“Potential” is a spoken word piece that I’ve intended as an interlude. I wrote it YEARS ago, when I was doing poetry predominantly. This really fits the tone of the project and how I’ve been feeling lately. I thought I’d let you hear it, get some opinions, and let you know where I am. The written version follows. Please comment and get ready…

I looked through the songs I felt fit the theme/concept of the album (I’m writing new stuff that doesn’t fit this album too) and saw that I have enough raw material for a double-disc! Now, a double-disc project would be an awfully ballsy move for a debut album and I don’t have it in me to wait until EVERYTHING is completed, so I made a decision: the album will be released in TWO parts.

The songs that are just about ready will be released as “For the Broken & Mending, Part I” in the immediate future as a digital download initially, but hard copies should be available for purchase in the month or so after. I’m really excited because my dream is finally feeling achievable and close to tangible.

I know more opportunities would come to me if I had product out and I’ve really hated sitting on so many songs for so long, but I refused to rush the release of this project and have the quality suffer because of my impatience. So to everyone who asks “what’s up with the album,” thank you for being patient with me and supporting me throughout the process. I promise it will not be be vain. Stay tuned…

The Lost Sessions: March 5, 2010

I’m proud to announce a new monthly event my collaborator & friend, Lamar Harris aka DJ Nune is putting together: The Lost Sessions. The goal of this event is to bring good music that doesn’t get radio play to the people. The hope is that it will become an avenue for St. Louisians to get exposed to new music from around the globe. There will be a different featured live act every month. I was chosen to be the inaugural artist. (YAY!)

A lot of y’all complain, saying I don’t tell you about shows, so I telling you now. I plan on doing mainly originals, some that I’ve never done live before. If you’ve never seen me do a whole set, this will be the perfect opportunity. I’d love the support and so would Lamar. Do yourself (& us) a favor and make it a point to come through.

Recently, I referred to a female friend as a diva. She replied in shock, “You think I’m a diva?” I responded, “You don’t?” Our discussion (via twitter) revealed that she considered a diva to be rude and demanding, that the term had negative connotations. I realized she may not be the only person who feels this way, so I felt compelled to share my definition.

Before I get into it, I’m sure many are asking, “What is a man gonna tell me about being a diva?” Excellent question. Although I have been referred to as a male diva (a divo, if you will), I don’t consider that my qualification. I’ve worked for many a diva. I’ve sung with and behind many divas. I am friends with many divas, so I know a diva the second she walks in a room. Let’s start with the popular misconception…

By definition, divas are not rude, snobbish or demanding. As I explained to my friend, divas are much like the witches of Oz: you have your good ones and your wicked ones. The power of a diva is the same, the difference is in how you use it. A diva is simply a woman who knows her worth. She knows that she is something of value and refuses to be treated like anything less than that. This knowledge of self-worth creates a confidence that permeates nearly every aspect of her life.

A diva realizes that how she looks affects how she feels. No woman can tell me that she doesn’t move differently when her look is on 10. A diva recognizes this and goes the extra mile to keep her clothing, hair, face and nails looking good. She does this not because she cares what others think or for the attention she may receive (although that is a definite perk), but because she cares about feeling her best.

A diva actually is the female version of a hustler. I know, I’m as surprised as you are, but Beyoncé actually got this one right. A diva uses her knowledge, talents and abilities to make things happen and to get what she wants. Whether it be personal or professional, a diva will make up her mind that something will be so, and it is. She uses her resources and people-skills to accomplish whatever her heart desires.

The little known truth is any woman can be a diva. It’s simply a matter of accepting and loving yourself. Once you realize that you are a treasure and start living like that, you are in fact a diva. You may shed some ‘friends,’ but that’s okay. You will find real friends who are seeking bigger and better things, just like you. And do you really want to be held back by ‘friends’ who don’t want better for you and your life anyway?

Bold As Love, February 14, 2010

Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve been hard at work putting this show together for the last month. This will definitely be a show you’ll enjoy. My dear friend (and college voice class buddy) Adria Nicole has put together an eclectic  mix of covers and original songs that you’re sure to enjoy, backed by an equally eclectic mix of musicians, artists in their own right.

Tickets are $20 through Cicero’s and at the door, but if you catch me, I can get you the hook-up of 2 tickets for $30. That’s 25% OFF! Holla at your boy for tickets or check Adria Nicole’s website for more information.

Other performers include poet Andrea Gibson, Julie Schurr, and Illphonics. The show is FREE, but donations will be accepted for amFAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. I’ll be doing an acoustic set,  just me & a piano (which I haven’t done in a while, so this will be a bit of a challenge, lol). I’m pretty certain I’m opening, so don’t be late!

The other night, someone who had never heard me before asked me to sing. I sang them a verse of “Ribbon in the Sky,” we talked for a while, and walked away. Then, I started wondering, “Why do I always sing old songs?” The simplest answer came, I don’t really like much of the current songs, but that sparked another question: why don’t I like current pop songs? The truth is I do like some songs, but they don’t stick with me like the older music does. Recent music means so little because we now treat music like it’s disposable.

Artists crank out “hits” that follow trends created by others. Executives pick songs that think will sell, based on those same trends, as the singles they push to radio and television. Radio and TV play the songs until they’re engrained into our subconscious and we buy them and play them until we grow sick of them and begin looking for new music.

This isn’t to say that none of this happened in the past, but artists were a little more focused on creating an album, or a cohesive large-scale work, than they are now. Artist were more intent on creating the music they wanted to hear, not on what everyone else was doing.

Take a look at the song catalog of Michael Jackson: music he recorded decades ago still sounds fresh to us. A whole new generation is hearing his songs for the first time and are falling in love with the songs their parents listened to. I remembered when his album “Invincible” was released. I was so confused, because it sounded so much like music he had done in the past. I wanted something fresh and different, but it wasn’t until his passing and DJs began mixing his music together that I realized what he was doing: he was making the music he wanted to make—a cohesive, timeless sound. A person can play his last recorded material next to songs from “Off the Wall” or “Bad” and none of it sounds out of place. It all sounds like Michael.

I often wonder, twenty years from now, will anyone remember the music that’s being played on the radio now? Will there still be memories attached to songs? Will someone want to do a remake of a “classic” Rihanna song? Will there be Britney Spears tributes? Time will tell, but a large part of me is doubtful.