“All things for all people†is a label that was once given to Chris “Stones†Stonier to describe his numerous accomplishments as a “key player†in a various areas of the music industry. If experience is the best proof, then “Stones†has more than proven himself in the music scene. His experience started as the Director of Promotions of 5 years for Basement Concerts (now Celebrity Etc.) with Timothy Eddings (former manager of Lovedrug). During that time, Chris oversaw every aspect of concert promotions with well over 100 shows, working with such bands as P.O.D., Sixpence None the Richer, Switchfoot, Blindside, MxPx, Jars of Clay, Third Day and many others, believing in their potential long before anyone else was taking notice, supporting them at the grassroots level and watching them rise from indy underground acts to nationally known chart toppers. It was at that same time when Chris was credited for discovering the Grammy Nominated & 2005 Warped Tour headlining band, Relient K (Capitol Records).
Chris’ credentials include development work for the Atlantic Records band, Payable On Death (P.O.D.). He has acted as Manager to Morella’s Forest (Tooth & Nail) and the local Akron band Crosseyed 88, Advisor for the Alive Music Festival (Canal Fulton, OH) and Artist Liaison of 3 years to the Purple Door Music & Arts Festival (Lancaster, PA). Chris was even approached by one of the founding members of Linkin Park for advice on his unsigned band, then going by the name Xero. “Stones†has been personally thanked in 6 nationally released CD’s.
Chris was the front man and bass player for his own 3-piece, pop punk band, Five Foot Four. That band shared the stage with many nationally known bands such as the O.C. Supertones, Slick Shoes, Sanctus Real, Value Pac, Ghoti Hook, the Dingees and of course, Relient K. Five Foot Four co-headlined the first annual SonFest at Mt. Vernon Nazarene College. “Stones†has also done studio work for other local bands.
Chris Stonier started Mestizo Management when he stumbled across the Christian post emo/hardcore band, Widdlesworth. Within a year under his management, Widdlesworth opened for numerous nationally known bands, was offered a guitar endorsement and recorded a full length indy project produced by former Filter member and studio genius, Justin Bendo. I Am Not A Theory, was released to the public on March 26th 2006 at a CD release show with an over-capacity audience. Members of Relient K were in attendance in anticipation of Widdlesworth playing a sold-out spot date on their national tour the following week on March 31st in Pittsburgh. Relient K producer, Mark Townsend, offered Widdlesworth a recording contract with his new label, Brave New World Records, before the band dispersed on Labor Day of 2006. Widdlesworth front man, Ryland Raus, is currently the lead singer for the Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records band, Inhale Exhale and Widdlesworth drummer, Chris Kingsland, is now the front man for the newly signed Torque Records hardcore band, Outrun the Gun.
Mestizo Management was personally asked by P.O.D. to host the Cleveland listening party of their newest release, When Angels & Serpents Dance, which was held at Hard Rock Cafes all over the nation. Mestizo Management is also currently working with Traa Daniels of P.O.D. in the research and development of bands for his new label, Ryot Phoenix.
24HITS, originally from Cincinnati, has songs featured on extreme videos produced by GrindTV.com. He has opened for Bradley Hathaway, This Beautiful Republic and Storyside B. He has also shared the stage with the Christian rapper John Reuben several times. His energetic show included two backup rappers, DJ 2 Snaps from the Boarders for Christ tour and guest vocals from Ryland Raus, the front man for the Solid State/Tooth & Nail Records hardcore band, Inhale Exhale. Both 24Hits and John Reuben plan to collaborate on each other’s future projects!
CHANGING THE NAME is a young band filled with raw talent and an average member age of 16! In their first year as a band, they played shows with Showbread, Spoken, This Beautiful Republic, Four Letter Lie, Widdlesworth and the Marilyn Manson tour supporters, Bleeding Through and War of Ages. The band dispersed in January 2007 and several members are now in the power-pop group, The Homecoming, and the hardcore band, Storm the Armada.
THE HOMECOMING is 3-piece power pop/electronica band from the Akron/Canton area of Ohio - home to Outrun the Gun, Inhale Exhale and Relient K. Founding members Aidan Finn (17) and Matthew "Bucket" McVaney (15) started the Homecoming in December of 2006 as a lighter side project to their hardcore band, Changing the Name, which had opened for Showbread, Spoken, This Beautiful Republic, Four Letter Lie, Bleeding Through and War of Ages. The two added friend and third member, Mike Sypherd (20) in April of 2007 and The Homecoming became their main project once Changing the Name disbanded early this year.
THE HOMECOMING is already being tagged as the next Relient K with catchy lyrics, addicting pop melodies and an energetic live show that captivates a very similar audience as their Capitol Records role models. The Homecoming has played with A Cursive Memory, Rocket to the Moon, Ivoryline and Eleventyseven (who offered them a spot on their winter tour after seeing the Homecoming’s set). “Sing, scream, shout it out…†are not only lyrics to a Homecoming song, but also an accurate description of the reaction to anyone who hears this band.
Click on the banner below to read the interview The Homecoming did with Music's Rising Stars Magazine!
WIDDLESWORTH "I AM NOT A THEORY" AUTOGRAPHED CD
featuring Ryland Raus of Inhale Exhale
& Chris Kingsland of Outrun the Gun
ONLY $5.00 + $2.00 shipping!
