NEWS

I just moved here last night. I love my new city, my new apartment, and my life. I had a fantastic time at the Tonic Room open mic tonight and I will be back next Monday, and every Monday thereafter for a while. One of the biggest reasons I made the move to Chicago is the music scene here. I can constantly perform, and that will help in so many ways.

I posted this on my music page a while back, but I thought I would post it here as well. I am officially moving to Chicago on July 6th. I've been thinking about doing it for years. Every time I've gone there, the city has called to me. I love being there, and I'm really excited about moving there. I don't have a job yet, so obviously that's not the motivation for going. I simply found a great roommate/living situation, and I can't pass up the opportunity. I believe I'll grow as a person, as part of me is scared out of my mind to go. A bigger part of me is more scared to stay in Oxford, a wonderful, beautiful town that I finally recently became proud to call home, with no opportunities, for music or a job. It's an easy place to stay because it's safe, in so many aspects, but I need to take this step, and I'm glad that I am.

When I first made the decision, I was so anxious about moving that I was easily frustrated by every day annoyances, such as rude customers, bad traffic, bills, etc. I did lose sight temporarily of the fact that I still have a life here. A life that I love, and will miss in some ways. I am going from something great to something even better. I'm going there to experience new things, grow, and perform as much as possible. Of course, I'll have to get a job (because I'm not currently making any money from music), but that's a part of life I've had no problem with since I was 15. I am celebrating the move by giving you a big sale on my music. I believe this will be the biggest sale I'll ever have. From now until my first week in Chicago, you can download any of the following albums "Intro To My Mind" "Out Of The Shadows" "A Different Kid" or "Indiependent" for just $1, or get the Complete Mission Man Collection for just $5 from CDBaby.com.

I don't know when I decided to start pursuing being happy over being successful, but that is officially my philosophy. I've seen successful people be miserable, and people with less money and status than I have be immensely happy. Why worry about the intermediate step of success when it doesn't necessarily mean I'll be happy? I won't lose sight of that when I move. Until I move, I will be happy. After I move, I will remain the same, even if I can only find a job working retail, or *gasp* transferring to the Papa John's 6 miles from my apartment in Chicago. :)

I have signed up for VIRB. I love the way they are designed, and I love the fact that they don't have ads everywhere. Check out Virb.com/missionman and let me know if there's anything else up there you'd like to see. There are 15 songs on my music player there as well, and a very well organized discography, photos, and my latest video.

I had ChicagoMusicPromotions.com professionally video tape my show in Chicago on March 19th, and I'm happy to announce that the first video from that show is up. It's for Chillin' at the Papa. The video and sound quality are outstanding! More video to come soon!

I want to thank the Illinois Entertainer for giving Chicago a preview of my music before I head up to the Elbo Room on Wednesday. It's certainly not a glowing recommendation, but I truly appreciate the honest opinion offered by Trevor Fisher. I'm obviously not perfect, as a person, or a musician, and I can always improve. You can find the preview by clicking here. Thanks again Trevor, and the Illinois Entertainer. Hopefully I'll see a few of you in Chicago.

I'm really excited about playing the Elbo Room in Chicago on Wednesday, March 19th. Every time I go to Chicago, I think about moving there, and I'm strongly considering moving there in the fall as it is. It's a decision primarily based in the fact that I love the city, and that I think it's a great choice for furthering my musical career. I love my hometown of Oxford, OH but I think it's time to be moving on. If you're in the windy city, I hope you can make it out to the show. Details are on my calendar page. Oh, and you can still download "Indiependent" for $1 in promotion of this show, and you can download the "Complete Mission Man Collection" (121 mp3s) for just $5. Both at CDBaby.com!

In addition to performing for free at Balcony in Oxford on my birthday, from 9-9:45 pm, I have decided to give you the best deal I'll ever offer on my music. You can download any full length Mission Man album for just $1 from CDBaby.com. Go to CDBaby and search for "Mission Man." Every album I have there will be just $1 through my birthday, on January 19th. The Complete Collection (which is 7+ albums of music, 121 mp3s) will be just $5. Thank you to everyone for making my life so much fun, and for listening to my music.

I turn 29 on January 19th, 2008, and in celebration of the final year of my 20s (and the fact that I get an extra day, February 29th, because of the leap year), I will be having an amazing sale for one day only! You will be able to download any of my albums from CDBaby for just $1! Yes, an entire album for $1! It's my birthday present to you. The Complete Mission Man Collection will be the only exception. Since it's 7 albums in one (plus 3 songs from "Indiependent" and a few live recordings), it will be $5. Click here to download all of "Indiependent" (14 mp3s) for just $1 on January 19th!, Click here on 1-19-08 to download the entire album "Intro To My Mind" (13 mp3s) for just $1, or Click here to download The Complete Mission Man Collection (121 mp3s) for just $5!

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season, and that you're looking forward to 2008 as much as I am!
With love,
Mission Man

I just confirmed my birthday party show tonight. It will be on my birthday, January 19th, 2008, at the Balcony in Oxford, from 9-10 pm. It will probably be a free show, as it's just for fun. Come join me on my birthday!