Independant Music

Up until a couple years ago I knew next to nothing about music. I knew what I liked but that was all I knew. I had no clue when a artist I liked had a CD coming out. I only knew when it came out. (sometimes) I didn’t know what it took to get a song to be played on radio. I thought if a person released a new Album then their music would be on the radio. I thought a Independent artist was someone who wasn’t any good and tried to sell their music to a few who might like it. I was so very wrong.

Once I became a fan of Taylor Hicks I realized if it had not been for American Idol I would not have a clue who Taylor Hicks was and I would be missing out on some great music from a man with a Great voice. It was then I decided to start looking around for artists that were doing it on their own. Realizing I was probably missing out on some great music by not broadening my search for music.

I also now know that being an Independent artist is a good thing if you can get your music promoted and out to your fans. You get to keep the money you make, it doesn’t go to a huge record label and you can decide how your music gets out there.

American Idol Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks recently announced his move to the Independent market below is the press release.

Taylor Hicks Exclusively Partners With A2M to Release Album, Due Winter 2009
Birthday Boy Hicks Signs Cutting Edge Deal Unlike Any Other Idol

By: PR Newswire
Oct. 7, 2008 09:01 AM

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- He's "Takin' It to the Streets" on "American Idol" -- now Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks will be takin' it more directly to the people. Celebrating his birthday today, Hicks has tapped the independent artist services company Artist To Market (A2M) to release his much-buzzed-about new album, due in stores on February 10, 2009. The platinum-selling singer-songwriter will be releasing the new title with complete control of direction and ownership of his masters on his solely owned and operated, Modern Whomp Records label. Hicks is currently in the studio with producer Simon Climie (Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Faith Hill).

"In this digital age, when artists can connect more directly with audiences, this is a partnership that makes a lot of sense," says Hicks. "I'm very much enjoying being in the studio with Simon working on the new album and look forward to releasing it through A2M early next year."

"We at A2M are very excited to be working with the team at Modern Whomp Records on this release," said Paul Ignasinski, General Manager of A2M. "As the industry continues to evolve, it's exciting to see significant artists approach the marketplace in a new way, and truly take control over their own destiny. This is exactly why A2M was built in the first place -- to provide a service platform for these artists to prosper on their own terms."

During the last two years, Taylor Hicks has seen his self-titled Arista debut album certified platinum, performed with the likes of Willie Nelson, Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers and Jackson Browne, toured through Asia, penned the brisk-selling Random House memoir Heart Full of Soul, spent time in NY this past summer for his three-month Broadway debut as "Teen Angel" in Grease, and will take Grease on a national tour beginning December 1.

In August Hicks' Modern Whomp Records released Early Works (a reissue compilation of his two independent albums, In Your Time and Under the Radar) through the Welk Music Group. Hicks is also planning the release of Whomp at the Warfield, a DVD showcasing a live performance by Hicks and his band at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco.

About Artist To Market Distribution:

Launched in 2005, Artist To Market Distribution (A2M) is an independent music distributor and artist services company designed to work directly with artists, labels, and content owners to streamline the supply chain, provide flexible service solutions, and deliver new product to the marketplace at a lower cost. Over the past two years A2M has partnered with a diverse group of platinum and multi-platinum artists including Dolly Parton, Tracy Lawrence, Tommy Lee, John Michael Montgomery, Sinead O'Connor, Unwritten Law, and Tracy Byrd, in addition to critically-acclaimed newcomers, The Cool Kids. More information can be found at http://www.artist2market.com.

SOURCE Taylor Hicks

http://uk.sys-con.com/node/701997
So in honor of Independent music I have included some videos from some great Independent artists. First is Taylor Hicks song The Fall off his pre-idol independent album In Your Time.
Taylor Hicks – The Fall


Toby Lightman- Holding me Down





Jonalee White – I Break



Have a Little Faith



Judd Starr Firefly





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