Runaas Resources Public Relations

Houston Based Recording Artist Jennifer Grassman Puts an Innovative New Twist on Album Production and Music Marketing with the help of Spring Fitness Centers

May 7, 2009 – HOUSTON, TEXAS – Houston based recording artist Jennifer Grassman recently split from her record label of five years, Truth Love Music, and set out to produce and fund her third album as an independent artist in the purest sense of the term. With projected production expenses for the album approximating $10,000, Grassman needed an innovative way to raise funds and market her music.

Spring Fitness Owner Thomas Kennison and Recording Artist Jennifer Grassman

“I’ve always been an entrepreneur,” said Grassman, “so I did not find raising $10,000 to be particularly intimidating. Money is the oil that lubes the cogs of creative production. I view it as the means to an end, not as the end. Meaningful art is the ultimate end. Since the majority of my fans are diehard art and performing arts enthusiasts, I decided to offer them an opportunity that would appeal to their passion. In exchange for donations they can receive secret concert tickets, get their name listed in my album credits, and other such novel tidbits.”

Grassman’s various sponsorship levels range from $25 to over $1,000, and “Thank You Gifts” for said sponsorships range from a free CD to a privately held house concert and dinner, for you and your friends, right in your home. Although these opportunities have only been available for a little over a week, several contributions have already been made, including one by area gym, Spring Fitness. Spring Fitness will be receiving credit in Grassman’s upcoming album, Serpents’ Tales & Nightingales, as well as on her website, www.JenniferGrassman.com, where a list of sponsorship opportunities can be found.

“Spring Fitness is actually the gym that my husband Jason and I attend,” said Grassman. “I love their facilities because they have an exclusive women’s area and it’s not pretentious like a lot of the bigger chain gyms. Jason and I went in to work out recently and the owner, Tom (who is almost always there), informed us that he wanted to donate towards the album. That, as you can imagine, solidified my commitment to working out there. My abs have already improved!”

This new business model which incorporates fan and corporate sponsorships is quite deviant from the traditional music industry model, in which a record label would provide the capitol to fund an artist’s projects. Given that in this case no record label is in play, Grassman decided to do what she does best; be creative.

“My music is creative,” stated Grassman, “and that seems to fly pretty well. Why should my marketing or business practices be any different? If it’s ethical and inspired, I’m up for it. Besides, business should be fun, especially in regards to the arts.”

About Jennifer Grassman

Jennifer Grassman is a vocalist, pianist, composer and recording artist.  Grassman’s music effortlessly fuses diverse elements of classical, Celtic, gothic and rock styles into a beautiful, moving genre all her own.  She resides in northwest Houston, Texas with her husband and two cats. To learn more, please visit www.JenniferGrassman.com or www.rainnoverhouston.org.

About Spring Fitness

Founded in 1994, Spring Fitness Center provides customers with “family style fitness.”  While most gym facilities charge extra for personal training, child care, aerobics and tanning, Spring Fitness is special in that it incorporates these services into one low monthly fee competitive even with non profit centers such as The YMCA. Spring Fitness also has sister clubs in Tomball and off FM 1484. To learn more please visit www.NewSpringFitness.com.

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Jennifer Grassman
www.JenniferGrassman.com
www.RAINNOverHouston.com  

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Candace Runaas
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info@runaasresources.com
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