CME Presents: Tour the UK 2005!

Due to the number of artists that have expressed an interest to sign up for the CMEAS 2005 UK Oct Tour but have missed the May 31st closing date for applications, the event organizers are opening this event for further applications through Sunday June 5th. After midnight EST on June 5th applications for this event will be closed.



CME Artist Services' 5th Annual UK October Tour 2005 books international music acts of all genres, nationality, and ages in a series of 18 paid concerts over two weeks in October in some of England, Wales and Scotland’s' top music clubs and pubs. Locations vary and include the music Mecca’s of Bristol, Glasgow, and York, the remote corners of darkest Wiltshire, the English Lake District, and haunted islands off the Highlands of Scotland.



CMEAS also puts on at least two to five paid High School workshop performances supported by the British Arts' Council and opening up superb opportunities for musicians interested in tutoring in the UK.



We have recently added several important venues to the tour not least of all Fibbers in York (Tues. 11th Oct.). Fibbers is one of the Barfly Group of venues that helped launch the careers of Franz Ferdinand, the Darkness and Coldplay who still regularly play these venues.

In addition to performances, CMEAS also offers one to two professional live audio performance-recording opportunities (Palladium Club in Devon and Fibbers in York) while on tour. Through a partnership with TVMJ Productions, acts will have the opportunity to have their performances professionally videoed, to also produce a professional video with the UK tour as a backdrop, and to video parts of the tour themselves with a camera freely loaned by TMJ.




CMEAS events are unusual in that as well as performances there will be an emphasis on showing bands some of Britain's historic landmarks, including a day trip to London (that can also be used for video purposes), various Cathedrals, and lots of superb old pubs. CMEAS will introduce international acts, not just to the history, but also to British architecture, diverse landscapes and geography, excellent beer (of course), surprisingly superb cuisine (really), weird customs, and stranger folks who populate the UK and support great music in the excellent and packed music venues.

Acts should write most of their own material, be masterful at their craft and although all genres are considered, the British palette prefers upbeat to ballad. There are now 3-4 performance slots available for online Sonicbids applicants. Even if you do not make the final selection, acts that pass our peer review will receive free assistance in booking in the UK.

Most CMEAS participants go on to establish their own touring base in the UK as a direct result of their involvement with CMEAS.

Successful applicants will share a full back line provided by CMEAS. The sponsors cover international airfares and minibus rental. Gig guarantees will provide artists with monetary compensation while merchandising of a compilation CD will help cover out of pocket expenses (such as diesel for the bus). A specific act’s income from their own CDs sales and merchandising is completely theirs. Performance DVD sales will benefit all parties. Accommodation in the UK is provided by CMEAS’ philanthropic network of friends, UK musicians, and the venues themselves.

Event sponsors include Sonicbids, NEMO, International Song Writing Contest (ISC), TMJ Productions, AHP, and Goose Island Brewery.

The tour schedule is:

7-Oct-05 Fri Palladium Club (Recording), Bideford

8-Oct-05 Sat Jongleurs, Bristol

9-Oct-05 Sun Coopers Arms 4pm, Pewsey, Wilts

9-Oct-05 Sun Scally's, Westonsupermare

10-Oct-05 Mon Bell, Bath

11-Oct-05 Tues Fibbers, York (Recording)

12-Oct-05 Wed Wellington Hotel, Bristol

13-Oct-05 Thurs Riffs, Swindon

14-Oct-05 Fri Gregson, Lancaster

15-Oct-05 Sat Aspinall Arms, Mitton

16-Oct-05 Sun Yorkshire House, Lancaster

17-Oct-05 Mon Cartmel College, Lancaster University (and Workshop - Kirby)

18-Oct-05 Tues Talbot, Wrexham, Wales

19-Oct-05 Wed Dickie Doodles, Kendal (and Workshop - Blackpool)

20-Oct-05 Thurs Aldersyde Hotel, Isle of Arran, Scotland (tbc)

21-Oct-05 Fri PJ's, Glasgow, Scotland

22-Oct-05 Sat Rocking Roots, Darlington

23-Oct-05 Sun Greyhound 4pm, Barnoldswick

Applicants will be notified within two months of submission whether they have passed the initial screening. Those that do will be peer reviewed by past CMEAS musicians, music advisors, and promoters. Final selection will take place from May 31st – June 15th. All artists that are accepted will be notified by June 30th. Material for inclusion on the compilation CD must be received no later than July 15th.

Again, artists that pass the first peer review but do not make the final selection will still qualify for help in booking their own shows in the UK.

Please note: Selected artists will need a valid passport, should expect to abide by the country's laws, are expected to be ambassadors for their country, should have no prior criminal convictions in the last 7 years (work permit thing – DUI’s are permitted, we just won’t let you drive) and if you’re allergic to real ale you might not want to apply. Artists under the age of 18 will need to provide CMEAS with written permission from parents or legal guardians allowing them to take part in this event and will not be permitted to drink alcoholic beverages in the performance venues under British law (the drinking age in the UK is 18).