About UMO Music

UMO Music is a non-profit* organization established in 1995 by Ernest "Joe" Budnick (president) to help develop and promote original singers, songwriters and bands. UMO is run by volunteers from Music, Media, and related entertainment industries. 

Financial support for UMO is provided through private donations, membership contributions and sales of the annual "14 Best Singer / Songwriters of Greenwich Village" CD which is recorded during the weekly UMO.com Showcase & Open Mike.

UMO Music has been the official site for Independent Original Music in Greenwich Village since 1995 with a constantly evolving mission of providing free (and some low-cost) development and promotional services to musicians, singers, songwriters and bands. UMO supports artists working in the genres of Pop, Rock, Classic R&B, Soul, Alternative, Acoustic, Folk, Country and related styles.  

What We Provide

UMO services include live performance, recording, and promotional opportunities. We also provide some information, social support, motivation and online tools.

Live Performance Opportunities:

UMO Showcase & Open Mic (FREE) - UMO provides a formal live performance opportunity for independent singers, songwriters and musicians thru its weekly UMO Showcase & Open Mic which is held every Sunday afternoon 2pm to 6pm from November thru April of each year. This is a highly professional event open to all with no admission charge. For details see UMO Open Mic & Showcase. The next event is posted in our Concert Calendar.

Outdoor Music (FREE) - UMO encourages informal acoustic-only live performances outdoors in Washington Square Park every Sunday afternoon (weather permitting) 2pm to 6pm from May thru October. For details see Music Outdoors. UMO posts the upcoming event in the Concert Calendar. (Note - On rainy Sundays (May Thru October) UMO opens it Rainy Day UMO Open Mic).

Ad Hoc Events (FREE) - UMO periodically provides special events and concerts on an ad-hoc basis. You can find out about all upcoming ad-hoc events by joining the UMO Mailing List or periodically checking the Concert Calendar.

Recording Opportunities:

The 14 Best Singer / Songwriters CD (FREE) - UMO Music provides a regular promotional recording opportunity for singers, songwriters, and bands who perform original music via the annual "14 Best Singer / Songwriters of Greenwich Village" CD. We provide this service at no cost to musicians and artists retain all rights to their music. All music for this CD is recorded live at the weekly UMO Showcase & Open Mic. For complete details about this project see Compilation CD. To hear CD's from previous years see "The 14 Best Singer / Songwriters of Greenwich Village".

Special Video, Audio & Multimedia Recordings (FREE) - UMO creates periodic ad-hoc promotional music videos (since 1979), audio recordings, Multimedia CD's & DVD's and Internet recordings to help promote independent artists. All recordings are at no cost to artists and artists retain all ownership of their music.

Promotional Opportunities:

Newspaper and Other Media Coverage (FREE) - On an as-available basis, UMO gets media coverage for UMO and participating artists.

Flyers, Newsletters and Email (FREE) - UMO Music periodically promotes participating artists on its flyers, in emails and in its weekly emailed newsletter. 

Live Show Announcements (FREE) - UMO or any Artist who plays at the UMO Open Mic & Showcase, may make live gig, CD sales and mailing list signup announcements from the stage after completing their performance.

Web Site Promotional Tools (optional low-cost membership) - Through its low-cost membership plans, UMO Music provides promotional opportunities via an online update capability for artists using the Concert Calendar, Bio's and members-only web pages. (Best Artist winners receive a free membership account). To become a member of UMO see Membership Plans. (Please note: Membership is not required for event participation.)

Information, Social Support & Motivation:

(FREE) UMO makes a best effort to provide answers to questions about the music business, performing, songwriting and other issues of importance to independent artists, whenever possible. We also try to provide a positive, motivating environment for artists to associate with like minded individuals who are interested in playing or hearing original music.

Non-member Online Tools:

(FREE) - UMO provides many free tools for artists, music listeners and visitors to Greenwich Village. In the coming months many of the tools will be upgraded. For details see free services. Click here for more information about the UMO Web Site.

                     Click here to for Information about UMO Membership.

We welcome questions or comments.

Trademark Notice
UMO, UMO Music, Underground Records, UMO Musician's Club, and Underground Music Online are trademarks of UMO Music Online.

Copyright 1995-2008 UMO Music Online. We welcome your feedback on these pages.

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