Neil Shumate
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
Out Of The Blue  ootb646.com