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Heart Consort Music / Blog

What We Can Do

Hello from Iowa: Here we are in the soggy Heartland. Thankful for the end to the rain. Thankful to see water receding all around us. Hopeful that those "downriver" won't get hit too hard! We want to say a special thank you to all those (volunteers and otherwise) who have come to the aid of our neighbors here in Eastern Iowa. The water is going down but now comes the hardest part, the cleanup and recovery. We know that all of us Midwesterners are pretty tough and that we'll all pull together and pull through. But, we're asking you all, our friends from all over the country and the globe to help us help our neighbors across the Heartland. Buy any of the songs on our page and we will donate the proceeds to Flood Relief. Or visit: http://www.redcross.org or http://www.2008flood.org to donate directly. Let's all do what we can!

March Madness

Well, March is finally upon us. In like a Lion (and it was around here) so hopefully Out like a Lamb. We're all ready for spring, how 'bout you? We've got lots exciting things to tell you about this month. First, we're featured on Kweevak Music Magazine this month, http://www.kweevak.com. When you're there, be sure to listen to the Radio Show too. There's a great interview with Leo Moran of the Saw Doctors plus some music from our latest CD, "Unknown". Then, starting March 19th, you can hear more of our music on the Colorado Wave station http://www.TheColoradoWave.com . And finally, we're having a "March Madness" promotion. We're crazy for both St. Patrick's Day and Easter (who doesn't love the Easter Bunny???) and so our promotion is "Choose your holiday, choose your deal". Order a CD directly from us by sending us an email saying which CD(s) you want to order, which you like best, St. Pat's day or Easter, and choose your deal, either free shipping or a free sampler. We'll send you a "pay link" and soon you'll be enjoying some HCM music. So go right now to http://www.heartconsortmusic.com, check out the music And happy March from HCM! http://www.heartconsortmusic.com Over 20 Years of Indie Music!

Ringtones & More!

Ringtones!! That's right, ringtones from some of your favorite HCM tunes! Cooooool!!! Now available at http://www.myxertones.com/HEARTCONSORT or text HEARTCONSORT to 69937 Check it out!! and don't forget there are 10 days left for our February Free Sampler offer! (buy any CD during Feb and get a free sampler-details in our last blog)

http://www.heartconsortmusic.com Over 20 Years of Indie Music!

We Love February!

Happy February! Even in a Leap Year, February is the shortest month of the year, but oh so many holidays. There's Groundhog Day Candelmas Mardi Gras Chinese New Year Charles Dickens Day Boy Scout Day The Grammy Awards Ceremony (okay, so it's not a holiday exactly....) Thomas Edison's Birthday Abraham Lincoln's Birthday Valentine's Day Susan B Anthony's Birthday President's Day Random Acts of Kindness Day Love Your Pet Day George Washington's Birthday Leap Year Day And of course all month is Black History Month! So here at HCM, we're going to celebrate *all month long* with a special offer for all of you. Buy any CD from us during February and we'll throw in a bonus "sampler" with favorite cuts from a few of our CDs. But hurry, this *is* the shortest month of the year! So go to our site http://www.heartconsortmusic.com, check out our music, and then drop us a line with which CD you'd like to order. We'll send you a pay link and soon you'll be enjoying a free sampler! Thanks! and no matter which holiday is your favorite, Happy February! http://www.heartconsortmusic.com Over 20 Years of Indie Music!

p.s. for a *complete* list of February Holidays (yes, there are even more than above) visit http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/february.htm

Have You Voted Yet? 1/18/08

Have You Voted Yet?

Heart Consort Music recently received word that James Kennedy's release "Tent Show" has been nominated for a Kweevak CD of the Year Award in the eighth annual presentation of these awards. You may vote for James Kennedy at: http://www.kweevak.com/files-features/cd-awards.php Your support would be appreciated. Voting takes place now through January 31, 2008, so vote today! And Tell all your friends too.... Thanks!

To Hear "Tent Show" visit http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/tnt.htm or go to our front page and browse all our CDs! http://www.heartconsortmusic.com

Corrected -Forget the Caucuses, Vote For James Kennedy!

Hi: Our apologies to all! There was a bad link in last week's email concerning the Kweevak CD of Year Awards. The correct link for voting is: http://www.kweevak.com/files-features/cd-awards.php

when there simply scroll down and vote for James Kennedy Tent Show. Sorry for the confusion and inconvenience. Heart Consort Music

As Iowa Kicks off the voting season, we ask you to forget the caucuses and vote for Iowan James Kennedy!

James Kennedy Nominated for CD of the Year Award!

For Immediate Release

Mt. Vernon, IA - Heart Consort Music received word today that James Kennedy's release "Tent Show" has been nominated for a Kweevak CD of the Year Award in the eighth annual presentation of these awards. You may vote for James Kennedy at: http://www.kweevak.com/files-features/cd-awards.php Your support would be appreciated. Voting takes place now through January 31, 2008, so vote today! And Tell all your friends too.... Thanks!

Recent accomplishments include features in Downbeat magazine, JazzReview, O'Place Jazz, featured artist at Great Music Sites.com for 2 months, inclusion for the 7th year in a row in the Grammy Awards entries, Artist of the Year 2003 Award from SheHeShe independent radio chart, and selection as a finalist in the international Sony Jazz Search. HCM’s release “Vagabond” won 2 Kweevak Awards in 2004, both a “Viewer’s Choice” and an “Editor’s Choice” award! ”Man Behind the Curtain” won both a Kweevak “Readers Survey” award and an "Editor's Choice" award in 2005. In 2006, "Patch Work" won both an "Editor's Choice" and a "Readers Survey" award from Kweevak. Clips from all of HCM's CDs can now be found at: http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/songs.htm and http://www.soundclick.com/heartconsortmusicbmi

"Tent Show" by James Kennedy features a "Big-Top" blend of Rock, Blues, World, Folk and more... featuring the usual troupe - James on guitars, Catherine on "fiddle", Matt on bass, Joe on drums, with an encore appearance by Allan on piano. Hear it Now at: http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/tnt.htm

"Unknown" - The Newest CD from Heart Consort Music! Features James Kennedy on Guitars , Catherine Lawson on Violin, Matt Alles on Bass, and Joe Patterson on Drums, Introducing Dan Brawner on Hand Drums. Featuring an Encore performance on Piano by Allan Mallie. This CD includes Latin, Carribean, Middle-Eastern,Americana,Blues and Rock influences all in one uncommonly exciting blend. Explore the Unknown!

Happy December

Happy December!

Happy December! Here we are at the end of another year... It's been a great year for us, full of great music and we hope a great year for you too! As our way of saying Happy "Whatever" December Holiday to you, our friends, fans and supporters, we are offering a special on the purchase of our CDS. Buy any two of our CDs directly from us (either 2 copies of the same one or two different Cds) and we'll give you free shipping. Offer good through December 31,2007 . So Happy December, Happy Winter, Happy "Holiday of your choice" :)

Heart Consort Music was founded in 1986. In the intervening years, the company has released 18 albums in a variety of styles, ranging from folk/acoustic to rock/fusion, jazz and world music, and more. All of these releases have received international radio airplay, distribution and exposure.

http://www.heartconsortmusic.com Over 20 Years of Indie Music!

Also check out our two brand new releases http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/unknown.htm "Unknown" http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/AcHrt2.htm "Acoustic Heartland 2"

Here's something we got from a friend. We thought it was kind of funny. We hope you will too.... A Politically Correct Holiday Greeting

Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral, winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most joyous traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice , but with respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own religion as well as those who choose not to practice a religion at all; plus... A fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions have helped make our society great, without regard to the race, creed color, religious, or sexual preferences of the wishes.

Disclaimer: This greeting is subject to clarification or with- drawal. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others and no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.

HCM CDs on Grammy Ballot-7th Year in a Row!

The two most recent CD releases by Iowa's jazz/fusion guitarist James Kennedy have been accepted by NARAS as entries for the Grammy Awards. This music is available for your listening pleasure at http://www.heartconsortmusic.com and many other internet sites.

HCM's Brand New 2007 releases: "Unknown" by James Kennedy is a blend of styles including Latin, MiddleEastern, Blues, Americana, Rock and more. http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/unknown.htm

"Acoustic Heartland 2" is a quieter collection of solo guitar and solo piano featuring 4 guitar pieces by James Kennedy and 4 piano pieces by Allan Mallie. Simply Beautiful! http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/AcHrt2.htm

In 1986, Kennedy and Catherine Lawson founded recording label Heart Consort Music. In the intervening years, James has released 18 albums in a variety of styles, ranging from folk/acoustic to rock/fusion, jazz and world music, and more. These eighteen releases have received international radio airplay, distribution and exposure. James has written music for various independent film and video projects, and his music has been licensed by 3M, AEI, Bravo, Disney, The Discovery Channel, PBS, DMX, Playnetwork, and many others. He has performed at festivals all over the world including Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland; North Sea Jazz Festival, The Hague in The Netherlands; and the Euro-Disney Jazzfest in Paris, France. James Kennedy is an endorsed artist by the Guild Guitar Company and the Lakewood Guitar company.

For more information about James Kennedy, please visit his web site at http://www.heartconsortmusic.com. For more information on the GRAMMY Awards, please visit the web site at http://www.naras.org.

HCM CDs Released Today 9-26-07

Hi: Heart Consort Music is pleased to announce the release of 2 brand new CDs today, 9-26-07. "Unknown" by James Kennedy HCM1017 is a blend of styles including Latin, MiddleEastern, Blues, Americana, Rock and more. (heartconsortmusic.com/unknown.htm) "Acoustic Heartland 2" by Kennedy/Mallie is a quieter mix of acoustic guitar and acoustic piano. ( heartconsortmusic.com/AcHrt2.htm) Both CDs are available directly from Heart Consort Music for a special introductory price of $13 each which includes shipping. Visit our website today for more details and purchases. Thanks! Heart Consort Music http://www.heartconsortmusic.com Over 20 Years of Indie Music!

Upcoming CD News!

Happy "Fall" - okay it's not *technically* fall yet, but close.... And all you lucky HCM fans out there know what that means.... Our new CD is only weeks away! In fact, we've got TWO again this year! and they'll be out the last week of September! We've got some real treats in store for you on these two CDs! So watch this space over the next few weeks for links to Preview Cuts and more! In the meantime check out some of our other CDs at: http://www.heartconsortmusic.com

Thanks! Heart Consort Music Over 20 Years of Indie Music!