MUSIC
DIRECTOR
 Jordan Mohilowski -
Jordan began playing guitar at age 11 after an accident confined
him to his home for several months. He quickly learned that
music was his calling and at age 15 released his first solo
CD entitled "Black
and Blue" in which he played all instruments and sang.
The first single was picked up by local stations and the CD
gained critical acclaim in the Jacksonville, Florida market. In
2003, Jordan needed a little help on a track he had written
and found Lu Rubino. That song was called "Miracle" and
would several years later hit #2 on the Christian radio charts. Realizing
they had something special, they entered a national Christian
talent search and landed the runner up position. Soon
after, they formed Story Side:B and later recorded “Miracle”.
After
signing with Toby Mac's label, Gotee Records, SS:B
released a full length record entitled, "Everything and
More" in December of 2005. Jordan has been touring
with SS:B most of 2006 and has begun writing for the new SSB
record scheduled to be released in April of 2007.
Jordan
has served as Ultimate Choice's Music Director and theme
song creator since the onset of the show in 2002. For
more info about Jordan go to www.myspace.com/jordanstorysideb or www.storysideb.com
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
 Storyside:B -
The tale of StorySide:B begins with a talent search on Christian
TV’s Trinity Broadcasting
Network and ends with the formation of Gotee Records’ newest
rock band.
StorySide:B
founders Lucio “Lu” Rubino (frontman/guitar)
and Jordan Mohilowski (drums) entered the Exalting Him 2003
national talent search, which aired internationally on TBN. Winning
the band division, the guys finished second place overall. Rubino
says, “Participating in this contest was the encouragement
that we needed to move forward in our musical journey and continue
to follow God’s path for us.”
Rubino
and Mohilowski returned to St. Augustine, Florida, where
they continued working on the growth of StorySide:B. Bass
player Ron McClelland and guitarist Matt Lande joined the line-up
about the same time that Air 1 radio network picked up the
single “More to This Life.” Shortly thereafter
in the fall of 2004, StorySide:B rounded out its live sound
by adding Preston Pohl on guitar.
In
Nashville, Gotee president, Joey Elwood, heard the band play
an acoustic set, and a month later the guys met with label
founder, TobyMac. That
meeting led to StorySide:B signing with the label in the
spring of 2005.
Individually working hard while gelling together as a band,
StorySide:B recorded its debut project, Everything and
More. Produced by Rubino and mixed by J.R. McNeeley
(Relient K, Jeremy Camp), the music is straightforward, melodic
rock that powers through from start to finish.
Band
favorite “It’s Not Over” and first
single “Miracle” capture the essence of StorySide:B,
as layers of guitar create rich melodies that support the band’s
clear, universal, God-inspired lyrics. The themes throughout Everything
and More promote positive relationships and challenge
listeners to search deeper and find encouragement, as in “More
to This Life,” a song written about one of Rubino’s
friends who died of melanoma. Album opener “Hold
Me Down” also speaks directly about the kind of relationships
we have in our lives. “It’s about taking
things that are negative in your life and getting rid of them,” says
Rubino, “and surrounding yourself with the right people.”
“We see our songs as planting little seeds because even
those can’t be discounted,” says Rubino. “The
feedback that we’ve gotten from fans, saying that a song
has touched them or spoken to them, that makes daily chaos
and worries worth it. You can again take a deep breath
and find the reason why you’re doing this.”
www.myspace.com/storysideb
Stellar
Kart – Is there such a thing as a 'power
pop punk rock' band? Could you even describe it if there
were? Here's a plan - forget the labels. Stellar Kart already
has. Instead of trying to fit into some preconceived notion
of what they are supposed to sound like, Stellar Kart has
spent the last year and a half defining, refining, smelting,
hacking, merging, polishing, and crafting the twelve songs
that comprise their highly anticipated sophomore release,
We Can't Stand Sitting Down. A quick listen will convince
even the most lead-eared among us that what you are hearing
isn't punk rock music, or power punk music, or pop rock
music, or whatever other label you might want to hang on
it. It's just great music, performed by one of the hardest
working bands in Christian music.
Fact
is, averaging close to 200 dates per year, the Stellar Kart
trailer has rolled over a lot of miles since the Phoenix,
Arizona band-vocalist Adam Agee, drummer Jordan Messer, bassist
Brian Calcara and guitarist Cody Pellerin-released All Gas,
No Brake in the early spring of 2005. They were named "New
Artist of the Year" by Ignite Your Faith (formerly Campus
Life) readers; nominated in the same category for a GMA Dove
Award, shared the stage with everyone from Jeremy Camp and
BarlowGirl to Kutless and Disciple; made appearances on the
See Spot Rock Tour, partnered with Interlinc with their music
video "Student Driver;" and garnered reviews that
could only be described as, well, stellar, from everyone
from CCM magazine to Amazon.com - not bad for four kids who
still drive their own van to concert venues.
Want
to see and hear more of Stellar Kart? Check them out at: http://www.stellarkart.com/
Forever
Changed – The Florida-based band Forever
Changed may be young, but their talent and artistry goes
far beyond their years. They’re a band
with a purpose, a desire and calling most their age cannot
comprehend. Lyrically challenging and musicall intense,
the Forever Changed sound is a mix of classic influences
combined with rock and roll circa 2004. The
band can be found at www.foreverchanged.net.
The
Roosevelts - Tennessee is a hotbed of music,
but most mindsets turn quickly to twangy guitars, banjos,
and women with price tag s hanging from their hats. But
there is a new uup and coming scene that’s just far
enough outside of Nashville that Indie rock bands can spread
their artistic wings and create a sound that merges the
eclectic and the mainstream. Murfreesboro,
TN is home to The Roosevelts, a staple of the local scene
since 1998 and touring nationally full-time since 2002. Their
newest CD featured on UC is “It’s So Hard to
Make a Sound”, and it’s a coming of age record
about growing up, getting married, and finding your place. The
CD features songs about the journey and the choices you
make along the way.
Our
Finest Hour – OFH, a Jacksonville, FL band,
has written their own sound, by blending colorful breakdowns,
with intricate clean melodies, while lyrically penetrating
your heart. However still throwing in catchy pop hooks,
while having a hardcore influence is what makes them original. You
can find them at http://www.myspace.com/ourfinesthour.
5
Sides – Newcomers
to Ultimate Choice.
Aric
Michael Berquist – Talented performer from Jacksonville, FL who
appeared extensively on ULTIMATE CHOICE Tahoe episodes with
his CD entitled "Silouette".
He returns with some new great music for UC Wild West
Mason
Summers - Looking for something completely
different. Well check out Mason Summers. They are a Christian
punk rock band from Maryland. They met at their church
in College Park.
Jason
Forrest – Newcomer to the UC music
scene for UC Wild West.
Innervibe – self-produced
band from Jacksonville, FL. They list their influences
as “anything that rocks”. Their sound reflects
that. Their debut CD is called “AM/FM” and
is currently available at their MYSPACE website at: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=12936739.
Chrome Donuts - Entertaining Christian punk
band that appeared heavily in UC Tahoe season.
 Kayla
Rummell - Kayla
Rummell is poised to become the next country music
star of her time. Growing up in Southern Oklahoma,
Kayla combines the rich sound of old country with the
youthful pop-sounding contemporary country. Not only
does this young lady sing, but she also is known for
playing the fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo.
Since
before she could walk, Kayla loved to sing and dance in
front of anyone who would watch. The first time this little
Okie sang in front of a crowd was at the young age of eight.
From that moment on, Kayla knew exactly what God had wanted
her to do for the rest of her life. For seven years Kayla
has been singing professionally in the Dallas/Ft. Worth
and Oklahoma City areas raking up a large following of
people who want to hear her sing and play.
Kayla’s
music career is on the rise. Kayla lights up the stage
with her natural-born talent and beauty that shines through
with a beautiful smile and a big voice. Not only is Kayla
a singer, but she is also a well-known entertainer that
is high in demand all over Texas and Oklahoma. And
all that for someone who is just 18 years old! Songwriting
and entertaining is what Kayla plans to do for the rest
of her life. Trying to slowly make the transition into
Christian rock, Kayla still finds a song in what ever subject
you throw at her. God gave her a gift and she plans on
using it. Find out more and listen to Kayla
at: http://www.myspace.com/kaylarummell.
Julie
Durden- With three full length, original, albums
under her belt, Julie is a must see singer/songwriter.
Her Debut CD "Simple Things" released July 2003...a
deep -rooted lyric based project, that has captured the
attention of so many listeners across the states.
Julie
lived in Nashville for three years and performed in many
hot spots in the area. She moved back to Jacksonville and
has created a large fan base from Orlando, St. Augustine,
and Jacksonville, by performing weekly. Julie travels back
and forth to Nashville two times a month to work on some
great songwriting and it is paying off in her new album, “FREE”,
which is already receiving airplay. Julie co-wrote
one of the songs on the album with Lucio Rubino (of Storyside”B)
that won a CMT/NSAI songwriting contest this year!
Julie
has been leading the stage with her original, acoustic alternative-country-pop
feel, and an unlimited supply of original lyrics and acoustic
drive, for the past six years. She has a sensitive and powerful
way of getting out the dirt and beauty of life in her lyrics.
Julie has been writing her own music and playing her guitar
and mandolin and writing songs since she was nine years old.
Julie Durden’s music will become part of your soul. See
her at: www.juliedurden.com
Hundred
Year Storm - Hushed, honest vocals carried
with haunting melody. Ominous, commanding guitars, intricately
layered with beautiful harmonies. Tightly-locked bass and
drums carry the listener along through the elaborate soundscape.
This is Hundred Year Storm.
Formed in Austin, TX during the scorching summer of 2003, singer / guitarist
Bill McCharen began this musical journey to fully express himself in a unique
and powerful way. To Bill, music is a deeply spiritual and emotional experience
that is intended to make the listener dance and move while other moments to be
still and ponder life. Through its music, HYS can fully express passion for life,
love, pain and spiritual longings in a way that words alone could not. This is
evident in Hundred Year Storm’s first studio release, a debut, self-titled
EP. Find out more about the new music and the band at www.hundredyearstorm.com.
Sides
Of The North – Latest CD is the Incurable
Romantic.
Holly
Nelson - Northern Music artist who
was named Best Female Performer at the 2003 Orange County
Music Awards, where her song Masterpiece was also nominated
for Best Song…six months before her debut record
was set to be released.
Holly grew up in California, Florida, and Texas where her musical tastes were
shaped by the likes of Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, The Starland Vocal Band, Neil
Young, Tom Petty, and the Beach Boys. She has sung all of her life, even
on a few records and for a few bands, but always in the background and never
her own songs…until her debut album. Find her at www.hollynelsonmusic.com or www.northernrecords.com/artists.php.
 Josh
Like - Josh has been playing
guitar since the age of 8, professionally since the age
of 15. He has a wide range of musical styles in his vocabulary
that include rock, jazz, country, blues, reggae, and
funk. In the early 90's he traveled extensively, playing
shows as a soloist. In the mid 90's he worked on numerous
rock, latin and country sessions, and eventually joined
up with Spider Monkey www.spidermonkeyband.com frontman,
Todd Horn, to form the REV-7. Josh is currently back
at it again playing bass and singing with Chuck Nash
(www.chucknashmusic.com and
teaching private guitar and bass lessons at his home
in Neptune Beach, FL. Students have gone on to become
platinum selling recording artists as well as scholarship
recipients at prestigious Music colleges. In a nutshell,
Josh combines taste, luscious tone, and what some have
called "sickening" technique to create some
very interesting sounds. You can hear more of his music
at www.myspace.com/joshualike .
Ricky Lee Phelps – Raised a “son
of a preacher man” in a family full of musicians, Ricky
Lee’s destiny was laid out long before he became aware
of it. He realized his passion for music at an early
age honing his abilities in backwoods churches.
Ricky
was finally led to Nashville, where he joined his musician
brother and some “good ol boys from Kentucky” to
form the band “The Kentucky Headhunters”. The
band achieved overnight success, producing two albums over
a six-year ride, and winning a Grammy, an American Music Award,
4 CMA awards and two Billboard awards.
Soon
thereafter Ricky Lee ventured out with his brother (called
Brother Phelps) and kept up the momentum with a Top 10 single
and music video success. After two albums, Ricky Lee
decided to leave the duo and has spent much of the past few
years raising his son Eli. He has been concentrating
on song-writing, recording, building a new studio. His
latest efforts “Signs of the Time” and “Full
Access” reflect his heart and soul as an artist….As
he says, “If I have one song that can change one thought
pattern in one person, to their betterment, then I have accomplished
my goal!” You can visit Ricky’s
website at: www.rickyleephelps.com.
AutoDefe - AutoDefe
is a rock band bent on bringing musicianship and artistry
back into the pop/rock realm where the Big Five rule on high
determining what popular music should be. Ignoring fads and
making music contrary to format is what they do best and
in doing so have created a way to progress music into artistry
unhindered. There's no one telling them to what to create
or not create. They have only the purpose of exploring the
human condition and its ultimate fate. They believe there
is a way out and without blind acceptance their music works
out a faith with fear and trembling to decide what is the
purpose of life, art...everything. See what they’re
all about at http://www.myspace.com/autodefe.
Matt
Lande – A singer/guitarist/songwriter
that has been playing live and recording for 9 years. He formerly
toured the country as lead guitarist for Storyside:B and is
currently working on his second solo album for fun. For more
on Matt, go to his myspace page at: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=7585517.
Pete Wernick - "Dr.
Banjo",
is renowned worldwide for his accomplishments and contributions
to bluegrass music: the hot-picking force in several trend-setting
bands including Hot Rize , respected author
and teacher, songwriter, and long-term President of the International
Bluegrass Music Association. He has been recording since
1971. Founding Hot Rize in 1978 led to an enduring stint
as a performing artist, appearing throughout the U.S. and three
continents, on national television and radio. Pete's
instructional books, CDs and videos include best-sellers in
their respective fields. Find him at: http://www.drbanjo.com/
Alan Fraser -
Better known as one of UC’s
talented editors, Alan also moonlights as a musician. He
contributes to the moving story about Brandon with a creation
he calls “Brandon’s Theme.”
Bobby
Bishop - In the world of
music where the underground is becoming the mainstream, but
the mainstream is often labeled lacking street depth and credibility,
it takes a special artist to step up and level the playing
field. Someone with the passion, tenacity and originality
to pass the test of time.
Now
introducing Bobby Bishop, from Beatmart Records, the latest
glimmer of hope in the hip -hop community. Residing
in Lynn, Massachusetts, Bobby has the lyrical stamina and
natural ability that separates him from many in the genre.
Bobby‘s
quest in hip-hop has reached back a decade, but the sound
of Bobby Bishop is definitely not dated.
Government
Name, Bobby’s debut project, has something for everyone,
balancing fun songs with others based around the serious
issues that Bobby faces on a daily basis. You can check
out Bobby at http://www.bobbybishop.com/.
Kate
Miner - Kate Miner
is an artist who "can't separate her performance from
the song. The song, singer and performance are one and the
same, inseparable." says Chuck Plotkin (producer for Bruce
Springsteen and a host of other various artists.)
Kate
likewise refuses to compartmentalize her life from her art,
her spirituality from her humanity, or the calling of God
from her identity. As such, her music possesses a raw emotional
transparency that crosses all demographic boundaries and
cuts deftly to the listeners heart. Kate is "...someone
who can move you and soothe you in equal measure." wrote
Chris Willman of the L.A. Times. Find Kate at www.kateminer.com
They
play hard, loud, fast. According too the band,
their energy during live shows can be compared to none. Check
them out at http://www.masonsummers.com/.
Mourning
September – Great stuff from their brand
new CD “a man can change his stars” is featured
during the UC WILD WEST season. You can check out more
from this talented band from Floodgate records at www.mourningseptember.com .
Yellow Second – Made up of former members of Five
Iron Frenzy and Rocket Summer, Yellow Second has been a staple in the Denver,
CO music scene for the past few years. The band has released two
independent projects to critical acclaim, and have become a favorite act
in their region. They’ve
played show with bands like Relient K, Something Corporate, Five Iron Frenzy,
and Number One Gun. Now on their third project, “Altitude”,
Yellow Second is taking their music to a new level, signing with Floodgate
Records for their debut national release. The band fuses pop-rock
hooks, and distinctive vocals with smart lyrics and an alternative beat.
Find them at www.yellowsecond.com .
Commonplace -
The story of Common Place began in 1999. Over the years there
were many different faces and styles, but the surviving duo
was Danny Axel & Victor Murygin.
In the summer of 2004, they joined Chris Fox and Veronica Olvera.
Currently, the band has begun playing live with a new drummer,
Mario Quick and are promoting the release of "Always.Changing.Everything". You
can see more of them at: http://www.myspace.com/commonplace.
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