UPCOMING DEADLINES:

• December 25: Hear it Here compilation CD
• December 26: GoGirls showcase
• December 31: RedGorilla Music Festival
• December 31: CMJ Music Marathon
• January 2: We are Listening: Singer/Songwriter Awards
• January 31: NXNE Festival
• January 31: Winnipeg Folk Festival

• Bravo!FACT Funding: Deadline Dec 12, www.bravofact.com

Folk on the Rocks - Canadian Music Festival north of 60- takes place July 17-19 on the sandy shores of Yellowknife's scenic Long Lake. Over 4,000 people will come to Long Lake to listen to music, take in the scenery and enjoy the most anticipate weekend of the year. Set in a natural amphitheater, the breathtaking site provides the backdrop for six stages of live music, workshops, a cultural area and beer garden - all under the lure of the midnight sun. Deadline for artist submissions is January 15. More information available at www.folkontherocks.com.

Cooch Music's 10th Annual Amateur Songwriting Contest is an outlet for amateur songwriters to get their songs heard, and win an offering of publishing contracts and prizes designed to help further their careers. Every entry is reviewed by J.Cooch Music (BMI) for possible placement with their company. Deadline is January 31. More information available at www.coochmusic.com

Winnipeg Folk Festival takes place July 9-12 in Birds Hill Provincial Park, MB. The program consists of approximately 75 artists from around the globe who perform electric and acoustic folk, blues, world, traditional, bluegrass, Celtic, roots, alt-country, and more. The festival is music but much more. The festival presents children’s and family entertainment during the daytime, and “alternative” programming (anything from circus acts, and film to “alternative to folk” bands, dance troupes and DJs) in the evenings. Both emerging artists and established, touring acts are encouraged to submit. Deadine for submissions is January 31.  For more information visit www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca

We Are Listening has brought together an exceptional panel of judges for an extraordinary international song contest - The Singer/Songwriter Awards. Six gifted artists will be flown to London for a luxurious weekend stay at myHotel Bloomsbury and an exclusive recording session with producer Steve Williams (Sting, Eric Clapton, Seal) at Sphere Studios. As part of the awards and prizes package, selected songs will also be non-exclusively represented by We Are Listening and supported through global digital distribution, sync licensing administration and radio promotion. We Are Listening also provides alternative prizes in the form of mixing & mastering an entire album, CD duplication, a 6-8 week dedicated US radio campaign and more. Catering to all genres of music and artists around the world - signed or unsigned - The Singer/Songwriter Awards is YOUR opportunity to get your music heard, promoted and sold. Deadlin for sumbissions is January 2. More information available at www.wearelistening.org

World Vision Canada: Independent and major label artists have discovered a way to combine their philanthropic spirits and help cover their touring costs. World Vision's Artist Associates program offers a unique alternative to traditional backing by providing financial tour support for performers who take the message of hope to the stage. At their performances, the artists asked concertgoers to make a difference by sponsoring a child. More than 3,000 signed up last year alone. At their concerts, performers invite their audiences to make a difference by sponsoring a child. World Vision provides display materials about child sponsorship at the performance venue so audience members can become a child sponsor. Use your talent to help transform the lives of children in need. In addition to financial support, World Vision will provide you with video presentations, brochures, picture folders, etc. For more information visit www.worldvision.ca/About-Us/Our-Celebrities/Pages/Celebrities-Artists.aspx

GoGirls is proud to accept Private Showcase submissions for its annual event at Folk Alliance taking place February 18-21, in Memphis, TN. Submit early as GoGirls is guaranteeing that ten artists who submit by December 14 will be booked. You must be a GoGirls Elite member in order to submit for a showcase spot. You must be a member of Folk Alliance and register for the conference prior to acceptance into our showcases. There is a discount for GoGirls members. If accepted into the showcase, there is a $35 showcase fee. Deadline December 26. More info available at www.gogirlsmusic.com.

The Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) is looking for volunteers to assist with their 2010 Award Weekend, being held in Regina in spring of 2010. You can help in presenting an exceptional show, provide excellent resources for the benefit of the SCMA and its members, and deliver a tremendous weekend that will be valuable and memorable to all in attendance. Host committee and other volunteer members are being sought now, to enable sponsorship recruitment to begin early in '09. Please take the time to consider a position. Duties will include areas such as Venue Liaision, Administration (website, secretary, budget, volunteers, fundraising), Sponsorship, Awards, Events (kick-off party, seminars, showcases, banquets, awards show, etc), and Publicity, to name a few. For more information and/or position descriptions, contact Bernice Hiebert, Regina Country Music Association, at 306-586-2629 or email b.hiebert@sasktel.net.

Industry trailblazers and outstanding professionals are celebrated annually at the Canadian Music Industry Awards. The Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in more than 30 different categories and are decided upon by industry vote. The awards will be presented at a gala ceremony March 12 in Toronto as part of Canadian Music Week.  Eligibility period: December 1st, 2007 to November 30, 2008.  For more information and to submit nominations visit www.cmw.net.  Deadline is December 28.

Beat Marketing presents: Hear it Here - a compilation CD series distributed to 1200 cafés and coffeehouses across the United States. The Hear it Here compilation CD is produced bi-monthly and serviced free of charge to 1200 participating cafes. For Volume 37, one Sonicbids artist will be chosen to go on the disc along with all of the other top name artists! The Hear It Here compilation CD is fully back announced and provides cafe goers information on each artist they are listening to and where they can purchase the music that is being played. Deadline is December 25. More info www.beatmarketing.com.

CMJ is helping artists plan early for the CMJ09 Music Marathon. When you submit early you save money AND you have the chance to get booked early. Submit by November 30 and save over 50% on the submission fee. Also, CMJ has reserved at least 20 slots for artists who submit by December 31 (to be announced by March 11th) and another 50 slots for artists who submit by March 31 (to be announced by June 15th). The CMJ Music Marathon is New York City's largest music festival, attracting more than 120,000 music professionals, artists and music enthusiasts to NYC every autumn. CMJ has been a springboard for the best new music talent from multiple genres, discovering music's future superstars years before their commercial breakthroughs. For more information visit www.cmj.com

In 2008, RedGorilla Music Festival hosted 300 bands/solo artists/DJs on eight stages. The 2009 festival will boast even more artists and venues. Taking place March 18-21, during SXSW, when thousands of fans and industry professionals descend upond Austin to network and check out new talent. The festival has an overwhelming success and upholds its reputation as the cool rebel showcase that caters to talented artists from all parts of the world. Deadline for artist submissions is December 31. For more information visit www.redgorillamusic.com.

North by Northeast Music & Film Festival and Conference (NXNE) is Canada’s #1 showcase for the best new music and music-related films. The music festival gives over 500 artists from all over the globe the chance to showcase for thousands of fans, agents, talent buyers, media, promoters, labels and management companies at a variety of essential downtown venues. Don’t miss your chance to submit at a discount - for early applicants the submission fee is just $25. Deadline for sumbissions is January 31. For more information visit www.nxne.com.

SaskMusic members have access to expanded news, events and opportunities in our magazine, The Session.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

January 15-18, NAMM
Anaheim CA, www.thenammshow.com

January 18-22, MIDEM
Cannes, France, www.midem.com

January 24-February 1, Coldsnap
Prince George BC, www.coldsnapfestival.com

January 27-31, In The Dead of Winter
Halifax NS, www.inthedeadofwinter.com

Check our bulletin board for other leads:
www.saskmusic.org/phpBB2

BASS PLAYER REQUIRED FOR ESTABLISHED FOLK ROCK BAND [Crofter's Revenge]: "We do Celtic but are also branching into original folkrock the material is approx. 30% acoustic, the rest is hi-energy folkrock. Requirements: must have own gear; must have professional attitude; ability to establish a good groove with drummer a must; vocals an asset; any age or gender welcome as long as above criteria is met. We need someone to take over the bass reins for March 2009." Please reply to donmodderman@accesscomm.ca

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