Saturday, March 1, 2008

Salem City Lights - March 1, 2008

GJK Promotions proudly presents, Salem City Lights from Boston, Massachusetts, as Artist of the Day.

Salem City Lights pleays pop punk, a'cappella and happy hardcore music. Salem City Lights is getting ready to release a new ep and has a few of the songs up on their music player. Salem City Light is playing a "Cancer Sucks" benefit tonight at the Elks Lodge in Natick, MA with Inherit the Wind, The Body in Question, The Yellow Team, Toy Plane Pilots and I am B. Tickets are only $10 and as always the money goes to a great cause. If you can't make the Black Star Benefit tonight, take a listen to Salem City Lights on their myspace and let them know what you think :)

http://www.myspace.com/salemcitylights

Cheers and Inspire :)

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Friday, February 29, 2008

Judy Kanyo - February 29, 2008

GJK Promotions proudly presents, Judy Kanyo from Toronto, ON., as Artist of the Day.

Judy Kanyo play country, rockabilly and western swing music. Judy Kanyo's website http://www.judykanyo.com/ has a biography, a guestbook, her record charts, her cd's and much more. Judy was nominated by the ECMA for album on the year in 2007. To find out more about Judy, watch some videos and listen to Judy's country charm, check out her myspace at

http://www.myspace.com/judykanyo

Cheers and Inspire :)

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Langerado Music Festival - South Florida Everglades - March 6-9, 2008

Langerado Music Festival - South Florida Everglades - March 6-9, 2008
Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation

Check out this amazing line-up - 4 days in music heaven

Event Schedule - http://www.jambase.com/festivals/langerado/

http://www.myspace.com/langerado


www.langerado.com

Cd's, Ep's, Stickers - Keep sending the in ;)

I would like to take the time to thank the musicians and bands that are sending in their press kits, cd's, ep's and other merchandise. The ones that I have featured as "Artist of the Day" are extra special to me. Please don't forget to autograph them for me ;) As you all well know this is my hobby and it shows that you appreciate the exposure. It's an honor and a pleasure to listen to the whole cd of all the artists (featured and not yet featured), so please keep sending them in ;)

Musicians and Bands are welcome to send Cd's, Ep's and other promotional material to:

GJK Promotions
P.O. Box 101, 401 Oulette Avenue
Windsor, Ontario
Canada, N9A 6J5

The National Black Arts Festival - Atlanta, GA - July 18-27, 2008

The National Black Arts Festival is pleased to announce our upcoming twentieth year as the leading presenting arts and cultural organization in the United States celebrating the art and artists of Africa and the African Diaspora. We are many things to many people - an inspiration, a transforming force, a legacy, a depository of intellectual property, a creative clearinghouse, a center for creative exchange and collaboration, an artistic resource and a celebration of the creative spirit. Twenty years is a significant milestone and it is with pride that we declare, “We’re still here.”

The 2008 Festival dates are July 18-July 27. Mark your calendar!
Visit www.nbaf.org for schedules and more information about
The 2008 National Black Arts Festival!

---------------------------------------
The National Black Arts Festival is proud to partner with the Woodruff Arts Center to provide compelling forums for expression. The living legacy of the Civil Rights Movement has brought our groups together with a vision for collaboration. Through our programs we will explore the past struggle towards the dream, as well as the future of a civil, cultural, democratic and human rights legacy.

This unprecedented year-long collaboration centered on the language and living legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. The Atlanta Dialogue: Artists and the Civil Rights Continuum is comprised of performances and community discussions throughout 2008 that will explore the artists, civil rights and Atlanta’s role in the movement. The Atlanta Dialogue will include families that will become immersed into the process of this year-long collaboration.

The Woodruff Arts Center and its divisions—Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum of Art, and Young Audiences—and the National Black Arts Festival, will hold events and dialogues throughout 2008.

A full schedule of the dialogues and events can be found online at www.theatlantadialogue.org. New programming will also be added throughout the year.

Johnny Truant - United Kingdom - Februay 28, 2008

GJK Promotions proudly presents, Johnny Truant from Brighton, UK., as Artist of the Day.

Johnny Truant plays hardcore metal and rock. Johnny Truant just finished "No Tears for the Creatures" and are following it up with a Eastern Canada tour. Starting in Toronto for Toronto Music Week on March 6, going to PEI, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and finishing off the month back in Ontario. Johnny Truant covered "French Immersion" by the Cancer Bats which is amazing. To find out if Johnny Truant is coming to a city near you, watch their videos and listen to some Johnny Truant hardcore metal rock, check out their myspace at

Johnny Truant - UK

Cheers and Inspire :)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Elvis Festival - Windsor - June 27, 28 and 29, 2008

Windsor Elvis Festival brought to you by the Centre for Seniors - June 27, 28 and 29, 2008.

It's that time again to grab your hound dog, put on your blue suede shoes, grease back that hair, hop in your pink Cadillac and set your sights on Windsor as we get ready to Shake, Rattle and Roll, at Dieppe Park, and The Chrysler Theatre for a bigger and better 3rd Annual Elvis Fest.

The 2008 Festival will be held the weekend of June 27,28,29 2008. For the second year in a row, we have been invited to be a sanctioned preliminary competition for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest to be held in Memphis during Elvis week in August 2008.

For more info


http://www.windsorelvisfest.com/

Meet and Greet - Nightmare Metal Fest March 22, 2008

MEET & GREET BRUNCH
Limited tickets Available
ALL ARE WELCOME TO THIS EVENT!
Come and help sponsor the bands!
SATURDAY - MARCH 22nd

MEET & GREET - BRUNCH / SILENT AUCTION
11am – 2pm

MEET & GREET - BRUNCH
There will be limited seating available in the private dinning room at the Ramada Inn, so naturally the tickets to this event will also be limited. First come first serve on on the tickets, but not on food, plenty of great food will be at the buffet.Get a chance to see rockers stuffing their faces as you eat breakfast with your favorite musicians/bands from Friday nights show or meet the band members before they play on Saturday! Get your picture taken, or have your CD’s & memorabilia signed by your favorite artists.
SILENT AUCTION – SOMETHING SPECIAL!
Bands will be bringing special “Artistic expression” “personal” and or “professional items” that will be available on silent auction. Some of these items may be “out of print items” from their musical pasts, other artistic things crafted by their own hands, and some may be signed instruments, drum sticks, cymbols and drum heads, still farther, these items should give deeper insights into where these metal heads, “heads” truly are.Hopefully we won’t be seeing any g-strings or Speedo's in there, but all is open fare for this affair, so don’t be late at the gate.

$18 ADV. $22 at the Door

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO BANDS TRAVEL EXPENSES!
(Silent Auction items proceeds goes directly to that band)
This is a way to help support the bands for giving you the music you love, and get a great breakfast,We will be adding a PAYPAL order button on the main page
www.NightmareMetalFest.com under the "TICKETS" link for this special event. Those that pay in advance will be on a list at the door.

Van Ghost - February 27, 2008

GJK Promotions proudly presents, Van Ghost from Chicago, IL., as Artist of the Day.

Van Ghost plays country, alternative and rock music. The Van Ghost website http://www.3dmas.com/vanghost/ is one page of info and pics. Van Ghost will be playing at Double Door (1572 N Milwaukee Ave in Chicago) with the Tim Reynolds Band on March 1. You might want to get these tickets in advance at $15 or $17 at the door. To find out more about Van Ghost and listen to some of their demos check out the Van Ghost myspace at

http://www.myspace.com/vanghostchicago

Cheers and Inspire :)

Van Ghost Myspace

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Looking for Bars, Venues, Coffee Shops - If you played it POST IT

You've all played some where, whether it be a bar, venue, coffee shops, church basement, college/university bar or where ever else it might be.

I am going to be posting a venue section in the upcoming weeks and would love to post where you play or played. I would prefer a myspace link but as we all know not everyone has one, so a website link would be acceptable (I will not post a facebook link, just so everyone knows).

IF YOU PLAYED IT! PLEASE POST IT!

Thanks and remember Cheers and Always Inspire :)

Festivals of 2008 - Help Me Promote It - Send me your links

Looking for all those festivals that are coming up in 2008.

Wow! Do you know how many there are?

Thousands all across Canada, US, Australia and Europe.

If you are hosting or playing in a festival please help me promote you, your band, the other bands and the festival so more attention can be brought to them. Don't care how big or how small, all promotion is good promotion. All genres and will be accepted.

If your playing it POST IT!

As always I would prefer a myspace link but all links will be accepted (I will not add facebook links, just so everyone knows).

These festivals will be featured right here on the Artist of the Day Blogger.

Thanks ;)

Old Dave - The Godfather of Hick Hop - February 26, 2008

GJK Promotions proudly presents, Old Dave - The Godfather of Hick Hop from Michigan, as Artist of the Day.

Old Dave plays hip hop, rap and r & b in the hick hop style. Old Dave - this isn't your grandpa's music - brings the fun back into hip hop and rap that all can enjoy. Old Dave is currently working on his "Talking Trash - Volume One" cd. To find out more about Old Dave, find out where he is playing and take a listen to Old Dave check out his myspace at

http://www.myspace.com/tiredoldclown


Cheers and Inspire :)

Monday, February 25, 2008

MTV and VH1 is casting for a reality show - Do you have what it takes?

MTV and VH1 is casting for a new reality show. Check out http://www.myspace.com/mtvcasting

VH1 Casting Call

YOU SAY YOU WANT YOUR OWN REALITY SHOW??????

If I had a dime for every time someone has asked me about getting their own show, I'd be a richer dude, however what I don't understand is when I offer you guys something that could possibly lead up into having your own show, the response is a bit weak. So let's try this again.

From the network that brought you
FLAVOR OF LOVE
I LOVE NEW YORKAND
ROCK of LOVE

Comes a new show about the baddest kept women in the world, THE GOLD DIGGER. The woman who refuses to date a man, who can't take care of her finacial needs. A woman who loves to shop, eat out and travel the world. And doesn't care, what everyone thinks, she's getting her bills paid.

VH1 is looking for women (must be 21 or over) who want to put their gold-digging skills to the test on a fun new reality show!! If there's no shame in YOUR gold-digging game, and you want to compete for prize money as ... America's best gold-digger in a fabulous LA mansion, contact us right away!! This could be the chance to meet the Millionaire of your dreams! Therefore I am looking for women 21-34 who have the guts to step up and teach the world how to catch a baller. Like Kanye said, I'm not saying she a gold digger, but she ain't messin wit no broke N***. I don't care how tall, fat, or attractive you think you may or not be, I am looking for THE REAL DEAL. You got the heart and the confidence, them step up, THIS IS A BIG SHOW and it could lead to bigger opportunities.

Send an e-mail to watr2drink@aol.com with the following information: your name, phone numbers, e-mail, age, myspace or facebook page, and what city you live in (must be in or able to travel to Los Angeles area for the show). Also briefly tell us about your gold-digging past and present and why you're perfect for the show!!

One of our Casting Directors will get back to you soon.
Lamont Pete
www. myspace. com/mtvcasting

Corporate Saturday - February 25, 2008

GJK Promotions proudly presents, Corporate Saturday from Windsor, ON, as Artist of the Day.

Corporate Saturday plays rock, alternative and powerpop music. Corporate Saturday's website http://www.corporatesaturday.com/ has a updated news on their upcoming cd (the name is still a secret, lol), with a cd party on March 29, a merchandise section where you can buy stickers, t-shirts and their previous cd "A Moment of Peace", as well as a bio and pics and their touring schedule. To watch some of Corporate Saturday's videos, find out a little more about the band and take a listen to some of Corporate Saturday tunes, check out their myspace at

http://www.myspace.com/corporatesaturday

Cheers and Inspire :)

Corporate Saturday Myspace



This is part 1 of a 3 video series - Check out part 2 and 3 on the Corporate Saturday
myspace ;)

Nightmare Metal Fest - Tampa, FL - Spring Break - March 21 and 22, 2008

Nightmare Records presents NIGHTMARE METAL FEST in Tampa, FL. March 21 and 22, 2008. Tickets are available at http://www.nightmaremetalfest.com/

Check out the NIGHTMARE RECORDS myspace to take a listen to some of the amazing metal bands that will be performing at

http://www.myspace.com/nightmarerecords1
























Sunday, February 24, 2008

Yen - Asian Soul RnB - February 24, 2008

GJK Promotions proudly presents, Yen from Atlanta, Georgia as Artist of the Day.

Yen plays soul and r and b music. Yen is one musician that you definately can't type cast as asian his soulful sounds knock you right off your feet. Yen's website http://www.asiansoulrnb.net/ is has his bio, pics, videos, his influences (you have to check out his diverse choice of influences), his tour dates, where you can buy his cd "Introducing the Sound of AsiansoulRnB", contact Yen and even play a quiz show. Yen's songs are amazing and so inspirational you'll just want to sit back relax and enjoy. To find out a little more about Yen, check his tour dates, listen to his blog interview or just kick off your shoes and enjoy the sweet sounds of Yen, check out his myspace at

http://www.myspace.com/asiansoulrnb

Cheers and Inspire :)

FACTOR, SOCAN, SAC and Musicians = The Ultimate Musicians Workshop in Windsor

FACTOR, SOCAN, S.A.C. and Musicians = The Ultimate Musicians Workshop in Windsor

A quick note: If you have a chance to attend one of these workshops in your area, don’t hum and ha, just DO IT, you will be glad you did.

Well yesterday, I took the plunge and thought, I need to see what has changed and happened in the music industry since I was in the business of music 20 some odd years ago. One thing I realized is that music never changes, it still comes from the heart.

Musicians from all genres, producers, record labels, agents, managers, lawyers and even bloggers (me, lol) came from all over Ontario to our little hub in Windsor at Walkerville Theatre to enjoy a jam packed day, of what else but, learning the inside ropes to the music industry.

Please take the time to click on the links and learn more about all that were involved and how they might be able to assist your future music ventures.

The Ultimate Musicians Workshop was hosted by Blackburn Radio which is The Rock 95.1 am and 100.7 fm - Canada's Rock Station and 96.7 CHYR fm - Windsor/Essex County best for news and music mix. If you haven't tuned into these radio stations yet, now is the time to listen to music you want to hear (and they also have great contests ;).

We started at 9:30 am, where hundreds (yes you heard right) of artists of all genres and such came in from all over Ontario. There were musicians as far away as Cambridge, Sarnia, London and all over the Windsor - Chatham Kent corridor. First off was an amazing woman named Heather Ostertag - President and CEO of FACTOR who explained what The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talents on Recording was all about. If you haven't heard about FACTOR and what they might be able to do to assist Canadian Artists/Musicians then you really need to check it out. Krista Culp - Communications Manager was in the background making sure all the musicians were getting signed up for demo evaluations and the open mic which started at 7:00pm. As Heather explained how Factor.ca helps musicians with almost anything from getting your first demo out, press kits to touring, she explained how a "jury" critics the submissions. Out of 3051 submissions last year, FACTOR assisted more than 1400 artists (a whooping 46%, amazing). (Just a reminder to Krista about the jury coming to Windsor in May :) Heather brought up a special guest, Jeff Burrows former Tea Party drummer to explain how FACTOR assisted The Tea Party touring Australia and getting the International exposure that helped make them a success. There were 4 mic's going to all times taking questions, so many were answered.

Wow what a morning that was jam packed with all the info you needed. Lunch Time :)




1:00 and now SOCAN takes the stage with Dan Kershaw - SOCAN Moderator, Barry Rueger - Community Media.com, Rod Martens - Program Director of The Rock and Anya Wilson - Publicity, Promotions and Radio Promoter. This amazing panel explained the in's and out's of radio play, how to get heard and royalties for your songs. Rod (private radio) and Barry (community radio) explained the differences in what gets played on their stations, Anya explained how she gets your tracks to the radio stations and Dan explained how SOCAN can help you get to radio play, royalties and so much more.

Wow, break time. Have to absorb all that information.

2:40 was time for SAC - Songwriters Association of Canada to take the stage and critic some demos of the many musicians that were in the audience. Don Quarels was the representative from SAC as they announced the panel that would critic the artists. The panel consisted of Anya Wilson - Anya Wilson Promotion and Publicity, Daniel Victor - Never Ending White Lights, Jamie Warren - Country Performer and Corey Robertson - Programming from 96.7 CHYR. These 4 gave tips and tricks to the budding musicians that would help and improve the airplay of their demos. Amazing talent we have in Southern Ontario. Bravo to all that got critiqued :)

Little break time :)

4:45 was time for Daniel Victor and Jamie Warren to take the stage and play some acoustic tunes (and they threw in a piano tune or two as well). Although Daniel had some technically difficulty with his guitar and used Jamie's, these two amazing different genres of music went song by song and explained what, why and who influenced them on their writing. They answered many questions while performing and all that were in attendance I am sure went away with the urge to write their next tune. Daniel explained that when he makes writes his songs, he turns them into a production which makes it hard for him to play live. The songs he did play were amazing. Jamie has a new cd coming out on April 2/08 and shared a few songs off his new cd which he said was his most passionate songwriting to date. They literally had to ask Daniel and Jamie to "get off the stage" at 6:45 so they could set up for OPEN MIC.

Even shorter break time, lol

7:00 and now the fun begins :) Open Mic was amazing with some of these performers appearing on stage for the first time. Once the jitters were all over and all the songs were played, I am sure a good time was had by all.



I want to send out some special acknowledgements - One to the amazing staff at Blackburn radio that did an awesome job even through some of the technical difficulties, the show went on without a hitch. Also from The Rock - Community Relations Director, Windsor - Lori Baldassi was in attendance helping.

To Glen (you know who you are, lol) who is now the Regional person to set up Songwriting Workshops in Windsor. They will be held at the Kildare House and he said they should be starting in about a month. I lost him in the crowd so I hope he reads this and e-mails me :) so I can keep you posted on these amazing workshops to come:)

All the kids from Kids Alliance you did a wonderful job helping, serving the food and making sure everyone was taken care of.

Tim Horton's, Roma Pizza, Subway and whomever paid for all these wonderful treats that kept us fed all day.

Thank you to FACTOR, SOCAN, SAC, Heather Ostertag, Krista Culp (don't forget the jury, lol), Daniel Victor, Jamie Warren, Anya Wilson, Barry Rueger, Jeff Burrows, Dan Kershaw, Don Quarels, all the people behind the scenes, the musicians, artists and anyone else I might have missed.

Please take the time to click on the links to find out what you need to know about getting your music out there :)


I hope that all enjoyed and learned as much as I did. One thing I realized in the 20 some odd years since I took business in music and music engineering is that music is still music although we have went from albums and cassettes to cd’s and dvd’s. Makes you wonder what changes we have in store in the next 20 years.

Did I have an amazing day? Did I learn anything? Did I chat with some of these amazing musicians?

YES TO ALL and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

To all the amazing artists that were at The Ultimate Musicians Workshop that I never had a chance to talk to please take the time to add yourself to my friends list on myspace at http://.www.myspace.com/gjkpromotions if you don’t have a myspace then please drop me a comment on this blog with your website J

Remember I do check out and listen to all music that I receive for my Artist of the Day blog so keep those requests coming ;)


http://www.blackburnradio.com/
http://www.canadasrock.ca/
http://www.chyr.com/
http://www.factor.ca/
http://www.myspace.com/jeffburrows
http://www.myspace.com/theteaparty
http://www.socan.ca/
http://www.community-media.com/
http://www.anyawilson.com/
http://www.songwriters.ca/
http://www.myspace.com/neverendingwhitelights
http://www.myspace.com/jamiewarrenmusic
http://www.myspace.com/ryankidsalliance