Hopefully, July 2010 will go down in our history as the month that we "re-invented" our method of music production and began a new "lease of life" as active music producers.

In the past we have relied upon the "established" methods of music production and distribution. Unfortunately, these no longer work. We now feel that it is time for a change. Sting and Snow Records have been providing the very best top quality Square Dance music for 25 years, we want to continue to do this.

I have been analysing the circumstances that exist in the modern market and - with the aid of my "magnifying glass" - I have considered all the actions that are available to music producers, in order to stay in business, as well as the possibilities that exist for paying the costs of new-music production. After much consideration, I have decided to place my faith in the hope that there are enough people out there who will want to join us in keeping new - good quality - music available for everybody; people who will be happy to invest financially and become "ambassadors" for the future of Square Dance Music.

In previous News-Letters I have spoken about the need to get away from "speculative" new-music production and make a move towards producing music "to order"; I have discussed this subject with the Staff Callers on Sting and Snow Records and we have all agreed that we will try a completely different approach, to allow us to keep going. Here is what we plan to do…

Welcome to the Sting Productions Ambassador Club!

THE PLAN
Our plan, in simple terms, is to offer 150 callers the chance to become members of the Ambassador Club and receive the next year's output of Sting Productions music, on one CD - at least one year ahead of the majority of other callers - in exchange for an "up-front" payment of only $160.

THE GUARANTEE
We offer a guarantee that you will receive a minimum of 14 pieces of music (of which, at least, 10 tracks will be Singing Calls) and that you will be one of only 150 callers to have exclusive use of that music for the initial twelve-month period. After that twelve month period the tracks will be released (at the rate of one or two per month) on the Hanhurst's Review service, so that all callers will eventually be able to benefit from using them and the existing distribution network will have the opportunity to offer our products for sale via the usual wholesale and retail outlets.

WE WILL NAME THE TITLES OF THE TUNES THAT WE ARE PLANNING TO RECORD
One very important aspect of our "plan" is that we want to remove as much of the "speculative" element as we can, from both sides of the equation. To do this and to help you decide to join, we will name the songs that we intend to record - before you commit - so that you will know what to expect!

HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF THE PLAN:
The "Launch Date" for the Ambassador Club is 1st August 2010, it will be launched through this web-site and we will publish the song list on that date. If we have 150 signed up members by 31st October 2010, we will proceed with the project and request payments; all payments must be received by 31st December 2010. Once all payments have been received, we will book the studio and record the music - our planned recording date is April 2011. Members of the Ambassador Club will receive the music, on CD, in June 2011. That music will become generally available to others in August 2012. If this plan works we will repeat the operation on an annual basis.

THE STAFF CALLERS
The thirteen existing Sting and Snow Records Staff Callers (including me) will be the Staff Callers of the new Sting Productions company, it will be our responsibility to select songs to be recorded (we realise that we need to choose tunes that Callers will want to own) and - don't forget - as I have said above, we WILL announce the tune titles that we are going to record BEFORE we take any money.

… and now, here is the best bit …

PRE-REGISTRATION
Although the formal applications will not be available until the 1st August 2010 (our "official" Launch Date) we would like to give the opportunity to all of you who receive this News-Letter to "pre-register" your interest AND enjoy a discounted price of only $150 (a $10 discount). If you "pre-register", you will be sent an application form (together with a copy of the song-list) by e-mail, on July 28th 2010 - three days before the official launch. Sign up today to get to the head of the list of applications!

PRE-REGISTER TODAY… PAY LATER (IN DECEMBER)… ONLY PAY $150 (THAT'S A $10 DISCOUNT FOR PRE-REGISTRATION)!

HOW TO PRE-REGISTER AND SAVE MONEY WITH OUR SPECIAL OFFER
Just send an e-mail to paul@stingproductions.com and give me your name, address and telephone number. I will then add you to the list and if you pre-register today, you only have to pay $150 in December 2010!

PLEASE NOTE:
1) The pre-registration $150 discounted price must be validated by an e-mail from Sting Productions to you. In short, I will reply and confirm receipt of your e-mail and also confirm that you have "staked a valid claim" to the $10 discount!

2) This pre-registration is only an invitation to show your interest; it does not put you under any obligation. However, when you return your formal application to us, you will be entering into a contract to pay the fee in December 2010.

We sincerely hope that we will receive a large number of pre-registrations that will, subsequently, after the list of tunes to be recorded is announced, lead to a large number of applications. Please feel free to contact me, or speak with any Sting and Snow Caller, should you have any questions concerning - or require any additional information about - the Sting Productions Ambassador Club.

Now for the other news:

NEW CD RELEASES - also available on MP3 & Vinyl (in most cases) / (June 2010):
When You're Gone - SIR 903 - Vocal by Neil Whiston
I'm In A Hurry - SIR 107 - Vocal by Stefan Sidholm

INDIVIDUAL RECORD HISTORIES including ALL THE ADDITIONAL LYRICS:
To find these, just click on the book symbol next to the title on the Catalogue, Future Releases or Latest Releases pages.

If you want to hear how these top-selling recordings sound, just click on the musical note symbol

I will tell you that news of the Sting Productions Ambassador Club has already "leaked out" and that - at the time of writing this News-Letter - we have already received 36 requests to pre-register. It looks as though this could sell out quite quickly, so - don't hesitate, pre-register today!

Go Squareful! - Paul Bristow (Owner and Producer Sting and Snow Records)