Hello everybody,

MAB here from 20 below Winnipeg, and Manitoba, Cannida. This is day 9 of a 11 day trip. The reason I am here is because one of my Nashville clients, Janice Staradob, after making 6 trips down there with me, decided to create her own songwriter's universe here. It has turned out amazingly.

A year ago she did not know these people existed. She was a frustrated housewife, mother and teacher who wrote poetry and really wanted a hobby she could call her own. Her husband is a hockey inthusist,her kids all have activities, she wanted hers.

She started working with one singer, a young inexperienced guy who unfortunately embodied all the bad characteristics of artists, excessive ego, limited talents, and NO tangible skills in follow through or organization. he washed out early, but she kept going. She also deals with a daily illness from a nuromuscular condition which if she had maintained the Canadian health care system,would have died about two years ago. She got the help she needed from the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, but Health care is not the issue here.

This is about the ability we all have to construct our own communities. While I am known as the "Nashville guy" here, and I do love and embrace Twang Town, I really care only that writers and artists find a sense of community wherever they are, write the best songs they can, have ongoing shows, workshops, events that will help them find other like minded individuals. This community is one of those.

Through her efforts in a year, Janice has assembled over 35 artists,writers, bands, studio owners, become a primary member of the "Mannitoba Country Music Association", and surrounded herself with people that can help her and themselves take all of their music to another level.

I have had multiple writing (21 songs so far) and critique appointments, personal career advice, two shows, a major workshop and extensive intereaction with the whole group, done two television shows and various interviews. This is how it works.

So I wanted to pass on this information to you all, especially those who seem to be isolated from other writers,artists, etc. Those that feel you have to go to Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, wherever.

The community you seek is probably around you.Artists are probably in your back yard. The pitch opportunities you are trying to find, might be in the corner pub.

Don't overlook what is around you. It is your job to find it.

If any of you have questions about what they are doing here or what I do in general, glad to answer. Got an appointment right now.

MAB