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So, FMF did indeed rock the city for four days.  Here are a few highlights...

Wednesday headliner Thomas Ian Nicholas had a full day at FMF, with radio performances, artist parties, showcases and more, we thought he'd crash early. Then we caught him on stage during the jam session, dancing with the aXis girls. Here's a video of his morning performance.

A Cover Story did indeed get signed at the Bonded Records showcase on Saturday at the Social, then got to watch with the rest of the crowd while Between the Trees played a surprise set. Here's a video of their set.

Rock Walk: The Art of Noise brought some amazing music-inspired art to CityArts Factory, which was expanded for Third Thursday. Now, you have three more weeks to check out amazing pieces by great artists.

Local boys There for Tomorrow filled Backbooth at the end of the daytime showcases on Saturday, check out some footage here.

Tooth and the Enamels brought tomatoes, silly string and a pinata full of flour with them to help create debauchery like only they can. I'm sure Central Station thanked them.

Status Green from New Jersey drove down to Orlando, and still had a slew of people in front of the Wall Street stage singing along to their songs. After spending a few drunk crazy nights roaming the streets, they put up a video of their journey, which you can  check out here.

Toy Horses came from Wales to entertain both on the mainstage (full band) and at the Social (with 2 members). Here's a video of their last song on the Wall Street stage.

Brook Pifer set up a temporary studio in CityArts to take pictures and make music videos. While we FMF staffers (and I'm sure Brook herself) were sick of a few songs by the end of the weekend, the work will surely turn out great. Here's a preview.

I can't possibly do this all alone... Leave me a message with your band stories. Or your fan stories. Or anything at all...

The 8th Annual Florida Music Festival filled the clubs and streets of Orlando for 4 days this year, with capacity crowds at the mainstage, the industry & artist parties and Indie Film Jam events. We would like to thank the staff, bands, industry sponsors and music fans that made this festival such a success. Go to www.floridamusicfestival.com to see photos, videos and webisodes of showcases, parties and events, as well aswww.axismag.com to see party photos with the aXis girls!

THERE FOR TOMORROW
Gets a "Woodie" from mtvU!!
Wins "Breaking Woodie" Award for Best Emerging Artist!


It's been a stellar year for Hopeless recording artists THERE FOR TOMORROW and last night's win for the"Breaking Woodie Award" for Best Emerging Artist at the 2008 mtvU Woodie Awards is the perfect way to cap it all off. Voted on and chosen by fans, the impressive distinction was given to the Orlando, FL-based band for their video to "No More Room To Breathe" over other nominees including All Time Low ("Poppin'"), We the Kings ("Check Yes Juliet"), Lykke Li ("Little Bit"), and Tyga ("Aim").

Still hanging tough in the Top Five Most Streamed Videos on mtvU.com (it's 2 this week!), "No More Room To Breathe" is just a taste for the what the band has in store in their seven song EP. Already with sales of 10k and still selling strong, the EP has generated tons of positive press for its perfect blend of rock, pop and punk that's drenched with a massive dose of melodic hooks. Among the many believers have been AbsolutePunk ("... a skilled band with mountains of potential"), AMP ("... as huge as you'd expect"), and Billboard ("... a perfect mix of neo-rock, indie pop, and punk, the group demands attention").

There For Tomorrow just wrapped up their Fall tour with Anberlin just last week and are catching their breath at home in Florida before jetting off for a swing of the East Coast in December (dates below). They will begin recording the follow-up to their self-titled EP in early 2009 with James Paul Wisner (Dashboard Confessional, Underoath, Paramore) returning to producer's chair. It is planned for release on Hopeless Records in late Spring 2009.

Black Tide Join Metallica, Beat All Time Low


The Kerrang! Awards were held last night in the UK and among those honored were Florida rockers, Black Tide. The band took home the award for Best International Newcomer, beating out All Time Low and Kill Hannah amongst others.


Black Tide joined the likes of Rage Against The Machine, Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold all who took home a coveted K statue. Also on hand were Black Tide influencers, Metallica who were honored, fittingly, with the Kerrang! inspiration award.


Black Tide's album Light From Above, which features a cover of Metallica's Hit The Lights, is in stores now!

Jay Nash chosen as the featured artist on Victoria's Secret "Love Rock" WebPage

Special Guest Jay Nash To Open For Maroon 5 and Counting Crows Sold Out Show!
The Things You Think You Need Out October 7th, 2008


Los Angeles, CA- August 21st, 2008- JayNash, the Los Angeles based rocker, has been chosen to have his song "Wayfarer" appear on Victoria's Secret "Love Rock" site at http://www.vspink.com/love_rock.jsp. The page features artist bios, music and videos and new artists are hand selected each month. Nash's video will go live on the site on August 26, 2008. Past artists who have appeared include Flyleaf, Metro Station, The Spill Canvas and Charlotte Sometimes.

Most recently, Jay Nash has been invited to perform as the special guest on a sold-out show in support of Counting Crows and Maroon 5 on August 26 at the Mystic Showroom in Prior Lake, MN.

Nash will release his most mature and inspired album to date The Things You Think You Need on October 7th. An honest and engaging songwriter with a voice to match, Jay Nash has received praise from fans and critics alike, but his music speaks for itself. A genuine songwriter, a vibrant performer, Nash's vitality seems to erupt through the very thing he has long since pledged his life to. The Things You Think You Need filters this soulful energy through the eyes of someone who has experienced the ebb and flow of life- the heartache, the happiness and all that lies between.

The Things You Think You Need was produced by Chris Seefried and includes guest appearances by some of Nash's close musical friends, including Epic recording artist Sara Bareilles (on "Barcelona," the album's most beautiful and intense track) and David Immergluck and Charlie Gillingham from the Counting Crows. All of Jay's influences are apparent on the album, from the mellow James Taylor/Dylan and the Band vibe of "Sweet Talkin' Liar," an addicting country-inspired tune you'll want to pop in on a road trip or your favorite bar; the Cat Stevens-inspired narrative of "Wayfarer," an acoustic track laced with piano, longing and insight; to the country-rock anthem "Easy," an accessible and catchy song you feel like you already know.


Stayed tuned in to www.myspace.com/jaynash as the artist will be announcing a new tour soon!
Check out Jay Nash live in a city near you:
08/21/08 The Soiled Dove (w/ Joe Purdy, Meiko, and Low Stars) Denver, CO
08/22/08 Velour (w/ Joe Purdy, Meiko, and Low Stars) Provo., UT
08/23/08 Bouquet (w/ Joe Purdy, Meiko, and Low Stars) Boise, ID
08/24/08 Imbibe (w/ Joe Purdy, Meiko, and Low Stars) Portland, OR
08/25/08 Nectar's (w/ Joe Purdy, Meiko, and Low Stars) Seattle, WA
08/26/08 Mystic Lounge (With Maroon 5 and Counting Crows) Prior Lake, MN
08/27/08 Anthology (w/ Joe Purdy, Meiko, and Low Stars) San Diego, CA
08/29/08 The Roxy (w/ Joe Purdy, Meiko, and Low Stars) West Hollywood, CA

We would like to congratulate country superstar Taylor Swift on her recent High School graduation. When she performed an acoustic set at the 2004 Florida Music Festival, she was just 14-years-old. She went on to tour with Tim McGraw and sold more than 3 million records. It's not hard to put off the studies when your playing soldout arenas! She is presently on a world tour with Rascal Flatts.

Hey all,
FMF got its first mention in Spin! Check out the feature talking about FMF06 alum Black Tide (formerly known as Radio). Read it here.


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Congrats to Johnny Bulford of Orlando the 2009 Colgate Country Showdown winner at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville this past week! Along with the $100,000 in cash, he gains notoriety amongst the country music elite. Checkout his tunes at myspace.com/johnbulford.