Houston, TX — The Access, on the RAW Music Group label, blasted their way through 3 performance competitions, against a combination of 22 other bands and soloist in the Indie Jam Showcase on The Music Boat 2008 Cruise, to the top. Grabbing the grand prize of a slot on Winter Jam 09 Tour Spectacular, Christian music’s largest tour, The Access laid the groundwork for their future. The showcase was hosted by nationally known live music producer, Tom Jackson, and attracted artists, music lovers and industry professionals.
The fresh new faces of the guys from Baytown, Texas have created a buzz everywhere they perform. Their recent performances have included the Indie Extreme Independent Artist Showcase at GMA Music Week 2008 at the Global Café in Nashville, TN. and an opening performance for Leeland at the Christian Life Center in Humble (Houston), TX. The band is currently recording their first album in Houston at Ivory Tower with MD Thompson, for a fall release on the RAW Music Group label, administered by Indie Extreme, LLC. The Access is scheduled to perform live in Wilmore, KY. at the famed “ Ichthus Festival” on Sat. June 14th at 11:40am.
The band’s first singles “ Pressing On” and “I Remember When” will be hitting CCM AC and CHR radio early this summer in preparation for the full album release in September 2008.
“The Access has been working very hard, in the studio finishing up there debut album and playing live performances.” says Mark Silvestri of RAW Music Group, “The music Boat was no exception. Their final day of competition The Access played to a crowd on the main deck, most of whom had probably never heard their music. When through singing and ministering, a standing ovation kept judges from making final comments for several min. as the audience whistled and cheered. I could only think, God is truly ordered their footsteps.”
“Having the opportunity to play in the Music Boats annual competition was an incredible experience. One myself and the band will never forged. With 22 other acts we had our work cut out for us.” Explained lead singer, Justin Cellum, “The judging was, at times, brutal! However, putting their critiquing to good use we “pressed on” to take the prize. Friendships were forged that will last a lifetime. It was and is exciting to see what God is doing in our music, ministry and lives.”
“We are very excited about the opportunity to work with and support the development of The Access and RAW Music Group. The talent level of this young band is uncommon, energetic and powerful. The vision of RAW Music Group and Mark Silvestri is right in line with the mission and goals of Indie Extreme. We believe in independent music and the artists who create this great music,” says Kathy Douglas, CEO of Indie Extreme, LLC “The Access is proudly independent and paving the way for other young artists and bands who chose to minister in the Christian music industry without ties to major record labels.”
Indie Extreme, a Nashville and Houston-based independent record label management firm, provides RAW Music Group with label administration, e-commerce, book keeping and inventory management. The company also provides the label with consulting on artist and business development as part of the complete overall resources available to each member. The membership of Indie Extreme includes hit CCM songwriter Matt Brouwer, GMA Academy 2007 Group of the year The Sonflowerz, Wildflower Records owned by legendary folk artist Judy Collins and many others.
For more information about The Access and RAW Music Group go to www.myspace.com/theaccessband or www.indieextrememusic.com/theaccess
Didn’t the Access in fact TIE for 1st place with Unspoken? They grabbed the grand prize slot with another group…a group is is opening for tobyMac. I think it is only fair to give props to the other band.
Thanks!