GroundUp Music - a special type of MarsCom project

GroundUp Music - a different (though very special) type of MarsCom project

From 1988 through 1997, MarsCom owner Jeff Derksen was flattered to take on a local project, which grew into leading a regional program of projects, ultimately morphing into the direction of a business with national scope and international tentacles.

The rough chronology went something like this:

cassette tape distribution

logistical support for events and tours

local promotion and booking of touring artists

managing eclectic, world-beat musical acts

managing a DIY artist management & recording label

writing grant proposals

securing funding for artists

booking cross-continent performance tours

Though honoured to have worked with hundreds of musicians through those years, I owe my initial involvement to Greg Hathaway and Barry Taylor of Roots Roundup, the all-time finest of Canada's roots-rock-reggae-ska-funk-punk artists.

I heartily encourage you to buy their CD Rootrospective, a collection of their special brand of positivelocityphilosophy. None less than the Barenaked Ladies referred to Roots Roundup as an inspiration.

And no, neither MarsCom nor its principals receive anything from CD sales - save for knowing the uplifting benefit you'll receive