What they are saying about A&R Online.

"Hi Chris, I'm not a musician, but bought your book 18 months ago. I'm working on closing my 4th deal and this is going to be the first that will pay decently. Its a 4 album deal, 400k plus tour support, marketing, 120k/year living exp for the band, me Ive got 12% on EVER-THING...paid independently. In addition the Management company is also giving me a kick-back so Im out there having fun. When I call the labels every-one wants to speak to me.
Management companies are pitching me....... Thank you Thank you and Thank you once again." - Rgds Mike

"Chris, my name is Andrew Schmidt and I am the songwriter and singer for the band STIR on Capitol Records. I've been reading your articles on A&R Online for sometime now and think you have nailed it. We have been a band since the early 90's and signed since 96' and most of the strategies and techniques you speak of are right on the money". Andrew Schmidt singer/songwriter for the band STIR on Capitol Records.

"Thanks for putting on a great showcase. You guys did your homework!! If you could, can you send me a copy of the E.O.M. I would also have asked for the Joel Cage but I'm on it already. Guy is killer!! best Adam/Vanguard Records"

"Congrats on your new move! I'd like to hear the Dino Soldo and Susan Shatuk projects. How can I get a demo disc? " Chris Douridas/Dreamworks Records

"Very informative site that creates networking opportunities for everyone in the business from artists to producers to record companies!!" Mike Abdelnour/RCA records

"I was highly impressed with this site and have recommended it to many associates in the industry. It's straight ahead, informative, and has many valuable resources for me and my work. One of the best sites I've come across in a while!" Phyllis Belezos/ Music Supervisor @ Columbia/Tristar and artist manager

"Sounds like an exciting new venture and great resource for us. Thanks for including me, I'll be looking forward to checking it out. Best, " Lee Dannay/Columbia Records New York

"I think what you're doing is a great thing." Mike Mena/The Album Network (The Yellow Pages Of Rock)

"A&R On-line is an ingenious, user-friendly on-line service that puts one in-touch with the up-and-coming talents of tomorrow. I'll use it all the time! " Russell Ziecker/BMG Records

"I wish you great success with A&R Online. We're an independent label distributed by Trauma/BMG and we are always looking for new, exciting talent in different genres. We'll be sure to check out your website for something that interests us." Joshua Wilson for Dennis Lambert

"A site much needed. Quite user friendly and the talent quite well chosen and worthy of label interest. It will certainly replace the sending, the calling, the hasseling, and open up worthy talent to be seen. Make it much easier for both A & R and artists.. keep me on your e-mail list" Crosby Tyler/President Bohemia Music

"Much success to A&R Online. As the Editor of an indie music e-zine for South Florida bands and artists, I can appreciate what you are doing to help these struggling artists find their foothold in the music industry and succeed" Jim Sarmiento/Editor SonicSmoke.com Indie Music E-zine

"Great Service! Finally, an organization to help unsigned artists make the right connections" James Pedigo/President Blue Dog Publishing and Records

"This site does an honest job of creating real opportunities in an industry that's not known for it's ethicsI commend and recommend them" Gian M. Fiero/President MBIS Enterprises

"After spending almost 40 years in the industry first as a performer and then as a manager this site is an incredible avenue for unsigned artists to pursue record, publishing and production contracts. I commend A&R Online for bringing such an important site to the aid of all aspiring artists which gives them an edge in moving ahead. Great site!" Pres & Dir A&R/Impact Entertainment Group

"I wanted to let you know that I just signed a deal with Bardic Records. They are distributed through RED/SONY and I am really excited about this opportunity. I very much appreciate the support you have shown me. Thanks again. Your site and insight are incredible. Take care"
Jennifer Marks www.jennifermarks.com

"I just want to thank you for putting Johnny Neel on your front page last month and the feedback was wonderful.. There are so many things that you offer both in articles and reference guides it is excellent to find on one site" - Doug Jones, manager Johnny Neel

"Hey there, just wanted to let you know I print out all the newsletters you send and use them extensively to learn from when dealing with my own band and CD. Some of the material I have found has been amazing when applied in my own situations. In fact we will be sending a demo to you to hopefully get set up on your website very soon. I just wanted to say thanks for all the insight and advice and please dont stop sending me all the helpful info.
thanks" - Brad Welbes 37 Clark

"Hey Chris, my name is Gabe Aranda. I recently checked out your article on major labels and thought it was pretty accurate. My brother and I signed a deal with Sony about 2 years ago now. We thought it was a sure deal. We even actually got a meeting with Tommy Mottolla and got to sing for him and everything. He signed us on the spot. We thought "oh yeah its gravy from here" hahahaha!!! I should've known that was just the beginning. To make along story short, we recorded the album and even compromised our sound somewhat to fit with what they were looking for. Economy crashed. Mottolla resigned. Our music was somewhat unlike what is hitting (rap,punk, etc) so no one wanted to take a chance on it. We are in the middle of getting out of our deal now and I can't help but think maybe we would have been better off using these last 2 years going hard independently ya know. We're going to Europe to meet with ByrneBlood Management over there because they're interested in getting us a deal over seas. My main reason for writing this email i guess was to say thanks for informing us that there is another way to go about our career and that the major labels aren't necessarily the best way to go for all artists and that we can be completely viable on an independent scene. I'd love to send you some music some time and get your feedback Thanks" - Gabe

"I figured that I would just let you know how much your newsletters have benefited me. I have a band in Seattle named Going South that has been playing for about six years. We've always done things independently and have only really truly gained consistently strong recognition over the past year. I have you to thank for much of this. Your newsletters are a good kick in the ass and steer an independent artist in the right direction. Keep 'em coming"
Billy Stover www.southerlytrends.com

"Nice work, we've got interest from 2 labels that contacted you about us from our posting on your web site." - Jennifer Yeko, True Talent Management Band: Highwater Rising

"Your website has been an invaluable tool for me! What a wealth of information, cheers" Taylor VESSTA

"Hey man, we just wanted to tell you that you are the man! Thanks for giving us the opportunity to be there and meet with these people face to face count us in for future activities take care Shoghi Funk/Suntower

"Chris, I attended the Q & A at The Knitting Factory last evening. I just wanted to e-mail you and thank you for offering such an informative forum. It really is helpful to get an insider's view of things. The panel was very personable and offered up some excellent advice" - Rob Richter-Vitale.

"The same labels that rejected all my calls are now calling ME, thanks to A&R Online! A fabulous new way to get noticed by the industry without ever leaving your home!! This is the future of the search for talent" - Hutch/featured artist November 1999

"Being featured on A&R Online was great! I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but we had several record companies request submissions within the first week! The site is very well done and easy to understandl, I like checking out other bands that have been featured artists - they're all very high quality! Great idea, good-looking site and a nice place to find GOOD bands without having to dig through a lot of junk. I enthusiastically recommend your site to anyone & everyone in the music business!" - David Geschke of ROAD TRIP/featured band November 1999

"A&R Online has been a fantastic experience for me and many of my artist friends. Since being featured on the front page, I've had at least a dozen record labels request my cd and I've established relationships with a lot of industry executives. I highly recommend A&R Online to any artist or band seeking to put themselves in front of labels. I also recommend it to labels who are looking for real, original artists. My only problem with A&R Online is. why didn't I think of it?" - Samantha Murphy/featured artist October 1999

"For starters, A&R Online has been extremely good to THE END, giving us a platform that has garnered us some serious industry attention, inquiries, and referrals that ended up in sales at internet record stores. A&R Online is a true champion of artists and has set a precedent for a tidal wave of other similar websites, designed to shed light on the many talented artists afloat on the seemingly neverending sea of obscurity. A&R Online brings them all home to shore, ready to be shared by all who will listen. Thank you A&R Online!" - Shane August of The End/featured band October 1999

"A&R Online is user friendly to the general public as well as music industry professionals. My band was recently featured on the Front Page and I have received numerous requests from labels for packages, including Columbia and Giant Records, as well as great feedback from other listeners. Chris Standring has provided a great service - I applaud him!" - Phyllis Belezos, manager Blackbird Sky/featured band December 1999

"A&R Online is a great avenue for new artist exposure and an excellent opportunity to be heard in a proper industry forum. A place where an artist like the Yunkuhpuss can feel free to express himself artistically without being labeled or barricaded into one musical genre" - Yunkupuss, featured artist December 1999