11.   Belafonte maintains that federal funds has helped countless artists and writers find their voices and styles.

12.   Gill, longtime host of the CMA Awards, is beloved in the industry for his charity work and his willingness to lend his talent to help other artists.

13.   Jackson said he wants to help young artists the same way Randy Travis and Alabama once boosted his career by letting him open their shows.

14.   That means e-poets must be computer savvy as well as have vision, though there are programs to help fledgling artists along the way.

15.   That means e-poets must be computer savvy as well as visionary, though there are programs to help fledgling artists along the way.

16.   The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation is starting a fund to help artists who have hit hard times financially.