Indie Labels Headline Cherry City Music Festival

While languishing in the shadow of Portland and Seattle, Salem serves as an incubator for musicians marching to the beat of their own drum.

To learn more visit: cherrycitymusic.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - This spring, historic downtown Salem will transform into a bubbling cauldron of bleeding edge independent music as dozens of bands converge at the 3rd Annual Cherry City Music Festival on April 9-11, 2009 to benefit at-risk youth, diabetes awareness and arts education.

Independent record labels Kill Rock Stars, K Records, Asthmatic Kitty Records, Tender Loving Empire Records and Boy Gorilla Records host some of their top artists to entertain, inform and schmooze in a celebration of do-it-yourself ethic.

While languishing in the shadow of Portland and Seattle, Salem serves as an incubator for musicians marching to the beat of their own drum.

Salem is the hometown of American finger-style guitarist John Fahey and the father of Christian rock, Larry Norman, both well-known curmudgeons that have influenced generations of independent musicians spanning numerous genres.

The Cherry City Music Festival continues this tradition of celebrating the independent spirit of self-expression by offering local bands an opportunity to share the stage with today's top independent musicians; all this in century-old stages originally built for opera, silent films and vaudeville performances.

"We're building on the successes of previous years to offer fans an unprecedented experience of indie music as only the Northwest can provide,” said Ross Swartzendruber, festival organizer.

“We're grateful that these musicians agreed to grace Salem with outstanding performances and help out some really worthwhile causes. We think it's time to give notice about the world-class caliber of Salem artists."

Tickets prices for individual shows vary and all-access wristbands are available for $30, starting on February 23. For more information about the Cherry City Music Festival, visit cherrycitymusic.com.

The Cherry City Music Festival is a special project of the Mid-Valley Video Festival, a non-profit organization that educates, networks and promotes filmmakers in Oregon.

Additional beneficiaries of the Cherry City Music Festival include Isaac's Room, a non-profit for at-risk youth and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The Cherry City Music Festival office is located at 335 Grove Street NE, Salem, OR, 97301 and the official web site is: cherrycitymusic.com.