"Own Your Own" Shows The Vocal Brilliance Of Music Artist, Rachel Fine, With Her Debut CD Due To Hit Stores This Summer!

Website: http://www.rachelfine.sunsetrecordings.com/

Sunset Records sets up "Own Your Own" by Rachel Fine, the debut CD that will be in stores all over the world on July 27th!

A consummate vocalist, Sunset Recording artist Rachel Fine delights fans to a mesmerizing full length album of eclectic "Trip Hop" and "Neo Soul" music. "Own Your Own" is an eleven (11) track album that is filled with songs written to feed ones intellect, essence, heart, soul, strength and overall spirit, with music aficionados welcoming this neo soul vocal music artist. "Her vocals are absolutely alluring," says Don Lichterman, head of Sunset Records, "you hear that right away when you see her play live, let alone what they laid down on the CD."

Those dark, intimate vocals make up what has become the signature sound of the US-born singer and songwriter. "The 11 new tracks on "Own Your Own" is a great addition to the Sunset Records repertoire; "Hey Hey Hey" is already impacting a few formats on radio starting this week." says Lichterman. But if Rachel Fine seems unaffected by the success of her music career over the last half year, it may be because she is also the Co-Host of Howard Stern's weekly comedy news series "The Bonus Show" for the iN DEMAND Networks, available on every cable system around the world. On his discovery of Rachel, Lichterman goes on to say he "watched her host "The Bonus Show" for one minute and thought she was incredibly professional at her gig" and that "it reminded me of someone who is a host on E! or Bravo, yet she was talking about the antics of [Howard Stern's] the 'Wack Pack'."

That initial sighting by Lichterman eventually led to a meeting in New York City, which led to the recording deal signed by Rachel and Sunset earlier this year. The label is treating the "Own Your Own" CD as a brand new release with a street date set for July 27, this summer. The completed CD has welcomed surprises from the known television host. Songs like "Forgiveness" and "Care & Closure" are intimate, brooding, soulful ballads that help create that 'Rachel Fine Signature Sound'. Songs like these show off Fine's vocals and her gentle ability to say quite a lot in song. "Much of that is because of her vox," says Don Lichterman, "Rachel [and songwriting partner Timothy Schletter's] ability to write accessible songs are what make this album great. The song "Fly By" is another sentimental track that's also coated with that 'Rachel Fine'; a layered groove that you find in every song on this CD."

The CD is a velvety blend of neo soul and trip hop sounds that is neither pure "smooth jazz", nor straight up "R&B." The songs are arranged in a very precise way to draw the listener in with Fine's vocals. Fine wrote all the lyrics on the album. While the overall matter seems to be about love and life, there is also a haunting sense of lament, solitude and isolation — a secret, whispered, confessional intimacy which is clearly written from the pain felt in her life. Born in Ohio before moving to Arizona, California, Florida, and then New York, Rachel grew up surrounded by music from a very young age. From those early years, she played drums as a percussionist in a nationally competitive band, and the young talent started showing off her vocals by singing National Anthems at varied events, including the inaugural game for the XFL.

The label (Sunset Records) is planning some unique ways to promote and market Rachel's new CD. "We have great things in mind for Rachel," says Lichterman, "My plan is to get her out of her element a bit, starting this month by doing things like playing live with other established pop, jazz, classical and singer / songwriters." The label will release those new live recordings at Sunset Live. Rachel is also being featured on Fantourage.com starting next month. Lichterman continues, "the label and Rachel are awarding her BIGGEST fan with 2 FREE TICKETS to next year's Grammy Award Show in Los Angeles!" That will be a half year campaign starting in July for Rachel, Sunset Records and Fantourage.com. There are also plans to shoot a new music video this August with acclaimed photographer, Studio X.

With obvious influences of Sade, Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Portishead, and Jill Scott, Rachel is the next fine addition to the neo soulful vocal music world. Now that the wait is over, Rachel Fine fans have expressed their gratitude in so many ways: starting a 'Betty White to host SNL'-like campaign on Facebook to get Maxim Magazine to feature the model/TV Host/vocal music artist, pre orders at online retailers (Amazon), special pre sales at sites that sell downloads, streams and ringtones (iTunes), plus her growing popularity as the TV show Co-Host for Howard TV on Demand's "The Bonus Show" (new shows air weekly beginning every Monday at Midnight). As her popularity grows, one thing is certain. Rachel Fine's new album, "Own Your Own", is one of the finest full length vocal CDs that has been released in the last decade.

About Sunset Records
Sunset is a privately owned Don Lichterman Company. Sunset is one of the leading independent record labels and entertainment companies in the world. The Sunset Group of Entertainment Companies, and its global operation, acquire, develop, and distribute major music recording artists, home visual entertainment products, online-digital entertainment technologies and music and filmed entertainment worldwide. Sunset's four major divisions are the Sunset Distributed Label Group, the Sunset Strategic Marketing and Licensing Division, the Radio Sunset Network and the Sunset Filmed Entertainment Division.

D-22: The Mother of Beijing - and China's - Indie Music Scene

By Eric de Fontenay

UNiXX rocks out D-22 on the final leg of their 7 Deadly Sins tour

Website: http://china.musicdish.com
A prime objective on my recent trip to Beijing was to connect with the leading force behind the city's burgeoning independent music scene: D-22. Anyone who is anyone... and many no-ones... have played Beijing's version of CBGB, and in the process, China's most pioneering and vibrant indie music scene was born.

I was running late to meet Nevin Domer, who manages daily operations at D-22, in no small part due to Beijing cabbies' utter ignorance of the city they are meant to drive you around. In my experience, it doesn't matter whether you have that slip of paper with the address in chinese characters or not as they will get lost anyway.

I finally arrive at a relatively modest doorfront that belies the club's influence. D-22 is a warm mix of dark red walls, wood and brick which fits well with its low-key, easy-going style. No flash or pretense here. And all along the balcony are pictures of the bands that have become household names in China's indie scene thanks to D-22: Hedgehog, Carsick Cars, White, PK-14,...

Up-and-coming rock trio Ourselves Beside Me

Your eyes quickly catch sight of 'Mike', the owner of D-22. You can't miss him with his exuberant NY personality and downright love for the music and young bands that play it. He not only is the father of Beijing indie rock, he acts the part, hugging and encouraging musicians throughout the club as if they were the prodigal children returned. He proceeds to point out a 16 year old kid whose band he predicts will shake Beijing's scene and tells me to keep an eye out for all-girl band Ourselves Beside Me. But my treat would be that night's headliner UNiXX, a Hong Kong-based band on Lona Records I've been following since I launched MusicDish*China (more on both of them in an upcoming article).

Actually, it's more likely that they were at D-22 no more than a few days ago. You see, D-22 is not just a club, it is the heart of Beijing's indie community. Bands performing that night often come during the day to practice - D-22's doors are always open. And half those people attending that night were themselves members of various bands, supporting and learning from each other. So much so that I got the rare pleasure to catch a veteran of the scene who was there from the beginning: Hedgehog guitarist and vocalist ZO(子健).

"At D-22, we are tied to each other and grow together," he explained of the late 2006 series of gigs at the club that propelled the band out of obscurity. "Many creative artists and new bands played there every week and we released our album "Noise Hit World" in 2007. That year, the Beijing scene bubbled to the surface." On a personal note, I think Hedgehog is one of the most exciting acts in China and has become part of my daily musical diet.

At the center of that community is Mike (Michael Pettis), a NY finance banker expat who opened the club on May 1, 2006. As Matthew Niederhauser writes in the preface of his photographic anthology of Beijing's indie scene "Sound Capital":

"The new club's foremost priority was finding and developing new talent, regardless of its musical style and commercial appeal. It demanded originality from musicians and was willing to go to great lengths to indulge them."

And that they did, literally reshaping Beijing's musical landscape. Michael went on to launch the Maybe Mars label with PK-14's Yang Haisong as an natural extension of D-22 to support the scene it had created. Nevin Domer, who had given me a tour of the club and introduced that night's performing acts, is a member himself of Fanzui Xiangfa (who we first featured in MusicDish*China Sounds Pod#2) and works at both the club and label. And all the bands on the label's roster developed and grew in D-22's embrace.

It's ironic that I would have to fly halfway across the world to China to find such a rare pearl as D-22. The analogy to New York's CBGB's is striking. Just as CBGB's did in the 80's, D-22 has given birth to China's hardcore and punk rock scene. Like CBGB's, D-22 is more than a club: it is like a mother, feeding, caring and educating each individual band in this movement. Ironically, many of the t-shirts in the crowd paid homage to NY bands of that CBGB's era like The Cramps and Souxie and The Banshees.

Now don't get me wrong, D-22 ain't perfect. They definitely need to work on the sound. And while this is a serious though correctable flaw, what Michael has done to find and nurture the incredible talent that might otherwise opt to go C-Pop or just not pick up an instrument is immeasurable. None of it would have been possible without his personal and financial commitment to the cause. So, speaking for myself - who would otherwise not have much to write about or play in my podcasts - a big thank you to the entire D-22 crew and bands who went along for the party.

Luna Chica Records International Launches With Diverse Roster, Progressive Business Model

Website: http://www.lunachicarecords.com

(Nashville, Tenn. - June 8, 2010) New independent record label, Luna Chica Records International, has officially opened its doors in Nashville with a fearlessly diverse roster of artists and a contemporary approach to traditional music business practices.

"In today's digital age, we have to completely switch gears when thinking about music and the business of music," says Brenda Cline, Luna Chica Records General Manager/A&R Director. "We are prepared to do that and we are doing that. We're not bogged down in rhetoric and red tape. We make decisions and move quickly."

With emphasis on targeted Internet marketing, digital distribution and online sales, Luna Chica Record's business model typically offers artists more flexibility and a larger percentage of established and emerging revenue streams than conventional record label contracts. Through its strategic partnerships, the label is able to offer a full range of artist services, including video production, artist and songwriter development, sales and distribution, record production, new media marketing, career consultation and more.

Luna Chica's debut roster includes all-star Country and Americana outfit, Burrito Deluxe, hard rock band Hip Kitty, Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Tommy Job and the label's newest signing, Memphis rocker Ty Crook.

"We are going back to the way labels used to operate," says Cline. "They used to go out and scout talent and develop it. Artists used to be judged on their talent, not their age. Being uniquely different was an asset for an artist, and we think it still is. LCR will seek out unique, great music and give fans something that they want, not something they are force-fed. Artists understand our concept and find it very refreshing."

Founded by Colorado businessman and music entrepreneur Paige Cofrin, Luna Chica Records International is staffed by a host of music industry veterans, led by General Manager and A&R Director Brenda Cline. Cline, former owner of artist development company Artist Concepts and management and development company NashRock Entertainment, oversees all day-to-day label operations.

A contact list for Luna Chica Records International follows below. Contact the LCR offices at 2826 Dogwood Place, Nashville, TN, 37204 or at 615-383-0103.

Paige Cofrin - President & CEO - paige@lunachicarecords.com

Brenda Cline - General Manager & Director of A&R - brenda@lunachicarecords.com

Kimberly Maiers Shaw - Artist Relations & Marketing - kimberly@lunachicarecords.com

Sheldon Bradley - Director of New Media - sheldon@lunachicarecords.com

Stephanie Koehn - Creative Services - stephanie@lunachicarecords.com

Gigi Swanson - Project Management - gigi.swanson@gmail.com

Rod Parkin - Songwriter Development Consultant - rod@renegadewriterworks.com

Wayne Halper - Legal and Business Affairs - lawofficeofwaynehalper@comcast.net

Upcoming Luna Chica Records digital releases include Hip Kitty and Tommy Job (summer 2010) and Ty Crook (fall 2010). For more information about Luna Chica Records International and its artists, visit www.LunaChicaRecords.com

About Luna Chica Records International:
Luna Chica Records International (LCR) is a Nashville-based independent record label. Its unique technology and service-driven business model provides new ways for independent artists to promote, market, distribute and sell their music. It also allows artists' access to top industry professionals in all areas of the business. The non-conventional model of LCR includes online sales and distribution, a network of strategic partners who offer a multitude of consultation and artist development services and impressive new media technology driven toward marketing. For more information, visit www.LunaChicaRecords.com

System Of Freaks Tour Dates And Acts Finalized

Website: http://www.myspace.com/marymagdalan

Mary Magdalan has finalized the dates and supporting acts for the first leg of their upcoming System of Freaks Tour, which is being toted as the hottest club tour of the summer. "I'm excited to announce that we will be heading out across the USA to over 20 cities with our good friend Metal Sanaz hosting all the events", says Magdalan from the Junkies Den, the bands official headquarters.

She goes on to state that the System of Freaks Tour is not your average rock show. "System of Freaks is more of a circus than it is a rock show. We plan on pushing the boundaries of what a rock show should really be. We want it to feel more like an experience than a show, so we are making sure to pull out all the stops and do something different than what you would expect".

The band will be taking out midwest rockers Obsidian and Slipknot and produced shock metal group Blue Felix for the entire tour along with industrial metal mainstays Rickets for select dates. The tour kicks of in Amarillo on June 3rd to primarily all aged crowds.

Tour Dates:

Friday June 3-Club Khaos-Amarillo, TX
Santurday June 4-Oz Cafe-Wichita, KS
Tuesday June 8-The Marquee-Tulsa, OK
Thursday June 10-The Blue Goat-Salina, KS
Friday June 11-Aftershocks-Kansas City, KS
Saturday June 12-1st Ave. Live-Cedar Rapids, IA
Monday June 14-The Rock-St. Paul, MN
Wednesday June 16-Reggies-Chicago, IL
Thursday June 17-Planet Rock-Battle Creek, MI
Friday June 18-The Cove-Geneva on the Lake, OH
Saturday June 19-Blondies-Detroit, MI
Wednesday June 23-Webster Hall-New York, NY
Friday June 25-Majo 13-Wilmington, DE
Saturday June 26-Wings-Chesapeake Bay, VA
Tuesday June 29-The Milestone-Charlotte, NC
Wednesday June 30-The Local-Marietta, GA
Friday July 2-Riverside Warehouse-Shreveport, LA
Saturday July 3-Trees-Dallas, TX
Sunday July 4-BFE-Houston, TX

For ticket information please visit: www.myspace.com/marymagdalan
For More Information: Suzey Van Ness (702) 328-3866, suzey@acmebrandequity.com
JP Artist Management & Publicity in association with Acme Brand Equity.

New Revenue Streams For Artists

Shoutomatic is best described as an audible Tweet where you can record and then broadcast an actual voice message to be "heard" within your Facebook status updates as well as across all social networks and web spaces. Using ShoutOmatic is a much more compelling and engaging proposition versus that of a 140 character text message; especially for Fans of Artists and Celebrities that most believe an intern is typing them.

Artists can Shout-Out about upcoming gigs, album drops, TV appearances, charity events, etc. The ShoutOmatic platform is FREE and easy to use and is available right now at http://ShoutOmatic.com.

Celebrities, at their option, and for any desired dollar amount, can offer their Fans "Personal Shouts" to "buy". Fans can order Personal Shouts for themselves or as a gift and is more lucrative for the Artist than selling Albums. ex: "Hey Norm, it's Chuck D giving you a Happy Birthday Shout! Bring the Noise this coming year and tell your friends Chuck D says Hello!"

Furthermore, with ShoutOmatic, you can "Follow" other people, Re-Shout other Shouts, Shout-Back to other shouts and Direct-Message (DM) audibly to each other.

---

Website: http://ShoutOmatic.com
Fans hearing the Artists' voice is more compelling and engaging than 140 characters of text typed by an intern.
Sell more Music. Sell more Tickets.

Contact: Norm Levy (normlevy @ shoutOmatic . com)

Jahmings Maccow - Free The Pain

Jahmings Maccow - Free The Pain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGqNUEy8VOI

Anguillan born singer-songwriter Jahmings Maccow is presenting his new music video for 'Free The Pain'. The song is available on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/man-redemption/id319093101

Maccow grew up in New York City, where he hooked up and played with various New York bands in The Big Apple. Now based in L.A., one of the the projects that he's planning to embark upon is a world tour that will bring him and his band to Asia by the end of 2010.

His standing against commercialization of the music began in the '80s and it has since then developed into a pure vintage reggae sound, very similar to the music of the Jamaican superstar, Bob Marley. His stories, the way he sings about social issues, love, and pain, are all coming deeply from the heart of a man. His songwriting is not something built to impress; it touches you because of its simplicity and its authenticity.

To listen to more of his repertoire go to http://www.myspace.com/jahmings

Free Virtual Music Supervisor's Assistant Adds New Artists At Music For Film And Television Website

Website: http://www.musicforfilmandtelevision.com/
Music: http://www.djquestionmark.com/mp3/movethebeat_djquestionmark.mp3

June 4, 2010 -- New Artists have been added to the Music for Film and Television website, a music marketing collective that brands itself as a virtual Music Supervisor's Assistant. Music for Film and Television (MFTV) finds quality independent music ready for film and television licensing. Through music submissions from around the world, MFTV initiates artist screening and listening processes, then creates artist profiles and catalogues tracks for easy review. Links to artist websites are available for more info and tracks. All MFTV artists are professional caliber and personally available for contact and discussions.

New Artists in April and May ...

- 9 Ball: (Orange County, CA) Indie Pop Rock

- A Troop of Echoes: (Providence, RI) Instrumental, Rock, Saxophone, Dance, Postrock, Postpunk

- Cary Kanno (Chicago, IL) Acoustic Rock, Singer Songwriter, Funk, Rock, Hip Hop

- Catch 22 Music (Swansea, Wales, UK) Horror, Rock, Classical, Lounge, Ambience, Funk

- Chris Mason (Chicago, IL) Alternative Rock, Rock

- Chris Morris: (Oceanside, CA) Pop, R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop

- DJ Questionmark: (La Conchita, CA) Hip-Hop, Reggae, Rock Dub Step

- Dom Borer: (London) Indie Brit Pop Rock Folk Acoustic

- Eddie Sea: (Chicago) Soul, R&B, World

- Entropik: (Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK) Cello-infused Classical, Ambient, New Age, Electronica, World Music Licensing

- Fast Eddy (Raleigh, NC) Rock, Pop, Country

- Gregory Elkins: (Raleigh, NC) Cinematic, Instrumental, Electronic, Americana, Experimental, Rock, Ambient

- Hamilton (Bedford, NH) Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Jazz, New Age, Orchestral

- Herb Hartley (Sims, NC) Country, Jazz, Latin, Movie Soundtrack, Commercial spots

- James Cahall: (Ukiah, CA) New Age, Solo Piano

- Jan Davis Guitar (Los Angeles) Acoustic Guitar, Flamenco, Classical Guitar, Latin, Jazz, Adult Contemporary, Surf

- Jesse J. Smith: (Seattle) Instrumental, Rock, Classical, Electronica, Jazz, Pop, Holiday, Southern Rock

- Jonathan C. Ulmer: (Las Vegas) Instrumental/Orchestral, Commercial, Video Game

- Joshua W. Scott: (Seattle, WA) Singer Songwriter, Acoustic Rock

- Laman (olujade) Richards (NY, NY) Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz, Instrumentals

- Mad Harry (Cambridge, UK) Pop, Female Vocal, Dance

- MRDC: (Lions Bay) Electronic, Electronica, Ambient Groove, Modern Rock, Hip Hop

- Nick Smith: (Charleston, MS) Pop, Electronica, Rock, Hip Hop, Cinematic

- Pam Shaffer (Los Angeles) Singer-Songwriter, Indie, Electro-Acoustic, Pop

- Phil Wright: (Carlisle, England) Commercial Pop Rock

- Robert Lauri: (Paris) Pop, Score, World Music, Urban, Soul, Funk

- Rudy Pusateri (Castelvetrano, Italy) Rock, Pop, Country, Metal, Orchestral, Jazz, Urban, Electronic, Acoustic

- Sergei Stern: (Haifa, Israel) Rock, Pop, Orchestral, Cinematic, Electronic, Acoustic

- Subject to Thoughts: (Brownsville, Texas) Progressive Rock

- The Fab Rudies: (San Diego) Alternative Punk, Pop, Ska

- The Stan Sermons: (London) Rock, Pop, Alternative

- The Syndakit (NJ/MD) Pop Rock, Electronica, Hip Hop

- Trevis T – Rap: (Atlanta) Hip Hop Instrumental, Reggaeton

- TruthSeekah (Mobile, AL) Rap Metal

- Vershon Parker (Virginia Beach) R&B and Hip Hop Instrumental

- Wet Paint Forever: (Somerville, MA) Lo-fi, indie, analog, organic instrumentals, abstract pop

- W.F. Floyd: (St. Petersburg, FL) Easy Listening, Smooth Jazz

- Young Dread (Pawleys Island, South Carolina) Urban, Reggae, R&B, Hip Hop

Music for Film and Television is a collective resource for music supervisors & production companies to network with professional level independent musicians to combine talents through the art of placing music to film and TV. The MFTV website features an organized selection of diverse music ready to license for score, source, background, theme and trailer music. Tracks are immmediately available for convenient listening without any sign-ups or fees. The official Music for Film and Television web address is http://www.musicforfilmandtelevision.com

Music Matters Scoop: China's Plan To Fight Piracy

from right to left: Christopher Martius, Bill Zang,
Yushu Le Guyader and Thomas Reemer

By Eric de Fontenay
http://china.musicdish.com

I don't usually go to conferences expecting to get scoops. Oh sure, you have lots of announcements - so and so have partnered, such and such launches new service, blah, blah, blah... Didn't he announce that at another conference last month? Even during last year's Music Matters, the launch of Google Music China had been covered well beforehand, though it was neat to actually get a demo. So I had to literally stop and rub my ears when I could have sworn that I'd caught a scoop at this year's Music Matters.

The setting was a presentation by 88tc88, which had introduced at SXSW its Web-based translation service for Western bands wanting to enter the Chinese market - more about that here. Joining Chairman Thomas Reemer, CEO Christopher Martius and Partner Yushu Le Guyader (who provided translation) on the stage was Bill Zang, Vice President at Shanghai Synergy Culture & Entertainment Group. Owned by one of the largest media conglomerates in China, SSCEG is at the core of the Chinese government's efforts to develop comprehensive multimedia entertainment services for its domestic market while fighting piracy and addressing royalty collection.

Let me stop here to remind readers of a little fact. Until relatively recently, copyright in China was illegal. All intellectual property belonged to the people, ie. government. If you wrote a book for example, the government would 'own' it and reap any 'profits,' while providing the author with a salary, housing, medical and education. So when some rant on about piracy or the lack of enforcement, this should be put in context. The Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China was adopted in 1990 - we in the US on the other hand have had a Copyright Act on the books since 1790 and we still can't seem to get it right!

On the other hand, the government does often seem capricious in its enforcement of copyright. They like to point to last year's shutdown of 200 pirate movie sites, including the largest video BitTorrent site. It just so happens though that the crackdown coincided oh so nicely with the launch of CCTV's major online video initiative. Nor is it clears whether the shutdown didn't have more to do with fighting pornography - a much bigger taboo for the government - rather than piracy. Having said that though, the fact is that for both economic and diplomatic/political reasons, the Chinese government will increasingly get serious, get tough and tackle the IP issue in the broad sense, not just piracy.

For one thing, China is no longer the low-quality, copycat manufacturer people still seem to imagine. As its economic power has grown, so has domestic innovation. It is following the path of Japan and South Korea, except at warp speed. You've certainly heard that they now have the fastest train, 2nd most powerful computer,... you get the picture. Nor is all this growth in IP restricted to patents & gadgets. Anyone who has hung out at Beijing's indie clubs like D-22 and Yugong Yishan, or strolled through its 798 Art District quickly realizes that China has a big cultural muscle it is anxious to flex. So it will become an economic imperative to protect its intellectual property which the government will increasingly view as a strategic asset.

Secondly, the Chinese government wants to attract more Western culture and the know-how that comes with it. To do this, they are building three national music industry parks, located in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangdong that are slated to be operational in 2011. These high-tech parks will serve as performance stages as well as provide facilities for Western and Chinese musicians and professionals to collaborate. But of course, in order to attract Western musicians and firms, they need to tackle piracy.

This is all good, but it is at this point where I start get sceptical. It's fine to talk about tackling piracy and shutting down sites, but without a strategic plan to develop a legal market for IP content, it's pretty much talk. So it was with a little surprise (shared by my friends at 88tc88 who assured me it wasn't in the script) that I heard Mr. Zang get very specific and present the outlines of a plan: The Chinese government will use watermarking technology to embed a unique code into every creative works released - music, film, graphic,... - allowing the government to easily identify, fine and shut down websites peddling pirated material as well as track all plays for royalty collection and disbursement.

"That's it?! Aren't we doing that already?" you say. Sure, watermarking technology has been around for well over a decade and while not a panacea, has become an important tool in IP management and protection. But it is the fact that the government is publicly outlining a strategy and process to tackling the problem which is a watershed... and the scoop. Even more encouraging was the emphasis on using the technology not just to fight piracy, but also properly compensate rightsholders for the use of their music. Just consider that China has the potential to be the largest music market in the world, easily surpassing the US and Japan.

And unlike in the West, when the Chinese government sets its mind to something, it usually gets done.

Rick Starmer - Ave. C & 9th

Rick Starmer - Ave. C & 9th
http://fairtilizer.com/track/117738

The latest track from Rick Starmer sounds like a go-go band gone smooth jazz. Numerous percussion instruments - cowbells, bongos, whistles etc. - accompany a sultry saxophone and warm bass line. Skillful piano vamping ties the tune into a funky sort of dancehall-jazz fusion. This unique blend is jazzy but the simple groove an unpretentious melody make it all the more appealing.

Rick Starmer's new album, Because I Can't Paint, will be made available everywhere on June 1 on Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J).

Website: http://www.RickStarmer.Sunset-Classics.com

In Dedication To Our Troops - HRI:UNArts: Wounded Warrior Transition Initiative

Website: http://www.unarts.org
Music: http://airplaydirect.com/music/stephenmichaelapatow/

This last January, CMA Artist Stephen Michael Apatow Aka H-II [1] had a chance to meet with one of our wounded warriors who helped him better understand some of the challenges facing many soldiers now in transition. The focus of the discussion was professional medical review of conditions developed during their time of service, and specifically complex challenges that were a direct result of inadequate care. For the soldiers, now in Warrior Transition [2], a staffing shortage combined with inadequate medical and legal assistance touch the surface of the problem. Many soldiers classified as not retainable by armed forces standards are being forced to stay in medical complexes, separated from their families, because paperwork associated with their medical discharge has been tied up (in some cases for years). Meanwhile their families struggle to survive. [3]

When I heard about a two year window, for a typical 2 month procedure, I recalled a story from a former Navy Seal who served in Somalia, was released on a medical discharge and suffered with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [4]. The story:

While on patrol, accompanied by another soldier, two United States Marines were found mutilated. In short, these soldiers in self defense, killed everything that moved back to the barracks. This traumatic incident compromised their capacity to serve and within two months, following debriefing and a short counseling session, the soldier was released back into civilian life.

It was the fast track medical discharge, that flashed back into my memory. It was the inadequate medical help provided post release and the struggles that he faced with great anguish. He was a lucky one because he was able to pull it together, unlike many of the 131,000 veterans who are homeless on any given night [5] that were not able to adjust or veterans who commit suicide (estimated 120 per week in 2005). [6]

Every member of the armed forces deserves the highest level of honor, respect and standard of care that includes medical and legal support for resolution of complex challenges associated with their service to our country. In the context of these needs, Humanitarian Resource Institute is expanding the scope of research materials available on the HRI Medical Self Care web site (Operational Medicine based) [7] and (2) requesting a national community level initiative to provide pro bono medical and legal assistance for all veterans and soldiers in active duty.

One of the greatest unmet needs that exists in our community today, relates to the unmet needs of our active duty soldiers, veterans and their families. [8]

In dedication to our troops, CMA Artist Stephen Michael Apatow Aka H-II [8] produced the soundtrack "Special Forces Prayer," accessible on AirPlay Direct:

http://airplaydirect.com/music/stephenmichaelapatow/

Learn more about the Special Forces Prayer - Origin and History online at: www.prayer.sfahq.com

References:

1. Stephen Michael Apatow, Founder of Humanitarian Resource Institute and the United Nations Arts Initiative. Url: http://www.apatow.org
2. Warrior Care: U.S. Department of Defense. Url: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/warrior_care/
3. Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA): DOD: Military HOMEFRONT. Url: http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/mhf/MHF/MHF_DETAIL_1?section_id=20.40.500.570.0.0.0.0.0¤t_id=20.40.500.570.500.140.20.60.0
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Medline Plus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Url: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/posttraumaticstressdisorder.html
5. Background & Statistics: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Url: http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm
6. Estimate: 120 Veteran Suicides Per Week: Institute for Public Accuracy, 24 March 2008. Url: http://www.accuracy.org/newsrelease.php?articleId=1673
7. Medical and Veterinary Selfcare: Humanitarian Resource Institute, Pathobiologics International. Url: http://www.humanitarian.net/university/med/ecc/
8. National Community Support for Armed Forces and Wounded Warrior Project: Humanitarian Resource Institute, 27 July 2009. Url: http://www.unarts.org/news/woundedwarriors_7272009.html