The Access

7/1/08

If you want to give yourself an early 4th of July treat (or even call it Christmas in July) then don't waste any time clicking to go to MySpace to check out a 5-piece band out of the South Texas called The Access. A reader (thank you Jesse) sent me a note after hearing them live and I have absolutely fallen in love with their song, "Broken."

I can honestly say that this is one of the best songs that I've heard this year but as always, don't take my word for ... listen for yourself.

These guys are going to be big with a capital B because not only are they extremely talented, they are also obviously in it for all of the right reasons. All that they do with their music is with "one goal in mind: To change and inspire a Generation" because they feel "called by God to change the world" through the music that they play. (from their bio)

Happy July readers ... this musical moment type of threat is on me! - About.com - Kim's Christian Music Blog

The Access, on the RAW Music Group label, blasted their way through 3 performance competitions, against a combination of 22 other bands and soloist in the Indie Jam Showcase on The Music Boat 2008 Cruise, to the top. Grabbing the grand prize of a slot on Winter Jam 09 Tour Spectacular, Christian music’s largest tour, The Access laid the groundwork for their future. The showcase was hosted by nationally known live music producer, Tom Jackson, and attracted artists, music lovers and industry professionals.

The fresh new faces of the guys from Baytown, Texas have created a buzz everywhere they perform. Their recent performances have included the Indie Extreme Independent Artist Showcase at GMA Music Week 2008 at the Global Café in Nashville, TN. and an opening performance for Leeland at the Christian Life Center in Humble (Houston), TX. The band is currently recording their first album in Houston at Ivory Tower with MD Thompson, for a fall release on the RAW Music Group label, administered by Indie Extreme, LLC. The Access is scheduled to perform live in Wilmore, KY. at the famed “ Ichthus Festival” on Sat. June 14th at 11:40am.

The band’s first singles “ Pressing On” and “I Remember When” will be hitting CCM AC and CHR radio early this summer in preparation for the full album release in September 2008.

“The Access has been working very hard, in the studio finishing up there debut album and playing live performances.” says Mark Silvestri of RAW Music Group, “The music Boat was no exception. Their final day of competition The Access played to a crowd on the main deck, most of whom had probably never heard their music. When through singing and ministering, a standing ovation kept judges from making final comments for several min. as the audience whistled and cheered. I could only think, God is truly ordered their footsteps.”

“Having the opportunity to play in the Music Boats annual competition was an incredible experience. One myself and the band will never forged. With 22 other acts we had our work cut out for us.” Explained lead singer, Justin Cellum, “The judging was, at times, brutal! However, putting their critiquing to good use we “pressed on” to take the prize. Friendships were forged that will last a lifetime. It was and is exciting to see what God is doing in our music, ministry and lives.”

“We are very excited about the opportunity to work with and support the development of The Access and RAW Music Group. The talent level of this young band is uncommon, energetic and powerful. The vision of RAW Music Group and Mark Silvestri is right in line with the mission and goals of Indie Extreme. We believe in independent music and the artists who create this great music,” says Kathy Douglas, CEO of Indie Extreme, LLC “The Access is proudly independent and paving the way for other young artists and bands who chose to minister in the Christian music industry without ties to major record labels.”

Indie Extreme, a Nashville and Houston-based independent record label management firm, provides RAW Music Group with label administration, e-commerce, book keeping and inventory management. The company also provides the label with consulting on artist and business development as part of the complete overall resources available to each member. The membership of Indie Extreme includes hit CCM songwriter Matt Brouwer, GMA Academy 2007 Group of the year The Sonflowerz, Wildflower Records owned by legendary folk artist Judy Collins and many others.

For more information about The Access and RAW Music Group go to www.myspace.com/theaccessband or www.indieextrememusic.com/theaccess

- Indie Extreme Press Release, iTickets.com

The Access and Await The Day to Perform at Events in Texas and California

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 2008) – The Access and Await The Day, two acts represented by the independent label management firm Indie Extreme, have landed high-profile gigs in Texas and California.

* The Access will perform a one-hour set at 6 p.m. Aug. 23 (Saturday) at the second annual Bay Area SummerFest in Baytown, Texas. The Christian alternative rock band will share the stage with the acclaimed acts Stellar Kart and The Red Airplanes.

* Await The Day will perform on July 31 (Thursday) in the Indie Artist Showcase in Monterey, Calif., as a finalist in the Spirit West Coast Talent Search and Showcase presented by Essential Records. If the act reaches the finals (top two), they will perform again on Aug. 2. The band was invited to compete after submitting their song, Time for Change.

“These are wonderful opportunities for The Access and Await The Day,” said Kathy Douglas, CEO for Indie Extreme. “They did an outstanding job performing during GMA Week in Nashville last spring, and they have both accomplished a lot since then. We are very proud to have them on the Indie Extreme artist roster.”

The Access is managed by Mark Silvestri, founder of the Houston record label R.A.W. Music Group. The group, which formed in Mont Belvieu, Texas, in 2006, is working on their debut album with Houston producer MD Thompson of Ivory Tower Realizations. Members of The Access are lead vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Justin Michaels, bassist/back-up vocalist Terry Cardwell, guitarist Nick Daniel, guitarist/back-up vocalist Winter, and drummer/back-up vocalist Kyle Mason Hall. The band, which describes its sound as a modern form of praise and worship, is using its music to “wake up a sleeping church and to bring the life, only Christ can offer, to a generation of dry bones.”

Await the Day, a Christian rock band, is using “edgy guitar licks and original melodic ballads” to share their passion for Jesus Christ. The group was encouraged to form in 2006 after deeply moving attendees during a worship service at a men’s retreat. A host of acoustic performances followed at various venues across the region. Members of the band found themselves “driven by their faith and motivated to share the word with every breath.” They are working their way to the top with a devotion to God and his
music. Members of Await the Day are Ben Fontenot, Justin O’Neal and Eddie Boyer.

Indie Extreme, which is based in Brentwood, Tenn., represents musical acts ranging from folk legend Judy Collins to hit CCM artist Matt Brouwer. The firm provides administrative and managerial services such as correspondence, bookkeeping, CD/merchandise fulfillment, marketing, publicity, database development, web site development, management/maintenance, e-commerce management, and the coordination of vendor services.

For more information about the company, visit http://www.indieextreme.com, call (615) 309-1718 or (281) 890-5034, send an e-mail to Lisa@indieextreme.com or kathyd@indieextreme.com, or write the company at 9000 E. Church St., B103, Brentwood, TN 37027.

- Whiting Publicity & Promotions

The Access and The Sonflowerz Receive Prizes in Fan-Voted Competition


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 2008) – The Access and The Sonflowerz, two popular Christian acts represented by the independent label management firm Indie Extreme, have received “best video” awards in a fan-voted competition on OurStage.com, a web site that allows music lovers to download their favorite songs and videos.

* Pressing On, a video by The Access, has received the Grand Prize Award in Videos on the web site, with their submission to the Live Performances Music Videos Channel for the month of July. Pressing On was voted the top video out of 2,142 submissions. The five-member Christian alternative rock band has received a cash award of $1,000.

* Edge of My Seat, a video by The Sonflowerz, received the First Place Award as the “best video” on the web site’s Christian/Spiritual Channel for the month of July. Edge of My Seat was voted the top video out of 649 submissions. The duo has received an award of $100 in the form of an Amazon.com gift card.

“We are thrilled to see two of our acts win top prizes in the Our Stage video competition,” said Kathy Douglas, CEO for Indie Extreme. “It’s especially meaningful because the winners were chosen by music fans around the world. Both The Access and The Sonflowerz have made significant career strides since their GMA showcases last April.”

The Access is managed by Mark Silvestri, founder of the Houston record label R.A.W. Music Group. The group, which formed in Mont Belvieu, Texas, in 2006, is working on their debut album with Houston producer MD Thompson of Ivory Tower Realizations. Members of The Access are lead vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Justin Michaels, bassist/back-up vocalist Terry Cardwell, guitarist Nick Daniel, guitarist/back-up vocalist Winter, and drummer/back-up vocalist Kyle Mason Hall. The band, which describes its sound as a modern form of praise and worship, is using its music to “wake up a sleeping church and to bring the life, only Christ can offer, to a generation of dry bones.”

The Sonflowerz, sisters Elissa and Becca Leander of Colorado Springs, Colo., have gained international recognition with the release of their latest CD, All Over The World. Produced by music legend
Don Koch, the album features a dozen new songs penned by Elissa with other writers such as Koch and Brian White. The single, Edge Of My Seat, reached number one on the CRW Indie chart the week it was released. Another single from the album, My Adoration, recently climbed to number two on the Radio & Records Soft AC/Inspirational chart. The act is booked by the Covenant Artist Agency.

Indie Extreme, which is based in Brentwood, Tenn., represents musical acts ranging from folk legend Judy Collins to hit CCM artist Matt Brouwer. The firm provides administrative and managerial services such as correspondence, bookkeeping, CD/merchandise fulfillment, marketing, publicity, database development, web site development, management/maintenance, e-commerce management, and the coordination of vendor services.

For more information about the company, visit http://www.indieextreme.com, call (615) 309-1718 or (281) 890-5034, send an e-mail to Lisa@indieextreme.com or kathyd@indieextreme.com, or write the company at 9000 E. Church St., B103, Brentwood, TN 37027.

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- Whiting Publicity & Promotions