Music:
Member Since: 1/20/2006
Band Members: Blayne Bell (Vocalist)In 2001, Blayne Bell was given an ultimatum by AbileneChristian University: either do six hours of counseling a week to fix his gayness, or he was going to lose his scholarship, his on-campus job, housing and all the college credits he worked so hard for because ACU wasnt going to have gays on their campus. I told them they were already there, that if they put me out we were going to war, and I would embarrass the hell out of them, says Bell, who was originally classified as a Christian gospel singer, and now records under his agency, Standout Music Outreach. This is when I left the gospel music, and realized I needed to come out and build an outreach to reach all kids, religious or not; especially after seeing two other kids get kicked out of ACU one turned to drugs and alcohol, the other committed suicide.As a Christian singer, I couldnt go everywhere, he says. And theres no reason any church or religion should put down youth because they are gay. This was the beginning of SMO, created because Bell feels gay youth need role models. He explains that he didnt have anyone to talk to growing up because his family doesnt agree with his views, and hes found, especially in small towns, that the only place to meet is in bars. If I went to church and talked about it, I would have been kicked out, he says with a soft Texan accent. Id see the dean or elder puffing on cigars at church or the preachers on campus would be drinking, so how is that really any different? I mean, do they think I would choose to be gay? he asks. Why would I choose a path that gives me problems or causes rejection? And with this in mind, Bell travels all over the United States because he feels music is an international tool that will help him to really reach out. He has performed more than 1,700 concerts, and does about 20 to 60 events a year, including Pride festivals, MCCs, Affirming Churches sometimes at his own expense. Bell has performed with greats such as Thea Austin, Waylon Jennings, Amber, Acappella, Doug Supernaw, Zig Ziglar, Johnny Cash plus many more and has two albums to date, with his newest release, entitled Overcome. Blayne just release his first book entitled Still Standing reflecting on his personal life at a GLBT individual in the Christian perspective with music and includes inspirational writings by Blayne as well. The title is a reflection of his mission of reaching out to youth and the GLBT community and showing them how to overcome barriers to be openly gay, because he says, its not any different than being straight because its a strange world we live in. No one can tell me this isnt the right path, he says. I have a talent, but if I dont use it to help others, why am I here on Earth? he asks. Even if I only have a 10-minute conversation with someone and it betters their life, then Ive done my job. Its hard to be gay. I can run and hide, but I just need to love people, and I cant escape being gay. So many hide behind drugs, alcohol, have sexual problems, and their lives go corrupt, he continues. I gotta love myself first, and since we live in such a hard world, I gotta do what I can to make it better. I hope that when someone hears my story, it will affect them, because being gay is so minor in terms of what we need to worry about in the world. Bell finishes up by reiterating what seems to be his motto: Its not what you are, but who you are. The soul is whats important, he says. And if being a public icon, and using my music to help others can help them realize that, then I can look in the mirror every day and just see another person, and I can go to my grave knowing I worked hard to help others find inner peace. You can visit more on Blayne Bell at www.outrightspeakers.com under "coming out" and "music".Songs from the new Album entitled "Sacred, Treasured, Gifted" by Blayne Include:1. "Angel" 2. "It Had To Be You" 3. "The Years of Our Lives" by Blayne Bell 4. "Glory of Love" 5. "Wind Beneath My Wings" 6. "From A Distance" 7. "I Can Only Imagine" 8. "That'll Be The Day" 9. "Good Morning Beautiful"PROMOTIONAL BIO(SHORT FORM):Blayne Bell is a new up and coming music artist who has a style all his own and has recently opened concerts for Thea Austin, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, The Darrell McCall Band, and many more. The energy and enthusiasm of his music are genuine. He performs music to express his hope for social harmony and to uplift people everywhere and to reach out to people of all ages. The music styles range from pop, rock, contemporary, alternative, Christian, and jazz. Blayne received recognition throughout the country in Christian music and although he still performs and records gospel and contemporary Christian music, he has expanded his talents. Blayne's program is a combination of music interspersed with his own life story about coming out in the Christian culture. His message is clear " it is not what you are...but who you are that matters".
Influences: Standout Music Outreach & SMO Group Staff:Blayne Bell - Entertainer(CEO) (206) 984-8506Booking Management: Jayson T. Stonne Founder/CEO Stonne Entertainment Group,Inc (310) 663-0974 -Jeff Blackwell - Regional Manager for East Coast and Web Designer-Advisory Board for SMO Group: Brad Antinodes (Indiana) - The Desert Daily Guide (Palm Springs, CA)For East Coast Bookings dial: (484) 303-7015
Sounds Like: I have been told my music is very diverse and I sound somewhat like Buddy Holly, Enrique Iglesias, Rich Mullins, Dave Matthew, Michael Buble, and Harry Connick Jr.
Record Label: Standout Music - BMI - SMO Group
Type of Label: Indie
