Open Letter to One Direction

Dear One Direction,
5 years, 3 months, and 17 days ago the five of you were put in to a group. At the time you didn't have any clue how that moment would change your lives. You didn't know that that moment would change the lives of thousands of people, including my own. You walked in completely clueless, with no idea what you were doing. You walked out with more knowledge and life experience than most people will ever get. The 5 of you were more than happy to share it all with hundreds of people you've never met. You guys were and still are an inspiration, friends to many, family to others, and a constant comfort for thousands. One Direction kept going after losing the X-Factor. You became the biggest band on the planet. You kept going after losing family, friends, and eventually your freedom. You literally gave up everything to give your fans everything they ever needed or wanted.
I'm the fan that never saw you in person. I didn't spend hours trying to gain your attention. I listened to your music instead and realized that I already had your attention. I didn't pay attention to the amount of awards you won. I paid attention to all the good you did in the world. By finding meaning and inspiration in the band and in your individuality, I was able to find a little light during a dark time in my life. Ever since then One Direction has been a constant in my life. I was always able to escape with a song or a video. I gained the false impression that you would always be together, always be there. Now I'm saying thank you, good-bye, and letting go.
Thank you for being an escape. I know you still will be. This isn't really good-bye either. You promised to never really leave us. Your music will always be there no matter what. That will be there whether you're together or apart. The meaning in the music and behind the band will still exist. I will still have an escape. It will just be nothing new. Thank you for 5 years of new music, videos, concerts, interviews, and other random means of escape for me and many others. Thank you for giving me a huge family of people that feel similar to the way I do, that understand and relate. Thank you for giving up your lives to make me feel better about my own. Thank you for giving me hope. Most importantly, thank you for helping me find happiness again. Thank you for helping me become me. Thank you for being there when no one else was. This isn't good-bye. It's more like see you later. But I am letting go and moving on. Thank you!
You loved the time you were together. Now enjoy the time you have apart. Take the break that you all so well deserve. Just make sure that you don't forget about us because there is no way that we will ever be able to forget about you.
Love,
The Directioners

Do you know MKTO?

MKTO! I'm in love. I've been in love! MKTO is an amazing band that has had quite a few hits. The first being an instant classic-- "Classic". They also released "American Dream" as a single which did fairly well on the airways. Their most recent is "Bad Girls". I can't get over this song. No, I can't get over this duo! Malcolm Kelley and Tony Oller are two very talented people who have a back-up band just as talented as them. Their bassist is David Dudley who was also the bassist for Emblem3. That's beside the point though. MKTO is such a talented duo. Just like every other band I've posted about, they should be getting more recognition. It seems like they're finally getting their name out there because they've been performing on morning shows and making other television appearances, but they're pretty much only known for their singles "Classic" and now "Bad Girls". They have so many other songs that should be climbing up the charts and being played on the radio.
What's special about these two is the fact that they met while filming a television show on Nick. So they didn't even meet through the music industry! They decided to form their group shortly after. Their band name seems easy to figure out once you know their names. It's their initials put together. According them it's more than that. To them it also stands for Misfit Kids and Total Outcasts, just like they were in high school. Wow. That speaks to you now doesn't it? They signed with Columbia Records and ended up releasing their first single "Thank You" in January 2013. I love that song and I wish I would have heard it on the radio as often as I heard "Classic".
They've been on tour with one of my favorite bands, Emblem3, twice and have also accompanied Demi Lovato. In the summer of 2014 they went on their own headlining tour. They have one full length album simply titled "MKTO". They don't really fall in to one genre of music. Most of the time it's a great mix between pop and hip-hop. Basically they have great music that will get you up on your feet and moving. They also have an awesome acoustic song ("Wasted") that features only the vocals of Tony and his awesome piano skills. The duo has been nominated twice for Radio Disney Awards.
I don't know what it is about these two that made me fall in love with them and their music so quickly. They are great people with awesome personalities and a butt-load of talent. I guess that's enough to catch my attention. They don't exactly fit in with a lot of the music that is being played on the radio now, but I think they are going to be part of a movement to change that. Just like almost everybody I listen too, they don't follow the mainstream. It seems like they actually try to stay away from it. That's what I love about them. They put in a lot of hard work and deserve the attention that they are finally getting and then some.