Steve Richards

WELCOME TO THE MARCH 2002 ISSUE OF STEVE RICHARDS NEWSLETTER
(copyright 2003)

Steve Richards Fan Club
P.O. Box 20370
Mesa, AZ 85277-0370
www.steverichards.net
steve@steverichards.net

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. FEATURE ARTICLE - Steve Richards & Lindsey Frese
2. SONG DOMAIN - Jack Kavanaugh
3. SERGE ENTERTAINMENT - Sandy Serge - Publicist
4. BEHIND THE MUSIC, PHOENIX - The Saltmine Studio
5. STEVE RICHARDS FAN CLUB - International Fan Club Organization
6. HURRY ROAD RECORDS - Songs Submission
7. ARIZONA INDIE ARTISTS - The Ignitors
8. SPONSORSHIPS - Information & List of Sponsors

1. FEATURE ARTICLE - Steve Richards & Lindsey Frese

Acting as Arizona's regional talent scouts for Broadland International Records out of Nashville, Steve and Victoria Richards had a chance meeting with a young lady named Lindsey Frese at a local establishment where she blew away the crowd with her own rendition of Alanis Morissette's "You Ought to Know". Talk about raw talent! Lindsey had recently followed her family to Arizona from Iowa where she had met Steve and Victoria. It was also during this time that Steve was putting together a Charity Benefit Show for a young Phoenix boy who was suffering from cancer. With Lindsey on the bill, her exuberant performance of Faith Hill's "Piece of My Heart" brought the housedown. Her final song of the evening, Patsy Cline's "I Fall To Pieces" was greeted by nothing less than a standing ovation.

Lindsey was born in Norway, Iowa on May 12, 1980. Lindsey's formative years were spent in this small town near Cedar Rapids. When she was eight years old her grandmother gave her tapes of Patsy Cline and records of Doris Day where she began singing in the basement of her home. By the time Lindsey was in her teens she had made a name for herself and won numerous contests and talent shows.

During the recording of the SOUNTHBOUND TRAIN CD, Steve invited Lindsey to sing the background vocals along with another vocalist named Cody Gibson from Payson, Arizona. Their first contribution was on the song "Arizona Skies" which lead to both Lindsey and Cody becoming an integral part of the record. Later in the recording process, Steve and Lindsey added vocals to Scott Turner's emotional tribute to Marty Robbins titled "West Texas Tears". There was a candle light atmosphere in the studio during that recording which soon led to a spontaneous out-take of the Marty Robbins tribute where the entire studio filled with people got up to the microphone and added their own very special track of vocals. The moment was exhilarating to say the least. (By popular request of those at the studio that evening, this track dos not appear on the SOUTHBOUND TRAIN CD. for several harmonious reasons).

It was now time for Lindsey to take flight by singing a duet with Steve in his song titled "The Eagle and The Rose". Based on Rosemary Altea's book "The Eagle and The Rose", Steve integrated the story into a love song for his wife, Victoria. As you listento Steve and Lindsey sing, you feel the strength that an Eagle symbolizes along with the gracefulness and beauty of a rose. Together throughout eternity, their love soars to greater heights.

Lindsey appears on Steve Richards website www.steverichards.net.

2. SONG DOMAIN - Jack Kavanaugh

Jack Kavanaugh publishes a very helpful newsletter for songwriters called SONG DOMAIN filled with song pitch leads that you just can't pass up. We highly recommend subscribing to this invaluable publication to further your music career. Subscription info is below:

A Music Publication of JK Music International ( BMI ) Please enter my Subscription for ONE Year (12 issues). Enclosed is $89.00 (USA, Canada and International ). Song Domain(c) is E-mailed each month, so please print your E-mail clearly.
Name_______________________________
Address___________________________
City_________________________________ State _____
ZIP:____________
(U.S.A.)
Canadian/International_______________________________________
Phone______________________________
E-Mail_________________________
( Please print clearly )

Song Domain(c)- P.O. Box 40098-Mesa, AZ 85274-0098

3. SERGE ENTERTAINMENT - Sandy Serge - Publicist

Sandy Serge has put a new spin on PR - her company represents honesty-not all the hype that you see so many publicists and public relations firms utilizing to make their sales pitch. Here is some background info about Sandy.

Serge Entertainment PR - www.serge.org/sepr.htm. The honest PR people-no spin, no speculation; only the raw facts and the naked truth Sandy S. Serge - CEO & Consultant. Sandy's past experience in various aspects of the music industry - and her continued work in that industry give her a unique, broad-based perspective. Few in the business today can combine her grasp of the music industry from performance to production to management to public relations. Even more importantly, she focuses on the highly specialized field of publicity in her day-to-day business and utilizes her successful, award-winning music trade publication Music Morsels(c) as a vehicle to reveal exceptional music to the world. Here is a look at the kind of knowledge she brings to every client...

* Experienced Editor/Publisher
As editor-in-chief and publisher of Music Morsels newsletter (featuring a column every month by Top 10 songwriter and publisher, Scott Turner), Sandy reviews thousands of press kits every month and talks with dozens of musicians, managers and publicists about what works and what doesn't in procuring publicity exposure commitments in the music business. She is in constant contact with journalists and fellow editors, seeking new ways to acquire media coverage for musicians, songwriters and music industry businesses.

* Leading PR Consultant
As CEO of Serge Entertainment Public Relations, Sandy serves as a consultant to publicists, musicians and songwriters around the world. For each client, Sandy reviews the background and statistics - making assessments based on her extensive experience with the media, and the music industry in general. Sandy advises on what markets to pursue and how to strategically align publicity and marketing campaigns to ensure success.

* Public Relations Specialist
As a public relations specialist, Sandy's reputation in the music business is beyond reproach. She oversees all aspects of press kit development; publicity, marketing and advertising campaigns; event planning; press conferences; print and broadcast placement as well as working personally with each client to increase awareness via the Internet. The process of weaving all these elements together with her personal touch brings success to every public relations campaign involving her methodology. Her secrets - leave no stone unturned, follow-up, and regard every obstacle as an opportunity.

* Education
Sandy acquired B.S. in Marketing and M.S. in Communications degrees from La Salle University. She also has a certificate in Music Management from the Music Business Institute. Sandy is a former musician and has appeared in 7 symphonies, 3 rock bands and a folk duo. She also minored in Interpretive Dance and Journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee while majoring in music.

Testimonials

Having been in the music business in many capacities since the mid-fifties, I've heard countless great projects by various groups and solo artists that went absolutely nowhere. It wasn't until I took the position of A&R Director at Liberty/Imperial/United Artists that I learned the one important missing link and that's a great public relations push to "get the name out there". I can truthfully say after having worked with many PR people that the absolute best individual I have ever come in contact with is Ms. Sandy Serge. As opposed to being "pushy" as some are, Sandy's approach is honest, straight to the point, and effective besides being most economical for that new artist who wants personal attention. Sandy has done wonders for many talented people who have hired her services and I can honestly recommend her firm to any individual or group who wants recognition. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for"... in Sandy's case, you get MORE than what you pay for...a rare factor in our industry.
- Scott Turner, producer/publisher/hit songwriter and Owner of Buried Treasure Music, Captain Kidd Music, Scott Turner Productions

After working with various publicists over the years, we have come to choose Serge Entertainment PR as the only publicist of choice. Sandy Serge is honest, hard-working and capable of getting the job done. We have personally seen her abilities at work and would not send any of our clients to anyone else. Finding someone in the music industry that does an honest job has always been a difficult job, but finding Serge Entertainment PR has handled that problem for us and our clients with excellent results and great rates. You can't ask for much more. We highly recommend Sandy and her crew to any and all artists/bands/management looking to getting the job not only done, but done right.
- Angel Davis - Sheheshe Music Services

4. BEHIND THE MUSIC, PHOENIX- The Saltmine Studio

The Saltmine Studio is the coolest studio in the Arizona desert, offering a great creative atmosphere, a wealth of both vintage and modern equipment, and a very talented staff. The Saltmine Studio has been the favorite of many local artists for over 10 years, and recently has begun to gain popularity as a recording hideaway for visiting recording artists and producers. Arizona's beautiful weather helps to make the Saltmine a perfect studio retreat from those cold winter months up north.

Don Salter, owner of the Saltmine has enlisted such talented engineers as John Gray and Mike Schomig who are the masterminds at the mixing boards for such artists as Sister Sledge, Uncle Kracker, Megadeth, Soul Fly, Korn, Sheryl Crow, Ken Mary, Marty Friedman, Steve Richards and the list goes on at: www.thesaltmine.com/artists.html.

Don Salter was very instrumental in coordinating Steve Richards' Legendary Recording Session August 11, 2002 of Buddy Holly's song "That Makes It Tough". Don graciously hosted a wide range of artists along with reporters and camera crew to document this historical day. The Saltmine Studio is truly an "Audio Oasis in the Desert". Please visit the Saltmine at www.thesaltmine.com.

5. STEVE RICHARDS FAN CLUB - International Fan Club Organization

The International Fan Club Organization has announced its 36th Annual IFCO Fun Fest Show on Tuesday, June 3 at the Ryman Auditorium In Nashville will, for the first time aid in funding the programs of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Long hailed as the kick-off to Fan Fair, the IFCO Fun Fest is always packed with a mix of new and established entertainment. Renowned music critic, historian, author, and screenwriter, Robert K. Oermann will host.

The International Fan Club Organization (IFCO), a regulatory body with an international scope, is widely regarded as the foremost authority on the set-up and operation of fan clubs. Founded in 1967 by Loudilla, Loretta and Kay Johnson, they have since established IFCO as a respected force in the entertainment industry, clearing house for fan clubs, and consumer watchdog for the fan Show Cast announcements, news of the Fan Club Challenge for St. Jude Kids, and much more on the way! Look for future updates on www.ifco.org.

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STEVE Richards's autographed pictures are available for
$5.00 US/$7.00 Canada/$10.00 Other. Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
Please mail money order to:

STEVE RICHARDS FAN CLUB
P.O. Box 20370
Mesa, AZ 85277-0370

6. HURRY ROAD RECORDS - Songs Submission

Hurry Road Records/Publishing Company is now accepting Song submissions for the following 3 categories, Traditional Country, Country Pop, and Country Rock, for both male and female country artists.

Guidelines for submission as follows:

Limit 3 songs CD/Tape
Typed lyric sheet per song
Name, address and phone on lyric sheet
PLEASE NOTE THAT MATERIALS WILL NOT BE RETURNED!

Mail to:
Hurry Road Records
P.O. Box 21928
Mesa, AZ 85277-1928

7. ARIZONA INDIE ARTISTS - The Ignitors

If Jackson Browne decided to go country today, he'd probably sound much like Ignitors. The Tempe, Arizona band's latest album, Speedway Sounds, is a crisp, reflective kind of alternative country record filled with songs that echo many of Mr. Browne's own songwriting sentiments and habits. Musically, the Ignitors have the clear, clean sound that seems to typify many of the southwestern and southern California bands that work in the alternative country genre. While the songwriting, arrangements, and playing are top notch, Ignitors' strongest trait is the harmonies of producers Norm Preston and Chris House. These two men blend their fine, clean voices as few can. The Ignitors sound brings a bright, penetrating, western Desert Rose Band flavor to their brand of Americana. Not only are House and Preston multi-instrumental, they also do all the songwriting for Ignitors, and House serves as recording engineer through his Casa de Casa studio.

Their finely crafted songs are like little cameo shots of people, little slice of life dramas filled with minute details of the dreams and wishes, the motivations and inhibitions, the victories and failures that color and distinguish people's lives. "Speedway Sounds" is not a hot-picking, loose and jamming type of album but the band rips through this tight, fun, danceable track. "Fun and Games" is the punchy, big-beat, two-step, honky tonk heartbreak song on Speedway Sounds. It's a real winner, both lyrically and musically, and fits easily in either country or Americana radio formats.

According to Hayden's Ferry Records president Stu Baker, Ignitors certainly deserve the wider appreciation and recognition they are finally getting. "These guys are the classic example in the studio of artists who put the song first. They were always willing to try new things if they were right for the songs and they also were willing to cut out tracks that didn't work. "I've always found their open-minded professionalism rewarding to work with." So far, "Speedway Sounds" has been the fastest selling record Hayden's Ferry has ever released and Baker expects it to shortly become the company's overall top seller. Based on what I hear on this very professional and slick Americana record, that seems like a cinch. Check out www.haydensferry.com for Ignitors and other worthy independent Americana artists.

... William Michael Smith

8. SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION