LANDERS LETTER Creston firefighter Mick Landers and his wife Linda thank the community for recent support in their letter to the editor on page 4A of today’s paper.
WEEKEND BATTLE The Southwestern Community College men’s basketball team defeated DMACC in a battle of ranked teams over the weekend. More on the game in SPORTS, page 5A. >>
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016
Creston photographer launches lifestyle magazine By IAN RICHARDSON CNA staff reporter
irichardson@crestonnews.com
Creston photographer Michael Nixt describes it as a “lifestyle magazine with a small-town feel.” The project began early in 2015 when Nixt began working toward publication of a photobook featuring people and places that make southwest Iowa special. He took numerous sample shots and launched a Kickstarter, but after meeting more people and taking more photos, he decided instead of a one-time photobook, he’d rather do a monthly magazine. Friday, that magazine will become a reality. Titled Nixt Art, the periodical will be available digitally and in print upon request. Nixt said content will revolve around the phrase “The world is a beautiful place” and include family-friendly photographs of local landmarks, shots of local models and aspiring musicians and profiles of other personalities in the surrounding area, which Nixt said could extend from Creston to Winterset to Greenfield to Corning. “There’s a lot of interesting people and places — and people that have just incredible talents that wouldn’t be able to showcase their work any other ways,” Nixt said. “I’d like
Contributed photo
Pictured is country recording artist Jason Brown, who is originally from right outside Pella. Brown now lives in Nashville and spends his time touring and producing music.
Country artist Jason Brown to perform in Corning By KELSEY HAUGEN CNA staff reporter
he will play at 7 p.m. at the Corning Opera House.
khaugen@crestonnews.com
Radio single
After years of opening for eminent country acts and releasing original music, independent country recording artist Jason Brown is taking a different networking approach with the goal of being signed to a major record label. Originally from Pella, Brown moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and has recently been driving a tour bus for big-name country artist Brett Eldredge. “(I’m) just seeing how things are done on a whole different scale than I’ve ever personally witnessed,” Brown said. “It’s been an eye-opener and very humbling.” Brown is still performing when he has time, mostly in the Midwest. On Saturday,
On Monday, Brown went into the studio to cut a new radio single, which will be released early this year and shopped to some major record labels and radio stations. The title of the single is still under wraps. In the past, Brown has charted songs on Billboard and Mediabase country charts. His strategy then was releasing full albums or EPs. This year, for the first time, he will promote solely a single. “Right now, it seems like the single thing is the way everyone’s going – that’s what the major labels are focusing on, that’s what the radio stations are focusing on,” Brown said. “The success of this first (song) will determine if we do a full EP or full CD.”
EVENT INFO
Who: Jason Brown, country recording artist When: 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Corning Opera House, 800 Davis Ave., in Corning Cost: $25 in advance (24 hours before the show) or $30 at the door for adults; $10 for students For tickets: Visit www.corningoperahouse.com or call 641-418-8037. So far, most of Brown’s radio play has been on independent Iowa stations. He’s also had some success with iHeartRadio and Spotify. Some of Brown’s musical influences are from
past country generations, such as Jim Reeves, George Strait and Mark Chestnutt. Other influences he has are more on the outlaw side of country, like Jamey Johnson. Brown said he has an appreciation for all subgenres of country. “I think today’s country music is right where it needs to be,” Brown said. “The neat thing about country music is it always changes. Jim Reeves, when he came out and sang in a suit, people didn’t want suit-singers ... when Kenny Rogers came out, they said he was a rock ‘n’ roll singer. It’s always had its controversies.” As a whole, country music has always been about the place America is in, Brown said.
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NIXT | 2A
Contributed photo
This sample shot from Nixt Art’s first issue features aspiring Bridgewater model Alyssa Marie Sims.
The Creston High School pep band performs at Friday’s home boys basketball game against Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln. Creston girls and boys teams host Denison-Schleswig in a varsity doubleheader Friday night, beginning at 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY WEATHER
to find them and work with them and just pretty much let them be known.” On a personal level, Nixt said the project stems from his own desire to tap into his creative side. “I want to do something creative with my life, which would be the personal reason I’m doing it,” Nixt said. “There’s beauty all around us, and what I want to do is just kind of bring out my perception on the world.” The first issue will primarily feature Bridgewater resident Alyssa Marie Sims, who’s been working with Nixt to build up her modeling portfolio. So far, photo samples from the first issue include guitar and vampire-themed shots. “He’s kind of been an inspiration,” Sims said. “We
BROWN | 2A
CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON
Pep band:
Contributed photo
Michael Nixt, middle, is pictured here with his wife, Mikayla, and their daughter, Lily.
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