After Syncopation shows, I love talking to our fans. They always have interesting comments, questions and suggestions. The number one question we get -- at least one person asks this every show -- is "Why aren't you guys famous?" The glib answer is, "Hey, we're working on it!". But, more seriously, a...part from the vagaries of showbiz, our number one barrier to success is TIME (and we don't mean the kind the drummer plays). You should be at a rehearsal when we try to schedule a meeting or performance. Finding a blank spot in the schedules of these four working musicians/teachers is like trying to find a missing purl in a quilt. Now, don't get the wrong idea: this is a good problem to have. It means we are busy doing the thing we love. But it also means that our ability to promote the band is limited. Our goal for 2010 is to work with individuals who have the expertise and enthusiasm to take Syncopation from a top regional act to a top international act. We are consulting with an entertainment attorney who believes that we have what it takes to attract booking agents and managers to our cause. But there are a few things we need to take care of. Did you see Christine get a makeover on TLC's "What Not To Wear?" You can see from that show what a creative, diligent stylist can accomplish. Syncopation needs a makeover, too, and we're visiting a top NYC stylist to establish an overall look for the group that will send a strong visual message that is fully in tune with our music. We have engaged an extraordinary Boston photographer to create images that capture the essence of Syncopation. Another comment we frequently hear is, "I love your recordings, but they can't capture the energy of your live show". A high-quality DVD video of our performance will be the group's ambassador to busy entertainment professionals. We will work with an award-winning video production company to make this happen. We will make an audio demo with cutting-edge production values by teaming up with an producer with platinum and gold records to his name. Finally, a newly-designed web site tying all these threads together will be Syncopation's front door, telling our story at a glance. In case you haven't guessed where this is going, here it is: we need money to accomplish these goals. It is because of you, the attenders of our concerts and buyers of our CDs, that we have been able to accomplish so much in the years since our inception. We need your help again to break through the ceiling that faces us. Click this link to donate NOW via PayPal: http://www.jazzsyncopation.com/spc2010.htm Here is the budget for our 2010 promotional campaign: Syncopation 2010 Promotional Campaign Budget Stylist and wardrobe $1,500.00 Photography $2,000.00 Video demo $15,000.00 Web site $2,000.00 Graphic design $1,000.00 Service mark registration $1,200.00 Investment agreement for Angel Investors $2,000.00 CD demo $10,000.00 TOTAL $34,700.00 Can you help us? If each of our fans gave us $20, it would get us a long ways toward our goal. If a few contributed more, we could make this dream a reality. We have already raised $5,000. We're not a non-profit. We're just artists trying to spread our music, music that you love as much as we do. This is the social networking version of passing the hat at a gig. It's the 21st century version of the great classical composers finding patrons to underwrite their music, much of which is still beloved today. We can't promise that orchestras will be playing our songs in 200 years, but we can promise that we will keep you apprised of every step along our way so you can share first-hand in the success we achieve thanks to your profound support. We are also looking for a few "angel investors" to provide gifts and loans in larger amounts for this project. Please contact us if you'd like to discuss our loan agreement and terms. Click this link to donate NOW via PayPal: http://www.jazzsyncopation.com/spc2010.htm If you would rather send a check, write it to "Syncopation" and put "SPC 2010" in the memo field. Mail to Syncopation at P.O. Box 230973, Boston MA 02123-0973 Thanks to those who have already given, and thanks for your consideration.