"Press Release" for a New CD"

Dear Friends,
The font on last month's newsletter was small. We hope this month's font size is more suitable.

How does this sound for a press release?

Oakenwold Recordings announces it has signed long-time fixtures in the Folk/Americana/Bluegrass scene, Robin and Linda Williams to a worldwide, lifetime recording contract. Details of the contract, other than the length, have not been released, but assurances have been made that no big money is involved.

Robin and Linda's long and storied career includes 23 recordings of their own on smaller labels, in various formats including, but not limited to, 78 rpm shellac singles, 33 1/3 long-playing albums, cassette, and eight-track tapes, CDs, and now, streaming (whatever that is). As well they have two CDs with The Hopeful Gospel Quartet (does anyone remember A Prairie Home Companion?), they have played over six thousand concerts (that's 6,000), driven a couple of million miles, performed several hundred times on radio and television and have been in one movie. Graduates of The Chump School of Acting, Robin and Linda parlayed their experience into helping develop and writing the music for "Stonewall Country," the hit musical in Rockbridge County, VA. They have written at least 201 songs and no books. But they have told a lot of jokes.

Robin and Linda have released a statement through their public relations firm, Shout It from The Mount'intops, LLC, saying: "We are just so pleased (we would say 'proud,' but pride,s a sin) to be a part of the Oakenwold Recordings family. They are conveniently located, and we know two of the artists on the label who assure us the company will do all it can for us."

Oakenwold will issue Robin and Linda's 24th recording,"A Better Day A-Coming" (Oakenwold Recordings 001) in August 2021.

Well, what do you think? Any suggestions? Now that we've finished all the aspects of putting a CD together - the recording, the mixing, the mastering, the CD cover design, the pulling-out-of-hair, and it has been sent to the manufacturer, we're thinking we should be putting on our "promotion" hats and saying: "Wake up world! A new Robin and Linda record is coming your way. Just in the nick of time." So, if there are any promotion pros out there who want to jump in with advice, feel free. But just know, we've already thought of bringing back the pocket magnifiers, the Get-A-Grip jar lid openers, and the combination back-scratcher/pasta forks. Those ideas are taken.

We should have the CDs and download information in hand in a few weeks and next month we'll have serious news about how theyŐll become available. You guys on our email list will be able to have the first crack at them before they go on sale to the public in general. This has been a long process and you have stayed with us on the whole journey. Thanks, and stay tuned a little longer.

In other news here is a link to last Sunday's Greenwich Village Folk Festival ZOOM concert: https://greenwichvillagefolkfestival.org/listen-livea.php?74. We had a great time playing and were captivated by the other performers. It was almost like being at a live festival event. HatŐs off to the GVFF production staff and the volunteer hosts.

When the concert was over, we signed on for their next show on May 16th which will be a celebration of Bob Dylan's 80th birthday. So, join us in ten days as a Who's Who list of performers will be singing songs by Bob. Here's the link: https://greenwichvillagefolkfestival.org/listen-liveb.php?75

Bumper Sticker of The Month: Honk if you're illiterate.

On the personal front, we're doing fine. The peas are up in the garden, the blueberry bushes we planted are still living, and our front porch has a new coat of paint. Things seem to be lightening up as more and more folks get vaccinated. This is evidenced by our signing several contracts this week to play actual gigs later in 2021. If you haven't gotten your vaccination yet, we hope you will soon.

Last evening, we were at an outdoor event and got to meet our Senator, Tim Kaine. He really surprised us by saying immediately, "I know you. I used to listen to you on Saturday nights." As we say all the time, "nobody knows it, but we're famous."

We hope this finds you well and busy. Stay in touch and keep on the sunny side

Your pals,
Robin and Linda