Genius+Power+Magic

Help Sing Chicago Praises

Help Sing Chicago Praises Download your music or share your photostream from Flickr The Convergence Community (Ning) site is a network of the best of Chicago.  It is a hub of 2500 agencies, designers, artists and entrepreneurs; a collective joining forces to show off what we got: TALENT - and lots of it. You can now place your music files and photos on the community site. This is yet another way for others to find your talents, discover your music or see the world through your eyes. The Flickr feature lets you simply connect your Flickr photostream to the Convergence Ning site and updates your Ning My Page automatically. Download Music +Add Music. Share Your Flickr Photostream +Add Photos. You can also post any kind of user-generated content on the site. Videos, blogs, events and more.  Use the QuickAdd dropdown feature in the upper right hand corner of your MyPage to easily add your own taste of Chicago. For any questions or assistance, email us at chicagoconvergence@gmail.com.

The Sound Convergence

The Sound Convergence The Future of the Music Industry I am often introduced as 'the guy who started SXSW'.  I am not that guy (I don't know who is). I am a guy who 22 years ago began meetings to connect silos of artists of all kinds together to collaborate and make Austin 'the arts capital of the South'.  This began a few years of monthly meetings that organized collaborative activities to promote ourselves this way. In the same way a group of antique stores might put together an antique store map of the city, we simply put together activities that helped build a collective intent to brand Austin for the arts. The Chicago Convergence builds on the collective talents of Chicago also.  We have a rich and compelling history in the music industry, and with this newsletter, we announce The Sound Convergence: A mixture of presentations, live concerts and conversations about the future of the music industry.  The digital technologies turned the entire music industry on its ear.  What does the future hold?  Will music be free? Will brands be attached to them in some way? Will branded content enter the music arena?  What will social media do to the industry?  Is the barrier to entry getting lower and lower?  The formation of this addition to The 2009 Chicago Convergence (TCC09) begins this Wednesday, April 29th with a Conference Call at 3:30-4:30pm CST.  The number is (641) 715-3200 pin 344149#.  If you would like to participate, please be on the call a few minutes early as we will begin promptly. In addition, please join the MUSIC GROUP so we may keep you in the loop on all things Sound Convergence (you must be a Convergence Member to join, membership is free). We welcome the power of the crowd. John Patterson Convergence Founder image: Kanye West, Chicagoan. Click for source

Video Kills The Radio Star, Again

(Chicago, IL, January 5, 2009) – From the Rolling Stones playing at Soldier Field to the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies, video projection has become a touchstone for live performances. Chicago has long been a live music capital in the nation, and as the cost of video projectors fall, the business of music is changing.

“Video can now be ‘played’ just like a musical instrument can be played,” explains Mason Dixon, founder of the Chicago Motion Graphics Festival, “the lights made for live concerts now project full-motion video, and live music performance software like Ableton Live now sports video capabilities.”

The 2009 Motion Graphics Festival’s will showcase the “Video Band” at it’s Audio Visual Performance Showcase at the Chicago Cultural Center on January 25th from 6:30pm to 9pm. The showcase features some of the worlds best talent in this new mode of performance, such as Stoptime 341 (http://Stoptime341.com), the Chicago-based, touring video artist for the internationally acclaimed DJ Tiesto, and MFChicago the video artists behind Lollapalooza’s video accompaniment.

“What’s really interesting to see now, is how new visual genres will form. How will the video that plays with a rock band be different than what is played with a country band?” Mason theorizes.

The technology behind video for bands has launched a number of online communities such as Create Digital Motion (http://CreateDigitalMotion.com) and VJ Forums (http://VJForums.com), new software companies like VidVox (http://VidVox.net) and Ableton (http://www.ableton.com), and even special stock footage sites such as VJ Loops (http://www.vjloops.tv).

The Motion Graphics Festival runs from Monday, January 19th to Sunday January 25th in various locations across downtown Chicago. Up to the minute information can be found at www.MGFest.com.

About the Motion Graphics Festival

In its 6th year, MGFest stands as the premier US event showcasing creative motion picture design. The festival presents a year-long, regionally focused program of events. The 5-city tour
focuses on motion design, sound design, and film & video technology by hosting: art showcases, exhibits, workshops, classes, panel discussions, studio tours, theater screenings and industry mixers. The entire week of events costs only $7 to attend. Online RSVP required at www.MGFest.com.

Festival Sponsors include: The Chicago Convergence, Columbia College, Stash DVD Magazine, Maxon, Toolfarm, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Bridges Media Group, Lift Motion Design, Future Media Concepts, Create Digital Motion, DigiEffects, Livid Instruments, Resolume, Boris FX, All City Technology, Lumen Eclipse, Sterling Ledet, VidVox, SXSW Interactive, Mac Specialist, Ableton, Harold Washington College, UnScene, and Clif Bar.

For Information Contact: Mason Dixon
Mason@MGFest.com
312-813-3331

28th CHICAGO MUSIC AWARDS JAN 18

Screamin' Rachael Cain's "1House"/ TRAX Records sponsor first "House Music Category" in 28th CHICAGO MUSIC AWARDS JAN 18
In Honor of President-Elect Barack Obama

Wilco, Kanye West, R. Kelly and Smashing Pumpkins among Top Nominees

CHICAGO (December 2008) – The 28th annual Chicago Music Awards (CMA) will be held in honor of Chicago's favorite son and the nation's first African-American president Barack Obama, said Ephraim Martin, president of Martin's International Culture, Inc. The awards ceremony will be held Sunday January 18, 2009 on the eve of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday and two days before the presidential inauguration. The ceremony at 7:00 pm will be preceded by a VIP reception at 6:00 pm at Park West, 322 W. Armitage in Chicago.

Rachael Cain, also known as Screamin' Rachael, is recognized by fans, friends, and her peers, around the world, as The Original Queen of Chicago House Music. She has also been the foremost female proponent of the genre, and it's most vocal cheerleader. Ms. Cain received the 2007' Chicago Music Award of Honor in recognition of her performance stature, and many contributions to Chicago's music scene. The award was presented to her by Jesse Saunders, Cain's longtime friend, and the producer of the first House recording their collaboration, "Fantasy". To quote the First Lady Of House Music, "I am proud that Martin's International Culture, will recognize the world wide importance of this sound, and it's lifestyle of acceptance among people of all nations, and color, by presenting the first ever House Music category, in the Chicago Music awards, the city gave birth to the legend." Rachael Cain's label Trax Records, is documented as The Original Home of House Music, and called The Motown Of The House Generation. Ms Cain's vision is one of unity among all people, through music.

Celebrated Chicago rock group Wilco tops the list of nominees with nominations in four categories. The always popular R&B and Hip Hop entertainers R. Kelly and Kanye West follow with three nominations each along with rock star Smashing Pumpkins and Chicago Afrobeat Project. Other leading nominees include Shekinah Glory, Dayna Malow, Lupe Fiasco, Twista, Funkadesi, P.R. ism, Carl Brown, Ben One, Kwiet Storm, Teresa Griffin and Fandanguero. Categories range from Blues, Jazz, Gospel and Hip Hop to Classical, Rock, Latin, World Beat, Country & Western and more.

2009 CMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are Corky Siegel and Jim Schwall, Siegel-Schwall Blues Band, Kelan Phil Cohran, the Notations, and Pastor Maceo Woods of Christian Tabernacle Church. The special Producer's Award of Excellence will be conferred on internationally known R&B star Angela Winbush, who will also perform at the awards ceremony. Award of Honor recipients are Dave Casto of Illinois Record Pool, Sax Preacher and Farley "Jackmaster Funk."

Entertainment was provided by current and past CMA nominees and winners. Well-known saxophonist Sax Preacher, Hip Hop/Spoken Word newcomer Doza and R&B entertainer Maurice Mahon, whose songs were written and produced by R. Kelly, all demonstrated why they are nominees and honorees. The list of 2008 nominees were presented by Producer Ephraim Martin, Emcee Frank Pellegrino, PR Consultant Barbara Kensey, Exposure Tapas Restaurant manager Tina Yancey and sponsor Toni Haynes of Ideal Health. Also making presentations were nominees Eddie Clearwater, Screaming Rachael Cain, Joan Hammel, Dean Malsack and others.

The Awards Ceremony will be held in honor of President-elect Barack Obama who spent his formative years in Chicago and continues to call Chicago home. "Chicago is where Obama's personal, professional and spiritual life was nurtured and developed over more than 20 years," said Ephraim Martin, producer of the event. "We take great pride in honoring this very special person with an evening of music that reflects the cultural diversity of Chicago and this great country.

Ms. Cain also expresses her appreciation of President-elect Barack Obama, "I was extremely touched by President Obama's speech in Grant Park. I had the pleasure of meeting him years ago, and never forgot his kindness, and striking presence. When he said, "You may be black or white, gay or straight," these words mirrored the sentiments of Mr. Fingers House Anthem, "Can You Feel It'. This declaration of peace, unity, and equality, are the basis of my company 1HOUSE, which currently is an owner of the Trax catalogue, and is a distributor of DJ International Records. Back in the day, these two labels were known to be enemies, but today they are unified, under the 1HOUSE umbrella. Though this is a small thing in these troubled times, if we all start today, perhaps we can put aside former injustices, and have a new day in America. The Chicago Convergence is one of many who are doing their part to create a grassroots movement for support of 2016, and I hope that the International love for House Music, around the world, and its positive message, will play a part in that decision. Our new President has ushered in an era where all things are possible, so I like to believe that if people all danced to the music they would put down their guns. Is this possible? Can we the people of the United States, change these times of destruction, to a time of love through music, and truly be one house? In the words of our president elect, "Yes we can!"

Advance tickets to the 28th Chicago Music Awards are on sale now. General admission is $50; $75 VIP tickets. For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, call 312/559-1212 or contact Martin's International Culture at 312/427-0266. Tickets may also be obtained at www.chicagomusicawards.org or by e-mailing chicagomusicawards@gmail.com. The 28th CMA is dedicated to "Health Awareness" to bring attention to the lack of health care in the entertainment industry. Part of the proceeds will go to The Bernie Mac Foundation for Sarcoidosis.

The public is asked to participate in the process to select winners in all the competing categories. Vote at www.chicagomusicawards.org, via e-mail at chicagomusicawards@gmail.com or by mail-in ballots. Ballots will be available in select newspapers and magazines, sponsor locations, and in clubs, record stores, beauty salons and other locations throughout the Chicagoland area. Deadline for voting is December 31, 2008. Winners will be announced at the 2009 Chicago Music Awards.

Each year, the highly anticipated event pays tribute to Chicago's rich musical heritage. Over 200 artists in 43 categories compete annually at this festive event, the only one of its kind to honor entertainers across musical genres in the Chicagoland area. Nominees are selected by a panel of judges comprised of entertainment industry professionals in each of the music and performance categories. Nominations are based on originality, sales, social relevance of material, local and national performances, quality of performances and stage appearance.

Sponsors of the 28th Chicago Music Awards include NBC5 Chicago, Gatling Community Development, Insurance Brokers, Inc, Robert Scott and Associates, Dody Ephraim East African Body Mask, Toni Haynes- Ideal Health, Kingston Mines, Phuture Trax Records, Fact Finder, Feko Global Inc, Star Planet TV and Caribbean Shipping and Postal Services. Contributors include Big O Moving and Storage, McCraney Family Chiropractic, Wallace Broadview Funeral Home, Old World Market, Rogers Park Fruit Market, Janice Robinson, M.D., Montego Bay Restaurant, A.L. Taylor & Associates-CPA, Webley Accounting Services, Uncle Joe's Jerk and others.

PRESS CONTACT:
Chicago Music Awards, 312-427-0266
E-mail chicagomusicawards@gmail.com
Website: www.chicagomusicawards.org