Mootz first caught my eye with his files that looked just too good for someone I had never seen before. I even remember not knowing who he was when he signed up for Secret Stepfile Santa 2, and confusing his stuff with zimlord's for the longest time due to him making both of their graphics. But then stuff like Just Dance, Andy Asteroids and The Device Has Been Modified quickly became not only my own favorites, but loved all over the site. With the release of Mootz Mix 1, Mootz's position as an above average stepfile artist was cemented. If only he didn't use so many mines....
Even though he won FotW almost every month for the next several months, and even won Comp IV with his Super Mario Bros -One Up Studios Remix- that every judge awarded 1st place in one of the most competitive stepfile tournaments here yet, Mootz was sill not satisfied and he went on to release Mootz Mix 2, arguably one of the best all around packs, and certainly one of the most loved packs, created by an individual r21freak member. Mootz took the advice given to him from his first pack and put it to incredible use. It was then that his position as not only one of the most energetic steppers, but one of the best step artists on the site was completely solidified.
When it came time to pick the next Staff member last time, Mootz was high on the list, but [ICNH] was chosen instead. Even though Mootz had a masterful handle of step rhetoric and the amazing files to prove it, he was still more of a phantom that left delicious stepfiles rather than an actual member of r21freak who was releasing great stuff. He was a Stepmania Santa Claus if you will. Ever since then however, Mootz has participated in the site in many more ways than just releasing files, and he is one of the most beloved members here. With his awesome and helpful personality, a love of making files, and the sheer stepping talent to back them both up, it just didn't make sense not to make him Staff this time around.
And then there's Mootz Mix 3. Oh yes. I haven't even gotten around to playing it all yet, but just looking at the stuff in it that I already play religiously and tasting a few of the new tidbits, I can easily say that Mootz is off to an amazing start as our newest Staff member. But don't take my word for it, check it out yourself, obviously.
So with that let's all congratulate Mootz, continue playing his awesome files, and see who will win FotW now that at least one slot a month has been opened for new people to start winning! Again, congratulations Mootz, you've earned it. I hope you keep stepping for a long, long time, because your files make it easy to pick what to play next
