Undercurrents Music Conference and Showcase Re-Charged with Regional Directors and New Direction

Undercurrents, the 15 year old Cleveland based music conference and showcase company, has been re-charged. The organization has added a network of regions throughout North America to expose and promote music. Currently, Undercurrents has Regional Directors working with Undercurrents in about 15 cities. The Undercurrents team of Regional Directors are promoting monthly music industry networking parties with demo listening and an educational forum about the music business. These monthly forums are held the second Tuesday of the month. In addition, the Regional Directors will also be promoting quarterly and random showcases in their region.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) January 21, 2005 -- Undercurrents, the Cleveland based music conference and showcase company, has been re-charged. John Latimer, co-founder and president, of Undercurrents is currently reigniting the 15 year old company. Undercurrents now has a new look, new logo, new website, new focus, new direction and a whole bunch of new faces.

Latimer has organized a network of regions throughout North America to expose and promote music. Currently, Undercurrents has Regional Directors working with Undercurrents in about 15 cities. The Undercurrents team of Regional Directors are promoting monthly music industry networking parties with demo listening and an educational forum about the music business. These monthly forums are held the second Tuesday of the month. In addition, the Regional Directors will also be promoting quarterly and random showcases in their region. These Regional Directors are the spokes of the Undercurrents network.

Derek Poindexter, past president of the Cleveland Music Group and current music business teacher at Cuyahoga Community College, has a dual role with Undercurrents. Poindexter is the Cleveland Regional Director and is also in charge of the educational division of Undercurrents. He sets the syllabus, defines the program, and makes it possible for Undercurrents to offer the music business education forums for college credit. The addition of monthly seminars provides a regular monthly exposure for Undercurrents, as well as ways for music industry professionals to network, present new material and learn about the biz," says Poindexter.

Ed Vanderkuil, past drummer for Dink and co-founder of Mannequin Odd Recording Studio, has also joined Team Undercurrents. Vanderkuil is heading the Undercurrents showcases. Vanderkuil has promoted performances in America and Europe. In the music business these days, its not just about the bands anymore. Its a whole package -- film, video, photography, graphics and web design. We want to find the best talent in each of those fields and bring them together, and produce a quality product while bringing entertainment to its fans. Because in the end; its all about the fans", says Vanderkuil.

Ken Miles, ex-WMMS advertising sales representative, has come aboard to serve as the Undercurrents Sponsor Manager. Miles will be contacting businesses for promotional opportunities of their products and services through Undercurrents.

Nancy Cassidy, co-founder of Tunesmith.biz, has been retained as Regional Manager and will be recruiting and organizing new regions of the Undercurrents Network. She will manage the Regional Directors and assist them with promotions, forums and showcases.

The Undercurrents Network is rapidly expanding," states Latimer. When the word gets out in any particular city about the entrepreneurial position available in the music business, many perspective Regional Directors inquire about the position. Weve been very lucky to get quality people joining our organization. Very soon, Undercurrents will be able to offer gig swaps for showcase artists." Some of the regions included in the Undercurrents Network include Akron, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Evansville, Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, and Seattle. We are currently interviewing potential Regional Directors in many other cities including Washington DC, Rochester, Toronto, Chicago, and Atlanta."

Some of the regions have added songwriter workshops to their monthly agenda. These songwriting workshops are scheduled on the first Tuesday of each month. In addition, discussion of forming regional non-profit organizations is also in the works.

The newly remodeled Undercurrents web site located at www.undercurrents.com offers a huge database for music professionals wishing to further their networking. It also promotes the monthly networking opportunities as well as the upcoming showcases.

Undercurrents started in 1989 as an annual music event in Cleveland featuring music business seminars, musical performances and a music industry trade show. The foundation hasnt changed but with the addition of the Undercurrents network of North American regions, the scope is much wider.

Upcoming plans include a formation of an artist development division, Undercurrents Internet Radio, Undercurrents Internet Video, Gig Swaps, Random Showcases, and a stronger Internet presence.

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