Blue Man Library or BML is the official fan base for the world renowned Blue Man Group. BML started on February 14th, 2001 as a simple, small 3 or 4 page fan site with no real expectations of being anything larger. As the popularity of Blue Man Group become global, their fan base grew leaps and bounds as did the BML. One of the main attractions to the BML is the “ Library ” itself. It’s over 15GB of media footage of Blue Man group from fans submitted across the world. Every appearance, every time you could have seen them on television, is here at BML to download freely.
The site became so largely successful, that the BML has been housed on over 7 different web hosts in the past 6 years simply due to its sheer size and broadband usage. In January 2006, BML became permanently housed on a dedicated server that could sustain the high demands and traffic.
To date, the BML consists of over 5,000 registered members and close to 400 active members daily/weekly. The BML is owned, ran, coded and designed by Joe Burke ( rotcav ) and is co-owned by John Petty ( petro62 ). The BML is proud of its moderating team as well, which includes Jennifer Holmes ( eternallyblue ), Phillip Florendo ( krillinish ) and Elaine Meils ( kunga ).
The BML is the central hub for all things Blue Man Group. Whether it be the latest information on tour dates, opening venues, media releases and much more. The BML community is based off of the actual message board, which weaves numerous forms of interaction with other fans worldwide. These include user capable photo galleries which gives fans the freedom to upload their Blue Man Group fan pictures from anywhere, anytime. The BML Blog which allows members to post journal recaps of show’s they’ve seen or even for personal blogging use. The BML Chat which uses current Flash technology and real time chat sessions with the blue men actors and musicians on occasion.
The syndicated weekly podcast “ Switchback ” which can be found on iTunes is one of the mainstays of the Blue Man Group Fan Community combining interviews with blue men, the founders, musicians and the widely popular segments “ Inside the Board ” and “ Tour Talks ” which allows any fan the chance to be interviewed and share their experiences in seeing Blue Man Group shows. The podcast generates over 250 downloads per episode a week, and is currently ranked in the top 20 under iTunes Performing Arts category.
The newly added BML Radio which allows fans to not only listen to live conversation and participate in song requests via the BML Chat , but they actually can hear live interviews a week or so in advance for Switchback segments “Inside the Board” and “Tour Talks.” Fans also can listen in to other DJ’s from the community share their private collection of music. On occasion, there is also live giveaways which encompasses the BML Chat , BML Radio as a heightened element of fun an interactivity. Chats are scheduled every 8 days on BML, so fans know when to come in and join the fun.