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Stacy Mitchhart: Niche market guy gets major TV exposure

Contributed photo STACY MITCHHART

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By Don Thrasher, Contributing Writer 4:29 PM Thursday, November 12, 2009

Cincinnati-born bluesman Stacy Mitchhart has always been a DIY guy. He handles his own management and releases his albums on his own label. And he’s managed to continue building his following, even in a tough economy.

“We do all we can from a grassroots approach,” Mitchhart said. “A lot of people say the music industry is going to hell and nobody is selling records, but I think it’s a beautiful time for independent artists.”

To further maximize his promotions, Mitchhart recently brought in a co-manager.

“He’s doing wonderful,” Mitchhart said. “To have a guy who’s worked with some artists and is savvy, and knows social networking and street teams has been a real godsend.

“We’ve seen an increase in sales and an increase in the number of people at the shows, even in areas we haven’t really played very much,” he continued. “What he’s doing is working and it can do nothing but grow.”

Mitchhart and his horn-driven blues band — on the road now supporting the new album, “Grown Ass Man” — perform at Gilly’s on Thursday, Nov. 19.

“It’s the never-ending tour, but that’s OK,” Mitchhart said. “We love playing Gilly’s. I love the venue and the crowds in Dayton respond so much more enthusiastically than crowds in Cincinnati or Columbus. I think it’s because Dayton is more of a blue-collar town. I think they work harder for their money and they’re more appreciative when somebody gives them a good show.”

Mitchhart, who has lived in Nashville since 1996, is the subject of a new documentary, “Nashvegas Blues.” The film, produced by Tim Hardiman and Black22 Productions, debuts on The Documentary Channel Friday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.

“Tim is an Emmy Award-winner so this is big news for us,” Mitchhart said. “The Documentary Channel’s audience is 15-million alone just in New York. That’s not going to just be a one-time shot, either. They’re going to air it a few times over the month. They’re also running our concert DVD. We like that.”

That’s major TV exposure for an independent artist like Mitchhart.

“I’m a niche market guy,” he said. “We’re not putting out pop songs so we have to capitalize on everything. We have to really get creative with our marketing. We have to get out and tour, and build a street team in every city.

“We have to get newspaper articles and go to record stores and do acoustic performances, sign records and stuff like that,’ Mitchhart said. “That’s what we’re concentrating on.”

CONTACT contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.

how to go

WHO: Stacy Mitchhart

WHERE: Gilly’s, 132 S. Jefferson St., Dayton

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19

COST: $10

MORE INFO: (937) 228-8414 or www.myspace.com/gillysindayton

ARTIST INFO: www.stacymitchhart.com

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