Dena Wood puts the independent artists on the fast track to radio airplay around the world

By David C. Lannan for Country Music News International Magazine

Without the people behind the scenes many recording artists never would have been discovered. Dena Wood of Denison, Texas has a unique role in the music industry, spending a lot of time behind the scenes helping independent artists get their music into the hands of the radio professionals who make airplay decisions.

But Wood, raised in Allen, Oklahoma, is no stranger in front of the scenes. She makes in person appearances at many country music events, from concerts to competition. In fact Wood is also somewhat of a matchmaker, but not in the romantic sense.

One such match was getting Steve Markwardt of Texas and Curt Ryle of Tennessee together for a business venture - Clarksville Creative Sound (CCS). Ryle, a songwriter, musician and producer helps develop artists, mentoring them in all aspects of the music business. Markwardt, a singer himself, handles the business side of CCS. He and his brother, Michael are also trying to bring new life to a music venue in Ft. Worth as well as trying to educate people about Western swing. You can find Wood at shows there as well.

“I have had a keen love of music since I can remember.  My memory goes back a very long time. I am 77 years old and have always been able to monitor and rearrange my moods by changing my listening habits,” Wood said.  “At other times my listening habits are governed by life.”

Wood is involved in a variety of roles in the music business working with radio professionals, musicians, music artists, promoters, producers and even venue owners. She also works for individual artists in promotion and media from California to the east coast. 

“I have over 600 radio professionals that I work with to move the independent artists' music to the ears of radio and I maintain a 3 Terrabyte capacity library of music, one sheets, contact information and cover art available to radio professionals only,” Wood explained. 

Wood notifies each radio professional of new releases by link from the library. They are able to access the digital files for free by signing in to a password protected radio login tab at wwwndxpress1.com. 

That is just a small part of Wood's duties. She also works with labels and artists to make sure their digital files are coded correctly for tracking airplay. In fact this is one of her biggest challenges. She has to explain why codes are necessary and how they should follow up in order to maintain the royalty payments of their music for artists.

“Many radio professionals have no idea why they must not change a wav to an mp3 or vice versa without adding the codes and data back to the track,” Wood said.  “It totally ceases all tracking for airplay. No fingerprint, no process.”
Her coding and distribution work led her to filling a variety of roles for Clarksville Creative Sound and other labels.

“I introduced Steve and Curt,” Wood said. “I now work with them coding, distributing, promoting, and doing whatever is required of me at any given time.  Curt and Steve are two of my best friends.  We all work well together.  And besides, someone has to keep those two guys in line.” She creates reels and other promotional materials, even creating cover art at times.

Wood introduced them to Brent Adams and the Ft. Worth Musical Moments Facebook live podcast was born. Markwardt and Adams talk to music artists, musicians and songwriters every Thursday night. Guests have also included Ryle and his artists at CCS as well as Tommy Snyder, CEO of the new American Country Network. Though country is the primary genre, there is a big push to promote Western swing. Recently the program was revamped as they realized they were reaching beyond Ft. Worth. The Musical Expeditionaries was the result.

Wood is also working with producers and labels to get their musical artists a better return for sale of their music. Wood obtained i2i Records from Greg Irvin with the promise to keep it going.

‘I brought Susanne Abbey from KSSL Radio, Slaton, Texas in with me some time ago to aid with the workload,” Wood said, “I made her a deal she couldn't refuse.  I'll teach her the biz and she'll work with me and when I die it's hers. I do not want to see NDX/i2i go down the tubes because God calls me home.” 

NDX (Indiexpress) is the distribution arm while i2i Records offer music artists a platform to sell digital downloads and keep 50 percent of every sale. Currently this service is offered only to those who use NDX.

Jeannie Franz and her husband Volker are pleased with how Wood has helped their daughter, Ariel, a teen CCS recording artist. “Dena always makes time no matter how busy she is to help everyone. She is an Angel. Her talents in all she does and her heart of gold make her very special,” Jeannie said, “Her experience & knowledge are irreplaceable! You can’t put a price tag on the love she has for all our artists!”
Wood has helped get Ariel's music in front of radio professionals, helping with promotion and cover art.

Wood offers the following advice to anyone thinking about getting into the music business, “Never let anyone put your music out without proper metadata and issued and reported codes. Royalties are sparse as it is, without those things, they are totally absent.” She added, “Love what you do, Do what you Love.  If you ever stop loving it, stop doing it.  Never just give up..unless you just give out.  Then rest and go again.  Someone somewhere needs to hear what you have to offer.”