Jackson Free Press

Disc Makers Launches Southeast Independent Music World Series, Atlanta is the new host site for 2005's premier indie showcase. Disc Makers, the nation's leading independent CD manufacturer, is kicking off the latest installment of the Independent Music World Series (IMWS). The premier music showcase series for independent musicians in the country is back to crown one independent Southeast act as the Grand Prize Winner at the showcase finals to take place at Atlanta's Velvet Underground at the Hard Rock Café on Thursday, August 18th. The show will feature the top six independent acts, as selected by Billboard Magazine, showcasing and competing for a Grand Prize of over $35,000 in music gear and prizes.

"We are delighted to again join forces with Billboard Magazine and our sponsors to help promote independent music in the Southeast," says Tony van Veen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Disc Makers. "Atlanta is one of the hottest live music towns in the Southeast, and we know it will be a great host for our showcase event this year."

Bands and artists can log onto www.discmakers.com/imws to register for the Southeast showcase and find out more information about the IMWS. The competition is open to all musicians not currently signed to a major record label and to all styles and genres of music. To be eligible for the Midwest showcase at least one band member must reside in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee. Submissions must be postmarked by June 10th, 2005. Each artist who submits an entry will receive a FREE copy of Billboard's Musician's Guide to Touring and Promotion and Electronic Musician magazine.

The $35,000 prize package features everything independent musicians need for a career boost including a complete CD manufacturing package, post-production sweetening, and promotional posters from Disc Makers, a complete Digital Audio Workstation from Alienware, IK Multimedia's Studio Bundle recording software, professional Shure microphones, Fender guitars and amplifiers, a 5-piece drum kit from DW Drums, Electric Guitar Strings and EXL170 Electric Bass Strings from Dean Markley, a free copy of METAJAM™ from Broadjam, Remo drumheads, a Sabian cymbal package, and a one year membership to TAXI. Additional event partners include Sonicbids, XM Satellite Radio and Creative Loafing.

The IMWS helps independent musicians make an impact in their local music communities and make connections that can help advance their careers. Recent winners include Los Angeles' BANG sugar BANG (West 2005), Pemberton (NJ)'s Chinua Hawk (Northeast 2004), and Nashville's Rich Creamy Paint (Southeast 2004).

For more information on Disc Makers Independent Music World Series, visit www.discmakers.com/imws, or call 1-866-251-7850.

About Disc Makers

In business since 1959, Disc Makers is the nation's leading independent media manufacturer, offering a wide variety of products and services, including state-of-the-art automated printers and duplicating systems as well as complete CD and DVD replication and custom packaging for independent musicians, filmmakers, and businesses. The company's state-of-the-art facilities are outfitted with the latest graphic, printing, and CD/DVD replication equipment and products, as well as in-house studios for mastering and post-production, DVD and CD-ROM multimedia authoring, and award-winning graphics design. The company also produces the Independent Music World Series, the nation's largest showcase series for independent musicians. Disc Makers main office and plant is located near Philadelphia in Pennsauken, NJ, and the company has regional offices in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Puerto Rico.