NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/F3 Technologies) Software innovator F3 Technologies, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: FTCH) today announced that country-music veteran Sherrié Austin is using F3's groundbreaking FargoTube music and entertainment platform to launch a new phase of her career and release her first full-length album since 2003.
Few people in the entertainment industry can boast of the kind of career that Sherrié Austin has built and continues to build. By age 14, she was touring her homeland of Australia with country-music royalty - Johnny Cash. She went on to star in NBC's long-running hit series "The Facts of Life," other television shows and feature films. Austin had two deals with major record labels and is one of Nashville's best tunesmiths. More recently, she shifted focus to her writing career, with cuts for George Strait, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, and many others.
FargoTube is helping Austin to embark on an entirely new chapter in her career in which she will own her music and be the CEO of her own record label.
FargoTube, which powers Austin's new website www.sherrieaustinmusic.com, allows Austin's fans to participate in the release of her brand-new album CIRCUS GIRL via its "Jump Start" crowd-funding page. Fans participate visiting the site and clicking on the "Jump Start" button in the top right corner. They can contribute at varying levels; for example, Austin provides an autographed CD and an autographed photo in exchange for a $25 contribution. Fans who contribute $100 receive an autographed t-shirt, a mention in the CD's liner notes, and a range of other personalized merchandise.
Austin has finished recording CIRCUS GIRL and expects to release it this fall. Her goal is to raise $15,000.
"With my original 13-song CIRCUS GIRL album, my goal is to make my music available to all of my fans and also introduce it to new fans around the world," Austin said. "Rather than working for a major label, being completely independent means I own my music and I'll have the freedom and flexibility to market myself like I've always dreamed of doing. I can cut out the middle-man and connect directly with my fans. CIRCUS GIRL will be available for purchase at local retailers, the top internet sites, and all of my live performances. The money raised through this 'Jump Start CIRCUS GIRL' campaign will be used to pay the musicians, studio time, mixing, mastering, packaging, marketing and distribution. Thanks for your support!"
FargoTube is a unique digital marketplace and social network that fosters interaction between artists like Austin and their fans, something that has been lost in the faceless transaction of today's online store. FargoTube's interactive set-up empowers artists to sell their creations while facilitating direct contact with and among fans in a personalized environment
FargoTube Senior VP of Business Development Stephanie Miller congratulated Austin on the new site and forthcoming album, commenting, "It goes without saying that we're thrilled to be with Sherrié in this awesome new stage of her career. FargoTube allows her to showcase her full range of talents, not only as a musician, but also as an artist in a broader sense and as an entrepreneur building a business on new forms of fan engagement.
"Multitalented artists like Sherrié also let FargoTube demonstrate its own wide range of functions - releasing new music, sharing exclusive videos, building a fan base, and networking, while offering the choice of whether and how much to charge for each function."
ABOUT FARGOTUBE
FargoTube (www.fargotube.com) is an online distribution and social-networking platform that's free to musicians, record labels, filmmakers and other content owners, allowing them to upload their music and videos, build a fan site, sell merchandise and connect with their fans through a central service.
ABOUT F3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (www.f3technologies.com)
F3 Technologies is a software innovator that creates specialized social networks for groups ranging from homeowners associations to music fans. Its products include Interaction Community Systems, an online tool for homeowners associations and other member groups; and Interactive Defense System , for police and other municipal departments.
