As one of the founders of Out Of The Blue, Neil Shumate is currently Editor-in-Chief and independent publisher. He is the primary Webmaster, Web Designer and Web Publisher of www.ootb646.com. He is also Managing Editor and in charge of Assignments, Public Relations, Publicity, Booking and Promotion. He also writes and does photography. SELF-BIO Aside from OOTB I am a freelance writer and employed full time as manager at a local restaurant. Serving as a previous General Manager and current Co-Manager, with more than nine years of experience in the food service industry, I've acquired extensive management training. I soon plan to pursue a Master of Science in Mass Media Arts and Journalism followed by a Doctorate of Journalism. The intention of this Web site (and former print publication) is to celebrate the non-mainstream entertainment industry in a diversified way. I've always been a fan continuously in search of unique, inordinary outlets The heartbeat lies outside the commercially force-fed media and resides inside independent creation. We offer this to fans in hope of promoting, exposing and introducing the underground entertainment scene--there is much to offer outside the everyday contemporary, conservative mindset. I am grateful for all the support from our writers, our photographers, publicists, venues, businesses, bands and the fans that this publication has received over the years; that is what has kept this dream alive. I'm excited to maintain and welcome the continued growth and expanding elements of OOTB. EDUCATION The Ohio State University Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (Spring, 2010) Associate of Arts (Spring, 2008) Geography Minor (Autumn, 2008) Criminology Minor (Spring, 2010) Marion Harding High School Graduated in 1999 with honors diploma COLLEGE ACHIEVEMENTS --BA cum laude honors --Kappa Tau Alpha, OSU James E. Pollard Chapter: national journalism and mass communication honor society --The Ohio State University Honors Program -- Golden Key International Honour Soceity --Qualitative Interviewing Internship Merit (Dr. Brenda Dervin) --Adobe Fireworks and Adobe Dreamweaver training --National Dean's List member --Alber Trust Fund Scholarship --National Scholar's Honor Society member --The National Society of Collegiate Scholars member --Two Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award nominations by professors --Internship with Columbus Youth Expressions --Internship consideration, interview with Victory Records in Chicago --Published articles in the Lantern (print and online), college newspaper: BTW, weekly arts and entertainment insert HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS --Harding Herald, high school newspaper (Editor-in-Chief for 2 years) Concert review writing included: NIN/David Bowie, Metallica, Stabbing Westward/Placebo, Foo Fighters, Korn/Family Values Tour, HORDE Festival, ICP, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Ozzfest --Orb literary high school arts magazine (Editor-in-Chief for 1 year) --National Honor Society member --Published articles in the Marion Star ("Spotlight On Business" series) --Northeastern Ohio Scholastic Press Association (NOSPA): Honorable Mention for News Writing Honorable Mention for Ad Design --The University of Toledo Media Day: Honorable Mention for "Garbage, GVSB 'Push It'" Column Review Honorable Mention for "Tri-Rivers Asks For Help" News Story --Ball State University Summer Journalism Workshop: Editorial Leadership completion --Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD) --Teen Institute (TI) --Orchestra violinist |
neil@ootb646.com |
MEMORABLE QUOTES "don't give up on the dream, don't give up on the wanting, and everything that's true" Placebo "nothing can stop me now, because I don't care anymore" Nine Inch Nails "yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift" Taproot don't waste your time, let live, let go Orgy "We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." Martin Luther King Jr. "If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability." Henry Ford "I do not believe a man can ever leave his business. He ought to think of it by day and dream of it by night." Henry Ford |
PREVIOUS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT --Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County volunteer --Memorial Benefit Concert Fundraiser organizer --Memorial Benefit Concert Fundraiser co-organizer --Marion, Ohio's "Festival On The Green" Entertainment Director --Columbus Youth Expressions Dinner Fundraiser contributor |