One of the hardest working guys I know not only promotes several record companies and a number of artists but he also works for a very cool business, TheLiveLine.com. This company allows fans to call a number and listen to a recorded message left by an actual famous artist of their choice to see what the latest thing going on in their lives is. Not only that, but a fan can also receive a text by the artist of what they’re into or what they’re about to get into. To make it sweeter, sometimes the artist will answer the phone and talk to you if they’re super cool and not super busy. Want to know who some of these artists are? Scott Ian (Anthrax), Dez Fafara (DevilDriver), Burton C Bell (Fear Factory), Maria Brink (In This Moment), and many more.

Not only do they have an amazingly simple and effective idea for promoting businesses, their idea behind fan-to-artist mobile phone interaction is cool and unique which will probably be as important as society has made Twitter. Their press release sounds mighty inviting: “The website allows our talent to create AudioBlogs, and anyone can call them at a number we assign them for FREE. This itself is cool to be able to hear their actual voice, and interact with fans. Fans can even leave voice messages for the Artists, and you never know, the artist may just answer the phone and start talking to you! Every time an artist updates their AudioBlog, a text alert goes out.

Try it for yourself, and give Maria Brink a call for FREE: (877) 306-2742. Who is Maria Brink? The delicious singer of “In This Moment” who also was featured in Playboy.

TheLiveLine.com has an updated version which will go live very soon and you don’t want to miss out on this huge ordeal. You can see a glimpse now at http://www.theliveline.com

What interested me equally was a section they have called “Purgatory.” This is a cool concept where unknown artists get a chance to score a spot with the big boys on the site. Basically, an unknown artist tries to gain 1,000 fans. Until they do they stay in “purgatory” but once they get that number of fans they achieve a spot with the already-knowns. So, to get a bit more understanding here is an interview with someone who knows all about TheLiveLine.com, Scott Holmen.

THE INTERVIEW

Daniel/AR: The idea behind theliveline.com is very cool. It’s been tested for a couple years if my information is correct. What prompted the idea and how did it get moving so fast and successfully?

Scott/TheLiveLine: We were aware that the technology was available but mostly being applied to retail marketing. We approached our parent company with the idea of using their existing technology and applying it to the entertainment industry.

Daniel/AR: Tell me a typical scenario how a fan could benefit from joining.

Scott/TheLiveLine: In addition to getting updates from Artists IN THE ARTISTS’ OWN VOICE, fans on TheLiveLine have access to exclusive contests, promotions, alerts and access to our “Talent Family”.

Daniel/AR: What is the cost to join?

Scott/TheLiveLine: It is absolutely FREE to be a fan or an artist on TheLiveLine.

Daniel/AR: Tell me a typical scenario of how a business could benefit from this. Let’s say the name of the business was Envy Anna Jones or Eggshell White Castle.

Scott/TheLiveLine: The businesses that are coming alongside TheLiveLine see the value of several components that we produce. A business is able to access fans, via their mobile device, which is the most immediate and relevant way to reach their targeted demographic today. We are able to serve highly targeted text, voice and web communications on behalf of these businesses.

Daniel/AR: How would you compare this to Twitter which is what I thought of initially?

Scott/TheLiveLine: We are different than twitter in that we have incorporated an Audio component in TheLiveLine. On twitter, you can’t be too sure who is tweeting on behalf of an artist. Frequently, an administrator is generating the tweets. With TheLiveLine, you are HEARING your favorite artists voice SECONDS after they record their AudioBlog and are provided with a way to engage in 2-way communication with them.

Daniel/AR: When theliveline.com is complete what are all the great things one can expect from visiting it and being a member?

Scott/TheLiveLine: As we continue to build out TheLiveLine we expect to facilitate event based mobile experiences where we are at shows allowing fans to engage with the artists via picture 2 screen text to screen, voting, and providing mobile deals on merch, concessions, etc.
We will be able to provide fans and brands with highly relevant information that they will want based on some of the information that they request. For example, a metal fan will request and get information around metal music, metal merch, metal events, etc.

Daniel/AR: Your “purgatory” is a very cool idea. To what extent will theliveline.com go to make sure these artists get known?

Scott/TheLiveLine: We are huge proponents of the “up & comers”. We have already used our resources to book shows for some of these smaller bands. We truly believe that as Artists see a company in this “Dog Eat Dog” world that you so accurately describe come along side of them and help them with publicity, brand building, management, and bringing them into our network within the entertainment business they will reciprocate by providing TheLiveLine with new content, traffic and otherwise reciprocating. Scratching each others backs if you will.

Daniel/AR: Anything else you’d like to have everyone know?

Scott/TheLiveLine: We would love fan feedback on our TheLiveLine. We would love to know other bands that you would like to connect with through TheLiveLine. This site is meant to cater to the fans so I would hope that they would be generous in letting us know what they want. We will do everything we can to make this site the ultimate site for engaging with artists and gathering information about entertainment.

Daniel/AR: Even though this isn’t an artist interview I’ll throw you a famous question curve ball just the same. If theliveline.com dominated all businesses and could change the way people paid for services what would the change be, would Bill Gates care at all and would it affect the afterlife in any way?

Wow. That is a big question!

1. Ultimately , payment for services would be made by brands that see the tremendous return on getting targeted, relevant information in front of fans on TheLiveLine. This way, fans are only present with information/advertising that they would want to see and advertisers see a high rate of return on their advertising dollars because of this.

2. I hope that Bill Gates would care. If TheLiveLine is “dominating all businesses” we would likely come up on his radar in a meaningful way.

3. As to the afterlife, one can only hope that energy put forth in this life affects the afterlife but I am hardly in a position to speak to these mysteries with any definitive conviction. For now I’ll just trust that if we “do good then good will follow us”.

Daniel/AR: Thank you very much for talking a bit about this amazing concept. Being one for the major and not-so-major artists together in one place is worth telling people about. I wish you all the best.

Daniel C. Morrison aka: The Hit Man

Thanks to a supporting cast by Shout! Radio Services and Daniels Doorstep I have an opportunity to give you exposure unlike any other. It’s a package that consists of a high definition video posted on YouTube for your portfolio, an interview like you see me post on this site (which will be posted on as many sites as I can including DanielDoorstep.com, this site, and Louisville Mojo), the opportunity for you to sell your merchandise to the public, and at times mention on local public broadcasting stations, and sometimes being aired live on Acoustic Alternative radio (for musicians). There is a lot more to it than that and you can find information here at AllForOnePromotions.com.

I’m also using my html coding experience to come up with a list of artists in the Louisville area. I have realized that I cannot search one spot and find all the artists that exist in this city. So anyone who is in a band, who paints, who is a comedian, etc. send me your name and what you do and a link so I can get a public directory for this city.

I hope to be able to start one of these conventions really soon but I need the cities support. I am going this alone as far as paying for the initial costs, doing the recruiting, doing the physical work and most of the advertising and it’s very difficult but my passion and desire to be a good samaritan and help others drives me forward. Hopefully, this will work. I have seen no one go to this extent. I can’t thank Shout Radio enough for their support. Here’s to everyone who has an art and skill to make the world a better place!

Sincerely,
Daniel C. Morrison
aka The Hit Man

One for all,

Daniel C. Morrison
aka The Hit Man

OK, so if you are into paranormal you’ve got to be into horror as well, right? It’s true in my case at least. Therefore, I like to keep my eyes open for people in the field of entertainment to thrill you and give you something cool to spend your time with. Alas, I have found someone I really would like to introduce you. Her name is LAURA SELI and horror is her game, or job rather. Laura is a jack of all trades much like myself, only better. She is a Screenwriter and Executive Producer for all of her films. In her case she is no slacker. Like a nanny who cares about her responsibilities she designs all of the characters’ make-up, costumes, all props, most of the effects, the casting, securing the locations, supplying all food/beverage/cigarettes, filmed second unit, and completely funded both films. She does it all with passion, style and grace. Her resume includes films such as SABBATH and DREAD: RECKONING,. So what, you ask? How dare you. Allow me to fill you in on what you should not go without experiencing. Some people automatically ridicule films and such based on budgets. Those who can look past that and enjoy a unique story and creative ideas to put something together are the real winners. So if there are any hater remarks, leave those to the side until after you’ve seen the movie. My favorite is Dread: The Reckoning so we’ll check out at the unique film, Sabbath first.

Sabbath is a cool take on a casserole of demons, angels, horror, blood, screams and a little something known as the Apocalypse. Unlike most Midwest summer days this story goes from serene to hell in the blink of a ripped apart eye. In fact, I quote from their press release that gets you wanting more, “…visions of demons, angels and the walking dead signal the start of the Apocalypse! A small group of survivors are left fending for themselves as they await their fate…When the last soul enters Heaven and the first sinner is shut out of Hell…the Apocalypse begins!” Ask yourself this, “What would happen if you were the last to die before Judgment Day? How would you react to seeing demons, death and the walking dead?” Once you’ve asked those questions check out the movie and see how you compare.

Not only is this a cool concept, it’s put together well too. Add to it a cast that includes the 1978 “Dawn of the Dead” actor, David Crawford, and you’ll wanna make sure you have enough popcorn so you won’t have to go for seconds. You can also witness the skills of the other cast members: Bobby Williams, Ashley Gallo, Cory Wiseberger, Rob Holmes, Cheyenne Stewart, and Ralph Butler. Check out the trailer

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Sabbath is signed to Brain Damage Films and is out now on DVD! It’s good enough to be found at Netflix.com, Amazon.com, CD Universe.com, Blockbuster.com and at BrainDamageFilms.com. To give you more information check out these links

www.BrainDamageFilms.com

www.myspace.com/sabbathfilm

www.myspace.com/inlieuofflowersprods

Now if that didn’t pique your interest go to the doctor and ask why. Next up on Laura Seli’s resume is the film Dread: Reckoning. With the concept of “the wrongs you do, come back to you” this tale is worth watching. It’s a story of a man named Brady who was bringing up three very…no, that’s not it. Wrong movie. It’s about a slack off dude who thinks that life is all about womanizing. Lucky for him, a mystic was kind enough to warn him to repent “before his lifeline fades into oblivion.” What a swell mystic. Unluckily, a pair of demons hunt and kill his friends leaving him all alone to await his own demise. Not the kind of life I’d want to live.

Keeping true to the genre Dread stars “Night of the Living Dead” actor, Bill Hinzman. His skills mixed with the fine cast of Rick Reed, Jason Catlett, Cheyenne Stewart, Ashley Gallo, Darrin Willgues, Karen Fox, Bill Hinzman and Daniel C. Morrison (no, not me, just kidding. You know you want it though.) Together they pull off a disturbing, entertaining reason to not be a womanizer. I suppose the guy should’ve got into those 18 and over ways of life instead. Check out the trailer

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Now I quote directly from the reviews given about this immersive movie:

“When I first popped “Dread” into my DVD player to view the screener I didn’t know what to expect. And that was good because it left my mind wide open.
Once the film started I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the editing. For an independent film to possess the quality of sound and lighting was excellent. As the film rolled on, I became convinced that I was watching something that was created by a true talent. Laura is someone to definately keep your eyes on. The creative process is continuous, and you can only work with the hand that is dealt to you. So is this film a home run? Maybe not, but did it get on base? Absolutely! And by the end, it still scored with me.

I can say, that once Laura is backed by a budget and surrounded with other talented pieces, the sky is the limit.
Again, congrats on a job well done. From the screenplay, to the filming, and to the sleepless nights editing, I’m sure there were many!”

Nick Kubik

Hitz The Spot Productions

www.hitzthespot.com

“Dread:Reckoning” will take you on a spine tingling thrill ride that will leave you breathless!

Dread is a great independent horror movie with great special effects and just enough gore. I loved that Dread didn’t go over board with gore in order to sell the movie that way like some do. Although Dread has a strong enough plot that they didn’t need to do that.

Dread also had an outstanding make up artist for the cast especially the demons. I love the coloring they used on the demons it gave them a fresh new look.
Now like most independent films Dead is nothing like a huge Hollywood film so keep that in mind, your not going to be watching The Ring folks. With that said Dread takes you back to when horror movies still had great effects but not all the computerized effects that tend to be to much and take away from the movies brilliance.

I also found that the music that was choice for the movie was a perfect match. It was intense thrash when it needed to be and less intense when it needed to be.

Dread also has a great plot. It’s about a male and a female demon that is killing the guilty, as in the bad people in a quaint little town. The lead character is also one of the biggest horses asses ever which is a big drawl for the demons. Do the demons get him or does he win? You’ll have to watch the movie to find out!”

Heather Burke from Raven Entertainment Productions

http://blog.ravenentertainmentpromotions.com/2009/01/09/dead.aspx

“Great locations, killer soundtrack, and stylistic cinematography, propels this creepy gem to a new ‘high’ in indie filmaking.”

J-Rock  

Producer/Co-Host of The Nationally Syndicated FM Radio Show Rock Solid Pressure

www.myspace.com/jrockandpatty

“As the Hollywood elite sits comfortable remaking the standard fair, Dread shows what Indie ingenuity and original concepts still exist in the horror genre! Night of the Living Dead homage had its element with respect as Bill Hinzman creeping through a cemetery.”

Baron Craze, Reviewer and Journalist

http://baronscrazytimes.blogspot.com

“The Perfect Blend of Camp and Gore make DREAD a must see for any real horror fan!”

“A Depraved Work of Indie Horror Goodness!”

“An original take on the demon/possesion subgenre of horror”

Jim Bett, Jr.

www.gorehoundsunite.com

And if those reviews don’t get you going you can check even more out HERE.

I hope you will check out Laura Seli’s skills along with the production companies and actors because there is a great blend of entertainment that shouldn’t be missed.