Deondre Ross

Not often do you see a full-time student at a university with dreams of becoming a pop singer and achieving a college degree at the same time. Missouri Western student De’Ondre Ross has made it known that he has accepted the challenge and will follow through with it. Ross’ love for music started when he was only 2 years old when he was first introduced to drums. Once he turned 7, he realized that music was something that he wanted to make his mark in. “I’ve been writing and making my own music since I was 7 years old,” Ross said. “It’s just something that has stuck with me since I was a kid.” Ross said that not only does he write his own music, he also sings and produces it as well. He stated that he has gained so much passion for it that writing has become something that can keep him up all night. “Sometimes I will wake up in the middle of the night just to write something that has been stuck in my head,” Ross said. “I put things together and they end up being pretty catchy.” In May of this year, Ross not only released his recent single “Song Goes Off,” he also released an official music video for the song on YouTube as well. The video featured Ross singing and a pretty good crowd of Western students. The music video has had approximately 3,000 Youtube hits. Director of the video, Western alumna Jeanna Ross, felt that the fact that Ross knew exactly what he wanted made the process go smoothly. “I think that the performance from De’Ondre and the dancers in the video was great,” Jeanna said. “Everything was very smooth, and I felt that the song itself is easy to sell because it’s something that belongs on the radio.” Jeanna feels that as an artist, Ross has a lot of potential and as he grows he will continue to be a promising entertainer in music. “I really like De’Ondre,” Ross said. “I think that he is an artist that is really into what he does. He thinks about music in a different aspect that not too many artists would. He is very professional and he’s going to make it.” Ross’s dedication and humble personality has caught the eye of quite a few people around the university, including advisor Elaine Bryant. Bryant stated that she was very proud of Ross and commented on his willingness to help his fellow students get involved with his music. Bryant also feels that Ross has a drive to not only do music, but to also to achieve his Business Management degree. “He’s a great young man,” Bryant said. “I feel that he has a good head on his shoulders because he knows that the business aspect of the music business is going to be a challenge in a career where trusting the right person with your money can be tough. “He knows that deep down that with that degree, he will have a good foundation and the knowledge for what he needs for the business side of his music career.” Ross said his mindset of knowing what he wants is the reason why he declared his major in Business Management. Instead of been operated by a music company, Ross says that he would rather learn how to manage his own music career. “There are a lot of great things happening with me and the music right now,” Ross said, “but I still feel that education is key. I chose Business Management because the music industry is very sneaky, so you definitely need to know your business.” Since its release, Ross stated that his personally written and produced single “Song Goes Off” has been getting some radio play and the single is also available on iTunes to purchase. “The single has been going pretty good,” Ross said. “After the first week, it sold over a thousand downloads and that was the last time I checked it.” As far as new music goes, Ross said that he just finished the final copy of his new single “Music Persuasion.” The single will be released on Aug. 23 at Northwest Missouri State. Ross will perform the song at Northwest and the school’s radio stations will also release the single for the first time. Ross said that he appreciates all of the support from his fans because they are who keeps him going. To listen to more of Ross’s music, visit www.deondreross.com or check out his music video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bu7OxTnqMs&feature=player_detailpage. - See more at: http://www.thegriffonnews.com/2012/08/student-and-pop-singers-first-single-is-offered-on-itunes/#sthash.VIXDshP5.dpuf - Albert Shelby (Griffon News)

In a world of increasingly high numbers of specialized artists, Deondre Ross is a 20 year old aspiring rare sight, a musical hybrid. Combining his talented skills of songwriting, producing, and vocal range, Deondre sets out to change the face of music of the Millennial Generation with his smooth sound as an artist and his powerful producing. From the looks of the hard work this 20 year old star has put in over the years since the age of 7; he has become an inspiration to many. Ross has released 4 singles at top online stores such as iTunes and GooglePlay and is also available on Spotify.
Get more of Deondre Ross in this months Ryze-Up Magazine!!! - Ryze Up Magazine

(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) A couple of college students are working to make their music dreams a reality.

"My passion is music, I love to write, produce and I sing as well," said De'Ondre Ross.

De'Ondre Ross has been writing his own music since the age of 7.

After graduating high school he decided to pursue his passion for music.

"I had to make a decision, do I want to play football, or do I want to make music," said Ross.

And now, at 19 years old, he's released two singles and a music video, Song Goes Off.

Ross is a sophomore at Missouri Western, and it's the connections he's made in college that's helped establish his music team.

"If I can take my talent, and mix it with their talents, we can make something happen," said Ross.

"I linked up with him, we had a meeting and from there we just took off," said Nick Niemeier, DJ Soundninja.

Nick Niemeier is a music technology major at Missouri Western.

He began working as a DJ in high school and now five years later, he's created a brand, DJ Soundninja.

"I wanted to take my hobby and turn it into a business, and that's exactly what I did," said Niemeier.

Ross and Niemeier spend their free time writing and creating music.

"We know his style, we know the direction he wants to go, so from there we sit down and we write out music. What I think is good, what he thinks is good," said Niemeier

Though they are just starting out, together they are making their wildest dreams come true.

"We want to put music out there, we want to put on great live shows," said Niemeier.

"I don't know what I would do without music, I have no idea where I'd be," said Ross. - KQ2 News (St. Joseph Channel)

By the time De’ondre Ross graduates from Missouri Western next December, he hopes you will know his name or at least have heard his music. The public relations major has written and produced several songs and music videos and is hoping to make it big in the music industry.

Ross (1)It all started more than a decade ago, when Ross was 7 years old. He was visiting his cousin, who was producing “weird noises” on the computer. Immediately enthralled, the child joined his cousin at the computer and learned all about computer-generated music.

Later that day, Ross, from Jefferson City, Mo., asked his father for a computer and software so he could make music, too, and his father brought a computer home the next day.

“He wasn’t rich, he just believed in me enough to do that,” Ross says.

He estimates he has written thousands of songs since.

Ross, who plays drums and piano, is making inroads into the music business, growing his fan base through social media and online. He has written and produced songs that have become great hits on YouTube, has released songs on iTunes that have sold well, and performed in a variety of venues. “It’s working,” he says, “it’s just a slow process.”

When “Song Goes Off” was released on iTunes, Ross says he walked out of his room in Leaverton Hall and could hear people playing his song. “It’s crazy to do something you love and have so much influence on people.”

He readily gives credit to those who have helped him get his music and videos out. “I never refer to ‘I;’ I have a team and they are just as important as I am.”

Team members include Usala Still, Devin Whittler, Taylor Crouse, Ania Jamerson, Nathan Hershey and Ashlyn Stevens, who is also a Missouri Western student.

He calls his music style a crossover between pop, rhythm and blues, hip hop and dubstep. “I hear the songs in my head, and the craziest part is actually getting them out of my head,” Ross says with a laugh. “Every song I put together, I’ve heard it in my head and was able to get it out exactly like it sounded in my head.”

De’ondre Ross. You heard it here first. - Missouri Western Magazine