Copyright 2002 Albion News
by Twylla Crosby
Paul Hosford has a vision of marketing the creativity found in his home area.
That vision has led Paul to open his own recording studio, Lizard's Lair, and set up a record company, Painted Heart Music, LLC.
"I think rural America is facing some serious challenges and I think if we are going to remain viable economically, we have to be resourceful and creative," Paul, a stay-at-home father of three, said. Creativity "is a resource we have as much in abundance here as you can find anywhere."
His current studio can accommodate individual artists and small groups. Already, Paul has two years of work scheduled.
Paul, who plays guitar, bass, flute, 'cello, keyboards, percussion and the hammer dulcimer, has been recording his own music since he was 11, when he used two portable cassette recorders in his parent's living room.
New technology allows a professional quality recording package including music and graphics to be created by individuals, Paul said. He plans to use the Internet as a marketing tool along with more conventional markets.
"I think we have to devote a lot of energy towards finding markets for such things that will help the entire community if we can," Paul said. "I'm hoping to show that people in small communities, using the resources that are available, can do this sort of thing, can turn something that is a creative talent into a successful business."
Paul put his words into action as he used the small business section he helped set up at the Albion City library to organize his own business. "I thought, 'why not blase a trail that will make it easier for somebody else that needs to do this,'" he said.
Paul hopes his record company will provide an opportunity for people who have talent but never had the opportunity to record to have their artistry displayed. "The advantage of an independent record company is that the client's individual talent shines through, rather than releasing styles dictated by market surveys," he said.
His newest CDs feature local artists, Janet Rieck, Albion, classical pianist; Joani Redler, Neligh, a singer. Another artist Paul has recorded is Mike Mansfield, Santa Fe, a former Spalding resident, who is a professional guitarist.
"No two CDs are alike, either musically or stylistically. There's a lot of variety in what we have to offer," Paul said.
The creative process, "generates a lot of enthusiasm in my household," Paul said. His daughter, Angela, nine, created his Lizard's Lair lizard logo; wife Lori, a teacher, did photos for the covers, and son, William, eleven, created artwork used in the packaging.
Paul's father, Frank Hosford, a pianist, gave him his first guitar when he was 13-years-old. He played quite a bit, but found when he and his wife, Lori, began their family there was little time for music. 'By the time our oldest son, William was five, I hadn't played in years,' Paul recalls. And, when Paul tried out an archtop guitar in a store, William was amazed. "I didn't know you could play guitar," he said, adding "it works!"
William, now 11, plays piano and trumpet, his sister Angela plays piano and ukulele and Thomas, three, "plays anything he wants," Paul said. "I try not to push my kids," he said. "I never felt comfortable practicing piano in front of my father. I try to keep my distance from the kids and just let them develop their own way. If there is something they want to do, I can help them in a lot of ways."
One fun thing Paul has done for over 20 years is to take instruments to the area schools and allow students to experience playing them. "Especially the stringed instruments since those are not offered in local schools' music departments," he said.
Paul has eight CD's under production now. He feels he must have a musical compatibility with the recording artist to do his best recording. His main music is jazz and he is familiar with rock, country, classical and folk music, but said he would have a problem with rap.
Paul, with the help of Cheryl Noonan, Tarnov, hopes to have his website, www.paintedheartmusic.com, up and going soon. On the web page "I'd like to offer as much variety of music as I can in hopes visitors will find something they especially like," Paul said.
CD's currently available from Painted Heart Music are Emergence by Paul Hosford, Sojourn by Mike Mansfield, River Of January by Paul Hosford and Jill Anderson, Desire by Paul Hosford and Joani Redler and Romance & Raindrops by Janet Rieck (classical piano).
His studio is self-sustaining, "But at the moment I have not expanded my markets sufficiently that I will be able to retire on it," he said with a laugh. "I'm not shooting for the big time right now. I'm just content to make my own way," he said.
