Music Nation is a Music Video Competition for Independent Artists

Another two milestones may come to fruition soon for me. That I am not embarrassed by my inability to convey the music I hear, the keyboard is a great help. It is not perfect as it is all set and I haven't begun experimenting with all the possible layers. I figure that will come later when I have more time.

Speaking of time, three songs evaporate in fifteen minutes that seems like 30 seconds. I played again at the Coffee Scene tonight. That makes a total of seven weeks that I have played three song sets to the Public. Tonight I did Raise Your Arms because one of the guitar players wanted to join me as he loves that song. We did the full scale reggae version. That was great with how he did the offbeat guitar. He actually talked me into playing as it was raining pretty hard and I didn't want to damage my keyboards. I gave in as several people met me at the door and carried stuff up for me. I actually have roadies? That was a surprise.

Next I did Spider Dance. It was the first time I have performed this song in public. I think I am officially dubbed with that song. Several people actually started dancing. In a subdued environ that was another surprise. I just wish I could have had my hands free to gesture and really incite everyone.

My last song was Brown Goddess so that I could keep everyone swaying. I actually did not even have to look at my hands except for a few times. I just looked out at how people were responding to what I was saying as you well know thelyrics to that song can be a challenge to convey. I managed very well indeed.

So All this means is that I am paying dues of a sort. I am beginning but with something so totally unusual yet familiar that people are responding to the nuances. I sure wish I had a melodic friend on all the songs. That would have been cool. That will happen eventually.

Next week I want to play the three songs that really started this music stuff for me. Swift Water, Blue Opal, and Just When I Thought are the Golden Emu Eggs that line a platinum nest. Not really but they mean a lot to me personally so i interject hyperbole whenever possible. I think everyone will enjo them as I have not played Swift Water out so it will be new. It is possible someone may request one of the others as they begin to learn my music. If not, I'll do as I plan.

I met some interesting people tonight too. I'll have to keep up with them. It is always nice to know people who can potentially help. It is a slippery slope. I have a small purchase with an increase in the coefficient of friction that allows me a meager toehold. I'll take it.

I can't believe you just read all this stuff. Ha!

Independent Artist Spotlight – Fayetteville State University

August 16, 2008, a day I will long remember as it is the first time in my life I have been acknowledged as a bona fide musician with songs that are viable and much needed by the public. Corky Jones, the host of the program greeted me when I arrived. A Blue Grass program was playing and there was a wonderful fiddle player there as I brought my stuff into the room. I was so nervous but I realized all of my effort had come laser-like to this moment in time for me to announce myself to Fayetteville as an Independent Artist. That is so cool as I still have difficulties with that word in the same breath as me.

I am not surprised though. Many people on this site have told me over and over what the deal was yet I only took it with a grain of salt until this announcement of me as a featured artist materialized. Imagine that, . . Mark Holman a featured artist on one of Fayetteville’s most listened to radio stations? Who would of thought? Surely not me, not unless I had some back-up. . .and I realize, . . .I do not need back-up now. I cannot rely on anyone but myself. Until I discover the correct musicians, no one can help me. I cannot wait for that to happen, a possibility of Holworks? I asked anyone listening through the air waves today that I wanted to find people who want to join me now. I do believe I will not have to worry about finding players. Why should I? Corky is on a mission?

Ok Fayetteville, you heard me LIVE. You heard me pouring out my soul for an hour just to let you know there are undiscovered people just like me out there who can make music that is totally new. Tom Mohler is another of those folks. He should have been there with me today. He was in spirit and Tom I thank you. I thank Dion, Jeff, Bob, and Ricky too. I am very fortunate to have those songs turn out as good as they did. I am sure that doesn’t happen to everyone who has to rely on other people to help complete a demo. I hope I have been good enough at Marketing to let anyone reading this know who these folks are as I wish them the best in life.

I dally, . . .we started the program with, yep, Just When I Thought, the new version, radio ready and sharp as crystal. That made Corky open his eyes a bit as I was totally unexpected. I had all the questions lined up. Here is how the interview went.

Mark Holman on Holworks Music
Tell us a little about yourself and your music, . . .
First of all, I would like to say thank you Neil and Corky for having me on your program Independent Artist Spotlight. It is quite an honor for me to be here. My name is Mark Holman. I am a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Holworks the name of my future band and is also the name of my ASCAP publishing business. Higher Order Language Works wouldn’t you say? I am a Fayetteville native. I went to South View and Methodist University. My music? Well I would say it is more like colored air. I have a crayon keyboard and colored pencil microphone that I use to fuse red notes with orange words or whatever color happens to be there at the time. I’m joking of course yet this is my perception of how I create a song. Since I am not in a band, and use my keyboard to provide all of the music, some may say colored air is all I am doing at the moment. There are not too many places to play ORIGINAL music in Fayetteville.

What is your favorite style?
Let’s see, I prefer Classic Rock, but I love music as long as it is good, means something, and has no useless words. I have several songs in different styles as you’ll soon discover. I sing in a unique harbor horn voice. Rock is my favorite. I am totally unexpected. I come at you from left field.

Why music after all these years?
That’s a good question, . . .I do not know the answer to all of it. After 60,000 unsolicited plays of my songs on an Internet site called Music Nation, a flood of emails from friends I have met all over the world, and a flipped on media switch, I would say that there is indeed a market for the type songs I write. Now, many of these songs for my debut album Carolina Commons have to be produced to radio quality. Four are close to completion. Carolina Commons is complete as a concept, registered, and copyrighted. I hope to manifest the resources to go into the studio to finish it properly.

How did you become involved in music?
Music involved me. I can whistle and sing low. Keyboards came much later. Even though I could not play, it has always been a life goal of mine to write, play, and sing my own album. In July of 2008, I completed that goal with demo recordings, some of which you’ll here today. I was in a band called Swift Water from 90-92. We wrote and played our own songs. I wanted to write an album as a result. In October 2007, I entered a National Music Contest called the Spin Hot Pursuit with some very poor recordings of two very good songs, one from the Swift Water days and a new one. I received a lot of feedback from artists on the site that allowed me to take a few extra steps that would by-pass traditional music recording avenues. Using talented musical friends, I re-recorded the two songs in one night with only three days left in the contest. I rallied the popular vote to finish in the Top 50. That started this Holworks imagination to infuse a willingness to complete other songs for an upcoming Carolina Commons album.

What is your current goal in music?
My goal is have my songs played on National Radio. I dream that I will be a SEVEN hit wonder. Back to Earth, I would like to find compatible musical friends who are not committed elsewhere to reach me so we can start something bigger than ourselves, . . .

What style of music do you play?
I prefer Rock, Country, Blues, Pop, and Soul. I play whatever transpires when I turn on my keyboard. It has thousands of rhythm patterns and a host of accompaniment, a veritable Band In A Box if you will. Songs erupt from it with little help from me so I just write the words I hear and sing whatever describes the images that are generated from the music.

You mentioned the American Society of Publishers, Artists, and Publishers. Why did you join ASCAP?
ASCAP is the oldest organization of its kind. They have many of the greatest musicians in the world as members. They do not accept everyone. You have to demonstrate your music is being played already in outlets before they will bring you into the fold. I was able to align with the requirements because of the reception I have received on the Internet to my songs.

How does being a member of ASCAP help you?
ASCAP has a lot of different programs for members like me to investigate from songwriter’s workshops to recording. For the Public, being a member of ASCAP provides credibility. That I actually sought them out and was able to become a member says a lot about the kind and quality of music I create.

What would you say are your biggest obstacles to achieving your goal?
The obstacles I face presently are no money, no band, no record label, no support, no fans, and a lack of time. These are substantial obstacles yet are passable through correct timing.

Holworks Songs Accepted by Clear Channel
Two songs from local Fayetteville native ASCAP artist Mark Holman have been selected by Clear Channel for their online and offline radio playlist. There’s a Chance and These Eyes for You are two songs that are from the upcoming Holworks album entitled Carolina Commons. These two songs represent two different styles. There’s a Chance is a clip clop Country song that make you feel as if you are riding a palomino in the old West. These Eyes for You is the ultimate slow Rock pick-up line that will have you singing in your sweetheart’s ear.

What are you going to play for us?
v Just When I Thought
v These Eyes For You
v There’s a Chance
v Blue Opal

Live
v Raise Your Arms
v Carolina Commons

Musicians in Fayetteville who want to play these sort of songs - - - -Call me– (910)424-7465