promotion.



Listen to Drama Queen



The Delirium song Drama Queen topped the accelerator charts when the points period ended. Points were awarded for streams, downloads and paid purchases. The CD that formed part of the prize included 4 tracks:



1. The Murder of Anna Marie

2. Happy Hour

3. Hybrid Moments

4. Drama Queen









Aurovine have just launched a new accelerator award details here. If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning you just need to join Aurovine by registering here.

Beloved L.A. Children's Music Songwriter Nancy Levy Releases New Set Of Bedtime And Morning Music And Companion Book For Families

Getting your child ready for bedtime and excited to begin a brand new day has never been easier. Children's music favorite Nancy Levy has released a set of new bedtime and morning time music for families under her Nancy's Circle of Friends moniker, and it's available worldwide now.



The set includes a going-to-bed album called "Is It Bedtime Already?," a waking up album called "Brand New Day," and a companion sing along book, designed by Nancy with art by Cindy Casino. Levy started this double album and book project years ago by writing music for her son Jacob. As the songs matured, so did Jacob, and he has orchestrated and arranged the music making it a true family album.



As an early childhood educator and preschool music teacher in Los Angeles for more than 25 years, Levy's music has touched the lives of thousands of children, and she brings that experience with her to this release. With her inviting voice, Levy's songs range from warm and gentle to playfully rocking, making great listening for kids of all ages. From the welcoming optimism of "Spaceship to the Moon" to the grooving "Rockin' Rooster," there's something here for everybody.



"I believe that children's music is not just for kids," Levy said. "I hope the whole family will sing and dance along to these albums."



Levy also recently recorded a song exclusively for Operation Gratitude, a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages to U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way, to their children left behind, and to Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors and their Care Givers. The song, "Carry My Love," tells the story of a child receiving a parent's letter from overseas, and the emotional impact of a parent receiving such letters back. All proceeds from the song benefit Operation Gratitude.



For more information, visit http://nancyscircleoffriends.com.



BFM Digital, Inc.

BFM Digital is a global digital music company committed to serving the independent music community and delivering quality music, spoken word and video content to leading online retailers worldwide. Representing a diverse catalog of indie labels, artists and publishers, BFM distributes to all of the major music services including iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, eMusic, Napster, Walmart, Nokia and many more. With an unparalleled commitment to personalized service, BFM works closely with their content providers from around the world to ensure maximum exposure of their catalog by customizing marketing efforts and building strong relationships with BFM's digital store partners.


http://nancyscircleoffriends.com

Serial Killer Starts Blog Ahead of 2MCH4YA Book Completion

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) April 24, 2013 With Obamacare going into full effect in 2014, the most prominent question bloggers will ask after engaging Dale, RN online will be 揑s it safe to go to the hospital anymore.� Dale, a fictional Registered Nurse character in the novel taRNished by Willie Stewart RN, President of 2MCH4YA, started a blog to interact with the public. Access the blog now http://www.tarnished-novel.com/blog, approximately four months ahead of the completion of the novel taRNished. Dale will engage the public in lively blog debates on a number of different current topics, and will occasionally appear in the chat room live.



Willie Stewart, RN penned more than half of the novel taRNished http://www.tarnished-novel.com prior to releasing the fictional character Dale, RN onto the public in an attempt to entertain while exposing potential deadly pitfalls of the healthcare system in the United States. Dale, RN is a serial killer flying under the radar. Dale抯 mother plays a critical role in the novel as he makes his impact on an unaware public and she may occasionally appear on the blog. A healthcare Nursing shortage that is impacted by several demographic factors, along with the full implementation of Obamacare in 2014, will leave the public wondering if it is safe to go to the hospital.



The United States is projected to have a nursing shortage that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows. Compounding the problem is the fact that nursing colleges and universities across the country are struggling to expand enrollment levels to meet the rising demand for nursing care and there are not enough nurse educators. The average age of Registered Nurses is greater than 44 � baby boomers are nearing retirement and needing more critical care � undocumented immigrants in the millions are soon to have a pathway to citizenship which will add millions to the healthcare crisis � Obamacare goes into full effect in less than one year which will dump an additional 3.6 million more insured into the already overburdened healthcare system.



Willie Stewart RN抯 novel taRNished http://www.tarnished-novel.com promises to put a glaring spotlight on the crisis that looms, by entertaining the public with a serial killer who has been able to take advantage of his position of trust. The taRNished blog http://www.tarnished-novel.com/blog will allow the public to chime in on key issues and to address areas in healthcare that are potential pitfalls, spotlighted by a fictional killer抯 actions.


http://www.tarnished-novel.com/blog