A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

There has been a disturbance in the Force. The OS Republic command, led by Senator Palmer, has consulted with the JC Jedi Council regarding the growing Resistance. Two Jedi Knights have been dispatched to the Judge’s Chambers to negotiate a peaceful resolution to concerns about the voting system format.

Their mission is to communicate that the power of OS is not in the rankings of your songs or the monetary rewards or recognition awards you may receive. The power of the OS Force lies most importantly in the connections you make here, the friends and fans you gain in this galaxy, and the exposure your cherished music receives. Whether or not you decide to believe in the power of the OS Force is up to you.

Jabba the Ball, working with the likes of Man Solo and Cookbacca, has proven these connections can be quite beneficial financially and personally, whether it be personal or charitable gain. In the end, there will be balance in the Force of the OS Galaxy, and we hope you are all here to see it…

Partial Cast of Characters:

Obi-Wan Schmitty – Eric Schmitz

Little Lisa Skywalker – Little Lisa

Yoda Fred King – Joni Fred King

Padme Zuridala – ZStar

Queen Lori Organa – Lori Cunningham

Lando Fredrickssian – Cathie Fredrickson

Princess Leeia – Leeia Music

Jabba the Ball – Mr. Ball

Qui-Gon Mags – Magsrockr

Man Solo – Word Man

Cookbacca – Marshall Cook

Darth Beth – Celtic Sunshine

Darth Spiritous – Spirit21

General Justinious – Justine Wilde

Senator Palmer – Daniel Palmer

F2-D2 – FlyDad77

GB3PO – Greg Bertinelli

Kane Windu – EKane

Count DICARLO – DICARLO

Grand Moff Clifton – Clifton

Jar Jar Bearce – Bearce

Mario Fett – Mario G

Admiral Ackbarband – Winterband

Zanderah Fett – Zanderah

Bail Jenngana – LauraJenn

Wedge Wharm – Wharmton Rise

Bailphiljay Antilles – Phijay

Nute Australia – She Said/Australia

Greedo – GIGS

General Carlist Canton – Canton City Ball

KILWATTO – KOMMANDER KILWALSKI

2-1V – vickstix

Insane Tessek – insane dwayne

Biggs Ben Starlighter – Ben Robinson

Marv Vader – Oozing Greatness

Final note: These characters are based on actual Star Wars characters and have an interesting relation to my OurStage family. There is truly no such thing as a dark side of the OS Force, as we all bring the balance…

Please comment with your suggestions as this story doesn’t end, it only grows.

May the Force Be With You

Schmitty

8)~

I CHALLENGE YOU TO—

1) A duel – 30 paces, your choice of pistols or sabres!

2) A hot dog eating contest, the winner gets all the leftovers!

3) Buy Music – support your favorite OurStage artists!

Now I don’t really know you, so why would I want to hurt you, even though I am an excellent shot, and I love hot dogs as much as the next guy, but you might be a vegetarian, so why would you accept my challenge?

So, let’s explore # 3 !

We all love music. Why else would we be here and on 100’s of other music sites? What’s on your ipod, mp3 player, turntable, 8-track? In the old days (and yes I am older than dirt, AND watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show), we used to buy the music that we really liked. Whoa! I know, why would anyone do that? Hey, music is free now, right? I can go online and find a thousand sites that will let me download anything for free, whether it’s legal or not!

Now before this deteriorates into a discussion of legality and morality (and trust me, I have plenty of opinions on both subjects), let’s steer it back to my challenge.

There are likely close to 100,000 artists here on OurStage. Out of that large number (and I’m just guessing here), maybe 10% are active, full-time, I wanna make a living out of music, kind of artists. I’d guess another 25% are really good enough and have the desire to be full time Rock Stars, but can’t quite figure out how to make that happen. Another 50% are good enough, but will likely never get there because Life Happens. The other 15% are likely just Rock Stars in their own mind, and we still love them, cuz they are good people, mostly.

—PLEASE BALL, get to the point, this is painful!

Ok, this challenge is all about supporting the artist community. There is no better feeling for an artist than

1) I just heard my song on the radio for the first time!

2) Someone just bought one of my songs!

Think about how much hard cold cash you spend on iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon Music. Why not redirect part of that budget to support OurStage artists? Let’s send some of that money back here!

HOW DOES THE CHALLENGE WORK?

I challenge you to support OurStage Artists! We all give it lip service, and I think it’s time to step up to the plate! I am willing to put my money where my mouth is. I am going to peruse the OS artist community, and BUY, yes, you heard me, BUY 25 tracks. Yes, I am going to add those 25 OS tracks to my mp3 player. Whenever you buy a track on OS, the artist gets about 80 cents back. That’s better than the 70 cents that iTunes pays.

Now 80 cents isn’t enough to pay the light bill. That’s why I am issuing the challenge. Look, I realize that not everyone is rich like MrBall and can spend a whopping $25 on music. So, how much can you afford? Can you spend $20, $15, $10, $5, $1 on music? $100? How much are you willing to part with for some really great music?

Not only am I going to buy the music, but I am going to tell you what tracks I bought! I want you to do the same and let me know what you bought! I’m kinda of a Country/Southern Rock kinda guy, so I am going to focus on those genres most likely. In fact, I have already picked out my first 10 tracks. Some of these first 10 tracks have a bit of selfishness and self promotion built in (while I have your ear), but mostly, these are my favorite current tracks.

That leaves 15 tracks I need help with! Can you help me. Reply to this blog, and tell me which of YOUR tracks I should buy and tell me WHY? In fact, I hope to get so much response that we will exceed the comments on the NOW FAMOUS DiCarlo blog (now at ~136 comments). So convince me. I am a tough promoter, so give it your BEST sales pitch. I will consider ANY GENRE for my final 15 tracks. Everyone one of these tracks will make it into my player.

So as part of the challenge, forward this blog around to your fans. Let’s encourage everyone to go out and buy music from OS artists. Take my challenge, don’t leave me hanging! Tell me how much you spent, and who’s tracks you bought! Come on, who’s with me? ARTIST—HINT – Do you have your Paypal Account set up? Get busy, we are coming to listen to your music. If you don’t want to sell your music, I’ll still love ya, but I’m moving on to the next artist! I’ve got COLD, HARD CASH, and it’s burning a hole in my pocket!

As always, join my fan club and drop me a note and tell me what you think!

-Ball

Here are the first 10 in my shopping cart, in no particular order:

1) Erick Baker – Stay Awhile

2) Shannon Haley – This Is Gonna Hurt Me

3) Elyse Saunders – Bittersweet

4) Tim Kinsey – Just Go Away

5) Lori Cunningham – Inside

6) ZStar – Walk With Me

8) Holly Staiton – Again (I know – Shameless Self Promotion)

9) Michael Thomas – Speed Of Life

10) The Sunflowerz – Edge Of My Seat

As I sit here tonight watching the Grammy Awards, with the Rock award going to Coldplay instead of Metallica, and the Pop going to John Mayer instead of Paul McCartney, it made me think of the sometimes bitter remarks made by some artists here on OurStage, who question the award winning process. I think all I have to point out is that Jethro Tull won the very first Heavy Metal Grammy.

Huh? Just like many say here when questioning “genres” and the “legitimacy” of the selection of awards here. So what?

Do you think James Hetfield has ever given one crap about winning Grammy’s? Did Paul McCartney and The Beatles play music to win awards? No. To make money? Maybe. To get laid? Surely.

Awards are fine and all, and so is money. Okay, money is especially fine. But neither are the reason we should be making music.

Your music comes from your heart, mind, and soul with of course help from those pesky muses. If you are able to touch one person and give them some happiness, even for a few minutes, with the wonder you have created, you are a successful musician.

Please never forget that whether music is simply a gift or something we achieve through study, hard work, and sacrifice, it is never a simple commodity or contest in the hearts, minds, and souls of true musicians. And neither is it for true fans.

Schmitty

Love ya, comment me, mean it.

Beginning now, there is a new contest. If you can somehow raise my mojo above 64%, whether it be through being a friend, fan, gavel god with connections, a comment leaver, a chambers chatter, a gig giver, fake fan, channel winner, predictor person, friend of a fan or fan of a friend, big shot, little shot, blogger or blog reader, or even those overall winning superstars, you may be eligible to win the highest badge of honor there is…the thumbs up!

Love ya, comment me, mean it!

Schmitty

1) As an artist, humility is crucial and never believe anyone cares about your art. Sleep easier.

2) Art comes from your heart, soul, mind, and hand, and then becomes a reflection of you. Break some mirrors.

3) As music is the highest form of art, let it remain to be something you do for yourself, as the influence of others will bring compromise. Live with yourself.

Dang, I think I just broke one of my previous rules of blogging, but then again I don’t make the rules….except my own!

Schmitty