New Record Fund

1. $15
Receive a pre-release digital download of the CD and 9 raffle entries to win a free brand new ipod!

2. $25
Receive a signed physical pre-release copy of the CD and 15 raffle entries to win a free brand new ipod!

3. $50
Receive a signed pre-release copy of the CD & a T-shirt as well as free admission to the CD release party and 30 raffle entries to win a free brand new ipod!


4. $100
Receive a signed pre-release copy of the CD & a T-shirt as well as free admission to the CD release party and get special recognition on Website!

5. $250
Receive a signed pre-release copy of the CD & a T-shirt, free admission to the CD release party and your name in the liner notes of the CD!

6. $500
Receive a signed pre-release copy of the CD & a T-shirt, free admission to the CD release party, special recognition on Website and VIP entry to the post show private meet and greet at the CD release party!

7. $1000
Receive a signed pre-release copy of the CD & a T-shirt, free admission to the CD release party, name recognition in liner notes and a private solo house concert/event performance by Mark! (within 150 miles of Madison, WI)

8. $1500
Receive a signed pre-release copy of the CD & a T-shirt, free admission to the CD release party, name recognition in liner notes and a private solo house concert/event performance by Mark within Minneapolis and Chicago areas )

9. $2000
Receive EXECUTIVE PRODUCER credit on the CD, a signed pre-release copy of the CD & a T-shirt, free admission to the CD release party, name recognition in on the Website and a private solo house concert/event performance by Mark within the United States )



*If you have any creative ideas for trade, I'm open to suggestions!*

Greetings Music fans,

Over the past five years of writing songs, releasing records, and playing music full-time, I have been given the opportunity to do what I am most passionate about, and to share that passion with youâ??my fans and expanding audience. Itâ??s a new year, and I'm embarking on a new journey. I've got some great tunes ready to share and I've signed on to work with a great music producer, Anthony J.W. Benson (www.injoimusic.com) to help me make the best album of my career. But, I need your help. I am determined to release a new full-length CD with an exciting original sound and in the process raise some money for two great causes at the same time.

But, as you can imagine, making a record is expensive! Studio time, musician fees, producer fees, mixing, mastering, CD duplication, artwork, advertising, promotion etc., all add up. As an independent musician, I am solely responsible for funding my studio projects, and it has become increasingly difficult to release new music with an increased level of sophistication. So this time around I'm thinking outside the box and taking a new approach. I'm asking YOU; my fan, my friend, my supporter, my sponsor, to help me achieve my goal of a new album this summer and to raise some money for two worthy causes...three if you include me :).

I've set up a donation website to allow you to contribute whatever you can to help me fund this project. Chipin.com (http://markcroft.chipin.com/new-record-fund) is a website designed to help people raise money for any number of events, projects, charities, and causes. My goal is to raise a minimum of $12,000 by May 15th, 2010 and donate a percentage (10% of total monies raised) to two causes that are close to my heart; The Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund (www.RedCross.org) and the University Of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (www.cancer.wisc.edu).

The earthquake in Haiti has devastated a country already too familiar with suffering. I am shocked and saddened by the graphic images of destruction. The horrific stories in the aftermath of this disaster of humans left homeless, helpless and forced to survive without the daily essentials of adequate food, clothing and shelter, has left me compelled to take action. I have chosen The Red Cross as they are working hard to provide relief assistance to the people of Haiti, If you so choose, a portion of your donation will be passed on to the Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund.

Many of you are familiar with my work with "Funk Out Cancer" a benefit concert held in November of 2009, where, along with Madison's own Phat Phunktion and Mama Digdown's Brass Band, we raised over $20,000 for the UW Carbone Cancer Center. It is hard to find someone who hasn't been directly or indirectly affected by cancer, and I'd like to do even more to help fund the research to fight this deadly disease. Therefore I have also designated the The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center as one of the worthy charities I am raising financial support for. The UWCC is the only comprehensive cancer center in Wisconsin, as designated by the National Cancer Institute. An integral part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, the UW Carbone Cancer Center unites more than 250 physicians and scientists who work together in translating discoveries from research laboratories into new treatments that benefit cancer patients (Learn more).



When you donate to this project not only will you be supporting a good cause but youâ??ll be receiving a gift in return. I've set up multiple donation levels for you to choose from. You can donate as little as $15.00 all the way up to...okay well, I'm not going to put a limit on that! The more you give, the more you get. The options and donation levels range from advanced digital downloads, signed copies of the new CD (pre-release) & t-shirts, to private concerts and executive producer credit on the record! Once you donate you'll be given a virtual backstage pass to the making of the record. I'll be blogging, posting videos and rough tracks of the recordings during the whole process and keeping in touch with you along the way. My goal is to give you a window into the making of a record and bring you along for the experience of making a CD; from the writing, to the recording, to the release and beyond. I want you to feel like you're a part of the process and I want you to see how you're donation is being used and how youâ??re making a real difference. Plus, there will be many surprises and special bonuses for those who donate and participate in this fun adventure with me. When you donate, you'll be given the choice as to the level of contribution that is most comfortable for you. 10% of your contribution will be donated to that charity. Feelâ??s good, doesn't it?

You can find out more about how you can donate by visiting http://markcroft.chipin.com/new-record-fund. If you have any questions, visit the FAQ section of the site or email me at chipin@markcroftmusic.com. Even if I do not reach my goal of $12,000, I will still be using your donation to fund this project and the charity of your choice will still receive 10% of your donation. That is my promise to you. All money raised in this process will be used only for this project. Please indicate to which charity you would like to donate in the "Instructions to Merchant" box once you reach the PayPal payment site (if you don't specify which charity your donation will be divided between both).

Thank you so much for your consideration and support. I could not do what I do without YOU. Please accept my gratitude for your consideration in advance, and please donate whatever you can to help me continue making music, living my dream, and support these worthy causes. I am excited to do this together. Are you ready to help me make some music!?

Sincerely,

Mark

http://markcroft.chipin.com/new-record-fund

http://markcroftmusic.com