 Providing support for Kent Music
Please go to member web sites for more
up to date activity. One
Kent (The Background) Formed in July 2004 by John Milton & Chris Ashman, who are old friends from many years ago when Chris was the owner of Europa Sound Studios at Folkestone and John an aspiring songwriter working with Mike Stock of Stock,Aitken and Waterman. The principle behind “One Kent” initially was to even the playing field between Kent artistes who in general have limited knowledge of the music business and historically have an inherent fear that they are being ripped-off the minute they are offered the next step up ……. and the professionals who make their money by fierce exploitation. By providing information services to help provide support for Kent musicians, it became apparent that many musician’s lack of knowledge was hampering their careers and leaving them open to copyright abuse and internal arguments. Many Local Band’s own self-marketed product was lacking in all of the protection for their personal and artistic rights. So we did something about it. One Kent has now established itself as the fastest growing music based support system in the region and has expanded gently as new musicians; writers and specialists have joined the organisation. Almost on a daily basis we are asked for help by other organisations, musicians, and songwriters for help, which is not easily available elsewhere. Most of the time we are able to give this service free of charge if it is based around the principle of helping “our” people. Our main needs are the goodwill of the media and a small profit pool (one day maybe) to allow the organisation to grow. At the end of 2004 the team was joined by Ben Watson who is providing services in Ashford for local musicians, helping them with the marketing of their demos and putting on events for them to play at. A very necessary need for indie bands who don’t fit the genre of the majority of music venues in the region. Ben also works with AMP and Steve of Ashford Rocks whose aims are similar, including organising events with Ashford Borough Council One Kent members provide the following services: Music publishing
Most services are provided in-house but major manufacturing is handled by selected resources, friendly to the underlying principle of what One Kent stands for. Being proactive, protective and knowledgeable has advantages and disadvantages. Since November 2004 when we were applauded by the Guild of International Songwriters (GISC) the One Kent A&R Dept has been flooded with samples and demos by musicians from all over the world including Moscow, Australia, Italy, America, Norway etc. Some of who see us as the next step towards fame and fortune. Whilst we very much appreciate their faith, we are all working 16 to 18 hours a day coping with current projects and are having difficulty replying to all of the mail and listening to all of the music supplied. We are working on improving this. Most
of the material received is excellent, the thoughts of sending it back with a
rejection letter to the writers/performers is sometimes heart wrenching. We know
that some of them will never realise how we feel when we have not always got the
outlets or money to help exploit their work. As we reply to everyone eventually
we are still the good guys, time after time writers/musicians tell us many major
companies never reply, but still, if the example of the response we have had is
anything to go by, their load of unsolicited material must be enormous. Current ProjectsAt the end of 2004 we were asked to help a major artiste and his band change direction and were fortunate to find they were all Kent Musicians. After much negotiating Red
Admiral signed pop idol Rik Waller and his band. Zebra3 Records have recently released “My Life In The Making” to an international audience and secured a tour for the band in the USA. Medway band, The Gummy Babies are currently finishing their second album on Rojon Records due out in September. 12-year-old schoolgirl Kristie from Folkestone has just finished her debut single, which is intended to spearhead an appeal for Childhood Leukaemia. This lovely, real life story record will be released on “Somebodys Music” in September. North Kent band The Sharpee’s have at last got their “Strangers” album to an International audience through a regional release and world wide download on the major download sites on the web. The South East band “Rhythm of Blues” has brought their album to us to prepare for their 2005 European Tour. Music Publisher Cringe Music is about to release its first Production Library Music Disc for TV Radio and advertising use including music from composers in Kent and all over the UK. The FutureWho knows? There are many exciting projects on the drawing board. Some of the CD’s or artistes we are supporting will never reach International status but that will not dampen our belief in them. We are able to get them out on the market regionally and we can release anything from 100 CD’s upwards enabling the act to get on with what they do best, that is, write and perform music with the knowledge that their products are safe and secure, their copyright recognised and protected across the world by all that use music in their business. Core members of One Kent are with the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) The Performing Rights Society (PRS) Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL). Whereby registrations via the Catco system will ensure that information, is accurate and accessible by the BPI, IFPI, AIM , Broadcasters, The UK Charts Company and can be used for Anti Piracy purposes. Contact:
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