Mark Croft Album Funding
Donation protected
Welcome!
Thank you so much for visiting my campaign page and for your consideration in supporting my latest venture. I am currently working on a new 5 song EP, titled "Southbound Walking Northward" with a release date of May 31st, 2019. I am asking for your help in raising $4000.00 to cover the costs of recording, mixing, mastering and duplication.
This GoFundMe Campaign starts Sunday, April 14th and ends Sunday May 12th.
I'm long overdue to release some new music. I recorded and released my last studio album in 2010...I know...it's been a long time. Many of you have been asking when I will be putting out new music, and I've been saying "soon" for too long. So I decided to dedicate my time this winter to recording and releasing some new songs for you, come hell or high water. Some of the songs are fairly new, and some are a more than few years old by now, but I wanted to finally get a chance to lay the tracks down the way that I hear them.
For your support, I'm offering what I hope are some nice incentives to contribute to the campaign. Included in the various levels are signed copies of the album, t-shirts, tickets to the CD release party, live performances and more. Keep scrolling down to view contribution levels and incentives!
The Project
I'm excited to be largely self-producing, and self-recording this project; tracking as much as I can in my little home studio. I've enlisted the help of Jake Johnson at Paradyme Studios in Madison to track drums and bass and mix the finished product. I'm also enlisting the talents of my bandmates Jon Vriesacker on violin & mandolin, Dan Kennedy on guitar, Matt Rodgers on bass, and Robert Boyd on drums & percussion. But, the part I've been enjoying the most so far, has been stretching my own playing from acoustic guitar to include banjo, mandolin, lap steel, piano, organ and electric guitar. I'm also going to be doing all the artwork & t-shirt design myself, so this project will easily be the most "Mark Croft" of any album to date.

The title "Southbound Walking Northward" nicely fits into the musical styles I've written around. Being a Wisconsin native and current resident, I'm a northern boy at heart, but the album will have a mix of southern inspired genres like Cajun, Country, Afro-Pop, Folk & Americana.
The song list includes:
1. Southbound Walking Northward - the folksy title track about finding some joy right where you're standing
2. The Shakin' and the Boom Boom - about returning to a dysfunctional childhood home....and burning it to the ground.
3. For That Pretty Girl - Folk inspired love song with Afro-pop roots...I'd do about anything...
4. Bonnie Raitt - Going old school country on this one...I met Bonnie Raitt in a dream and told her I loved her...she just walked away...trying to find some meaning in our dreams.
5. Radiator Alligator - Who doesn't cook food under the hood of their car? Full on Cajun for this one.
Check out a preview of "For That Pretty Girl"

Why I Need Your Support
As many of you know, the music industry has changed dramatically in the last 10-15 years. Record labels aren't signing artists the way they used to, and even worse...most people don't buy music anymore! Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and the like have made it easier than ever to for listeners to access music, but they've made it harder than ever for artists to make money on that music. That leaves independent artists, like myself, to foot the bill for our recording projects with the difficult challenge of trying to recoup our costs.
If I'm being really honest, one of the main reasons I haven't released much music in the past 9 years has been all of the costs associated. Recording projects can easily cost more than $10,000...and I've done that more than once!
I'm trying things a bit differently this time, and recording the bulk of the music in my little home studio on my late 2012 MacBook Pro. But, there are still plenty of costs involved.
How Contributions Will Be Used
This breakdown will give you an idea of where contributions will be spent and what's involved:
Studio & Musicians: $1100
Mixing: $1200-$1500
Mastering; $200
CD Printing/Duplication: $800-$1200
Extras: Digital & Physical Distribution, Promotion etc: $250+?
If I reach my goal of $4000, anything additional will go toward unexpected expenses, and additional promotion.
CD Release Party
I'll be officially releasing the EP on Friday, May 31st, 2019, and we'll be celebrating with a show in the nightclub at the Brink Lounge in Madison, WI. Most levels of contribution will get you at least one free ticket to the show, so I hope to see you there! More info on the show and tickets are available HERE .
Contribution Levels & Incentives
Here's a breakdown of the contribution levels and incentives. If you have any questions, please email me HERE. If your contribution includes T-Shirts, a Song, or a Live Performance, please be sure to include your email address, and I will reach out to you for sizes, booking arrangements, addresses, and info for song writing. If you know you can't make the CD release party, but would like to contribute $25 or more, let me know and I'll give you a little something extra...maybe some unreleased or alternate tracks...I'll make it up to you.
***GoFundMe takes a small percentage of every contribution (about 3.0%) for credit card fees, so feel free to contact me for a personal/private contribution...you'll get all the same perks!
$5.00 - Free Digital Copy of the album.
You’ll receive a free digital download of the album delivered before the official release.
$10.00 - An advance signed copy of the CD & the digital download.
You'll receive a signed advance copy of the CD to be mailed to you before May 31st, 2019.
$25.00 - An advance signed copy of the CD & one free ticket to the May 31st CD release party in Madison.
$50.00 - T-shirt + everything above.
Contributors at this level receive one signed copy of CD, a T-Shirt, and one ticket to May 31st CD release party.
$100.00 - Name listed in liner notes (no longer available) of CD as well as everything above, + 2 tickets to release party.
Contributors at this level will have their name listed in the liner notes of the CD as a special campaign contributor, + one signed copy of CD, one T-Shirt, and two tickets to May 31st CD release party.
(Unfortunately, since I already had to finish the album artwork, I can no longer place more names in the liner notes. I’m more than happy to send an extra T-Shirt, additional CDs, or extra ticket to the release show. Please let me know your preference.)
$250.00 - All of the above + a free 30 minute unplugged mini-concert by Mark!
Want to be the hero of your office or place of business, or for your family, friends and neighbors? Possibilities include a lunchtime concert for your coworkers at your office or place of business, a performance for your staff and customers, or even a private home concert in the evening for friends & family. I could even just hang out and play in your kitchen while you make dinner...other ideas welcomed! (Limit within ~1 hour drive from Madison, WI)
(A limit of 10 of these 30 min mini-concerts will be offered so act quickly!)
$500.00 - Two Options!
OPTION #1 - A two-hour solo house concert or event performance with Mark.
Plus a special "thank you" in the liner notes, 2 T-shirts, & 2 tickets to the release party. Make some room for friends, family & neighbors with a 2 hour solo house concert featuring Mark Croft! Corporate events & private parties included. (Limit within ~3 hours drive from Madison, WI)
-OR-
OPTION #2 - I'll write you a personalized song!
If you’re not interested in hosting a live performance or can’t make the CD Release Party, I’ll write and record a song personalized just for you. Makes a great gift for a spouse, friend or loved one. You’ll also receive the signed CD, two T-shirts, a special "thank you" in the liner notes & two tickets to the release party!
$1000.00 - A two hour solo house concert or event performance anywhere in the mainland US!
You Rock! You’ll also get an advance signed copy of the CD, 2 t-shirts, 2 tickets to release party, and your name listed as a VERY special contributor.
$1500.00 & Up - Live performance by the Mark Croft Band.
You rock the most-est! You’ll get a special live performance by the Mark Croft Band for your private or corporate event, house party, birthday, Christmas party...or other event of your choosing! Plus a signed CD, 2 t-shirts, 2 tickets to release party, and a VERY special thank you in the liner notes!
(Includes 4-piece band performance for up to 3 hours - some scheduling restrictions apply)
(Limit within ~3 hours drive of Madison, WI)
(Excludes wedding receptions...but email me and we’ll work something out)
$2000 & Up - What can I do for you?!
You're more than welcome to contribute more than this, and I'll be eternally grateful! You'll certainly receive everything offered above, and I'll gladly discuss what I else I can do for you!
Please email me with any questions, concerns, or other ideas for incentives.
Thank you!
In June 2019, it will be 14 years since I left my job at an insurance company to pursue music as a full-time career. Since that time, I've released 5 albums of original material, won some nice awards, and played more than 1500 shows. I've met some incredible people along the way and had the opportunity to share the stage and studio space with some very talented musicians. It's truly been an honor to share my music with you, and I so appreciate the support that you, as a fan, friend, or just a music lover, have shown me over the last 14 years. I really could not have done this without you. It is with that in mind, that I am asking for your support once again, to help me bring my latest project to life.
Cheers!
Mark
www.MarkCroftMusic.com
www.Facebook.com/markcroftmusicpage
Thank you so much for visiting my campaign page and for your consideration in supporting my latest venture. I am currently working on a new 5 song EP, titled "Southbound Walking Northward" with a release date of May 31st, 2019. I am asking for your help in raising $4000.00 to cover the costs of recording, mixing, mastering and duplication.
This GoFundMe Campaign starts Sunday, April 14th and ends Sunday May 12th.
I'm long overdue to release some new music. I recorded and released my last studio album in 2010...I know...it's been a long time. Many of you have been asking when I will be putting out new music, and I've been saying "soon" for too long. So I decided to dedicate my time this winter to recording and releasing some new songs for you, come hell or high water. Some of the songs are fairly new, and some are a more than few years old by now, but I wanted to finally get a chance to lay the tracks down the way that I hear them.
For your support, I'm offering what I hope are some nice incentives to contribute to the campaign. Included in the various levels are signed copies of the album, t-shirts, tickets to the CD release party, live performances and more. Keep scrolling down to view contribution levels and incentives!
The Project
I'm excited to be largely self-producing, and self-recording this project; tracking as much as I can in my little home studio. I've enlisted the help of Jake Johnson at Paradyme Studios in Madison to track drums and bass and mix the finished product. I'm also enlisting the talents of my bandmates Jon Vriesacker on violin & mandolin, Dan Kennedy on guitar, Matt Rodgers on bass, and Robert Boyd on drums & percussion. But, the part I've been enjoying the most so far, has been stretching my own playing from acoustic guitar to include banjo, mandolin, lap steel, piano, organ and electric guitar. I'm also going to be doing all the artwork & t-shirt design myself, so this project will easily be the most "Mark Croft" of any album to date.
The title "Southbound Walking Northward" nicely fits into the musical styles I've written around. Being a Wisconsin native and current resident, I'm a northern boy at heart, but the album will have a mix of southern inspired genres like Cajun, Country, Afro-Pop, Folk & Americana.
The song list includes:
1. Southbound Walking Northward - the folksy title track about finding some joy right where you're standing
2. The Shakin' and the Boom Boom - about returning to a dysfunctional childhood home....and burning it to the ground.
3. For That Pretty Girl - Folk inspired love song with Afro-pop roots...I'd do about anything...
4. Bonnie Raitt - Going old school country on this one...I met Bonnie Raitt in a dream and told her I loved her...she just walked away...trying to find some meaning in our dreams.
5. Radiator Alligator - Who doesn't cook food under the hood of their car? Full on Cajun for this one.
Check out a preview of "For That Pretty Girl"
Why I Need Your Support
As many of you know, the music industry has changed dramatically in the last 10-15 years. Record labels aren't signing artists the way they used to, and even worse...most people don't buy music anymore! Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and the like have made it easier than ever to for listeners to access music, but they've made it harder than ever for artists to make money on that music. That leaves independent artists, like myself, to foot the bill for our recording projects with the difficult challenge of trying to recoup our costs.
If I'm being really honest, one of the main reasons I haven't released much music in the past 9 years has been all of the costs associated. Recording projects can easily cost more than $10,000...and I've done that more than once!
I'm trying things a bit differently this time, and recording the bulk of the music in my little home studio on my late 2012 MacBook Pro. But, there are still plenty of costs involved.
How Contributions Will Be Used
This breakdown will give you an idea of where contributions will be spent and what's involved:
Studio & Musicians: $1100
Mixing: $1200-$1500
Mastering; $200
CD Printing/Duplication: $800-$1200
Extras: Digital & Physical Distribution, Promotion etc: $250+?
If I reach my goal of $4000, anything additional will go toward unexpected expenses, and additional promotion.
CD Release Party
I'll be officially releasing the EP on Friday, May 31st, 2019, and we'll be celebrating with a show in the nightclub at the Brink Lounge in Madison, WI. Most levels of contribution will get you at least one free ticket to the show, so I hope to see you there! More info on the show and tickets are available HERE .
Contribution Levels & Incentives
Here's a breakdown of the contribution levels and incentives. If you have any questions, please email me HERE. If your contribution includes T-Shirts, a Song, or a Live Performance, please be sure to include your email address, and I will reach out to you for sizes, booking arrangements, addresses, and info for song writing. If you know you can't make the CD release party, but would like to contribute $25 or more, let me know and I'll give you a little something extra...maybe some unreleased or alternate tracks...I'll make it up to you.
***GoFundMe takes a small percentage of every contribution (about 3.0%) for credit card fees, so feel free to contact me for a personal/private contribution...you'll get all the same perks!
$5.00 - Free Digital Copy of the album.
You’ll receive a free digital download of the album delivered before the official release.
$10.00 - An advance signed copy of the CD & the digital download.
You'll receive a signed advance copy of the CD to be mailed to you before May 31st, 2019.
$25.00 - An advance signed copy of the CD & one free ticket to the May 31st CD release party in Madison.
$50.00 - T-shirt + everything above.
Contributors at this level receive one signed copy of CD, a T-Shirt, and one ticket to May 31st CD release party.
$100.00 - Name listed in liner notes (no longer available) of CD as well as everything above, + 2 tickets to release party.
Contributors at this level will have their name listed in the liner notes of the CD as a special campaign contributor, + one signed copy of CD, one T-Shirt, and two tickets to May 31st CD release party.
(Unfortunately, since I already had to finish the album artwork, I can no longer place more names in the liner notes. I’m more than happy to send an extra T-Shirt, additional CDs, or extra ticket to the release show. Please let me know your preference.)
$250.00 - All of the above + a free 30 minute unplugged mini-concert by Mark!
Want to be the hero of your office or place of business, or for your family, friends and neighbors? Possibilities include a lunchtime concert for your coworkers at your office or place of business, a performance for your staff and customers, or even a private home concert in the evening for friends & family. I could even just hang out and play in your kitchen while you make dinner...other ideas welcomed! (Limit within ~1 hour drive from Madison, WI)
(A limit of 10 of these 30 min mini-concerts will be offered so act quickly!)
$500.00 - Two Options!
OPTION #1 - A two-hour solo house concert or event performance with Mark.
Plus a special "thank you" in the liner notes, 2 T-shirts, & 2 tickets to the release party. Make some room for friends, family & neighbors with a 2 hour solo house concert featuring Mark Croft! Corporate events & private parties included. (Limit within ~3 hours drive from Madison, WI)
-OR-
OPTION #2 - I'll write you a personalized song!
If you’re not interested in hosting a live performance or can’t make the CD Release Party, I’ll write and record a song personalized just for you. Makes a great gift for a spouse, friend or loved one. You’ll also receive the signed CD, two T-shirts, a special "thank you" in the liner notes & two tickets to the release party!
$1000.00 - A two hour solo house concert or event performance anywhere in the mainland US!
You Rock! You’ll also get an advance signed copy of the CD, 2 t-shirts, 2 tickets to release party, and your name listed as a VERY special contributor.
$1500.00 & Up - Live performance by the Mark Croft Band.
You rock the most-est! You’ll get a special live performance by the Mark Croft Band for your private or corporate event, house party, birthday, Christmas party...or other event of your choosing! Plus a signed CD, 2 t-shirts, 2 tickets to release party, and a VERY special thank you in the liner notes!
(Includes 4-piece band performance for up to 3 hours - some scheduling restrictions apply)
(Limit within ~3 hours drive of Madison, WI)
(Excludes wedding receptions...but email me and we’ll work something out)
$2000 & Up - What can I do for you?!
You're more than welcome to contribute more than this, and I'll be eternally grateful! You'll certainly receive everything offered above, and I'll gladly discuss what I else I can do for you!
Please email me with any questions, concerns, or other ideas for incentives.
Thank you!
In June 2019, it will be 14 years since I left my job at an insurance company to pursue music as a full-time career. Since that time, I've released 5 albums of original material, won some nice awards, and played more than 1500 shows. I've met some incredible people along the way and had the opportunity to share the stage and studio space with some very talented musicians. It's truly been an honor to share my music with you, and I so appreciate the support that you, as a fan, friend, or just a music lover, have shown me over the last 14 years. I really could not have done this without you. It is with that in mind, that I am asking for your support once again, to help me bring my latest project to life.
Cheers!
Mark
www.MarkCroftMusic.com
www.Facebook.com/markcroftmusicpage
Organizer
Mark Croft
Organizer
Madison, WI