This September has acquired a certain "magical" quality for me, as it is this year's "Nashville" month; i.e. the month where I travel to the U.S. to record new music for Sting and Snow Records. There are a small group of the staff callers who shall be joining me this year and we shall be in the studio on 1st, 2nd and 3rd September. Although it is a little self-indulgent and possibly a little "syrupy" to say, it's difficult to describe the feelings that I experience when witnessing the "miracle of creation" of new Square Dance music; as all the "fledgling" ideas, developed over the last ten months (or more), become a "fully-fledged" reality and - believe me - acquire a certain aspect of "beauty" that makes me feel like a "proud father" (I said it was going to be "syrupy")! Trust me when I tell you that there are some great new tunes being "hatched" during this year's session!

Onto things a little less lyrical; after my comments in last month's News-Letter, I have received a lot of feedback - concerning the subject of illegal copying and the abuse of electronic media (MDs MP3s and Laptop technology). I really appreciate all the support that you have shown; it's good to hear how many local Caller associations have highlighted this subject and have explained the implications of "sharing" - and the effect on the music production industry - to their members. Some questions became FAQs (frequently asked questions) and - although I have written personal replies to all those who asked - I felt that it might help if I listed the top two questions and answered them here;

1) "What about Out-Of-Print records where you can no longer buy the original? - Surely these can be copied?"

NO it is ILLEGAL to make or use a copy of any music that you have not purchased. Many producers are making their older, "Out-Of-Print" records available on CD or as MP3 files - but some are not. I have provided Hanhurst's Tape and Record Service with MP3 files for all the older, "Out-Of-Print" records in the Sting and Snow catalogue and you can obtain these via the Buy The Music link on the RECORDS drop-down menu.

If you are looking for a particular old tune, it might be worth asking the two main wholesalers: Hanhurst's Tape and Record Service (write to Bill Heyman) and Palomino Records (write to Tom Dillander) and see if they can help. Both of these companies are trying to make old tunes available in the MP3 or CD format.

2) "What should I do if I have some copies of tunes but do not own the originals?"

Whether you have obtained the copy from someone else or have made the copy and then sold the original record (or records) you are in breach of the copyright laws. You should really purchase a copy of the record (or MP3 or CD) to rectify the situation. Simply "not-using" or "erasing" the copy does not recompense the producer from whom the music was - effectively - "stolen"!

My comments above are based upon the law, as I understand it - but I accept that there maybe some regional differences.

THIS MONTH'S NEW MUSIC:
During August we will be releasing four pieces of music. These releases comprise: two brand new vinyl releases and two MP3 versions - of tunes from our back catalogue that have been previously released in vinyl.

Our first vinyl new release is: "Any Dream Will Do" (on SNOW - SNW 704) - this is based on the song from the Andrew Lloyd-Weber / Tim Rice musical "Joseph And The Amazing Techni-Coloured Dream-Coat", the tune uses a "Schottische" rhythm and features Maarten Weijers from Holland on the vocal. The second release is "Help Yourself" (on STING - SIR 607) - this is an old Tom Jones song with a lot of "gusto"; it features Jack Borgström from Sweden on the vocal. Both of these tunes were recorded last year in Nashville and can be pre-viewed on the Latest Releases link

The other two releases are the MP3 files of the Temptations tune: "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" (on STING) with Thorsten Geppert on the vocal and the Kelly-Marie tune "Feels Like I'm In Love" (on STING) with James Wyatt and Paul Bristow sharing the vocal. These tunes have previously been available in vinyl but as we now have the MP3 licences, we can offer them to you via www.Dosado.com/Sir.htm in the MP3 format.

FUTURE RELEASES:
As mentioned last month, the streaming audio samples of the future releases on the Future Releases link are up-dated as soon as we have the vocals recorded; make a point to check on this link from time-to-time. If you hear something that you like and want to be sure of receiving a copy - as soon as it becomes available - check out our Standing Order Offer.

RECENT RELEASES: (Full details on the Latest Releases link)
Last month, due to a delay with the pressing of one of our intended August releases, we only released one new record on vinyl, which was SIR 1002 "I Get A Kick Out Of You". I am very pleased to say that this tune sold extremely well and appeared at number 3 in the Hanhurst's Tape and Record Service top five "Best Sellers" listing. My congratulations to Søren Christensen, who recorded the vocal on that release, for a superb job - very well done!

OTHER NEWS
We are still working on the document files behind each of the titles in the Catalogue . To make this work - as we envisage - it has become necessary to carry out some major re-working of the data-base behind this page, so - for the moment - we must crave your indulgence and patience. Hopefully, the first batch will be ready by next month and then the others will follow, just as soon as we can do the work needed!

Okay, by the time you read this I will probably be In Nashville in an extremely volatile state - so expect to hear all about it, next month! Until then…

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