Los Angeles, CA.(The Royalties Group) -- Musicians and music fans have a long history of supporting charities and worthy causes through call-to-action songs, concerts and festivals. With the launch of The Royalties Group on Myspace.com (https:// groups.myspace.com/theroyaltiesgroup), musicians and fans who believe that music can make a difference can join a circle that encompasses the whole world via technology and the Net and where the call and the answer to action are a part of daily community life.
The Royalties Group is the creation of LA. – based singer/songwriter Elizabeth Pendleton. "Music can be part of the solution," she explains. "The Royalties Group exclusively hosts artists who give a portion of their royalties to support a philanthropic cause. The musicians select the recipient, and one of their songs is included on the site's Stream of Light playlist. Fans are able to listen to that song, hear an interview with the artist and chat with like-minded members – for free. If they like the music and want to purchase it, links direct them to sites such as iTunes, Mperia and Amazon, and a percentage of the cost is dedicated to the artists' chosen cause."
That The Royalties Group is in the vanguard of a magical linkage of music, social consciousness and technology is evident in the comments of Steve Gardner, whose band Culann's Hounds joined the site as "Featured Artist" with its previously unreleased track "The Blackthorn Tavern." One of the U.S. Celtic scene's rising stars, Culann's Hounds, renowned for its effervescent performances, has earned glowing reviews from critics and inspired a devoted following. One hundred per cent of all sales of "The Blackthorn Tavern" will be donated to the National Veterans Foundation (https:// www.nvf.org), now celebrating its 20th Anniversary.
"Beyond politics, Michael (Kelleher -guitar, vocals, tin whistles) and I both believe strongly that American citizens who fight in the name of their country deserve the thanks and support of the people they defend," says Gardner. "Both our fathers served in the US Army. We think the services the NVF provides are incredibly important and we feel honored to be able to give something, most especially our heartfelt thanks, to American war veterans."
"The NVF is proud not only of its 2 decades of service to veterans and families in need, but of the willingness of so many musical artists, beginning with the Doobie Brothers Band in 1987, to join with us in serving for those who bear the true cost of freedom," said NVF President and Founder Shad Meshad. "Through their extraordinary efforts Culann's Hounds and the Royalties Group will raise much needed awareness and resources to support a proven support resource-- our toll free national crisis hotline--at a time when it is needed most. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"
The enormous potential of the linkage of music, social consciousness and technology becomes even more evident with a few figures. "Jupiter Research estimates that by 2009 download revenues will reach $806 million," says Pendleton. "If musicians gave just one dime every time one of their songs is downloaded, that figure means that more than $80 million dollars could be raised annually for worthy causes, locally and globally." On behalf of her Celtic music project, Awakening Queen Maebh, Pendleton has been donating a dime from each download of her music to NICIE, the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (www.nicie.org) since 2004.
"I truly hope that we're setting precedent and ultimately changing the download model here," she says. "At The Royalties Group there are artists who recognize the value in adding a benevolent dimension to the download experience and fans, 2,200 and counting, who like the idea of their music taste and download dollars making a positive difference."
TOUR DATES
Nov 9, 10, and 11th Kells Seattle
Nov 14th Temple Bar Santa Monica
Nov 16, 17, and 18th Dublin Square San Diego
Nov 24th The Glazer Center Santa Rosa
Opening for Josh Lederman y Los Diablos
Nov 30th Fourth Street Tavern San Raphael
Dec 1st Plough and Stars San Francisco
Dec 3rd The Blackthorn Tavern San Francisco
