Dane Childress, the man behind the brand Chillmore Inc., is a name that has been steadily growing in the music/entertainment industry. Known for his ability to create spaces where creatives can thrive, Dane’s journey from Cincinnati, Ohio, to St. Petersburg, Florida, is a testament to his determination and strategic mindset. Leaving behind the comfort of his hometown, Dane sought to test his skills and strategies on a larger scale by hosting successful open mics and community-driven events that would establish his name in a whole new realm he’s familiar with.
“You need to chill more.” I don’t know how many times I heard that over the past four months. Although, when you work with someone like Dane, he shoots straightforwardly with truth in the best way possible. Sure, sometimes it’s rough, but when you’re building things from scratch, the truth only makes moving forward much easier. Watching him work firsthand, I saw that much of the motion and rise in the St. Pete area stemmed from the induction of Open Mic Industry Night.
Cinci Beginnings
To understand Dane’s impact on St. Pete, let’s take a step back to his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. It was there that his drive and creative energy ignited. While attending Ohio Media School, Dane was inspired by their bold promise: “You can get placed on the radio TODAY.” For someone fresh in the industry, this advertisement started a fire that still burns brightly in his career today.
At Ohio Media School, Dane found himself surrounded by media creatives who were equally passionate about their craft. This collaborative environment gave him the tools and connections he needed to grow. It was during this time that Dane began working with Cinci Underground, a local radio station. While his time there was brief, the experience brought on his determination to make an impact in media and music.
Once Cinci Underground came to a close, Dane quickly moved on, taking every opportunity to grow. He became involved with Busy1Radio, hosted open mics, and collaborated with Ohio musician and radio personality ADDVantz on their creation of the Short Notice Showcase. These events gave local talent opportunities to earn studio time, work with media promotion networks, and share their stories on podcasts. This tight-knit community approach, where everyone supported each other and celebrated local music, was something powerful. Soon this proved to be a formula Dane knew could work elsewhere.
The Move to St. Pete
Leaving Ohio to work in a new territory without the weight of old habits became Dane’s ultimate test. On January 11, 2024, he landed in St. Petersburg, Florida. The first few months were spent acclimating to life in a new state. But once he met the right people and connected with the local music scene, Dane returned to what he does best: building up other creative minds.
This is where I enter his story. I was invited to cover an open mic hosted by Rockstarliiife and Chillmore Inc. From that point on, I’ve followed Dane’s journey closely, witnessing how his dedication and vision have impacted the local community.
Open Mic Industry Night
Chillmore became a household name in St. Pete’s creative scene from September through December. Open Mic Industry Night, held every Monday with the help of RSL, quickly became the go-to spot for local talent. The event provided a fun, welcoming environment where creatives could collaborate, build networks, and showcase their skills. The energy was infectious, and it was clear that Dane’s commitment to truth, strategy, and community was at the core of its success.
Beating the Storm
When Hurricane Helene struck, it brought challenges for the creative community. The Friendly Tavern, which had just begun hosting a new hub for creativity, was severely damaged. But Dane didn’t miss a beat. Partnering with myself and Tiffany at Florida Freestyle Events, Chillmore hosted the 3rd annual Fashionable and the Furious. This event brought the same vibrant energy as the open mics to the runway stage. Dane navigated the crowd with ease, adding his unique touch to the show and creating an unforgettable experience.
To make the event even more special, Dane flew in key collaborators from Cincinnati, including ADDVantz and DJ Already, to share in the experience and expand his now-national network. It was a testament to his ability to bridge communities and build something greater than himself.
The Chillmore Formula
Just as in Ohio, where one door closed, another opened for Dane in St. Pete. I watched as the newcomer to my home state came in with strong goals and morals that took over and grew through embracing others and showing we as individuals matter. At each opportunity he was a part of he executed with the same morals: truth, strategy, and community. Dane showed gratitude at every chance he could for all who supported him. Giving back his thanks with words or putting together and funding an open studio session to embrace the raw talent he's met along the way.
As someone who’s watched Dane’s journey unfold, I can’t help but feel optimistic about the creative scene in St. Pete. The trend Dane has brought here is clear: we aren’t in this alone, we can compete with each other but also collaborate, from audience members to industry professionals, we can build thriving careers and a stronger community.
Looking Ahead
2025 is looking bright for Dane. Starting with onboarding as our newest SpinBinMag.com content creator, helping expand on the project funding initiative Bread 4 Bands, and organizing and producing a new song on the way "Those Days". With the connections he's made while he was away from home, his new year is set up to start with a BANG. Stay locked in with Dane Childress of Chillmore inc on social media or stay tuned to see more of what he adds to the website by following below.
Dane’s story is far from over. Keep an eye out for the name Chillmore, Dane, or Digity Dean Sampson popping up more on song labels, blog posts, and podcast interviews. Whether he’s hosting open mics, organizing music events, or connecting creatives across state lines, one thing is certain: his vision is creating ripples that are starting to grow. St. Pete is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see where Dane's journey leads.
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