RANDEVYN PIERRE | Official Site

A Positive Impact on My Life

2012-02-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, because of my experiences in church, part of me has come to believe that along with the sense of community and spiritual discipline that people gain from church culture, there is a certain amount of judgment, inflexibility and legalism that is also a nonnegotiable part of the corporate Christian experience across the board. Despite having non-gospel music releases, I’ve sang in church nearly all of my life. Even after being documented by AMG with soul and pop credits, gospel remains a deep part of my music marrow. This past weekend, some of my long-held perception about church culture began to melt away as I witnessed a free, progressive, creative group of people gather to worship inside a high school gym near Atlanta’s West End. The church is called "Impact," and their motto is, “doing church differently.” This unique group of believers appeared to successfully live up to their mantra over the weekend as people from all walks of life gathered to enjoy the message shared in song and sermon. From the way the people interacted with each other to the way the music was presented; the spin on the overall church experience as well as the atmosphere of love and acceptance highlighted their effort to present Christ in a way that I’ve not experienced before. I’m glad to have been given the privilege to be a part of this church's mission to impact the world - one positive experience at a time - even if but for a day.

Check Out Impact Here

A REMINDER of MY FUTURE

2011-09-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

The hand is a tool we use to direct, control, constrict, release, strike, embrace, attack, reject, explain, pleasure, fight, surrender and take responsibility. Many of the intentions our mind has are expressed and implemented through the use of our hands. This morning, a sudden panic re-introduced itself as I began to question what my future would look like and whether or not I was going to be okay in the long-run, when I suddenly felt the inspiration to grab a pen and place my hand into the sun. I wrote this on my palm today to remind myself that I can CHOOSE to build the life I see in my dreams - we all can. I'm making the commitment to keep this message inside of my hand as a reminder of the power of my own choices (to steer my life) until it fades away. In a song I recorded on The RANDEVYN Project called, "This Morning," there's a lyric that says, "when I opened my eyes, the sun begin to shine and I saw my life in a different light this morning..." I will continue to let my songs be the power that keeps me strong through all of my life's challenges.

Almost Out of the Wire!

2011-08-30T01:55:00.000-07:00

"How do my teeth really look?" Mom always answered by telling me I had a wonderful smile and my teeth were fine. For years, I reluctantly believed her over my bathroom mirror. Later, I learned not to trust my parents or friends when it came down to this sensitive question - they were all good people who were programmed over time to handle my feelings with care. However, life offered me a little smelling salt which served as a gentle reminder to trust the true image of my teeth in the mirror. No revelation can be as brutally clear regarding your look as a video camera (a recent friend who I've learned to depend solely upon for honesty).

After a painfully, imperfect smile smacked me dead in the face as I watched a very open-mouthed RANDEVYN performing on a television program, I was immediately convinced that the mirror was right; I had to get my teeth into some wires. With the decision for braces, I didn't realize that I was sentencing myself to carrying a 6th-grade look and a new cut in my mouth nearly every time I opened my jaws to sing. It panned out to be a sacrifice well worth it, I must say. The video camera won't catch my teeth slipping again - that's for sure. Finally, it's almost over! It's about time for a new look, anyway. Here's to new beginnings.

My ONLY Vocal Director: Intro to BARIOLOGY

2011-08-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

We were probably both barely out of high school when we first played together roughly 12 years ago at a Colorado church service (I was playing organ, he was on keyboards). After what seems like a lifetime of hammering at the music industry, our reunion came yesterday, when L.A. brought him back to Atlanta for some studio work. My head is still spinning after having had the pleasure of working with what has to be one of the most brilliantly talented artists I’ve ever experienced. BARI (www.barimusic.com) and I spent an entire session pointing fingers at each other, oohing and ahhhing over our musical interpretations. Bari is an absolutely breath-snatching, incredibly brilliant musician, singer, songwriter, arranger, singer and producer. This guy is probably the only person I've ever allowed to vocal direct, produce and arrange parts for me while recording for an album. From hearing his interpretation of music years ago, my instincts told me I could trust him to bring out something even better inside of me - and he did just that. I'm going to insist that he finish this album with me - no matter what it takes. When you hear the work we’re about to do, you’re gonna be pleasantly surprised.

SINCERE JOHNSON: The Face Behind My Beginning

2011-08-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

In its humble beginnings, success rarely ever has a recognizable face. You're looking at the photo of an underground A&R, label president, business manager and overall music mogul. Pictured above is Sincere Johnson (owner and operator of Sin. J Entertainment, LLC) a talented, young businessman who happens to be largely responsible for my musical start. This is the man who single-handedly executive-produced and released my first project, managed me for 3 years, caught the attention of BET and Billboard and later figured out how to get an indie artist to the BET Awards. Johnson also marketed my project all over the southeast region, got my music added to XM's playlist - and the list goes on. After being on my own for a period of 3 years, Sincere and I sat down to breakfast yesterday - kicked up old times. We recalled our journey together as business partners - a conversation that was not all pleasant but all the same long overdue and somewhat redeeming. Heard the age-old story of friends who end up on the opposite end of the business table? I think we all have. Ever heard the story where those same friends put the past in the back seat and figure out how to pick up the pieces and start over?

Well, you just did.

Love you, SinJ!

BACK IN THE STUDIO: The Re-Branding of RANDEVYN

2011-08-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

I arrived at the studio in Marietta around 8:00 a.m., marking a pivotal point in my career; the first session in the infant stages of building a commercial, mainstream album. After a lot of thought, I've decided to stretch my musical reach in an effort to expand my brand to a more universal audience. Over the years, I've made music that has expressed the tragedy and triumph of my life. I've personalized every lyric and tucked every tune into the passion of my perspective. I have since learned that while singers are story-tellers, the stories we tell don't always have to be our own. However, I am proud to bring that same heart that makes me who I am as an artist into my mainstream music efforts with a different backdrop.

This morning, I began recording songs designed to make a visible mark in the music industry. While in our session, I heard a track that immediately gripped me inside - I can't wait until that song is fully born! With a sound so pleasant yet unfamiliar, I could hardly believe it was my own voice in play-back as we reviewed our work for the day. I've officially begun the journey from crawling underground to moon-walking. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because the truth is - I don't know what will happen. As it stands, this is just an effort - a pitch.

Time will tell my story.

VOCAL ATTACK ON TOUR

2011-08-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

A bad cold is the one thing that always sharp-shoots my voice down like a flying duck during the peak of its hunting season. While on a European tour this past week, I came down with a horrible cold that began as what felt like a small lump in my throat. Within 24 hours, my head was clicking like a metronome, my throat was tighter than a snare drum, I was coughing vigorously, my range lowered its standards and my falsetto had checked out. I didn’t know what I was going to do with a sound check followed by a 60-minute set to prepare for in just 12 hours. To this day, there’s not a single flavor of tea, vocal technique or home remedy that can convince my voice to come out and play again once it’s been attacked by a cold. The easiest notes for me to sing on a regular day feel like heavy-lifting after a virus’ full day of hard work on my throat. I decided to do something I’d never done – drink water until I couldn’t bare to swallow it anymore and sleep for all 12 of the hours I had to spare before the show. I also downed multiple cups of vitamin C with hot water (cringing with every swallow). Surprisingly, the treatment kept the condition of my voice from worsening; it reached all the notes it was responsible for last night. Tomorrow is a different story. As disgusting as this vitamin C may be, it may be my only hope. Here’s to vocal health!

SURVIVE: European Tour

2011-08-04T23:41:00.000-07:00

During the past 3 weeks, I've been on 12 planes, 4 boats, countless automobiles and stayed in some of the most lavish hotels my life has ever seen. This month's international tour with Grammy Award-winning, disco diva, Gloria Gaynor has proved to be an experience that has brought about many of my firsts. It's been my distinct pleasure to talk with, draw from, connect to and sing with such a wise, spirited, fun and seasoned legend. She's made me laugh at least a few times every single day we've been together. There are still two dates left (Croatia and Italy), and though the tour has been a long journey in a short amount of time, I am proud to be the new owner of a lifetime memory: gazing into an audience of eight thousand listeners as I took the Istanbul stage with Gaynor to perform the classic duet, "My First, My Last, My Everything." We'll do it again a few more times, and then I'll be back to Atlanta and on to the next adventure!

On the Road Again

2011-05-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I played for the folks of Birmingham, Alabama. I didn’t quite know what to expect, but I was strangely hungry for the stage. The picture you see was snapped as I was headed away from the mirror and out on to the stage. I had a blast – it was one of the most liberating performances I’ve had in a while. I realize you guys don’t see a lot of me, so I’m looking forward to cranking up the heat and stepping up to the stage a lot more often in the coming months (throughout the rest of 2011). I’ve made a personal commitment to become more visible on the mic – starting right now. Who knows – I may be on stage in a city near you before you realize it. Call me – I’ll be there. I’m charged, powered up and ready to go. I’m back on stage at Café 208 in Atlanta next week. I’m also working on getting over to the U.K. Yes – that’s right! Let’s rock!

An Artist Supporting the NO H8 Campaign

2011-01-22T18:27:00.000-08:00

I’ve always been an activist at heart – a person who is passionately committed to doing my part in ensuring that equality and justice is recognized and evenly distributed to every person (and/or group) within my reach. Part of my universal mission is to, “inspire and strengthen humanity”, and without a conscious effort, my music constantly takes ownership of this self-charged responsibility (American Drum, Jena Tree). I have spent much of my life de-programming myself from personal prejudice, phobia and intolerance learned from outside influences. I now proudly declare my affirmation and acceptance of diversity. I celebrate the individual liberty to practice, speak, think and live out one’s personal truth, free from public shame, religious dogma, community judgment, civil punishment or violence. Freedom and respect for others isn’t an American principle, it’s a universal law that must be embraced by all who rent a space in this world. We must all recognize that mutual respect is a necessary component for the health and survival of all life. The arrogant, disrespectful, elitist attitudes coupled with abusive, cold behaviors learned in families, neighborhoods, schools, churches and other social circles that are applied to those who differ from our 'norm' are a terminally-poisonous, crippling form of ignorance that stifles human progress. Today, I officially re-dedicate my musical efforts to the mission of dissolving hate through spreading love awareness.

LOVE > FEAR

Randevyn Pierre

Crucial Music

2010-12-13T22:20:00.000-08:00

I recently signed a licensing agreement with Crucial Music for the song, "Life Support." Crucial Music is a company that specializes in placing songs in commercials, television programs and film. I'm excited about this opportunity simply because a large part of my vision for The Randevyn Project is placement in the three categories named above. Publishing dollars are highly valuable because they don't go away like the monies generated from album sales and live performances. It'll be interesting to see what comes of this contract as time goes on. *fingers crossed.

New Official Website | RANDEVYN.BLOGSPOT.COM

2010-12-06T21:55:00.000-08:00

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The RANDEVYN.COM website (pictured above) is no longer functional. All correspondence, information and updates will now be posted here at WWW.RANDEVYN.BLOGSPOT.COM as it is now the official website. In the near future, WWW.RANDEVYN.BLOGSPOT.COM will become RANDEVYNONLINE.COM. Stay tuned for more news, updates and other upcoming information!

Once Upon a BILLBOARD in the Year 2006

2010-12-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

Most of the time, I make music without looking over my shoulders. There are times in my life when I have thought that could've been a mistake. Every now and then, I'll come across some work that I've "done" that others have actually noticed. Sometimes it's positive feedback, other times it's negative feedback. This week, I saw something that I found rather suprising.

Apparently, my first Billboard Magazine mention was in the year 2006 after the release of my debut album, “Soltrain.” I had no idea, no one around me knew, there wasn’t an internet tip-off or a local buzz or anything (then again, I guess there wouldn’t have been). I will admit that this is something that I’m proud of – something well worth blogging about.

MUSICAL MATH: The Formula

2010-02-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

Let’s put singing, songwriting and musicianship on the shelf for just a few minutes. Here’s the bottom line: The value of an artist is measured by the public demand for his or her music, performance and or appearance. Artists often forget that though many of us are musical perfectionists, music in America is a business before it is an art. Any business trying to sell a product with low to no demand (in any industry) will never even make it out of the creative womb and into the economy.

Now that music product is worth an estimated 50% less than it once was in dollars and cents, the consumer has turned up the heat on artists without realizing it. Artists must now do what labels have done for decades – sell a person. No – not just sell records (the truth is that people really don’t care very much anymore), but brand and sell themselves. The relevant questions become: How many people can an artist get to buy into his or her personality, look, angle, sound, style and creativity? How many people can an artist get to pay attention to them? Are people invested enough to spend their time and money to see, hear or experience the artist? Here is a formula that eventually becomes “success” when it occurs in a winning sequence. The first step in the process is called, “visibility.”

Most artists get stuck between visibility and fame. The difference between the two is that visibility creates possibility, while fame presents real opportunities – the kind that artists can only dream about, eventually earning the artist a major following. For a select few lucky folks, visibility and fame come at the same time. For everyone else, the distance between visibility and fame is almost as far as the distance between dreams and success. For most, a lifetime of hard work layered with every kind of challenge, obstacle, demand, distraction and deterrent imaginable lie between them and their dreams.

Visibility is the most difficult stage of the formula for success to acquire. No matter how talented an artist is, he or she isn’t worth a single dollar if they never take the steps to acquire visibility. Visibility can eventually snowball into fame, fame will most likely create demand and demand will always create dollars. Any person who makes it to the “demand” level of their career faces a new challenge – reinvention. Reinvention is necessary to maintain demand which is fueled by relevancy. At this point, there is a completely different equation for survival of the consistently successful artist.

“Excuse Me – Is Your Name Matthew Knowles?”

2010-01-17T23:41:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I traveled with a few friends to Nashville, Tennessee for the Pre-Stellar Awards events. I admit it. I didn’t want to go at first, but in support of one of my dear friends who happens to be a gospel singer, I decided to make a memory. After a drive that seemed like forever, we were finally at the Bonnefide Radio event. The moment I walked in (strapped down with a backpack filled with promo CD’s), my fears of feeling uncomfortable and out of place were over. Almost immediately, I spotted dozens of familiar faces; both friends and folks with whom I'd worked with at some point. Additionally, I met people who’d heard my music before, paying some pretty humbling compliments. “Your music has changed my life”, said Myron Butler of EMI Gospel. “Call me any time so that we can write together. I’ll come to Atlanta if I have to”, Butler continued.

I didn’t know what to say. Could I write gospel music? How would it make me feel? I tucked away my feelings of shock and confusion to continued working the room, when I heard a familiar voice on stage. It was a buddy of mine – Algernon, singing material from his upcoming project. I rushed to the front to get a better look and listen. Once the song was finished, I spotted more familiar faces standing behind a metal divider that led to the stage. As I moved a little closer, I noticed that one of the faces belonged to PJ Morton – a producer I’d worked with on my first record. Since I’d listened to his, “Live in L.A.” project for the first time while driving to Nashville that night, seeing him less than an hour later was a pleasant surprise. After greeting him, Rachel and Jason waved from behind the divider as they waited to take the stage in a background spot.

“You got some CD’s?” Rachel seemed to be asking with purpose. “Yeah – I do”, I answered. “See that man right there?” Rachel pointed carefully at a man standing quietly in a dark-colored suit. “Yeah,” I squinted my eyes in question.

“That’s Matthew Knowles – give him a CD!”
“I can’t! Do it for me!”
“No! You’re the artist! You give it to him!”

Knowing Rachel was right, I walked over to the man in the dark suit and cleared my throat to begin.

“Excuse me – Is your name Matthew Knowles?”
The dark figure became a brown-skinned man with a full mustache and grandfather-like dark eyes as he turned into my direction.
“Maybe”, he answered.
“I guess that means it depends on what I want….huh? Well – here goes…I know you’re sick of this, but I have some music I’d like to leave with you….”
“I’m just here to relax.”
“But I’ve already bugged you.”
Knowles chuckled as I continued.
..”but it’s not gospel…it’s mainstream.”
“Well, I do that too, you know.”
“Yeah – I’ve noticed.”
Knowles had surprisingly warmed up to me in just a few seconds.
“Let me see what you have, son.”

I handed over my most recent project and thanked Knowles for taking the music. Even though it could very well end up being a coaster on a hotel night stand at this moment, I was proud of my confidence and courage Friday night. Matthew Knowles was a great sport.

People, Strategies and Dollars that Promote

2009-12-02T17:57:00.000-08:00

What's the difference between a talented artist that has "it" and a talented artist who does not? What is the "it" factor? Showmanship, personality, a look, a particular sound, distinctiveness or perhaps a combination of them all? Well, the truth is that no artist has it all. I've heard some in the music industry suggest that only "smart" people "make it." I'd agree with that statement if I didn't see so many dummy millionaires made wealthy by the sometimes shallow and foolish entertainment industry in America.

Artists need to be well-informed and knowlegable about the music industry. There is no doubt that artists need to be self-sufficient, proactive and business minded in order to be successful. Though these qualities cannot be compromised and are essential, no matter how smart or well-researched an artist may be, there's only so much he or she can do on their own. A successful artist needs the talent, capital, knowledge, resources, relationships, research, business sense, experience, consistency and skill set of other people (not to mention good 'ole fashion good fortune) to build their career to a level of high visibility.

If we pulled 10 artists into a room and asked each of them how they "made it", we'd be liable to hear 10 totally different stories. While I would imagine that there are multiple factors that create a statistical formula for whether or not a person obtains commercial success, there is one consistency; someone in a position of power made the decision to connect that talent to the people, strategies and dollars that promote.

Some of the most talented musicians with the strongest determination will never see a world-wide platform - for reasons that relate to the lack of capital, knowledge, resources, relationships, research, business sense, experience, consistency and good 'ole fashion good fortune. Being guided by persons who are highly competant, influential, well-connected and experienced in the business of music and believe in the artist is crucial for any musican if he or she is to have a chance at building an international career. Perhaps the most important question for an artist on the journey for musical success is - "who's on your side?"

One of My Heroes...

2009-11-25T21:19:00.000-08:00

I was probably about 14 or 15 years old the very first time I saw Carlton Pearson. At that time, his "Azusa Conference" carried an audience numbering in the thousands and was the Mecca for Black, Pentecostal Christians of various denominations - at least once a year. What seemed like a sea of Christians faithfully attended Pearson’s annual conference as Azusa exploded on the international scene. The conference released DVDs and CDs circulating the world – our family had a few. Pearson is credited for creating an international platform for now iconic Christian faces like T.D. Jakes, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams. Even though I knew of Carlton Pearson for many years, it wasn’t until he began to write and teach about his new idea, The Gospel of Inclusionism that I began to take a unique, personal interest in the Bishop. His bold, progressive, passionate convictions about God and the world cost him everything he’d ever known, yet he never apologized or lost his nerve. His ongoing passion, strength and tenacity are what earned my utmost respect and admiration.

Pearson has since become one of the strongest forces of spiritual inspiration for me. I’d been following his career, reading his books and listening to him speak for years when I came accross an opportunity for us to meet. A few months ago while in Chicago, Carlton Pearson and I had a chance to sit down and chat about life in general, spirituality, his life and experiences, my life and my music. Initially, I was overwhelmed; I could barely speak. After Bishop Pearson’s warming, open and welcoming personality took over all four corners of the room, it became easy to share the space with him. My life was changed. Today, he text messaged me asking me to sing at an upcoming event. As I thought about the man I first saw on video as the "Azusa" icon, I smiled. I am proud of Bishop Pearson for his journey, being the champion of self-actualization and brilliance he is and will be honored to sing for him next month.

Life Support Video Shoot

2009-11-22T21:07:00.000-08:00

Today was a cold, wet day in Atlanta, Georgia - not exactly an ideal climate for a video shoot. I arrived about an hour late after walking through what felt like frozen air with several bags of clothing and props while headed to an upscale loft on Walker street; only about a mile from my place in Mechanicsville. Once I walked up the long set of stairs that led into the contemproary condo, the scenery was well worth the trip - it was beautiful. I thought, "Is this the set for MY video?" Once I spotted Mr. Mahdi calling shots, there was no doubt that this video shoot had been set up for The Randevyn Project.

Even though today's weather was quite uncomfortable, I've gotta admit that the rain really helped to set the tone for the mood I needed for the video. Mr. Mustafa Mahdi was incredible to work with. He consistently made me feel condident and comfortable. Even though I repeatedly insisted that acting wasn't "my thing," he continued to reassure and compliment me throughout each scene. Mahdi also gets points for casting the most drop-dead gorgeous model within a 50 mile radius. Stay tuned - it's gonna be pretty cool.

Michael Jackson: 1958-2009

2009-06-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

At first I wasn’t going to write anything about Michael Jackson – maybe because I was completely overwhelmed with the paralyzing combination of shock and grief that I couldn’t even think of the words to begin this blog entry. Even as I write now (some 24 hours after hearing the devastating news of Michael Jackson’s passing), a tight knot of anguish continues to stretch across my chest. The energetic sounds of his music with images of his smiling face continue to poster my mind. I’ve never met Michael Jackson, never held a single conversation with him or seen him in person.

Just as millions of others (I would imagine), I’ve always felt connected to Michael Jackson and he has always been a part of my life; not just as a living legend or a symbol of the arts and American culture – but as a real-life person. Michael Jackson’s voice, warmth, presence and even his artistic awkwardness has earned a fond and familiar place in my heart since early childhood. This is the first Friday in my life without him and there is definitely a gaping hole somewhere inside of me that sorely aches with mourning as I struggle to accept his life and legacy as a part of the past.

My only consolation comes with my perspective that though Michael Jackson’s life dazzled with unprecedented, universal success and notoriety, he was also a very lonely, troubled, alienated individual who suffered from the residue of abuse and unaddressed psychological turmoil connected to his past as well as physiological distress. Now, that pain is over. Through the tears I shed today, I have given myself permission to say goodbye to Michael Jackson. With the gifts God gave him, he turned his 50 years into forever. Rest in peace, Michael – I love you.

A Night with NARAS

2009-05-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (better known as NARAS), is the organization responsible for submitting, voting and awarding artists around the world with one the most prestigious music musical honors in the United States – The Grammy. In recent years, there have been complaints and growing theories that charge the process for selecting artists who are Grammy-worthy with being faulty, bias and slanted, but all in all, NARAAS is still well respected.

I’ve been a voting member of NARAS for close to 2 years and I find the activities they offer to be a great opportunity for networking and socializing with others who share similar interests. In the past, I’ve been almost opposed to attending these sorts of events in the past. Part of me feels like they’re just “who’s bigger than who in local and global music” kind of events (who cares?). The real leg work in the music business begins in the studio, extends to the stage and ends on the charts – then it starts all over again. Besides, I’ve just never been much of a party animal. Loud noise, congestion and pretentiousness all bother me individually so I’ve never thought to put them all together as my idea of a good time. Still, there is value in networking (which I admit is sometimes my weakness) and it’s about time I met that challenge.

Last night, I attended a NARAAS event at Tongue and Groove (an awesome venue by the way). As soon as I walked through the door, I was met with free food, live music and an incredible DJ! While making my rounds, I ran into (and chatted it up with) Brad (NARAAS), Capricceo (SESAC), Lisa (ASCAP), Brian Jennings (music manager) and Ted Winn (gospel artist). I found the live music performance from a group called, “VAVOOM” to be quite interesting. The rain ended the party early for me, but I’m glad I got a change to stop by for a while.

2009-05-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

My dad is the third child of a family of 8 siblings. He grew up in a Pentecostal/holiness church in the south, playing the piano, bass guitar, singing, directing the church choir and writing songs. At 26 years old, Roland Joyner became my father. As a child, I remember my dad’s favorite pastimes being singing, swimming, roller-skating, walking on his hands and playing practical jokes on people.

As far back as I can remember (and even now), my dad has always had an outgoing, friendly and warm personality. He’s the kind of person that will talk to a stranger, buy a jet ski on a whim, ride a 300-feet-high rollercoaster or challenge someone to a race in the street. Mr. Joyner is also the kind of person who will walk into a car dealership without a single dime and leave with a brand new luxury car because of his persistence, confidence and “gift of gab”.

My father has lived a life of accomplishing things that were thought to be unlikely for him (for one reason or another) if not impossible. Beating the odds and coming out on top seem to be a part of his genetic wiring. One of the many things I have always admired about my father is that no matter how bad things look for him, somehow he’s always left holding the Ace.

Today my phone rang - it was dad so I immediately answered.

“Hey, Dad.”
“Hi, son!”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing much. Hey - I just wanted to tell you that I love you very much and I’m also very proud of you...and I like your music too! I don’t know why the world hasn’t caught on yet, but in time they will.”
“Wow – thanks dad. Love you, too!”
“Ok – I gotta go into this store now. I just wanted to tell you that.”

Suddenly, I realized that my father had just given me a gift; something I can use for the rest of my life - affirmation. There are people that live their entire lives just to hear their father or mother say, “I love you – I’m proud of you – you’re valuable.” In that moment I was reminded of what a wonderful person my father really is. I hope that I am blessed to be just as wonderful.

SESAC: My New Home

2009-04-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

For years I’ve heard various arguments about what performing rights organization is better than the other. I’ve been with Broadcast Music, Inc. for about six years now, and it’s never really made much of a difference to me who represented my publishing. I always figured as long as my organization properly collected my royalties it was all the same. When organizations pay, however they pay, and how much they pay never seemed to make much of a difference; I always assumed the rates and times were all comparable to each other for the most part. Besides, aside from all the speculation and hearsay, no one could ever provide any solid evidence that one PRO’s fees were higher or lower than another’s. Besides that, my checks are never what a major artist sees anyway. My thought was that a quarter more for one spin over here versus a dime less over there wouldn’t make or break my pockets.

Personal attention and relationships at my performing rights organization never meant much to me – especially since the day I heard a BMI representative complain, “the clients that give us the most grief are always the artists that don’t make any money, anyway”. At that moment, I was convinced that my presence at BMI didn’t matter at all. Their job was to collect my royalties, not to help me build valuable relationships, become acclimated to the music scene or help me become more visible as a musician. The business was clear - check, please. With this sobering reality in mind, what difference did it really make if I was “cool” with my rep or not?

A few weeks ago, I met a very warm, friendly person named, “Cappreiccieo Scates” at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Scates is the associate Director/Public Relations rep at SESAC, another publishing rights organization. After Ron Smith (Harmony/Life) called me over to introduce me, to Mr. Scates, he immediately began to speak to me and engage me as if I were a chart-topping artist. After a 30-second conversation, “Cap” (as he is affectionately called by colleagues) made me feel like my music mattered and SESAC was a place where I would be welcomed, appreciated and equally represented as a valuable artist. If that were not enough, SESAC is less than a tenth of the size of ASCAP and BMI in membership and are said to pay slightly higher rates more often. SESAC also is noted for its strong foreign presence and pays artists for live performances of original works - which is something that doesn’t even seem to be in the long-term scope of planning for other P.R.O.’s. After a few weeks of contemplating, I decided to do whatever it takes to make my transition to SESAC.

Black Eye

2009-03-05T19:31:00.001-08:00

I usually ignore my own album reviews and avoid them. Creative Loafing is a paper that I enjoy reading, so every now and again, I’ll surf their web page or grab one of their newspapers off the rack. This week during my occasional perusal of their site, I stumbled across a review of the Randevyn Project. The mere sight of my name locked my eyes in; there was no turning back from there. In the review, the writer made the assertion that I was once known as “ATL’s Musiq” (Soulchild). I’ve never heard that before nor is that my goal (even though I'm actually a Musiq fan), but I guess it may have been meant as a light compliment to soften the blows from the beating that would follow. The review went on to imply that my latest album had somehow dethroned me from my “soul” consciousness. The writer continued, calling my album a “mellowed-out Christian rock allusion inspired by Israel & New Breed”. I’m not really sure what this individual is talking about, but it felt like it was supposed to hurt (ouch?). This writer also described me as vocally restrained (compared to my last album I’d have to assume), complained about the consistency of the keys I sang in, accused me of “gambling away” my “originality” and posed what I interpreted as a rhetorical question to the reader: “it’s [The Randevyn Project] a change Randevyn clearly believes in but will soul fans?”

I’ll admit that I was a little shaken for about 10 minutes after reading the review. Then – I got over it. So what? This was my first black eye (courtesy of the press) in a few years. I don’t mind being insulted, given low ratings, written off by certain groups of discriminate listeners or even not liked. It’s a part of being a musician. I’m just glad to know someone is still writing about me – that means I’m making a little noise out there and there are people who know my name. The truth is – everyone won’t like my music (((GASP))). In fact, because my angle has made such a steep turn, I assume the expected risk of not having all of the fan support from those who may have really dug my last album. That’s not something I didn’t think about while writing and recording this record; it doesn’t come as a shock. I make the music – the music doesn’t make me. I made the decision to take this turn – there will be those who follow and those who fall off. My hope is that for every person who falls off, there will be two that climb on board my new train.

"Randevyn's Underground Song: A Kinsey Cookman Film"

2009-02-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

This year, I’m planning on launching a webisode series called, “Underground Song”. I’m still in the middle of putting the ideas together along with a group of writers and producers. The webisodes will feature an inside look into my experiences as an indie artist in Atlanta. The camera will travel with me to various live performances, studio sessions, meetings; maybe even a few dinner table conversations. My purpose for the webisode series is to further expose my music as well as my opinions about the music industry. I’m excited to begin filming as I have an awesome team in place ready to bring “Underground Song” to life. I’m really excited about getting in front of the camera and trying my hand at a new form of art. The webisodes will be posted to Youtube, Myspace, Facebook and here on the Randevyn Blog. Stay tuned for some interesting material!

Saturday's Focus Group

2009-01-29T10:14:00.000-08:00

I’ve always heard artists talk about how akward it feels to sit through a forum where people are invited to openly offer feedback concerning your music. I never really understood the meaning of that perspective until this weekend. Although it was initially a little uncomfortable, I eventually warmed up to the process. The reality is that many people will love your work as an artist, others will ignore it and some will even dislike it. An emotionally healthy artist will take it all in stride and continue to be proud of what he or she offers. This past Saturday night, I was joined by Mike Phillips (The Randevyn Project producer) as a focus group for my new album gathered to review a few songs from the release. Songs were evaluated by both verbal and written feedback. Towards the end of the event, I sang “Legend” (from the new album) live; Abraham Poythress played with me. Overall, we had a great turnout!

The Joyners

2009-01-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

This is a 35 year-old photo from a local newspaper running an article about an unemployed college student who became widow at the age of 33. Her husband’s sudden passing at age 34 left her with no money and 9 children to care for in a poverty-stricken, crime-infested urban neighborhood. Rose Joyner ended up meeting the challenge of raising all her children to adulthood and graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in education. She would go on to become a brilliant teacher and a grandmother of 22 people – including me. Her children: Richard, Roland (my daddy sportin' the checkered pants up front), Rose-Maria, Ramon, Roderick, Rodney, Renard, Raven and Robin all make up the musical family I was born into. With comparable talent but less popularity than the Jacksons and Osmounds, these are the Joyners, and their legacy is the bridge on which I crossed over into existence. Their lives are one American family's untold story of inherited musical brilliance and their plight for mainstream success. This is the blood that I share, the genes that drive my creativity, interpretation and musicianship.

My Inspiration Up Close and in Person: Meeting Mr. Stevie Wonder

2009-01-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

Thinkning back to my very early childhood, I can still remember the bells and horns that brought forth the colorful intro to “We are the World”, a collective, benefit song produced by Quincy Jones and recorded by a super-group of popular musicians during the early 80’s. My young ears were most impressed and overwhelmed when iconic R&B maestro Stevie Wonder warmed up the mic with his 16 bars of adlibbing the chorus with Bruce Springsteen, “we are the world, we are the children, we are the ones to make a brighter day…” From that point on, Stevie Wonder stood out in my mind as a musical giant. His high range and lightening-quick riffs were a signature sound that I would never forget as they eventually became a part of my own sound.

More than twenty years after I first watched the “We are the World” special and a countless number of other performances by Stevie Wonder, I got a call I’d never forget while on my way home. “Hey Ran, come to Phillips Arena - be here by 7:00. I want you to meet Stevie Wonder! Your passes will be at will call. Don’t be late”.

Immediately, I turned my car around and drove 20 miles in the opposite direction (being unemployed and facing $4.00/gallon gas prices) toward downtown Atlanta. That night, Stevie put on an impressive show where he scrapped the ceiling with his range and dazzled us on the piano. The entire time all I could do was text and listen – letting all my friends know I was listening to Stevie Wonder sing live! When the show was over, I got a chance to talk to and meet Stevie Wonder! He played backstage as we shared a brief conversation about The Randevyn Project. He nodded kindly as he listened to me talk about the album before smiling and encouraging me to continue my originality. As an 8 year-old in front of that television set, I never in a million years thought that I would end up having a musical conversation with the man from the “We are the World” special. I learned a profound lesson from this experience; never underestimate the power that lies in the persuit of passion - it can take you ANYWHERE!

ME on Musak?

2009-01-11T19:19:00.000-08:00

For years I hardly ever noticed the music that was being played in the restaurants I ate at, the stores I shopped in, gas stations I patronized and the movies and television programs I enjoyed on a regular basis. When I decided to become a professional musician, these opportunities to earn publishing dollars became much more clear to me.

I now realize that all the music being played in many common environments are composed by artists, singers and musicians just like myself. A while ago, my new album material was submitted to “Musak,” which is one the largest organizations in the world servicing companies with music for television, radio, voice and sound.

This passed weekend I learned that my music was accepted into Muzak’s international catalog and will be available for companies to utilize in venues all over the world; this was the best news I’ve received all week long. The Randevyn Project seems to be moving slow, but covering good ground on its journey; one very small step at a time.

Finally: The Randevyn Project

2008-12-26T17:29:00.000-08:00

It's here. After two very long, difficult years of singing and writing in vocal booths ranging in size (from a shoe closet to a large living room) and listening carefully to my inner guidance, my album is finally here. I need your support - I want more than anything for as many people as possible to be exposed to the positive messages on this project. Even though there is obviously a business component to music, my main focus isn't gridlocked on sales, fame or chart position; it's more centered on getting my voice out. As an independent artist, I'm able to say whatever I want, the way that I want, take the losses I choose and call the shots I think are most important. I can't tell you how many promo albums I've given out just for the sake of exposure. In a recent article I read, I was referred to as a "motivational speaker" - I really liked that because it best reflected who I am at heart and what my purpose is. I'm proud of the Randevyn Project not because I believe it's so wonderful (even though I did enjoy making it and I do think it's good), but because it's me in my most pure form. From the lyrics, to the vocal arrangements and the chord changes - this is me. Hope you enjoy it.

Strength, Courage and India

2008-12-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

It was about 9 years ago, while on the way to Galveston’s beach when I heard a voice that stopped my conversation. Suddenly under Texas' night sky was the most beautiful melody declaring, "I am Ready for Love...why are you hiding from me?" I’d never heard anyone sing with such purity; an expression with so much clarity of heart and passion. Later that week when I got back to Colorado, I saw a video on B.E.T. also called, “Video”.

As the guitar strummed it’s way into a funky drum beat, the same voice from the song I’d heard on the way to Galveston started, “sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t…” I raised an eyebrow and tilted forward. I stopped my thoughts to listen as the next line grew even more bold. “Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t...”

I think it was at that precise moment that I became an India.Arie fan. Motown had finally struck gold again! The inspiration I felt that day is a memory I’ll carry with me to my grave. The next day (ignoring my unemployed status), I went out and bought the “Acoustic Soul” album. Months later, I would end up playing “Strength, Courage and Wisdom” all the way from Colorado Springs to Atlanta, Georgia to fuel myself with inspiration as I began my journey for musical success.

I would’ve never thought that the voice from that truck’s CD player would meet me there, becoming a force of familiarity, encouragement and mentorship. I would have never guessed that seven years and many conversations later, India would be my friend.

CHURCH - The Training Ground for My Music

2008-12-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

When asked on what day of the week she'd like her cesarean to be performed, my 23-year-old mother chose Monday. Kind of an awkward day to have a baby? Maybe, but her primary reason for choosing the day closest to the top of the week was so that she and her newborn wouldn't miss too much church for the following weeks to come. Yes - it was that important to her! Because of my mother's passion for her faith, my first Sunday morning outside of the local hospital was spent in the sanctuary of a pentecostal church. For me, this would be the start of a life of weekly church services and bible classes.

It's not a secret that there are many aspects relating to religion (particularly church culture) that I adamantly disagree with now that I am standing from a distance. There are even things about Christianity that I simply don't believe are true. However, though my experiences have not always been positive and my opinions and understanding regarding church has dramatically evolved within the past 7 years, I can't deny the influence that church culture has had on my music. The way I interpret, deliver and write music stems directly from the musicians and singers I listened to as a child in church.

I grew up in a predominately African American sect of Christian churches called the "Church of God in Christ". This particular pentecostal group is known for many things including extreme doctrinal perspectives as it relates to mainstream lifestyles and culture. The Church of God in Christ is also known for raising and developing some of the most brilliant African American musicians, songwriters and singers; these musicians often go on to achieve mainstream music success.

There was a time in my life when I was quite ashamed and resentful of my religious upbringing. I felt that it had limited my musical capacity and held me back in accomplishing my mainstream music goals. I saw my church-rooted upbringing as an event in my life that had distracted me from developing a more commercial talent. I now understand that the influence and cultivating of church music was exactly what made me who I am. The music I was raised to sing has taught me an invaluable lesson about fusing talent with passion. I couldn't have been better educated by any other institution. Furthermore, church is a part of who I am and it will always be. In learning to embrace my whole self, I must also learn to accept and be proud of the culture that I have come from while growing beyond what I've been taught and learning new things that will make be even better.

Speechless

2008-11-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

I bought a book about 2 years ago called, "The Audacity of Hope". It was one of the most profound set of philosophies on life, liberty and politics I'd ever been exposed to. The guy on the cover had some weird name and looked to be from either Latin or bi-racial origin (from what I could gather). It wasn't until I began to plunge into the book that I realized that this was a phenomenal man with brilliant ideas that had the potential to change America and maybe even the world. "Oh well - great motivational book. Too bad he'll never have a chance to make the serious impact that he seems so equipped for", I thought as I slid the book back on my shelf with the others.

Months later, the rumor of Barack Obama (the guy from the book) running for President of the United States began to surface. I wasted no time in becoming involved with the primary campaign and even applied to be a delegate in Dekalb county where I was living at the time. I was fired up with excitement - so I called my mother and father to share the news about my support for Barack Obama's campaign only to discover that neither my parents, siblings or their families supported the senator from Illinois. "Do you really think he can do this job?" In shock, I held the phone away from my face as my older brother cynically charged Obama as a hopeless amature. "Y'all Black folks who are supporting Obama are gonna be tricked by the Republicans who are thrilled about him running in this election to divide the democratic vote", my mother warned. "Don't waste your vote son," I could hear my father co-signing in the background.

Believing that God has a way of affirming those who we discredit and turning the outcast of our community into the icon of our time, I continued to endorse, support and pray for Barack Obama. I could feel something in the air as I read his book; when he stepped on to the scene, something in me recognized him and was thoroughlly relieved. Every time he spoke, his voice called out to a part of me that believed in a better America; a part of me that I thought died a long time ago. Even when the chips were down during the primary season and throughout the journey of the general election, there was a resonating universal favor that just wouldn't let him fall behind.

On the night of November 4, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia I was made speechless. I left my place on McDaniel street at about 10:02pm (est) and headed down to Auburn Avenue. When I got there, I simply stretched myself out over the porch of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Speechless, all I could do was lie there and think, "the dream is now reality - rest in peace".

"NO" - A Word I No Longer Fear

2008-10-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

If there's anything I've learned in the music industry, it's the valuable lesson of not being afraid of or discouraged by the word, "no". Over the years, my skin has been made tougher than the back of a crockadile while enduring the big, "N-O" when pitching my music to labels, music supervisors, managers and promoters. A friend of mine warned me about a year ago saying, "Don't worry about rejection - it comes with the territory. This may be the first no you've heard, but it definately won't be the last."

That's when I realized that I had a long, hard journey ahead of me. That day I soaked those words of wisdom in, took a deep breath and prepared for the worst, all the while hoping for the best. I take joy and strength in knowing that it only takes a single "yes" to overcome a thousand "no's." No is a word I don't fear anymore. Strength, patience, wisdom and courage are the words that will eventually lead me to "yes" when the time is right. No matter how many people say "no" to me, I'll never say "no" to myself. The fact of the matter is that most of the time when musicians hear "no", they are no worse off than they were the day before. "No" has no power over what's already written in the stars.

100 Things I'd like to Experience Before I Die

2008-10-11T17:46:00.000-07:00

Every morning, I give thanks for life. Here are the things I will see and or do before I turn in on life:

Learn to roller skate backwards

Hold a baby monkey

See the first African-American president elected in the United States

Become fluent in Spanish

Wake up to my own schedule each morning

Appear on a national nightly show

Have a laugh with Bill Marr

Find spiritual peace

Have a colonic

Dinner at Oprah's

Attend a church service in Africa

Play "Redrocks" in Denver

Buy art from Craig Henderson and decorate my house with it

Be involved with a movie screenplay

Release a book

Write a classic song

Meet Jonathan Butler and tell him how much I enjoy his music

Have a life-changing encounter with the spirit world

Host a radio show

Start a successful non-profit organization

Learn to play a song on the guitar

Learn to respect and appreciate every person, religion, lifestyle and culture

Sing at the Apollo Theatre

Have coffee in Paris

Perform live on national television

Walk on to a car lot and pay cash for a new vehicle

Write an article in a publicaiton

Appear on the cover of Rolling Stone

Take a ski trip to Aspen with my friends

Become a great father

Pledge Alpha

Perform at Carneige Hall (as a headliner)

Nomination for a Grammy

Buy some braces

Write a book

Record a song with a saxophone in it

Stroll the red carpet at a Hollywood movie premier that I have a small role in

Make a significant investment in a new from of world energy

Have my music featured in a major motion picture

Enter a successful joint business venture with my brother

Help pay for my nieces, nephew and godson's college eduction

Have Lasik surgery

Enjoy Christmas in New York with someone I love

Attend a party on a large yacht in California

Live in walking distance to a beach

Have a conversation about my personal issues with Dr. Phil

Do a magazine interview at my house

See myself on VH1

Own another dog that I love as much as Rambo

Be embraced and respected for who I truly am

Be nominated for an American Music Award

Record 10 albums that I am proud of

Earn a Master's Degree in Business

Purchase property in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Houston

Look down and see a 6-pack

Buy a fully leather, king-size bed

Take a trip to Canada

Be someone's "boss"

Take a course on "The History of Religion"

Grow my hair back

Have lunch with Brandy Norwood

Permanently say goodbye to the 9 - 5 work day

Buy my mother something she wants but cannot afford

Write and or perform a song with John Mayer

Go on a week-long cruise

Be a part of changing a badly-written law

Visit a prison

See $250,000.00 in my checking account

Have a one-on-one conversation with Barack Obama

Renovate an old buidling

Appear in a major motion picture

My music on the soundtrack of a major motion picture

Have a personal assistant

Buy my parents a home

Perform at the White House

Be an activist for equal rights

See my parents respected in the world because of my art

Have a colonic

Be the first African American to...

Have Thanksgiving with my family in New York

Get a tatoo on my neck

Renovate an old home

Build my own studio

Hire my own staff

Eat completely healthy

Fly on a luxury jet

170lbs.

Record in a studio in Hawaaii

Play at "House of Blues"

Have a conversation with Michael Jackson

Take up a few siminary classes

A Good Manager is Tough to Find

2008-10-08T22:03:00.000-07:00

I would imagine that I'm not the only artist who's working hard at finding a professional manager. Experienced managers usually don't take risks on "rookies", major managers only develop the careers of their larger clients, mediocre managers offer shark contracts and all the other ones usually aren't worth dealing with. Yes - a good manager is tough to find, but they are absolutely necessary for any serious artist. Three managers later, I have began my first 'serious' search.

I need a manager who:

-Respects me as a person first.

-Believes in my talents, is passionate about seeing me succeed and enjoys my musical expression.

-Is highly experienced and well-connected to the music industry and works diligently to advance my career in a way that will be mutually beneficial.

- Is honest with me and challenges me to be even better

-Is lock step with the vision I have for my music and offers innovative ideas that will further develop and maximize this vision.

-Is willing to comprimise, and embraces the philosophy that we don't work for each other but with each other.

-Sets and strives to meet clear goals and timelines; represents me well and communicates with me consistently.

- Understands and practices integrity at all times.

Okay - so I realize this is like asking for fat free porkchops and gravy, but I'm the kind of person who believes in calling things to 'come to me'. Call me crazy, but I intend to meet this person before this year is over.

Let it be.

Faith Versus Passion?

2008-10-03T22:53:00.000-07:00

The day before I left Colorado Springs for Atlanta in my dusty, white 1986 BMW happened to be a Sunday. Like always, I fired up the organ that morning before service, ripping through chord transitions that helped move the service along. After a selection from the choir, I was tapped on the shoulder by an usher and motioned toward the church office in the middle of service. I entered the study to find my mother in distress at the reality of me moving away. I rushed to comfort her. Through her tears, she assured me that if ever things didn’t go well in Atlanta, I would always have a home to return to. At that moment more than ever before, I was certain that my parents loved and valued me because I was their son and not because of the musical worth I brought to the congregation.

For a long time, I was made to feel guilty for having my own dreams seperate from the expectations of others in the community of faith surrounding me. Faith and passion are not opposing forces. Anyone who disputes this philosophy is likely to also be a person who aborted many of their own dreams early on in life through spiritual or social misguidance. Sadly, these kinds of people cope with their regret by advising others to embrace the same misery. They use tools of guilt and may even offer threats (that so conveniently carry God's endorsement) to a person's future to scare them into ignoring and ultimately aborting their true calling; perhaps under the banner of "God's will." Whatever your expression of spirituality may be, know that divine authority made you who and what you are to include your aspirations as well as the drive to see them become reality. I learned that the most incredible miracle God ever gave me was my own intuition, which has always led me to an open door. As a teen, I was the son of a minister and also the only musician for my father's church. I allowed myself to become a pillar of dependency and a crutch to compensate for the “lack of.” If I wasn't at church each Sunday, I was guilted into believing I was somehow responsible for the church service not going as well because of my absence. What aspiration in my life could possibly be more important than being in a church service to ensure its success with mood music? After all, wasn't God directly counting on me to keep the musical atmosphere warm so that people would be more apt to join our church? It wasn't until I decided to file those thoughts under, "ridiculous" that I became strong enough to be my own person. Not long after, I blindly walked away from the chains of false gilt and obligation to purse my own dreams; my parents eventually began to respect my adulthood and support my individuality.

At some point I started to also realize that the conditional God I'd been introduced to early on in life who operated on the barter system was really created by a group of people hopelessly programmed to believe in "earning their keep" in life. This same group had since unknowlingly transferred this school of thought into their system of theology. “God will only bless you if you do this or that for Him first”, was a popular ideology in the sect of Pentecostalism I grew up in. Somehow these concepts never quite seemed to add up for me. If this were true, why were there so many different kinds of prosperous people living in the world – many of whom have never been exposed to my expression of spirituality and quite possibly never will be? Countless numbers of people filled with passion and honest fulfillment with unprecedented levels of achievement who have found the same results could not exist if there was only one path to success. After re-evaluating my spirituality, I made the decision to open myself up to learning more about God from a universal perspective. Tuning out the signals of religion and cranking up my sensitivity to the spirit world on a broad level helped me to see that the only thing God expected of me was that I use my talents in a way that would bring joy to humanity. I stopped entertaining the idea of bribing God by lending him my voice, money, musicianship or even time spent in church services (getting more of God). In fact, it took me some time to understand that we never get more of God, God gets more of us. By this I mean that the more I surrendered my attention to God, asking for clarity, the more I was able to understand that my purpose wasn’t something I had to look for because I'm made of it. It became clear that my purpose is parallel to all my talents and everything that already makes me who I am.

We are all wired with the tools we need - talent coupled with a burning desire to express them. This is why an artist never has to try hard to enjoy what he or she does. I don’t subscribe to the notion that God is gives us irreversible marching orders to which we miserably object but carry out for fear of divine punishment. In my estimation, a healthy relationship with God must be based upon faith and not fear. I’ve come to believe that our talents mirror God’s glory, and each time they are displayed, they inevitably boast of God’s artistic nature. Talent is powerful, but without direction it becomes sterile, and with negative direction it becomes poisonous and even destructive. Faith helps to guide our power on to a course that will maximize our effectiveness.

You are the Rhythm of the American Drum: VOTE!!

2008-09-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

There are about 40 days left unitl the 2008 Presidential Election. This is probably one of the most critical elections we'll see in our lifetime. We have an opportunity to help make history; it does matter and the decison made will indirectly effect your life. Considering the climate of the current economy, we all have a responsibilty to use our collective and individual influence to ensite change in Washington and all over the United States. There is nothing of higher priority on your schedule than protecting your future. Even if your candidate doesn't win the Whitehouse, don't allow this historical event to take place without voicing your opinion.

For the Love of Music Vs. For the Love of Money

2008-09-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

Every morning, I wake up to a sign on my bathroom mirror that says in simple, bold ink, "Grammy". One of my personal goals is to be nominated and or win someday; doesn't matter – either or is fine for me (sincerely). The Grammy Award win or nomination isn't for everyone else to sing my accolades. It's so that I can remind myself every day for the rest of my life of the concept that the greatest miracle to unfold in my life started inside of my mind. I want to remember that it happened at the very moment that I decided it was possible.

Even so, my purpose for singing and writing isn't to make a million dollars, to become famous or even to be celebrated by the world; not anymore. Would it be nice? Sure, but this desire doesn't (nor should it ever) fuel the artistic engine. If that were so, I would've been out of gas years ago. I'm sure that these kinds of ambitions are the driving force for a lot of people who synonymously claim music as their "passion". I'm not sure whether or not it's genuinely possible to be controlled by the hunger for money, power, respect and fame – and also by true artistic passion.

When you allow yourself to become a worshipper of the material world, your art becomes lost inside the dollar that controls it. I have learned that whoever controls your money will also control you (in every aspect). In my experiences, the only way to create from a pure place is to do so in your "higher self" which is completely separate from your ego-driven "lower self". In your higher self, you are free to express your art without being overwhelmed by the forces of competition, insecurity, fear, expectation and influence. I was blessed to have the opportunity to record, "The Randevyn Project" while entering the journey toward my higher self. I feel honored to have been able to capture and catalog the start of a new era in my life on wax. During this time, I was completely disconnected from the "outside noise" and clearly in touch with myself for the first time in my life.

It always amazes me to see artists stand before the world to receive awards while boasting about how wonderful they are and how proud they are of themselves; projecting future wins and trying to intimidate and embarrass their peers who may have also been nominated. I just smile softly from my sofa – remembering that arrogance is merely insecurity turned inside out. Yeah – from my sofa. I'm okay with being on my sofa instead of on an international stage. That's where I am right now. That's where I'm supposed to be. Everything is in it's right place. Where will I be tomorrow? Time will unfold that story – it's not my place to rob time of its treasures by breaking its rhythm with my anxiety. My duty is to continue to release my boomerang of blessings into the universe as I handle my talents responsibly. I give thanks to God for my gifts; with joy, I celebrate them. I do this "for the love" of my art.

The Modern Producer (Type A & B)

2008-08-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

I was having a conversation at the studio last night about the art of musical production; what is has meant in the past, what it has become, and how it will be defined in the future. My simple philosophy as it relates to music producers is this: There are two styles of music producers. There are producers who create around an artist's musical personality, developing and complementing their style (A Producer). Then, there are producers who simply lend their unique sound to the artists they work with (B Producer). In rare cases, there are producers who can perform both A and B producer functions, but no matter what they say, they're always better at one of these two styles than the other.

The “A Producer” will work hard to help create the musical direction for "albums" as well as the artists as opposed to making, "tracks". This kind of music producer is more likely to make what is considered, “timeless music.” B Producers are likely to offer an artist more trend-driven music. They are more focused on branding themselves as visible producers and getting mainstream exposure. B Producers are often very profitable in the music market because they are dollar-driven. An A Producer is less likely to perform production with artists whose talent they don’t appreciate in some way.

There was a time when A Producers were the standard. The Princes and Quincy Jones’ of our time have now been replaced with producers with a modern star mentality that wraps the artist around their sound. I don’t think either process is “right” or “wrong”, they are simply different approaches. The type of producer needed depends on the kind of recording artist. There are some artists who need more direction than others. While some artists know exactly what they want, from the clothing they wear to the songs they sing, other artists are mere commercial products (baring beautiful faces and mediocre voices) with mega-marketing dollars behind them. These kinds of “manufactured” artists will need to have B Producers to function effectively. More traditional artists who may be singers, songwriters, musicians, vocal producers and composers will most definitely clash with B Producers and thrive when working with A Producers. Then, there are those few artists who fall somewhere in the middle, and are successful at working with both A and B producers on a project.

On my previous album, "SolTrain", I worked with nearly all B Producers. Not a bad thing - but in retrospect, it just wasn't the best idea or method for me. There was a whole side of me that went unheard. Although I had some input on a couple tracks, for the most part, I'd taken on someone else's musical interpretation as my sound and just added my vocal perspective. This was not a pure representation of who I was musically.

On The Randevyn Project, I was fortunate enough to work with Mike Phillips, who I consider an A Producer at heart, with B producer qualities when or if necessary. His style of production met my style of composing, writing and singing. We were able to develop an effective system for creating music that became a proven method of success for the album. Today I can say that now that I understand these two methods, A Production is my path. I don't see myself ever returning to B Producers - it's just not where I fit in. If there's anything an artist needs to know in order to understand his or her music, it's where and how they fit in.

The Infamous R&B Tag

2008-08-19T14:43:00.000-07:00

I realize that for the sake of selling music, the industry must catalog and categorize artists by style in order to help identify a demographic of listeners. Still, I have to ask myself - what exactly is R&B? Honestly, I'm not completely sure. I think it's a generic label that the music industry assigns nearly all African American performers, simply because they haven't come up with an effective method to sub-categorize various forms of "Black" music. That being said, I guess I would qualify as an R&B singer according to the standards of our current system, but what about my gospel roots? As aparent as they are, I guess they cancel out because I don't sing "church" music. Oh - and what about my pop/rock writing style? Since I'm a black guy, I think I get an automatic "urban" sticker across my project. The point I'm trying to make is that I realize I don't fit perfectly into any one music genre. Even though most people who do know my music remember me as a "soul singer" (because of my very first album), I (ironically) don't listen to R&B radio stations, watch the videos or buy those kinds of albums very much at all.

Honestly - (I know I will get in trouble with someone here) I'm just not into R&B music so much. The days when I enjoyed R&B music ended with groups like Jodeci, Boyz 2 Men and SWV. After that, R&B sort of slowly turned into a new music genre manufactured by Digidesign. As a musician, I don't care for "trendy" music, and over time I've learned that I don't have to. While I do recognize that trend-driven music certainly has it's place and purpose in the world, it's okay for me to have a different preference, following my own musical intuition. I don't accept the pressure to personally embrace a thing simply because it is popular or generates millions of dollars. My art isn't motivated by money, so that doesn't serve as a driving force of inspiration for me. I respect anyone who works hard enough to earn international recognition in any genre just because mainstream music is a very difficult path (for most). However, my CD player will continue to play my favorites and I'll continue to make good, American music free of the "R&B" tag.

Major Music Business and Independent Artists

2008-08-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

Music business is a sect of American industry that invests money into artists who they deem most likely to yield the highest, quickest monetary return according to purchasing and advertising statistics and trends. It took me a long time to learn this and to be okay with it! This is America - a Capitalist society, where making big money fast is the name of the game and music is no exception. For years, I wondered why I hadn't been signed to a major label. Then, I realized the answer to this question was actually quite simple. I wasn't a "major label product" yet. Because major labels are really nothing more than investment companies, there is a certain criteria that must be met when considering signing a new artist; especially now that they are on their last leg.

Major labels aren't interested in how well you sing or how wonderful you think your music is. The days of talent scouts searching for a singing sensation to take a risk on are over. These days, the majors are not moved by your talent or passion for the messages you share through your songs. They're not necessarily interested in how nice your CD packaging is, or even how many venues you play throughout the year. If you don't fit their "money-maker prototype", there will be only 3 calculations of concern. How large of a fan-base have you generated on your own? How much money are you clearing from your music? Lastly, how much would their record label stand to profit from a minimal investment in your music? These are all important questions for any investment-driven business. Even though record companies are suffocating the spirit of musical creativity in the process, they are trying desperately to survive by making what they estimate to be the "safest" investments possible (which is what any thriving company does). Additionally, A&R's are trying to save their jobs by developing formulas that regurgitate the same successful sounds, images and styles of the past over and over until they are no longer commercially viable. Meanwhile, people like me can't remember the last time they trusted the radio to play something they actually enjoy.

If your answers for all the investment questions above is "low to no", you're probably not seen as a "major label product" and are unlikely to be signed by a major label, though there are some acts that do slip through the cracks. What most artists don't understand is that it's okay not to be seen as such. Most of us stretch and bend ourselves out of artistic character in an effort to fit the ideas of what the industry has already done and considers valuable. Ironically, the majors can spot a copy cat from a mile away. However, today's indie misfit is tomorrow's industry icon. My producer, Mike Phillips and I often discuss this topic. People don't become legends by following the patterns of others, but by creating their own path that rises to the top of a category all it's own. Even if you never become a "legend", you'll still be a pioneer of sorts, because you followed the lead of your own creativity; this will inevitably inspire another artist who will grow to be a commercial giant as a result of your influence.

I'm a musician who loves my music. I love the way I interpret it - and the freedom I have to do so. I have resolved to cherish every moment that I am blessed to spend making songs that will remain here after I'm gone. I refuse to become lost in the anxiety of wondering whether or not my songs will become internationally recognized - I have to just follow my divine guidance in creating music and leave the rest up to the universe.

ON THE HILLS, LIFE SUPPORT

2008-08-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

I should clear something up, here. ON THE HILLS and LIFE SUPPORT were originally supposed to be for my 2010 release, but I decided to include them with The Randevyn Project since they came out so well. I thought they would make the current album even stronger. I didn't want to have them just sitting on my hard drive for the next year and a half. That's a waste. I'm sure they'll do a lot more good in someone's CD player.

Still, ideas keep coming to me. This morning, I had an idea for a song built around the idea of human sexuality (I haven't heard the title yet). Yesterday, a song called, "The Hopeful" came to me. I'm sure I'll know what it's supposed to be about soon. I feel like it's gonna have a very powerful message, though. There was another song that I heard yesterday; I lost it when I didn't write it down immediately. That's the greatest tragedy to me - losing a song inspiration. I'll pray for it to come back and release the disappointment.

Here are the songs ideas for 2010's album:

EVOLUTION
EYES WIDE OPEN
FEAR
GOD CYCLE
GUIDANCE
KISS
GRATITUDE
PRAY FOR RAIN
THE HOPEFUL
TIME PROMISES

Knowing me, this list will change 5 or 6 more times before the actual album is released in 2010, but I wanted to share the list as is. Of course, this isn't necessarily the order the songs will be in. It's all just a draft, but that's the beauty of this blog. I get to share all my ideas from their infancy.

Vocals Finished: No Specific Expectations

2008-08-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I finished the last re-cuts and clean-ups for the album. Mike and I are both tired at this point, and ready to turn in on the project. Still, we've both worked diligently all the way up until the very end to perform on this album with the highest musical integrity possible. That's what I liked about this entire process. There has been so much growth with regard to the way my music is created and produced. I've worked with many producers both major and indie. Ironically, Mike Phillips is "hands down" the best producer I have EVER worked with. He's HARD-working, professional, patient, diligent, consistent, thorough, respectful and honest. I've been blessed. I'd recommend him to anyone (well - not really; I'd like to keep him for myself - LOL!)

On another note, a friend asked me the other day about my expectations for this album and I didn't know what to say. I mean, naturally I want the album to do well and go places I never imagined. On the other hand, there's really no way for me to be certain about what the general public is going to say or feel in response to my album. I have no clue what the numbers are gonna look like and I don't spend time agonizing over those kinds of issues.

I'm an indie artist putting out my own material. I do this for the love of my art. I don't have quotas to meet. I don't have to cope with the woes of major label life. I don't have to kneel at an almighty investor's throne in regard to what material is released, the audience I should be assigned, my image, my messages or how quickly I'm meeting the company's pricey recuperation. Why would I create that kind of stress for myself this early? At some point, I may really have to deal with that, but today - I don't.

I love the fact that major artists are allowed expensive budgets, but I don't like that fact that those budgets aren't controlled by the artist even though they are responsible for paying back every dime and more. I also love the freedom to create the music that I am inspired to without having to answer to anyone. I love being able to work with whatever producers and artists I choose to. I love being able to choose my own artist royalty. More than all these things, I love living in the time and space of my purpose.

I'm enjoying being lil' indie Randevyn, for now; making music from the beat of my heart and sharing it with other people with no stress and no pressure. I've been able to do what I felt inspired to do - listening to the my inner-voice's guidance and tossing my music into the universe as I watch it sparkle among the blackness. What happens from here is not a focal point. I've done my part. I'm already working on ideas for the next album which, at this point, I'm giving serious thought to releasing with a short book. In fact, I should get back to work on it, now.

The Randevyn Project - Song List

2008-07-22T10:50:00.000-07:00

I've decided to share my songlist for, "The Randevyn Project." I've worked reallly hard along side my producer, "Mike Phillips", on this album. I really hope everyone who ends up hearing it enjoys it. I made the decision to include 2 songs that I was saving for the next project. I live for today; the future doesn't offer any guarentees. Here are the song titles:

1. On the Hills
2. Dear Diary:
3. Jena Tree
4. Outside the Box
5. Black Sky
6. (The Dash in Between)
7. Graveyard Treasure
8. Legend
9. American Drum
10. Colorado
11. Life Support
12. Better Me
13. Pretenders
14. This Morning

That's my project - in living color. Finalized. I've driven Mike crazy by changing and editing a million things before we could come up with this final list, but I am proud of our work and excited for the release. Let's see what happens!

Speak Louder!

2008-07-10T07:22:00.001-07:00

Last night I started recording the second song on my upcoming release tenatively titled, Randevyn: Since 1978 (projected release September 2009- February 2010). So far, I've only recorded skeletons for two songs:

On the Hills
Life Support

I really like the way Life Support is unfolding. It's almost exactly the way I heard it in my head from its birth. That may not sound interesting, but my songwriting is almost always spontaneous and I never know what any of my songs will sound like until after they are completely recorded. Does this mean I'm growing? I wonder.

I've actually heard all the titles in my head for the songs on my 2009 album, and I've posted the song list up on my file cabinet. To date, there are only 10 records that have come to me for Randevyn: Since 1978. I know; pre-titling songs seems crazy to other artists, but I embrace this process because this is the way that I experience my music. I hear song titles first - then I hear the rest of the song in very fragmented peices. It's probably the way I subconsciously control the messages in my music; I don't know.

When I'm creating, I feel like there's a voice directing me; giving me instructions. I thought I was partially nutts or something until I heard a good friend tell me that this is how's she's always written songs by following her spirit guides (as she calls them), and it has led her to becoming a platinum-selling artist. Not that platinum sales necessarily defines success, but listening to her "voice" of guidance has proved not to lead her astray. Without trying to calculate the results, I will continue to listen to my divine influence. Speak louder; I hear you and I intend to continue following your instructions closely.

Independence Day

2008-07-08T12:50:00.000-07:00

Usually, on the 4th, I don't do much. In the past, I just waited until the last couple of hours of the day to scurry downtown and see a few minutes of fireworks. I don't like crowds - it bothers me to feel crammed in a small space; it's uncomfortable and I don't enjoy it. Clubs - out. Concerts - out (ironically). Any place where I can barely walk and or talk is a place where I don't care to be.

This year, my Independence Day weekend felt more like a week's vaccation. I'm so used to being in the studio and doing other things that pertain strickly to work that I've nearly forgotten what it means to just get out and have a great time. A friend recently brought to my attention how unhealthy my work habbits have been fort he past year while working on the album.

This past weekend I was surrounded by friends and had more fun than I could've saw coming. I actually found myself walking around at Atlanta's, "Six Flags". I rode the Batman, Mind Bender, Wheelie, Thunder Mountain, Scream Machine, Ninja - and I even considered the Goliath (LOL). I really would've gotten on if it hadn't been so late. I learned that the best time to be at Six Flags is right before everything shuts down for the night.

Even though I walked away with a terrible headache, I really enjoyed myself - which is something I've not felt for quite a while (in that sense). The next time I go out to Six Flags, I'm gonna be sure to ride everything in reach. I also got a chance to take some pictures with some great friends of mine who I'd not seen in a few years. I really had an awesome, carefree time; rare for me. I've made the decision to make more of an effort to do something like tht at least once a year - it really made me smile.

AMERICAN DRUM: Randevyn and Fhena

2008-07-03T06:11:00.001-07:00

When I first started writing American Drum (one of the last songs written for my pending album titled, "The Randevyn Project") I didn't really know what direction I was headed. All I knew was that my inspiration was guiding me to build a song about the American struggle centered around the concept of the drum as a resounding reminder. When I started the song in the studio, I sang a skeleton with just a few bongo sounds and kicks. I left it pretty open, even though I didn't know exactly why I was recording it that way. In the vocal booth just seconds before the song was born, I was blank. When the piano track I built a few minutes earlier started, I began singing spontaneously:

"There is a drum echoing the story of a dynasty lost in time
On the shores of American soil there is blood from a royal families veins"

...That was the beginning. A few weeks passed - I left the song alone. I needed time to hear what the next part should be like. In the coming weeks, I returned to the lab where more lyrics came to me:

"A field way out in the country part of Tennessee, they say you can still hear the screams of a mother who lost her baby
Three fifths human sentenced to the darkness of slavery's brutality
As the night falls, you can hear the drum play."

I continued listening....then I heard this:

"These are the voices of the American drum
And the rhythm of their stories
This is a part of an American chronicle
Hear the drum play this American story"

It was suddenly so clear to me that the song should be included on the album (at first I wasn't completely certain), and it should feature this amazing, Atlanta-based poet who happens to also be a friend named, Fhena. We spoke briefly about it, and last night we held the session that completed, "American Drum". It was simply amazing. Even though our interpretive expressions of the American struggle differ, the spirit of the song is the same. The memory and the voices of America's struggles will never die; they will never be forgotten. I am thankful to God for the idea to combine our talents (Fhena and I) to create this piece of art.

Last night was unforgettable.