One Year Anniversary and a Special Announcement
Cross posted on Myspace and Facebook:
It occurred to me the other day that tomorrow, April 9th is the one year anniversary since I released the first episode of the Podcast of Awesome. Granted the idea was born before that, but that was when I dove head first into Wizard Rock and never looked back. I am so grateful to Brian of Draco and the Malfoys for co-hosting that first episode, and for putting up with my lack of experience. Honestly, if it hadn't been for you Brian, my show would not have gotten the attention it has or gained the popularity that it and I take advantage of at times.
There are a couple of other people I would like to thank that have been with me since the beginning or that I have watched grow and blossom in the past year. First of all, there's Our New Celebrity. They co-hosted the second episode and have since then added members, played multiple shows, and expanded their list of tunes. Girls, I'm so proud of you and everything you've accomplished in the past year. I will always be there to fangirl obnoxiously over you.
Kelly of Enchanted Ceiling Productions, where would I be without you? My myspace would look as dull and boring as the day I created it if it hadn't been for you. You also introduced me to Jace and Christian's music. You were basically my first friend in this community. You were the first I told about the Podcast of Awesome, and I cannot wait to finally meet you in person. Those late night (for me at least) AIM conversations were fun and kept me encouraged when things weren't going as smooth as I had hoped in the beginning.
Amy Snow of Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons...You are so sweet! And I know you've been active in the community longer than I have, but I'm still glad to know you. Thank you for not hating me. I didn't know your podcast existed, otherwise I wouldn't have started this one in the first place. You are a wonderful, talented young woman, and it makes me smile to see what you've accomplished in the past year. Your album is beautiful.
Jace of Catchlove, as mentioned above, I heard of your music through Kelly. I remember when you only had three songs or so on your Myspace. Now look at you, three EPs, a full length album, and contributions to two compilations, touring with Matt and Justin, your work to bring awareness to the Wizard Rock community of the crisis in Darfur.... A year ago could you have predicted all this?
And last but not least I have to thank Alex of The Remus Lupins. If you hadn't pointed Rory in my direction we'd have never met. We are more than friends, we've become sisters over this past year. Rory, because of you I had the best summer imaginable last year. The people I've met, and the friendships I've forged because of you have enriched my life, and made it worth living. If I could go back and talk to my 16 year-old self, I wouldn't recognize myself. I'm no longer that depressed, quiet, uncertain girl who hated nearly everything about myself. I'm so much happier now, I've become drastically out going. I forced myself to take a step out of my comfort zone and never looked back. Sure, there are still some uncertainties going on in my head, but I don't let them affect me the way that I used to, they're nowhere near to the dilapidating depression I suffered in High School. Sometimes in the spur of the moment when I do something so beyond me, even I don't recognize myself sometimes! Rory, I couldn't ask for a better friend, and I'm proud to call you my big sister. Plus you're fun to pick on sometimes :-P
Of course, there are those that have co-hosted. Thank you for taking two hours (sometimes more) out of your day to talk with this Wizard Rock crazed person, and I'm sorry for interrupting you. It's a bad habit I've been trying to break myself of for a while now...
And of course, to the fans. Where would I be without your continued support despite the lack of updates? Seriously, you guys wrock!
Which brings me to my special announcement. I am going to start doing some mini shows between full length episodes. There will be no more co-hostless full length episodes. I hate doing them by myself, and that's partially the reason there hasn't been one for the last four months. So, to avoid down time (and to not put my server subscription to waste) I'll be posting these mini shows. Although I have not worked out all the details, I'm thinking about putting 2-4 songs in each mini show and making it about 20 minutes long (compared to the 16 songs and hour+ long full length episodes). They'll be released on the current RSS feed in iTunes so you won't have to subscribe to anything new, and if you're subscribed they'll just download automatically when updated. As for formating, I'm thinking about playing a song, talking about life, reviewing an album, telling a story, and just my usual ramblings. I'm open to suggestions if you want to suggest a segment. I figure I need to make up on lost time here folks!
How frequent will these mini episodes be? No idea. Will you settle for more regular than I have been lately?
Let's just run with it and see where it takes us.
Live, Laugh, Love,
~Ashley
It occurred to me the other day that tomorrow, April 9th is the one year anniversary since I released the first episode of the Podcast of Awesome. Granted the idea was born before that, but that was when I dove head first into Wizard Rock and never looked back. I am so grateful to Brian of Draco and the Malfoys for co-hosting that first episode, and for putting up with my lack of experience. Honestly, if it hadn't been for you Brian, my show would not have gotten the attention it has or gained the popularity that it and I take advantage of at times.
There are a couple of other people I would like to thank that have been with me since the beginning or that I have watched grow and blossom in the past year. First of all, there's Our New Celebrity. They co-hosted the second episode and have since then added members, played multiple shows, and expanded their list of tunes. Girls, I'm so proud of you and everything you've accomplished in the past year. I will always be there to fangirl obnoxiously over you.
Kelly of Enchanted Ceiling Productions, where would I be without you? My myspace would look as dull and boring as the day I created it if it hadn't been for you. You also introduced me to Jace and Christian's music. You were basically my first friend in this community. You were the first I told about the Podcast of Awesome, and I cannot wait to finally meet you in person. Those late night (for me at least) AIM conversations were fun and kept me encouraged when things weren't going as smooth as I had hoped in the beginning.
Amy Snow of Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons...You are so sweet! And I know you've been active in the community longer than I have, but I'm still glad to know you. Thank you for not hating me. I didn't know your podcast existed, otherwise I wouldn't have started this one in the first place. You are a wonderful, talented young woman, and it makes me smile to see what you've accomplished in the past year. Your album is beautiful.
Jace of Catchlove, as mentioned above, I heard of your music through Kelly. I remember when you only had three songs or so on your Myspace. Now look at you, three EPs, a full length album, and contributions to two compilations, touring with Matt and Justin, your work to bring awareness to the Wizard Rock community of the crisis in Darfur.... A year ago could you have predicted all this?
And last but not least I have to thank Alex of The Remus Lupins. If you hadn't pointed Rory in my direction we'd have never met. We are more than friends, we've become sisters over this past year. Rory, because of you I had the best summer imaginable last year. The people I've met, and the friendships I've forged because of you have enriched my life, and made it worth living. If I could go back and talk to my 16 year-old self, I wouldn't recognize myself. I'm no longer that depressed, quiet, uncertain girl who hated nearly everything about myself. I'm so much happier now, I've become drastically out going. I forced myself to take a step out of my comfort zone and never looked back. Sure, there are still some uncertainties going on in my head, but I don't let them affect me the way that I used to, they're nowhere near to the dilapidating depression I suffered in High School. Sometimes in the spur of the moment when I do something so beyond me, even I don't recognize myself sometimes! Rory, I couldn't ask for a better friend, and I'm proud to call you my big sister. Plus you're fun to pick on sometimes :-P
Of course, there are those that have co-hosted. Thank you for taking two hours (sometimes more) out of your day to talk with this Wizard Rock crazed person, and I'm sorry for interrupting you. It's a bad habit I've been trying to break myself of for a while now...
And of course, to the fans. Where would I be without your continued support despite the lack of updates? Seriously, you guys wrock!
Which brings me to my special announcement. I am going to start doing some mini shows between full length episodes. There will be no more co-hostless full length episodes. I hate doing them by myself, and that's partially the reason there hasn't been one for the last four months. So, to avoid down time (and to not put my server subscription to waste) I'll be posting these mini shows. Although I have not worked out all the details, I'm thinking about putting 2-4 songs in each mini show and making it about 20 minutes long (compared to the 16 songs and hour+ long full length episodes). They'll be released on the current RSS feed in iTunes so you won't have to subscribe to anything new, and if you're subscribed they'll just download automatically when updated. As for formating, I'm thinking about playing a song, talking about life, reviewing an album, telling a story, and just my usual ramblings. I'm open to suggestions if you want to suggest a segment. I figure I need to make up on lost time here folks!
How frequent will these mini episodes be? No idea. Will you settle for more regular than I have been lately?
Let's just run with it and see where it takes us.
Live, Laugh, Love,
~Ashley