There comes a time in every indie artist's career when all of the writing, recording, self-promoting, etc., is done and there is nothing left to do but play. And not just for the rows of screaming fans that made you want to do this in the first place. I'm talking about another faction, those who could prove to be instrumental to the ultimate success or failure of your career: labels, managers, booking agents, and the like.

Often, this is done in a showcase setting. A showcase is the ultimate make or break time. It's ‘Every Breath You Take' time. Every step you take, they'll be watching you. From how you walk out on stage, to the way you handle yourself after the performance, you're under the microscope, like an organism, dissected down to the smallest action.

I live in Southern Appalachia. The cliché majestic mountains can't hold up to the beauty I am blessed to see everyday. My firm belief, as well as many others, is that these mountains are here to stay forever; they were here long before us, and will last long after us. My viewpoint changed when I realized one of the most richly diverse places on our planet is being destroyed and sooner than imagined, the mountains in Appalachia will be gone, and what's worse, we're to blame.

Not many know that mountains are being demolished in the Southern Appalachian states of Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and most recently Tennessee. Why do you ask? What reason can there be to blow up mountain tops, wiping out natural habitats and completely destroying mountains past what they can handle? The answer is a simple corporate term -- Coal.

So, it's almost Earth Day. We know you know: the Earth shouldn't have a day, but 365 days a year.

Think you can't really make a difference? That there's not much you can do about this dangerous climate change? That it's still not happening in many people's minds? Think again.

Here are ten practical -and easy- tips to make our hurting planet happier on a daily basis.

National Tire Safety Week begins April 20-26. Did you know that drivers behind the wheel of the one in four cars with at least one significantly under inflated tire face increased risks on the road, wasted fuel and an accelerated deterioration of their tires?

65 percent of teen motorists cite checking tire pressure as a top fuel saving tip yet only six percent properly check tire pressure. In fact, half surveyed by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) admitted to never checking their tires. Can we say blowout boys and girls?