OurStage: Let The Fans Decide

56 comments

• Posted by The KIng's 4 on May 7 at 4:45 PM EDT

  Hi, Thanks for your kind words and for sticking up for us ogres, we're not on this site much and tend to get behind on messages. Love your music though so don't ever quit, you have a lot to say and a unique way of saying it. God bless
• Posted by Rickey Wright on May 7 at 10:23 AM EDT

  Kimberley, thank you very much. I have done Steve Perry and Journey songs for a long time, but never put anything on "Ourstage". When they opened up the "Cover Band" channel, I thought that I would just take a chance and see what happened. Thanks again so much for your comments.
  Take care - Rickey
• Posted by Inner Gypsy on Apr 29 at 11:11 AM EDT

  Hi Kimberly,
  I'm happy to see that your song got back on the Christian channel. I really like the way you handled it. Unfortunately most Christians don't have much of a grip on what being Christian means. I too was raised as one, and my take on it was probably more like yours than the establishment one. However I realized that Muslims, Jews, Hindus and in fact all other religions have the same problem with censorship. So a few years ago I created my own religion. It suits me just fine. It's totally tolerant of anything I want to do or say, and I am the judge of my own behaviour. If I want to believe in Jesus, or Buddha or Mohammad, I am free to do so. I am also free to be angry with them for their shortcomings and not be condidered a heretic. I created my own little composite god called Bongo. Bongo has no sex, color, or particular belief system. But does have a great sense of humor. If you'd like to meet Bongo, you can go to http://www.greatgodbongo.com . It won't ruin your status as a Christian. If you want, I can send you a Bongo Catechism. I think you will agree with many of the tenets of this new religion. At the very least you'll have a good laugh.
  Oh, and by the way thanks for the lovely comments on our site. I'm not sure if we have official friend status yet but I shall start that process.
  Best of luck with your music, and all the happiness in the world.
  Mario from Inner Gypsy
  
• Posted by TUMBLESTONE on Apr 26 at 3:40 PM EDT

  Thanks so much for your support!
  
  Girly Comments & Graphics
  
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• Posted by BHM on Apr 24 at 8:13 PM EDT

  Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it, really great, unique sound!
• Posted by Lara Herscovitch on Apr 20 at 6:05 PM EDT

  Hi Kimberly, Glad that all got straightened out, good for you for being patient and helping create a positive resolution. Always great to see it when people and institutions can work it out! And good luck with the song in its home category. peace, lara
• Posted by Steve Azulay on Apr 19 at 9:18 PM EDT

  Thanks for adding me to your list of Friends.Keep seeking God and remember, Jesus we will be persecuted for HIS NAME sake! God bless you.BTW are you still leading worship anywhere?
  
• Posted by Jackson Wetherbee on Apr 18 at 4:14 PM EDT

  Hey! thanks for your support, im glad you like "let us lie here" so much! your music sounds great, its good to hear you cleared up that song with the ourstage staff! best of luck!
  -Jackson Wetherbee
• Posted by Barb and Tom Webber on Apr 17 at 12:06 AM EDT

  BTW, I realize that our styles differ but I think you might appreciate a couple of songs of ours I have posted: "Wholly" and "Busy Day."
  
  Blessings,
  
  Tom
• Posted by Barb and Tom Webber on Apr 17 at 12:02 AM EDT

  Hi, Kimberly:
  
  First, thank you for the kind words. You beat me to it! I was on your page just prior to that and was going to write a note then but got preoccupied with something else. Anyway, I was mesmerized and saddened by the story you posted about your song "Jesus Died for Ogres." I like the imagery and think it is most apt. Why would people not get that is beyond me! Glad everything is working out in the end. Keep up your good work! You have a lot of talent and creativity that is going to good use.
  
  Blessings,
  
  Tom
• Posted by Jason Lee Thomason on Apr 15 at 5:10 PM EDT

  thanks for the support!
• Posted by Smoke & Mirrors on Apr 15 at 9:16 AM EDT

  Kimberley - I am impressed with your creativity, your passion and your lyrics. Jesus himself used metaphors that people still have trouble understanding. You know what they did to him. "Blessed are those who suffer for my sake". I hope you will continue to visit my page "Smoke and Mirrors" and I will keep checking yours for new things that make people think. Earl Presley, Pastor, First Christian Church, Rockdale, TX.
• Posted by Papaya Boy on Apr 14 at 11:28 PM EDT

  This ogre is very proud of you.
  
  PB
  
  
• Posted by ~kryptic k~ on Apr 14 at 6:33 PM EDT

  I don't know about everybody else, but I've been awfully impressed (and humbled) by some of the younger artists here at OURSTAGE - here's one of my favorites - if you haven't had a chance to hear him yet, you oughta take a moment and give him a listen -
  PREDICTS:
  THIS ONE IS DEFINITELY A KEEPER
  
  
• Posted by Lehcar on Apr 13 at 6:07 PM EDT

  jesus died for ogres is a great song, great rythym and the lyrics are powerful enough for anyone to see the religious and spiritual drive behind it. the excommunication of your song from the religious sector of this site saddens me.
  you're lyrics and talent are beautiful though, so keep on keeping on.
• Posted by sarah 1989 on Apr 11 at 6:55 PM EDT

  Hi Kimberly, Very fresh lyrics in JDFO, I like them. I also like the feel of "This Godly Man". You're refreshing and diverse, and we all know that God loves diversity. Friends, Sarah.
• Posted by Jaimee M. Harris on Apr 10 at 4:14 PM EDT

  Thank you so much for the encouragement.
  It was much needed!
  -jaimee
• Posted by jimmyvalentine on Apr 10 at 2:25 PM EDT

  well thanks for the props and the add.....great stuff...a controversy is always good publicity!!!...controversy for Jesus!!!..listen to my track "the Devil's Door", it's a christian song but i think if i entered it in that channel I'd be burned at the stake!...my grandfather said most true artists are misunderstood...thanks for listening..
  
  jimmy Valentine
• Posted by BRK JR on Apr 10 at 2:10 PM EDT

  No turnips for you because ... YOU ROCK!
  ~PeacE~
  BRK JR
• Posted by arioch on Apr 3 at 9:55 PM EDT

  Ok the timer has started. I entered my song Incipit in the Religious/ spiritual channel. Its almost as long as is allowed.
  The clock is ticking to see how long it takes to be removed. it was uploaded at 8:00pm on thrusday April 3, 2008 and entered shortly there after. for others that are reading this
  
  "The Christian/Spiritual channel is for music with lyrical themes that are religious [OR] spiritual in nature, characterized by uplifting messages of hope and faith. The styles of music in this channel might very greatly, but all entries [MUST HAVE VOCAL] accompaniment to ensure each is specific to a religion [OR] conveys deeply spiritual values in a positive way." - ourstage
  
  Obviously being the story of Genesis (Incipit, means begining)even though it is told from the devils perspective puts it squarely in the religious lyrical theme. I dont try and say the devil wins but why the devil capitulates (for love) gives us all hope that if the most sinfull of creatures can be affected by love and do the right thing then perhaps there is hope for the rest of us.
  
  let me know what you think.
  
  Sincerely,
  Malice and Arioch
  
• Posted by arioch on Apr 3 at 2:39 AM EDT

  I see a lightbulb next to your name a light bulb I have been waiting all day to see.
  
  hope all is well.
  
  sincerly,
  Arioch
• Posted by garyrevel on Apr 1 at 11:47 AM EDT

  Thank you so much for your kindness.
• Posted by Timothy Rogers on Apr 1 at 8:05 AM EDT

  best wishes to you
• Posted by arioch on Mar 28 at 6:59 PM EDT

  I personally would love to enter a song in that channel and see how quickly I was removed despite the fact that the backstory of HitsoM is all about how love can change even the most sinfull of beings (Lucifer) Obviously all my songs are of a religious nature though they deal with a fictional version of God, the devil and the many other worldly creatures in between. If they had lyrics they would certainly qualify and yet I cant help but think that they would be reomved with out being listened too. The most beautifull poems are about the evil ones "Paradise Lost" by milton and Dante's "The Divine Comedy" to name a couple and are a warning to all that the path we choose effects how we end up.
  
  Best Wishes,
  
  Malice and Arioch
• Posted by Tim Naylor on Mar 28 at 6:33 PM EDT

  Good for you Kim!!!
  I think the song belongs where you put it but you may want to consider World as an alternitive
• Posted by Lead Pipe Cinch on Mar 25 at 6:32 PM EDT

  Hey,
  Thanks for the friendship - I'm new at OS & before I knew it - I got (I think it was 3) notices saying something to the effect that in the interest of ridding the world of "mediocre" music, several fans had complained about my submissions not fitting the "Guitar Solo" category. I know I'm not good at this tech stuff - & a little ADD - but I never knew until the LAST notice (all different songs) that there were written guidelines for each category. I thought that "guitar solo" meant you were choosing a song that had a great guitar solo & since our guitarist - I think - is quite talented I submitted several! Can't believe that it took 3 complaints before they had to put it in B & W for me that "guitar solo" meant ONLY "guitar solo" - no lyrics!!! So - I guess I was truly wrong in my assessment - UNLIKE you. I was really getting offended by that last 1 & almost didn't read it - lol! - also I really did take offense to the "mediocre" line. I'm a music therapist by day & work with kids who use music to communicate -so to me - music is VERY personal & shouldn't be labeled this way.
  However, OS - I do appreciate your site & I'm sure it's pretty hard, especially with us non-techs - though I am getting better. Still a little unsure of how to contact & get email though.....(YIKES)
  ANYWAY - GREAT SONGS!!!!! I kinda get why some non-christians don't quite understand the title - I DO NOT UNDERSTAND why any chrisitans wouldn't get the title. It's kinda like Brennan Manning's Book - The Ragamuffin Gospel - we're just ALL a bunch of ragamuffins & thank God it's about WHO HE IS - NOT WHO WE ARE!!! And He loves us just the way we are - from Ogres to Preachers -all the same - & when we can realize that we belong to HIM because of WHO HE IS & that He loves us all - no matter what we do - well, it's life changing for sure!! Like Mr. Manning said - something to the fact that in Heaven - 1st is last, last is 1st, etc.... & the prostitutes & drug addicts will be 1st probably 'cause they KNEW they were sinners & needed Jesus. Well, I've been reading that book so your title was so perfect to me.
  BTW Henry, don't think the issue was ever censorship about christianity......& the title really can't offend those who know why they need a Saviour - it's tricky in a way - but I think what this song says - & the message from the Word tells us that we're really all ogres - but because of HIS LOVE for us - our ogre-ness gets changed into a Beautiful PRINCE-HOOD as He is revealed. I think this Shrek analogy is really perfect!!! Thanks so much for helping me. Deborah
  
• Posted by BB CANE on Mar 19 at 7:37 PM EDT

  Hello,
  Welcome to hell. At least once a week I get someone complaining that a song of mine doesn't fit a certain genre. I am sorry that some so called christian had to judge your song unworthy for the Christian channel, and to top it off, to have the so called leaders of ourstage to knock it off of the christian channel. It goes to show you that many of those who judge, judge without the spirit of truth. I read your lyrics and they are as rock solid christian and christianity itself.
  Keep the faith and keep up the excellent missionary work and may you be blessed beyond measure.
  Sincerely BB Cane
• Posted by Jan Peterson on Mar 17 at 8:04 PM EDT

  There will always be those who complain, even when it seems unmerited. Thanks for taking the time to share this.
• Posted by Lil' Dude on Mar 17 at 5:30 PM EDT

  Thanks 4 da encouraging words! It really means a lot. Please keep in touch, ok?
  
  Lil' Dude
• Posted by Ernest Whaley on Mar 17 at 8:59 AM EDT

  Jesus never thougt of himself as being better/chosen/saved/any other adjective used by insecure people to feel superior and justify their arrogence. Jesus said "love one another" period! Not "love one another if they all think and say the same as you".
  Keep spreading the love, as there is no ONE way to do it.
  Blessings and Balance,
  Ernest
• Posted by True Gospel on Mar 16 at 7:09 PM EDT

  Kimberly.. May God continue to Bless you!!! True Christians stand up for whats right!!! & we do tend to be a lil' salty! We have to be! In order to be called the elect, Whom God chose to stand against the enemy during the 6th trump, Allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through them at that time...To know that & then refuse the spirit, would be the unpardonable sin.
• Posted by Living Beings on Mar 11 at 8:23 PM EDT

  Hi, how are Ya? Thanks for the invite;) I'm an old Metal head, but I like allot of different styles of music. You have a great authentic Folk style. Great voice, reminds me of Joni Mitchell The guitar playing is fantastic to! Keep up the good work! I volunteered for Local Christian Concerts since 1989. I mixed for local shows for 12 years and I've always dreamed of singing in a Hard Rock - Metal - Hard Core Band. No band yet, but I have been able to do some recording. Check out our songs and Judge em too, k?
  
  Don - Living Beings – DonSongs.com
  
  
• Posted by The Clarences on Mar 9 at 6:22 PM EDT

  THE CLARENCES love & support Kryptic K~'s!!!!
• Posted by theplasticduo on Mar 9 at 1:20 AM EST

  Hey, thanks for the request. I read you post about them removing your song from the christian channel, that's a bit absurd but I guess they're expecting regular old praise and worship or something. Anyway, great lyrics though, it's nice to find someone with an original approach to lyric writing. Good stuff.
  
  All the best,
  
  -J
• Posted by Michael Nova on Mar 8 at 7:19 PM EST

  kryptic k...what we have here is not only a spiritually guided highly talented musically gifted person..but an OUTSTANDING spiritually guided highly talented musically gifted person!! Thanks you for your kindness..I love your music!! Michael Nova
• Posted by Mikell's Plot on Mar 8 at 6:45 PM EST

  Thanks for the add!.Nice music.Mike
• Posted by Angela Wilkins on Mar 7 at 6:53 PM EST

  Sorry for all the trouble..one of my songs got ripped from the blues Cat...
• Posted by Fasteddie Blues on Mar 4 at 9:45 PM EST

  Just remember they hated him first...
  So you must be doing someting right...
  I have been playing guitar 50yrs.,and if every time somebody tried to jack me around i got a $1.00,I Wouldn't need this contest!!!
  Child there are just Haters,Listen to the lyrics to my song Howl...
  The next time "they" mess with you take heart,You ROCK and they don't ....
  The LORD Be with you....
  You got my vote...
  Your Pal...
  Fasteddie Bluse.....
  
  
• Posted by MrMontyM on Mar 4 at 1:24 AM EST

  I can believe the ignorance of the small percentage of "self proclaim christians" Often our own brethen can be blinded by the obtuseness of their humane minds...
  I believe there are songs of praise and worship, and there are "contemporary" songs depicting a situation involving christianity, god and or religious experiences as well as spiritual abd or "worldly experiences."
  Just because I sing of my experiences in the world, does not mean I am of it. Just because one owns a house, car, clothing, monies... "things of the world" and all of the world is of the enemy... does not mean that I am of the world. Often, our brethen are too quick to judge and point fingers... when in fact they should pluck "that thing" out of their eyes first.
  Hmmmm... I proclaim nothing... Just another Human being attempting to do the best to full fill my promise to my creator...
  Peace and love to you and yours and your fans.
  I'm glad the song was reinstated. I get it... why can't others? Look beyond the walls of your narrowmindness people...WWJD? FROG...
  
• Posted by blaz'in river on Mar 3 at 3:24 PM EST

  Kimberly,
  I like your music. I really like it. Remember that the bigger you get the more the evil one will try and take you down.Find a prayer group to keep you safe. I speak from exsperience. A former band I was in was lucky enough to get Bride to do a show with us. It was a great show. In less than 6 months our band was gone.
  Always trust in God to lead you down the right path. That path is not traveled much, but His light will guide you.
  God Bless,
  Merlyn
• Posted by Psalm Psinger on Mar 2 at 6:29 PM EST

  Thank-you for your compliments. This OS "Newbie" can use a little encouragement. God created music for His praise. It shouldn't draw attention to the messenger, (Look at me, I'm cool) but it's nice to know somebody is listening and voting so more can be drawn to Christ. :D
• Posted by C.A.M.IL on Mar 2 at 1:55 PM EST

  YOU GO GIRL! GREAT JOB GETTING YOUR SONG REINSTATED. KEEP GRINDING! THANKS FOR JOINING MY FAN LIST ALSO.
• Posted by XHeidiX on Mar 1 at 11:38 AM EST

  Hey there! I'm new to ourstage and feel a bit of a lonely ogre ;o( but I wanted to say that as a Christian I don't find your song lyrics offensive and I'm from the UK...we have a very strict rule on things that could be deemed disrespectful. Good luck and keep up the good work!
  
  Much love,
  
  Heidi xxx
• Posted by BRK JR on Feb 28 at 1:36 AM EST

  Breaking new ground isn't always easy, but it must be done if the seeds are to grow.
  
  Looks like you and Ourstage got it worked out.
  Excellent!
  
  It's a new day. Let's begin
  
  ~PeacE~
  BRK JR
  
• Posted by MGPArtists on Feb 16 at 1:45 AM EST

  Thank you for being our fan and a living example of honesty and diplomacy. Keep shining (great lyrics).
• Posted by kingly T on Feb 9 at 4:29 PM EST

  Thanks so much for being my friend and fan.I have been trying to listen your music but your player is not playing them for me,I don't know why,but I will check back later,
  Blessings
• Posted by Perelandra on Feb 8 at 9:27 PM EST

  hey thanks for the kind words. you have a really good voice. have a great day.
• Posted by TammyHarris on Feb 6 at 2:18 PM EST

  Wow! That is truly a bit of drama. Sometimes people are very easy to dismiss what they don't understand or make assumptions based on perception and not reality. It is a sad state that we do live in. Glad to know that you were given the opportunity to continue to showcase your views as I don't think that there is an offensive nature or spirit in what you are conveying. Best wishes and God bless.
• Posted by longsongs on Feb 5 at 5:18 PM EST

  Wow. Everything about that whole situation is interesting to me.
  
  Frankly, it doesn't surprise me that your lyrics might offend certain people. And I guess there do have to be SOME limits to what can be posted. I know that in some other music upload sites (like download.com) they do ask ya to signify whether your song is appropiate for persons under 16. Maybe ourstage should consider something like that.
  
  And yet, it seems to me in this sort of competition, people's reactions about what is appropriate and what is not are automatically taken care of, simply by the judging system: if ya hate it, then ya vote against it!
  
  As for me, I think your lyrics are very interesting, very stimulating poetry that make the listener think, consider, and go deeper. But I'm not surprised that some people simply can't go beyond fairly shallow dogma.
  
  I do think that you handled the situation really very well, and in fact ourstage met you half way. I'm sure they struggled with the situation, especially since this is a new category of competition with a spiritual dimension.
  
  Interestingly (for me anyway) I have been holding back one of my own songs because it expresses spiritual DOUBTS in a very sincere way, and I wanted to see the range of songs in the new category before I entered it. But I will probably enter it next month.
  
  p.s. You may be interested in a website that two friends and I started years ago: www.trialogue.typepad.com This site is a debate among three people: a committed Christian, a freethinking Unitarian (that's me) and a scholarly former agnostic.
  
  ---John Long (aka: Longsongs)
  
  
• Posted by enoke on Feb 5 at 12:59 PM EST

  I agree with Phractured Phairytales
• Posted by STRIVE on Feb 5 at 11:28 AM EST

  yeah, really interesting, and a good move towards a peaceable resolution...both krypticK and Daniel from Ourstage acted with grace and compassion, and perhaps even the brothers and sisters who were concerned by the title, did so out of a desire for the same. This is a good forum for us all to face presuppositions, and gently bump our way towards openess and dialogue, I think that is part of why we create music right? beyond popularity or marketability or some other third thing, we are trying to communicate with one another. Peace friends.
• Posted by Ron Hobson on Feb 5 at 8:30 AM EST

  It seems to be just a trait or characteristic of a free society, that "unknown zone" where many of us, both Christian and non-Christian, are seemingly so misunderstood by our peers sometimes. From my personal experiences, Christianity itself is highly miscontrued to the extent that some are really confused and turned off by it. As a secular artist who just happens to be a believer/Christian I've also experienced the same type of misunderstanding in many different ways. If we don't get the meaning of something right away why can't we just email the artist and ask them about it, and in this case it certainly could have been handled this way. I think that you handled the situation with a lot of class. Instead of shying away you stood and let everyone know that you had been misuderstood and in turn the song was reinstated. It takes heart and guts to stand up when something like this happens. It's truly a lesson for all of us! Great song by the way, and your right, Jesus died for everyone, even us misfit musicians.
• Posted by BluesHonky on Feb 5 at 1:39 AM EST

  Daniel, If Christ came back today the same people who claim to know him would nail him to the cross all over again.
• Posted by the kenzos on Feb 4 at 11:37 PM EST

  they jumped the gun by judging the song based on censorship issues
  
  rather than relevance, which is all they should have been concerned with
  
  ...sometimes you just have to tell complainers to eat it
  
  nice job handling it though
  
  thekenzos.com
  
• Posted by Phractured Phairytales on Feb 4 at 11:17 PM EST

  whoa... that was really uncool - i think people should listen to more of the song or look at the song info if they dont get it in the first 15 seconds. i like what you said in your respnse letter:
  
  "...it amazes me that the 'christian' channel which is not even 3 days old yet (and thank you by the way for creating it) is already on a witch hunt, backstabbing and complaining and ripping fellow members to shreds! sheesh, it's just like home (church) no wonder the world wants nothing to do with christ - i can see their logic: if he's anything like their followers, who needs it? ...sad..."
  
  lord, save me from your followers!
  
  i'm glad ourstage.com 'saw the light' in the end though, and it's a relly good song
  
• Posted by Daniel P Hudelson on Feb 4 at 11:11 PM EST

  Thanks for the friendship. I see we have a Troll connection. I'm also glad to hear that all's not lost for Shrek ;-)