First up Christopher Dallman – I met Christopher a few years ago in NYC at an indie music conference… and I’ve been following (and loving) his music ever since. “Over My Head” is poetic and simply sublime. For me, its a sensitive reflection on the gentle power of love to lift us over fear and confusion and worry and all the little complications of daily living.

I love this “Pride Remix” of Foxxjazell‘s “Ride or Die Boy.” It features Shorty Roc, Last O, and Nano Reyes, and showcases Homo Hip Hop in all its streetwise, shiny, sexy splendor. Nominated for an 2010 OUTMusic Award, I’m looking out for their live performance… I know its going to be hot!!!

Newcomer Freakles is the only artist on this list I haven’t met, but I’m sure I will. Her first single “Uh HUh” is already one of my favorites. Its so cute and fun – I love it!!! And we’ve all had this experience haven’t we?

I met Australian recording artist “Prince Charming” Brett Every at Munich Pride last year. We both performed and got a chance to connect in the green room. I like cute and goofy and quirky and funny and most of all heartfelt – so you know I love this charming little music video.

Sir Ari Gold is a pioneer, and has deservedly won just about every award out there. He along with artists like Tim’m West, Deep Dickollective and Tori Fixx helped launch this OUTMusic movement and paved the way for artists like myself. I met Ari at at Ed Mannix’s apartment about 7 or 8 years ago. For many years, Ed was OUTMusic – he hosted house concerts and open mics, came to our shows, and kept us OUT artists connected. It was great to see him at the 2009 OUTMusic Awards – he definitely deserves a legend award for all the work he has done. But back to Sir Ari Gold’s cartoon sci-fi fantasy music video “Where The Music Takes You” that I love so much because I love homo cartoon sci-fi fantasy!

“Nothing At All” isn’t really a gay music video, but this song is so amazing, and 2009 OUTMusic Award winner Levi Kreis is so incredibly talented (its no surprise he won a Tony Award for is role in Million Dollar Quartet). I also met Levi at Ed Mannix’s place, he played piano and sang his heart out… you could tell the boy grew up in church!!! During the show, he performed one of my favorite songs “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt, and completely ripped it to pieces in the best way imaginable… I’ve been a fan ever since. FYI Levi just left broadway and is preparing to record a new album, you can get in on the action at Kickstarter.

I have a little cameo in this music video!!! So watch out for it:) Nominated for an 2010 OUTMusic Award, Jesse O is one of the most dynamic indie performers – I saw him live at Brooklyn Pride in 2007 (I think:). He had the high energy choreography, the hip dancers, the Usher/Janet/Ne-Yo energy… needless to say I became a fan. He also has some impressive stats – he has opened for Sean Paul, Kelis, and Amerie, and in 2006, he became the 1st black openly gay male to sign with Columbia Records.

I met musical chanteuse Rachael Sage at the 2009 OUTMusic Awards, we both performed and won awards and after the show we got a chance to talk briefly. She then surprised me by inviting me to apart of her Big Star music video. Rachael is a gifted composer and has also won just about every award out there. She is focused and driven and has the capacity to have fun too – I truly admire her. “Too Many Women” is her most sensuous and lush music video – watch it and be seduced:)

I have a funny little Josh Zuckerman story – we both performed at the 2003 Fresh Fruit Festival in NYC, and he has this little dance move (centered in his nether regions:) he was doing while singing and playing guitar that my roommate and I couldn’t get enough of… ok flashback over… lol – Josh and I have shared a few Pride stages and I love his fun positive power Rock Anthem “Got Love?” (even though it doesn’t have my favorite dance move:)

I really admire Gay Rapper Deadlee, I think “Good Soldier II” is probably the first gay rap music video on the scene. To forge ahead in a musical genre that loudly and repeated protests your existence is a task for only the strongest and the bravest among us. I salute Deadlee and all artists who take a stand.

I’ll be performing so

JOIN OUTMUSIC IN OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER Benefiting the OUTMUSIC FOUNDATION “Sponsor A Young Person Initiative”

Why Join the LGBT Recording Academy of the Arts?

• Be a part of the alliance of LGBT recording artists and performers who are dedicated to raising more awareness in supporting efforts to end homophobia and the stigma associated with being openly gay in the music and entertainment industry.

• Build a stronger alliance! There is strength in numbers. The Academy is dedicated to creating opportunities that offer members benefits as a collective. This year, we are embarking on attaining affordable life insurance and liability insurance as well as other services for our members.  (more information to come in September 2010)

• Support advocacy which help us to forge strategic community partnerships to offer members a better opportunity to be exposed to a broader audiences.

• Preserve the Legacy of OUTMUSIC – The LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA). It is the premiere 501c3 non-profit grass root powered organization dedicated to promoting LGBT Recording Artists and Performers for 20 years. It is the ONLY organization of it’s kind in the world.

• Get your pre-sale ticket now when you join the Academy!! Participate in the biggest night in LGBT music entertainment! Receive 1 ticket to the 2010 OMAs and entry for 1 to the official 20th Anniversary after party when you join now!

• Receive collective discounts as we build our international constituency.

• Be a part of making CHANGE in building a stronger future! Support the 100% volunteer staff working towards building a bright future for openly LGBT Recording Artists and Performers. All proceeds go towards administrative costs and production of the OUTMUSIC AWARDS.

Be A Part of Giving Back Through The Gift of Music!

PAY IT FORWARD! - The OUTMUSIC Foundation will launch the ‘Sponsor A Young Person’ initiative to help combat the epidemic rate of homeless youth in America.

There are several ways in which members of the Academy can participate in community programming through the OUTMUSIC Foundation initiative.

• Join our efforts when you upload your music to be sold in the NEW! OUTMUSIC online store. The only online music store dedicated to promoting and selling the music of openly LGBT artists.
  

• As  a member of the Academy, you will have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Sponsor A Young Person’ initiative via our music store PAY IT FORWARD program. This program is designed for you to donate 50% of your music or music video download. 100% of these download proceeds will go to organizations like Hetrick-Martin Institute home of the Harvey Milk High School.

As a member of the Academy, you will have the opportunity to help in building a Community Fellowship Program to create opportunities for young people in our community to study music, vocals, performance and production. Sign up and join the Academy for more information on this amazing opportunity E-mail us at contact@outmusicawards.com

Even fifty-five years after Brown vs. The Board of Education, being named the first Black anything in this country is still a big deal. And so it is interesting to note…

Read full article at

http://blogs.centrictv.com/music/soulsessions/nhojj-makes-black-history/