The Neo Jazz Collective presents a Tribute to Bob Marley

Join us Sunday, May  15, 2011 as the talented youth from the Neo Jazz Collective present a Tribute to the legendary Bob Marley.  Once again the students from the Neo Jazz School of Music will highlight their love for music and musical icons through song.

Nesta Robert “Bob” Marley, OM (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers (1963–1981). Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.[1]

Marley’s music was heavily influenced by the social issues of his homeland, and he is considered to have given voice to the specific political and cultural nexus of Jamaica.[2] His best-known hits include “I Shot the Sheriff”, “No Woman, No Cry”, “Could You Be Loved”, “Stir It Up”, “Jamming”, “Redemption Song”, “One Love” and, together with The Wailers, “Three Little Birds”, as well as the posthumous releases “Buffalo Soldier” and “Iron Lion Zion”. The compilation album Legend (1984), released three years after his death, is reggae’s best-selling album, going ten times Platinum (Diamond) in the U.S., and selling 25 million copies worldwide.

The Neo Jazz Collective will deliver their own rendition of Marley’s music as they have done so many times before with other legendary artist. In February of 2011 the Neo Jazz Collective delivered a tribute show to Stevie Wonder in front of a packed house which was proceeded by an annual Christmas show and instrument/toy drive which was also sold out.

The Neo Jazz Collective continues to be a sought after group throughout the state of Alabama and across the Southeast. Led by Dr. Lud, these young people are an excellent example of how passion and the love of music can produce not only great music but excellent citizens.

Tickets for the Bob Marley Tribute show are $10.00 for Adults and $5.00 for Children.  Food and non-alcoholic drinks are available with ticket. Proceeds will benefit the Neo Jazz Collective’s continued efforts to educate young people through music. Doors for the Bob Marley Tribute show will open at 4:00pm, showtime 5:00pm.

For more information and tickets call (205) 218-0605 or visit www.neojazz.net

The Truth About Love!

Encouraging Parents, single, Adults, and Leaders to Love and Protect our YOUTH

I CAN Fly non profit organization and National Speaker Rodrick Glover  would like to cordially invite  you to attend “The Art of Loving Yourself?”  (Adults Only)

Free Admission (CD’s available):

Birmingham, AL
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Doors open 9:30am  10am-12:20pm
The Highland Conference Center
2012 Magnolia Ave.
Birmingham AL 35205

The purpose of the “Art of Loving Yourself?” session is to educate single adults and parents about how to strive for pure LOVE in a relationship.   We first want to teach the adults about the concept of LOVE then encourage them to go out and help the younger generation.  “The Art of Loving Yourself?”  is a response to a teenage boy telling me after I was speaking to 300 teens in an Atlanta church that  “My mom never told me that she loved me!”   Pastors, Youth Pastors, Single Adult ministries, outreach workers, and teachers could benefit from this 2 hour session.

Recently Oprah Winfrey aired a show on male sexual abuse,  the men in the audience admitted to being sexually abused.  As a result the majority of the men that were interviewed said they acted out in negative ways and stopped loving themselves.

Rodrick Glover states that “If You love to Learn, You’ll Learn to Love and that can Only Start by Loving Yourself! Love is a learning process but who really teaches us the concept of LOVING ourselves and others?   Some people think that Sex is a Part of Love.  Love is not a sexual act, It’s a spiritual Act.  Love demands self control and self discipline from the inside out!”

What other people are saying about session:
http://motivations.ning.com/page/the-art-of-loving-yourself

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Rodrick Glover, please call Ava at (615) 360-6291.

A Special Tribute to Frank “Bozo” Myers

Join the Family and Friends of Frank “Bozo” Myers for a special Tribute event in memory of a true Birmingham legend and mentor.

Hosted by Darryl Johnson of 98.7 Kiss and Mike McMillian with performances from Logan, David Sea, Aretta Woodruff, the Connection Band and Cassandra Wilkerson.  Also featuring DJ CJ Da Sticman, DJ Willie, Bad Boy Butch and DJ Serious.

This special event takes place at the Platinum of Birmingham on Thursday, April 28 at 5:00 pm.

For more information contact the Platinum of Birmingham.

http://platinumofbham.com/

Why Apply Strategic Planning Activities to Impact Business Growth Strategies?

A Note from Russ @ Urbanham.com
at the Digital Arts Office we are right in the middle of implementing our Strategic Plan.  While I don’t know how things will fall into place I must admit it feels good to have a plan with specific goals for our company.  If you did not know Digital Arts is the parent company for MBI (where we do all those cool websites) and Urbanham.com.  Darren shot over this article from Mr. Harry Chambers of Chambers Consulting who is not only a great mentor but a very wise man with great ideas and the kind of synergy a small business needs to grow in the right direction.  We also want to make sure we give a big shout out to Mr. Chamber’s wife Linda who facilitated the meetings and helped us discover the next steps in growing our business.

Please read on….

Why Apply Strategic Planning Activities to Impact Business Growth Strategies?
By Harry Chambers Jr.

Planning and executions skills are introduced to business owners when they start a business.  They must decide the legal form of a business, open business checking/payroll accounts, decide where to locate the business, decide to either purchase or lease office space, purchase office equipment and decide if they should pursue specialized customers or mass market.  These decisions are important to a business’s early survival but are they specific enough to grow income streams 20% over the next five years?  Can this growth be monitored and adjusted every quarter?  Will decisions makers be held accountable for accomplishing these financial goals?   Over the last ten years we have assisted private schools, museums, utility companies and small businesses in the planning and execution of decisions by facilitating the strategic planning process.  This process is very tedious, intentional, visionary and requires the commitment of all decision makers to complete the process and produce a written plan.   The need for planning and business executions skills are valuable skills that only have value if the business owner  has a vision of the potential opportunities.  The first steps toward developing a written strategic plan is having the commitment of key decision makers to planning and giving valuable input toward the goals developed and implementation strategies.  Dream big but become very specific about the strategies needed to execute the plan.  The execution of the plan will attract the talent and the opportunities to grow your business to the next level.

In our years of facilitating the strategic planning process we have found that business owners need to be held accountable for executing the plan and actively changing the plan when goals are achieved.  The plan should be used to measure potential opportunities and there merit. The plan should be used to attract the talent, expertise and financial resources to the growth goals of the organization.  The plan should be articulated on a monthly basis to measure progress and practical strategies for overcoming obstacles.   No business can succeed without a plan that challenges the boundaries of the business to do more with less.

 

 

 

So what I don’t have a “job” (want me for who I am)

Hello and welcome back to Kevin Key speaks! This weeks letter comes from a lady who is confused about continuing a relationship with a guy that lied about having a job.

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I met this guy who seemed really nice. We had great conversation and we had alot in common. I dated him for a few months and found out he was unemployed for over a year. However, he told me that he worked in a particular field and worked at a particular place. All of this was a lie. He said he told me this because he was embarrassed that he was unemployed and really wanted to impress me. Should I take this as a compliment or run?

_______________________

People people… Why do we consistently tell all of these lies… Everything eventually comes out in the open… You can’t fake your whole life through… This is a definite setup for future failure… I always ask the simple question… When does it stop? Ok so I’m embarrassed that I don’t have a job. Hmm… Let’s see… Instead of saving money and putting it toward keeping myself together and finding a job, I’m going to start dating. Yup.. Let me start dating so I can spend more money, that I don’t have on clothes, food and entertainment.

I do have a plan however… I’m going to make this investment so I can find a sugar mama that will take care of me. Yup I’m going to take advantage of the good man shortage and present myself as him so that when my money runs out, she will feel sorry for me and be emotionally invested and support me the rest of the way. Yup… At that point she won’t leave me because sympathy will set in and no woman wants to leave their man… Why would they, it’s been chiseled into their hearts… Don’t leave a good honest man. Help him work through it… Yup she’ll be looking at the “big picture” and think of how proud she’s going to be after “helping me back on my feet”.

Wow! Bet you all didn’t see that thought process coming… Unfortunately that is exactly what some of these guys are thinking… After that they’ll say they want to find a job, but don’t have a car.. Of course cause it’s your man, you don’t want to see him walking. Hey baby take my car. LOL! Why not, you’re at work anyway… Man that’s the joke of the year.

He’s not going job hunting, he’s going to floss and pick up the next chick to replace you. These guys are not dumb. They know that each “project” is limited. Oh and be sure as soon as he pulls off, he took your aka and delta tag off, so don’t even think they know it’s a ladies car. HA HA!

Now for some other mind breaking news. If you start with a lie, you’re going to finish with a lie. When he said he was embarrassed, it wasn’t about not working, it was about being caught. Listen to what they say. If he wasn’t a con, why would he paint such an elaborate story? Those that really want to do something are humble. Try saying something reasonable. When someone says they are in “a particular field”, it sounds top shelf / first class to me. Much like me saying I’m in the “Aerospace industry”. Cha ching! Girl he got money! People throw titles all day to make fluff.

I know people say speak things as if they are, but dang. Try building on what you have… Oops… News flash, he has nothing. I don’t know if you all noticed, but it’s hard to get mess to stack… You must have something solid if building is to take place.

(Deep breath). Ladies I have a question for you… Are you all in such a place now where you’ve turned your intuition completely off? I mean unemployed for a year and it took you months to find out? You all use to be much better that that. I mean there are definitely signs… Does he have a house? Have you been to it? Does he live with his mama? Does he even have a car? If he has a house, have you all even gone out? Do you always have to pay? Is he all about getting a red box dvd? How do his clothes look? Is he always asking you to cook? LOL!!!! Let me stop!

Here’s the skinny… If he’ll lie about a job, he’ll lie about a lifestyle, he’ll lie about paying the bills, he’ll lie about going in your purse, he’ll lie about coming to pick you up, he’ll lie about doing something special for you and ultimately he’ll lie about even wanting to be with you.

I say this because it all boils down to respect. If you respect someone, you’ll tell them the truth. This is simply because you care and don’t want them to be hurt. I mean really. At the beginning of the relationship, you all don’t owe each other anything. There is nothing invested, so nothing can be lost.

This is only true if neither has ulterior motives. To me, lying about being in an industry you’re not for months is a deceitful motive. You’re being tricked to fall for someone they’re not. Ultimately, it won’t work because you lost respect for them as a person. You don’t even look at them the same anymore. I bet you even keep telling yourself that it doesn’t matter and they’re a great person despite the job.

Whatever!

www.kevinkeyspeaks.com

Happiness

Is love enough at this point…All these years don’t mean nothing if there is no happiness attached to it …Happiness, real happiness is so hard to find…Sometimes you have to bend for happiness, you have to spit up and out some stuff for happiness, you have to cut away some people and things for happiness, sometimes you have to move for happiness, sometimes you just need to sit still peacefully for happiness…you have to let things go that you thought made you happy for happiness sake…Happiness looks so far away when you’ve moved too many miles away from it, thinking happiness was out yonder…Happiness what can I say, it is not manufactured, it is not assembled, it is not constructed, it is not put together, it is not prefabricated…Happiness just is…God says happiness is a fruit of the spirit which is something only He can make, so if it is a fruit of the spirit then God not man orchestrated happiness…and if God made happiness and placed it’s seed in each of our spirits that is found within one’s self…then this fruit must be given the right conditions in which to grow, to bud, to blossom, to live, flourish and grow…However, if you live in an environment where happiness’ growth and maturity is stunted by people and things in your life, why are you looking for happiness in a place where it will never be found…you’ve been fooled!  I tell you no matter how many things you have, no matter how many people you know, no matter how you try to please someone who is just using you…no matter your socioeconomic place in society, each one of us was given a seed of happiness…and these hopeless things and people we look to make us happy will never create the right space in your life for happiness to have it’s place in your life…Until we put those things to rest that suck out of us what God has so graciously given us, this seed of happiness, we will never understand, taste, have, or even be able to pass this seed to others…Happiness is not something that comes and goes, you can tell when someone has entered that territory of happiness….There is a glow about them…Happiness as I’ve described it is like a plant that needs nurturing and territory to grow so your happiness (these seeds or buds found within self) will be infectious and leave those spell bound when in your presence because your happiness has grown like a vine leaving seeds where ever you go, now that’s happiness-Real Talk- Selah

By Tina Kay Hughes, author of “TKay’s Inspirationals: Walking In Your Season”

www.tinakay.net

Post Report: BET Music Matters Tour

Tornado,hail, thunder, lighting, and rain. That was the forecast for Friday April 15 in Birmingham, Alabama yet that storm did not match the storm that came to Platinum of Birmingham. With acts such as Joi a neo soul artist from Huntsville, Al, Anthony David, Melanie Fiona, and Marsha Ambrosius. Those three artist brought a different type of storm with them.

Joi performed three tracks that she wrote and produce. Her tracks were filled with a dropping bass with a touch of class that could really put you in a mellow mood.

Melanie Fiona put on a show that had the crowed grooving in a sync that only she could. A lucky audience member was given the chance to get on stage and be apart of the show. That was a highlight that he said he would never forget. I’m sure Ms. Fiona will not as well as she stated that this was the best show she has had since being on tour. She loved the energy that the crowd gave her.  Nadia Tellis a popular local make-up artist also gave a pair of ear rings to Ms. Fiona after she  complimented on how stylish the jewelry.  We understand the jewelry was made by the multi-talented Yogi.

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha… What can I say. Her show was one that took you back ten years ago to “Say yes” a song that was popular when she was half the group Floetry, to today’s big hit “Far Away.” Her show was filled with comedy, music, and a DJ mix that had everyone in the building singing on one accord.

Bet Music Matters Most tour was a great success. Platinum Of Birmingham was a great venue for it. I’m looking forward to more to come.

Just one photographers thoughts. Enjoy the images.

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Imagine the possibilities: Lennon Bus coming to Birmingham

By Shannon Thomason/UAB News

Young musicians in Birmingham have a good reason to get excited — The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is headed to the city for a three-day stay May 15-17, 2011. Presented by UAB and the City of Birmingham, the John Lennon Bus will visit UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, Birmingham’s new Railroad Park and Birmingham City Hall.

The John Lennon Bus is accepting entries for the Alabama Gospel Music Songwriting Contest through May 2, exclusively from Alabama residents and students. Three finalists will have their song performed on the John Lennon Bus stage during a special concert May 16 at Railroad Park, and all three receive prize packages. The winners will be selected by leading songwriters, producers and performers from the gospel music industry. Click here for full details.

The John Lennon Bus is a non-profit mobile recording studio and HD production facility that travels the United States and Canada offering free, hands-on programs to encourage students to write songs, play music and learn the basics of the business, including video production and sound engineering.

“This is precisely the kind of project that John would have loved,” Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono Lennon, says about the John Lennon Bus, which is made possible by her agreement.

University Professor Henry Panion III, Ph.D., worked with the UAB Department of Music, UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, City of Birmingham, The JLB Foundation and AVID, the lead sponsor, to get the tour to Birmingham.

“School children, music teachers and college students, among others, will have an opportunity to interact with leading industry professionals, attend seminars and presentations, and tour this magnificent state-of-the-art recording facility on wheels,” Panion says. “I hope we will show such a strong level of support that Yoko Ono, management of the JLB and its foundation will sponsor bringing the bus here annually.”

A day-long student recording session, a workshop for music educators sponsored by AVID and a free presentation for the community at 5 p.m. will be held at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center May 15.

On Monday, May 16, FOX 6 WBRC’s Good Day Alabama will broadcast live from the John Lennon Bus at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. Then the John Lennon Bus will move to Birmingham’s Railroad Park for public tours, celebrity interviews and an evening concert featuring artists on Panion’s Audiostate 55 Entertainment label, including an appearance by Birmingham’s “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard. The inaugural winner of the Alabama Gospel Music Songwriting Contest will be announced here.

On Tuesday, May 17, the John Lennon Bus will head to Linn Park near Birmingham City Hall for civic presentations. The Birmingham leg of the tour will end with a lecture at the Birmingham Museum of Art, before traveling to Montgomery, then south to Mobile and the Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores.

Visit www.music.uab.edu for a full Birmingham John Lennon Bus schedule. Many of the events are open to the public, but space is limited. Those interested, especially groups, are asked to pre-register online

Now you don’t want to be friends after I moved up?

This weeks letter comes from a woman that is confused by her friend that won’t talk to her after she took a job causing her to relocate.

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I landed a new job and recently relocated to a new state. My best friend of seventeen years (he’s a guy; I’m a girl) stopped talking to me. He will not return my calls and texts. Before, we would speak at least once or twice a week. Now, it’s been over a month since we have spoken. We did not have a disagreement. He seemed happy with my decision to relocate so I’m a little confused. Any advise?

________________________________

Hello and thanks for contacting me… This is a very interesting situation indeed… The first thing that comes to my mind is that he really liked you and had other intentions than just being friends… A lot of times we seem to miss the obvious. As a guy, I can’t tell you the number of times that I sat there listening to the crying of a girl over a looser guy.

Yup, it’s true that I thought to myself, “why doesn’t she see me?” I felt like of all people, being the good friend that I am, she’s going to figure it out. Unfortunately that bright light seldom comes on. At least until it’s too late.

Women out there, I hope you all know that some guys will sit back and play the friend role just to keep the door open on their “opportunity.” Yup, I’ve said it plenty of times. Guys don’t have female friends. Women can, but we don’t. No guy sets out and says “hey there foxy lady, I was checking you out from across the room and I really want to get to know you and become great friends”. HA!

In this situation, I’m guessing your moving finally gave him the reality that you all would never be together. I do however commend him in being a true friend and wishing you the best. The down side is that at the same time, he was saying good bye.
Now before you all jump on my case, I’m not saying it’s right or that you’re at fault. The same reason he couldn’t speak up is probably one of the same reasons you’re not together.

In the end, you still have to communicate. No matter how hurt you are, don’t shut the door of communication. Completely going cold turkey on your friendship is a bit childish. I always caution relationships with incorrect motives. If you can’t be a friend for what it is, what is the point? I think somewhere in it you should find “unconditional, dependable or maybe even steadfast”.

Who knows, I could be expecting too much.

Either way, if you don’t lay out your expectations, you’ll quickly find yourself in a room full of disappointment and hurt with no one to blame but yourself.

www.kevinkeyspeaks.com

Alvin Garrett talks about the new Noel Gourdin Project and more

Greater Birmingham based producer, song writer and musician Alvin “Cornbread” Garrett talks about the songs he wrote and produced on the new Noel Gourdin project Fresh: The Definition.

Tell us how this project with Noel came about.

Alvin: For the past few years, I’ve been writing and producing with a few of Noel Gourdin’s band members that I met in Boston (I call them THE TWINS, because they’re twins). When Noel got a new record deal, they had the inside scoop on everything. They said he was looking for something soulful and D’Angelo-ish. Fortunately, I had a song sitting in my catalog called “Not Around” and they absolutely fell in love with it. He recorded it, and asked for more songs, and I went on a writing spree after that. Basically, it was a match made in heaven. My voice and writing style was perfect for him, and the chemistry was amazing throughout the process.

What songs did you write on this new project?

Alvin: actually wrote and co-wrote nine songs for the album, and they are as follows: “Not Around” (which is slated to be his 2nd single), “Been a Long Time” and “Love Only You” (I co-wrote with my boy Ruben Studdard), “In Love” and “Get Close” (I wrote and produced exclusively), “Assurance Policy” and “Change for You” (I co-wrote with Noel Gourdin), “Puppet”,  and “No Regrets”.

What’s your favorite track on the new CD?

Alvin: It’s hard to say that I have a favorite, because that title seems to evolve from time to time when I listen to the CD. But, the most consistent is “Been a Long Time”. It’s a vintage ballad that takes you back to the feelings you get listening to a  Marvin Gaye song.

You are really gifted at writing great songs.  What do you do to prepare for writing a song and what inspires you?

Alvin: In my younger years as a writer and producer, I was inspired to write whatever I was feeling at the time. Maybe I heard a track and got an idea, or just heard a whole song in my head and produced it myself. Lately, I’ve been writing for artists and producers specifically, which sometimes lends no window for inspiration. First, I try to figure out the purpose, vision, and marketing strategy of the artist and label. I am much better at writing and producing when I know more details. I prefer not to write “blind”, but I have to do it the majority of the time. So I prepare by exercising my body, clearing my mind, and meditating before I start working. Then, every now and then…BOOOOM- a great one just smacks you in the face and you just start singing. I love those.

Give us the short list of artist you have written and produced for?

Alvin: Jordan Knight from The New Kids on the Block, Deitrick Haddon (“Power” on his latest cd, Church on The Moon), Trinitee-5-7, Mishon (from the TV show, Lincoln heights), and several more. I’m just now starting to expand outside of Birmingham as a writer and producer, so I’m praying the list continues to grow.  There are many other artists I’ve written for; but until I’m relatively sure they’re releasing my songs, I try not to mention them. No need for hype, if you know what I’m saying.

Is there any particular artist you would like to work with?

Alvin: I can’t say that I have thought much about this question, because I’m not driven by whom I work with. I’m driven by my passion for music and business. But, I would really like to do an album with my band, Just A Few Cats, and our boy Ruben Studdard. We’ve never put out any music with him since he won American Idol, and I think that would be really nice. Who knows? Maybe that will happen one day.

What’s your next project that you can share with us?

Artist: Well, like I said earlier, I really like to keep that under wraps until I’m fairly confident that the music will actually be released. But one artist I’m really flattered to be working with is Jordan Knight. I mean- it’s a New Kid on The Block. How cool is that. That project should be coming out in May or June. I’ll keep you posted.

Click below to listen to snippets and to purchase the new Noel Gourdin CD Fresh: The Definition Today!

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