RADFORD – It’s a cliché, but true. Sometimes it’s all about being in the right place at the right time. Ask RU junior music business major Alex O'Masta whose digital tune “Dryll” recently appeared on the flash games-audio community Web site.

He says prior to the site administrator contacting him for permission to use it, he didn’t even realize the piece he had posted for feedback almost three years ago was still out there in the online community. “I’m surprised the guy found it because it was the first song I ever submitted out of more than 100 submissions,” O'Masta says.  His friends had told him about a new video game site called newgrounds.com. “They had submitted some of their computer music and techno stuff and told me I should submit some of my music to get feedback and have it rated and I said I may as well,” he says. O'Masta was home in Ashburn when he got an e-mail asking permission to use his work.

O'Masta was asked if they could use his music in one of the games they were making. It would be front-page and he would eventually get paid for the music. He says, “It’s a flash game called Madness Accelerated, a side-scrolling shooter. I did some producing and editing in RU’s music technology center. I do my own music by myself. I used to be in a band and was the youngest one. When the others started going to college, I wanted to do my own stuff and I figured I could do it,” O'Masta says. He has been using the Fruity Loops digitizing program for five years and is still figuring out things he can do with it. O'Masta says, “It’s awesome not having to be with other people and direct them. The sound is totally up to me as the inventor.”

O'Masta planned to double major in music business and computer science. He tried it the first semester and then realized music is what he’s all about. His thoughts switched to a possible major in music business the next semester and that’s when he met “the greatest professor I ever had – Tim Channell. I really got into it then,” he says.

“Alex has a true entrepreneurial spirit with a gift for composing, and a keen ear for mixing and mastering his work,” Channell says.  “He is continually seeking opportunities to network and enter into the music business world.  As a program leader, Alex consistently strives to help others achieve more. He is truly altruistic in sharing his abilities and talents with others.”

O'Masta credits his parents, Frank and Susan, with his success. “They have been so supportive and helped me any way they can with the things I need to do this. I can thank them for a lot of what I have.”  He would like to work more with equipment and lights and perhaps deejay at large events and clubs.

When a big career hit happens like this, it’s common nature to ask about royalties. Yes, O'Masta will eventually start receiving royalties. No one knows for sure how much but he says the site is hugely popular and the whole thing is “just really cool.”

Visit www.newgrounds.com and do an audio search for “Dryll.”

O'Masta was notified earlier this week that he is a finalist in the online 100 percent Music Songwriting Contest. Winners will be announced November 30.