Nardo the Band - How to build an image for an emerging high energy rock band

Bob Cargill, my husband, is an extremely talented lead guitar player. He also plays some other stringed instruments like rhythm guitar, bass guitar, mandolin and a little percussion. He's been playing the guitar for about 40 years.

Bob has been a member of several excellent rock bands starting with Rukkus - a Massachusetts band. His rock band on Maui was called Nosmo King. He has also played with other bands along the way.

Two years ago, Bob met Bernie Albright and they started a rock band called Nardo. Nardo was Bernie's nickname in college. Bernie is the singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist for the band. Bob plays the awesome lead guitar licks to Bernie's magical lyrics and compositions.

Together they spent many hours practicing at the home of Geoff Outlaw, a noted musician that once toured with Arlo Guthrie. Geoff knows so much about music that he's probably forgotten more than anyone else ever knew.

Bernie and Bob searched for months to find compatible band members. They needed a bass guitarist, a drummer and a couple of back-up singers. After two plus years of searching, they finally found the right combination.

Brad Mock is the band bass guitarist. Brad is a professional musician that works in more than one band around town. Austin is the "live music capitol of the world" , you know. A bass guitarist can pretty much name his own price in this town.

Ron Erwin, one of the stellar drummers from Central Texas is Nardo's drummer and percussionist. He spends time in the studio laying down the percussion for quite a few bands around town. Ron is currently producing a new network show about emerging musical artists and bands. Nardo will probably be one of the guest stars soon.

Liz Reyes is one of the back ground singers. She has a perfect pitch, dead on harmony voice that perfectly compliments Bernie's sort of Tom Petty voice. She is a professional singer and was once the photography assistant on some ZZ Top photo shoots. So she is familiar with musicians.

Kylie Baker could be considered the band's "eye candy". She's a beautiful blonde and a stage actress in the musical production of "Hair", currently playing in Austin, Texas. She has a lovely soprano vocal that completely harmonizes with Liz and Bernie.

And last but not least, Nardo the band needed a good sound engineer and recording studio. In Austin it's not real hard to find one, but it is hard to find an affordable studio. Bernie set up the sessions with his earlier sound engineer from his first album. Chris Burns has been worth his weight in gold! Chris has over 20 years of experience in the Austin, Texas Music Industry. He also plays guitar with his own band and knows the ins and outs of recording. Chris has recorded many artists including Asleep at the Wheel, Willie Nelson, Suzie Boggus, Pam Tillis, Flaco Jiminez, Jerry Jeff Walker and more.

Bernie Albright has definitely been instrumental (no pun intended) in leading the band from the beginning to the finished product.

Magic Place is the name of the 13 song album. (We actually don't call them albums anymore, only old people remember vinyl, LOL). And though Magic Place is the headline, the first song and my personal favorite has to be Wonka Tonka.

Bob composed the most haunting guitar leads for Wonka Tonka which is a song about Native American spirit. Bernie has spent time with Native American tribes and loves to go to sweat lodges to eliminate the artificial remnants of day to day life in the modern world. Bernie met his wife, Annie Greenwood, at just such a cleansing adventure.

Please visit the band website (see clickable links above) - nardotheband(dot)com for song list and more information about the band.

Today, I mailed out the first promo CD's to various record stations, friends and to all the people who have already purchased the CD through our website. This CD would make a fabulous Christmas or Holiday gift for you and your friends, so help support a musician and buy a CD today!

1. Serious time (2+ years) in practice sessions.
2. Hours of time in expensive studio recording sessions
3. Setting up the website, Facebook, Twitter, CafePress accounts - Search for Nardo and you will find their blog on FB, Twitter and CafePress
4. Several photo sessions and photo editing
5. Many graphic designs to review and approve (cover art)
6. Getting the initial master and then having the CD copied and packaged.
7. Networking with other musicians
8. Lot's of social marketing
9. Moving on to the next steps - finding a label, mass marketing - Amazon, iTunes and air play
10. Bookkeeping and Income taxes :-(
11. Get a gig on Letterman, Leno or Conan
12. Retire as a rock star (or the wife of a rock star)

Nardo officially released their new CD - Magic Place on January 15, 2012 at the Saxon Pub in beautiful downtown Austin! Photos and videos now available!

A little history on the Saxon Pub - Many, many musicians got their start at this famous bar. The stage has seen the likes of Willie Nelson, Kris Kristopherson, Bonnie Rait, Ray Benson, W. C. Clark, Rusty Wier, Carolyn Wonderland and Los Lonely Boys to name a few.