Heart Consort Music's Blog

Greetings From Heart Consort Music!

2012-01-19T12:43:00.000-08:00

With the holiday season behind us and a new year upon us, HCM begins the year with a big bang!
Check out our station on Jango.com http://www.jango.com/music/Heart+Consort+Music?l=0
We have a number of new pieces from our latest release “JK’s Jukebox” in rotation along with selections from a number of previous releases. Plus, we’ve added some songs with vocals, a side of JK’s music that we hear far too little of! We’ve also added some new distributors of our label which means even more accessibility to all of our releases.
Still celebrating our 25th Anniversary, we’ve added some new products to our HCM Merchandise store – www.cafepress.com/hcmshop. Along with the “standard” HCM T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, mugs etc, you can now purchase HCM 25th Anniversary items!
And, for a limited time, buy one HCM CD directly from our website and get one free. That’s right, choose any CD from our catalog of 22 releases and get another of your choosing free, plus free shipping (within the US). Just hit the “BUY” button and continue to support Indie music. http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/CDs.htm
Thanks!

Updated Offer!

2012-01-10T12:57:00.000-08:00

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND: THIS OFFER HAS BEEN EXTENDED!! Buy one CD (direct) from our website and get another free... mix and match or two of the same title... plus free shipping within the US... use the buy button on any CD page and in the "notes" tell us which CD we can send you for free!
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/CDs.htm

Holiday Special!

2011-12-24T20:38:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 24th, 2011
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Starting today and running until 1/6/12 we have a holiday special for you! Buy one CD (direct) from our website and get another free... mix and match or two of the same title... plus free shipping within the US... use the buy button on any CD page and in the "notes" tell us which CD we can send you for free!
Happy Holidays and Happy New year from HCM!
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/CDs.htm

Brand New CD 9/28/11

2011-09-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce the release of a new CD:
"JK's Jukebox" on 9/28/11
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/Jukebox.htm
"JK's Jukebox" featuring some swingin' jazz, some great blues, world music, and so much more!
James Kennedy - guitars, Matt Alles- bass, Eric Madison-drums, Catherine Lawson- violin.
Visit the link above, check out the tunes, and grab a copy!
Thanks!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

2011-08-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to playing Sunday, August 28th at Sutliff Cider Co.
382 Sutliff Rd, Lisbon
Music starts at 3pm

We'll be doing "favorites" from past CDs plus
some previews from this year's release which is due out this fall.
Great Cider, Great Food, and Great Music!
Hope you can join us!

Save These Dates!

2011-07-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 16th James Kennedy & Friends @ The Music Market in Cedar Rapids. (1029 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 )
Doors Open at 7:30
Dr. Jimmy Bones
James Kennedy & Friends (9pm)
Lee "Big Daddy Kohl"
This promises to be an evening of fun and great music!

Wednesday, July 27th James Kennedy & Friends return to
The Lincoln Wine Bar in Mt. Vernon
music starts at 7pm.
What a great way to break up the work week!
Come out and enjoy some music and your favorite beverage!
(They have good beers and even root beer too!)

And all the while, we're at work finishing up tracks for this year's CD project which will come out this fall.
Come to one of the events above for some previews....
Hope to see you soon!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

2011-05-31T12:40:00.000-07:00

Chocolate & Music
Music & Chocolate
Saturday, June 4, 2011 11:30am-1:30pm James Kennedy & Friends @ the Memorial Park Gazebo for
Mt. Vernon's 2nd Annual Chocolate Stroll! Music & Chocolate
Chocolate & Music
What more can we say??

2011-05-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

Bring Your Mom and Your Grandma Too
To Chalk the Walk and We'll Play for You
Sunday May 8th in the Afternoon
We'll grab our gear and play a tune
We start at 1:30 in downtown MV
...Come hear us play and you'll feel groovy
James Kennedy & Friends 1:30pm on 5/8/11 Chalk the Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA
Oh, and there's some really cool chalk artwork to look at too.... :)
See Ya There!

St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-08T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hi:
Just wanted to invite everyone to stop in to Big Creek Market, Mt. Vernon, IA on St. Patrick's Day from 5:30 - 7pm for some great Irish food/drink and Irish Fiddle Music from HCM's own fiddler, Catherine!
Hope to see you there!

http://www.sonicbids.com/JamesKennedyFriends
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HCM-Bands-Page/59163192658 http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660 http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic
http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi
http://heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

New Video!

2011-02-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

Just posted a new video to YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/user/HeartConsortMusic#p/a/u/0/-Q68Eu2xoNc
It's a short clip of "Charlie" from the CD "Patch Work".
enjoy!

New Pages!

2011-01-10T11:34:00.000-08:00

At the urging of friends and associates, we've created two new Facebook pages to feature the services that we've long provided to the Eastern Iowa area.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Heart-Consort-Music-Lessons/153995457983631

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Heart-Consort-Music-Recording-Studio/178737102158919

Hope you'll check these out and tell a friend. Thanks!

2010-10-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Press Release For interviews, presskits, photos or more information, please contact Heart Consort Music, ph. 319-895-8557 www.heartconsortmusic.com mail@heartconsortmusic.com
Iowa's own James Kennedy Has Entry In Grammy’s 10th Year in a Row!
For Immediate Release Mt. Vernon, IA – The most recent CD release by Iowa's jazz/fusion guitarist James Kennedy has been entered in the 53rd Grammy Awards. This music is available for your listening pleasure at http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/OTR.htm and many other internet sites.
Accomplishments include entries in the Grammy Awards for 10 years in a row, features in Downbeat magazine, JazzReview, O'Place Jazz, Great Music Sites.com, Kweevak "Editor's Choice" & "Readers' Survey" awards for 5 years in a row, and many other independent music industry awards and honors. Heart Consort Music is celebrating 24 years in business this year, and has twenty one CD releases. All of these releases have received national/international airplay and distribution. The group “James Kennedy & Friends” tours regularly in support of these releases both in the US and abroad.
HCM's Brand New 2010 release: "Off The Record" by James Kennedy is the 21st CD release for Heart Consort Music. "Off The Record" is something of a 'return to roots' CD for Kennedy, featuring blues, jazz, folk, rock and more. James plays 6&12 string guitars (including slide guitar) and is joined by Matt Alles on bass, Eric Madison on drum set, Catherine Kennedy on violin and special guest Steve Maurice on harmonica and concertina. http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/OTR.htm
In 1986, Kennedy and Catherine Lawson founded recording label Heart Consort Music. In the intervening years, James has released 21 albums in a variety of styles, ranging from folk/acoustic to rock/fusion, jazz and world music, and more. These twenty one releases have received international radio airplay, distribution and exposure. James has written music for various independent film and video projects, and his music has been licensed by, AEI, Bravo, Disney, The Discovery Channel, PBS, DMX, Playnetwork, and many others. He has performed at festivals all over the world including Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland; North Sea Jazz Festival, The Hague in The Netherlands; and the Euro-Disney Jazzfest in Paris, France. James Kennedy is an endorsed artist by the Guild Guitar Company and the Lakewood Guitar company.
For more information about James Kennedy, please visit his web site at http://www.heartconsortmusic.com. For more information on the GRAMMY Awards, please visit the web site at http://www.Grammy.com
“Off The Record” is entered in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category.

New CD!

2010-09-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Brand New CD out today! "Off The Record" http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/OTR.htm for info, song clips, ordering etc.

2010-08-25T11:54:00.001-07:00

Hi: Just want to remind everyone: James Kennedy & Friends will be at the Sutliff Cider Company in Lisbon(Sutliff) Iowa on Sunday 8-29 from 3-5:30pm. Come on out for one last "fling" before Labor Day!
It's been a wild and crazy summer here, rainin' all the time, but full of great concerts made better by our fans! Thanks for joining us!
Watch this space for news of our upcoming CD and more gigs coming this Fall!

Hope to see you Sunday!

http://www.sonicbids.com/JamesKennedyFriends
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HCM-Bands-Page/59163192658 http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660 http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic
http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi
http://heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

Vote Now!

2010-08-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

We just learned today that we are entered in a contest to play at the 2010 VirginMobile FreeFest in Columbia, MD. Some details are below. We get to the 2nd round of the contest by getting people to vote for us online. The line up for this year's festival includes: "MIA" "Ludacris" "Joan Jett" "Thievery Corp" "Matt & Kim" "Yesayer", "Jimmy Eat World" and others. (We've got until the Aug. 19th).
Voting for Virgin Mobile FreeFest’s Book the Band Contest launched TODAY, AUGUST 9TH. You’ve got until August 19th to vote. At the close of voting, the Top 20 bands with the MOST votes will be reviewed and 5 Finalists will move onto Round 2.
The Grand Prize winner will play in front of 40,000 music fans at Virgin Mobile FreeFest and win $5,000 in cash. The headliners for this year’s Virgin Mobile FreeFest include M.I.A., Pavement, T.I., Sleigh Bells and many more. Making it onto this year’s bill could be a huge opportunity!
You can vote for James Kennedy & Friends at http://virginmobilefreefest.sonicbids.com/ by typing in the band name and clicking "View the Band". The next page will have a "Vote" button on it. Click the vote button and then make sure that you verify each vote on the confirmation email or else your vote won’t count! When you search for the band type in the name exactly as it appears above. And be sure to tell all your friends and family. Thanks for your help!

http://www.sonicbids.com/JamesKennedyFriends
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HCM-Bands-Page/59163192658
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660
http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic
http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi
http://heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

2010-06-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who came to Mt. Vernon 6-5-10 for the First Annual Chocolate Stroll and made the day truly great!
The rain stopped just in time for the festivities to begin and did not begin again until evening.
The chocolate was incredible!
And we appreciate all of you who came and listened to our "set".

We're back at work now in the studio on some new music which will be coming out on this year's CD in the fall.

Also, be sure to join us in beautiful downtown Solon, Iowa on June 30th @7pm for Music On Main.
Or, catch us the next night (7-1) @ Lincoln Wine Bar in Mt. Vernon, IA, also starting at 7pm.

http://www.sonicbids.com/JamesKennedyFriends
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HCM-Bands-Page/59163192658
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660
http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic
http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi
http://heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

James & Catherine @ Cedar Ridge Vineyards

2010-05-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

HCM's violin/guitar duo James & Catherine will be performing at Cedar Ridge Vineyards in Swisher, Iowa on Sunday May 30th from 1:00-4:00pm. The duo performs standards and originals in a wide variety of styles. Hope you can join us for some great music and some great wines.

2010-04-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Follow the Yellow Brick Road.... to Chalk The Walk, Mt. Vernon, IA May 1 & 2, theme is "There's No Place Like Hom" from the Wiz of Oz. And see the wizards of music, James Kennedy & Friends starting @ 1:30 Sunday, May 2, right in the middle of OZ!

Review + Show!

2009-12-10T17:39:00.000-08:00

Read the brand new review of our latest CD "Q.E.D." here:http://www.radioindy.com/James_Kennedy

Then be sure to join us Saturday night to hear the music from "Q.E.D." and our other CDs. 9pm-midnight Parlor City Pub, 1125 3rd ST. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA

http://www.heartconsortmusic.com http://www.cdbaby.com/all/jkennedy http://www.amazon.com/James-Kennedy/e/B000APTU5Q/ref=sr_tc_2_0 http://www.sonicbids.com/JamesKennedyFriends
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HCM-Bands-Page/59163192658
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660 http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic
http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi
http://heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

November Giving Thanks

2009-11-14T13:17:00.000-08:00

Hello to all of our friends.
Hard to believe it's November already! It's been quite a year and we hope all is well with you.
November is the time when we reflect and give thanks for all of you, our friends and family, and for all that the year has brought us.
This year we are especially thankful for all the support you've all given us by coming out to our shows and making them really great!
So, as our way of saying Thank You, we are offering a "special" from now through the end of November.
Visit http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/QED.htm, order a copy of the CD, and we'll send you a free "Sampler" CD along with your order.
Valid through Nov. 30,2009, but don't wait, order today!
Thanks.
Heart Consort Music http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.sonicbids.com/JamesKennedyFriends
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HCM-Bands-Page/59163192658
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660
http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic
http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi
http://heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

HCM on Bowed Radio!

2009-11-10T13:56:00.001-08:00

Check out the latest edition of Bowed Radio!! It includes a song from our latest CD!
http://www.bowed.org/shows/20091018-080.mp3

Join Us November 5th

2009-10-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Hope You can join us Thursday, November 5th, from 6:30-8:30 at the Lincoln Wine Bar in downtown Mt. Vernon, IA.
James Kennedy & Friends acoustic quartet will be playing a variety of styles. Music will include cuts from past CDs, and selections from their new CD "Q.E.D." CDs will be available too, of course!
Group includes James on 6 & 12 string guitars, Matt on bass, Dan on hand percussion, and Catherine on violin.
Hope to see you there!
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/QED.htm

2009-09-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

Iowa's own James Kennedy Has Entry In Grammy’s 9thth Year in a Row! Mt. Vernon, IA – The most recent CD release by Iowa's jazz/fusion guitarist James Kennedy has been entered in the 52th Grammy Awards. This music is available for your listening pleasure at http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/QED.htm and many other internet sites. Accomplishments include entries in the Grammy Awards for 9 years in a row, features in Downbeat magazine, JazzReview, O'Place Jazz, Great Music Sites.com, Kweevak "Editor's Choice" & "Readers' Survey" awards for 5 years in a row, and many other independent music industry awards and honors. Heart Consort Music is celebrating 23 years in business this year, and has twenty CD releases. All of these releases have received national/international airplay and distribution. The group “James Kennedy & Friends” tours regularly in support of these releases both in the US and abroad. HCM's Brand New 2009 release: "Q.E.D." by James Kennedy is the 20th CD release for Heart Consort Music. James Kennedy says, "In a way, Q.E.D. is the best of our past projects put together."The music covers a range of styles including Blues, Folk, Latin, Jazz, World music and more. James plays 6&12 string guitars, and is joined by Matt Alles on bass, Dan Brawner on hand percussion, Eric Madison on drum set, and Catherine Lawson on violin. http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/QED.htm In 1986, Kennedy and Catherine Lawson founded recording label Heart Consort Music. In the intervening years, James has released 20 albums in a variety of styles, ranging from folk/acoustic to rock/fusion, jazz and world music, and more. These twenty releases have received international radio airplay, distribution and exposure. James has written music for various independent film and video projects, and his music has been licensed by, AEI, Bravo, Disney, The Discovery Channel, PBS, DMX, Playnetwork, and many others. He has performed at festivals all over the world including Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland; North Sea Jazz Festival, The Hague in The Netherlands; and the Euro-Disney Jazzfest in Paris, France. James Kennedy is an endorsed artist by the Guild Guitar Company and the Lakewood Guitar company. For more information about James Kennedy, please visit his web site at http://www.heartconsortmusic.com. For more information on the GRAMMY Awards, please visit the web site at http://www.grammy.com

New CD!

2009-09-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Heart Consort Music is pleased to announce the official release on 8-28-09 of a new CD "Q.E.D." by James Kennedy.
HCM is celebrating 23 years in business this fall and marks the occasion with the release of it's 20th CD!
James Kennedy says, "In a way, Q.E.D. is the best of our past projects put together."
The music covers a range of styles including Blues, Folk, Latin, Jazz, World music and more.
James plays 6&12 string guitars, and is joined by Matt Alles on bass, Dan Brawner on hand percussion,
Eric Madison on drum set, and Catherine Lawson on violin.
The CD is available for sale at
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com/QED.htm and various other internet sites.
The group will be performing and touring in support of this new release.
For details, purchases and/or bookings contact:
Heart Consort Music
mail@heartconsortmusic.com
319-895-8557

http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660
http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic
http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi
http:/heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

2009-08-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hi all: For months we've been talking about our "upcoming CD release"... and if you've been to our shows, you've heard previews of "Street Talk", "Mis Amigos", "Wind In the Trees" and others... Well, here we are, 10 days away from our official release date of 8-28-09. On that date, Heart Consort Music's 20th CD "Q.E.D" by James Kennedy will be available nationally/internationally through several outlets. But, between now and then, we're offering you, our friends, a "special". Drop us a line with a "Pre-order" before midnight 8-27-09 and we'll include a FREE bonus sampler CD along with your copy of "Q.E.D." Write to us at mail@heartconsortmusic.com with your pre-order and be the first on your block to get the new CD from HCM! And be sure to watch this space in the next 10 days for song clips and more! Thanks! Heart Consort Music mail@heartconsortmusic.com http://www.heartconsortmusic.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660 http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi http:/heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

New Video!

2009-08-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the Amana Arts Festival 8-8-09. The crowds were great, even though it was the hottest day of the year in Iowa. The arts were beautiful and the demonstrations were fun to watch! We made a little "movie" of the fun and set it to music. ("The General Store" from James Kennedy's CD "Unknown") Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkW6nbKALTA
Thanks to the folks at the Amana Arts Guild for having us
and thanks to everyone who came to listen!

http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660
http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic
http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi
http:/heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

Saturday 8-8-09

2009-08-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all:
Writing to everyone to say don't forget about the Amana Arts Festival tomorrow, Saturday 8-8-09 in the Middle Amana Park, Amana,Iowa. HCM's James Kennedy & Friends will be playing at 10am, Noon, and 4pm. There will also be a variety of activities for kids of all ages, live arts demonstrations, and great food!
Hope to see you there!
Heart Consort Music
mail@heartconsortmusic.com

Happy Weekend!

2009-07-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Weekend to Everyone!
We're back in the studio finishing up this year's CD. From what I've heard so far, you're gonna love it! Watch this space for updates and preview clips of the songs...

Also remember 8-8-09 when you can catch us at the32nd Annual Amana Arts Festival between 10am and 4pm. Held at the Middle Amana Park, it includes artists from around the Midwest, music, and of course, plenty of authentic German food....It's a really great "family-friendly" event with plenty of activities and entertainment for everyone. One of the highlights of the festival are the many "hands on" demonstrations by local artisans/craftspeople including quilting, willow basketmaking, weaving,spinning, woodworking, metalworking and more... Hope you can join us!

til next time......
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660
http://www.myspace.com/HeartConsortMusic
http://www.soundclick.com/HeartConsortMusicbmi
http:/heartconsortmusic.blogspot.com/

Welcome to our New Blog!

2009-07-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hi:
Welcome to our new blog! We'll feature news, updates and more from Heart Consort Music.

First, let us introduce ourselves.
We are an independent record label founded in 1986 to expose and promote the wealth of talent in the Midwest. Celebrating over 20 years of "Music from the Heartland"! Eclectic mix of classic rock,blues, world music, jazz and more... Take a mixture of Jimmy Page, Jimmy Hendrix, Pat Metheny, Leo Kotke, John Scofied, Dave Matthews, Bela Fleck, Peter Gabriel, Jean Luc Ponty, add world music influences, and top it all of with a dash of humor and you have the original sounds of Heart Consort Music.

We have 19 CD releases with radio, distribution and touring world-wide, plus we've had entries in the Grammy Awards for 8 years in a row.

We hope you'll check back often for news, thoughts, calendar updates and more.
Thanks!
Heart Consort Music
http://www.heartconsortmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/heartconsortmusic
http://www.reverbnation.com/heartconsortmusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Consort-Music/68388015660
http://www.soundclick.com/heartconsortmusicbmi

Heart Consort Music's Blog

Greetings From Heart Consort Music!

Updated Offer!

Holiday Special!

Brand New CD 9/28/11

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Looking forward to playing Sunday, August 28th at Sutliff Cider Co. 382 Sutliff Rd, Lisbon Music starts at 3pm

We'll be doing "favorites" from past CDs plus some previews from this year's release which is due out this fall. Great Cider, Great Food, and Great Music! Hope you can join us!

Save These Dates!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

St. Patrick's Day!

New Video!

New Pages!

New CD!

Vote Now!

James & Catherine @ Cedar Ridge Vineyards

Review + Show!

Read the brand new review of our latest CD "Q.E.D." here:http://www.radioindy.com/James_Kennedy

Then be sure to join us Saturday night to hear the music from "Q.E.D." and our other CDs. 9pm-midnight Parlor City Pub, 1125 3rd ST. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA

November Giving Thanks

HCM on Bowed Radio!

Join Us November 5th

New CD!

New Video!

Saturday 8-8-09

Happy Weekend!

Welcome to our New Blog!

Looking forward to playing Sunday, August 28th at Sutliff Cider Co.
382 Sutliff Rd, Lisbon
Music starts at 3pm

We'll be doing "favorites" from past CDs plus
some previews from this year's release which is due out this fall.
Great Cider, Great Food, and Great Music!
Hope you can join us!