Kickstarter

Well hello again to the People Who Make the Music Possible!

I am very excited that you are reading this.  Last year (2010), you helped make "From Here" a reality with your generous contributions, and for that, my hat goes off to you!  Sometimes it's a beret, sometimes it's a beanie or ball cap and sometimes it's a cowboy hat.

This coming year, I would like to finally record some of the Pop Country tunes I've been performing out with the band the past couple years.  I've heard from a number of you that you're interested in hearing them!  While I have the songs, I lack the finances to go out and make another record on my own dime.  Music sales are down, so Kickstarter and other crowd-funding sources are more important than ever for independent artists to continue making quality records.  I, for one, love to keep the music comin' - in fact, I kickstarted five other projects myself this past year, and pledged on two others at pledgemusic.com.  That's why I'm inviting you to come along for the journey!  We have SO much fun...

I have a bunch of songs to choose from which I'd like you to vote on as my Kickstarters.  I will send out a survey to vote a little later...these include the two that took me to the Regional Texaco Country Showdown last November - "Be Somebody" and "Under These Tires" - as well as some others that you guys have liked such as "Dreams Live Here" and "Get Up and Go!"  I plan to record these at Beaird Music in Nashville at the end of January IF we raise the minimum needed to record and press the album.  The budget looks daunting, but I learned last time that there are a lot of unforeseen expenses involved with putting together a professional record (most of which I am still paying for).  I guess it's fair to say if something's worth doing, it's worth doing well.  Go big or go broke.  :)  I've already tried the latter....

For starters, YOU are the main players in this as the people who listen to and love the music.  I asked you what you guys were interested in for the reward list.  And I listened.  Some of the rewards were as simple as t-shirts so I have offered those again.  Someone was interested in tickets or guest list access to shows, others wanted to see a VIP house party happen, and still others of you asked about dinner with me.  ;) House concerts were a popular request...remember, as a house concert host, you are always welcome to charge whatever cover you'd like at your concert to help defray the cost of the guarantee that you pledge.  They are all listed here (with the exception of rubber bracelets, iPods and Starbucks gift cards...if I decide to do those, they'll be a secret surprise)!  I also plan to come up with some fun giveaways for the actual CD release concert when it happens and may ask for some local business sponsors so we can give attendees some fun gift certificates and the like!  All of these ideas came from YOU!!  You are SO creative, thanks for sharing your thoughts...

 There are a number of fun rewards, so choose the level that works for you (they start at just $1) and remember that every little bit counts.  Share with friends and family that you think would like to support a great independent country album next year.  I also tentatively plan to record a handful of folk-pop tunes with my friend Dave Hedin in New York on my own (aside from the Kickstarter).  The BONUS levels will get a digital download of these, as well as my winter/holiday single "Two Birds" that we just released as well...AND perhaps a holiday song for 2012 too.  That's a total of five possible bonus songs!

I've set a goal of $12,000 which will be enough to record about 10 songs ($7000 - this includes a full band of six Nashville Players and a pro backup vocalist), master them ($1000) and manufacture the CD including graphics ($2000).  The remaining $2000 covers Kickstarter expenses, postage and t-shirts, travel, etc.  Every penny goes into the project AND back into the American economy by supporting professional musicians in our country!!  I will be investing in the bonus folk-pop tunes that I do with Dave on my own.  This type of professional record often takes $20,000-30,000 to make, but I am very frugal and resourceful with what I am granted.  If we hit the goal, the project happens.  If we don't, it doesn't.  It's just that simple.

Thanks in advance for your wonderful support.  I look forward to booking up my calendar for next year with house concerts at YOUR place, a CD release show, and a VIP backyard party!!  Independent music exists because of the love and patronage of folks like you!

Love,
Katey