Be it music, film, or comedy, our struggles are one and the same. Dream Row is proud to announce the launch of Dream Row Magazine – a one-stop resource for the entertainment industry entrepreneur!

Are you tired of being hustled by “industry professionals”? Our Biz truth column will narrow the information gap between you and the corporate monster. The Dream it Forward column will direct attention to those who help keep the dream alive for others while keeping you up to date on how you can contribute.The Dream On column will focus on artists in both the indie and mainstream market to highlight their sources of  motivation, successful business practices, and methods they use to stay committed to the appreciation of their art. Whether you were the class clown or the butt of the joke, the Crack Us Up column has something for you-  from venues and events to the inspiration of today’s successful comics. Could Lewis Skolnick take Dwight Schrute in a fight? If you’ve ever pondered that question, you should check out our Geek Warfare column to keep up with the technological weapons and strategies used by the top nerds on the entertainment battlefield. No magazine is complete without opinion and controversy. Our editorial column, DR View, will be the soap box for independent entertainers, covering topics which are sure to affect us all. Have you ever needed career advice from a pro? Submit your questions to our editor (editor@dreamrow.com) to be answered in Ask a Dreamer column an upcoming issue.

All of us at Dream Row hope the information in Dream Row Magazine is insightful and entertaining, but most of all, beneficial for you- the independent, hard-working dreamer.

Coming to http://dreamrow.com on April 1, 2010.

Media Contact:
Dan Shaw
Elite Technology Systems Inc. DBA Dream Row
6213 Charlotte Pike, Suite 111
Nashville, TN 37209
615.866.0560

http://plugs.dreamrow.com

plugs@dreamrow.com

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Dream Row Announces a Free, Private Networking Site
Exclusively for Entertainment Industry Professionals

Nashville, TN (March 1, 2010) Dream Row, an entertainment marketing firm in Nashville, Tennessee, announced the full launch of Plugs Entertainment Industry Network, a unique, online business networking website for entertainment industry professionals or for those offering professional services to the entertainment industry. The current membership consists primarily of independent artists.

Dream Row President Dan Shaw emphasized that the entertainment business networking site, free for members, is exclusively designed to help entertainment industry professionals learn about, connect with, and do business with other entertainment industry professionals.

“Plugs is a non-fan-based network,” Shaw explained, “that gives professionals a comfortable and private venue for collaborating on projects or social events in Nashville, across the United States and around the world.”
Far away from the noise and clutter of fan-based social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube, Shaw continued, “Plugs members can concentrate on the behind-the-scenes business of networking with other entertainment professionals in meaningful and productive ways.”

According to Shaw, there are currently nearly 400 Plugs members from all aspects of the entertainment industry, including label-backed artists, independent artists, songwriters, demo singers, musicians, photographers, models, management, promoters, song pluggers, commercial studios, private, home studios, publishing companies, song publishers, and entertainment industry legal specialists. In addition, Plugs members are encouraged to invite other entertainment professionals or professionals in entertainment-related fields to join the network.

Plugs members have access to a wide array of free marketing tools for promoting themselves and their projects. Their Plugs Profile describes who they are and where they fit in the entertainment industry. They can generate their own content, upload photos, videos, music and incorporate a music player into their profile. Members can also link other online promotions to their Plugs profile simply by copying and adding the Plugs graphical badge.
Members can also generate traffic to their profile by adding the Plugs graphical badge to promotional content on other websites. People who are interested in learning more about the member can click on the Plugs badge and connect instantly to their profile.

Other popular features include a personal blog, events announcements, member-to-member messaging, and general member forums. “For instance,” Shaw illustrated, “a songwriter can upload a new song, send a message to other members, and ask for their comments. Or a band can use the events feature to announce their next gig and invite members to attend.” With Plugs new RSVP feature, members are able to ‘click and confirm’ their attendance.
Recently added features include Twitter integration and status updates. In the near future, Plugs members will be able to integrate their photos from Flickr into their profile.

“Nashville is a small town,” Shaw concluded. “People are very approachable. I’m glad that we are able to provide this private community where entertainment industry professionals can collaborate with one another in this revolutionary way and get work done.”

About Dream Row
The creator of Plugs Entertainment Industry Network, Dream Row, a division of Elite Technology Systems Inc. of Tennessee, is a group of Internet-savvy marketing professionals, software developers, photographers and graphic designers with many years of experience in the entertainment industry. With their extensive knowledge of Internet technology, the Dream Row team provides entertainment professionals with a new and efficient way to market their talents that leaves them free to focus on doing what they do best. The Plugs networking site smoothly integrates professionals’ existing business systems into a powerful, global network. For more information, contact Dream Row, 615.866.0560 or plugs@dreamrow.com.

by: James Jean

If Amanda Nagurney’s dream comes true, some lucky author will have the honor of writing her biography. When asked for her input on a future title, the 21-year-old aspiring country music star insists on “Amanda Nagurney’s Wonderful Life” (Yes, the title is a Jimmy Stewart reference).

Much like George Bailey in the classic 1946 film, Amanda has had her share of ups and downs. Like so many other musicians, she says that her greatest challenge has been dealing with music as a business. “I wish I could simply just worry about the music side which has always been fun for me” she explains. Nagurney admits that despite the challenges of learning music as a business, she has taken advantage of the experience and allowed it to make her a better artist.

Another challenge facing Amanda Nagurney can be answered with the following question: What do NFL teams and country music have in common? Neither of them do well in Buffalo, NY, at least not in recent years. The fact that Nagurney has accomplished so much is proof of her talent but there is a limit to the amount of success possible in her hometown. Although The Goo Goo Dolls and Rick James called Buffalo home, there is no direct translation in the hillbilly language for the word “superfreak” and I doubt that “black balloons” will ever be a hot commodity south of the Mason-Dixon line. Before you bring up state’s rights, let me comfort you with the knowledge that this ain’t your typical Yankee. As a matter of fact, she tells us “My next step is to move to Nashville.”

So far for Amanda Nagurney, the “ups” have clearly outnumbered the “downs.” Nagurney has already made waves in the independent music scene with number 1 and number 2 spots in both country and mainstream charts. Amanda was also voted “Next Rising Star” by “Music Rising Star Magazine.”

At such a young age, it’s easy to assume that she is naïve to the challenges of a career in music. However, a quick glance at her resume proves otherwise. Though she began performing at the age of 8, Nagurney started writing her own material at 17. The transition from performer to songwriter was a milestone for the New York native. On the impact of this, she says, “The way people respect my writing and singing is great and makes me want to keep going!” Here’s some proof for the skeptics: Amanda has opened for Phil Vassar, Joe Nichols, Miranda Lambert, and is scheduled to open for Travis Tritt at the Arizona Country Music Festival at Lake Havasu. Even Rodney Dangerfield would have no argument with that.

The attraction in Nagurney’s music is clear to see. Southern life personifies honesty and no-nonsense character- exactly the message in Amanda Nagurney’s music. She explains “A lot of my songs in one way or another deal with guys and relationships. My songs can be relatable to any age and gender.” With the modern media-glorification of the glamorous lifestyle, songs such as “Just Me and the Road” and “Gone Fishin” are a breath of fresh air proclaiming the beauty in the simple things of life. This type of writing is reminiscent of country stars Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride. No doubt you’ll be able to hear that before reading that Nagurney lists them both as major influences.

Despite her big dreams, Nagurney knows that she owes her success to her fans. In fact, she sent a special message to her biggest fans:

“I would love to thank my parents for all of the help, support and love that they have given me through all of these years. They are my biggest fans and would do anything for me to succeed in my career. They are always there for me if I have problems and concerns about my music and they are right there to boost me back up.”

And somewhere in Buffalo, an angel got their wings…

Too much? …sorry.

The first step to success in the entertainment industry is to simply be happy with following your dreams. Dream Row is proud to announce their blog, solely created to be a resource for those seeking a career in the entertainment industry.

Where the entertainment industry is characterized by success at the expense of others, Dream Row is about cooperation. Instead of promoting competition, Dream Row seeks to build community, relationships, and mutual respect by offering valuable information for everyone involved with entertainment. Instead of the typical fan-forum, Dream Row is geared toward the hard-working people in the business, both in and out of the spotlight.

Dream Row will cover cutting edge topics of the entertainment industry, insider advice, and entertainment reviews from indie to mainstream. By far the greatest contribution of the Dream Row is how it serves as a backdrop for the exchange of information. In such a setting, seasoned veterans are able to share tips and advice to newcomers. In turn, the novice entrepreneur is able to enjoy a pressure-free environment to ask beginner questions. Through this vast network of industry professionals, Dream Row has something to offer everyone striving to make it in today’s Entertainment Industry.

For more info call 615.866.0560 or email blogeditor@dreamrow.com
Dream Row
Attn: Blog Dept
6213 Charlotte Pike, Suite 111
Nashville, TN 37209

I mean, really? It isn’t like Nashville has anything to do with music… right? What was that? Did you say “Music” City? Oh…

Forget Waldo, let’s see if we can find the big, hairy, monstrous lie hidden in the following quote by Nashville Mayor, Karl Dean:

“Building the Music City Center is a prime opportunity for Metro to grow its sales tax base without any added burden on our citizens.”

Do you see it? Yes, it was that little statement about this convention center not being a burden on the citizens of metro. Wouldn’t you consider the demolition of a historic landmark a “burden” to at least some people?

Specifically, it has been a major burden for Joe Chambers who owns the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. His property is the most recent casualty standing in the way of the multi-million dollar convention center. I stopped by on Sunday and was able to catch Joe at the Museum.  Though the museum was now closed for good, he was gracious enough to grant me a personal interview and tour of the facility along with the pleasure of meeting his wife, Linda.

I asked for Joe’s thoughts on the impact of the closing of MHFM, to which he replied, “Well, I think there’s no doubt that music will go on without us (laughs) but we’re definitely disappointed. The musicians are disappointed.” His disappointment was evident as we walked past exhibits made famous by the likes of Chet Atkins, Brian Wilson, and Jimi Hendrix, to name a few.

Nashville musicians have been some of the loudest voices lobbying for the MHFM. Nashville studio musician Chris Leuzinger created a support group on Facebook, which grew by the thousands in a matter days. By the time I joined to show my support, there were more than six thousand members. Despite the support of the music community, Chambers was unable to win the legal battle against the principle of eminent domain, which grants government the right to seize private property without the owner’s consent. The building must be vacated by February 19^th.

The future of the Musicians Hall of Fame is surrounded by many uncertainties. The first question is simply where to move it. When asked about his preference for a future location, Chamber said, “Our desire was always to be here (in Nashville)… I mean, I live here.” It shouldn’t surprise anyone that other cities have shown interest in the museum.  Naturally, I asked him where, to which he replied: “I’d rather not say at this point… there are three major cities that have shown interest though.”

According to city-data.com only Los Angeles and New York have a more profitable music industry than Nashville. I think it is unlikely that the MHFM will end up in either of those cities, but I’ve been wrong before. If you ask me, Memphis, TN and New Orleans, LA have more than enough music history to appreciate Chambers’ presence. I might even make an argument for Florence, Alabama. Florence is the birthplace of the “Father of the Blues,” W.C. Hardy, as well as Sam Phillips, the man who discovered Elvis.

Many of the Middle Tennessee news networks reported that Chambers had been offered a spot for the MHFM in the new convention center. Much to my surprise, when I mentioned this to Joe, he said “well, they offered us a spot months ago, then they cut that part of the budget out back in September.” This statement brings up the most important question surrounding the future of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. That question is: “Why?”

Why destroy the MHFM? More importantly, why build this ridiculous facility? Nashville already HAS a convention center, along with a municipal auditorium, and an arena. Their website, www.nashvillemusiccenter.com is full of good politics. In the “project history” tab there are links to presentations given to encourage the Metro Council to approve the proposal. These build a weak argument as to how Nashville can cash in on groups seeking somewhere to hold a convention. If you Google the phrase “convention dying” you will find plenty of articles describing how conventions are on the way out. For comparison, imagine opening tomorrow’s newspaper and reading the headline “General Motors to Include 8-Track Players in all 2011 Models.”

The construction of this new convention center will be a shot in the foot of the most important thing in Nashville: Music. In 2006, Belmont University conducted a study on the impact of the music industry on the Metro Statistical Area. The study found the music industry to be worth more than $6 billion dollars. The tax dollars generated by music is the sole reason that Metro officials get to toss around such asinine ideas. To add insult to injury, Mayor Dean is now making speeches on the need for a transit system in Nashville. Being that I am a certified teacher, maybe he would be open to a simple lesson on the difference in a “need” and a “want.”

Knowing the impact of music to the Nashville economy, I think Joe Chambers has a right to name his own price for his property. He explains: “We have not taken in one penny of taxpayer money. We’ve paid in hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes and brought in events and tourists.” Call it imminent domain if you want. I call it local government biting the hand that feeds.

So far, this is my favorite comment concerning the new convention center. Richard Courtney, former president of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors says:

“This facility, when completed, will be important to the central core of the Greater Nashville region because of the economic impact it will have.”

I think Mr. Courtney is right. This convention center will have an impact. The existing facilities in Nashville will have no choice but to cease operations once this new convention center opens.

by: James Jean – freelance writer

So what brings you to Nashville?” I reply with: “My wife is in grad school here.” “What about yourself?” I ask. “Oh, I’m a songwriter.”

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve had that conversation… well… I’d be reminded of how thankful that I am not to be the aspiring songwriter. One has to look no further than the sidewalks of Broadway to see the remains of countless dreamers who never got their chance but aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Unforeseen obstacles such as piracy and the shift to digital media have placed additional strain on “the biz.” Today there is no guarantee that even a record deal is proof of a successful career. For example, consider the New Orleans based alternative trio Better Than Ezra. From 1995 to 1997 BTE had several top 25 hits including the hit “Good” which was number one on the US modern charts and even earned them a coveted joke on the “Weekend Update” segment of Saturday Night Live. Now for the shocker: after their third album “How Does Your Garden Grow” was released in 1998, Elektra sent them back to the Big Easy alone. Better than Ezra has since released three albums, each on a different label.

BTE is just one example of the double standard set by many involved with the modern music industry. If you are like me, you can’t help but feel that artists in such a situation get the raw end of the deal. After your talent gives you top ten hits and gold records, how can you just yank the rug out from beneath their feet? I thought only insurance providers did things like that.

Modern media ensures that we hear more than our daily limit of celebrity news. Rumors and useless information from Hollywood spreads faster than a rumor in an old country church. This information overload is the very thing that has shifted at least some of the power away from labels and into the hands of the artists.

With the social networking craze came an easy channel for self-promotion. One of the most notable of recent fame is Colbie Caillat. For four straight months, her song “Bubbly” was the number one song in her genre on MySpace. The song made it as high as #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart- all while she was an unsigned artist. Though Caillat eventually signed with Universal Republic Records, you can bet that she enjoyed a bit of leverage during negotiations.

Does this mean that the industry has made a paradigm shift? Absolutely not. Artists such as Colbie Caillat and Dave Barnes built a respectable following before ever dealing with a label. Though this is a benefit financially (avoiding the debt of label-loans), these artists risk losing intimacy with fans.

Before you sell the van, please don’t mistake me for saying that Springsteen’s “working man” persona doesn’t work today. Proof of the successful “Travelin’ Band” is still abundant. I first saw Needtobreathe in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2006. I had heard their record and enjoyed it but only after seeing them perform live did I become a devoted fan. Their years of relentless touring built such a devoted following that labels “came a calling.”

As an artist, we can learn valuable lessons from both Colbie Caillat and Needtobreathe. First and foremost, do what you love: create. Then, learn some balance. Get your stuff on MySpace, Itunes, Facebook, and Twitter but remember to listen to The Boss and meet your fans on their turf.

by Christina Porcelli – Freelance writer

When I hear the name Sugar Lime Blue I think a unique hint of a little bit sweet and a little bit sour. But this band surely does not leave a sour taste in my mouth. This band is oh so sweet with a touch of soul. Their musical style is very unique. I would say it’s a beautiful blend of rock and blues. The band’s influences are Bill Withers, The Grateful Dead, Sheryl Crowe and the Black Crowe’s just to name a few. You can hear these influences in the flavor of their music. An old school sound with a modern day twist.

The red headed, sultry lead singer Ashley Beth sings with heart. But, sorry boys she’s taken. Ashley is married to Dave, the leader and guitarist of the band. They came up with the name of the band by throwing out ideas to each other. It was a joint effort and not an easy one at that. But when sugar lime rolled off Dave’s tongue, Ashley finished his sentence with blue and voila. Not only do they play in the band together but they co-write the songs as well. The other band members include Jonathan “Fence Post” Bradford (percussion and drums), Eric “Mudd” Johnson (bass guitar) and Mr. Al Plourde(keys). S.L.B. was formed 3 years ago but has gone through some changes. The current S.L.B. lineup met on craigslist and has been playing together for about a year. They are based out of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. They perform frequently around Nashville, Alabama, and Georgia. They play a various venues, festivals, and coffee shops which has gained them lots of attention. Their set list includes covers and originals. Some of the covers include “Ain’t No Sunshine” (Bill Withers) and one of my all time favorites “Come Together” (The Beatles). You can find a set list as well as their calendar at: sugarlimeblue.com.

I visited their webpage sugarlime.com and listened to their tunes. While listening I also discovered a breathtaking, artistic photo of Ashley holding a sugar lime blue, that is. I particularly like the song “Go Home”. The haunting sound of the keys struck a chord in my soul. The lyric “Go Home, Go Home Little Girl” has sadness but underlying hope. The guitar break in this song reminds me of a Santana lick. “Happiness” is also another must check out tune at: myspace.com/sugarlimeblue. You can definitely hear a Grateful Dead influence on this record. I love the groovy guitar parts. I felt like I was on a natural high, floating on the clouds of happiness. They have downloadable songs on both websites.

Sugar Lime Blue takes me back to a time when music was real and raw. This band has no gimmicks or costumes. They are just real musicians with real artistic expression. You can tell this bunch of modern day hippies are in love with recording, performing and overall just making music. They are currently unsigned but I’m sure not for long

Dogs Rock…and we’re going to show you!

Come on out March 24th, 2010 at
12th and Porter for our show for Agape Animal Rescue!

Such a great cause, and you are invited!

Performers will be Stephenie Hargrove, Megan Connor and Hannah Bethel.

Check out the poster! $5.00 minimum donation at the door.

Come have a great night with three lovely ladies and support animal rescue.

Nashville, TN – On April 18, 2010, Nashville fashion will go to the dogs— literally. That’s when Loews Vanderbilt Hotel will roll out the red carpet for the second annual Glitter & Glam: A Wine Tasting and Fashion Show for the Animals.

Hosted by Agape Animal Rescue, the fundraiser will be held from 5-8 pm and will feature an upscale fashion show (with two- and four-legged models), complimentary wine and light hors d’oeuvres—as well as a silent auction jam packed with first class items that you do not want to miss.

“Last year’s event was a great success, and this year’s will be bigger and better,” says Agape founder and director, Tanya Willis. “It will commemorate how far we’ve come and how many lives have been saved through our efforts.” The group has rescued, rehabilitated and found loving homes for more than 400 pets in Middle Tennessee since 2004.

Event attire is cocktail dress and tickets are available for a donation of $50.00. All proceeds benefit Agape Animal Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Current Angel level sponsors include Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Olia Zavozina Designs, Lucie Rice Illustration and Design, Nashville Paw Magazine, Harmony Designs Photography, Dream Row, John Casablancas, MTM Model and Talent Management, Harlow Salon, Drapery Designs, Pet Super Market, Crows Nest of Green Hills, and Robin E Designs.

For more information, call (615) 406-7799 or visit Glitter & Glam online at
http://www.agaperescue.org/glitterandglam2010.

by: Danielle Shaw

Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Bebo, ReverbNation, Youtube…social networking websites have existed since the beginning of the internet, but in recent years, the phenomenon has exploded like a burrito left in the microwave too long. With hundreds of popular social networking sites floating around, it can feel a little overwhelming when trying to decide which to use, what information to share, and how to promote effectively on each. But don’t give up and miss out on the plethora of social networking opportunities out there. All you need to do is declutter your social network.

The best advice is to put your name everywhere you can, but to choose only a handful of social networking sites to use daily. There is no possible way that you can reasonably keep up with thirty profiles, so choose sites that you are comfortable using and seem to fit your promotional goals. Fortunately, many social networking sites have specific features for musicians, which makes your decision that much easier. This includes Myspace, Facebook, and many others. Embrace these features. Learn about them. Use them to your full advantage. Figuring these features out is usually fairly simple, so even the most technologically disabled need not shy away from them.

People are on social networking sites for a reason. They come to your profile or page for a reason. Your profile or page is your spokesperson, convincing the visitor that you are worth their time. For this reason, the available information sections should be full, but not so wordy that the visitor loses interest in reading them. People are visual in nature, so pictures and videos are a key tool in drawing visitors and moving them to learn more about you. The more you show that you know how to use these websites and put yourself on the same level as visitors, the more likely they are to be interested in what you’re presenting, and to share it with their friends.

If you’re starting from scratch, the first thing to do on each social networking site is join specific groups that are concerned with something similar to what you are presenting; that may be a group for country music fans, supporters of local music, etc. Post something on the wall of each group to draw attention to your own page. Most social networking sites have the add friends feature, so the best place to start with that is to friend people that are already fans of your music, even if that just includes your mom and neighbor. Also, try to add people from the groups you’ve joined. From there, you can add their friends, then add their friend’s friend’s friends, and so on, until you’ve invited hundreds of people to look at what you have to offer. Eventually, people will start seeing you on other people’s pages and wonder what you’re all about. The beautiful thing with social networking sites is that after you get started, your page or profile starts to speak for itself.

Once you have friends and fans on your page, it’s important to communicate effectively. People are more likely to become permanent fans if you show that you’re interested in them. This could come in the form of personal communication, such as a message telling them about your new video or song, a post on their page (such as the wall feature on Facebook and the comments feature on Myspace), and also with frequent updates to your page. Make sure to share pictures from your last show, your latest music video, tour dates, and CD releases with the people that have agreed to follow you. They want to be communicated with, and showing that they are important to you through frequent updates will persuade them to continue following you. Don’t underestimate the power of communication – it can make or break your social networking success.

After getting over the first few steps of making a page or profile, finding friends to add, and just figuring out how the websites and their specific applications work, things get much easier. At that point, it’s all about staying consistent. Don’t let a week go by without checking up on your page and seeing what your fans and followers are saying. Make sure you are putting the newest information about your music on your profile immediately. Sign up for all of the possible email alerts so an important question from a fan on your wall or in your messages doesn’t go unanswered. And don’t fold under the pressure of the energized social networking world: it is there to help you, all you have to do is take advantage of it.