New Zealand Music Month ..... Here It Comes!

The Radio Committee of the Music Industry Commission has been working with music industry groups NZ On Air, Radio Broadcasters Assn. (RBA), APRA and RIANZ towards the merry month of May 2001 being New Zealand Music Month. Music Industry Commission Executive Director Cath Andersen is co-ordinating the project.

³May 2001 is going to be huge. Our brief is really simple - 100% of New Zealanders should know it¹s New Zealand Music Month² she says. ³The month is going to be really exciting. The level of interest from media this year, in particular from radio, is exceptional. NZ On Air have been out there for the last month getting feedback from people and finding out about their plans. The level of thought and imagination going into this years promotion¹s is fantastic.²

There is a national poster campaign kicking off at the end of April utilising the same striking logo as New Zealand Music Week in 1999, but this time around we have gone for a racy red background - there are also stickers that are starting to pop up all over the place.

The week of Friday 11 to Friday 18 May is set aside as the week for radio stations to focus on New Zealand. The Commission with help from the More FM Auckland production suite have made classy promos for all radio stations in four formats - CHR, Adult Contemporary, Rock and Pop. The promos will feature major NZ artists and their music. These promos will be delivered free of charge to all radio stations and will be included on the April NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc #47.

³There is a massive amount of station and network specific promotions happening, centered around the week, with some lasting for the entire month. We have been bowled over by the enthusiasm of the stations and the effort they are putting into making New Zealand Month a success.² said Cath Andersen.

The b.net nationwide are having a 100% New Zealand Music Week from Monday 7 through until Sunday 13 May. ³As usual, the b.net are outdoing themselves,² says Cath, ³at bFM in Auckland alone, they are broadcasting at least 35 Live To Air performances over the course of the week as well as interviews, giveaways and specialist shows. Every member of the b.net will bring their own cities flavour to the mix.²

In the first weekend of May, the radio industry are having their annual conference and as in other years, there will be a showcase for them of premium New Zealand talent. In the past, the showcases have catapulted a number of acts onto playlists nationwide. In 1998 it was the feelers; 1999 we had Stellar* and last year Fur Patrol, betchadupa and Eye TV went on to be radio favourites.

A number of energetic television programmers are planning to feature NZ Music in their shows during May especially TV4 and TV2 and APRA is organising a national Buskers Day on Friday 18 May, aiming to get music out on every street corner.

And to ensure there is something going on for the people who make music, the Music Industry Commission has organised a series of seminars happening in the five main centres throughout May. The topics covered include; management, touring, record companies, taxation & legal advice, the internet, publishing and copyright. During New Zealand Music Month the Commission will also undertake a Pacific Island Music Roadshow to provide the commission with feedback for Pacific Island Music projects. A full schedule will be available on the Commission website on Friday 20 April - www.nzmusic.org.nz . To complement the seminars and roadshows, the Commission and Stellar Night Productions have produced a New Zealand Music Info Booklet which will be launched at the first seminar.

Lastly, in a fantastic initiative from Vodafone, they are making classic and new kiwi hit songs available as RINGTONES. That's right - when your Vodafone Nokia mobile next rings you can impress your friends by having it play New Zealand songs such as The Dudes ŒBliss¹, Fur Patrol ŒLydia¹, Shihad ŒHome Again¹, Zed¹s ŒRenegade Fighter¹, Muttonbirds ŒNature¹, Split Enz ŒI See Red¹ or OMC ŒHow Bizzare¹.

Kiwi songs will be available from early May,and you can download them from the web site ( www. vizzavi.net.nz ) or call 1000 from your Nokia Phone.

For more information about New Zealand Music Month, please contact: Cath Andersen, New Zealand Music Industry Commission Ph: 09 3095035 Fax: 09 3095036 Email: cath@nzmusic.org.nz

Important Dates: b.Net New Zealand Music Week Monday 7-Sunday 13 May Radio New Zealand Music Week Friday 11 - Friday 18 May Buskers Day Friday 18 May

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