Walk Tall Brand Design & Music Promotion: Walk Tall Or Don’t Walk At All!

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Andrei Talbot, Andy White, brand design, creative services, Jay Aymar, Kirsten Jones, live independent music, music bookings and promotion, Say What!, Walk Tall Brand Design and Music Promotion, Wall Tall Design

The music world is a small place and over the past year I’ve met many new people & friends because of the concerts I’ve attended.  One of those friends is a man I met through my favourite Irish singer-songwriter, Andy White, and his name is Andrei Talbot of Brighton, ON.

Andrei is the creative force behind Walk Tall Brand Design and Music Promotion.  He’s just launched a new website and offers services in:

• brand design
• music bookings/promotion
• advertising and marketing
• corporate communications
• web site design
• social media marketing
• photography
• writing and research
• public relations

Walk Tall Brand Design & Music Promotions presents and promotes only the very best in live independent music.  Some of the many talented musicians on its roster are: Andy White, Lucas Stagg, Jay Aymar, Ariana Gillis, Whitney Rose, Ginger St. James and Kirsten Jones.

Walk Tall works with a broad scope of venues; from bars and club shows to corporate events at wineries, galleries, private house concerts and more.

In addition Walk Tall delivers top level brand design and online promotions to promote all of their events by combining their passion for design with their passion for music.  And if you are an artist or business requiring creative services they can make you walk tall too!

Land of Hope and Dreams – Springsteen in Ireland book Walks Tall!

Check out PDFs for Walk Tall’s music promotions here: Walk Tall Promo and about its brand design here: Say What Brand Design

Contact Andrei Talbot and tell him Christine Bode of Scully Love Promo sent you!

Mobile: 416.571.6802
Direct:  613.475.5441
andrei@walktalldesign.com
www.walktalldesign.com
www.facebook.com/walktallandrei

Live Wire Music Series Announces Its First 2012 Show With Ray Bonneville & Madison Violet!

Tags

Bad Man's Blood, Canadian Folk Music Award, Folk Alliance, Gust of Wind, Live Wire Music Series, Lynn Miles, Lynne Hanson, Madison Violet, Mojo Magazine, New Country Rehab, New Orleans, Ray Bonneville, Sheesham and Lotus, South by Southwest, Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe, The Good in Goodbye, The John Lennon Songwriting Contest, visceral

Live Wire Music Series is excited to announce its 2012 winter line-up, which showcases some of Canada’s finest musicians.  We are kicking off the new year with a double-bill featuring the masterful blues musician Ray Bonneville, (“master of the slow burn, the gentle funk, the infectious rhythm“- The Ottawa Citizen) together with the remarkable duo Madison Violet (“exquisitely lovely and haunting harmonies- poised for greatness” – Winnipeg Free Press)

Ray Bonneville and Madison Violet
Sat. Feb. 18, 7:30 pm
Octave Theatre, 711 Dalton Ave. Kingston
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door (if available)
On sale now at Brian’s Record Option (613-542-2452) and Tara Foods

More on these two great acts below.

And coming next – get these dates on your calendar!!!

Friday, April 13, 7:30 pm
New Country Rehab with special guests Sheesham and Lotus
Octave Theatre

Friday, May 4, 7:30 pm
Lynn Miles with special guest Lynne Hanson
Octave Theatre

RAY BONNEVILLE

Ray Bonneville is a roaming blues poet, inspired by the road and the many other places he has called home—New Orleans, Colorado, Arkansas, Alaska, Boston, Seattle and Paris, France.  Born in Canada and raised in the United States, Bonneville has lived all over.  No place, however, has been more influential than New Orleans.

In the streets and clubs of New Orleans, Bonneville soaked up the prevalent take-your-time attitude that ran through the music being played there. “There’s something about the heat and humidity that makes people slow down,” he says.  “New Orleans is where I learned to take my time, to allow space between the notes so the songs could truly groove.”  That groove is at the core of Bonneville’s sound.  A one-man band, he backs up weathered, storytelling vocals with a highly percussive guitar style, dramatic harmonica lines and a foot that keeps the rock steady beat.  The result is a big sound with an almost primitive quality.  It’s visceral, raw music.

Honing his craft for the last 30 years, Bonneville’s gritty storytelling and deep-grooving blues style has won him much critical attention.  In 1999, Ray won the prestigious Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) for his third album Gust of Wind.  His fourth release, Rough Luck, was also nominated for the coveted award.  With his 2004 Red House debut Roll It Down, Ray made himself a name in blues and roots music circles, garnering rave reviews from DownBeat and No Depression.  He has toured all over the world, sharing the bill with such blues legends as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, J.J. Cale and Robert Cray and in 2007 wowed the music industry with his bring-down-the-house performances at the South By Southwest and Folk Allianceconference.  A world-class guitarist, harmonica player and hard-hitting songwriter, it is no wonder that Ray has received rave reviews from blues, jazz and roots critics alike and can count among his fans such artists as Chris Smither and Ray Wylie Hubbard.  His current Red House Records Release, Bad Man’s Blood, is Ray at his best, stripped down and raw, with some of the best songwriting ever from his long career.

MADISON VIOLET

Finding the good in goodbye is always bittersweet.  JUNO nominated roots duo Madison Violet (Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac) can attest to that with their latest release, The Good in Goodbye.  An album born from their growth, both together and apart, The Good in Goodbye is an open diary of their personal and professional experiences together as friends and musicians, two very unique relationships that affect each other in profound ways.

Since releasing their last album, No Fool for Trying (2009), Madison Violet won the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their track “The Ransom,” took home the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and were nominated for multiple East Coast Music Awards and a 2010 JUNO Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year (Group).

Receiving a mass of acclaim from outlets including the BBC, the CBC, Maverick Magazine, NPR, and Penguin Eggs Magazine, No Fool for Trying made dedicated fans of even the most hard-to-crack critics.  Ultimately, Madison Violet captured the attention of Mojo Magazine, landing “Small Of My Heart” on the publication’s distinguished playlist, “Mojo’s Top 10,” in December 2009. Madison Violet also have the unique distinction of being the only Canadians to win The John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

As a follow-up to their breakthrough successes in 2010, The Good in Goodbye captures the duo’s growth and musical maturity.  Their distinct take on iconic Americana-inspired up-tempo melodies beautifully contrasts with their breathtakingly sweeping and personal lyrics, creating songs that blend nods to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch with radio-friendly flecks of The Court-Yard Hounds.

The duo has sold-out venues across North America and Europe, had the prestigious distinction of touring with Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe, and has shared stages with contemporaries such as Chantal Kreviazuk, Ron Sexsmith and The Indigo Girls.  With their newest effort, Madison Violet prove they’re among Canada’s brightest singer/songwriters.

What You Need To Know About Your Online Presence

Tags

BookBaby, consistent branding, Etsy, finely tuned marketing machine, Flickr, Google+, MySpace, online distributor, online presence, social media icons, Social Media Marketing, think outside the box, Vlog, Wordpress

An excellent website design by Sarelia Design + Development

Whenever I am approached by a potential client, I generally do an assessment of their online presence to find out what they already have in place, what needs improvement, what’s missing and what should be implemented in order to ensure maximum opportunities for marketing and social media interaction.

The most important thing for any artist or business to have in place is a really good-looking (not too busy) and functional website that obviously highlights what they have to offer.  It should be carefully proofread to ensure that there are no typos or spelling mistakes and fonts should be limited to two easy-to-read styles that are no smaller than 11 pt.  Colours should be limited as well to only a few and they should be complimentary.  If you’re not good with colour schemes, seek the advice of someone who is.  Your website should also contain clickable social media icons on the home page that will take viewers directly to their Facebook page, YouTube channel, Twitter account, Google+ or LinkedIn profiles or WordPress/Blogger blog.  If you’re like me and don’t have the budget to pay a professional web designer yet, I highly recommend a WordPress site as it has a lot of functionality and is quite easy to use.

I believe that in this new age of social media marketing it is also important to have a professional photo of YOU and/or your logo on your website that is consistently branded across all of your social media networking sites.  The whole point of social media marketing is to be accessible and to connect and engage with your audience.  If you don’t reveal what you look like people will think you have something to hide (and don’t use a photo of yourself wearing sunglasses either!).  Ultimately a person will become a fan or buy your product because of the quality of it and their own personal tastes, but putting yourself out there online is now mandatory for anyone trying to sell something on the Internet.

If you’re selling art, CDs or books/eBooks, make sure that they can be purchased right from your website or at the very least from an excellent online distributor like iTunes, CDBaby or BookBaby, Amazon, Etsy, etc. with applicable links in place.

I always recommend that my clients have a Facebook page, a YouTube channel and a Twitter account because of what you can do with these three platforms when they’re all interlinked and consistently branded and you know how to use them effectively.  They work together to produce a finely tuned marketing machine.

MySpace is dead and an utter waste of time…even for musicians.  No one is interacting there anymore and the only email or comments you’ll receive are from other musicians trying to market themselves.  However, video and photos are worth a thousand words!  Now is the time to consider starting a video blog (a.k.a. Vlog) or to create a Flickr photostream that you can integrate into your website or Facebook page.

The number one most important thing to consider when using social media marketing to sell something is to think outside the box!  Think of as many creative ways as you can in which to engage and interact with people in order to keep them coming back to your sites again and again, and even more importantly, recommending them to their friends!

Women Who Make A Difference: Interview With Social Media Maven Christine Bode by Renee McDade

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Christine Bode, mentor, networking, Renee McDade, RMcDade News Network, Scully Love Promo, Social Media Connect Girl, social media management, social media marketer, social media maven

I am so honoured and grateful that my new Facebook friend, the very lovely Renee McDade who is an entrepreneur, accessory designer and lifestyle and business consultant from Athens, Georgia, as well as a news commentator, blogger & an aspiring social media marketer herself (whew, I’m tired just thinking about everything she’s doing!), decided to interview me for her blog and news network.

This is our interview and in it, I think you’ll discover a little bit more about how I think and why I do what I do.  Thank you so much Renee!!

MY INTERVIEW WITH SOCIAL MEDIA MAVEN CHRISTINE BODE

Christine Bode was one of the first to catch my eye out of the numerous people that I had met on Facebook back in November of 2011. My connection with Christine made me want to learn more about her. Christine’s web site (http://scullylovepromo.wordpress.com) had such rich content that I stayed there for awhile just reading and connecting to the different links. As I read I could feel the positive energy. Her site read like a social media adventure story and I saw the workings of social media management in a whole new way. I knew at that moment that I had found a mentor and a new friend. It has been a great honor to interview Christine Bode. Her strength, brilliance and her willingness to share so much about the work she loves is what I admire about her the most.

Social Media Mavens are described as exhibiting innovation in creating and connecting online communities.  They demonstrate leadership in the field by skillfully using social tools to bring in likes, comments, tweets, etc., to deliver an unparallel level of community engagement. This truly describes Christine Bode, who has an impressive social media portfolio. Christine has worked with a wide range of musicians, bands, singer-songwriters, novelists, children’s book authors and independent business owners.

Christine Bode, Professional Social Media Manager, and Internet Promoter, is the owner of Scully Love Promo, which she started in 2008. Scully is the name of Christine’s beautiful dog (a female Goldendoodle).

The Interview with Christine Bode:

RMcDade:  Please share what’s going on with your latest project, the social media workshops.

Christine Bode:  I have just started hosting social media workshops and gave my first one last week.  It went really well and gave me the confidence to continue with them in 2012.  I hope to host at least one a month.  I will concentrate on teaching people about the sites I know the most about which include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and WordPress.

RM:  While working as a Social Media Manager for almost 4 years, please share what you see as the most repetitive need that your clients ask for help with?

CB:  My clients know that they need to have a social media marketing campaign in place but they’re not sure exactly what to do in order to make it effective.  I help them to get everything up and running, teach them how to use each site properly, and assist with expanding their audience.  My clients need someone to help them with social media because they don’t have the time to do everything that’s required to share all their content, build their network and actually run their business or create their products.

RM:  What inspires you to continue your work in Social Media in spite of the ups and downs over the years?

CB:  To be honest there haven’t been any downs.  I just started working for myself full-time late this year (I’ve always had another part-time job to help supplement my income) and the only thing that’s a bit nerve-wracking is wondering if I’ll make enough money to pay my rent & bills every month.  I love this job though and I find it very interesting because I have to keep learning more and more about social media marketing myself all the time in order to remain relevant.  I also love being my own boss and keeping my own schedule!

I started working with Facebook for one client (a British author) in 2008 and since then, every year I’ve been blessed to work with more and more interesting, talented people.  My client roster has increased significantly this year.  I’m a huge fan of the Arts, so I work primarily with musicians, authors and artists.  A couple of my clients have recommended me to a number of people so my business income doubled this year.  I love them for that!  The best thing about working in Social Media is the people that I get to work with.

RM:  Christine please share your definition of success and true wealth? For you, what is ‘enough’?

CB:  I do believe in ‘ENOUGH’ and I know that I am richer already than most of the world’s population.  I know that we can’t take cash, toys, or any other material things with us when we die and I truly believe that the most important thing in life is to spend as much quality time as possible with the people we love and to never stop learning or sharing.

Money is important insofar as we need to have our basic needs met and it’s even nice to have a little extra once in a while (I really need a vacation as I haven’t had one in 8 years so I’ll spend any extra cash that comes my way on travel when I have the chance and I confess I do buy CDs, DVDs & books regularly), but I’ve never cared about it enough to focus on “getting rich”…I couldn’t care less.  I’d rather have free time to read a good book, go to the movies or a play or concert with a friend, or just spend time in nature with my dog.

I quit a $50K per year job working for Canada’s leading entertainment lawyer in Toronto in 2004 to move back to Kingston to be closer to my family when my beloved cousin died at age 50 from prostate & bone cancer.  I realized after a two year period during which I went to 8 funerals and had several other tragic things happen in my life that all that really mattered to me was spending as much time with my family & loved ones as I can.  So I moved back toKingston where my whole family is and although finances & employment have been a constant challenge ever since, I’m not sorry that I made the move.  I enjoy every moment that I get to spend with my parents and my two sisters and their families and my close friends here to the fullest.  I don’t have the same kind of stress in my life and I knew it was time to stop watching capitalist lawyers make millions of dollars a year while their assistants made a pittance in comparison and they weren’t in the least bit grateful for how hard we worked.  It’s so true that absolute power corrupts absolutely and I don’t think that people, just because they can, need to make their services so exclusive that only a select few can afford them.  I met someone this year who taught me about being a social entrepreneur and I really admire her.

RM:  To date, what has been your most rewarding accomplishment or moment with your Social Media work?

CB:  This year has definitely been the most rewarding and some of the things I’m proud of accomplishing are: working for several Juno-nominated musicians; assisting a music publishing company in getting almost 60,000 views of a single video on YouTube in 3 months; collaborating with an author, healer & public speaker with the launching of her successful social media marketing campaign that has resulted in the sale of hundreds of copies of her book; helping the creator of a 2D animated YouTube series to get noticed by the William Morris Agency in LA & Fashion Television; and being able to provide social media assistance and online promotion to three of my favorite Irish singer-songwriters.

RM:  What advice would you give to anyone just beginning to work in Social Media as it relates to the following: finding their niche market, connecting and networking, and what kind of person do you have to be to stick with this business?

CB:  First and foremost you have to love people to work in this business.  You have to enjoy working on the computer, being sociable, and learning new things all the time.  Work with people who you admire, who move you, and who could call you their fan.  Work with people who work in businesses or industries that interest you.  Concentrate on being really good at a few things and don’t try to be all things to all people.  Don’t be afraid to set boundaries because people will try to take advantage of you.  Don’t under sell yourself (I made that mistake)!  Don’t be upset if someone deletes you as a friend online.  Be friends with people you have lots in common with.  Be open, be honest, be willing to share and don’t compromise your personal integrity for anyone.

Christine Bode lives in Kingston, Ontario

Social Media Management, Internet Promotion, Virtual Assistance, Proofreading & Editing

For more information or to contact Christine Bode:

http://www.facebook.com/christine.bode

http://scullylovepromo.wordpress.com/about/

Interview by Renee McDade/RMcDade News Network

Sultans of String CD Release Tour Schedule 2012

Tags

Canadian Folk Music Award, David Wilkes, Dyson, Independent Music Awards, Lebanon, Sultans of String, Sultans of String CD release, Sultans of String tour schedule, The Living Room, world jazz flamenco music

SULTANS OF STRING

  [Sultans of String’s] latest album seems to be hoovering up Canadian awards and nominations like a Dyson on speed — a joyful melting pot of jazz, flamenco, folk and indeed anything else that takes their fancy…energetic and exciting world music fest from a band with talent to burn.  This is the sort of band and music that would rip up any festival in the country.
Maverick Magazine

  “Chris McKhool and the boys are fantastic!”
Bob Ezrin (Producer–Pink Floyd. Kiss)

“A hard core of five is leading this spectacular Canadian band to award after award.”
The Scotsman

“Sultans of String are one of Canada’s hottest new musical exports, dynamically embodying their homeland’s values of tolerance and respect for diverse cultures. Centred on the founding interplay between Chris McKhool – a six-string violinist of Lebanese/Egyptian descent – and Kevin Laliberté’s rumba-accented guitar, they weave a gorgeously-hued tapestry of Spanish, Arabic, Latin, French and gypsy strands.”
Celtic Connections Festival
________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2011

WHO: Sultans of String CD Release
WHERE: Living Room, 154 Ludlow St., New York City
WHEN: Fri. Jan. 13, 7:00pm
TIX/INFO:  $10 / www.livingroomny.com
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:  Lisa Weitz, LW Communications lw@lwcommunications.ca  416-624-3466 – 416-846-6877 (c)

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[New York, NY]  On Fri. Jan. 13, 7pm, raucous world-roots string wizards and JUNO (Canada’s Grammy) nominees, Sultans of String, are releasing MOVE, a spicy stew of Gypsy jazz, Spanish flamenco, Global roots, and Cuban rhythms at the legendary Living Room.

“Canada’s ambassadors of musical diversity” include 6-string violinist Chris McKhool (Pavlo), dueling guitar czars Kevin Laliberté (Jesse Cook, guested on tour with The Chieftains) & Eddie Paton, bass master Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk), and the jaw dropping talent of Cuban percussionist Chendy Leon (Parachute Club)!

Seamlessly traversing diverse themes of heart, place and tradition, fiery violin dances with kinetic guitar while a funk bass lays down unstoppable grooves. Throughout, acoustic strings meet electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound.

Since their formation only 4 years ago, Sultans of String have been riding a wave of success, from their debut CD, “Luna”, and 2nd offering, “Yalla Yalla”, both hitting # 1 on world/international music charts in Canada, to their triple Canadian Folk Music Award nomination, winning Instrumental Group of the Year.

In the past year alone, they’ve acquired a JUNO (Canada’s Grammy) nomination, representation from acclaimed promoter David Wilkes (Emmylou Harris, Bela Fleck, Jerry Jeff Walker), and booking representation in the US, UK and Australia.  They also took home 1st place in the International Songwriting Competition (out of 15,000 entries) and placed as finalists for two 2011 International Independent Music Awards.

The band’s new and 3^rd CD, MOVE can only be thought of as a perfect hat-trick, presenting – once again – an exhilarating celebration of world music styles.

“North America is a real meeting places of musical influences from around the world” says bandleader/violinst McKhool.  “At the same time, as a band we try to tell uniquely North American stories, putting forth our vision of the world as one family.”  Chris’ paternal Makhoul grandparents immigrated to Canada from Lebanon in the early 1900s, and his Egyptian-born mother, an accomplished pianist, also has paternal Lebanese ancestry.  “Growing up, I was taught the values of tolerance, respect for all peoples and celebration of culture.”

McKhool’s unbridled passion for exploring the rhythms and melodies has led him to the far corners of the world, incorporating instruments and styles everywhere he went.

CD RELEASE TOUR SCHEDULE

Jan 5 – WDIY Radio Lehigh Valley Public Radio, Bethlehem, PA
Jan 5 – WDVR, Sergeantsville NJ
Jan 6 – WTBQ Warwick, NY
Jan 6 – Gene Shay Presents Sultans of String at Psalm Salon, Philadelphia, PA
Jan 7 – WJFF Jeffersonville, NY
Jan 7 – Food Pantry-United Way Ellenville, NY
Jan 7 - APAP – Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference, New York, NY
Jan 8 – APAP – Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference, New York, NY
Jan 9 – WFUV, New York City, NY
Jan 9 – WVIA Theater – Homegrown Music Live Concert Series, Pittston, PA
Jan 11 – WBCR, Great Barrington, MA
Jan 13 – The Living Room, New York, NY
Jan 14 – WAMC, Albany, NY
Jan 14 – Folk Alley, Saranac Lake, NY
Jan 25 – South Holland Centre Spalding, Lincolnshire, England
Jan 27-29 – Celtic Connections Festival Glasgow, Scotland
Feb 4 – Welland-Port Colborne Concert Association, Welland, ON
Feb 5 – Cellar Jazz Club, Vancouver, BC
Feb 6 – Creekside Theatre, Lake Country, BC
Feb 7 – Charles Bailey Theatre, Trail, BC
Feb 9 – Ironwood Stage & Grill, Calgary, AB
Feb 10 – Festival Place, Sherwood Park, AB
Feb 11 – Lethbridge Folk Club @ The Wolf’s Den, Lethbridge, AB
Feb 12 – The Bassment, Saskatoon, SK
Feb 15 – E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, Prince Albert, SK
Feb 16 – McNally Robinson, Winnipeg, MB
Feb 17 – Watson Art Centre, Dauphin, MB
Feb 18 – William Glesby Centre, Portage La Prairie, MB
Feb 25 – Victoria Jubilee Hall, Walkerton, ON
Mar 3 – Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville, ON
Mar 22 – WCVF, Fredonia, NY
Mar 22 – Nighttown, Cleveland, OH
Mar 23 – Chaplin’s the Music Café, Spring City, PA
Mar 25 – Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
Apr 25 – Brantford International Jazz Festival Concert Series, Brantford, ON
May 5 – Full evening with Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Windsor, ON
May 6 – Full concert with Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Windsor, ON
May 12 – Spirit of Rasputin’s Art Society, Westboro Masonic Hall, Ottawa, ON
Jun 9 – Heartland @ Harmony House, Webster, NY
Jul 29 – “Music at Fieldcote” – Fieldcote Park and Museum, Ancaster, ON
UK – Sept/Oct, 2012 (pres. by Brookfield Knights Agency)
Feb 3, 2013 – Folkstage, Chicago, IL

Ann Vriend’s Love & Other Messes Is One of My Top 2 Favourite CDs of 2011

Tags

Americana, Ann Vriend, Chloe Albert, CKUA Radio, Coco Love Alcorn, David Aide, indie album, Jann Arden, Jeff Buckley, Love & Other Messes, Matt Epp, ottawa sun, pop ballad, Simon Farla

CD Review
Title: Love & Other Messes
Artist:  Ann Vriend
Label: Independent
Released: 2011
Stars:  4.5

I should have written this a LONG time ago but I generally don’t review the work of my clients once they’ve become a client as this could be seen as a conflict of interest and undermine the influence of my opinions, for all they’re worth.  However, I have to make an exception in the case of Ann Vriend’s Love & Other Messes.  Critically acclaimed by numerous major Canadian newspapers & publications, listed on CKUA Radio’s Top 100 of 2011, honoured among The Ottawa Sun’s Top 7 Indie Album Picks for 2011, and following successful Canadian, Australian, Dutch & German tours to showcase it, Love & Other Messes is one of my top two favourite CDs of 2011. I’m declaring this because Ann’s a superb talent and not because she’s my client.  I started out as a fan and I’ll be one of her biggest fans forever!

Love & Other Messes, Vriend’s 6^th album since 2003, is a collection of 12 exquisitely crafted songs, punctuated by Ann’s unique and easily recognizable vocals, that can’t be defined by one genre.  It falls somewhere between pop, soul and Americana, and opens with the country ballad “Everybody Sings in Nashville”, a song with backing vocals by Coco Love Alcorn & Chloe Albert that should have been a hit in Nashville and would be if Dolly Parton sang it.  (There’s still hope!)  “Best Thing” is a sophisticated, upbeat pop ditty with echoes of Motown careening through it, also supported by the very gifted Alcorn & Albert, and highlighted by Ann’s keyboards as well as Alcorn’s trumpet and the distinguished organ of David Aide (which is the case for every track).  James Forrest contributes bass, Robin Pelletier and Alan Wall play guitars and Thom Bennett adds drums throughout.

“Don’t Cry” is a revamped, stripped down version of the same pop ballad that was over produced on Vriend’s 2^nd album, Modes of Transport.  This is by far the superior version of the song but it’s one of my least favourite tracks on Love & Other Messes.  “The Way You Let Me Down” is bluesy pop with some of the best playing by the musicians on the album not to mention a prime example of Vriend’s spectacular ability to hit some really high notes!  The blues make another appearance on “Possession Blues”, a simply produced song with only piano, guitar & vocals, and its’ recording reminds me immediately of Robert Johnson.

“Excuses No. 1-8” is a stark, plaintive piano ballad depicting various excuses one may give for not wanting to marry that certain someone while “More or Less” reiterates the importance of accentuating the positive while gently letting a lover down by not lying to them about your feelings.  “Tin Man” is a splendid ballad, using a brilliant metaphor from Oz, the likes of which you may have heard from the star that is Jann Arden.  Love is messy after all.

“Graffiti On My Heart (You Must Not Love)” is the only song of its kind on this CD, recorded live with a gang of vocal participants who carry on the bracketed refrain, and with its memorable gypsy/carnival romping sing-a-long gives Ann a reason to play the kazoo when she plays it live.  Sheer fun!

There are so many great tracks to choose from that it’s hard to pick a favourite.  I have three favourites including the sultry & divine duet with Matt Epp, “If You Were Here”, a ballad dedicated to the incomparable Jeff Buckley; “Long Distance Call”, another impressive ballad with background vocals by Epp that reminds me of someone special from my past; and my very favourite, the gospel charged call for divine assistance that should impress even Van Morrison and was my mantra for 2011: “Somebody On The Ground.”

Love & Other Messes’ CD packaging design by Simon Farla is the best of all of Vriend’s collection and offers a 28 page lyric booklet with terrific sepia tone photographs featuring splashes of washed-out vermillion.  Oh, and I was very honoured to be mentioned in her Thank Yous too.

You will honestly be hard-pressed to find many other female, Canadian singer-songwriters who aren’t already a household word who deserve to be more than Ann Vriend.  If she stays true to her own vision and continues to write classy songs of this magnitude, I have no doubt that she will be a Canadian music legend some day.

I’m Thrilled To Welcome Canadian Bestselling Author of My Camino, Sue Kenney, As A Client!

Tags

barefoot enthusiasts, Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Confessions of a Pilgrim, My Camino, pilgrim, Portuguese Camino, spiritual seekers, Sue Kenney, The Way

One of the best things about my job is that I continually find myself working with some of the most inspiring, talented people (Ann Vriend, Dawn James, Darin Steckler, Shari Ulrich and Chris McKhool of Sultans of String just to name a few) and my newest client is no exception.

From the moment I spoke with Sue Kenney on the phone I knew she is special and that she will continue to inspire me with her enthusiasm, vivacious personality, intellect and authenticity.  Not only has she achieved some absolutely amazing things in her life, but she is someone whom I immediately feel a spiritual connection with and I know that she’s going to teach me a great deal.

Who is Sue Kenney?  Sue is a Pilgrim.  After being suddenly downsized from a career in the corporate telecom industry, she walked 780 kilometers over 29 days on a medieval pilgrimage route in Spain known as the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.  If that sounds familiar to you, you might have heard about Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen’s latest film, The Way, which is about an American doctor’s (Sheen) journey along the Camino de Santiago.

Sue didn’t just walk the Camino but she went alone, in the winter, on a spiritual quest that “guided me back to myself.” From a place of love, Sue uses her voice to inspire and guide others on their life journey.

Sue has written two books: My Camino and Confessions of a Pilgrim and  directed a feature documentary film called Las Peregrinas…the women who walked…that was released 5 years ago to 2,000 people on 5 continents and raised $16,000 for charities.  My Camino is currently in development as a feature film with Item 7 in Montreal and Sue and her writing partner Bruce Pirrie have co-written the screenplay.  Confessions of a Pilgrim is her second book about a journey on the Portuguese Camino on a quest to give away a sacred Eagle feather.

Sue also produced a couple of short films and most recently, she narrated an audiobook version of My Camino that is now available on CDBaby and will soon be available on iTunes.

Sue has walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela eight times and now coaches and guides a group on the walk each spring.  She’s an internationally acclaimed speaker and life coach who now walks barefoot.

You can learn more about Sue Kenney by reading My Camino, which you can order online at www.suekenney.ca, or by connecting with her on one of her social media sites:

Sue Kenney Official Website
My Camino Book Facebook Page
Suseya Facebook Page
Sue Kenney on Twitter
Sue Kenney on YouTube

Spiritual seekers, backpackers, walkers, hikers, barefoot enthusiasts, adventure travellers and fans of the Camino will undoubtedly enjoy Sue’s work.  If you are any of the above, I encourage you to to read the undeniably inspirational true story that is My Camino.

2011 Has Been A Good Year For Scully Love Promo!

Tags

Bob Geldof, Canadian Folk Music Awards, CCMA Awards, Christine Bode, Facebook pages, Juno, online promotion, Scully Love Promo, Social Media Marketing, virtual assitance

Photo by Maria Offin Photography

Like every single person I’ve worked with over the past four years as a social media manager and internet promoter, I have trouble promoting me.  It’s not natural for most of us to toot our own horn – and I’m usually quite busy tooting the horns of others – but it’s the end of the year and I am very happy to report that 2011 has been the best year so far for Scully Love Promo!

Over the past year, not only have I doubled my income, but I’ve also:

• Worked as a social media manager and virtual assistant for several Juno-nominated musicians (as well as a Canadian Folk Music Award winner and CCMA nominee) and kept them organized and in the loop while on tour
• Assisted a music publishing company in getting 60,000 views of a single video on YouTube in 3 months
• Helped a Juno-winning musician reach almost 2,000 fans on Facebook in 5 months without using any paid ads or gimmicks
• Collaborated with an author, healer & public speaker with the launching of her successful social media marketing campaign that has resulted in the sale of hundreds of copies of her book
• Helped the creator of a 2D animated YouTube series to get noticed by the William Morris Agency in LA & Fashion Television
• Provided social media assistance and online promotion to three of my favourite Irish singer-songwriters, including Sir Bob Geldof
• Proofread and edited a 460 page World War II action adventure novel and created a WordPress blogging website for its author

I’ve done many other things as well, but those are some of the highlights.  I continue to learn new things about social media and online promotion, build upon my skill set, talk to and work with the nicest and most interesting people, and relish the luxury of working from home (often in my pajamas!) for clients who truly appreciate what I do for them.  This certainly beats the hell out of working for lawyers!

It is with sincerity, humility and gratitude that I thank the following people for trusting me with social media marketing, online promotion and virtual assistance this year:

Ann Vriend
Darin Steckler
Dawn James
Chris McKhool
Shari Ulrich
Sue Kenney
Lou Tucci
Dave Moore (Roadmap Music)
Brian Howald
Camille Blue Amy
Kelli Trottier
Kirsten Jones
Jennifer Gasoi
Deborah Kimmett
Philip Tennant
Glenna Green
Tim Aylesworth
Deenah Mollin
Kindah Mardam Bey
Per-Henrik Guerth
Peg Campbelton & Michele Heaney
Cheryl Hiebert
Jill Crossland & Connie Larsen
Tom Ivison
Al Rankin
Pauline Vaughan
Michelle Dickerson

It has truly been my pleasure to work with you and I look forward to collaborating further in the future!

And to all my family and friends, both online and off, thank you for LIKING those Facebook pages I’ve invited you (see www.facebook.com/pages) to, for retweeting my tweets, watching all those YouTube videos, reading my blogs, and for being the awesome people that you are!  I couldn’t do what I’m doing without you!

All my best for a fabulous & non-cataclysmic 2012,
Christine

Bottle Tree Productions Presents: Cinderella – A Christmas Pantomime!

Tags

Anne Marie Mortensen, Bottle Tree Productions, Charles Robertson, Cinderella, Cinderella A Christmas Pantomime, Footloose, Kingston theatre, Michael K. Myers, Oliver!, pantomime, Prince Charming, theatrical production

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 6th, 2011
Kingston, Ontario

Bottle Tree Productions presents

CINDERELLA – A CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME

Saturday, Dec. 17th @ The Kingston Christian School: matinee 3pm; evening 7 pm tickets $10/children, $12/seniors, $15/adults

Sunday, Dec. 18th @ L’Octave Theatre: Matinee 3pm; evening 7pm, tickets $10/children, $12/seniors, $15/adults

Our holiday offering for 2011 is Cinderella, a tried and true favourite for people of all ages. This fast-paced pantomime is Cinderella with a twist – the Prince is afflicted by a serious condition that only true love can cure!  Familiar characters of the stepmother and stepsisters conspire against Cinderella and she is helped by her Fairy Godmother.  Come see what’s happening at the Palace Ball!

This version of Cinderella was adapted for the stage by Charles Robertson with music and lyrics by popular local musician Michael K Myers.

This year, it’s a family affair!  The talented MacPherson brothers, John and Ian, have already recently starred in two big musicals in Kingston.  John starred in the Kinsmen Production of Footloose where he starred as Ren while Ian played the Artful Dodger in the Meistersingers production of Oliver!  The boys hail from Napanee.

Sara Sturgeon and her brother Eric Sturgeon also recently appeared in Oliver!

Director Anne Marie Mortensen of her experience with Oliver! said, “Ian, Sara and Eric were great to work with.  We feel very lucky to have them perform in Cinderella.  They are very dedicated young actors.  And what’s more to have such a talented young actor as John involved in the show is great.”

Anne Marie’s son Daniel also had played in Oliver!  Her daughter Hannah will add to the festivities by singing before the show.  She recently starred in KCVI’s musical Blood Brothers as Mrs. Johnson.

Co-director Charles Robertson commented that, “Both Daniel and Hannah are very dedicated and talented kids in acting and singing.  They are also extremely high achievers in academics. They have a great work ethic.”  He went on to say, “Each theatrical production creates its own family where oftentimes life-long friendships are formed.  There are never friendships anywhere else like those that are made in theatre.  For a show to work, actors and crew need to be able to trust each other; to be able to pull together as a team.  I think that after a show is done, many performers feel a great sense of loss.  But while it lasts, it’s a wonderful family to belong to.”

Anne Marie Mortensen (Oliver!) and Charles Robertson (Romeo and Juliet) co-direct this family-friendly pantomime version of Cinderella, the rags to riches story of a kind young girl forced to work from morning ‘til night by her mean stepsisters and stepmother.  Forced to wear rags and to sleep not in a bed but by the fireplace, she dreams of meeting the handsome Prince Charming.

But Prince Charming has problems of his own.  Prince Charming has no charm. He is a nerd. Boy is he a nerd!  A fun-filled treat for the whole family! Starring John Macpherson (Ren in Footloose) as the shy and awkward prince, and Sara Sturgeon (Oliver!) as the beautiful and kind-hearted Cinderella. Other cast members include John Farant as the malpractice-waiting-to-happen, Doctor Doc and Khira Wieting and Daniel Powell as the ugly stepsisters.  Try to guess which stepsister is really a girl.  Bryden Trapp is their conniving mother.  Ian Macpherson who starred as the Artful Dodger in Oliver! plays the long suffering servant to the prince.  The boot scene alone is worth the price of admission.

Allyson Foster plays the beautiful Fairy Godmother who has a few magic tricks up her sleeve.  Daniel Smith and Meg Morgan play the king and queen.  Catchy songs and silly dialogue make this a light treat for the Holiday season.  Ian Lamb, Eric Sturgeon, and Ted Mathers also star.  No actors, animals or pumpkins were harmed in this production.  Stage managed by Claire Morgan.  For more information and to purchase tickets please go to www.bottletreeinc.com.

Pre-show entertainment will feature songs by 18 year-old Hannah Smith, who teams up with Alex Whitehead. Her great contralto voice is sure to leave you wanting more.

Bottle Tree Productions contact info: www.bottletreeinc.com or http://bottletreeinc.blogspot.com
or call us at 613-384-8433

FOR MORE INFORMATION, TO BUY TICKETS, or to FIND OUT ABOUT PROGRAM ADVERTISING:

http://www.bottletreeinc.com/cinderella_2011.html

Plan for Success: Education and Support for New and Aspiring Authors

Tags

aspiring authors, Canadian book publishing company, downloadable self-publishing E-course, Hay House, Lotus Moon Press, Publish and promote, PublishandPromote.ca, Talent Unleashed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: D. Mollin, Public Relations and Marketing
lotusmoonpress@ymail.com
1.888.767.8423

 Plan for Success: Education and Support for New and Aspiring Authors

Toronto, Ont., December 6th, 2011 – What is the difference between a best seller and an unknown book title?  A solid business and marketing plan, according to www.PublishandPromote.ca (the education division of Lotus Moon Press).

“Most authors dream of writing a best seller, appearing on a celebrity TV show and touring the country from coast to coast.  But where they fall short is having a real understanding of the business of being a successful author, and investing the time to write a solid business plan for promoting and marketing their book(s),” explains Deenah, PR and Marketing for Lotus Moon Press.

The new education division of Lotus Moon Press, PublishandPromote.ca, was created to equip new aspiring authors, in Canada and the United States, with the know-how, tools and resources needed to be successful, and connect them to the most appropriate channels for distribution and obtaining media attention in a strategic and cost-effective manner.

One of the goals of PublishandPromote.ca is to ensure that new and aspiring authors also avoid costly mistakes, such as targeting their audience inappropriately, sending out an inconsistent image and message, not creating professional sales tools or media kits, and poor planning of publicity and marketing campaigns.

Whether authors decide to self-publish or submit a proposal to a publisher, they need to understand the business of publishing and promoting in order to be successful!  Everything you need to know is just one click away in our comprehensive e-course.

What clients are saying:

“PublishandPromote.ca’s e-course gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed as a new author in original and exciting ways that I feel will ultimately reward me with a financially and critically successful book and promotional tour.”

~ Kevin N., Toronto, Writer and Musician
(Book proposal to Hay House in progress)

“From start to finish, the team at PublishandPromote.ca were timely, efficient and professional.  I could not have asked for better service.  I would highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in publishing a book.”

~ Francine Alfred, Founder and President, Talent Unleashed

“PublishandPromote.ca’s e-course provides an excellent overview of the complicated realm of publishing.  I would highly recommend this course to any first-time author.  This company’s expertise and guidance takes aspiring writers from developing initial vague ideas to a polished finished book.  Whether self-publishing or seeking a publishing house, PublishandPromote.ca is a new author’s best friend.”

~ Shirley C. Toronto, Artist
(Book in Progress)

About PublishandPromote.ca:

PublishandPromote.ca is the education division of Lotus Moon Press, based in Ontario, Canada, and is dedicated to teaching aspiring and new authors across North America about the business of book publishing and marketing and how to promote their books and themselves professionally.

For more information about author services, please visit www.publishandpromote.ca

or call toll free 1.888.767.8423

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