URBAN METHOD

At first, I read the news that The Sing Off was cancelled and didn’t think much of it.  TV shows come and go these days like Congressmen, Styles of Jeans, and Pop Stars.  Then I got to thinking…  I was on that show with amazing musicians, and more importantly, amazing people as the contestants.  Then it started to sink in and the reality (no pun intended) of the situation started to hit home.

I had to step back from being on The Sing Off and the opportunity given to Urban Method by the shows executive  producers, Sam, Debbie, Josh and  Joel.  I realized that the show was so much more to me than the excitement and success of Urban Method and being on national TV.

Here’s where I get emotional…  (just a warning)

As soon as the show aired, I found that the show had an immense effect on young people all over the country.  I travel quite a bit mixing a cappella shows for Take 6 and every time I would walk into a concert hall, a young person would call out to me, “Tony from Urban Method”!  In talking to each and every one, I found that they were inspired by the show in so many ways.  By the competition.  By the characters in each group.  By the personal stories told on the show.  By the music, being so raw and from the heart.  By the diversity of the groups and individual members.  By the family friendly language and content.  By the hard work that it took to do each episode.  And by the talent that would come across their television every Monday night for 2 hours.  (Now I’m totally choked up) 

Not only were they inspired by our performances, I was inspired by their obvious new drive toward music and life.  I think the contestants were pushed to succeed as a group, conquer fears, and work hard to a goal, and that came across loud and clear to everyone watching the show.  We made it through each week with pure passion for music and life.  Now to meet these children and young adults that looked up to us, makes me realize that the show is much more than what it seems to the NBC Executives that pulled the plug.  I bet if they look back at television shows that were legendary, they would find that most of them started off with lower ratings.  But the best shows of all time became legendary because they showed heart (I’m reminded of *M*A*S*H* here).  The Sing Off showed heart and I see it every time I talk to a student, or child, or fan about it.  They have passion for the show that goes beyond the ratings.  It affected people to change.

The Sing Off wasn’t just a reality show that showcased talent, it inspired people to chase their dreams no matter who they are and where they are from.  That’s what good entertainment and good TV should be.  I know the Executive Producers of the show would agree, it was incredibly inspiring.  I’m sure they wanted the show renewed.  NBC Execs did not.  My hope is that the show will be bought out by a new network and land on your TV again soon.

Make sure to go and sign the petition to show your support of television like The Sing Off.  Also, read with the judges have to say.

As I tell the students at the schools I’ve visited…

“If you have a dream in life, chase it because you love it and never stop.  Your dream will soon become your reality and your future!”

Tony Huerta

Urban Method and Sonic Audio

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Here is Urban Method’s first music video, Me & You.  Written by UM’s very own, Liz Ager.  Check it out and share it with everyone you know!

Recorded February 25, 2012 LIVE ar the Paramount Theater in Denver, Colorado.  Audio by Sonic Audio and Video by ZumiProductions

Sup tho,

For those who don’t know, I was in a college A Cappella group called In The Buff for four years. you can check them out here:

http://www.inthebuff.org/

This past weekend In The Buff celebrated their 18th Birthday. The alums came back and we watched the current members perform and took the stage with them for a couple of songs. In honor of In The Buff and our 18th birthday I am releasing a song from our last studio album, “LIVE From The Ambassador’s Hot Tub”

Without further adieu, here is, “Feeling Good”, a cover song that I sang when I was an active member of the group.

A little recap on the show…

So, we get to the Beverly Hilton (thank you Arnold, Jane, and Judy for the kind greeting and transport) and head to the restaurant for a little lunch. We’re eating among the celebs gathered there for the Grammys and after finishing up, we head back to our rooms. As we’re heading up, we notice a bunch of security guards up to something…little did we know that Whitney Houston had just passed away right upstairs! Incredible to be in the vicinity of such a momentous and sad occasion in music.

The hotel was buzzing with the news and that night, the cameras, paparazzi, and some of the most famous musicians around filed through the doors of the hotel. We thought about traveling around the city of Hollywood but found ourselves drinking at the bar watching the A-listers see and be seen.

The next morning we enjoyed a little breakfast in the rooms and some fantastic weather as we were led up to their outdoor patio where we performed for the Hilton’s VIPs. We finished up and enjoyed food and drinks in the beautiful epicenter of the Grammys.

A quick escort to the airport and a short flight home—great trip and a huge thanks to Kieran for bringing us in for the event.

Wanted to take a minute and give a quick shout out and thanks to our friends at Castle Rock Radio who helped us to promote our show on February 25th at the Paramount.  They are selling wonderfully fast, so grab up the last few while you can!

Click below to catch the Castle Rock Radio Urban Method Interviews with Katie Turley, Myke Charles, Liz Ager, and Richard Steighner.

http://www.castlerockradio.com/ARCHIVES/FORGETABOUTIT/furgettaboutit_01-09-12.mp3

New music video for y’all to check out. See if you can spot the Urban Method cameo in this one.

Shout out’s and thank you’s to Brett Smith, Evan, and Andrew Schmidt for helping me film this video in LA!

I wrote this song during my time in the hotel that I called home during my Sing-Off experience. It’s a hip-hop song that documents the nostalgia and unease I began to feel living in a hotel. These emotions are manifested through a past and current (or what was current) relationship. When I write songs I give you my life and experiences through a very honest and raw scope. This is Hotel Confessions. Enjoy.

What up tho,

It’s what like week four of Myke Charles Mondays? Aight well my mixtape should be dropping the last Monday of this month! Until than…here is another little something something for you to listen to and not forget about me.

This week I filmed a short video of me doing a cappella poem basically. It’s called “This Love” and is about a past relationship I experienced that was somewhat turbulent in nature. I hope you enjoy.

Stay up,

Myke Charles

What’s up, Urban Methoders?! What a whirlwind it has been the last couple of weeks. I want to thank all of you for supporting us, and I assure you that you have not heard the last of Urban Method! We’ve got so much more in store for you! The Sing-Off was an amazing ride. We met so many awesome people, and had a very unique opportunity to share what we do with millions of viewers. I know, I know. It’s a rough life we lead, eh? That’s why I’ve got nothing but smiles going on. I mean, I’ve been performing music professionally for several years, but it’s nice to sit back and be grateful that I get to do this for a living. The rat race is stressful at times, but I wouldn’t want to do anything else. And it’s because of fans like you that I will continue to do it. Look out world, we’ve only just begun!

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite performances by one of the greatest entertainers of all time, in commemoration of his birthday. Here is Mr. Sammy Davis, Jr. Happy Thursday, everyone!

Happy Thursday, Urban Method folks! It  seems so long since we’ve talked! I’m so glad to be back home in Colorado and really working on what we have coming next for you all! But now, for a little music history.

On this day in 1943, jazz piano great Fats Waller died an untimely death from pneumonia. The first time I ever knew of Fats was in the movie Stormy Weather, in which he played a jazz club owner and performer, and performed his hit “Ain’t Misbehavin.” I always thought of him just as that funny man who raised his eyebrows a lot. Through the years, I discovered that he was an incredible piano player and composer, and set the standard for many pianists who came after him. And beyond that, he was a great entertainer. He could just play, but he would always add little witty quips into his performances. He made his playing look effortless, and he never seemed to take himself too seriously. He was a much sought after accompanist for many vocalists at the time, and remains one of my favorite musicians to this day. Here’s to you, Fats! See you on the other side!