I always felt a connection with Patrick Swayze, perhaps part of it was that he was from Houston (very close to where I grew up). He died thsi week and I feel very sad. I won’t even begin to try to express all the thoughts and feelings I’m having. But I will say… May we enjoy each day for as special as it really is. May we live with no regrets. May we love, feel and give with all of our hearts. And may we be true to who we are and why we are here. Patrick, we will miss you, thank you for all that you gave to us, we will never forget you. Rest in peace.

I invite you to share your thoughts in honor of Patrick.

Niko

Indie Artist NIKO Defines New Music Biz Model

Forgoes Traditional Label Route, Gives Music Away for Free Online

(Nashville, TN – April 16, 2009) Indie recording artist Niko Papasideris has chosen to forego the traditional music business model, rejecting a major label deal and opting instead to give away his music online for free.

Known simply as “Niko,” the Greek artist and Nashville resident has posted 20 of the most popular tracks from his four releases at www.NikoOnline.com for free download.

“My vision has always been to make a positive difference in the world through music,” says Niko.  “I decided to remove the biggest obstacle that was keeping the world from hearing my songs – money.”

The international singer has developed an impressive following, particularly overseas in Europe and Asia.  His Myspace page averages nearly 5,000 plays a day www.myspace.com/nikoonline, largely as a result of viral marketing and word of mouth exposure.  The response to his online initiatives has been so encouraging that he recently rejected a major label record deal from Warner Bros. in Greece.

“We were honored to receive an offer from such a prestigious label, but ultimately we felt that the old music business model doesn’t lend itself to a new-millennium artist like Niko,” says Niko’s manager, John Walker.  “So much of his vision revolves around breaking down barriers between artists and fans, and working to develop a new paradigm.”

The prolific artist is currently recording his fifth album, an as-yet-untitled collection of “Newgrass” remixes of new and previously released Niko material.  The project features an array of veteran Nashville musicians: Andy Leftwich and Cody Kilby (Ricky Skaggs), Rob Ickes (Blue Highway, Alison Krauss) and Byron House (Sam Bush), among others.  A number of the new tracks are slated for an early summer release, followed by a European tour.

Niko is currently focusing his marketing efforts overseas in countries like France, Greece, the United Kingdom and China, although he has landed a number of songs in local and national television ads.  His indie hit “The Sun the Moon the Stars” was featured in the national “Star 129” diamond ad campaign, and local Nashville residents will recognize him from the infectious Rivergate Dental “Joy, Joy, Joy” television ad, which has now expanded to a co-op of sedation dentists.

For more information and to download 20 free Niko songs, visit www.NikoOnline.com. 

My heart goes out to Australia and the devastation she has endured as a result of the fires. In honor of all those who have died and lost loved ones, I would like to share a free download of a special song titled Love. 

Click the "Share This" button below to share this page with others or email this link http://nikoonline.com/2009/02/28/australia
If you wish, embed the youtube video on your page and forward the mp3 to your friends. One woman from Australia wrote to tell me she plans to share these things at her church, spread the word in whatever ways you feel inspired to do so. Together we can touch many hearts! My hope is that it will bring comfort, hope and peace.

With much sincerity,

Niko

Those who know me, know that my musical expressions are very diverse, ranging from pop and alternative to new age and chill out. What you may not know is that I grew up on country music! Hank, Willie, Dolly, George, The Judds, Reba, Travis, Garth, all of ‘em! In Texas, country music is EVERYWHERE! As a child, I often went to this place called the “Blue Barn” where bluegrass pickers would gather and play live! Those sounds have always been close to my heart.

Early in 2008, my team and I began discussing a newgrass project. For those who may not know, “newgrass” is basically bluegrass with a fresh twist. After much planning, we rounded up some of the best players in Nashville and on August 12th, we went into the studio to record the first set of songs for the new album (not yet titled).

Two of the guys are part of the band of the infamous bluegrass artist, Ricky Skaggs. Andy Leftwich, who plays fiddle for Ricky, and Cody Kilby who plays guitar. Also joining us in the studio was Rob Ickes on dobro, Byron House on bass and my step brother Gabriel Cantrell on percussion. A studio filled with fine players was sure to lead to an amazing day of music and boy oh boy did it ever!

We tracked the first 3 songs of the album and part of a 4th. I’m excited to tell you that my management company has allowed me the freedom to share our progress with all of you so I’ve posted three tracks in the streaming player at my homepage http://nikoonline.com/media-player and also at my myspace page www.myspace.com/nikoonline

The tracks are “The Sun The Moon The Stars” and two version of “The Special One” (slow and fast). If you are one of the many people around the world who fell in love with the pop version of The Sun The Moon The Stars then you are in for a pleasant surprise! If you’ve never heard The Sun The Moon The Stars then you are still in for a pleasant surprise! : )

We documented the day in the studio so all of you could see these songs coming to life! Above is a glimpse at what the day was like while we worked on The Sun The Moon The Stars. Enjoy!

On July 12th, we performed at The Theatro of Vrahon (The Theater Of Rocks) in Athens, Greece. It was an amazing and unforgettable night! There were nearly 2,000 people in attendance. It was my first concert performance in the land of my roots! We were honored to be there and humbled to be so genuinely celebrated. Thanks to the help of radio DJ Nikos Garavelas and his nationally syndicated nightly show, most everyone there knew the songs! The evening was filmed and I’m excited to be able to share it with you! Enjoy! ~ Niko

Viewing / Downloading Options

Left click on the file name to download, it will automatically ask you where you want to save it

You can download a high resolution file of the performance above and have it on your computer to view anytime you wish or you can watch the performance via these 5 youtube clips…

PODCAST

Below is the high resolution "Podcast" version (272 MBs) – you have three options…

1. SUBSCRIBE TO MY PODCAST on iTunes! and receive it that way. To learn about podcasts, click here!

2. Download it (right click on "Download" then choose "Save Target As" or Save Link as")

On my brithday, I went to the Imax theater with my mother, sister and niece, we watched a documentary on the history of country music and then another about dolphins. I enjoyed both! Did you know that dolphins are considered by many to be the most intelligent mammals in the animal kingdom? Fascinating.

Well, here are some pics we took, a pic in the truck, one in the theater, a few of us making Greek bread (this particular Greek bread is usually made around Easter time) and a few of me with my cake and balloons. Enjoy! : )  

My niece, Brianna. : )

My sister, Angela.

Makin’ it like word! Yo!

My mother, Faye

 

China has a very special place in my heart. I have grieved over the injuries, deaths and great loss caused by the earthquake in the Sichuan province of China. Over 65,000 people have died and 5 million people are homeless. It’s hard to even comprehend.

I have made a donation to help with sending food to those in need and I am giving away a special song to China in honor of all those who have died and lost loved ones. I would like to ask that you consider giving whatever you can give in whatever way you can give it. Some people do not have money to give, that’s ok, many great gifts do not even have a price tag on them. Follow your own heart and do whatever you feel led to do. The key is to do something. Thank you so much for your consideration!

Some people have asked me which organizations I suggest they use for making donations, there are so many, here are two TRUSTWORTHY ones I have given to in times past, here are the direct links to specifically donate to the cause in China:

https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=264115335&df_id=3198&3198.donation=form1

http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=usw_20080523_china&s_src=TR5

To read more and for a free download of my song "You’re In Heaven", go here…
www.nikoonline.com/china

PLEASE share this blog entry too as many people as possible. TOGETHER we can touch MANY lives! The direct link to this page is: http://nikoonline.com/2008/05/31/please-help-china

Niko 

For more info, write to Tasha at

Thanks!

Niko

For more info, write to Tasha at

Thanks!

Niko

(continued from Part I)

My Glass Is Running Over
All my life I have heard the quote, “Do you see the glass half empty or half full?” On the night of August the 20th, 2007, I realized for the first time that I will never again see the glass as half full but rather I will see the glass as running over! In all that I am and in all that I do from now on, I will always see the glass as running over! I will live and see life with a perspective of blessing and abundance. My glass is full and all that runs over from it is for any and everyone who will receive it. For example, the songs I share with the public are but a handful of the songs I compose and sing out while alone in my time of personal communion with God. The Sun The Moon The Stars is what is spilling out of my glass, Illusion, The Exodus, Aliesha Shine, Together Forever Whenever, Kali Spera, these are all spilling out. I encourage you to see life this way, see your glass as running over. Say what you see and you will see what you have said. See the glass running over and it shall be. Jesus taught, Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened.

Be Patient
It may be a while before you can see your dream manifest in the physical realm. Perhaps there are some things you need to learn first, some areas in which you need to grow and mature, some obligations you need to take care of. One does not fulfill their dream of becoming a doctor until they complete medical school and go through years of training. One does not perform in an arena until they have practiced thousands of hours while alone and performed in smaller venues. What I am saying is that all of these things you may feel are holding you back from your dream are actually part of it! You cannot get to the top of a ladder at the first step.

On the island of Maui in Hawaii there is a place called Hana, many people hear about Hana and can’t wait to go only to find out that when they arrive, there isn’t really anything there at all! It’s the RIDE to Hana that is magical, it’s the 700 turns in the road, the waterfalls along the way, the fruit trees, the views of the ocean and rainforests! If your goal is only to get to Hana, your arrival will most likely be rather anti-climactic. But if your goal is to enjoy the ride, then you will tell everyone like everyone told you, “You gotta go to Hana!”

My Personal Search
Personally, to become who I really was and to begin fulfilling my dream, I had to “get out of my father’s house”, meaning I had to leave my comfort zone and place of familiarity. Comfort and familiarity breed a certain kind of habitual living, it can be positive or negative, in my case there were many things I needed a clean break away from – people and their ridiculous expectations, organizations and all their absurd rules and regulations, jobs and their monotonous routine, etc.

Your Search
For each, it is different. “The Search” certainly does not always involve moving somewhere else but it does always involve doing something different. You can’t do the same thing over and over and expect to get different results. If you mix half water with half juice you will always get the same drink. If you want to discover something you’ve yet to find, then you’ve gotta do something you’ve never ever done before!

Success
Do not measure success by monetary gain or by how others see you, measure the success of each day by whether or not you were true to yourself, by whether or not you walked in love. A day of truth and love is the most successful day any man or woman can ever live. Mother Theresa had few possessions yet undoubtedly lived a very successful life. Life is not about what you’ve got, it’s about what you give.

Be Honest With Yourself
I am a person who encourages people to follow their hearts and dreams but it’s necessary that people be honest with themselves. For example, if you do not have a single athletic bone in your body then you might want to reconsider your “dream” of becoming the next Michael Jordan. : ) That’s a fantasy, not a dream. There is a BIG difference between a dream and a fantasy, do not confuse the two. I’ve seen some people in singing competitions on TV who couldn’t even carry a tune, for that person to pursue a singing career is absurd. I always wanted to be an artist (with pencils and paint) but I have NO natural talent for it whatsoever, I can hardly even draw a stick figure! It would be crazy for me to pursue such a thing when it’s blatantly obvious to me that it is not the gift God put in me. I was always fascinated by gymnastics and would have loved to be involved in it. As a matter of fact, the world famous coach Bela Karolyi had his personal training gym not far from my house, but I did not have natural talent for it, it was not my gift.

A Question For You…
What is it that you can do effortlessly? Stop and REALLY think about it. Can you write? Can you cook? Are you good with numbers? Good at focusing on one thing all day long? Good at organizing? Good at leading? Are you good with mechanical things and with using your hands? Do you love to be around people? Do you love to travel? Do you speak multiple languages? Do you enjoy reading? Do you love nature? Animals? Are you always thinking of ideas for new businesses? I assure you that the things which come to you so naturally do not come naturally to everyone else. Find out what your gifts are and then start to walk in them and you will naturally begin to fulfill your dreams.

The Time Is Now!
You can change your life today! Now, in a single moment! It’s up to YOU and no one else! It’s your life, your day, your choice! How? With a simple decision. You see, most people think of change in terms of something you can see with your eyes and touch with your hands, and this is true, but FIRST change happens WITHIN! Change is a DECISION. It is not based on external things – it doesn’t matter where you live, how rich or poor you are, how old you are, etc. You are a person, you are beautiful, you are priceless, your life is a gift from God! Decide today that you will BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. Decide today that you will GIVE and always BE MOTIVATED BY LOVE. Decide today that you will FULFILL YOUR PURPOSE! Decide today that you will PURSUE YOUR DREAM! ~ Niko

I’m happy to announce that EMI Records in Greece has just released a compilation CD titled “Never The Same” on which my song “You’re In Heaven” (from the Love album) is featured!

Now, here’s where I need your help…

As you know, I’ve been giving my music away for free, but I need your support on this one. If sales and radio response are strong, we will be able to discuss a full album release with EMI! In case you don’t know, EMI is one of the largest record labels in the world. If they sign me to their label, my dream of getting my music to the world will come true!

So, for those of you who are willing, I am asking two things:

1 – Please buy the album. Buy a copy for a friend…or ask a friend to buy a copy! The CD is available at major retail outlets throughout Greece and Cyprus – like Virgin Megastores, Metropolis, and PMW. With your help, we can take it to #1…it debuted this week at #11. Outside of Greece and Cyprus, you can still buy the album, but it will need to be by special order. Simply ask about it at your local record store (because of licensing issues, it’s not available online).

2 – If you are in Greece or Cyprus, call your local radio stations and request Niko, and specifically the song “You’re in Heaven” from the CD “Never the Same” on Minos-EMI Records !!!

Thanks so much for your support!

Niko
P.S. If you are in the Nashville area, tune into News Channel 5’s “Talk Of The Town” on Monday, June 18th, at 11am. I’ll be doing a live T.V. interview!

P.P.S. Here’s the album cover…