I hope you can take a few minutes to read this letter. I know it's a long one, but it has been quite a while since last I published an official Newsletter, and a whole lot has happened since then. If you care too, you might come to know me better after a walk in my moccasins.

     As is often the case when you are extremely focused on a goal you make the mistake of thinking your friends somehow magically know what you are dealing with. Through the experience of producing and releasing my new CD, and the mammoth task of marketing it, I have come to realize people in general are not mind readers and are quite often busy dealing with their own lives. For that matter most people not directly involved with the music business have misconceptions about it. Especially in this time of major industry change, huge changes, caused in large part by rapidly improving digital technology and the vast capabilities of the World's most powerful tool, the Internet. So when and if folks do think about what you may be up to or going through with your music they probably don't quite "get it" without a little information from you.

     I would like to let you know in case there are any misconceptions that I was produced and or signed, this is not the case. I have been the producer in this endeavor. If in the back of my mind I was dreaming of fortune and glory I had also accepted the possibility I may yield nothing more from the process than the CD itself. I did it for the sake of doing it. There seems to be quite a few folks who believe I am on my way to greater acclaim. Several people who have actually heard the CD have asked me when I will be going "On Tour". With my marketing budget, having several people who have actually heard the CD is an accomplishment. Mine is a grassroots movement folks and in that respect things are going great. Nothing is instant and as my dear friend Rod Mackenzie put it in his song you have got to "Fight for Every Mile." It can take people decades to become an "Overnight Sensation" (Another Mackenzie Classic). Another close friend of mine put it best... "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

     So, aside from hard work, what does it take these days to "Make It"? In many ways I feel I have already made it. For me, the term "making it" means getting recognition for my perseverance, dedication, and sacrifice. It means playing to larger audiences and possibly even making a living doing what I truly love to do. I wouldn't mind "making it" a little more.

     If you are an artist in today's "Do It Yourself Industry" plan on just that.

     Lots of people have asked me why I am living here in New England and not in a city like Nashville, New York, or L.A.. I have been to those places, even lived in them, and to me it is like living in a mild version of Hell. I need to be close to nature. The mountains, fields, rivers, and forests of New England are as much a part of my music as my voice and guitar. I noticed my song writing changed when I lived in Hollywood. I was angry and disgusted with the world. My homeland is a fundamental part of my musical identity. I had great experiences in those cities and have played on stages in each of them and in a lot of other cities as well. I would be glad to visit again to play or record, but living there if you call that "living" and fighting for local gigs is not for me. For that matter being in the city doesn't necessarily increase the odds of finding success or recognition. Talent scouts aren't prowling the streets. It is more likely they are on their laptops, I pads, I pods, or I phones reviewing Sound Scan for the little flashing light in black and white that tells them "this artist is doing it".

     It seems to me that Today's entertainment industry is chaotic and constantly reinventing itself. All artists can do is just keep performing, creating, and recording their art with or without a light at the end of the tunnel, and do it for the music's sake not for the fortune and glory. If the fortune and glory happen as a result of the music, hallelujah!

     So, currently there is no record company developing me as an artist. I have no investors to offset the considerable costs of marketing and production. I currently do not have a booking agent or manager. I have formed my own record label, publishing company, and booking agency and the CD "This Road" is a product of my label with material which I have written, arranged, and produced.

     If you are not exactly sure what "producer" means, it is a combination of product responsibility, money, and/or sleepless nights. When you see a singer in the studio pulling off his headphones looking for approval from the guy in the dimly lit sound room behind the glass, imagine being that singer and at the same time being the guy in the room on the other side of the glass. That was me, at least figuratively. Engineer Alan Bean was of course actually on the other side of the glass but when the rubber met the road I had to decide we had what we needed and it was time to move on. Fortunately the tight schedule and budget forced me to tap into the "you can do this" attitude which got me through. There was no time for doubt and little time for deliberation. I just made up my mind I wasn't going to be better than I was that day so I just had to go for it. I wrote the arrangements and field tested them before going into the studio. I sent the material to the players so they would know what to expect when they walked in the door. There was virtually no in studio changes to the arrangements other than on track 5 the song "And I Always Will" when David Mattacks recommended an adjustment. That moment showed me a glimpse of how awesome it would be to work with Dave on a production level. He is not only a world class drummer but plays piano and has the finely tuned ears of a veteran session player/producer and incredibly refined musical sensibilities. With one quick suggestion Dave gave the song a touch it was crying out for. Alas, hiring Dave as a session player or hired gun at a gig is not the same as hiring DM to produce an album. Perhaps that will be in my future, I would like that very much.

     Let me remind you it is not shear talent and charm which got me this opportunity but the courage to commit my own hard earned money, and what to me was a lot of it. Yet, a sum, which by industry standards was small potatoes. The album cost me over $15,000 dollars to produce. I would have loved to have $80,000. All things considered with the combination of focus, the talented players involved, the need for time economy, and being just plain blessed, I believe this production is a damn fine first CD pressing and I have no regrets. I can't wait to produce more.

     So, all these players brought their talents to the project and as soon as they dug in I could tell they all knew what the songs needed from them. That part was the most enjoyable. I would tell them how I felt the song should feel as far as mood and style, choose the instrumentation, and they would just lay it down with their well developed studio sensibilities and the experience of seasoned performers. I would then say "we got it" or "that was not exactly what I was thinking." Usually I would just say "Awesome!" Then there was the dreaded mixing and the mastering. Sonically I think there are still some tones hiding in this project that could really crank and I look forward to a remix and a second pressing someday. In the end when the final cut was sent to the manufacturer I felt the work was a good and accurate representation of where I am today. I hope you have a better sense now of what it meant for me to take on this role of producer for the first time.

     Now I am back into the fray of battle focusing on press kit development and marketing strategy with a shoe string budget in the dead of winter. I have a few industry people keeping posted of my progress but no calls from Capital, Sony, Arista, Atlantic, or RCA just yet. Never give up! The CD is done and we are currently booking major events for summer 2012 as the new Jonathan Sarty Band which was formed as a result of producing the CD. I developed working relationships with Dave, Don, and Sonny and have really enjoyed the shows we have performed. You should come see this band at our next event.

     Speaking of which, I hope you will join us as we return to Ogunquit, Me. on March 9th. Our sponsors have made it easy for you. Bring a date for an overnight at the Anchorage By the Sea. Walk next door and enjoy a world class 3 course couple's dinner at one of the seacoast's finest dining establishments Jonathan's Restaurant. Then head upstairs to this top of line 200 seat performance facility which hosts an outstanding sound crew, relaxing ambience, and excellent service, for the Jonathan Sarty Band live in concert. Then, after a good nights rest at the Anchorage By the Sea, return to Jonathan's Restaurant in the morning for a breakfast you won't soon forget. This is a deal you don't see every day trust me. Our last concert held at this venue was a blast and we look forward to this repeat performance. So, please join me and this awesome band in my grassroots movement. Every vote counts folks and I need yours. It would mean a lot to me to see you there and I know you won't be disappointed you came.

   We are currently booking our summer season and should have some exciting news ahead! Please be sure to open our newsletter when you see it to check out our new press kit and stay informed of our progress and upcoming events. Thank you for reading this whole letter can I have my moccasins back :).

 All My Love,

                                                Jonathan