TABLE OF CONTENTS
· Southbound Train is on the Radio
· Mike G. Smith’s Production Company - (Gatlin Brothers Music)
· Featured Artist – Mike Breen
· On The Local Front - Rising Pain
· I.F.C.O. The International Fan Club Organization
· Peter Rechter and the Secrets

Southbound Train is on the Radio 

First of all, we’d like to extend a very Happy New Year to each and everyone of you. There’s already a lot of irons in the fire and we’re looking forward to hitting it hard in 2004. You can also look forward to hearing about Steve’s Australian adventure in Radio. With several songs from the Southbound Train C.D. already being played in Southern Australia, Steve has made several new friends and aquaintenances in the land down under. Be sure to read about Peter Rechter and the Secrets, one of Australia’s premier bands from the 60’s to today. Peter was monumental in getting Steve his break in Australian radio, both on 88.3 Southern F.M. in Victoria with Steve Price behind the machine, and on Triple C F.M. with Trevor Hyland. 
Our thanks go out to both of these fine D.J.’s for believing in the little guy. 

So now, 
On with the Steve Richards February 2004 Newsletter

Mike G. Smith’s Production Company (Gatlin Brothers Music)

For those of you who missed out on last quarter’s Newsletter, Please take a little time to drop on by Mike and T’s website at www.mikeandt.com With a host of great Phoenix area musicians to assemble from, Mike and T can pull together just about any kind of show you may have in mind whether it’s for your Corporate gig, Weekend Venue, you name it and they’ll provide the right blend of music for any event. 

This Quarter’s Featured Artist is - Mike Breen 

Mike Breen is one of Arizona’s go to guys when it comes to the music world here in Phoenix. Often referred to as the “UTILITY MAN”, Mike has built a reputation of superb musicianship un-surpassed by none. One of the original members of the 
Red River Opry Music House in Tempe, Mike has become the go to guy whenever the big guns come to town. Be sure to check out Mike’s website and then take a moment to check out some of his music via the link directly below. 

(http://www.tourdog.com/mikebreen/music.htm)

Originally from Pennsylvania, Mike has spent the last 20 years living in Arizona performing throughout the Southwest as a musician and singer-songwriter. As a sideman on guitar, banjo and mandolin, Mike has backed up many Nashville stars when they’ve come through town and Mike's songs have been recorded and performed by several local and national artists. In 1996 Mike released his first CD of original material, called “No Excuses” which garnered rave reviews and received air play nationwide. Mike’s gained a small but enthusiastic following for his “story songs” and has been a finalist in four songwriter competitions - The Tucson Folk Festival Song Writing Competition, The Sierra Songwriters Festival, The KRCL Song Writing Competition and The Lake County Folk Festival Song Writing Competition. His new release "Past Lives" is out and features ten original songs and one Irish instrumental medley. For booking information please contact Mike at: oprybreen@aol.com 

On the Local Music Front. (RISING PAIN) 

Steve’s son James recently came home from Fremont Junior High School with a C.D. from a group of local teenagers trying to make good here in their hometown of Mesa Arizona. The band was called Rising Down and when Steve listened to their E.P. he knew that the boys had something. So after a few phone calls to Don Salter and John Gray at the Saltmine, Rising Down was in the studio working on their New E.P. After finding out that there was already a band with the name Rising Down, the boys changed their name to Rising Pain and the rest is History.. 
They’ve been touring all over Phoenix, their website is up and running and their E.P is selling like hotcakes. To learn more about Rising Pain, slide on over to www.thesaltmine.com/artists.html and check em out ! 
Good luck guys, you’ve earned your shot at the big time! 

I.F.C.O. The International Fan Club Organization

The International Fan Club Organization (IFCO), a regulatory body with an international scope, is widely regarded as the foremost authority on setting-up and operating fan clubs. Founded in 1967 by Loudilla, Loretta and Kay Johnson, they have since established IFCO as a respected force in the entertainment industry, a clearing house for fan clubs, and consumer watchdog for the fans. This section of the web site was developed for those of you who may want to know a little more about IFCO, its history and its evolving role over the years. The trip down memory lane will provide you with a unique perspective of the evolution of the music and entertainment industry with particular emphasis on the years since IFCO was formed.

You can visit their website and learn more about the Johnson Sisters and I.F.C.O by going to - (http://ifco.org/index.php) 

Be sure to check out Steve’s I.F.C.O. page at - (http://ifco.org/fanclubs/artists.php)

Be sure to check out this year’s I.F.C.O. “Fun Fest” If you’re planning on being in the Nashville Area this Summer. 

Who: IFCO "Fun Fest" SHOW (37th Annual)
What: Live music concert
When: Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Where: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tenn.
Benefit: Fan Club Challenge for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

* Ticket Cost: $38.00 (includes 9.25% tax/processing/handling.
* Buy Tickets NOW -
Online: www.ifco.org (Visa or MasterCard) 
Phone: 615.371.9596 (Visa or MasterCard)
Fax: 615.371.9597 (Visa or MasterCard)
Mail: P.O. Box 40328, Nashville, TN 37204-0328
* Buy Tickets Later - Ryman Box Office

* Reserved Seating (assignment per order date). 
* No memberships or other requirements to purchase.

* Show Cast: To Be Announced. 
* Host: Robert K. Oermann

Peter Rechter and the Secrets 

Steve has had the great the pleasure of getting to know Peter Rechter, one of Australia’s Premier Artist’s dating all the way back to the 60’s Peter contacted Steve through his website in an effort to try and locate an email address for Jack Kavanaugh Owner and Editor for the Song Domain Newsletter. Famed Nashville Songwriter \ Producer Scott Turner had directed Peter to Steve’s website knowing that Steve had been featured in Jack’s Song Domain Newsletter. Once contact from down under had been made, Steve and Peter were well on their way to becoming great friends, or “MATES” as they would say in Australia. Since then, Peter has placed several songs in Scotty’s publishing company Captain Kidd Music, and he’s well on his way to making a splash her in the good ol’ U. S. of A. 

Be sure to check out The Secrets website at (www.secretdeals.com.au/SecretHome1.html)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
· Southbound Train is on the Radio
· Mike G. Smith’s Production Company - (Gatlin Brothers Music)
· Featured Artist – Mike Breen
· On The Local Front - Rising Pain
· I.F.C.O. The International Fan Club Organization
· Peter Rechter and the Secrets

Southbound Train is on the Radio 

First of all, we’d like to extend a very Happy New Year to each and everyone of you. There’s already a lot of irons in the fire and we’re looking forward to hitting it hard in 2004. You can also look forward to hearing about Steve’s Australian adventure in Radio. With several songs from the Southbound Train C.D. already being played in Southern Australia, Steve has made several new friends and aquaintenances in the land down under. Be sure to read about Peter Rechter and the Secrets, one of Australia’s premier bands from the 60’s to today. Peter was monumental in getting Steve his break in Australian radio, both on 88.3 Southern F.M. in Victoria with Steve Price behind the machine, and on Triple C F.M. with Trevor Hyland. 
Our thanks go out to both of these fine D.J.’s for believing in the little guy. 

So now, 
On with the Steve Richards February 2004 Newsletter

Mike G. Smith’s Production Company (Gatlin Brothers Music)

For those of you who missed out on last quarter’s Newsletter, Please take a little time to drop on by Mike and T’s website at www.mikeandt.com With a host of great Phoenix area musicians to assemble from, Mike and T can pull together just about any kind of show you may have in mind whether it’s for your Corporate gig, Weekend Venue, you name it and they’ll provide the right blend of music for any event. 

This Quarter’s Featured Artist is - Mike Breen 

Mike Breen is one of Arizona’s go to guys when it comes to the music world here in Phoenix. Often referred to as the “UTILITY MAN”, Mike has built a reputation of superb musicianship un-surpassed by none. One of the original members of the 
Red River Opry Music House in Tempe, Mike has become the go to guy whenever the big guns come to town. Be sure to check out Mike’s website and then take a moment to check out some of his music via the link directly below. 

(http://www.tourdog.com/mikebreen/music.htm)

Originally from Pennsylvania, Mike has spent the last 20 years living in Arizona performing throughout the Southwest as a musician and singer-songwriter. As a sideman on guitar, banjo and mandolin, Mike has backed up many Nashville stars when they’ve come through town and Mike's songs have been recorded and performed by several local and national artists. In 1996 Mike released his first CD of original material, called “No Excuses” which garnered rave reviews and received air play nationwide. Mike’s gained a small but enthusiastic following for his “story songs” and has been a finalist in four songwriter competitions - The Tucson Folk Festival Song Writing Competition, The Sierra Songwriters Festival, The KRCL Song Writing Competition and The Lake County Folk Festival Song Writing Competition. His new release "Past Lives" is out and features ten original songs and one Irish instrumental medley. For booking information please contact Mike at: oprybreen@aol.com 

On the Local Music Front. (RISING PAIN) 

Steve’s son James recently came home from Fremont Junior High School with a C.D. from a group of local teenagers trying to make good here in their hometown of Mesa Arizona. The band was called Rising Down and when Steve listened to their E.P. he knew that the boys had something. So after a few phone calls to Don Salter and John Gray at the Saltmine, Rising Down was in the studio working on their New E.P. After finding out that there was already a band with the name Rising Down, the boys changed their name to Rising Pain and the rest is History.. 
They’ve been touring all over Phoenix, their website is up and running and their E.P is selling like hotcakes. To learn more about Rising Pain, slide on over to www.thesaltmine.com/artists.html and check em out ! 
Good luck guys, you’ve earned your shot at the big time! 

I.F.C.O. The International Fan Club Organization

The International Fan Club Organization (IFCO), a regulatory body with an international scope, is widely regarded as the foremost authority on setting-up and operating fan clubs. Founded in 1967 by Loudilla, Loretta and Kay Johnson, they have since established IFCO as a respected force in the entertainment industry, a clearing house for fan clubs, and consumer watchdog for the fans. This section of the web site was developed for those of you who may want to know a little more about IFCO, its history and its evolving role over the years. The trip down memory lane will provide you with a unique perspective of the evolution of the music and entertainment industry with particular emphasis on the years since IFCO was formed.

You can visit their website and learn more about the Johnson Sisters and I.F.C.O by going to - (http://ifco.org/index.php) 

Be sure to check out Steve’s I.F.C.O. page at - (http://ifco.org/fanclubs/artists.php)

Be sure to check out this year’s I.F.C.O. “Fun Fest” If you’re planning on being in the Nashville Area this Summer. 

Who: IFCO "Fun Fest" SHOW (37th Annual)
What: Live music concert
When: Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Where: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tenn.
Benefit: Fan Club Challenge for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

* Ticket Cost: $38.00 (includes 9.25% tax/processing/handling.
* Buy Tickets NOW -
Online: www.ifco.org (Visa or MasterCard) 
Phone: 615.371.9596 (Visa or MasterCard)
Fax: 615.371.9597 (Visa or MasterCard)
Mail: P.O. Box 40328, Nashville, TN 37204-0328
* Buy Tickets Later - Ryman Box Office

* Reserved Seating (assignment per order date). 
* No memberships or other requirements to purchase.

* Show Cast: To Be Announced. 
* Host: Robert K. Oermann

Peter Rechter and the Secrets 

Steve has had the great the pleasure of getting to know Peter Rechter, one of Australia’s Premier Artist’s dating all the way back to the 60’s Peter contacted Steve through his website in an effort to try and locate an email address for Jack Kavanaugh Owner and Editor for the Song Domain Newsletter. Famed Nashville Songwriter \ Producer Scott Turner had directed Peter to Steve’s website knowing that Steve had been featured in Jack’s Song Domain Newsletter. Once contact from down under had been made, Steve and Peter were well on their way to becoming great friends, or “MATES” as they would say in Australia. Since then, Peter has placed several songs in Scotty’s publishing company Captain Kidd Music, and he’s well on his way to making a splash her in the good ol’ U. S. of A. 

Be sure to check out The Secrets website at (www.secretdeals.com.au/SecretHome1.html)