NASHVILLE, TN. (Cary Baker/ www.americanamusic.org) - The Americana
Music Association will once again partner with the
National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) on the AMA's next release, This Is Americana, Volume 2. The full-length CD compilation of Americana music will street on August 2, and be available once again at a remarkable $1.98. This is Americana helps broaden awareness and sales of Americana music and, as with Volume 1, the campaign will benefit the NARM Scholarship Fund. Ryko Distribution will once again distribution for the project, which will be co-promoted by Ryko, NARM and the AMA.
Labels will have the opportunity to submit tracks for consideration beginning February 17. A five-person panel of retailers and prominent journalists will select the final songs, focusing on new and previously unreleased music from both established and emerging artists within the Americana genre.
"We've already sold more than 40,000 units of the first volume of This is Americana in six months," says Jeff Green, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. "We were honored to have the participation of NARM, Ryko and such outstanding artists as Alison Krauss & Union Station, Rosanne Cash, the Jayhawks, Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and many others. We're confident Volume 2 will help us reach more fans than ever. This is all for a worthy cause, and to get so many great songs for $1.98 makes it the bargain of the century."
The initiative, which helps kick off September as Americana Music Month, represents the AMA's ongoing efforts specifically geared towards increasing the profile of Americana at both the consumer and industry levels. Retailers will be placing This Is Americana, Volume 2 in high-traffic areas such as counter displays, end-caps and listening posts. The CD includes a full-length color booklet featuring information about each song and the artist's discography.
Buyer demographic bounce-back cards are included to help broaden the AMA's audience demographic research and consumer database. Those who return the cards qualify for special prizes, though no purchase is necessary for consumers who wish to register online at https://www.thisisamericana.com, where details of the CD will also be posted.
The Americana Music Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit professional trade organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the advocacy of Americana music and to promote public awareness of the genre to support the creative and economic viability of professionals in this field.
* For music submissions, please email e-mail protected from spam bots or call (615) 321-3456.
