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Albion Jazz Man's CDs Generate Internet Buzz
Music Of The Heart

by Twylla Crosby

(This article appeared in the Norfolk Daily News on June 13, 2003. Copyright 2003.)

Albion -- Jazz guitarist Paul Hosford is finding that recognition comes quickly on the Internet.

That's true even when you live in the middle of nowhere and even when the subject is jazz -- a form of music not often heard or played in Northeast Nebraska.

Hosford operates his own recording studio in Albion. He was recently signed by String Jazz in England, a jazz guitar label, as an associate artist. It will promote and distribute his CD called Emergence.

"It's a great honor to have been picked up by String Jazz. ...They are the world's largest jazz guitar label," he said. "They contacted me and offered me a contract based solely on what they had found on the Internet."

Hosford set up his Web site, paintedheartmusic.com, last year featuring jazz, vocal and some classical piano recordings that he has produced from his home-based recording studio, Lizard's Lair.

Warta Jazz of Jakarta, Indonesia, also has approached Hosford and will play and sell three of his recordings.

"They have a Web site devoted to jazz and do jazz programming for over 30 radio stations and a satellite station," Hosford said.

A radio station in Cadiz, Spain, has requested five of his CDs and a music magazine in London just requested a copy of his "River Of January," a recording with special guest vocalist Jill Anderson, for review purposes.

"Jazz seems to be much more popular in other countries," Hosford said.

His wife, Lori, a teacher, and their children -- William, 12, Angela, 10, and Thomas, 4 -- also work in his music business. They take photos, do artwork and design CD covers after a recording is finished.

"There are those who secretly thought this wouldn't go anywhere. On the other hand, there have been a lot of people who were willing to take a chance," Hosford said. "It takes a very long time to record a CD and do a good job of it."

"He hopes to be busy for the next twenty years."

"It's something I'm passionate about, and anytime you can do something that you're passionate about, what more can you ask for?" he said.

One of his goals is to set up an Internet radio channel so people can tune in and hear his music anyplace in the world. Starting a low-power, non-profit FM station to broadcast music of local artists is another possibility.

"I'd like to encourage other people that it is possible out here in rural Nebraska to access international markets," he said. "All it takes is a Web site and a product."

© 2002 Painted Heart Music, LLC