• IBU REDEFINED ALBUM
• IBU on MTV2 On The Rise
• IBU Wins 2006 Muse's Muse Best Ballad Award
• The Lettermen in Concert
• IBU Returns to U.S. Cellular Field
• IBU Endorses

IBU is among the ten winners at the talent competition for the Chicago Music Opportunity Project (CMOP) 2003, the first program of it's kind in the Midwest, sponsored by 5th District Senator Rickey R. Hendon and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. The goal of the project is to provide the Chicago metropolitan area with the best opportunity to nurture, train, educate and expose the artistic talent within its diverse communities. The project enables young talent between 18 and 30 towards their dream of a music career by providing professional training in the music industry-related skills. Representatives fro a consortium or professional companies conducted workshops in the various areas of the music business from vocal coaching, artist development, contracts, studio recording and mixing, and music publishing to name a few.

40 semi finalists were chosen from a field of over 300 audition tryouts and participated in an extensive and thorough ten-week training program before the talent competition that culminated the project. The training, which is took place at the Music Industry Workshop, included all aspects of the music industry, from vocal training, recording studio techniques, mastering, recording and management contracts, choreography, marketing, etc. The competition involved two talent showcases to select 10 finalists. The talent portion of CMOP was held Friday, May 9th and on the 16th, at Local 705 Building located at 328 S. Marshfield in Chicago. IBU competed on May 16 with their R&B rendition of their brand new song, “I Can’t Get Over You,” produced by Earl Powell, with lyrics and music by Tommy Chanthasene. Their rendition elicited a standing ovation from the audience, and some of the judges. The hosts for the competition were Sam Sylk of WGCI Radio, and CMOP Publicist Regina Daniels. The judges for the competition were music industry celebrities that included Caryn “Special K” Lee from Warner Brother Records, Inc.; Barbara McDowell of Power 92 of 102.3 FM radio; Yoki Songmaker of Yoki Songmaker Production; Wayne Cannady, CMOP vocal instructor, and Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child. All forty semi finalists will go on to co-produce a full length urban music CD, and the 10 winners will have separate tracks on the CD and will perform live at several music showcases around the city. The CD release date is set for the end of June or early July.

New Sounds of Chicago (NSOC) - a non-profit entertainment company that promotes local talent, The Music Industry Workshop - a recording studio to some of today's hottest talents, Top Notch Records, and Industry professionals such as record label executives, entertainment attorneys, artist managers, songwriters, producers and promoters have come together for this ground breaking joint venture.

A website for the program is under construction. It will show the finalists’ music bio, special interviews, participants upcoming music events, behind the scene auditions, behind the scene competitions, behind the scene post production of developing the CD, video screening of the 10 finalists, information on the CMOP consultants such as Music Industry Workshop, Entertainment lawyers, A&R, Marketing, publicists, Music Director and vocal instructors, as well as CMOP future endeavors for the Midwest Based. This project is being documented for later distribution as cablecast & public libraries. The video documentary is being considered for possible future sales.

For information about this program, you may contact NSOC/CMOP headquarters at (773) 638-0991 or Corliss, NSOC administrator at (773) 638-5804. You can also send an email to nsoc@sbcglobal.net.

«back to top»

IBU was featured at a solo concert presented by the Department of Student Activities at the College of Lake County at the Grayslake Campus. The concert was held at the Mainstage Theater at 19351 W. West Washington Street, in Grayslake, Illinois. Celebrated as Chicago’s most sought after Asian-American performing group, they are also one of the busiest, having made close to fifty performances last year. This pop group’s success is attributed to the many talents they bring on stage. They perform with acoustic guitar accompaniment, has a repertoire of a cappella medleys, perform with instrumental tracks, have choreographed numbers, and even break dance during their song performances. Most of all, their outstanding vocal harmonies, unique in a three-member vocal group, makes them different from all the other boy bands.

IBU has been in the Asian-American music scene for two years, and already, they been receiving a lot of notices in the mainstream music industry. The group started performing in private events and local talent showcases. It was in these performances they were discovered by their current management, BEI Artist Management. Since then IBU has been featured on local magazines and newspapers, local TV shows, appeared in major concerts, clubs and several Universities in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. They have performed back to back concerts at Wayne State University in Detroit and Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana with 6th Day, the group considered as one of the icons in the Asian-American industry. IBU has opened for several major shows in Chicago which included concerts by Philippine artists such as Lani Misalucha, Freestyle and Jessa Zaragoza, Side A with Basil Valdez and Jaya, and the Hunks. Last year, they performed at Six Flags Marine world in Vallejo, California with the big name artists that included Pinay. IBU was featured in the television show “Stateside” which aired via satellite on the Filipino Channel, as well as the station KTSF ( Channel 26 ) in Francisco, and the International channel.

Early this year, they went back to the bay area to perform at “The Gathering” at the prestigious Palace of the Fine Arts theater. IBU’s widely received single “Next To The Candlelight” was release in August last year. Two compilation CDs and a record deal from a mainstream record label is in the works.

The CLC-sponsored concert featured select local talents who opened and provided backup for IBU, including Charleen, Chicago’s newest year old singing sensation, Emcee Jargon, and Chicago’s premier and multi-awarded dance groups, the Naughty Yauzah Crew and the Naughty Yauzah Ladies. Ambibo.com wrote about the show: Speaking of energy, IBU were oozing with it. Jumping, tumbling and singing at the same time takes supreme effort for ordinary beings, but for them it seemed effortless. It reeked creativity too. From IBU’s improvisations, genuine artistry was evident. I think I know why so many came to IBU’s first ever solo concert as an act. People see themselves in them and share their aspirations. As I took final shots backstage, shook hands with Mike, Tommy and Jonathan and wished them luck, I heard myself confidently declare, “The world is waiting for us.” Yes, I was inspired by them.” A repeat performance is planned for December in Chicago.

«back to top»

BEI Artist Management is currently looking for a street team. High school and college level students to join our street team. We are accepting applications. If you're interested, let us know!! Only serious applicants please. This is a non-paid position. You are compensated through: free admission to shows, parties, concerts, and other events. You will be responsible for promotion of events BEI Artists is involved in. Position calls for outgoing individuals who are comfortable with distributing flyers and advertisements at their school and various parties, shows, car shows, races, etc. from time to time. If you're interested and you're at least 16 years of age, send us an e-mail at info@ibumusic.com with following information:

• Name
• Age
• School attending
• Year in School
• Clubs/Orgs involved in @ school
• Clubs/Orgs involved in outside of school

«back to top»

The most awaited Chicago Music Opportunity Project (CMOP) compilation CD will be released by CMOP and Top Notch Records at a glittery, by-invitation-only, celebration at Swissotel Chicago Hotel on Wacker Drive in Chicago. The event will be attended by a special celebrity, record company executives from various labels, and the media. IBU, along with ten other finalists of the talent competition that culminated the project will be featured on a track of their own, as well as in two other tracks which is a collaboration of all 40-semi finalists of the project. Radio announcements about this event will be made during the month of July. Check your local newspapers for updates, articles and announcements regarding the CD release party. The Midwest Radio & Music Association, which is holding their 14th Annual Business conference at the same hotel is collaboration with CMOP for the CD release event. The compilation CD will then be available on several record store outlets in Chicago. To know more about CMOP, check past news updates at the bottom of this page.

«back to top»

The Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame, now on it’s tenth year, has informed IBU that they have been nominated as one of the inductees to be honored at prestigious gala celebration to be held on November 22, 2003 at the Marriott Hotel O’Hare. IBU is being highly nominated by Via Times/Chicago Philippine Reports TV, for their accomplishment in the field of entertainment, and because IBU has earned the respect of the Filipino-American community. The Filipino American Hall of Fame honors Filipino-Americans in the Chicagoland, Midwest, and other states for their achievement in various fields of interest or profession. The annual black-tie gala event is attended by community leaders, professionals, and celebrities from the community. Proceeds from the event will benefit the 20-year old locally produced Filipino American Television show in the Chicagoland area, as well as Tahanan, the upcoming museum/cultural center for Filipinos in Chicago.

«back to top»

Chicago – Felica Productions, Inc. surprised IBU between their numbers at the Side A and Freestyle concert with an achievement Award which was presented to the group after a tribute video in their honor was played before an audience of over 3,000. Video taped congratulatory greetings from top Filipino Artists in the Philippines, also preceded the presentation of the award which was given to them by Felica Productions CEO, Ann Gina Go, assisted by 5th district Assistant Majority Leader, Senator Ricky Hendon. The concert, dubbed as “Spectacular Event Of The Year” was held at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, IL. Tommy, Mike and Jonathan express their appreciation to Felica Productions and all its supporters for such an honor.

Check out the pictures

«back to top»