Local Musician Steve Acho Hits Online Music Milestone

DETROIT, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A Detroit-area musician, self-described as someone who shouldn't be successful but is, has recently eclipsed an online music milestone.

Steve Acho, a self-taught musician from West Bloomfield, Mich., has surpassed one million downloads and streams of his music.  The one million downloads and streams include purchases from online stores like iTunes and Amazon, as well as spins on Internet radio sites like Rhapsody.

According to Acho, who has never had a contract with a music label or an agent, people have discovered his music online over the last five years by searching for specific songs and enjoyed his version of it.  Then, he says, they move on to his original work.

"I get as much creative fulfillment out of performing my arrangements of cover songs as I do my original music, provided I love the song, I can bring something special to it, and people like it," Acho said. "I've been fortunate enough for people to stumble on me, like what they heard, they bought it, shared it with friends and it spread."

Acho said his model has been the opposite of how most musicians find success.  Most, he says, play in-person in front of as many people as they can.  Instead, Acho has strategically covered songs that people will enjoy and, in turn, has been invited to play live across the country, and even as far as Italy, Australia and Japan.

"What Steve accomplished is truly amazing, a million units is a milestone all artists aspire for but few reach," said Jeff Price, CEO of Tunecore, the world's largest music distributor.  "It's a testament not only to his talent, but also his drive and understanding of the opportunities of the new music industry.  For those in the old industry that say artists cannot make it on their own, that's Steve you see many miles ahead of you."

Acho agreed that it is his passion for making great music that keeps him going, despite following an unconventional path to success.

"Keep doing something great, something remarkable and if it is, people will share it and people will buy it," Acho said.  "With every song I write, every cover and every video, I just want it to be great and I want it to be remarkable."

Acho's next Detroit-area performances are scheduled for June.  For more information on him, his music and next scheduled performances, please visit www.SteveAcho.com.

SOURCE Steve Acho