The Bugle Boy Foundation's Talent Trust financially assists selected artists with the production of a new studio recording, allowing the artist 100% ownership of the recording. In return, the artist agrees to continue performing at The Bugle Boy throughout their advancing career, and agrees to repay the Talent Trust Fund through their door receipts. The artist is also mentored through the recording process and is then expected to mentor the next year's recipient. This is a full circle business model that creates sustainability for the artist, the venue and the future Founder’s Choice recipients.
2011 Talent Trust Recipient - Kat Edmonson
2009 Talent Trust Recipient - Elizabeth Wills
DONATE NOW & SUPPORT THE TALENT TRUST!
On Saturday, April 9, during a powerful, emotional musical performance, Elizabeth Wills passed the honor of being the Bugle Boy's Founder's Choice Talent Trust recipient to critically acclaimed jazz singer Kat Edmonson. LISTEN NOW.
Kat will receive financial backing from the Foundation for her Fall 2011 release to be recorded in New York City's famed Avatar Studios, working with legendary producers Phil Ramone (Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years; Billy Joel, "The Stranger") and Al Schmitt (Steely Dan, "Aja;" Frank Sinatra, duets albums). Ramone and Schmitt have a combined 27 Grammy Awards.
Edmonson is thrilled at becoming the new Talent Trust recipient. She says, "I am humbled by the immense generosity of the Bugle Boy Foundation and honored to receive this Talent Trust Award. To be approached with such a great amount of trust is disarming in this industry. It's a testament to the goodness of people's hearts and the pure desire of the people to hear music that they love. I'm moved that they chose my music to support. I want to make them proud. I'm also incredibly inspired to be a recipient after the true-blue artist Elizabeth Wills. Not only do I look up to her, but I had the privilege of singing with her during her show and that was a really big thrill for me." LISTEN NOW.
Elizabeth Wills will be there to support Edmonson every step of the way. "When I think of Kat and her voice, phrasing and musical senses, I am moved, and I know how lucky I am to get the chance to see this rising star. I am so happy for her to get to share in the love and support that I knew, as well, from the Bugle Boy Talent Trust, and all of the people that will support her through that. I can't think of a better choice. This is a GREAT day in the music business."
According to Lane Gosnay, Bugle Boy Founder and Executive Director, "This is a dream come true. The Talent Trust was just an idea in 2009 and with the support of these talented artists and their fans, it has become a reality. The Talent Trust concept is a model that organizations, venues and artists can use successfully in their own communities. It is about being part of sustaining music careers, and keeping the real art of songwriting alive by giving artists a fair and reasonable way to finance their music without contractual complexities and creative smothering."
In 2002, Kat landed in American Idol's Top 48; by 2009 she recorded "Take to the Sky," a blending of both modern and classic songs. Her shows have taken her from New York to Taiwan, opening for everyone from Lyle Lovett to Smokey Robinson. In December 2010, Edmonson performed the wintery classic, "Baby it's Cold Outside," as a duet with Lovett on Jay Leno's "The Tonight Show."
"The Boston Globe" says, "Edmonson might be the most promising American jazz singer to come along since Cassandra Wilson."
Visit Kat Edmonson(photo by R.R. Rodriguez)
First Founder's Choice Talent Trust Recipient!
In October 2009, Singer/Songwriter Elizabeth Wills was
selected by Bugle Boy Founder, Lane Gosnay as the first participant in the Bugle
Boy Foundation's Talent Trust.
Elizabeth received financial backing from the Foundation for her studio
recording, "Love Comes Home" produced by famed Austin producer Mark Hallman, who is known for his
work with such artists as Carole King, Eliza Gilkyson Sara Hickman and Ani
DiFranco.
Elizabeth retains 100% ownership and control of her recordings.
According to Gosnay, “Elizabeth Wills possessed the perfect intrinsic
combination of talent & tenacity and was publicly poised to make the release of "Love Comes Home" a
cornerstone in her career as an independent performing singer songwriter."
Elizabeth Wills managed to reimburse the Talent Trust seed money in only four shows and her album won her scores of new fans. On January 28, 2010, La Grange Mayor Janet Moerbe presented her with the "key to the city." County Judge Ed Janecka proclaimed January 28 Elizabeth Wills Day in Fayette County.
"To have been welcomed into the arms of La Grange and the wonderful people that live there and support the Bugle Boy, has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life," says Wills. "The support I received was unimaginable and humbling, and it made me want to be the kind of artist that deserved such unconditional support and love. It was-- by far-- the best record I have ever done, and it's a direct reflection of the force behind it. I have been honored to be a part of this amazing project."
Listeners may know Elizabeth from her live appearances on KUT, and from her past performances at Austin City Limits Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival Main Stage, The Backyard, and The Bugle Boy. Wills has been a winner of the prestigious B.W. Stevenson Songwriting competition, and among other awards has been voted Female Vocalist of the year by Ft Worth Star Telegram.In the spirit of creating a
fair and sustainable business model for artists and their relationship with the
recording industry, The Bugle Boy Foundation is taking a new approach based on
the value of GIVING FORWARD and the concept of TRUST. This
pioneering model removes the recording industry from the equation altogether and
allows the performance venue to invest in the musical stock of its choice.
The value of GIVING
FORWARD begins with private donations to the foundation from music lovers,
earmarked for a “Founder’s Choice” artist recipient. The selected artist is
then financially assisted in the production of a new studio recording. The
agreement will provide the artist with 100% ownership of the recording, held by
the artist to use as he or she chooses, for the advancement of their career.
The artist is also given guidance as needed to help assure the success of the
recording through mentorship and advice.
The concept of TRUST means that the artist becomes a member of the Bugle
Boy Foundation Talent Trust, and as such also accepts and agrees to continue
performing at The Bugle Boy throughout their growing career, and to gift a finite
sum of performance fees back to the foundation as detailed in the Bugle Boy
Foundation contract. The artist is also entrusted to play a key role in the
mentorship of the next “Founder’s Choice” recipient.
This is a full circle business model that creates sustainability for the artist, the venue and the future Founder’s Choice recipients.