Contact: Nick Greenwood, RYFO Network, 949-683-3983
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., Jan. 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- The next step in changing how musicians tour has been taken by Nick Greenwood, founder and director of RYFO NETWORK; an organization established to holistically care for the unique PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL and SPIRITUAL needs of touring musicians. Greenwood has been preparing for the January 12, 2009 launch of RYFO's new website (www.RYFO.org) since the organization's conception in the fall of 2007.
"Band members will be able to book nights through the site at interviewed host homes across the country for free, receive counseling from music industry professionals, request on-the-road tour chaplains, order free books from RYFO's publishing partners, manage their own prayer networks, interact with regular devotional content and find RYFO partners offering discounted services such as mechanics, restaurants, stores, etc. There's nothing else out there like this," says Greenwood.
Greenwood first saw the need for bands a few years ago while being on the road himself. Solid State recording artist, Haste the Day's Mike Murphy describes it best, "Getting sick wasn't a matter of if, but when. We were lucky to be able to eat off dollar menus and would run out of clean clothes within the first week or two. We had no idea what we were doing. It was easy to be taken advantage of. The network RYFO has set up would be amazing to be a part of even today. It's those little things that make or break bands at all stages of their career."
Organizations such as Tooth & Nail Records, Facedown Records, EMI/CMG, The Sparrow Foundation, XXXChurch.com, HeartSupport.com, Zondervan, CBAmerica and Desiring God have connected with RYFO and support the organization's endeavors to encourage the musicians.
Individuals who will act as bloggers and counselors for RYFO are Chad Johnson (former A&R at Tooth and Nail), Nigel James (Third Day's road pastor), John Thompson (EMI/CMG), Pastor Jerry Bryant (Vineyard Nashville) and Pastor Seth Ebel (former employee of Tooth and Nail, now pastor).
Fans can register for the prayer network, TheFifteenThirtys (Romans 15:30), and then apply to be a host home on RYFO's website. Interviews will help to ensure the safety of both the individual and the bands.
Everyone has benefited from music. For some, songs have helped them through the valleys of life or simply provided entertainment. RYFO hopes to encourage listeners to give back and help care for the artists they love.
Join RYFO in Serving the Voices.