'Fett's Mixing Mastery!' Course for Emerging Recording Engineers to Begin Jan. 28

            Nashville independent record producer, engineer and author Fett will lead a master-level course on professional mixing starting Jan. 28 (Wednesday).  "Fett's Mixing Mastery!" will show emerging recording engineers the methodology, secrets, tricks and techniques from a seasoned pro who has spent decades mixing thousands of songs... someone who can show step-by-step exactly what engineers need to do to take mixes to a higher level, providing the musical and emotional impact they deserve.

            Highlights of the course are

            * The 3 M's of mixing (the "why").

            * How to create an emotionally impactful mix.

            * The relationship between song arrangement and mixing.

            * Specific techniques for three-dimensional positioning and placement of parts in a mix.

            * Using "stock" versus third-party plug-ins.

            * How to use groups for organization and saving resources.

            * Mixing musical parts versus mixing "tracks".

            * Extensive coverage of automation.

            * Specific mixing techniques for relative levels, panning, EQ, compression and limiting, and time-based effects (reverb, delay, etc.).

            * Specific mixing techniques for drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, lead vocals, background vocals, specialty instruments, percussion and MIDI/virtual instrument tracks.

            Training will include video lessons, hands-on exercises, sample audio files, and live Q&A calls. All resources will be accessible 24/7 and available for one year.

            Fett is a 30-plus-year music industry veteran who has played a role in more than 50 albums. He served as the technology editor for Performing Songwriter magazine for seven years. He is the author of the popular resource book, "Fett's Mixing Roadmap".

            To learn more about "Fett's Mixing Mastery!" master-level course on professional mixing, visit http://www.mcssl.com/app/?af=1617165 .

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'Independent Music Fest' To Offer One-On-One Sessions With Professionals

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 2012) -- More than 150 performing artists and songwriters from around the world will visit Nashville's Music Row from Oct. 5-7 (Friday-Sunday) for the "Independent Music Fest".

            Performers and songwriters will take the stage along Demonbreun and Division streets from noon-midnight Friday-Sunday at entertainment venues such as Red Rooster, Blue Bar & Lucy's Country Cafe, Otters, and the Music Row Best Western Lounge.  

            The Best Western also will host music industry information tables, networking areas, and training sessions from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday.  Attendees can receive hands-on advice, critiques and training on topics such as stage presence, the craft of songwriting, recording techniques, publishing, song plugging, contracts, product development, audio podcast development, video production, management, and publicity.  

            For the first time, members of the general public can register separately to attend one-on-one brainstorming sessions with top music industry professionals. Artist mentors for this year's festival will include Fred Vail, Lisa Aschmann, Regina Carter-Boy, Ron Eckerman, Stephen Foster, Amanda Andrews, Jo Crowe, David Lowry, Pam Gunn, Kim Copeland, Janelle Angel, David Wray, Phil Brown, and Vinny Ribas.  

            The annual "Indie Music Masquerade Gala" will feature costumed dancing from 7 p.m.-midnight on   Oct. 6 (Saturday) in the Music Row Best Western Lounge.  Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.

            Songwriters can introduce their new songs by performing at a special "open mic" stage located between Demonbreun and Division streets.

            "The 'Independent Music Fest' is a wonderful career-building opportunity for artists and songwriters at all levels," said Cornelius "Popcorn" Robertson, founder and coordinator of the festival. "More than 60 community volunteers will donate their time and resources to make this possible.  Shows are open to the public."

            Musical performers will include Rose Angelica, Billy Arr, Lisa Aschmann, Phil Brown, Jerry Foster, Stephen Foster, Bobby Keel, Bobby Pizzaz, Kevin Renick, Denny Sroakin, and Tony Stampley.

            Music industry exhibitors and sponsors include Kim Copeland Productions, Crowe Entertainment, producer Ron Eckerman (author of the new book "Turn It Up"), Indie Connect, Mind Coup, Musik and Film, Nashville Music Guide, National Media Group, Out of the Box Records, music industry attorney David Ray, SAE Institute, Tennessee Songwriters Association, Top Notch Entertainment, Treasure Isle Recording, Tri Star Entertainment, and Whiting Publicity & Promotions.

            Festival registration, which includes all activities, is $150 for three days, $110 for two days, and $60 for one day. Members of the general public can enjoy three days of live music with a $20 armband. They also can attend one-on-one mentoring sessions with top music industry professionals for $25 per day.  To register or for more information about the "Independent Music Fest", visit http://www.independentmusicfest.org, send an email inquiry to popcorn@IndependentMusicFest.org, or call (615) 424-1491.

'Publicizing Your Dream' Workshop Set for July 28 in Nashville

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2012) -- Artists and entrepreneurs of all kinds can learn the nuts and bolts of the public relations process by attending the "Publicizing Your Dream" workshop on July 28 (Saturday) at O Gallery at Marathon Village in Nashville, Tenn.

            The communication workshop, which will be led by publicist, educator and composer Chuck Whiting, will occur from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. in O Gallery's studio at 1305 Clinton St. near downtown Nashville.  Attendees will learn all aspects of publicity, including the tools reporters and editors use; developing news hooks; writing, editing and distributing press releases; adapting press releases for the Internet; and preparing for a news media interview. 

            Whiting founded Whiting Publicity & Promotions and is a former reporter for The Mobile (Ala.) Press Register. He will walk attendees through the publicity process step by step with feedback and professional critiques.  PR case studies will feature insights from professionals in business, literature, music, the news media, songwriting and visual art.  The day will end with an artist/entrepreneur-sharing event called "Arts on the Row".

            Highlights of the workshop are

            *  Educational sessions covering all aspects of the public relations process, including the writing of a press release in Associated Press style.

            * PR case studies (Q&A) with several professional artists/entrepreneurs who have used publicity to land news stories on local, regional and national levels.  Participants include filmmaker/visual artist Robyn Morshead, author/songwriter Candy Paull, and songwriter/visual artist Laura Powers.

            *  A tour of a news media operation (TBA) on July 27 (Friday) with insights from a leading editor or producer.

            * A tour of a Music Row business or organization on July 27 (Friday) with insights from a leading marketing professional. 

            * An artist/entrepreneur show-and-tell event called "Arts on the Row" featuring professional artists in comedy, film, literature, music, songwriting and visual art. 

            Tuition for all sessions of the "Publicizing Your Dream" workshop is $95 (for registration by July 20) and $120 (for registration from July 21-27).  Artists can attend individual two-hour sessions for $30 each. Participation in "Arts on the Row" is included with registration.   Complimentary tours of the news media operation and Music Row business/organization are limited to the first 10 people who register.  Employees of non-profit organizations are eligible to receive a 10 percent discount. Advance registration is required.

            "My goal will be to teach artists and entrepreneurs how to handle their own publicity, including the writing and distribution of a professionally written press release," said Whiting, who founded Whiting Publicity & Promotions in 1993.  "We're adding several PR case studies with business and arts professionals to give attendees true-life examples of the communication process.  'Arts on the Row' is a wonderful way for artists to share their visions and receive feedback."

            A former newspaper reporter, Whiting has served the arts, entertainment, hospitality and tourism industries for more than 25 years.  He started his career as a reporter for The Birmingham (Ala.) News and The Mobile (Ala.) Press Register.  He served as the PR representative for the Gaylord Opryland Hotel for more than seven years.  His PR firm currently represents clients such as visual artist/instructor Gail McDaniel, former Harlem Globetrotter "Jumpin' Johnny" Kline, National Vocabulary Championship Coach of the Year Debbie Watts ("Word Woman"), recording artist/songwriter Joyce Rouse ("Earth Mama"), film composer/music producer Greg Sims, award-winning visual artist Charlotte Terrell, two-time Grammy winner Dennis Scott and The WannaBeatles, music producer/songwriter Jerry Michael, visual artist Camille Engel, and speakers/food and beverage educators The Saucy Sisters (Barbara Nowak and Beverly Wichman).

            Whiting also teaches journalism and public speaking courses as an adjunct professor for Middle Tennessee State University, Motlow State Community College, and Volunteer State Community College.  He is the co-author and co-songwriter of the children's book and CD, "The Littlest Star: a musical story"; editor of the arts newsletter Music City Arts Update; and founder/emcee of the monthly songwriters show, "Tunesmithing Off Music Row".

            For more information or to register for the "Publicizing Your Dream" workshop, call (615) 242-9857 or (888) 80-SHINE, send an email inquiry to PublicizingYourDream@earthlink.net or Arts@WhitingPublicity.com, or visit http://www.PublicizingYourDream.com.