No Depression Adopts Community Model

No Depression, the roots music publication, has created a “community-driven website” powered by the ning.com platform. (Nashville’s Digital Nashville organization is also powered on the Ning platform.) Located at community.nodepression.com the new network allows the formation of niche communities based around a variety of themes. Readers can create a member page, plus share music, videos, photos and blogs. Also included are contributions from the publication’s editorial staff including co-founders Peter Blackstock and Grant Alden. “In this current state of the magazine industry, more and more magazines are shifting to the web,” said publisher Kyla Fairchild. “With our new presence harnessing the capabilities of Ning, we envision a No Depression online community where we will pass the torch to our faithful readers who will help us create the next chapter in our story.”

Alden and Blackstock will continue to publish twice-annual “bookazines” and No Depression has joined with Sasquatch Festival creator Adam Zacks to promote the first No Depression Festival, set for July 11, 2009 at Marymoor Park, outside Seattle, WA. No Depression ceased print publication in May 2008.