MerleFest 2006 Partners with FestivaLink.net to Offer Legal Downloads

Wilkesboro (North Carlina), USA –
FestivaLink.net is a new exclusive music download site that lets
music lovers capture forever the magic of their favorite music festivals. It
also lets those who can’t be there experience the energy and excitement of live
performances. FestivaLink.net does that by letting music lovers purchase legal,
full-length recordings from the nation’s premier music festivals. The site is a
collaborative effort among FestivaLink, LLC, Airshow Mastering, an award-winning
post-production company in Boulder, Colorado, and festivals throughout the U.S.

MerleFest, held in Wilkesboro, NC in late April, is the first festival to
partner with the new site. Those who register at
www.festivalink.net before May
1 will receive a free download of selected MerleFest performers. An all-pro
recording team will capture every note of the selected sets at MerleFest’s
Watson and Cabin stages in high-resolution audio, in stereo and multi-track.
After the festival, the recordings are carefully mixed and mastered, to capture
the spontaneous genius, surprise players, and one-of-a-kind solos that make
these live events so special.

We love festivals the give and take between the musicians and the audience in
the open air can lead to some inspired music
,” says Ann Blonston, GM of
FestivaLink. “We’re glad we can capture those special moments and share them
with those who love MerleFest, including those who couldn’t be here this year
.”

Some of the best roots and Americana musicians in the world are participating in
MerleFest, and their performances will be available on Festivalink.net.
Participating artists include Robert Earl Keen, Hot Tuna, Jim Lauderdale, The
Grascals, Laura Love, The Mammals and Larry Sparks. Art Menius, MerleFest
Marketing Director says, “We respect the music created by the artists at MerleFest. All downloads we offer are approved by the artist and the artist is
paid fairly for that download
.”

For years people have “bootlegged” live music concerts. There are two monumental
problems with bootlegging: First, artists and songwriters aren’t compensated for
the recordings. The other is the questionable sound quality of bootleg concerts.
Despite the drawbacks, some bootleg because they want to capture a memorable
musical event. Now, with FestivaLink.net, folks can have professionally recorded
and legal copies of their favorite musical experiences.

Downloads will be available in Mp3 format at 128 kpbs resolution and will play
on any Mp3 compatible audio device. Downloads will also be available in FLAC, a
popular “lossless” format that is decoded on computer. It can then be loaded
onto any personal player or burned to CD at full-resolution. And finally,
Festivalink.net will also offer physical CDs of performances.

Author: World Music Central News Room

World music news from the editors at World Music Central

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