![[Nameplate]](http://gcdailyworld.com/images/nameplate.png)
|
|
Fog/Mist ~ |
|
 Email link
 Read comments (8)
 Blog archive
 Share link
G'Day, Mates...Posted Monday, March 30, 2009, at 11:28 AM
G'Day, Mate.
I have a friend on www.myspace.com who's an American living abroad in Australia. She's in the music business. I just so happened to request her friendship one day while browsing the site and now I'm glad I did. I don't always trust folks on-line and for good reason. But, "CJ" is different and I knew that right from the start. I "met" CJ on-line right before my family moved to our Main Street home. When CJ found out about our new home she was thrilled to death. And she immediately sent a house warming gift straight from down under. When our box arrived Kade and I were thrilled to find an Australian flag, inspirational musical CD called "Light of Hope", a boomerang along with numerous other Australian souvenirs such as pens, notebooks, magnets, stickers, koala bear and kangaroo stuffed animals, hats and more. (Something for every member of our family!) Currently, the Australian flag proudly hangs in Ramsey's room. But, Kade and I have discussed flying it along with an American flag right outside our Main Street location. I also have a small notebook, key chain, koala bear and lanyard on my desk at work to remind me of CJ's kindness. These knick-knacks also remind me that Australia is on the Ferree-Puckett family's list of places to go. Upon receiving the care packet, I wanted to return the generous gesture with a Hoosier care packet. But, she would have none of the sort. So, instead I offered her a CD of Kade's acoustical talents and she jumped at the offer. After receiving it she also referred me to a distribution company in Australia... CJ is also one of the first persons to comment on my blog and photos on myspace. She not only takes the time to read my writing but she also offers words of encouragement and inspiration. In return, I listen to her music, read her blogs, offer her kind words and have nonetheless learned about Australia and that music truly is the universal language. I was brought back to one of CJ's recent blogs while reading National Geographic this past weekend. The article was about Australia's seven-year drought and how it is literally bringing the country to its knees. I immediately thought of CJ who at one point told me of the drought and requested that I pray for rain in Australia. Through CJ, I've also learned of February's deadly bushfire in Victoria that was started by an arsonist who literally had a hand in bringing more pain to families, wildlife and nature in the Outback. The fire was right in CJ's backyard and she mourned for her good friends who lost their farm and luckily got out alive. My heart ached for CJ when I read her blog. Now I know it's time to send that care package along with a little Hoosier love, some healing sounds from Mr. Kade Puckett and my written words telling her how much her friendship means to me. When you see that Aussie flag flying on Main Street think of CJ and pray for some rain in the land down under. Timberly is a staff writer at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by e-mail at tferree@gcdailyworld.com or by phone at 1-800-947-4487 or (812) 847-4487. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
Hot topics Throughout history snakes have either been feared or revered(0 ~ 2:47 PM, Mar 16)
A very busy Monday morning
'The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step'
It's never fun when the server goes down while writing a column
Time for a change....
|
Facebook
Twitter
del.icio.us
Digg
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Newsvine
Reddit
Google
![[Feed icon]](http://gcdailyworld.com/images/icons/feed-icon-14x14.png){kind=icon}
I will be praying for God to bring some rain to the good people of Australia! Nice blog this week.
Neat column...
Hang in there with your writing and don't cave in to the vanity press model.
If I read one more story about a big book release in Greene County, then go on to find out it's another self-published endeavor I'm going to scream. Do it the right way.
can we find the great kade puckets album in walmart?
www.myspace.com/kadepuckett
I really like this piece Timberly. Very nice writing! Makes me want to fiddle around on MySpace more too! I just got a new friend - another Bloomington band - today. Maybe I'll look for you too!
horrorwriter...um, can we talk here? The "right way" to get any art out there can be to self publish. I've been on both ends of the music business; signed and unsigned. I prefer being an indie artist and self publishing. Over the years I have discovered many incredible artists who are not signed to major labels. Sure there's a lot of "art" to wade through but the internet has leveled the playing field considerably. Creative marketing can give the indie artist a shot at some pretty incredible opportunities that they might not get otherwise. Last summer we licensed music to Fox and Lions Gate to name two. Sound like the "right way" to you?
That said, nice article Timberly...
Mr. F,
You're absolutely correct! And I agree with all of your points in regards to the music business. I was speaking only of the writing business. The internet and self publishing has served to be the great equalizer in writing, too. Unfortunately, the equalization has been in the wrong direction. Self-publishing has allowed many, many things to be published that are quite dreadful. We call it the Vanity Press for a reason--the writer can't accept that they haven't learned to write yet and thus they break the golden rule of writing...never pay to have your work published. With that said, once in a while a book makes it out that's been self-published and it turns out to be quite good. This is not often the case, however.
Indeed. I was just discussing this with a music class as one of "problems" with indie art of any kind. In the old days the music companies screened all comers and only a few artists got through. Today anyone with a copy of Acid Music or Garage Band has a recording studio at their disposal. The job of the consumer is to wade the deep waters of offerings and find what they want.
It's raither like websites and information; some are reputable and some can barely remember their alphabet! But there's the adventure. This dynamic makes the music marketplace a consumer's paradise!