ATO Sitemaster Blog / News

Greetings and welcome to Asian Talent Online.  I'm Steve the Sitemaster.  From time to time I will use this space to weigh in with my observations as well as do a little cheerleading, begging, nagging -- whatever the situation calls for at the moment.  Mostly, though, I'm here to respond to your comments and suggestions - and to let you know what's going on behind the scenes at this website.

Thanks

Steve

News  5/20/08

Where Have We Been???

Yeah, yeah -- I know --- the site hasn't been updated much in the past several weeks.  But there is a perfectly good explanation for that --- I'VE BEEN BUSY WITH REAL WORK!!!  LOL  That's not to say that ATO isn't "real work" -- it is, in a sense -- but "real work" is what ya have to do to put food on the table.  And that's what I've been up to for about a month or so.

If you've read any of my irregular blogs on MySpace, you know more or less what kind of work I do and why I sometimes drop out of site.  No -- not an FBI agent or anything of the kind -- I'm a video guy and I travel quite a bit. And when I'm finally home I have to edit what I've been shooting out on the road.  

Some months are (much) busier than others -- and I'm entering what is traditionally my craziest time of the year.  But I PROMISE  to be better about keeping up with the site.  Even if I have to stay up ALL night and give up drinking beer with my buddies in order to keep this site fresh.  Well -- ok -- the beer thing I'll prolly not give up.  But I WILL work harder on the thing.

LOTS of great stuff on the way --- and it will appear on these pages very shortly.

WHERE IS LANIE - THE GIRL WITH THE PEN??

In response to the "Where's Lanie" questions I've been getting --- she's still blogging for us, but she's in the process of moving right now.  Her weekly "Motivated Mondays" blog will resume before long.

AND NOW --  Here it is -- the new dance sensation that's sweeping the nation ---

C'mon and do the Steve

That's all for now -- check back soon!!

Steve

News  3/25/08

Coolness All Around!
Things keep getting better and better on ATO.  The site is finally starting to get where we want it to be -- and we've got YET ANOTHER NEW BLOG!

ANOTHER NEW BLOG?? :   Yeth indeed.  Forget what the previous announcement (of  3/05) said -- that blog is dead already.  The Bravenet thing is OK for some things, but their blog leaves a bit to be desired.  SO -- I followed the advice of my friend Lanie and put up a new Wordpress blog.  That seems to work a little better for us, especially since Lanie went in and set it up right. She's good with that kind of stuff -- and she's an awesome blogger too!!  In fact, she's the person behind ...

MOTIVATED MONDAYS:  This great weekly blog by Lanie - Girl With A Pen will make you laugh, think and maybe get up and take some action.  It's a wonderful way to start your week - PLUS Lanie spotlights an ATO artist every week.  Take note - I have NO say-so in her choices -- so if YOU get picked, rest assured it's because your sound caught Lanie's discriminating ear.

ANOTHER NEW FEATURE ON THE WAY:  Just what you need -- another new feature.  Well, actually you DO need this. It's going to be called CD Watch -- and will give you a heads-up on upcoming and recently released albums. Need I say more?

OTHERWISE:  Well, what more can I tell you?  Just look at the site and you'll see a bunch of new music and site tweaks galore. Like I said -- it keeps getting better and better.

More later -- in the meantime --- PLEASE JOIN ATO!!!!  All ya gotta do is sign up for the mailing list.  Do that below.

News  3/05/08

ATO GETS TWEAKED:   Yeeeep -- we're always shakin' things up around here.  Nothing too radical overall, but ATO continues to be somewhat "under construction". Sharp-eyed observers might detect subtle changes to layouts, logos, color schemes and so forth.

And YES we DID make a rather major change to our main ATO logo.  You'll notice that it now says "Celebrating Asians in the Arts" -- instead of "Connecting Asians in the Arts". We did that cuz we think it better reflects what we're actually trying to accomplish here. I think it speaks for itself.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE:  Only a tad less irritating than PBS pledge-a-thons is our current membership drive.  What?? Now I gotta be a member of this cotton pickin' website?  No, no -- you don't HAVE to be a member -- but we'd appreciate it if you would join. All it amounts to is signing up for our new MAILING LIST -- and we consider you a member-in-good-standing. What's in it for you?  Hmmmm.  Working on that.  A little extra special treatment, maybe?  Whatever -- join below:

BLOGGITY BLOGGITY:   The next goodie we have for you is a brand spanking new OFFICIAL ATO BLOG.  This is a thing we found on Bravenet - and it looks pretty good, so we'll try it. I think that every now and then I'll lay down some of my peculiar wit and wisdom - and you can blast me for it.  All right there on the blog.  Here is a link:

Is that Big enough?

MORE FUN STUFF ON THE WAY-- Oooohhh yeah -- I'm getting into some of these free add-ons and widgets I've found. I'll be cluttering things up quite a bit in weeks to come -- but it's all in good fun.  Is there anything you know of that you would like added to the site?  Excuse me -- I can't hear you.  I guess you're not a member yet.  Only members have an actual voice. Heh heh.

RE: ATO FORUMS AND TALENT PROFILES: Not that anyone really cares (it's obvious) but the ATO Forums and Talent Profile pages are mutating and merging.  I've dropped some of the Message Board topics and rolled the Talent Profiles into the Forum. This way, if anyone wants to promote themselves on the thing it will be a sort of a do-it-yourself affair. It's pretty easy, really -- and there are categories for Actors AND Musicians. You can create your own page and post your vital info, pictures, gig dates and more. Coolness.  Use the help files on the page until I can get some step-by-step tutorials up there.

REMINDER REDUX:  

ATO ON MYSPACE:  It's fugly but it's there -- ATO on  MySpace

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS -- for those of you wishing to send us artwork and large media files:  asiantalentonline@gmail.com

That's all the news that's fit to print for this outing.  Join ATO and maybe I'll tell you some secrets.

Sitemaster Steve

News  2/19/08

News  1/24/08

Good heavens what's going on with ATO??

Don't get excited -- we're just doing some tweaks.  Trying to clean up some formatting issues and chase the uglies away.  No big deal.

ATO GETTING FACELIFT:   Just a few nips and tucks to organize things a little better.  Sometimes the Sitemaster gets in a hurry or gets lazy and things come out looking slapdash.  Sorry.  Promise to do better.

Where is the content I'm looking for??  Don't get bent -- your favorite features are still here -- even if you don't see them right this very minute.  They will return shortly in an easier-access format.  

ATO WANTS YOUR VIDEO:  One of the things we're planning to do this year is put more emphasis on VIDEO.  So -- if you have some video WE WANT IT.  You've probably noticed some new stuff on ATO Mainstage -- and there's lots more coming in the days ahead.  We also now have ATO Mainstage COMEDY -- so you'll want to check that out.  Again -- if YOU have some video you'd like to show - contact us ASAP.

MORE MUSIC COMING:   This item really doesn't need explanation - but I'll just say that soon you'll find lots and lots more great music on the site.  Only the best.

WHAT DO YOU WANT ANYWAY??-- I need some input here, people.  We have a few features going right now that don't seem to be popular (at least according to site stats) -- so please take a moment to drop us an email and tell us what you LOVE and what you HATE.  Also - tell us what you would like to see that we do NOT currently have.  Don't be shy - you won't hurt our feelings one bit.

And -- a few reruns ---

WHERE IS THE SONG OF THE WEEK??   It shall return.  The holidays got crazybusy for Sitemaster Steve -- and the new year is presenting lots of  challenges already.  Time is in short supply at this moment - and the Song of the Week takes time to prepare (as does everything on the site) -- but life will settle down soon and the popular feature will be back.

ATO ON MYSPACE:  It's fugly but it's there -- ATO on  MySpace

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS REMINDER -- for those of you wishing to send us artwork and large media files:  asiantalentonline@gmail.com

OK your mission is clear -- communicate with us and send us your stuff!!

Sitemaster Steve

News  1/08/08

Happy New Year Everyone!

Well - it's a brand new year and you can expect lots of exciting new stuff on ATO.

FIRST OF ALL:

ATO INTERACTIVE IS EXPANDING:   We've mentioned this before but we'll mention it again because this will be a very important change around here.  Very soon  we will be migrating all of the "ATO Talent Profile" material to "Interactive".  That will be a good thing because it will allow YOU to set up and customize your very own profiles.  ALSO -- the Talent Profiles have previously been primarily for the actor-types ..... but we will be setting up a similar function for musicians too. Everyone will be able to take control of their own "page" -- make it look like you want it to -- and change the info whenever you desire. More flexible for you -- less upkeep for us.  Full details on this change later.

Why are we doing that??  Because this site is primarily for promotional purposes and ATO Interactive wants to put YOU in charge of promoting yourself using the space we provide for you. You will be able to set up your own area and include whatever info and photos you desire... plug yourself, your skills and your merchandise-- and keep it all up-to-date.  Link to your area from your MySpace, Facebook or whatever page.  This will be great for folks who don't have their own website -- AND for those who do and wish to reach a broader audience. Will it still be free?  Of course!!

ATO TO INCLUDE MORE VIDEO:  Yep.  For a long time we've invited you to send us your video (short films or music videos, etc.) - but now we're going to put more emphasis on that.  We've got a couple of areas that are appropriate for video (ATO Cinema and ATO Mainstage) and we might add more. But rest assured, in the coming year there will be MORE video on the site. Got stuff on YouTube?  Cool -- just send us your links.  We'll put it on the site AND make sure you get a good plug on the front page.

JINLAND IS HERE:   Our good friend Jin at the Referr-A-List is providing content on the ATO page.  Her area is fully interactive and is the BEST place around to make connections.  Just go check it out - you'll understand.

AND -- Jin is making some secret plans to do some expansion on her own.  When she's done it will be -- well, just wait and see. But you will be pleased.

ATO SAMPLER THREE -- yeah -- still working on that.  It's coming!!  Be patient.

and, in case you're wondering ---

WHERE IS THE SONG OF THE WEEK??   It shall return.  The holidays got crazybusy for Sitemaster Steve -- and the new year is presenting lots of  challenges already.  Time is in short supply at this moment - and the Song of the Week takes time to prepare (as does everything on the site) -- but life will settle down soon and the popular feature will be back.

ATO ON MYSPACE:  It's fugly but it's there -- ATO on  MySpace

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS REMINDER -- for those of you wishing to send us artwork and large media files:  asiantalentonline@gmail.com

Again, Happy Gnu Year

Sitemaster Steve

News  11/19/07

Seasons Greetings Everyone!

Yep, it's that time of year.  Hope you enjoy it in whatever fashion you choose.

Lotsa stuff going on here at ATO:

ATO INTERACTIVE EXPANDS:   If you don't know about this feature, please read all about it in the previous post -- it is a very valuable service we provide for your "do it yourself" promotional needs.  As of the first of the new year (2008) we will be migrating all of the "ATO Talent Profile" material to "Interactive".  That will be a good thing because it will allow YOU to set up and customize your very own profiles.  ALSO -- the Talent Profiles have previously been primarily for the actor-types ..... but we will be setting up a similar function for musicians too. Everyone will be able to take control of their own "page" -- make it look like you want it to -- and change the info whenever you desire. More flexible for you -- less upkeep for us.  Full details on this change later.

ANOTHER NEW FEATURE:   The ATO CD RACK!!!  Here is where you will find an ENTIRE CD by our featured artists. If you like what you hear (and we bet you do) please go to their sites and buy their music.  Keep them supported so they can give us even more hours of pleasure.

ATO HOLIDAY SAMPLER UPDATE:  December 1 is the deadline for submissions to the ATO Holiday Sampler.  Check the front page for info on that.  If we don't get enough music to fill out a sampler, I'll just post the individual songs on the Jukebox.  
ATO SAMPLER THREE -- is STILL on the way!  We promise it's coming soon -- and it will be sort of the finale of the "Late Night Chill" trilogy.  It will be worth the wait.

GUIA RIVERA BLOG UPDATED -- new musings from our "Inside The Music" girl.  Plus some new pics.  Always a good thing.  Incidentally, did you know Guia's also a great cook??!!  Wonder if she has a twin sister......

and, oh yeah --

ANOTHER NEW FEATURE:  On the front page of the site -- down toward the bottom -- you'll find an ever-changing display of selected gig flyers.  Want to be there?  Just email us the flyer artwork for your upcoming performance. ALSO - in the same general area as the gig flyers you'll see "Choice Stuff", which is where we'll post artwork for your new CD releases. Again, to be featured just send us an email with your advertising artwork.

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS REMINDER -- for those of you wishing to send us artwork and large media files:  asiantalentonline@gmail.com

That's it for this go 'round.  Thanks for your support.

Sitemaster Steve

News  10/21/07

Happy Almost Halloween 

A plethora of things to report this week   (like that word "plethora"?  oh me too.)

NEW FEATURE:   Do you like MySpace?  Go on, admit it -- you do.  And one of the things you like about it is that you can post all sorts of stuff (text, pictures, links etc.) in the bulletin area.  Well, we now have something like that - only better!  "ATO INTERACTIVE" is what we're calling it.  It allows you to  post content RIGHT HERE on ATO.  Imagine promoting your upcoming gigs with formatted text and your own graphics -- or advertising your CDs and other merchandise!  Or maybe you'd just like to give a lil bit of e-love to your favorite ATO artists.  You can do that too.  There are several different areas and more planned, so go have a look.  And read the info, cuz this feature allows you to customize everything you submit.  Fun!

ANOTHER NEW FEATURE:   The ATO Song of the Week!!!  Yep, every week we'll pick a tune that's been sticking in our cranium -- and make sure you are humming it too.  Our first week's choice was Leila Florentino's "Sit By Me".  Week two saw Sue Jin's "If I Could Change" rise to the top of the Hit Parade.  Who will be next???  New song every Tuesday.

SPEAKING OF MUSIC:  We recently loaded up wads of new songs onto the ATO Jukebox.  Look for great stuff from people like Guia Rivera, Charm Park, Catherine Duc, Moulann, Jeff Hsin, Leila Florentino, Sue Jin and many more.  This area gets updated a lot, so check back often.

ATO SAMPLER THREE -- is STILL on the way!  We promise it's coming soon -- and it will be sort of the finale of the "Late Night Chill" trilogy.  It will be worth the wait.

ATO HOLIDAY SAMPLER -- is still seeking holiday music.  Original, traditional or cover versions -- doesn't matter -- we just want plenty of toonage to make a great yuletide compilation.  Musicians, heed the call.  Don't be a grinch - send us your carols.  Ho ho ho.

GUIA RIVERA BLOG UPDATED -- new musings from our "Inside The Music" girl.  Plus some new pics.  Always a good thing.  Incidentally, did you know Guia's also a great cook??!!  Wonder if she has a twin sister......

and, oh yeah --

ANOTHER NEW FEATURE:  "Irritant of the Day".  You just gotta see this -- there's no way to describe it.  And we're lying -- there won't be a new one every day --- but we will change it out frequently.  When we get enough complaints.  :)

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS -- for those of you wishing to send us large media files:  asiantalentonline@gmail.com

MORE SECRET STUFF COMING SOON -- So secret even we don't know what it is yet.  Stay tuned.

Secret Sitemaster Steve

News  10/3/07

Greetings All

Lotsa stuff to report today --- in a nutshell:

NEW FEATURE:   We've got a brand new music area -- the ATO Coffeehouse.  This is really special because it presents artists in their most intimate, personal musical moods.  The idea is to feature live recordings, home-recordings, demos and similar things that capture the true unadorned, unprocessed sound of the singer.  But there's more to it than just that -- go check it out and you'll understand.

ATO SAMPLER TWO IS UP!  Yep, in case you were sleeping and missed it, our Streaming Music Sampler Volume Two is online.  And it is amazing!!  Once again we found some of the best AA musicians working today and fast-talked them into letting us add them to the compilation.  Again -- words don't suffice -- go check it out for the full effect.

ATO SAMPLER THREE -- is on the way!  And the hits just keep on coming!  In just a week or two there will be the third installment of the Sampler Series -- and it will be sort of the finale of the "Late Night Chill" trilogy.  Stay tuned.

ATO HOLIDAY SAMPLER -- is still seeking holiday music.  Original, traditional or cover versions -- doesn't matter -- we just want plenty of toonage to make a great yuletide compilation.  Musicians, heed the call.  Send us your carols.

GUIA RIVERA BLOG UPDATED -- and this time Guia has some words for Tila Tequila!  Is a smackdown in the works?

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS -- for those of you wishing to send us large media files:  asiantalentonline@gmail.com

MORE SECRET GROOVY STUFF ABOUT TO HAPPEN -- but we can't tell or it wouldn't be a secret!  :)

That's all til next time.

Sitemaster Steve

News  9/17/07

Greetings All

Wow the year is really whipping by, isn't it?  Pretty soon it will be time to get out the Halloween costumes -- then it's turkey day, Christmas, New Year's, etc.  Where does it all go?  Sorry -- just a random thought!

ATO Music Sampler Volume Two Almost Here!!  Yes, indeed - the next ATO Sampler is in the pipeline right now and it is going to be another winner!  Some of the fan favorites from Sampler One will return, plus you'll hear some incredible tunes by a brand-new batch of artists -- including a certain Broadway star!!  Do I sound excited?  I can't help it!  These samplers have proven to be an extremely popular feature of AsianTalentOnline -- and you wouldn't believe some of the people who are checking out the tunes.  Not at liberty to divulge that info, of course, but suffice it to say -- the music is reaching some rather important ears.  Trust me -- the music is getting heard -- and that will make a big difference for everyone eventually.  I'm thrilled that ATO is playing a small part in what is certain to come.

Also, I'd like to thank all the folks who took the time to help us out by sending so much incredible stuff!  AND -- I'd like to invite other musicians to get involved in this ongoing project.  Contact us!  

Along Those Same Lines   ATO friend Sue Jin has said it best on her MySpace page:  

"I was walking through the music section at Borders the other day, and noticed something incredible. There were no Asian artists anywhere to be found! Well there were a few in the Classical section. But where were the Asian Pop and R&B singers? Where were the Asian Country singers and Rap artists? We aren't intrinsically incapable of singing music in English! It's a common misconception that the music must parallel an image, and unfortunately, there always seem to be gatekeepers preventing people of all shapes, sizes, and colors from just celebrating the music itself. If there is anything that this competition has taught me, it is that there is an abundance of talent in the Asian American community, and it is time for us to display it to the world."

Sue is right on the money.  And if anybody disagrees, all they have to do is listen to an ATO sampler to get a fair idea of what AA artists really are capable of doing.  But I'm preaching to the choir, right?

My point here is that eventually it WILL happen.  An AA artist will crack into the mainstream charts in a big way -- and then the monkey-see, monkey-do record labels will fall all over themselves trying to find more of the same.  It happens every time something "new" comes along.  But when the tsunami starts, it will carry a lot of very deserving people along with it.  Anybody who is ready with a pleasing sound and fresh material will have a good shot at riding the wave.  My hope is that ATO will be a place where the "majors" will look when they are ready to promote music by people who "happen to be Asian".  I honestly DO think that will be within the realm of possibility.

And THAT'S why it is very important to get involved with ATO and help us out in any way you can.  The best way to do that is to participate in what we're trying to do.  Send us your music, films, performance videos, etc.  Send us promotional materials about yourself.  Yak on our forums.  Do whatever you have time to do -- just DO something.  Make your presence known.

AND -- tell everybody you know about ATO.  Promote this site as much as you can.  You belong to several groups and forums and whatnot, right?  Well, drop a mention of us wherever you go. The best advertising is word-of-mouth -- and that's all we are asking of you.  Talk us up!  It's good for us -- for you -- and for everybody.

End of sermon.  And check out Sue Jin at:   www.myspace.com/suejinmusic 

9/11 Remembered With Music   ATO friend Ketsana gave us a wonderful gift last week -- a special song she wrote and performed in remembrance of 9/11.  We featured the song on our front page beginning on 9/10 -- and over the next several days it was our number one most requested item according to site stats.  So -- we're going to leave it up for a while longer, just to make sure everybody gets a chance to see it.  If you haven't checked it out yet, please do.  And let Ketsana know what you think.

That's all til next time.

Sitemaster Steve

News  8/22/07

Greetings All

Yes indeed there's a lot going on at Asian Talent Online lately:

ATO Music Sampler finally here!!   Our very first streaming music sampler is finally up -- and it is amazing.  So many beautiful voices, so much talent -- you will be floored!  It's so good, in fact, that we're doing another one.  And after that, another and another -- because there are SO many incredible performers out there you can't do them justice with only one or two compilations.  Material of this quality deserves to be heard -- so we're going to make it available to our site visitors in the hope that they will support and encourage all those wonderful artists.  

I'd like to thank all the folks who took the time to help us out by sending so much incredible stuff!  AND -- I'd like to invite other musicians to get involved in this ongoing project.  Contact us!  

About our Forums   OK, OK -- gotta say this:  I don't know what the problem is, but people just AREN'T using our ATO forum area.  Oh, they're going in there and checking for new postings -- but by and large site visitors are not commenting on things, starting discussion threads or just venting.  This makes Sitemaster Steve very sad 'cuz if you only knew what a royal pain in the butt it is to build a forum -- you'd shed a tear or two and then post something just to make me feel better.  So why don't you do that?  Mend my broken heart by visiting the forums and leaving a little something in there for me.  It's really easy -- you don't have to "join" anything or give up any personal info or anything!!  Go on, try it.  You might actually like it!!  :)

The BEST Show on TV   First a disclaimer:  I hardly qualify as a TV critic because I rarely watch television.  Most of what is on the box seems all too stale, familiar and predictable to capture and keep my interest.  That said, I very recently became aware of a show that is -- well, familiar -- but hardly stale and NEVER predictable.  In fact, I think this show is one of the best things I have ever seen on network television and the main reason is because it IS familiar - and it is unbelievably entertaining.  And that show is .... "America's Got Talent".

Before you scoff and click away from this page, let me explain my position to you.  I am the kind of guy who enjoys Seinfeld and Frazier and stuff like that because those programs are very well written and performed -- and heck, they're funny!  Even so, they never made me actually laugh out loud.  Truthfully, nothing on television has ever reduced me to helpless laughter -- UNTIL I caught on to "America's Got Talent".  Yes, indeed, that program is hysterically, hysterically funny -- laugh out loud til you cry and lose your breath funny. And then -- just when you think everything about the show is a joke -- somebody will walk out on the stage and literally knock you out with an amazing talent of some kind.  You just never see it coming.

How can something like this - a program that by outward appearances seems doomed to fail - be SO entertaining?  Really, now -- who in their right mind would voluntarily tune in to a show that features Jerry Springer, David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osbourne and some snide British guy?  Add to that, the world's leading snide British guy - Simon Cowell - is the producer of this thing. Gotta say, if I hadn't accidentally stumbled across a marathon of episodes airing yesterday on Bravo, I would have never watched anything with such a seemingly nightmarish concept.  And I would have really missed out - because somehow all the cheesiness works in the show's favor.  The celebrities are actually fun to watch as they preside over "talent auditions" that feature some of the most surreal acts this side of the Gong Show.  In fact - that's what this is -- Gong Show for the new century -- mixed with Ed Sullivan and sprinkled with Star Search.  The only thing missing is Chuck Barris - but he is certainly there in spirit.

Best part of the whole show, though, are the frequently stunning contestants.  When somebody on this show is good, they are not merely good -- they are beyond amazing. Singers, dancers, jugglers, magicians - you name it - if they're not terrible they are jaw-dropping.  There is no such thing as blandly mediocre on "Got Talent".  And there's no such thing as melodrama either - at least, not the coached, staged, forced kind of melodrama you see on American Idol.  No, all you really get with "America's Got Talent" is an hour's worth of pure entertainment. Great fun, frequently stunning talent -- and big, big laughs.

If you haven't seen the show yet, jump over to the NBC website and view clips of the acts.  And do NOT miss any clips involving this season's million dollar winner -- a ventriloquist who will actually make you LIKE that kind of thing. This guy is so good you will NOT believe it.  Kinda like the whole show in general.

That's all til next time.

Sitemaster Steve

News  7/29/07

Greetings All

Yes indeed there's a lot going on at Asian Talent Online lately:

ATO Music Sampler On The Way    Our very first streaming music sampler is shaping up to be quite good.  The call for participants has ended and very soon the finished product will appear on the site.  I'd like to thank all the folks who took the time to help us out by sending so much amazing stuff!  

Yet Another Site Overhaul    Yes, yes, I know -- this site changes it's look every few weeks.  That's part of the growing pains, I suppose.  The latest revamp was spurred on by technical issues as well as matters of taste.  The tech problems were the main determining factor - but visitor's comments also carried some weight.

Overall, people liked the "virtual arts district" format - but those who didn't made some excellent points about how confusing it could be to navigate through all that.  Above all else we want ATO to be user-friendly, so it was with much regret that we "burned down the town".  We also got the usual gripes about "ugly colors" and "too much flash" -- so we decided to act on that as well.  We've now "gone over to the dark side" with the site color scheme.  It's basic black - which is MY favorite color anyway.  I'm sure that will irritate some folks, but hey -- you can't please everybody.  

So the ATO that stands before you now is a leaner, meaner beast.  The most popular features have been retained and refined -- and some of the stuff that didn't fly has been sent to the landfill.  If you really miss some of the older material, just hunt for it in the archives.  

Although the look of Asian Talent Online might change, the mission of helping promote Asians in the Arts will remain constant.

ATO Partners With EastWestNow Records    We found kindred spirits over at EastWestNow, described on their website as "not a traditional record label that sends out A&R representatives to clubs, nor do we finance and develop new artists. East West Now is a recording collective: think of it as an online club for Asian American musicians.  -- The whole idea of East West Now is to promote the popular music of Asian Americans ... a small but growing  force in American music. "  

EastWestNow is run by Frances Mai-Ling, pioneer of  the "Alternative Classical" genre, and Queenie - often referred to as the "Gothic Enya".  These two talented ladies run the collective as a labor of love.  Like ATO, there is no financial gain associated with EWN's efforts.  We will be working with these lovely people on various projects in the future.  You'll see much more about them in our pages as time goes on.

Check out EastWestNow Records at:

www.eastwestnow.net     and    www.myspace.com/eastwestnowrecords

That's all til next time.

Sitemaster Steve

Promote or Perish

Welcome to Asian Talent Online – a fun and free place to help you promote yourself. 

Why self-promotion?

Let me give you a little tough love:  you’re talented but you will NOT make it on your gifts alone.  Yeah, lots of people come to see you perform at the coffeehouse and you get mucho props at the film festivals.  But that’s not enough to get you where you want to be.  You are one of a million – and if you want to be one IN a million you’ve got to get yourself noticed.  And you have to do that YOURSELF because nobody else is as interested in you as YOU are.

Here’s an example of somebody who self-promoted their way to success.  Many years ago I was a production director at a TV station where, one afternoon, a gentleman came to call sans appointment.  This fellow was a comedian in town to play a local comedy club – and he wanted my help.  He had a couple of well-worn VHS tapes containing several scraps of home video footage of his act – but he had nothing polished enough to use as a marketing tool.  Would I put together something that might help him get jobs?  Hey, he was a very nice person so I agreed to chuck together a quick demo reel for him. He said he intended to send that demo to every club in every town he could find.  Must have worked cuz he did pretty well after that.  His name was Sinbad and within a year or two of our meeting he was all over TV.

Sinbad was willing to do whatever it took to get noticed.  He worked hard at self-promotion and wasn’t above asking for help when he needed it.  He played anywhere that would have him and took every opportunity to get a little free press.  His efforts paid off.

Point is – Sinbad wasn’t waiting around to be “discovered” --- so why should you?  Playing your gigs and maintaining a MySpace page is not going to bring you to the attention of the masses.  You’ve got to get over your shyness or laziness or whatever and jump on every promotional opportunity you can find. 

Asian Talent Online is one of those opportunities.  I’m not saying that ATO will be your gateway to fame and fortune – but it IS a stepping stone along your path.  I urge you to check this site over carefully.  Realize that it truly IS what it claims to be – a FREE place for you to self-promote, network, job search and just hang out.  Use what this site has to offer and tell other people about it.  Promote yourself – promote us – everybody benefits.

End of lecture.  Now let us hear from you!