The Blue News Radio on Pandora

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The Blue News is an American indie rock, blues rock, and alternative rock band that formed in Terre Haute, IN, in 2006. 

• Music Style: Their original music features soulful male vocals and an eclectic blend of styles including blues rock, pop, alternative rock, post-grunge, gospel, and classic rock.
• Key Members: The primary members are Brent Orndorff and Dustin Richardson.
• Media Presence: The band has toured extensively and had several songs featured in television series, independent films, and popular video games like Rock Band 2 and Rock Band 3.

The Blue News band became popular through a combination of consistent touring, strategic media placements (especially in video games, television and film), effective radio campaigns, and digital marketing. 

Key factors that contributed to their popularity:

• Extensive Touring: The band built a dedicated fanbase by consistently touring across the U.S. for over 10 years, averaging two to three shows per week in the Midwest in their early days.
• Video Game Placements: A major boost to their visibility came from having two songs, "Hitman Blues" and "Just A Game," featured in the popular video game Rock Band 3 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Network.
• Media Licensing: Their music was regularly licensed for use in various media, including television series, independent films, web videos, and film trailers, increasing their exposure to diverse audiences.
• Radio Airplay and Charting: They ran successful radio campaigns with Tinderbox Music, leading to charting on both CMJ Alternative Rock and Blues radio markets.
• Digital Presence: The band leveraged consistent social marketing, and the shift to digital streaming allowed their music to be continuously available and widely distributed through platforms like The Orchard, a New York City-based digital distribution company.
• Industry Recognition: They garnered high-profile celebrity fans and were recognized by the Blues Foundation, receiving second place for 'Best Self-Produced Blues CD' for the state of Indiana in 2011. 

These multifaceted efforts, rather than a single viral event, allowed The Blue News to build and sustain a significant following in the indie and blues rock communities.