University of Maine at Farmington

With Wyld Stallions Records, an independent record label she founded in December 2005 from Burlington, Vt., creative writing major Bridget Burns combines her two passions: promoting new, local and unsigned music acts and raising funds for a variety of social-action causes. Her label’s first CD, Caring is Knowing: A Compilation to Fight AIDS in Support of Vermont CARES, is a 19-track collection of music from Burlington-area bands released in February 2006.

“Our message was that one of the best presents you can give your loved one on Valentine’s Day is to get tested for HIV,” said Burns, who donated proceeds from the sale of the CD to Vermont CARES, a non-profit organization providing services to people living with HIV and AIDS in Vermont. In the end Burns organized a concert-based record-release event and cleared $1,000 for Vermont CARES.

“When I finished with the project I realized this could turn into a good business,” said Burns, who applied for and received a Vermont Economic Development Authority loan to let Wyld Stallions Records run wild. The label’s next project will support Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) initiatives that provide support services for troops, veterans and families. Once production costs have been met, Burns said 80 percent of sale proceeds will go to IVAW projects. Beyond the IVAW project, Burns would like to release a compilation of contemporary children’s music to support cystic fibrosis research.

“A lot of people congratulate me on the service aspect of the business, which actually makes me pretty uncomfortable,” Burns said. “I’m definitely proud of my work, but I’m most proud of the fact that I managed to secure a small business loan with a creative writing degree. And I’m proud every time I convince a band to get on board. But I’m not proud of the service aspect because that part is just common decency. I think it’s an attitude that’s very prevalent at UMF.”

-- By Marc Glass, managing editor of the UMF alumni magazine

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